expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Joseph Castro, D.D.S.

Dentist

Dr. Joseph Castro is a Dentist practicing in Fallston, MD. Dr. Castro specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
Dr. Joseph Castro, D.D.S.
  • Fallston, MD
  • Accepting new patients

Does baking soda help a gum abscess?

Hello, Baking soda has many uses. It can be used to get rid of smells in your fridge, help, clean, stains with its abrasive nature, help with a sour stomach, when mixed with water READ MORE
Hello,
Baking soda has many uses. It can be used to get rid of smells in your fridge, help, clean, stains with its abrasive nature, help with a sour stomach, when mixed with water in the right amount, and also help with bleeding or irritated gums. However, a gum abscess can be caused by many factors, including trauma to the gums, hormonal changes (i.e. pregnancy gingivitis), a tooth abscess, a bacterial infection, or a viral infection.. So bottom line is to check with your dentist before using baking soda. And remember- use caution because baking soda is very abrasive on teeth!

Can you use an electric toothbrush on crowns?

Hello, Absolutely! Crowns are cemented with a permanent cement and as long as the tooth structure is strong underneath the crown, and the cement is not compromised , an electric READ MORE
Hello,
Absolutely! Crowns are cemented with a permanent cement and as long as the tooth structure is strong underneath the crown, and the cement is not compromised , an electric toothbrush is one of the best tools to use to clean your teeth and gums.

Do zirconia crowns last forever?

Zirconia is a white solid ceramic mineral crystal that combines the strength of metal with the visual appeal of porcelain. In general, they can last between 10-15 years. But in READ MORE
Zirconia is a white solid ceramic mineral crystal that combines the strength of metal with the visual appeal of porcelain. In general, they can last between 10-15 years. But in some cases, if the tooth structure and the placement of the crown is perfect, a Zirconia crown can last a lifetime. No one lives forever so there’s really no real way to gauge how long that is!

Can I get a brace with one missing tooth?

Hello, The short answer to the question is that yes, you can get braces for one missing tooth to close a space. But it all depends on the location of the tooth and how much space READ MORE
Hello,
The short answer to the question is that yes, you can get braces for one missing tooth to close a space. But it all depends on the location of the tooth and how much space there is that needs to be closed. It also helps if there is crowding happening on the same arch that has the missing tooth, so that both the crowding can be relieved as well as the closing of the space. As always, please check with a general dentist or orthodontist in person.

How long is recovery after a root canal?

Hello, Generally a root canal therapy, otherwise known as RCT, can have a range of recovery times, depending on the severity of the trauma or infection and the duration of the READ MORE
Hello, Generally a root canal therapy, otherwise known as RCT, can have a range of recovery times, depending on the severity of the trauma or infection and the duration of the period between onset of symptoms and treatment intervention. Some people recover within 24 hours, while some symptoms can last one week after the RCT. If symptoms persist more than one week after the surgery, it is important to contact your dentist for a follow up. Your dentist can help you decide on the appropriate treatment to follow after a root canal therapy. Regards, Dr. Joe Castro, DDS

Gums bleed a little when brushing after a deep cleaning

Hello, From what information you provided, bleeding gums is an indicator of inflammation. If you have had a history of deep cleaning, it may be that you have periodontal disease. READ MORE
Hello,
From what information you provided, bleeding gums is an indicator of inflammation. If you have had a history of deep cleaning, it may be that you have periodontal disease. It could be mild or moderate, but you will need to have your dentist evaluate in person to determine what level of gum disease is present. That way, they can provide the best recommendation on how to proceed with treatment.

Stomach pain

Hello, From what you’ve described, it doesn’t sound like it’s a related issue with your dental issue. It’s best for you to see your physician to check for pain occurring under READ MORE
Hello,
From what you’ve described, it doesn’t sound like it’s a related issue with your dental issue. It’s best for you to see your physician to check for pain occurring under your ribs. You should also make an appointment with your dentist to check the pain that has occurred in the oral cavity.

Can you chew gum with a traditional dental bridge?

Hello, Having a dental bridge, does not prevent you from chewing gum, but it would be wise to stay away from hard or sticky candy, not only because they contain a lot of sugar, READ MORE
Hello,
Having a dental bridge, does not prevent you from chewing gum, but it would be wise to stay away from hard or sticky candy, not only because they contain a lot of sugar, but they can put unnecessary stress on bridgework. If you do have to chew gum, you should minimize the frequency and choose one that is sugar-free and nonstick.

Popped Jaw

Hello, It sounds like you should have your doctor check to see if you have caused a disc displacement in your jaw. Generally, if you hear a pop, that means the disc has slipped READ MORE
Hello,
It sounds like you should have your doctor check to see if you have caused a disc displacement in your jaw. Generally, if you hear a pop, that means the disc has slipped from its normal location either in front or behind one or both joints in the jaw. This could cause pain and swelling in the joint or in some severe cases, an inability to open wide or close your mouth completely.

My teeth are always yellow even after i brush it everyday

Hello, Without looking at your teeth, I can’t properly diagnose what the situation is. It’s very possible that the stain is caused by food which is treatable with tooth whitening, READ MORE
Hello,
Without looking at your teeth, I can’t properly diagnose what the situation is. It’s very possible that the stain is caused by food which is treatable with tooth whitening, or it could also be from the way the teeth formed when you were young. I would consult with a dentist to make a diagnosis and decide on proper treatment.