expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Brian Anthony Moore

Dentist

Dr. Brian Moore is a Dentist practicing in Florence, Kentucky. Dr. Moore specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
Dr. Brian Anthony Moore
  • Florence, Kentucky
  • University of Louisville School of Dentistry
  • Accepting new patients

How can I tell if I'm grinding my teeth?

Jaw aching in the morning is one tell tale sign you are grinding, called nocturnal bruxism, which effects more than a quarter of the population. Other signs include tooth sensitivity READ MORE
Jaw aching in the morning is one tell tale sign you are grinding, called nocturnal bruxism, which effects more than a quarter of the population. Other signs include tooth sensitivity and wear facets on the cusp tips of molars. Fractured teeth can also be a sign. I would advise having your dentist fabricate a hard acrylic biteguard to be worn at night to protect your teeth.

Is it possible to brush my teeth way too much?

Wow, that is some great oral hygiene! As long as you are using a soft tooth brush and a small amount of non whitening toothpaste (these tend to be a bit more abrasive), then 4 READ MORE
Wow, that is some great oral hygiene! As long as you are using a soft tooth brush and a small amount of non whitening toothpaste (these tend to be a bit more abrasive), then 4 times per day is not excessive. I’m sure you’re dental professional can tell if you are brushing too hard.

What should I do if my dentures feel loose?

You may need a denture reline instead of new dentures. Over time, there can be mild bone loss or tissue changes causing dentures to not fit as well. Your dentist can take an impression READ MORE
You may need a denture reline instead of new dentures. Over time, there can be mild bone loss or tissue changes causing dentures to not fit as well. Your dentist can take an impression using your dentures as the “tray” and have a lab line the denture with more pink acrylic for a tighter fit. It can take as little as 24 hours and you cannot even tell a difference on the appearance of the dentures.

Why does a cracked tooth have to be pulled?

It depends on the severity of the crack. If a crack propagates all the way down to the root and beyond or a tooth is split down the middle rendering it nonrestorable, than it would READ MORE
It depends on the severity of the crack. If a crack propagates all the way down to the root and beyond or a tooth is split down the middle rendering it nonrestorable, than it would need an extraction.

When is a root canal recommended?

A root canal is indicated if there is damage to the nerve or pulp of a tooth by way of a large cavity involving the pulp or a crack into the pulp. Usually this condition is painful READ MORE
A root canal is indicated if there is damage to the nerve or pulp of a tooth by way of a large cavity involving the pulp or a crack into the pulp. Usually this condition is painful and can even develop into an abscess, or infection of the tooth.

Why is my daughter still not teething?

Usually babies start teething between 5-7 months and usually starts with the lower front baby teeth. I would recommend seeing a pediatric dentist if there are no baby teeth visible READ MORE
Usually babies start teething between 5-7 months and usually starts with the lower front baby teeth. I would recommend seeing a pediatric dentist if there are no baby teeth visible at age 2.

Do cavities ever need to be refilled?

It is possible you have developed either a crack under the filling or recurrent decay under or around the filling. Grinding your teeth at night can also cause sensitivity. I would READ MORE
It is possible you have developed either a crack under the filling or recurrent decay under or around the filling. Grinding your teeth at night can also cause sensitivity. I would advise a dental appointment and X-ray to confirm or rule out these conditions.

Three cavities at once. Will they all be filled in one session?

This depends on the size of the cavity. If they are very deep, it could involve the pulp of the tooth and could require a root canal. X-rays can show the severity of the cavities READ MORE
This depends on the size of the cavity. If they are very deep, it could involve the pulp of the tooth and could require a root canal. X-rays can show the severity of the cavities as well as your symptoms.

Do I always need a crown with a root canal?

If the tooth is a molar, I almost always recommend a crown due to the force patients put on these teeth. If the tooth is an incisor or canine and does not have a large existing READ MORE
If the tooth is a molar, I almost always recommend a crown due to the force patients put on these teeth. If the tooth is an incisor or canine and does not have a large existing restoration, a lot of times I will hold off on recommending a crown.

My child accidentally ate toothpaste. What should I do?

This should not be a problem due to low fluoride content in most toothpastes. I would place the toothpaste on her brush yourself from now on, just a pea sized amount.

Can my silver fillings be replaced with white fillings?

Yes they can, if it is for cosmetic reasons, and the fillings are small to moderate in size. Larger silver fillings may benefit from porcelain crown or onlay coverage.

Can flossing causes spaces between my teeth?

If you use a thin floss (not dental tape), they shouldn’t cause spacing.

Is excessive gum chewing harmful in any way?

It depends on what kind of gum. I always advise a sugar free xylitol flavored gum like Ice Cubes. Chewing xylitol flavored gum can actually be beneficial as it is anti cavity and READ MORE
It depends on what kind of gum. I always advise a sugar free xylitol flavored gum like Ice Cubes. Chewing xylitol flavored gum can actually be beneficial as it is anti cavity and stimulates saliva flow which can prove a buffer to acids produced by bacteria found in the mouth.

My tooth in the back is half broken, what should I do?

If there is a lot of pain, then you very well may have a crack involving the pulp which would require either a root canal or if the crack is bad enough, tooth removal. I would READ MORE
If there is a lot of pain, then you very well may have a crack involving the pulp which would require either a root canal or if the crack is bad enough, tooth removal. I would advise seeking a dentist as quickly as possible.

Can an infected tooth spread the infection to the other teeth as well?

The infection won’t spread to other teeth but other teeth can be painful if the abscess is bad enough. Treat the abscess by either getting a root canal or an extraction. Taking READ MORE
The infection won’t spread to other teeth but other teeth can be painful if the abscess is bad enough. Treat the abscess by either getting a root canal or an extraction. Taking an antibiotic only treats the symptoms but doesn’t address the problem.

What is the importance of using dental floss?

I always advise flossing daily to remove plaque in between teeth that brushing alone cannot get out.

Why is my face swollen after a root canal treatment?

There still may be some infection trapped in the tissues around the tooth. I would get on a strong antibiotic like Clindamycin 300mg three times a day for 10 days. Your dentist READ MORE
There still may be some infection trapped in the tissues around the tooth. I would get on a strong antibiotic like Clindamycin 300mg three times a day for 10 days. Your dentist should be able to call this into your pharmacy.

Why do my oral ulcers keep coming back?

Some ulcers can be viral in nature and need to be treated by a prescription like Valtrex. Stress can be a major factor in outbreaks.

How can I close the gap between my frontal teeth?

A front tooth gap, or diastema, can also be closed by bonding of a composite resin material to the side of each tooth. A larger gap can be closed by ceramic veneers.

I just got a crown fit on my teeth but it hurts a lot. Does it require re-treatment?

Sometimes pain after a crown is seated can be caused by the crown having a high occlusion. The dentist may need to just simply adjust it a bit. If the pain persists, the tooth READ MORE
Sometimes pain after a crown is seated can be caused by the crown having a high occlusion. The dentist may need to just simply adjust it a bit. If the pain persists, the tooth may require a root canal which can usually be done through the existing crown and a filling placed where the hole is made in the crown.