General Dental Frequently Asked Questions

At Aiea Pearl City Dental Care, we’re committed to helping patients in Aiea, Pearl City, and the surrounding Oʻahu communities feel confident about their oral health. Our team of experienced general and family dentists has created this FAQ page to answer common dental questions about toothaches, tooth sensitivity, preventive dental care, and oral health concerns. Whether you’re wondering why your tooth hurts, how to relieve sensitive teeth, or when to see a dentist for jaw pain, you’ll find helpful answers and expert guidance here. If you’re experiencing ongoing discomfort, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our Aiea dentist office for a personalized evaluation and treatment plan.

Defensive & Routine Care

  • Regular dental checkups, twice a day brushing, once a day flossing, average diet and good overall health and yet I still get cavities and gum problems? "Preventive" dental care can be confusing. We enjoy recommending "defensive" care and our team is here to help our patients adjust their game plans based on specific needs.

    Some people can brush once a day and floss every few days and be healthy. Others may need to brush four times a day and floss twice a day to be healthy. Home care, diet, age, genetics, lifestyle, habits, profession, gender, medications, hobbies, medical history including cancer, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, acid reflux, diabetes and smoking can all affect our oral health. We do our best to take these variables into account when helping our patients develop a strategy to defend against oral health problems.

    Hawaii remains the nation's worst childhood tooth decay state, and gum disease continues to affect nearly 50% of American adults. But tooth wear and tooth sensitivity seems to be on a dramatic rise in our population. We are fortunate to have forged a close relationship with a leader in research and development of sensitivity and dry mouth products. They periodically educate our team on the abrasiveness of dental products on the markets as well as the acidity of common food and drinks - even bottled waters can be acidic!  We are happy to pass on this education to our patients along with product samples that are very effective at alleviating symptoms.

  • The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth coming in. Early visits are important because they help our team at Aiea Pearl City Dental Care monitor your child’s oral development, check for early signs of cavities, and provide tips on proper brushing, flossing, and nutrition. Establishing a dental home in Aiea early helps your child feel comfortable at the dentist, reduces dental anxiety, and sets the foundation for lifelong oral health. Our friendly and gentle dental team makes children’s first dental visits fun and positive, so your little one can build healthy habits from the very start!

  • Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings that our dentists apply to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars) to help prevent cavities. These teeth have deep grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria can easily collect, making them more prone to decay. Sealants create a smooth barrier that blocks out plaque and acids, reducing the risk of cavities by up to 80%. At Aiea Pearl City Dental Care, we often recommend dental sealants for children as soon as their permanent molars come in, usually around ages 6 and 12, but teens and adults with healthy, cavity-free molars can benefit too. Getting sealants is quick, painless, and one of the easiest ways to protect your smile.

Toothaches & Sensitivity

  • If you wince with pain after sipping a hot cup of coffee or chewing a piece of ice, chances are that you suffer from "dentin hypersensitivity," or more commonly, sensitive teeth.

    Hot and cold temperature changes cause your teeth to expand and contract. Over time, your teeth can develop microscopic cracks that allow these sensations to seep through to the nerves. Exposed areas of the tooth can cause pain and even affect or change your eating, drinking and breathing habits.

    At least 45 million adults in the United States suffer at some time from sensitive teeth.

    Sensitive teeth result when the underlying layer of your teeth (the dentin) becomes exposed. This can happen on the chewing surface of the tooth as well as at the gum line. In some cases, sensitive teeth are the result of gum disease, years of unconsciously clenching or grinding your teeth, or improper or too vigorous brushing (if the bristles of your toothbrush are pointing in multiple directions, you're brushing too hard).

    Abrasive toothpastes are sometimes the culprit of sensitive teeth. Ingredients found in some whitening toothpastes that lighten and/or remove certain stains from enamel, and sodium pyrophosphate, the key ingredient in tartar-control toothpastes, may increase tooth sensitivity.

    In some cases, desensitizing toothpaste, sealants, desensitizing ionization and filling materials including fluoride, and decreasing the intake of acid-containing foods can alleviate some of the pain associated with sensitive teeth.

    Sometimes, a sensitive tooth may be confused by a patient for a cavity or abscess that is not yet visible.

    In any case, contact your dentist if you notice any change in your teeth's sensitivity to temperature.

  • Sudden tooth sensitivity may be linked to a cracked tooth, recent dental work, or an early cavity. Even small changes, like brushing too hard or switching to a new toothpaste, can trigger sensitivity. If it doesn’t go away in a few days, it’s best to schedule an exam with our office to rule out more serious concerns.

  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently twice a day. Switch to toothpaste made for sensitive teeth, avoid acidic foods, and wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth. While these steps can help reduce discomfort, professional evaluation ensures there’s no underlying issue needing treatment.

  • You can rinse your mouth with warm salt water, take over-the-counter pain relievers, and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. However, home care is only temporary: it’s important to schedule a dental exam to find and treat the cause of your toothache.

  • People who grind their teeth can sometimes develop a serious problem with their jaw, which left untreated, can adversely affect the teeth, gums and bone structures of the mouth.

    One of the most common jaw disorders is related to a problem with the temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull, and allows your upper and lower jaw to open and close and facilitates chewing and speaking.

    People with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) often have a clicking or popping sound when opening and closing their mouths. Such disorders are often accompanied by frequent headaches, neck aches, and in some cases, tooth sensitivity.

    Some treatments for TMD include muscle relaxants, aspirin, biofeedback, or wearing a small plastic appliance in the mouth during sleep.

    Minor cases of TMD involve discomfort or pain in the jaw muscles. More serious conditions involve improperly aligned joints or dislocated jaws. The most extreme form of TMD involves an arthritic condition of the jaw joint. Traumatic injuries also can cause jaw dislocation.

    In these cases, jaw surgery may be required to correct the condition. Some jaw surgery can be performed arthroscopically.

Tooth Trauma

  • Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part). Avoid touching the root.

    If the tooth is dirty, wash it briefly (max 10 seconds) under cold running water and reposition it (replace it back into where it was). Once the tooth is back in place, bite on a handkerchief to hold it in position.

    If this is not possible, place the tooth in a glass of milk or another suitable storage medium and bring it with you to our office, a pediatric dentist, or an oral surgeon. The tooth can also be transported in the mouth, keeping it inside the lip or cheek if the patient is conscious. If the patient is very young, he/she could swallow the tooth – therefor it is advisable to get the patient to spit in a container and place the tooth in it. DO NOT STORE IN WATER!

    Please get to a dental office within 30-45 minutes. After 45 minutes, the prognosis of replacing the tooth is poor.

  • If you have a serious injury please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.

    If you have a lot of bleeding or had a concussion, please go to the nearest Emergency Room.

    If the bleeding has stopped but you cut your lip or tongue and may need stitches to avoid a scar, please see your nearest Emergency Room or Urgent Care.

    For any jaw dislocations, please go to the nearest Emergency Room or call an Oral Surgeon.

    For trauma that has minimal to no bleeding, no concussions and no stitches needed, please call us so that we can check on your teeth to make sure they are ok.

    If your tooth cracked, please call us and bring the broken piece of tooth with you.

    If your tooth fell out, place pressure on the area with gauze and call us. Please bring your tooth with you as we may be able to use it for a temporary.

  • If your filling or crown is loose, please contact us and avoid eating on it to reduce the chance of swallowing it.

    If your filling or crown came off, please contact us and bring it with you to your appointment. Avoid eating on that area to reduce the chance of breaking your tooth.