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# 4 Things You Need to Know About Your Dentist’s Qualifications
 /  / 4 Things You Need to Know About Your Dentist’s Qualifications
“Is my dentist qualified?,” You’ve probably wondered.
You’ve also probably wondered, “What does it take to become a dentist?”
In this article, we’ll address the 4 things you need to know about your dentist’s qualifications. We address how to become a dentist and whether or not your dentist is qualified to help you with your dental issues. At Mills River Family Dental, we recognize the importance of feeling safe with your dentist and feeling confident that your dentist can help you. Getting dental work is stressful and scary, but that doesn’t have to be the case if you have a great understanding of who your dentist is and what they have had to do in order to become qualified as a dentist.
### **How To Become Qualified as a Dentist in The United States**
In order to feel safe in your dentist’s hands, you need to know about their education and training. Here are 4 of the most important things that your dentists needed to do in order to become a dentist. Keep in mind that these 4 aspects are just some of the basic steps your dentist needed to have taken in order to be qualified as a dentist. Usually, a dentist has even more training added in addition those mentioned below.
#### #1. Your dentist has a bachelor’s degree with pre-requisites in the health and science fields
In the United States, your dentist first needs to obtain a four-year degree (also called a bachelor’s degree). As part of this degree, they learned about different subjects. Typically, students seeking to become dentists will usually study a health-related subject such as the sciences (think biology, chemistry or human anatomy and physiology) or even the social sciences. Majoring in a health-field not only helps your dentists complete the prerequisites needed to get into a dental school, but it also provides a solid foundation for the knowledge they needed.
Nowadays, with the emphasis on communication and understanding of human behavior, your dentist might have a bachelors in a non-health related field. Still, while studying a non-health related field, your dentists would have had to complete prerequisite courses.
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Dr. Michael Stohl, DMD
#### #2. Your dentist took the dental school entrance exam and went to dental school
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, your dentist needed to study for a dental school entrance exam called the dental admission test. This test includes different questions related to their field. To qualify for dental school, your dentist would have also completed a dental school application and possible interview with the program they applied to.
In dental school, your dentist either got a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree. Both degrees require the same courses and knowledge. Both degrees also require intense study and practice.
#### #3.  Your dentist took and passed the National Board Dental Examination
The National Board Dental Examination is an exam that makes sure that your dentist understands different dental conditions, topics and areas. This exam is what helps your dentist become licensed as a dentist who can practice dentistry. In addition to this, there are state exams that your dentist would need to pass in order to obtain licensure.
An interesting fact that we’d like to point out is that dental hygienists also need to pass the National Board Dental Examination and would need to take courses in dental hygiene. More information on the qualifications of dental hygienists will be provided in an upcoming article.
#### #4. Your dentist may have specialized in other dental specialties and completed residency.
According to the American Dental Association, there are 12 specialties:
* Dental anesthesiology
* Dental public health
* Endodontics
* Oral and maxillofacial pathology
* Oral and maxillofacial radiology
* Oral medicine
* Orofacial pain
* Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
* Pediatric dentistry
* Periodontics
* Prosthodontics
Each speciality is unique and requires different courses and training. For more information about each speciality, read  article.
### **Mills River Family Dental: Quality Care & Qualified Dentists**
As you can tell, becoming a dentist requires rigorous training and a strong educational background. It also requires years of experience in the health field.
The benefits of having qualified and well-trained dentists include feeling safe knowing that you’re in good hands, having dentists who are aware of various dental conditions and illnesses, and having dentists who have been trained in various areas.
At Mills River Family Dental,  are qualified and trained in diverse areas of dentistry. Our dentists are also members of prominent professional organizations such as the American Dental Association, the North Carolina Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
 for more information about our dentists educational background and training. Feel free to also set up an appointment with one of our dentists who would be able to help you with various dental issues.
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#### Location & Hours
3340 Boylston Hwy Suite 30
Mills River, NC 28759
| Monday | 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
| --- | --- |
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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# Tips for Taking Care of your Dental Implants
 /  / Tips for Taking Care of your Dental Implants
Dental implants are durable solutions for replacing missing teeth. When you have dental implants installed, it will be important to take the appropriate steps to keep them in good condition. These steps involve both preventing damage and caring for your oral health, in general. When you take care of your dental implants, you will be able to enhance the appearance and condition of your smile. Here are a few of our tips for taking care of your dental implants.
## Depends on Type of Implant
There will be multiple approaches that you will need to take depending on your particular type of implant. For example, if you have dentures, you will want to let them soak overnight. Ensure that you carefully rinse them of the solution before using them again. If you have individual dental implants, you will generally want to ensure that you take care of your teeth in order to keep the implants in good shape.
## Avoid Hard Objects
When you have dental implants, it is beneficial to avoid chewing on hard objects or using your teeth as a tool. Chewing or biting down on ice or hard candy can easily cause damage to your teeth. Never use your teeth as a tool to hold objects, open packages, or perform any function aside from chewing.
## Try a Water Flosser
A water flosser is a tool that uses a stream of water in order to remove food particles and debris that may be lodged in the teeth. These water flossers are great options for removing more food particles from the surface of the teeth. When you have , this may be a good addition to keep your teeth cleaner and prevent damage to your dental implants.
## Choose Toothpaste without Abrasive Ingredients
Toothpaste that contains abrasive ingredients may cause scratching to your dental implants, as well as wear out the enamel layer of your natural teeth. Avoid using toothpaste that has these abrasive ingredients, such as stain removal agents or baking soda. This will help you to protect your dental implants and minimize the likelihood that they will sustain damage.
