“A: Recent studies have shown that by the age of three, a child is already at risk of having cavities which can be caused by something as innocent as putting a baby to sleep with a bottle of juice or milk. Along with taking our first look at your child’s oral condition, this first appointment is also largely focused on the parents and helping them to establish a good oral hygiene program and diet for the child. We believe that a child should have his or her first dental visit when the first tooth erupts or before they reach their first birthday.

It is a little known fact that a child’s primary teeth are vital to the long-term health of their permanent adult teeth. The premature loss of primary teeth as a result of accidents or decay can cause serious problems, including poorly spaced and crooked adult teeth. As a result, it is just as
important to care for a child’s baby teeth as it is for the adult teeth that follow.”

“A: We recommend that patients visit our office at least twice each year to ensure their optimal oral health and to help avoid serious and costly future problems. In addition to cleaning and polishing all the visible and hidden surfaces of your teeth, we also check for many potential problems. Tooth decay, oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease are just a few examples of problems that can have serious consequences if left undetected. In certain cases, we may even recommend 3 or 4 visits per year in order to properly treat conditions that require more regular attention.

Maintaining a regular appointment schedule with your dentist isn’t just good for your teeth, it’s an important part of your overall health. ”

“A: Bleeding after brushing or flossing can be unsettling. It can also be a sign of an otherwise mostly silent disease — periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss. It is a build-up of bacteria from plaque and tartar that can inflame or infect gum and bone.

Periodontal disease causes deep pockets to form in tissue between the gums and teeth. This sometimes gives the appearance of puffy or receding gums.

During dental exams, dentists routinely examine your gums. There are a number of treatments for bleeding gums and periodontal disease, including removing plaque and tartar below the gum line. These treatments, performed in a dental office, are called scaling and root planing. They allow the gum to heal and become healthy again.

Dentists recommend daily brushing and flossing as well as regular checkups and cleanings to help prevent periodontal disease. ”

“A: Your dentist recommends a soft toothbrush to protect your teeth and gums from the damage that a firm bristle can do to your teeth and gums especially when combined with overly aggressive brushing. A firm bristle toothbrush can actually damage the enamel on your teeth and cause your gums to shrink leaving your tooth roots exposed. A soft bristle brush combined with gentle pressure and the right brushing technique will provide all the cleaning power you need. For more information, ask your dentist for advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques at your next appointment. ”

“A: A significant percentage of adults suffer from some level of fear of dental treatment – you can take solace in the fact that you are not alone! Given the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums to your overall health, it is imperative that you find a way to deal with these fears.

In our clinic we offer a range of techniques to help our patients reduce their anxiety. Here are a few ideas that you might consider:

• Visualize yourself in a comfortable place while in the dental chair – a warm sandy beach, for example.
• Avoid drinking beverages that contain caffeine before your appointment.
• Ask questions about your treatment – quite often fears of the unknown are the worst fears of all.

Our ultimate goal is to enable our patients to receive dental treatment in a comfortable state of mind. Please feel free to call our office if you would like to learn more about our unique approach. ”

“A: Tooth grinding or bruxism, is a serious issue that can result in damage to your teeth, poor sleep patterns and soreness in the muscles of the face and neck, not to mention an unhappy spouse. Fortunately, this problem can normally be corrected with the use of a dental night guard.

Night guards look much like a sports mouth-guard, but are specially designed to prevent muscle tension and withstand the intense pressure exerted by tooth grinders. Only your dental office can provide a custom-made night guard that will fit you perfectly.

Ask us about dental night guards or other treatments available to relieve tension and discomfort in the jaw and neck. ”

“A: While brushing is very effective at removing plaque and food debris from your teeth, a toothbrush simply cannot effectively clean all of the surfaces of your teeth. In particular, the spaces between your teeth are difficult, if not impossible to clean properly by brushing alone. This can mean that people who brush regularly are still very susceptible to cavities and gum infections in these areas.

The use of dental floss or tape once a day can clean these difficult to reach surfaces and provide you with a truly clean and healthy mouth. It takes just a few minutes per day, and the payback is a cleaner and healthier mouth. Please contact our office if you have any questions about the proper care of your teeth and gums. Any one of our staff members will be happy to answer your questions. ”

“A: The main differences are in how well the mouth guard fits and the materials used. The mouth guards provided in our office are custom-made to perfectly fit the wearer’s teeth. This proper fit can result in a more comfortable and secure mouth guard, which can’t easily be dislodged. In addition, we use a heavier mouth guard material selected based upon each patients individual needs. The boil and bite mouth-guards that you purchase in retail stores simply can not provide the same level of protection.

The high-speed collisions that occur during the play of sports like hockey, football, soccer and basketball can cause serious tooth damage and concussions. A professionally fitted mouth-guard is the best defense for any athlete against these injuries. ”