EXPERT
Dr. Travis E. Hampton
Dentist
Dr. Travis Hampton is a Dentist practicing in Covington, Georgia. Dr. Hampton 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. Travis E. Hampton
- Covington, Georgia
- Medical College of Georgia
- Accepting new patients
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How should I prepare for my root canal?
No special preparation other than taking any antibiotics the doctor may have given you.
Is it possible to brush my teeth way too much?
You can’t brush too much but you can brush too hard. Signs of aggressive brushing would be receding gums or root and tooth erosion.
Can teeth grinding cause headaches?
Most definitely. Especially if there is accompanying jaw joint pain or if the headaches are more on the side of the head where the muscles that control the jaw are located.
What should I do if my dentures feel loose?
Dentures need to be relined every 3 to 5 years on average. Your body changes but the dentures do not. This leads to gaps and retention problems over time. A reline re-fits the READ MORE
Dentures need to be relined every 3 to 5 years on average. Your body changes but the dentures do not. This leads to gaps and retention problems over time. A reline re-fits the denture to your gums and generally will tighten them.
Why does a cracked tooth have to be pulled?
Most cracked teeth can be crowned. A crown will cover the crack and seal it. This will treat the condition over 90 percent of the time. Sometimes cracks extend down to the root. READ MORE
Most cracked teeth can be crowned. A crown will cover the crack and seal it. This will treat the condition over 90 percent of the time. Sometimes cracks extend down to the root. If this happens, the tooth can be hopeless and a crown will not treat the problem.
My son's teeth are discoloured. Why?
Many things can cause discoloration of teeth both while and after they have formed. The most common causes are too much fluoride, illnesses that occured while the tooth was forming, READ MORE
Many things can cause discoloration of teeth both while and after they have formed. The most common causes are too much fluoride, illnesses that occured while the tooth was forming, or genetic developmental problems with the teeth. After the teeth have erupted, the only way the stain is through contact with other foods, drinks, or chemicals. If the teeth have white spots on several teeth or brown and white spots, it is most likely too much fluoride. If there is a band or line of discoloration, you son might have been sick during that week or two of tooth formation. This is usually not a problem other than esthetically.
How should I select my toothpaste?
When people ask me what kind of toothpaste I use, I tell them 'whatever I can get for free'. I like any tooth paste that has fluoride in it, which is almost all of them. Some toothpastes, READ MORE
When people ask me what kind of toothpaste I use, I tell them 'whatever I can get for free'. I like any tooth paste that has fluoride in it, which is almost all of them. Some toothpastes, like tartar control or whitening toothpastes, tend to increase sensitivity so if you have sensitive teeth you should avoid them. Other than that, it's mainly what tastes the best to you. Now a tooth brush? That's a different story. Go with electric or sonic brushes.
Are electric toothbrushes any better for the teeth?
In my practice the patients who use Sonic or Braun brushes seem to have the best plaque control. My hygienists report a noticeable difference in the amount of plaque and tartar READ MORE
In my practice the patients who use Sonic or Braun brushes seem to have the best plaque control. My hygienists report a noticeable difference in the amount of plaque and tartar after patients start using them. So, yes! I have a Sonic brush at home and a Braun at work.
Can cavities in one tooth affect other teeth as well?
Cavities can “spread“ to an adjacent tooth but the dentist would have most likely seen and fixed that at the time that he treated your mother. Most likely, the sensitivity is READ MORE
Cavities can “spread“ to an adjacent tooth but the dentist would have most likely seen and fixed that at the time that he treated your mother. Most likely, the sensitivity is coming from the new feeling which is typical. This will usually last a few weeks and get better.
Is bad breath during cold and cough normal?
Possible that the bacteria trapped in the mucus can give off an order but it is also possible that the cold has altered your sense of smell which to make you notice others differently READ MORE
Possible that the bacteria trapped in the mucus can give off an order but it is also possible that the cold has altered your sense of smell which to make you notice others differently than normal. Also, medications you’re taking might make your mouth and dryer which can affect halitosis. Be sure to floss and brush (even if you don’t feel like it) during your cold and I’m sure you will return to normal when you are better.
How effective are sensitivity toothpastes in treating the problem?
