EXPERT
Dr. Brenda D. Berkal
Dentist
Dr. Brenda Berkal is a Dentist practicing in Derry, New Hampshire. Dr. Berkal 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. Brenda D. Berkal
- Derry, New Hampshire
- Tufts University
- Accepting new patients
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Should you wet your toothbrush before brushing?
I always had until I lived someplace with bad water. It doesn't make any difference. It doesn't soften the bristles (use SOFT bristles).
When can I start eating normal food after dentures?
Were your teeth just extracted? Follow your dentist's or oral surgeon's advice if so. Otherwise, start with very soft foods, take two tiny pieces, try and chew evenly on both sides. READ MORE
Were your teeth just extracted? Follow your dentist's or oral surgeon's advice if so. Otherwise, start with very soft foods, take two tiny pieces, try and chew evenly on both sides. As you master yogurt, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes, you can progress to tuna salad, Gradually adding soft fish, stewed meat, or chicken.
How do you treat an exposed root of a tooth?
Is it sensitive? How much of the root is exposed? Is it unsightly? I would first want to try and determine why the gum receded. Toothbrush issues and biting issues can cause gum READ MORE
Is it sensitive? How much of the root is exposed? Is it unsightly? I would first want to try and determine why the gum receded. Toothbrush issues and biting issues can cause gum recession. Trying to minimize future recession hopefully. For sensitivity, your dentist can apply one of several medicaments. A gum specialist or periodontist may be able to readjust the gum to the correct height or add a gum graft.
Are white spots on teeth cavities?
They may not be cavities. Are there depressions in the tooth surface where they are? If so, they may be cavities. They are weakened spots in the enamel. There is a dental treatment READ MORE
They may not be cavities. Are there depressions in the tooth surface where they are? If so, they may be cavities. They are weakened spots in the enamel. There is a dental treatment that can minimize the appearance of the spots.
How successful are dental bone grafts?
They tend to be very successful. Some positions are even more successful than others. Growing bone width is somewhat easier than growing bone height.
Should you floss before or after brushing?
The act of flossing is much more important than the timing. Flossing before brushing can be more motivating, you'd see or taste all the particles that are being removed. Black READ MORE
The act of flossing is much more important than the timing. Flossing before brushing can be more motivating, you'd see or taste all the particles that are being removed. Black floss is good for helping plaque show up. As long as you physically dislodge the plaque from in between your teeth daily, your dental and overall health should be better.
How long does it take to fill two cavities?
There are big cavities. There are small cavities. They can be close to each other, which makes it faster, they could be in diagonally opposite parts of your mouth. There is a time READ MORE
There are big cavities. There are small cavities. They can be close to each other, which makes it faster, they could be in diagonally opposite parts of your mouth. There is a time range from 30 minutes to much longer. Ask your dental team what to expect.
Can you sleep with your dentures on?
It is important to let your gums "breathe." I've often said, if you never took your shoes off, in between your toes would eventually not be lovely. Leaving the dentures out overnight READ MORE
It is important to let your gums "breathe." I've often said, if you never took your shoes off, in between your toes would eventually not be lovely. Leaving the dentures out overnight is best. Some people with teeth in one jaw bite themselves, some people have jaw or breathing issues without their dentures. For those people, I recommend leaving the dentures out at least
an hour a day.
an hour a day.
Why do teeth move back after braces?
Right after the braces are removed, the ligaments around the teeth are loose. Over time, the ligaments tighten. Pressure from the muscles of the tongue and lips can move the teeth, READ MORE
Right after the braces are removed, the ligaments around the teeth are loose. Over time, the ligaments tighten. Pressure from the muscles of the tongue and lips can move the teeth, as could biting habits.
Why is polishing done after scaling?
Polishing does final smoothing of the teeth and roots. (If it were done before scaling, it would be more difficult to remove the smoothed deposits.)
How long do you have to sleep upright after jaw surgery?
Listen to your surgeon's recommendation. (An extra pillow might be acceptable.)
