Dr. Kelly Betts, MS, DDS

Dentist

650 W. Baltimore Street Baltimore MD, 21201 Show map

About
Contacts & Locations

About

Dr. Kelly Betts has been practicing in the dental field for almost 20 years. She started out as a dental receptionist and dental assistant, completed a bachelors of science in dental hygiene at The Ohio State University and practiced as a dental hygienist and expanded functions dental auxillary while finishing a Masters of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from Towson University. She worked in research at the NIH and Univeristy of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center while completing her doctorate of dental surgery at the Univeristy of Maryland School of Dentistry. Following dental school graduation, Dr. Betts completed a General Practice Residency at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Hospital.

Dr. Betts has been practicing in the Baltimore, Maryland area in corporate and private practice since 2018 and has been active in multiple professional organizations and local study clubs, keeping her up to date with the latest technologies and best practices in dentistry and medicine. She participates in many education and training continuums, so that she can be the best oral health care provider for her patients.

Dr. Kelly Betts loves practicing dentistry and caring for her patients and their families and she hopes to bring optimal health and joy to everyone she has the pleasure of serving.

Education and Training

University of Maryland Dental DDS 2017

The Ohio State University BS, RDH 2007

Towson University MS 2011

Provider Details

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Dr. Kelly Betts, MS, DDS

Dr. Kelly Betts, MS, DDS's Expert Contributions

My Answers

How can you fix a loose partial denture?
Sometimes you can! It all depends on the reason why the partial is loose. Your dentist can take a look and see if a clasp can be tightened or if material can be added to improve the fit. READ MORE
Can you get a veneer after the root canal?
Yes! Depending on the structural status of the tooth after your root canal, you can have a veneer or crown completed on the toothy to achieve the strength and esthetics you desire. READ MORE
Is it normal for your teeth to hurt after getting braces?
Yes, soreness during braces is normal and very expected. If you think about it, you're physically moving your teeth around in the jaw bone so that they get to the desired position. So you will feel soreness in the teeth and in the bone throughout your treatment. It is usually at its worst when you have your brackets and wires adjusted, but this initial soreness usually. READ MORE
Do electric toothbrushes loosen implants?
An electric toothbrush is almost always the better option, compared to a manual toothbrush when it comes to cleaning your teeth. The vibration and other physical action of a good, quality electric toothbrush would not harm a natural tooth or an implant. If a tooth or implant is becoming loose, that is an indication of an underlying concern and you should see your dentist immediately for an evaluation. READ MORE
How do you treat pericoronitis?
Typically with pericoronitis, your dentist will numb the area and flush and clean out any debris or irritants that are causing the infection. They may prescribe you antibiotics depending on the severity of any infection. You can use warm salt water rinses at home as well as OTC pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. If the cause of the problem was a tooth that needs to be extracted or an overgrowth of tissue, it is best to have that removed so that the pericoronitis does not recur. READ MORE
How long do full mouth dental implants last?
It depends on the situation: What kind of implants, what type of prosthetic over the implants, the health of the bone and tissues, and how they all are functioning together. Much like a car, implants need to be maintained regularly and it depends on you "drive" with them. I always recommend seeing your dentist at very regular intervals, depending on your case, (every 3 months, 6 months, or annually) to assure that you get as much life out of your implants as possible. READ MORE
Does Invisalign give you perfect teeth?
Invisalign can align your teeth to an ideal arch form and bite, or give you "straight, even teeth". "Perfect" teeth are very subjective, so it's always best to discuss your concerns with your dentist and figure out what would best address your situation. READ MORE
Do gum grafts look natural?
Yes! With a good practitioner, a gum graft can look very natural and improve the area. It takes some time to heal to blend in fully, but after complete healing and good care, many patients are very happy with their grafting results. I would thoroughly review your concerns and wishes to your doctor to make sure you are both on the same page as far as expectations. READ MORE
How can I get rid of a toothache?
Since there can be many different causes for toothache, the best thing to do is to go to a dentist and have the tooth evaluated. Sometimes it is a fairly easy fix, such as a filling or cleaning out the gum pocket around the tooth, but sometimes it can be an infection that can lead to more serious problems. A dentist can take an x-ray or two and properly diagnose and treat the problem. READ MORE
When should I see a dentist for gum bleeding?
If you are noticing bleeding in your gums, you should see a dentist right away. It can be anything from a small issue to something more serious and it's always best to try to have it addressed early. READ MORE
How many mm of gum recession is normal?
