How can we help you?
We are happy to answer questions about our services and procedures.
These are a selection of some common questions that patients have. If your question isn't answered here, please contact our office. It's important to us that our patients understand their dental care.
General Dentistry
Children's Dentistry
As your pediatric specialist, one of our primary goals is to partner with parents to help them understand how they can help their children with brushing, flossing, and protecting their oral health. Many of the choices you are making each day affect your son or daughter's oral health such as their nutrition and home care routine. Offering children healthy snacks, a balanced diet, and assistance in using proper techniques for brushing and flossing will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.
Good oral hygiene habits begin before your infant's teeth arrive. Use a warm washcloth to remove bacteria from their gums after feedings. When they get their first teeth, start brushing with a soft bristle brush designed for infants.
As they progress, you can begin to use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth from ages one to three years, and a pea-sized amount when they reach are between the ages of three and six. If you have concerns about using fluoride toothpaste before your son or daughter can spit it out, you can look for xylitol toothpaste instead.
Consistent checkups with your pediatric dentist will also be essential for maintaining your child's oral health. They should visit the dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and checkup starting at age one. Contact our office for more information.
Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns are designed to be very durable and to function much like your own teeth. You need to use common sense, however, and avoid biting down directly on foods like hard candy or nuts. A broken crown is not just costly to replace, but you may also damage underlying healthy tooth structure.
Dental Emergencies
The goal of an emergency dental appointment is to address the immediate need, resolve your problem, and relieve your pain. If we believe further care is needed, we will schedule you a regular appointment to follow up and set up an appropriate treatment plan to prevent future problems.
Dental Implants
Dental implants have several advantages over other tooth replacement options:
- Dental implants appear the most life-like and natural.
- The actual implant piece of the dental implant is made of titanium, a biocompatible metal.
- Dental implants are the most secure and stable.
- Dental implants prevent bone loss, keeping your jaw tissue healthy and preventing changes in the shape of your face.
- With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Preventive Dental Exams and Cleanings
Yes. Today's digital x-rays are far safer than traditional radiographs. They emit less radiation, equivalent to taking a short walk in the sun. They also produce crisp and resizable images for your dentist, and this contributes to improved diagnostics and better treatment planning. Digital x-rays are also environmentally friendly compared to radiographs of the past.
Even with excellent hygiene habits, it's easy to miss small areas of your teeth. Over time, the missed plaque will harden into tartar, which can only be removed with a dental hygienist's tools. When tartar accumulates beneath the gum line, the end result is red, puffy, inflamed gums – the beginnings of periodontal disease.