expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Tara Gostovich, D.M.D.

Dentist

Orthodontics and Dental Facial Orthopedics for Adults, Teens and Children. Treatments include braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Incognito Lingual braces, retainers, custom mouthguards.
Dr. Tara Gostovich, D.M.D.
  • Englishtown, NJ
  • Rutgers University
  • Accepting new patients

Will antibiotics help pulpitis?

You will need antibiotics if the pulpitis progresses to an abscess. The treatment for pulpits depends on what is causing the pulpitis. Usually, the treatment is a root canal.

Can I use an electric toothbrush on a dental bridge?

Yes! Absolutely! There is no harm in using an electric toothbrush on dental work, braces, retainers, etc. You will get a better cleaning with an electric toothbrush than with a READ MORE
Yes! Absolutely! There is no harm in using an electric toothbrush on dental work, braces, retainers, etc. You will get a better cleaning with an electric toothbrush than with a manual one.

How can I get rid of a toothache?

See your dentist! A toothache that lingers needs to be evaluated for decay, loose or missing fillings that can cause pain or the nerve may be inflamed which might require a root READ MORE
See your dentist! A toothache that lingers needs to be evaluated for decay, loose or missing fillings that can cause pain or the nerve may be inflamed which might require a root canal treatment.

Can you get a dental bridge on front teeth?

Yes! You can absolutely get a dental bridge to replace missing front teeth! :)

Can scaling damage gums?

Not long term. If you had a scaling that had to go below the gum line that can leave you with some discomfort and inflammation. Warm salt water rinses for your gums and over-the-counter READ MORE
Not long term. If you had a scaling that had to go below the gum line that can leave you with some discomfort and inflammation. Warm salt water rinses for your gums and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication for discomfort may help. If it does not feel better in 48 to 72 hours, call your dentist and discuss this further as they will know how swollen your gums were before the scaling and can speak to your needs directly.

How long do your teeth hurt after getting braces off?

I've never heard a patient complain that their teeth hurt after the braces come off. They usually hurt when the braces go on. I would recommend wearing your retainers full time, READ MORE
I've never heard a patient complain that their teeth hurt after the braces come off. They usually hurt when the braces go on. I would recommend wearing your retainers full time, except when eating or brushing (this will help stabilize the teeth) and I would say if they still hurt a week after the braces have been removed to contact your orthodontist for further evaluation and care.

Should I drink hot or cold after tooth extraction?

Try to avoid hot drinks as it will increase blood flow to the extraction site. Stick with colder beverages for the next 24-48 hours.

How much tooth do you need for a crown?

That depends on whether the tooth is broken below the gum line or not. If there isn't enough crown-height for a crown sometimes the tooth needs a "build-up" which will then hold READ MORE
That depends on whether the tooth is broken below the gum line or not. If there isn't enough crown-height for a crown sometimes the tooth needs a "build-up" which will then hold the crown. If the tooth is broken below the gum line sometimes additional procedures like crown lengthening surgery might be recommended. Sometimes, the tooth is in such bad shape that it needs to be removed.

Can teeth gaps close naturally in adults?

Not usually, unless you are in the position where wisdom teeth might be able to erupt and close some space. Usually, by your age, all the space that could close naturally via eruption READ MORE
Not usually, unless you are in the position where wisdom teeth might be able to erupt and close some space. Usually, by your age, all the space that could close naturally via eruption of molars has already happened. At age 22, I would say what you see is what you get.

What's the shortest time you can have braces?

The amount of time you are in orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of the problem as well as the treatment goals. Some patients are in treatment for 7-8 months and others READ MORE
The amount of time you are in orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of the problem as well as the treatment goals. Some patients are in treatment for 7-8 months and others are in treatment for over 2 years. The best way to get the answer to your question is to schedule a consultation with an orthodontic specialist (preferably one who is Board Certified). In addition, there are options other than traditional braces that everyone can see. You might choose to be treated with Invisalign (which is clear and removable) or lingual braces, which are placed on the back of your teeth where no one can see them (but can be bothersome to your tongue and might affect speech).

Do they clean your teeth before braces?

They do not clean your teeth the way they do when you have your 6-month checkup and cleaning at the general dentist. You might have a toothbrush prophy or a pumice on the surfaces READ MORE
They do not clean your teeth the way they do when you have your 6-month checkup and cleaning at the general dentist. You might have a toothbrush prophy or a pumice on the surfaces where the braces will be bonded, but they will not scale the tartar off the back of the lower incisors.

Does tooth sensitivity to cold mean a cavity?

Not necessarily.... Sensitivity to cold could also mean that the root is exposed (due to gum recession) or the enamel could be chipped or worn down from grinding your teeth. The READ MORE
Not necessarily.... Sensitivity to cold could also mean that the root is exposed (due to gum recession) or the enamel could be chipped or worn down from grinding your teeth. The best thing to do is have a dentist evaluate the tooth. If it is a cavity, you want to address it when the cavity is small so that the tooth stays as strong as it can. When cavities get very large, the fillings have to be large and this weakens the tooth's integrity long term.

How long does it take to pull a front tooth?

Literally less than a minute. It takes longer to achieve anesthesia than to take the tooth out. Because it is a single rooted, conically shaped root, it is one of the easiest teeth READ MORE
Literally less than a minute. It takes longer to achieve anesthesia than to take the tooth out. Because it is a single rooted, conically shaped root, it is one of the easiest teeth to remove.

How do I clean my teeth after coffee?

Brush with toothbrush, toothpaste and cool water. Feel free to try a whitening toothpaste as they are abrasive and can polish away stains.

How does a dentist kill a tooth nerve?

When the nerve inside a tooth becomes inflamed (by trauma or decay), it is very painful. The dentist will perform a root canal on the tooth. This procedure removes the nerve from READ MORE
When the nerve inside a tooth becomes inflamed (by trauma or decay), it is very painful. The dentist will perform a root canal on the tooth. This procedure removes the nerve from the tooth and ends the pain. So, to answer your question, the dentist "kills" the nerve by removing it from the tooth with a special instrument called a file.

Does root planing cause gum recession?

Root planning reduces inflammation in the gum tissue by cleaning away dental calculus that is below the level of the gingiva and not easily removed at home by regular toothbrushing. READ MORE
Root planning reduces inflammation in the gum tissue by cleaning away dental calculus that is below the level of the gingiva and not easily removed at home by regular toothbrushing. Once the gums are less inflamed and shrink back to a healthy position it would appear that there is recession. However, this is the healthy level of the gums once the inflammation is gone. So, if it looks like there is recession following root planning, it is a healthier state than the gums being inflamed and giving a false sense of a "higher" gingival margin.

Does your oral health affect your ear health?

Yes and no.... TMJ issues may cause ringing in your ears or tinnitus. But if you are asking about ear infections, then no, that's not related to your dental health. If you suffer READ MORE
Yes and no.... TMJ issues may cause ringing in your ears or tinnitus. But if you are asking about ear infections, then no, that's not related to your dental health. If you suffer with chronic ear problems, then it's best to see an ENT doctor first. If the ENT rules out anything in her area of specialty care that could be causing your issues then see your dentist.