This is a little bit of a loaded question. Recession can be caused by a variety of things (movement during braces, a bad bite, clenching, and grinding, or other biological concerns). Depending on the source of the problem, the recession could be a real concern and can be addressed immediately. If the recession has been present for a long time and has not changed, this is usually a good sign and you may not require any intervention. If it is progressing in size or in symptoms, then it should be evaluated by your dentist to determine what action should be taken. READ MORE
How long do implant bridges last?
The great thing about dental implants is that you no longer have to worry about getting decay around those "teeth" and they can last a very long time. If you keep the area clean, the gums and bone around the area can remain healthy and support the implant bridge for many years, even decades! Assure that you keep the area clean, have your dentist check the area regularly, and assure that you have a healthy bite. Any excessive forces can also cause failure of the implant bridge. Also keep in mind that if you have any natural teeth next to the implants, you must really keep these areas clean. Natural teeth next to implants will get decay very quickly and easily if they are neglected. READ MORE
How many years does a dental bridge last?
In general, we typically say that a dental crown or bridge lasts 5-10 years, but of course that all depends on the situation. Patients can have problems with dental decay, gum disease or have a bad bite that causes a bridge to fail sooner. But a well-maintained dental bridge in a clean, healthy mouth can even last decades! It all depends on the environment. READ MORE
How do you get the swelling to go down after a dental implant?
If the swelling is in your gums, you can do gentle warm salt water rinses 2-3 times a day. If the swelling is in the face, I would recommend ice and contacting your dentist, as you may require an exam and/or antibiotics. READ MORE
How do you clean under a bridge?
Great question! Depending on the design of your dental bridge, you have several options. You can use regular string floss with the help of floss threaders to "thread" the floss under the false tooth (also known as the dental pontic). Once the floss is under the bridge, you can pull it to one side and hug, up and down your tooth. Leaving the floss under the pontic, slide over to the other side and hug against the tooth on the other side, going up and down to remove any plaque and bacteria. You also have the option to use proxabrushes, that are like little pipe cleaners or Christmas tree bristles on a handle to go under the pontic tooth, and similar to the floss, scrub against the tooth on either side of the bridge. Another option is a water or air flosser. Using a water or air flosser is oftentimes easier to use for patients, and works by concentrating a stream of water or air under the bridge. They don't work quite as well as floss or proxabrushes in removing stuck-on plaque, but can be a helpful adjunct to normal brushing and flossing. READ MORE
Can you get a dental bridge on front teeth?
Yes! Many patients get dental bridges to replace missing teeth, even teeth that are missing in the front. Depending on how long the tooth has been missing, the status of the surrounding teeth, your bite and gum health and other factors, you could be an excellent candidate for a dental bridge or even a dental implant. You would need an exam by a dentist to determine if a dental bridge would be right for your situation. READ MORE
What antibiotics are given for tonsillitis?
You should see your physician to evaluate your tonsillitis, as not all cases require antibiotics. You could have viral tonsillitis or bacterial tonsillitis. If you are an adult and have bacterial tonsillitis, the likely culprit is strep (a type of bacteria) that is typically treated with penicillin or amoxicillin. However, if you have an allergy to penicillin, you must discuss your options with your physician to determine what would be a suitable alternative. Viral tonsillitis is treated differently and will often not respond well with antibiotic therapy. READ MORE
Can scaling damage gums?
Scaling is designed to remove the plaque, tartar and bacteria that infects the gums. Sometimes immediately after scaling, your gum can be very tender while they heal, however, abnormal swelling or pain may mean that there is some tartar that was left or other issues. I recommend warm salt water rinses, or rinsing with any prescription rinse your dentist may have prescribed, and then good, gentle brushing and flossing. Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol can also help. If the gums do not improve in 2-3 days, or if the symptoms worsen, I would contact your dentist for an evaluation. READ MORE
Can you drink coffee after a teeth cleaning?
If you simply had a professional teeth cleaning, you can certainly drink coffee afterwards. Though it will ruin that nice clean feeling :) However, if you had a professional fluoride treatment, there are certain time and temperature restrictions as to what you can eat and drink, so if you did have a fluoride treatment, your doctor or hygienist should inform you what you need to avoid to not negate the benefits of the fluoride. READ MORE
Does dry socket need antibiotics?
Dry socket typically is treated by having your doctor numb you, clean out the area and place a therapeutic paste to promote healing. From time to time, an antibiotic is indicated, but not for every case. READ MORE

Faculty Titles & Positions

Clinical Faculty University of Maryland Dental School 2021 - Present

Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors

Helping Up Mission

Fellowships

Academy for General Dentistry

Philanthropic Initiatives

For every new patient we see in our office, we sponsor a week's worth of packed lunches for individual's going through The Helping Up Mission's work placement program.