At what age should I prepare my child for a first dental visit?

A child’s first visit to the dentist should generally occur between the ages of four and five. Normally, this appointment allows the child to become familiarized with the office procedures and the people. The dentist will examine your child’s teeth for early signs of decay or other problems. The dentist will also discuss valuable information to help your child grow up cavity-free.

Why is fluoride important?

Enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth, which protects the tooth from decay. Fluoride intake helps strengthen the tooth enamel thus making it more resistant to decay. Some of the more common sources of fluoride include fluoridated drinking water, fluoride-containing toothpastes and fluoride  mouth rinses.

What are dental sealants?

In general, cavities occur most frequently on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Dental sealants are designed to provide protection for those areas of the teeth. A dental sealant is a plastic material that is placed directly into the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. The sealant then coats the teeth protecting the enamel from everyday plaque and acids that may harm them.

Should children floss?

Teaching your child to floss at an early age is a vital part of oral health. Though adult help may be required for the younger children, flossing should begin when they have only their primary teeth. Daily flossing helps to remove the plaque and food debris that accumulates between the teeth and below the gumline.

Are x-rays of baby teeth necessary?

Taking x-rays of baby teeth is not only necessary but of vital importance in maintaining the oral health of your child. Dental x-rays help detect any unseen cavities that may need to be filled by your dentist. With an x-ray, the adult teeth that form below the gums are also examined for proper formation and position.

What is a crown?

A crown is a cover for a tooth that is mostly filling. It protects the tooth from breaking any more. It can be porcelain (tooth colored) or gold.

What is involved in preparing a crown?

A crown will usually take two appointments. The first is to prepare the tooth for the crown and to place a temporary crown on the prepared tooth until the permanent crown is ready (usually about a week). The second appointment is to place the permanent crown.

What is in-office bleaching?

This is tooth whitening done only in the dental office. Our office provides bleaching with a special light. The proceedure takes about two hours.

Does bleaching damage the enamel of the teeth?

No, in fact all of the bleaching products used in our office contain floride.

What is at-home-bleaching?

This procedure is done at home by the patient's wearing a custon-made bleaching tray prepared by the dentist to perfectly fit the patient's teeth.

How long does at-home bleaching take?

Usually the patient can bleach in about two to three weeks of wearing the trays every night.

What are dental implants?

Implants are a way to replace missing teeth without wearing a partial or a bridge.

What is Invisalign?

This is the way to straighten your teeth without braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners. For further information visit www.invisalign.com

Who needs to wear a mouthguard?

Anyone who participates in a sport with significant risk of injury should wear a mouth guard.

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay is the distruction of tooth enamel. This occures when sugar and starches are left on the teeth.

What is a root canal?

This is the removal of the dental pulp in a tooth. This proceedure is done when decay reaches to the nerve of a tooth. This proceedure can usually be completed in one visit.

What is a veneer?

Veneer is a custom-made shell made of tooth-colored materials to cover the front side of a tooth.

What is the difference between a canker sore and a cold sore?

Canker sores are inside the mouth. Cold sores are outside the mouth.

What is periodontal (gum) disease?

This is an infection of the tissue around the teeth also known as gingivitis.

How often should I get my teeth cleaned?

We recommend that a professional cleaning be done every six months.