FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

My tooth is chipped, what should I do?

When a tooth chips or breaks, it is essential that you contact our office as soon as possible for an emergency appointment. Immediate treatment minimizes the long-term damage.

YES !! feel free to contact our office for emergency treatments. We offer services for both current patients and new patients or visitors. Call right away for an appointment.

We know that dental emergencies can happen at the most inconvenient times. If you experience an emergency on the weekend, call us right away for an immediate appointment.

Floss to remove any food particles that might be contributing to the pain. Swish gently with a saltwater solution. Apply ice on the cheek. Take over the counter pain medication if needed.

  • Are you in extreme tooth pain?
  • Are any permanent teeth loose?
  • Have you cracked / broken / lost a permanent tooth?
  • Are you bleeding from the mouth?
  • Is any area in your middle third or lower third of your face and mouth swollen?
  • Do you have any bulging, swelling, or knots anywhere on your gums?
  • Were you hit in the face or mouth due to any type of accident or injury?
  • Are you experiencing anxiety because a crown has fallen off, a tooth has chipped, or a tooth has broken? 
  • Do you think that there’s some type of bad odor all of sudden coming from your mouth?
  • Do you think that there’s some type of pus discharge coming from your teeth/mouth?

Just give us a call and we can guide you through how to tell if immediate attention is needed.

  • Divine Dental always holds two spots per day for Emergency Exams of new patients.  We hold one afternoon and one morning appointment each working day.  Call us instead of scheduling online to get the fastest appointment time. Of course, We also offer: (1) online scheduling & (2) just simply walk-in. Note: Walk-in patients are always welcome, but please be kind & considerate. Long waiting times for walk-in patients can be frustrating sometimes, but stay assured as we will do everything we can to accommodate you the same day even if we are very busy at our practice on a given day. 

Tooth pain is common in everyday life for many Americans.  But it doesn’t have to be! Below are some common causes of tooth pain and how we can help. 

  • Tooth Cavity– Pain can be caused by any type of infection or decay in the tooth, especially if close to the nerve
  • Tooth Sensitivity– receding gums can cause the tooth roots to be exposed and cause sharp pain
  • Teeth Grinding – Bruxism or teeth grinding can cause teeth to become sensitive and damaged
  • Loose Crowns or Cavities – can be painful if they expose the nerve 
  • Cracked Tooth – a crack in the tooth can allow pain to be felt deep within the tooth down to the root
  • Dental abscess – A pocket of pus in a tooth caused by an infection. The infection can result from an untreated cavity, injury, or old dental work. Symptoms include pain, bad breath, and fever. The abscess must be drained. A limited problem focussed evaluation is required to further evaluate, diagnose and treat the dental abscess. A root canal or extraction may be needed. 
  • Dental pain of unknown origin – requires problem focused and/or a detailed comprehensive oral evaluation to rule out different possibilities. Sometimes, we may require a multispecialty approach to serve you better. In such situations, we refer our patients to Dental Specialists and/or Medical Specialists for further evaluation as well as appropriate treatment.  

We will always recommend seeing a qualified dentist to assess and diagnose the source of your pain.  That being said, there are several things you can do to manage pain at home before you are able to see a doctor.  Below is a list of common conditions and how to manage them.

 

  • Knocked Out Tooth: The most important thing is to make sure that the wound and the tooth are kept clean.  Hold the tooth by the crown with a clean towel or piece of gauze.  Do not hold at the root as this may introduce bacteria to the tooth before reinsertion or break/crack the roots.  Rinse with clean water and place in a glass of water or milk until you see the dentist. 


  • Broken or Chipped Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and place a cold compress at the site of the injury. If you can, recover the broken tooth fragments and place in glass of clean water or milk.   There may be a chance the dentist can fix your teeth with the original pieces. 


  • Toothaches: Toothaches always start small and become bigger problems as time goes on.  If you have a dull pain, that can be a sign that an infection is in the middle stages and getting close to the root. Severe pain or sharp throbbing pain is a sign that the infection has already reached the root of the tooth. The longer you wait, the more difficult (and expensive) the solution. Rinse your mouth with warm salt-water to hopefully dislodge any food if the pain is coming from in-between your teeth. A cold compress or a combination of Tylenol/Advil can also help tide you over until you can receive care.


  • Cold Sores, Canker Sores, and Abscesses: While these types of infections aren’t directly related to teeth they can also hurt your long term oral health.  The presence of this type of issue indicates that there is unhealthy bacteria present in your system.  That same bacteria can spread to other parts of your mouth and body via the bloodstream to create larger problems.  Over the counter pain relieves can help with this type of issue. 

While you can’t ever fully prepare for, or prevent, a dental emergency, the following items in a dental kit can assist you in the case of an emergency.

  • A small, sterile container with a lid: This is ideal if you lose a permanent tooth. Place milk and the tooth in the container. The sooner you can get to a dentist, the higher possibility the tooth can be placed back in your mouth.
  • Name and phone number of your dentist: This isn’t necessarily just in case you are unable to make a call yourself, but it can greatly reduce your anxiety if you have the number available and don’t need to take precious time searching for it.
  • Acetaminophen: Ibuprofen and aspirin can act as blood thinners, which can worsen the situation if part of your dental emergency is due to bleeding. The acetaminophen can help reduce pain prior to getting in for dental services.
  • Gauze: This can be effective in case of bleeding inside of your mouth or to help with a lost tooth.

