expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Robert Gittelman, DDS

Dentist

Dr. Robert Gittelman is a Dentist practicing in Marietta, GA. Dr. Gittelman 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. Robert Gittelman, DDS
  • Marietta, GA
  • Accepting new patients

How long should my child be brushing their teeth?

Ideally for an adult it is recommended to brush for two minutes if you are doing it correctly. I would be happy if your child could brush for one minute. Try and use some sort READ MORE
Ideally for an adult it is recommended to brush for two minutes if you are doing it correctly. I would be happy if your child could brush for one minute. Try and use some sort of timer the child could watch

The tooth where I need a root canal isn't bothering me. Why do I need it?

It is not uncommon for a tooth to need a root canal and yet there is no pain. It is often the same way with a lot of other diseases or infections. When there is pain or swelling READ MORE
It is not uncommon for a tooth to need a root canal and yet there is no pain. It is often the same way with a lot of other diseases or infections. When there is pain or swelling it can make treatment more difficult.

Is gum disease hereditary?

It is usually not the case with gum disease. Gum disease is due more to home care and diet than anything else. Certain diseases in the body and its side effects in the mouth could READ MORE
It is usually not the case with gum disease. Gum disease is due more to home care and diet than anything else. Certain diseases in the body and its side effects in the mouth could lead to gum disease. You might share a common medical history which could have and effect on your gums. Of course you need to make sure that you get regular check ups

Pain after wisdom tooth removal?

It is very normal to have discomfort for several days after a extraction. After all you had surgery. A good combination for pain relief is to alternate 800mg of ibuprofen with READ MORE
It is very normal to have discomfort for several days after a extraction. After all you had surgery. A good combination for pain relief is to alternate 800mg of ibuprofen with two tylenol. Depending on the amount of discomfort and the number of days after the extraction it is possible to have a "dry socket" if you did not get a good blood clot. It is best to check with your dentist who did the extraction.

What could be the cause of my throbbing tooth pain?

It is difficult to tell without proper diagnosis. Very often it is indicative of a deep cavity, a possible abscess or the possibility of a crack in your tooth. Either way you READ MORE
It is difficult to tell without proper diagnosis. Very often it is indicative of a deep cavity, a possible abscess or the possibility of a crack in your tooth. Either way you should probably seek professional care as soon as possible.

My daughter has a cut inside of her mouth from falling. How can I rule out any infection?

Cuts on the inside of the mouth often look worse than cuts on the chin by the nature of the type of tissue on the inside of the mouth. Inside the mouth any cut that bleeds is READ MORE
Cuts on the inside of the mouth often look worse than cuts on the chin by the nature of the type of tissue on the inside of the mouth. Inside the mouth any cut that bleeds is mixed with saliva and makes it appear that it is bleeding more than it really is. On many extractions it is common not to place the patient on an antibiotic as the body helps these areas to heal rapidly. On the outside of the mouth on has to worry more about infection from bacteria all around us.

Is higher or lower pressure better with water flossers?

Actually about halfway is probably perfect. It is not too much force and not too little. At too high of a level it may be possible to hurt your gums if you are not careful. A READ MORE
Actually about halfway is probably perfect. It is not too much force and not too little. At too high of a level it may be possible to hurt your gums if you are not careful. A waterpik is a great partner with flossing.

Are there any warning signs of gingivitis?

It is very easy to miss the signs of gingivitis. Most commonly the gums around your teeth will appear red rather than pink. Occasionally you may find some blood on your toothbrush READ MORE
It is very easy to miss the signs of gingivitis. Most commonly the gums around your teeth will appear red rather than pink. Occasionally you may find some blood on your toothbrush or you may notice bleeding when you floss.

Are soft or hard toothbrushes better?

No question a soft toothbrush is much better. While you may feel you are getting your teeth cleaner with a hard brush you may actually do damage to your gums, in essence causing READ MORE
No question a soft toothbrush is much better. While you may feel you are getting your teeth cleaner with a hard brush you may actually do damage to your gums, in essence causing recession. A soft brush will actually get in between teeth better.

Do I always need a crown with a root canal?

There are many factors that may influence the need of a crown on a tooth that has had a root canal. But it is more frequent for a front tooth to not need a crown than a molar or READ MORE
There are many factors that may influence the need of a crown on a tooth that has had a root canal. But it is more frequent for a front tooth to not need a crown than a molar or premolar. Front teeth will not take as much force when chewing. If the tooth is compromised from either decay or large restorations then a crown is often indicated. Depending on the amount of tooth structure missing the tooth may require a "build up" along with a crown.

Anything I can do for my tooth gap?

Many ways to address this. The greatest concern is the size of the gap. Three popular ways of addressing this are with cosmetic bonding, porcelain veeners, orthodontics (braces), READ MORE
Many ways to address this. The greatest concern is the size of the gap. Three popular ways of addressing this are with cosmetic bonding, porcelain veeners, orthodontics (braces), or a combination of the above. Your dentist should be able to recommend what would work best for you and help keep that beautiful smile for years to come.

Three cavities at once. Will they all be filled in one session?

It is not unreasonable to address three fillings in different areas all at once. But there are many factors that will come into play. The only real way to know is to get to your READ MORE
It is not unreasonable to address three fillings in different areas all at once. But there are many factors that will come into play. The only real way to know is to get to your dentist for an evaluation.

If I have mild tooth pain, should I be going to the dentist?

No question, you should go. It is not uncommon for tooth discomfort to come and go. While those symptoms may not indicate there is a definite problem, they tend to be signs that READ MORE
No question, you should go. It is not uncommon for tooth discomfort to come and go. While those symptoms may not indicate there is a definite problem, they tend to be signs that something is going on.

How often do you need your teeth cleaned?

The American Dental Association recommends check ups two times a year. The older we get the more likely we may find more problems that are harder to deal with. Routinely we do READ MORE
The American Dental Association recommends check ups two times a year. The older we get the more likely we may find more problems that are harder to deal with. Routinely we do oral cancer screenings. In addition gum disease in some form is found in over half to the population. In short the prudent thing to do is get regular check-ups.

Is root canal the only way to treat a tooth cavity?

If the decay from a cavity is into the nerve of the tooth or very close to it, then the proper treatment (if enough tooth structure is left) would be root canal therapy.

Are braces the only way to fix buck teeth?

Often times Orthodontics for braces to correct teeth that are sticking out is the best option. Occasionally a product such as short-term Orthodontics which may be able to just READ MORE
Often times Orthodontics for braces to correct teeth that are sticking out is the best option. Occasionally a product such as short-term Orthodontics which may be able to just correct those Front Teeth in 6 to 9 months may be beneficial. Other options could include removing some of those Front Teeth and either doing a permanent Bridge or placing implants

I wear dentures. My gums are aching! What can I do?

The best thing to tell you is to see your dentist. It could be that your dentures are ill fitting or need to be adjusted. make sure that you or cleaning your dentures daily and READ MORE
The best thing to tell you is to see your dentist. It could be that your dentures are ill fitting or need to be adjusted. make sure that you or cleaning your dentures daily and leaving them out at night. It may also help to massage your red gums with your index finger a few times a day to stimulate blood flow to those tissues. Often times there are prescription rinsed which can help the inflamation.

My son grinds his teeth. What can you do to help him?

Many times this is something that a child will out grow. But it may also indicate a breathing problem that could be associated with sinuses or tonsils. You may want to look into READ MORE
Many times this is something that a child will out grow. But it may also indicate a breathing problem that could be associated with sinuses or tonsils. You may want to look into this with the child's physician.