When should my children have their first dental checkup?
We usually start seeing children for their checkup visits at around age 3. The earlier we can introduce your children to dental health, the more comfortable they will become. They will also learn how to develop good dental habits that will keep their teeth healthy for a lifetime! If you notice any discoloration, broken teeth, pain, or other problems, of course we will want to examine them earlier. We may refer you to a pedodontist (child specialist) if we feel your child would be more comfortable.
Is it bad if my gums bleed after I brush my teeth?
Bleeding gums can be a sign of a more serious problem such as gum disease, systemic disease or a nutritional deficiency. It is very important that we examine you on a regular basis to prevent any of these problems. We will also show you how to keep your teeth healthy at home to prevent any bleeding or swelling.
I really don't like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?
We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to our patients and in some cases can prescribe other medications to help you relax. We also allow our patients to watch their favorite television show or DVD while we are taking care of their teeth.
My breath stinks and I brush everyday, is it just me or is there something you can to help?
Along with helping you make sure you are brushing and flossing correctly, we offer prescription breath treatments that are proven to reduce bad breath. We can work with you on finding out the causes and hopefully eliminate your problem.
Do I really have to floss every day?
When you brush your teeth, the toothbrush is unable to clean your teeth on the "in between" surfaces. Where your teeth touch each other is very important to clean because that is where flossing cavities and gum disease usually start. Flossing on a daily basis helps prevent gum disease and painful, bleeding gums.
I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces, what can you do to help?
You have many options to improve your smile. Most of our patients are delighted and surprised at the beautiful results they can achieve just by whitening their teeth. We also provide bonding, veneers, and crowns. Let us show you how we can change your appearance (not to mention your confidence level!) on our computer imaging system.
My spouse snores and keeps me up all night. What can you do?
We offer the Snore Guard dental appliance in our office. This device is made by our dental lab on models of your spouse’s teeth. We will answer any questions you may have and show you what it can do at your next dental visit.
I want whiter teeth, can you help me?
Yes we can! There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile, from at-home bleaching products to in-office supervised 'power bleaching'. Drs. Tom & Grace can help evaluate your potential for whitening your teeth, based on their current color and the causes of any discoloration. Once you have decided on the most appropriate method, you'll probably spend anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks undergoing a series of simple whitening treatments. Most patients can expect to end up with teeth approximately 2 shades brighter on the dental shade chart.
If you're happy with the shape and position of your teeth, and simply wish they were whiter, we offer two methods of teeth whitening. Opalescence is a take-home whitening system that utilizes custom-fit trays, worn over the teeth with whitening solution inside. This process generally takes about 2 weeks. Or, if you want results faster, we can do an accelerated in office bleaching treatment in approximately I hour. We will also include the custom-fit trays with the in office bleaching at no additional cost.
What are laminate veneers?
A veneer is a very thin piece of porcelain glass that fits over your natural tooth. Usually, a small amount of your natural tooth is removed and the veneer is bonded to the tooth to replace the missing tooth structure. Veneers can change the shape and color of your teeth, and correct rotated, overlapped or crooked teeth in some cases. A complete evaluation is necessary prior to treatment.
I know I’ll be numb after the procedure. But, will my tooth hurt after the numbness goes away?
Yes: all teeth hurt to some degree after such a procedure. Normally, motrin will control the pain, but we’ll prescribe stronger pain medication if we think you’ll need it in your particular case. If the recommended medication is not working, please call the office.
How can the tooth hurt if its nerve is gone after a root canal?
The inner, damaged tissue of your tooth has been removed during the root canal treatment. However, your tooth is still very much alive on the outside. Your pain comes from having had an infection and/or inflammation in the bone along the outside of the tooth. Medication will control this; time will heal it.
After my dental appointment, what can I eat, and when?
You may eat and drink anything you want. Please be sure the anesthetic has worn off before trying to eat foods that require chewing. Due to the normal soreness, you will probably more comfortable chewing on the opposite side for 24 to 48 hours. You will want to avoid hard foods such as ice, nuts, candy and even some chips.
After my procedure, am I finished with this root canal treatment?
Some root canal treatments are finished in one visit; others need two or more visits due to the amount of infection present. If we advise you to make another appointment within a few weeks, that means that we will still need to treat the tooth further.
Will I need a crown after the root canal is finished?
Yes, we recommend that posterior teeth (Bicuspids and Molars) have crowns to avoid the possibility of fracturing the tooth during chewing. You will need to return to our office for placement of this crown.
What should I do in the case of a dental emergency?
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, please contact our office right away. If you call after hours, our voice mail system will provide you with the proper contact number and we will return your call as soon as possible.
