Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions that you would like answered, please visit our contact page.

1. My gums always bleed when I floss. Is that normal?
2. Is brushing and rinsing is good enough?
3. Should I just get complete dentures?
4. Can I get by with only what my insurance will cover?
5. What is a dental cleaning?
6. What is a crown and what is the process to get one?
7. How do I know if I am clenching my teeth and what do I do about it?
8. There are so many oral hygiene aids in the stores. How do I know what will work?
9. Do dentists regularly check my mouth for oral cancer?
10. What should I expect from a New Patient Exam?
11. When should my child first see the dentist?

"My gums always bleed when I floss. Is that normal?"

FACT: Healthy gums do not bleed. When you notice blood when you floss or brush it means you have gum disease. Regular checkups and cleanings along with your diligent care at home will help keep your gums healthy.

"Is brushing and rinsing is good enough?"

FACT: Nothing replaces the action of floss. Floss is the only tool that will get the debris out from between your teeth.

If this debris is left between your teeth, cavities, gum disease, and bad breath may result. If you have trouble flossing, ask us about flossing techniques and we can show you areas you may be missing.

"Should I just get complete dentures?"

FACT: While dentures may be a suitable alternative for some, they will never function as well as your natural teeth. With chewing efficiency being only 15% of that of your natural teeth it is best to try and keep your own teeth for as long as you can.

Let us help you keep your teeth for your lifetime!

"Can I get by with only what my insurance will cover?"

FACT: Only your dental professional can tell you what type of treatment you need to help get you to optimal oral health. Some may need more or different treatment than others and your insurance plan is there to aid you in the costs, not dictate what you need.

It is important to keep in mind that many dental plans will not communicate information about your plan to your dental office. It is your responsibility to ask questions and call your insurance provider directly with questions. We are happy to submit claims on your behalf but as plans are constantly changing we are unable to keep track of everyones plan. You are responsible for what your plan does not cover, should you seek treatment.

"What does cleaning involve?"

Once tarter forms, you cannot brush it away and it must be removed by your dental hygienist or dentist. This act is referred to as scaling or root planing. Once this material is removed, the hygienist will polish your teeth and offer you a fluoride treatment to protect the freshly cleaned root surfaces. The most common regime for cleanings is once every six months but can vary depending on your needs, the amount of tarter or stain you accumulate, your homecare, or various systemic issues.

"What is a crown and what is the process to get one?"

A dentist may recommend that you have a crown done on a tooth when it is not restorable by any other means. A crown is like a sleeve that fits over the tooth holding it together and offering it more strength for chewing.

"How do I know if I am grinding my teeth and what do I do about it?"

People are often unaware that they clench or grind their teeth until problems arise. Symptoms often include headaches in the temple area on waking, jaw pain, and tooth sensitivity. There are many causes of clenching or grinding including stress and alignment issues. Your teeth may become loose, chipped, worn down, or cold sensitive.

As the teeth wear from grinding or clenching, the hard enamel on your teeth can be lost and the softer part of your teeth called dentin can be exposed. This causes tooth sensitivity and accelerated wear. Investing in the nightgaurd is much easier and more cost effective that building up all of your teeth after they have been worn down.

"There are so many oral hygiene aids in the stores. How do I know what will work?"

It's true. The store shelves are piled high with tools to help us improve our dental health. The truth is that the tools are only as effective as the operators that use them and as each of us have had different degrees and methods of dental work, we may need or recommend different tools for you.

It is important to discuss these various tools with us and receive proper instruction on how to use them. Thorough brushing between teeth will go a long way to help you get healthy and stay well.

"Do dentists regularly check my mouth for oral cancer?"

Yes, your health care team will be checking your mouth at each visit for early signs of oral cancer. It is often impossible for you to detect yourself so it is important to have regular check ups with your dentist. Alcohol, tobacco use, and sun exposure greatly increase your risk of developing oral cancers.

It is challenging even for a dental professional to distinguish a cancerous from a non cancerous area so he/she may refer you to a specialist or swab the area to send to a lab for testing. If detected early, often the affected area can be removed with a relatively simple procedure.

"What should I expect from a new patient exam?"

A new patient visit in our office includes a consultation, a thorough examination and some x-rays if needed to see under fillings and between teeth.

"When should my child first see the dentist?"

We believe a youngster needs to be seen at 3 or 3 1/2 years. Even today almost half the 4 year olds have a cavity beginning.

If you have any additional questions about our services or learn a little about who we are, please feel free to contact us, we are just an email away.