Your Most-Asked Dental Questions — Answered
If you've ever sat in the dental chair wondering whether your question was "too basic" to ask — you're not alone. At Nanarao Krothapalli DMD PLLC , we hear the same questions week after week from patients across Londonderry, Derry, Manchester, and the surrounding communities. We love those questions, because they tell us our patients are thinking about their health. This post is our way of answering the ones that come up most.
Whether you're a long-time patient or just moved to Londonderry and are looking for a new dental home, these answers will give you a solid foundation for understanding your oral health and what to expect at your visits.
1. How Often Do I Really Need to Come In?
The standard recommendation — twice a year — works well for most people, and there's good science behind it. Professional cleanings remove tartar (hardened plaque) that your toothbrush simply cannot reach no matter how diligently you brush. Tartar buildup below the gumline is one of the leading causes of gum disease, which has been linked to cardiovascular problems, diabetes complications, and preterm birth.
That said, twice a year isn't a universal rule. Patients with a history of gum disease, dry mouth, diabetes, or those who are pregnant may benefit from three or four visits per year. Kids in active orthodontic treatment and patients undergoing certain medical therapies may also need more frequent monitoring. On the other hand, some adults with excellent oral hygiene and low cavity risk can safely visit annually. Your dentist will help you find the right interval for your specific situation.
The biggest risk of stretching visits too far is that small, painless problems — a hairline crack, early decay, slight gum recession — can silently progress until they require much more involved (and expensive) treatment. Regular check-ups are genuinely preventive, not just routine.
2. Why Are My Teeth Sensitive to Cold and Heat?
Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints we hear, and it has several possible causes. The most frequent culprit is exposed dentin — the layer beneath your enamel. When enamel wears away (from acidic foods, aggressive brushing, or grinding) or gums recede (often from gum disease or brushing too hard), tiny pores in the dentin open up a direct pathway to the nerve. Cold air, ice cream, hot coffee — they all trigger a sharp, fleeting zing.
Other causes include a cracked tooth, a loose filling, a cavity, or even sinus pressure that mimics dental sensitivity. Teeth whitening can cause temporary sensitivity as the bleaching agent interacts with enamel. In some cases, sensitivity that lingers for more than 30 seconds after the stimulus is removed signals inflammation inside the pulp, which may need more than a sensitivity toothpaste to resolve.
Sensitivity toothpastes containing potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride work by blocking the tubules in dentin or calming the nerve, and they genuinely help for mild cases. But if your sensitivity is sharp, frequent, or getting worse, bring it up at your next visit — it's better caught early than ignored.
3. What's the Difference Between a Filling and a Crown?
Both restore damaged teeth, but the extent of damage determines which one you need. A filling is used when decay is caught early enough that healthy tooth structure remains on all sides. The dentist removes the decayed portion and fills it in with composite resin (tooth-colored) or amalgam. Fillings are conservative and typically completed in one visit.
A crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gumline. It becomes necessary when decay is extensive, when a tooth has been cracked or fractured, after a root canal (which leaves the tooth more brittle), or when a large old filling breaks down. Crowns protect what remains of the natural tooth and restore full function. They typically require two visits — one to shape the tooth and take impressions, and a second to place the permanent crown.
The decision between a filling and a crown isn't about preference — it's about what will actually hold up long-term. A filling placed in a tooth that structurally needs a crown will likely fail and potentially lead to an extraction. Your dentist will always recommend the most conservative option that will genuinely last.
4. Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Professional teeth whitening, done correctly, is safe and effective. The bleaching agents used — typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide — are well-studied and have a long track record when applied at appropriate concentrations by a dental professional. The main side effect is temporary sensitivity, which usually resolves within a day or two after treatment.
Over-the-counter whitening products can also be effective, but they use lower concentrations and often produce slower or less dramatic results. The bigger risk with DIY whitening is using products incorrectly or whitening teeth that aren't good candidates — teeth with active decay, cracks, or failing restorations shouldn't be whitened until those issues are addressed first. Whitening also doesn't affect crowns, veneers, or bonding, so existing restorations won't lighten along with natural teeth.
One thing to know: whitening isn't permanent. Diet, coffee, tea, red wine, and aging will gradually restain teeth. Most patients do touch-up treatments every year or two to maintain their results. If you're considering whitening, it's worth asking your dentist which option makes the most sense given your specific tooth color and dental history.
5. How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?
Root canals have an undeserved reputation as painful, and many patients are surprised to learn that the procedure itself is typically no more uncomfortable than getting a filling — it's the infection or inflammation beforehand that causes the real misery. A root canal becomes necessary when the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels) becomes infected or irreversibly inflamed, usually from deep decay, a crack, or trauma.
Warning signs that the pulp may be involved include: a toothache that is severe, throbbing, or keeps you up at night; pain that lingers long after eating or drinking something hot or cold; swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum near the tooth; darkening of the tooth; and sensitivity to pressure or chewing. It's worth noting that sometimes a tooth needing a root canal has no symptoms at all and is discovered on an X-ray during a routine check-up — another reason not to skip those appointments.
Root canal treatment saves the natural tooth, which is always preferable to extraction when possible. Keeping your natural tooth maintains proper chewing function, prevents neighboring teeth from shifting, and avoids the cost and complexity of tooth replacement options like implants or bridges.
6. When Should My Child First See the Dentist?
Earlier than most parents expect: by the child's first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth erupting — whichever comes first. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has recommended this timeline for decades, and for good reason. Early visits help detect problems before they worsen, allow the dentist to assess growth and development, and — critically — help children build a positive relationship with dental care from the start.
Children who see the dentist before age one are significantly less likely to need extensive dental work by age five. The early visits also give parents a chance to ask questions about pacifier habits, thumb-sucking, fluoride, diet, and proper brushing technique for babies and toddlers. We serve families across Londonderry, Derry, and Manchester, and we genuinely enjoy working with young patients and helping them feel comfortable in our office.
7. Does My Insurance Cover Cleanings?
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive care — cleanings, exams, and X-rays — at 100% or with minimal cost-sharing. This is intentional: insurers understand that prevention is far less expensive than treating advanced disease. The specifics vary by plan, so it's worth knowing whether you're covered for one cleaning per year or two, and whether your plan has a waiting period for new enrollees.
Beyond preventive care, coverage typically decreases. Basic restorative work like fillings is often covered at 70-80%, while major work like crowns, root canals, and implants may be covered at 50% — up to your annual maximum. Most plans have a yearly benefit maximum (commonly $1,000–$2,000), and anything beyond that becomes your out-of-pocket responsibility.
If you're unsure what your plan covers, our front desk team is happy to help you understand your benefits before treatment. We work with most major insurance providers and will always go over your options clearly before any procedure.
Nanarao Krothapalli DMD PLLC — Your Londonderry Dental Team
There's no such thing as a silly dental question — and the more you understand about your oral health, the better the decisions you'll make. We hope this FAQ gave you clear, honest answers you can actually use. Whether you're due for a cleaning, curious about a specific treatment, or just want to establish care close to home, we're here for you.
Ready to schedule? Contact Nanarao Krothapalli DMD PLLC today. Call us at (603) 432-6430 or visit us at 25 Nashua Rd #3, Londonderry, NH 03053. We proudly serve patients from Derry, Manchester, Litchfield, Hudson, Windham, Auburn, and throughout Southern New Hampshire.