Many ER facilities are simply not equipped to treat certain emergency dental needs. For example, some issues the local ER or Urgent Care may not be able to help with include:

  • A tooth that needs to be pulled
  • Root canal or another emergency dental work
  • Lost or cracked  filling
  • Denture repair
  • Re-cementing of crowns, bridges, or veneers
  • Broken tooth, chipped tooth, or lost tooth

With the COVID-19 crisis, we have decided to join and follow the recommendations from the American Dental Association in urging people to avoid local ER facilities for the purpose of dental care. This shall help to preserve capacity for COVID-19 and emergency cases.

Divine Dental – Frequently Asked Questions

🪥 Brushing & Oral Hygiene

How often should I brush my teeth?
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day once in the morning and once before bed with a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Do I have to floss every day?
If your teeth touch, flossing daily is essential to clean the spaces between teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.

What kind of toothpaste should I use?
Choose any toothpaste that contains fluoride to help protect against cavities.

Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one?
Both are effective if used correctly. Choose the one you feel comfortable using consistently.

What does fluoride do?
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities.

When and what can I eat after fluoride varnish?
Wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking, and avoid hot liquids like soup for 1 hour after application.

👶 Children’s Dental Care

When should I bring my infant to the dentist?
Bring your infant for their first dental visit between 18 and 24 months.

When will my child lose their first tooth?
Typically between ages 5 and 7, but tooth eruption can vary.

My child still sucks their thumb or pacifier is that bad?
If they stop by age 4, teeth usually self correct naturally.

Can my child use adult toothpaste?
Yes, if it has fluoride. But since kids often swallow toothpaste, use only a pea sized amount and supervise brushing. For toddlers, kid friendly toothpaste with less fluoride is usually safer.

What brushing technique is best for children under 3?
Use a soft brush and clean in circular motions, covering as many tooth surfaces as possible.

And for children over 3?
Continue with the circular motion and brush for about 2 minutes, twice a day.

My child grinds their teeth. Is that normal?
Yes, grinding is common and often outgrown without harm.

🦷 Cavities & Dental Treatments

How do I know if I have a cavity?
Pain, sensitivity, or difficulty eating may signal a cavity. A dental exam can confirm.

How do you treat cavities?
We remove decay and place a white tooth colored filling to protect the tooth.

Do cavities or braces hurt?
No, cavities and braces do not cause pain during treatment. Braces might feel uncomfortable initially but are manageable.

Do I need sealants?
Sealants are recommended for children prone to cavities or with grooves in their molars.

😬 Braces & Orthodontics

Do I need braces?
Your dentist will assess your teeth and bite during an exam and recommend braces if needed.

What foods can I eat with braces?
Soft foods are best. If you want to eat harder foods like apples or carrots, cut them into small pieces and chew with your back teeth.

What if a bracket falls off?
Save it if possible and bring it to your orthodontist. They will reattach it.

How do I floss with braces?
Use Superfloss, a Waterpik, or special flossers designed for braces.

🦷 Tooth Development & Concerns

What are 6, 12, and wisdom molars?

  • 6-year molars come in around age 6

  • 12-year molars come in around age 12 behind the 6 year molars

  • Wisdom teeth usually emerge around age 18

Does my child have wisdom teeth?
The dentist can check with X-rays, usually when the child is about 18 years old.

My child has a double row of teeth. Is this normal?
Yes. This happens when adult teeth come in behind baby teeth before they fall out.

My child bumped a tooth, and it’s changing color. Should I worry?
This is usually normal if there’s no pain. We will monitor it. Contact us if you notice swelling or gum pimples.

X-rays & Technology

When do you take dental X-rays?
We take X-rays only when necessary. Panoramic X-rays are usually done around ages 7-8. Bitewing X-rays help check between molars.

My child just had X-rays at their orthodontist. Can you get those?
Yes, we can contact the orthodontist to have them sent to us.

Why don’t you use lead aprons during panoramic X-rays?
Panoramic X-rays do not scatter radiation, and aprons can block important parts of the image.

What is the intraoral camera used for?
It captures detailed photos of teeth and gums to help educate patients about their dental health.

🦷 Dental Emergencies & Common Concerns

My tooth looks chipped or broken. What should I do?
Contact us immediately. Even small chips can lead to bigger issues if untreated.

What is the white spot on my tooth?
It’s often a sign of enamel development issues (hypomineralization). It may fade or can be treated if needed.

My gums bleed when I brush. Is this normal?
Bleeding gums often indicate inflammation or early gum disease. Make sure to brush gently twice daily and floss regularly.

My teeth look yellow. Why?
Adult teeth can appear yellower than baby teeth. Plaque buildup may also cause discoloration.

Diet & Lifestyle

Is chewing gum okay?
Yes, as long as it’s sugar free.

My child loves sweets and juice what can I do?
Offer these with meals, encourage drinking water afterward, and brush teeth after snacking when possible.

Is the toothpaste you use gluten free?
Yes, all our toothpaste and fluoride treatments are gluten free.

I have a nut allergy is your toothpaste safe?
Yes, our products are free from common allergens.

📅 Scheduling & Insurance

How often should I visit the dentist?
Every 6 months to prevent cavities and catch problems early.

What time can I book my last appointment?
We are open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 6:30 pm, and Saturdays 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Is my treatment covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. We can help explain your benefits.

Make your dream smile a reality!

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