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The following are just a few of the questions we regularly hear in our practice. If you do not find the information you want here, please feel free to contact us.
When should I bring my child in for their first dental visit?
We recommend that you bring your child in for their first full dental visit around the age of three and a half. To help reduce the chances of anxiety, we encourage you to bring your children in before that visit so that we can show them how going to the dentist can be a fun, interesting experience. Of course, if you have any dental concerns about your child, you are welcome to bring them in sooner.
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My little boy is six years old and it looks like he has two sets of teeth, one behind the other, is that okay?
In the “mixed dentition” stage of dental development, adult teeth begin coming in while baby teeth are eventually lost. Sometimes, however, a child’s baby teeth do not fall out to make room for their adult teeth, making two rows of teeth. If this lasts for longer than six months, we would probably recommend “assisting” the baby teeth so that the permanent teeth do not become crowded or misaligned. In some cases, we may even recommend that the baby teeth be removed at an earlier time because of limited space in a child’s mouth.
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Do you do teeth whitening? If so, how does it differ from the stuff we see on TV?
Yes, we offer two methods of teeth whitening. With the first method, we take an impression in our office and then make custom-fitted trays for the patient to use with a bleaching agent at home. This allows the patient to whiten their teeth at their own convenience. The second method is an in-office treatment. We can isolate every tooth with a plastic material and then paint a bleaching agent over them. With this technique, we can whiten certain teeth or all of them. This allows us to treat specific areas with streaks, dark spots, and stains (such as those caused by tetracycline).
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 Do you use nitrous oxide?
Yes. Your comfort is at the forefront of everything we do, so we make nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) available to patients to help them relax or relieve anxiety. Nitrous provides a quick and safe way to allow patients to relax during long treatments in particular. Please note that if you request nitrous oxide, we will need to ask some questions about your overall health to determine if it is an appropriate method for you.
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How come my teeth seem to stain more than other people’s teeth?
Several factors can contribute to teeth that seem prone to staining. Genetics, smoking and diet (particularly drinking coffee, tea and colas) can all cause teeth to stain more quickly. To help reduce the amount of staining, we recommend you rinse with water after consuming any of the items mentioned above. Your at-home oral hygiene, the frequency/regularity of professional cleanings, and saliva build-up can also affect the coloration of your teeth.
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Do you sterilize your handpieces?
Absolutely. We do everything possible to exceed OSHA standards to protect our patients and our staff from unsafe conditions. We sterilize all of our metal instruments after every dental procedure and we also use disposable products for everything that we can, from suction tips and syringe tips to bibs, gloves, masks and covers. We also test our sterilization system weekly to ensure that it is working properly. Though this procedure causes a heavy, expensive toll on our tools and handpieces, we believe it is the very least we can do to provide a safe, healthy environment for our patients.
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Do you accept insurance?
We are happy to accept and file claims for insurance plans that allow you to select your dentist. Over 70 percent of our patients utilize dental insurance.
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Can I only have a cleaning on my first visit?
State law, standard procedures, and our commitment to patient care dictate that a new patient receives a visual exam and current x-rays before a cleaning will be performed. We will examine the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, conduct an oral cancer screening of the head and neck, periodontal pocket readings, and x-rays (unless current duplicates can be obtained). We do all of this to make sure that you receive the proper care for your mouth — it would be inappropriate to clean a patient’s teeth without addressing dental issues that may exist (such as evidence of gum disease). We do make certain limited exceptions for patients who are transferring from another practice and are current with their professional dental care. If this applies to you, please make sure to mention it to one of our team members when scheduling your appointment.
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 Do you have to take x-rays during my visit?
Taking x-rays allows our dentists to see what a standard exam may not reveal. A visual exam only shows about 10 to 20 percent of a tooth. X-rays allow us to better see the unique traits of your mouth, as well as any potential infection, cavities, bone loss, or other dental issues. For some patients, such as pregnant women, x-rays may not be recommended. Generally, the little exposure to radiation is far outweighed by the many benefits of x-rays.
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Do I need to take antibiotics before my dental treatment?
As of June 1997, the American Heart Association guidelines regarding antibiotics usage in dental treatments changed to include less people and to involve a much lower dosage of antibiotics. Antibiotic usage is the result of an increased susceptibility for certain people to acquire bacteria buildup on the heart valves or some prosthetic joints. Only people who currently have specific heart defects or have had specific heart surgery fall under this category. You will need to speak with your physician, cardiologist or dentist to find out if this includes you.
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Will whitening/bleaching make my teeth more likely to get cavities?
No. Dentist supervised, home-bleaching kits have been in use for several years and studies have not found any long-term side effects. The biggest side effect from whitening/bleaching may be an increased sensitivity to cold, which should go away within one day after you stop the whitening process.
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How long does it take for “whitening” toothpastes to work?
Quite frankly, forever. The August 1998 issue of Consumer Reports confirmed what most dentists already believed: over-the-counter whitening products scarcely work. The article states that the only real way to whiten your teeth is with the assistance of a dental professional.
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