My personal opinion is that they do not help very much but they do not make the problem worse. Many toothpastes, especially tartar control and sensitive toothpastes, can increase READ MORE
My personal opinion is that they do not help very much but they do not make the problem worse. Many toothpastes, especially tartar control and sensitive toothpastes, can increase sensitivity. Sensitivity in general is more of a nuisance than a real problem although sometimes it can be caused by cavities or cracks in your teeth. If you were not seeing a dentist, you should go to make sure that your teeth are OK.
What is the right age to get braces for my child?
That is a hard question to answer without seeing your child. I would not be too concerned about the spaces in front. In general, if baby teeth have spaces between them it is better READ MORE
That is a hard question to answer without seeing your child. I would not be too concerned about the spaces in front. In general, if baby teeth have spaces between them it is better for the adult teeth. Children who have no spaces between their baby teeth or more likely to need braces then children who do have the spaces. Most children start orthodontics around 12 or 13 however some cases start as early as 7 or 8. You should be taking your child to see a dentist every six months and he will recommend when is the best time for an evaluation.
What calcium supplements do you recommend for my son's calcium deficiency?
This is more of a question for your physician but most of the vitamins that we buy over the counter contain more supplements than we need and the excess is excreted from our bodies. READ MORE
This is more of a question for your physician but most of the vitamins that we buy over the counter contain more supplements than we need and the excess is excreted from our bodies. Typical Flintstone vitamins are probably be more than enough.
I am having excessive saliva secretion in my mouth. Does it mean an infection?
Probably not infection. Are you taking any new medications or have you quit taking medications recently? This can lead to changes in salivary flow. Many other medical conditions READ MORE
Probably not infection. Are you taking any new medications or have you quit taking medications recently? This can lead to changes in salivary flow. Many other medical conditions can increase or decrease salivary flow. Infection typically does not.
Does yellow teeth ever mean tooth decay?
Not typically. If the color of the teeth are yellow, this may be your natural color. If there is a film on your teeth, you need to do a better job of brushing and flossing. This READ MORE
Not typically. If the color of the teeth are yellow, this may be your natural color. If there is a film on your teeth, you need to do a better job of brushing and flossing. This film will certainly be filled with bacteria which can lead to decay in the future.
I am bleeding after 6 hours of my tooth extraction. What should I do?
Sorry for the late response. I typically check these questions once a week or so. Bleeding after extraction can be serious but usually is not. I tell my patients that they can READ MORE
Sorry for the late response. I typically check these questions once a week or so. Bleeding after extraction can be serious but usually is not. I tell my patients that they can expect some minor bleeding even until the next morning as long as it is only a slight amount. If a patient is bleeding heavily more than an hour after the extraction, they should call me. Prior to any extraction, I ask if the patient is taking blood thinners or do they have a difficult time controlling bleeding. Bleeding can usually be controlled with pressure and if you have run out of the gauze that the office gave you, you can try biting on teabags. If you cannot get the bleeding under control, call the office as soon as possible. Heavy bleeding might even require a trip to the ER. But this is extremely rare.
What could be the reason for my mouth dryness?
Dry mouth is a common problem in my office but typically only in the elderly. I have seen many patients develop try mouth around the age of 80. Dry mouth causes tooth decay and READ MORE
Dry mouth is a common problem in my office but typically only in the elderly. I have seen many patients develop try mouth around the age of 80. Dry mouth causes tooth decay and can be difficult to control. Usually it’s not the age that causes the dry mouth but the medications that we can on at a certain age. If you have started any new medications recently, this could be the culprit. Other medical factors can lead to dry mouth if not and you might need to see your physician.
How should I maintain my gum health?
You need to floss every day. Try to do it in the morning during your usual morning routine. Flossing is the quickest and easiest way to prevent gum problems that you might develop READ MORE
You need to floss every day. Try to do it in the morning during your usual morning routine. Flossing is the quickest and easiest way to prevent gum problems that you might develop in the future.
Do root canals happen more often as you age?
Not so much. A root canal is needed when a nerve is damaged. This usually happens because of decay, but sometimes because of injury. It can happen at any age.
Can calcium deficiency impact teeth?
Calcium is important during the formation of teeth. After teeth have fully erupted however, A lack of calcium will have very little effect on the teeth until you are much older, READ MORE
Calcium is important during the formation of teeth. After teeth have fully erupted however, A lack of calcium will have very little effect on the teeth until you are much older, at which point a calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis which can affect the retention of the teeth long term.
