Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Call us today! 904-247-0111



I have heard about oral cancer screening. What is it?

Oral cancer is a serious and deadly disease that affects tens of thousands of people annually. In fact, the Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that someone in the United States dies every hour of every day from oral cancer. Over 300,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year, worldwide. This serious dental disease, which pertains to the mouth, lips or throat, is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.

At Jax Beaches Family Dentistry we have the ability to detect and diagnose oral cancer before it can otherwise be seen with OralID screening technology. Identifying abnormalities not seen with the naked eye, OralID enables clinicians to locate possible life threatening conditions in their early stages, where there is an increased survival rate.

I have bad breath, do you think this is related to my teeth?

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be downright embarrassing. According to dental studies, about 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition that is to blame. Gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, dry mouth and bacteria on the tongue are some of the dental problems that can cause bad breath.

Using mouthwash to cover up bad breath when a dental problem is present will only mask the odor temporarily and not cure it. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, we can help you today.

My teeth are sensitive to hot and cold liquids.

Tooth sensitivity is a common problem that affects millions of people. Basically, tooth sensitivity experience is a pain or discomfort from your teeth resulting from consumption of sweets, cold air, hot drinks, cold drinks or ice cream. Some people with sensitive teeth even experience discomfort from brushing and flossing. The good news is that sensitive teeth can be treated and we know how.

Is one toothpaste better than others?

Generally, no. However, it’s advisable to use a fluoride toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride.

We also recommend that you look for a toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval.

What’s the difference between a “crown” and a “cap”?

These are restorations to repair a severely broken tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and all decay. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, composites, or even stainless steel.

Dentists refer to all of these restorations as “crowns”. However, patients often refer to the tooth-colored ones as “caps” and the gold or stainless steel ones as “crowns”. We do them all affordably and often in the same day thanks to our use of cutting edge CEREC technology located within the offices of Jax Beaches Family Dentistry.

What about “silver” fillings versus “white” fillings?

Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting “white” or tooth-colored composite fillings. We also prefer tooth-colored fillings because they “bond” to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay.

White fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better. However, “white” fillings cannot be used in every situation, and if a tooth is very badly broken-down, a crown will usually be necessary and provide better overall comfort and satisfaction.


Call Jax Beaches Family Dentistry Today to Make an Appointment!

904-247-0111