How can I fix a gap in my teeth without braces?
You need a dentist. Aligners could probably close the space. Restorations - bonding or veneers, could close the space. Restorations can wear out over time. Moving the teeth can READ MORE
You need a dentist. Aligners could probably close the space. Restorations - bonding or veneers, could close the space. Restorations can wear out over time. Moving the teeth can be forever.
How long is the dental implant process?
The time can vary. Sometimes the implant can be placed at the same time that the tooth is extracted. There can be a temporary tooth so it does not look like you have a missing READ MORE
The time can vary. Sometimes the implant can be placed at the same time that the tooth is extracted. There can be a temporary tooth so it does not look like you have a missing tooth. After a couple of months of healing, a final tooth can be made. Sometimes some preparatory work needs to happen before the implant is placed. That adds to the time.
Is it bad to keep mouthwash in your mouth too long?
What kind of mouthwash, and are you talking 30 seconds or...? Alcohol is a drying ingredient. Some mouthwash stains teeth. Keeping it in your mouth minutes is not necessary.
How can I tighten my gums around my teeth?
The first step in periodontal (gum) healing is to have the hard deposits (tartar or calculus) professionally removed from your teeth and roots.
Can you reverse periodontal pockets?
How deep are the pockets? Missing bone basically cannot be regrown. With a deep cleaning and meticulous home care (yes, including floss as well as brushing), pockets can generally READ MORE
How deep are the pockets? Missing bone basically cannot be regrown. With a deep cleaning and meticulous home care (yes, including floss as well as brushing), pockets can generally shrink at least a millimeter. So, 4mm pockets can go back to 3mm, which is considered healthy (if the tissue is not red). At 5mm, there is usually some bone loss. Those pockets can
shrink some, but that missing bone is gone. The numbers for pockets can go over 10mm, typically at that point the tooth will get loose and need to be removed.
shrink some, but that missing bone is gone. The numbers for pockets can go over 10mm, typically at that point the tooth will get loose and need to be removed.
Can you speak after jaw surgery?
Your surgeon can give you the most accurate details. Different jaw surgeries may be "fixed" differently. If you close your teeth and speak, most of what you say should be understandable. READ MORE
Your surgeon can give you the most accurate details. Different jaw surgeries may be "fixed" differently. If you close your teeth and speak, most of what you say should be understandable. Some surgeries are allowed to heal with the jaws wired. Worst case it would sound like speaking with your teeth together. That may not be needed! (Practicing closed mouth speech ahead of time would help IF wires will be needed.)
Can you get a temporary tooth while waiting for an implant?
There are several different ways to make temporary teeth for implants. The most important thing is that there is no pressure or biting force on the implant as it heals. Your dentist READ MORE
There are several different ways to make temporary teeth for implants. The most important thing is that there is no pressure or biting force on the implant as it heals. Your dentist can go over your temporary options.
Do dentists recommend Invisalign?
Clear aligners (Invisalign is the most well known brand) can be very effective for many orthodontic corrections, as long as you actually wear them. Speak to your dentist or orthodontist READ MORE
Clear aligners (Invisalign is the most well known brand) can be very effective for many orthodontic corrections, as long as you actually wear them. Speak to your dentist or orthodontist about the best way to correct your concerns or issues.
How do you know if you have decay under a crown?
Several symptoms can be indications of decay under a crown. Sensitivity to sweet is one. Sensitivity to biting can be a fracture. Sensitivity to cold can be exposed root, inflamed READ MORE
Several symptoms can be indications of decay under a crown. Sensitivity to sweet is one. Sensitivity to biting can be a fracture. Sensitivity to cold can be exposed root, inflamed nerve, possibly too hard biting contact. Sensitivity to heat means the nerve or pulp of the tooth is not healthy. Sometimes decay will show on a X-ray of a tooth with a crown (depending on what the crown is made of, and where the decay is on the tooth. Your dentist should be able to help diagnose.
