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+ Your First Visit
If you have not had the chance to fill out your new patient paperwork, please arrive 15 minutes early to your first visit. To access your new patient paperwork online click HERE.
Please bring your dental insurance information, a list of all current medications, and your new patient paperwork if filled out physically.
To ensure an optimal first experience, we allot 90 minutes to provide you with a comprehensive examination, x-rays, and a cleaning. This visit may be shorter in duration depending on your oral health needs.
The appearance of teeth in babies usually happens around six months. Do not be surprised if your infant shows initial signs of a tooth earlier or later than this. The first place a tooth usually erupts is the bottom front. Your child will likely have all of their baby teeth (20 teeth) by age six. Around the age of six, your child’s permanent teeth may begin to erupt.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children see a dentist by their first birthday.
When a cavity only involves the outermost layer of the tooth it often does not cause discomfort. This is because the outer layer of the tooth is the strongest. As the cavity progresses to the inner layers of the tooth, sensitivity may be more apparent. Many individuals do not notice sensitivity until the cavity is close to the innermost layer of the tooth, the pulp. The pulp is the nerve of the tooth which is responsible for sensitivity to hot, cold and pressure. Fixing a tooth in the earlier stages of tooth decay is much more cost effective and typically a much quicker procedure.
Cavities can be caused by a variety of oral habits. Sipping on sugary or acidic drinks (pop, lemonade, energy drinks, sports drinks, juice) throughout the day lowers the pH level of the mouth providing bacteria responsible for causing cavities the perfect environment to thrive.Oral medications: Some medications you have been prescribed may be causing a condition called xerostomia, or dry mouth. A loss of saliva increases the acidity of the mouth which can contribute to the development of cavities.Open mouth breathing: If you or your loved one sleep with the mouth postured open at night it could be contributing to your increased level of cavities. By sleeping with the mouth open you are drying out the oral cavity, which again leads to an acidic environment for cavity causing bacteria to multiply.
No, often times children and adults grind their teeth at night because of an airway issue. If you or your child suffer from TMJ pain, clenching and grinding of the teeth, or sleep apnea, do not hesitate to reach out and see what we can do to help.
Yes! We provide multiple sedation options in our office to help those who suffer with dental anxiety. Check out our options for Sedation Dentistry
Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes remove an average of 21% more plaque than manual brushes do. The movement and size of the electric brush head has proven to be less abrasive to the gums and remove debris more efficiently.
No, although a waterpik is an important part in your oral health regimen, it is not the same as flossing. A waterpik is a great tool for individuals who are at high risk for cavities, have crowns/bridges/implants, wear braces, or those who find string floss difficult to maneuver. String floss helps to loosen difficult to reach plaque, making it easier for the waterpik or toothbrush to remove.
Enamel is not as susceptible to abrasion (the wear on the teeth from a mechanical source, like a toothbrush with toothpaste) because of the hardness of the structure. The underlying structures of enamel like dentin and the root surfaces, are much softer than the outer layer of the tooth and are affected by how abrasive a toothpaste is. We recommend trying to use toothpaste that is in the 0-100 range on the RDA Value List, if possible.
The following put you at a higher risk for cavity formation.o Consuming carbohydrate dense meals or sugary foodo Frequent snacking or sipping on sugary/acidic beverageso Bedtime infant feeding with milk, formula, juice or sugar-containing beverageso Inadequate brushing or flossingo Not getting enough fluorideo Open mouth breathingo Dry mouth
The main cause of bleeding gums is plaque, a sticky film that contains bacteria, that accumulates at the gum line. When this layer is not removed, it eventually hardens into calculus, also known as tartar. This layer is then unable to be removed by you manually and requires the help of a dental hygienist to remove. If this layer is not removed in a timely manner, bone loss may occur. Once bone loss has occurred, this is called periodontitis or gum disease. To prevent gum disease and gum bleeding it is essential to brush and floss daily. A waterpik may also be utilized for plaque removal.
While there are other reasons a tooth may be sensitive to cold, a main component of cold sensitivity is the thickness of the enamel layer of the tooth. As we age, the outermost, strongest layer of the tooth can wear away. When this layer thins you are exposing a more sensitive layer of the tooth. In these instances, we recommend a Sensodyne toothpaste be used to combat sensitivity. Sensodyne, when used on a consistent basis, builds a protective layer on the tooth which helps to reduce increased cold sensations.
What if a tooth gets knocked out in an accident?Pick the tooth up by the crown (chewing surface) NOT the root. If dirty, rinse with tap water, DO NOT SCRUB.Place the tooth back into the socket and call your dentist.If you cannot place the tooth back in the socket, the tooth should be transported in a container of saliva, milk, or an over the counter product made for this purpose.
If you have a tooth knocked out of the socket, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing and/or swallowing seek care at your local urgent care or emergency room.
