Patient questions, answered

Around age two. That first visit is usually a Happy Visit: your child comes in at no cost simply to look around, meet the staff and sit in the chair. Nothing is done to their teeth. It builds confidence and gives us and you a chance to trade information. Many parents book it during their own hygiene appointment. If one visit is not enough, we do another at no charge, and we keep going until your child is comfortable enough for a real hygiene visit.

We remove wisdom teeth and perform most other extractions right here in our office for the majority of patients. That saves you the long wait for an oral surgeon's schedule and the added cost of a specialist referral. If a particular case genuinely calls for a specialist, we will tell you plainly and help you arrange it.

Tell us when you book and again when you arrive, and we will plan the appointment around it. Four of our hygienists hold additional state licensure to give local anesthesia and to administer nitrous oxide sedation, so comfort options are available in the hygiene chair as well as with the dentist. We also use intraoral cameras to show you exactly what we are seeing, because for a lot of patients the anxiety comes from not knowing what is happening.

Children and adults both benefit. Fluoride strengthens the enamel of children's teeth while they are still forming, which lowers decay rates. It might seem unnecessary once teeth are fully formed, but with age comes gum recession that exposes root surfaces, and root surface is about 700 percent softer than enamel and far more prone to decay. Fluoride is the best way to prevent those cavities and to help remineralize early decay, and it also helps control sensitivity. That is why we provide fluoride treatment to patients of all ages at each re-exam appointment.

Molars come in with deep pits and grooves on the biting surface, and that is the most common place we find decay, because toothbrush bristles cannot reach into them and plaque builds up. Cleaning those pits and filling them with sealant material prevents that and cuts the risk of decay. Teeth get the greatest benefit when sealants are applied to newly erupted teeth, so soon after they come in is ideal.

It is hard to detect on your own, because it is painless. Common signs include chronic bad breath, gums that are red, swollen or tender and bleed easily, and teeth that shift or feel loose. If you have noticed any of these, call us for a thorough examination of your gum tissue and the bone levels supporting your teeth.

Dental causes of halitosis include plaque, bacteria, decay, periodontal disease and a coated tongue. Mouthwash, toothpaste and gum can mask it temporarily, but the only real fix is removing the cause. Regular dental visits plus solid daily home care is the best prevention. If it persists after every dental cause is resolved, see your physician, because bad breath can also come from systemic conditions such as diabetes.

Because regular visits catch things early. Cavities, periodontal disease, cysts, tumors and even oral cancer are all far easier to treat when they are found early, and finding them early can save you time, money and, in some cases, your life.

Dental insurance is not really insurance, which by definition covers the cost of a loss. It is a monetary benefit designed to pay for a portion of dental treatment and reduce your out-of-pocket cost. Employers choose a plan based on what the plan costs, not on the dental needs of their employees. Our job is to diagnose and treat what your teeth actually need, whatever your policy happens to pay. We are glad to help you understand your coverage and what to expect, and some questions are best answered by your employer or your insurance carrier. Bring your plan details to your visit and we will work through it with you.

Monday and Tuesday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Wednesday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed Saturday and Sunday.