Frequently Asked Dental Questions – Columbus, NJ

Ask Us Anything
About Oral Health!

Dentists don’t just clean and examine teeth; they also educate their patients about oral health to steer them towards decisions that will keep their smiles safe. Feel free to ask Dr. Maiorino any dental questions you might have during your next appointment. This page covers the answers to some of the questions that we’ve received from multiple patients.

How Often Do I Need to See the Dentist?

If your smile is healthy, you should visit Columbus Dental Arts twice a year (meaning every six months) for cleanings and exams. The mouth is very sensitive to disease and decay, and a lot can happen in just six months, which is why biannual visits are considered necessary for avoiding severe oral health issues. People with gum disease may need more frequent appointments to keep their condition under control.

Do You See Children?

Yes, we’re happy to start seeing your little ones around the age of 3. Dr. Maiorino is known for her warm bedside manner, and she is experienced in helping anxious patients of all ages remain calm; she’ll help your child get used to the atmosphere of our dental office and make sure that they feel at ease during their appointment.

Is My Toothache an Emergency?

Some tooth pain is caused by bits of food or other debris becoming caught between the teeth; in these cases, flossing and rinsing are often enough to take care of the problem. But if the pain doesn’t go away and there’s no readily visible cause for it, you should treat it as a potential emergency, as the tooth may be infected and could require a root canal in the future. Call our dental office for an appointment right away for severe or persistent oral pain.

I am Unhappy with My Smile; What Should I Do?

You can schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Maiorino to discuss exactly what bothers you about the appearance of your smile and what kind of changes you would like to make. She may recommend veneers, direct bonding, whitening, or other cosmetic treatments based on your own smile goals.

What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

If you have gum disease, you might frequently notice blood on your toothbrush after you’re done cleaning your teeth. Infected gums may also be redder or more tender than usual, and during advanced stages some teeth might come loose. Sometimes there are no symptoms, however, in which case the best chance for figuring out you have gum disease will come during your biannual dental examinations.

Do I Need to Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

It depends. Sometimes there’s enough space in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to erupt without causing any problems. But if they don’t have the room they need, they’ll be painfully trapped under the gums and may end up crowding or damaging the rest of your teeth. We can take X-rays of your mouth to help determine whether your wisdom teeth can come in safely or if they’ll need to be removed.

Do You Take My Insurance?

We are in-network with Delta Premier, Aetna, Cigna, and a number of other plans. We are also able to file claims for out-of-network insurance providers. Call our team to confirm whether your policy is accepted at Columbus Dental Arts.