## Use Toothbrushes with Soft Bristles
When you use toothbrushes that have hard bristles, they will often cause extra wear to your natural teeth and your dental implants. Soft bristled toothbrushes are usually sufficient to thoroughly remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles from the surface of the teeth. You should usually only use a hard bristled toothbrush if you have a dexterity issue that prevents you from effectively brushing your teeth.
## Care for your Teeth
When you have dental implants, it will be especially important to ensure that you implement a . Not only is this important to keep the rest of your teeth in good condition, but it will also help to prevent damage from occurring to your dental implants. In order to protect your teeth, it is essential to brush twice every day for at least two minutes. You also need to floss your teeth every day. It may be useful to use crown and bridge floss, which is specifically designed to help you reach the difficult areas around crowns and dental implants.
## Regular Inspections
Inspecting your implants on a regular basis will help you to locate damage that may be present. This will enable you to have the damage repaired before it is allowed to escalate to a much larger degree. It is also important to ensure that you inspect any dentures or other products to prevent any damage.
## Visit Dentist on a Regular Basis
Your dentist can often help to keep your teeth in the best possible condition. This will also apply to the condition of your dental implants. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis is an important part of ensuring you can identify damage to your dental implants early on. Most dentists recommend that you visit them twice a year, but it is important to listen to the recommendations of your specific dentist.
Caring for your dental implants can help you to keep them in good condition. This can even save you money, because you won’t have to have them replaced as often. Our experts at  can help to provide you with the ideal dental implants and related services to protect your oral health. For more information about how to care for your dental implants,  at  today!
# The Pros and Cons of Using Charcoal Toothpaste
 /  / The Pros and Cons of Using Charcoal Toothpaste
Charcoal toothpaste has grown in popularity as part of the natural oral care trend, with many people drawn to its ability to whiten teeth and clean deeply. With so many products on the market, you may be interested in this newer addition to the shelf. But before you grab a new tube, it is important to weigh the benefits and potential drawbacks of incorporating charcoal toothpaste into your routine.
If you are considering investing in a new toothpaste and you have considered using a charcoal-based product, keep reading to learn more about whether it is best for your smile.
## What is Charcoal Toothpaste?
 contains activated charcoal, a popular ingredient in skincare or oral hygiene products designed to absorb toxins and impurities. You may find yourself drawn to charcoal when shopping for new oral hygiene products. But does it have the ability to properly care for your teeth and address any concerns you may have about your smile?
## The Pros of Charcoal Toothpaste
### 1. May Help Address Surface Stains
If you have minor surface stains on your teeth, such as stains from food and beverages, charcoal toothpaste may help you address them. The charcoal can trap the particles that cause stains on your teeth. Whether you enjoy drinking tea and coffee or eating deep, rich-colored fruits and vegetables, this toothpaste may be able to help.
### 2. Great at Freshening Breath
Dealing with chronic bad breath can be frustrating and embarrassing for some dental patients. By incorporating charcoal toothpaste into your everyday oral hygiene routine, you can trust that it will absorb the bacteria that cause bad breath, helping you tackle this chronic problem.
### 3. Removes Harmful Bacteria
The bacteria in your mouth isn’t just responsible for your bad breath. It is also the cause of cavities, advanced tooth decay, and tooth loss. Charcoal’s absorbing properties make it the perfect addition to your mouth if you’ve dealt with these problems in the past and you’d like to avoid recurring oral infections and illness.
### 4. Natural Ingredients
For dental patients who prefer using more natural products, charcoal toothpaste may be incredibly appealing. These toothpastes often include far fewer artificial ingredients than their counterparts, making it an easy choice for some dental patients.
## The Cons of Charcoal Toothpaste
### 1. More Abrasive Than Standard Toothpaste
One major problem with using these toothpastes every day is that they are often far more abrasive than other toothpastes. This abrasion can be especially harmful to patients with weak enamel, sensitive teeth, or cavities, as weakened and worn enamel does not grow back and can exacerbate existing problems.
### 2. No Fluoride
While you may be weary of using fluoride-based products, it is an essential part of a strong oral hygiene routine. Without enough fluoride in your care routine, you may become more susceptible to cavity development, root canals, and tooth loss. If you want to avoid increasing dental care bills, this may make charcoal toothpaste unappealing.
### 3. Not the Best Whitening Option
Some dental patients may consider using charcoal toothpaste if they want to whiten their teeth. While it can provide some stain removal, it isn’t the best whitening product on the market. Typically,  provide better lightening results, making it a better investment in the appearance of your smile.
### 4. Limited Information on Efficacy
Charcoal toothpaste is a more modern addition to oral hygiene. As a newer oral hygiene product, there isn’t currently enough scientific data to back any of the claims made by manufacturers. If you want to use a reliable product, other toothpastes may be a better choice for your routine.
## Should You Use This Toothpaste?
While you may want to incorporate charcoal toothpaste into your daily oral care routine, it is best to avoid this and instead use fluoride-rich toothpaste.  helps remineralize your teeth, which is especially important for individuals with fragile teeth. The abrasive natural of charcoal products can lead to more damage to your smile over time than you realize, making the well-researched fluoride-based products a better choice for your health and well-being in the long term.
## Your Teeth Whitening Expert in Mills River, NC
Although there are many teeth whitening products on the market, nothing will ever compare to a professional teeth whitening service. With professional-grade products and care from a trained and licensed professional, you can trust that you’ll achieve the level of whitening you’ve been dreaming of. If you’re looking for a  in the Mills River, NC, area to help you achieve the white smile of your dreams, turn to Mills River Family Dental.
With decades of experience helping patients across the Mills River area and beyond achieve the smile of their dreams, we’re confident we can do the same for you. From professional whitening to veneers, orthodontic services, dentures, and more, we have the perfect service to deliver your most beautiful smile. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team to discuss cosmetic dentistry, chronic bad breath, or a combination of dental concerns, don’t hesitate to  today.