expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Fatima Vafai

Dentist

Dr. Fatima Vafai is a Dentist practicing in San Jose, California. Dr. Vafai 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. Fatima Vafai
  • San Jose, California
  • Isfahan Dental School
  • Accepting new patients

Does switching toothpaste matter?

Switching your toothpaste doesn’t matter. Stick to a toothpaste that works best for you.

Thank You,
Rachel

Is higher or lower pressure better with water flossers?

Too much pressure can damage your gums however usually with approved flossers the settings won't allow you to harm yourself. Take precaution if it feels too much and adjust the READ MORE
Too much pressure can damage your gums however usually with approved flossers the settings won't allow you to harm yourself. Take precaution if it feels too much and adjust the settings as needed.

I underwent a root canal treatment and it is in pain again. What could be the reason?

Were you given any antibiotics and did you finish all of them? I would go back to the dentist who did the root canal and have them take a look, it is difficult to give a reason READ MORE
Were you given any antibiotics and did you finish all of them? I would go back to the dentist who did the root canal and have them take a look, it is difficult to give a reason without clinically evaluating the tooth.

Is bleeding of gums dangerous for a diabetic patient?

Bleeding gums is never a good sign. It could be a sign of Gingivitis and/or periodontitis (gum disease). Diabetes can contribute to gum disease as well. Please check with a dentist READ MORE
Bleeding gums is never a good sign. It could be a sign of Gingivitis and/or periodontitis (gum disease). Diabetes can contribute to gum disease as well. Please check with a dentist for treatment options.

The dentist has recommended my son’s tooth extraction. Is it the right way to go?

Hello! It depends, I don’t have the X-ray to evaluate the situation, but if the tooth is going to fall out on its own within the next six months then yes, you could extract READ MORE
Hello!

It depends, I don’t have the X-ray to evaluate the situation, but if the tooth is going to fall out on its own within the next six months then yes, you could extract the tooth, if not we would advise to fill the teeth. If you are not sure, consult with another dentist.

Thank You,

Rachel

Pain after a filling?

If you have throbbing pain I would seek your dentists opinion regarding the tooth, however its a tolerable pain I would give it another week to see if it calms down, some teeth READ MORE
If you have throbbing pain I would seek your dentists opinion regarding the tooth, however its a tolerable pain I would give it another week to see if it calms down, some teeth do take more time to heal depending on the size and location of the cavity.

Brushing too hard?

Yes an electric toothbrush is preferred as they do have soft bristles, however you could still wear your teeth if you are aggressive with it. Be gentle and let the toothbrush do READ MORE
Yes an electric toothbrush is preferred as they do have soft bristles, however you could still wear your teeth if you are aggressive with it. Be gentle and let the toothbrush do what its meant to do. Keep in mind that sometimes wear at gumline could also indicate malocclusion (bite disorder) or clenching/grinding and you may want to discuss that with your dentist as well.

Do dentists offer services to the uninsured?

Most dentists do see uninsured patients and some do offer payment plans. However each office has their own policies so I would check that with them when calling to make the appointment READ MORE
Most dentists do see uninsured patients and some do offer payment plans. However each office has their own policies so I would check that with them when calling to make the appointment

Front tooth cavity

Fillings do tend to stain over time, more permanent options can be looked into such as Veneers (porcelain). Each person's treatment may be different depending on your bite and READ MORE
Fillings do tend to stain over time, more permanent options can be looked into such as Veneers (porcelain). Each person's treatment may be different depending on your bite and your teeth, but a consultation with a good cosmetic dentist may be a good start.

Why are some people's canine teeth sharper than others?

Overtime our teeth wear, but also if you have malocclusion (not aligned teeth, crowding, etc..) you wear down teeth sooner than usual and can flatten out pointy teeth.

How can I stop pushing on my front teeth when I swallow?

This may be a difficult task if it's a habit. However, when a certain habit is done during the day, you are able to catch yourself and stop yourself from doing it. At night time, READ MORE
This may be a difficult task if it's a habit. However, when a certain habit is done during the day, you are able to catch yourself and stop yourself from doing it. At night time, it's a different story and that's when most people cause damage from bad habits. A nightguard possibly might help keep your tongue away at night time.

Very swollen and red gums after routine dental cleaning

It is difficult to answer this question without seeing the gums, there could be many reasons. I would suggest going back to the dentist and having them evaluate the gums :)

How to get rid of mouth ulcers

That’s a really tough question, the best thing we could recommend is going to see a dentist as soon as possible.

What does bone loss in the teeth mean?

Unfortunately, bone loss is not reversible, however it is preventable. Bone is what holds our teeth in place so we do not want to loose too much bone. There are different reasons READ MORE
Unfortunately, bone loss is not reversible, however it is preventable. Bone is what holds our teeth in place so we do not want to loose too much bone. There are different reasons for bone loss, such as gum disease, traumatic bite, ill fitting restorations, etc.. The best way to prevent further bone loss is to determine the source of it and then get rid it.

Biting down on side of cheek when eating

There could be different reasons for biting your cheeks. Since you are young, my guess would be that you have a tooth growing in sideways which could be a wisdom tooth or possibly READ MORE
There could be different reasons for biting your cheeks. Since you are young, my guess would be that you have a tooth growing in sideways which could be a wisdom tooth or possibly one of your other teeth that have shifted due to not wearing your retainers. I would have it checked out.

Is the fluoride treatment at the dentist really worth it?

If you are cavity prone, I would say it's worth it. But if you rarely get a cavity, otc fluoride can be useful enough with the combination of your good homecare. They are not the READ MORE
If you are cavity prone, I would say it's worth it. But if you rarely get a cavity, otc fluoride can be useful enough with the combination of your good homecare. They are not the same thing however, the in-office fluoride is much stronger than the otc rinses such as ACT.

Food getting stuck behind wisdom teeth

If you are getting a flap around the tooth, most likely, the wisdom tooth does need to be removed. I would get a second opinion.

Is reflux giving me bad breath?

Yes! Acid reflux definitely causes bad breath. There are other alternatives to Nexium, I would seek an ENT specialist opinion regarding this matter.

Did my dental x-rays harm my baby? (first trimester)

I would not worry about it too much, dental X-rays have a very light radiation in comparison to medical X-rays and usually are harmless in combination with the bib and especially READ MORE
I would not worry about it too much, dental X-rays have a very light radiation in comparison to medical X-rays and usually are harmless in combination with the bib and especially if they were digitally taken.

Is it bad if a piece of an old filling falls out?

Usually if a filling or a piece of it falls out, it could be a sign that there is new decay present under that filling and you should seek attention sooner rather than later as READ MORE
Usually if a filling or a piece of it falls out, it could be a sign that there is new decay present under that filling and you should seek attention sooner rather than later as if there is a cavity, it can spread and eventually kill the nerve of the tooth.