Q. How often should I see a dentist?
A. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and a professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.
Q. What do I do if I have a dental emergency?
A. Please call our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. If you have a dental emergency during regular business hours and you are a patient of record, we will be glad to work you into our schedule. If you are not a patient of record, please call and we will try to help you in whatever way we can. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office to see if there are special instructions on who to contact if we are not available.
Q. What kind of toothbrush should I use?
A. Adults should use a small size toothbrush with soft bristles. The head of the brush needs to be small enough to brush all areas of the mouth thoroughly, specifically the back of the mouth, which can be hard to reach. Children should use small toothbrushes with soft bristles. People with sensitive teeth can benefit from using gentle, soft bristled toothbrushes.
Q. How often should I replace my toothbrush?
A. The American Dental Association recommends that you replace your brush every 3 to 4 months. With each use, the bristles become worn and cleaning effectiveness decreases. Depending on your oral health, you may need to replace your brush sooner. Typically, children toothbrushes need to be replaced more regularly than adults.
Q. Is a powered toothbrush more effective than a manual toothbrush?
A. In theory, manual toothbrushes should be as effective as power toothbrushes. However in our office, we find that many people do not have the technique to make this always possible. For this reason, we do recommend power toothbrushes, especially for certain dental conditions. Please ask us if a power toothbrush might be a good option for you!
Q. Should I brush or floss first?
A. As long as you brush and floss thoroughly, it does not matter if you brush then floss or floss then brush. However, flossing before brushing enables the fluoride in your toothpaste to better reach the areas between the teeth.
Q. Is one type of toothpaste better than the others?
A. We recommend you use a toothpaste that contains fluoride and carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which means it has been assessed for safety and effectiveness. Studies consistently show that fluoride helps strengthen and rebuild tooth structure, and helps prevent dental decay. Also, we have found that some toothpastes formulated for whitening can cause tooth sensitivity. Please be aware of this possibility if you choose to use a whitening toothpaste.
Q. Are payment plans available for my dental treatment?
A. Yes. We accept most major credit cards and many types of dental insurance. We will also process your insurance claim for you. We offer 90 days interest free, and 1 1/2% interest/month thereafter. In addition, we accept CareCredit, another interest free option, which can be extended up to 12 months.