The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child to the dentist when their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. Early visits help children get used to receiving dental care and can prevent problems later on in life. Our dentists can talk to you about proper oral hygiene routines for your child and help answer any questions you may have about the first few years of your child's life.
A baby's 1st dental visit is usually short and simple. Typically, the appointment will consist of the following:
- Introduction to dental visits – Your child will see how fun the dentist can be by meeting the staff and watching us clean the teeth and take x-rays. This sets the foundation for a positive experience and builds trust in the office.
- Examination – We will look inside your child's mouth to make sure everything is developing as it should be. We will make sure there are no cavities or other problems in the mouth. If any problems are found, we can immediately begin treatment to help prevent these problems from worsening. We will also make sure your child is reaching their developmental milestones.
- Cleaning – The hygienist will use a small mirror to look into your child's mouth and clean their teeth. She can demonstrate how to clean your child's teeth and answer any questions you might have about brushing at home. Also, children often need to learn how to open their mouths and how to better control their body movements. Once a child is old enough to sit still for longer periods of time, they may be able to have their teeth cleaned without help from a parent or caregiver.
- X-rays – X-rays are a very important tool we use to detect decay and other problems that cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are also used to make sure teeth are developing correctly and are healthy in the jawbone. X-rays are completely safe and expose children to less radiation than everyday exposure to the sun.
We find it is important to introduce the concept of going to the dentist at a young age because early visits can prevent tooth decay in the future. Many parents also find it easier to get their children used to caring for their teeth before they can walk and talk!
For more information about your child's first dentist visit, contact our practice today. Our team is excited to meet you and your family and start your child on the path to a lifetime of the best oral health.
Baby teeth help guide the adult teeth into proper alignment and spacing in the jaws. When a baby's tooth is lost too early due to decay or an accident, the teeth beside it may shift into an empty space. This can result in crooked teeth and a poor bite (malocclusion) as permanent teeth emerge. Early childhood caries (cavities) can be painful and lead to infection and tooth loss if not treated. Poor oral hygiene in young children can also affect their nutrition and sleep habits, as well as speech development.
While you may brush your teeth every day, this doesn't mean that they are free from plaque and tartar buildup. These substances can't be removed by brushing alone. In fact, the longer you wait between cleanings, the more difficult it becomes to remove these deposits from your teeth.
Regular professional cleanings at your dentist's office should occur every six months. If you have gum disease, you may need more frequent visits to keep your smile healthy. Your dentist will consult with you to determine when you should have your next cleaning and what type of cleaning will be best for you. Without regular cleanings, bacteria can build up in your mouth and cause tooth decay and even gum disease. This is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly for routine preventive care.
Having your teeth professionally cleaned every six months is a great way to maintain healthy teeth and gums and a healthy smile. At your cleaning, our dental hygienist will remove any built-up plaque or tartar from your teeth. She will then polish your teeth to a beautiful shine.
Here are the most common types of dental cleanings.
- Dental prophylaxis - This type of dental cleaning is commonly referred to as a "prophy." During a prophy, your hygienist will clean your teeth and polish them to remove plaque and tartar. Prophylaxis is usually recommended every six months to keep your mouth free of bacteria and debris. Certain patients may require more frequent visits than others, depending on their oral health needs.
- Deep cleaning - This treatment may be needed if the patient has gum disease or gingivitis. Gum disease is caused by harmful bacteria between teeth that cause inflammation of the gums. When left untreated, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and lead to other serious health problems. During a deep dental cleaning, the hygienist will remove the bacteria from below the gum line and may prescribe antibiotics or other medication to treat the infection before scheduling regular cleaning appointments.
Schedule an appointment with our office today to learn more about dental cleaning and to schedule your next appointment.
X-rays can be instrumental in helping your dentist diagnose and treat your dental condition, so yes - they are very safe! In fact, digital X-rays emit only a small dose of radiation to record the image. And dental x-rays are also usually limited to one or two a year. All these factors combined ensure that your exposure to radiation is minimal. Still, if you're worried about radiation exposure and/or are pregnant, talk to your dentist about rescheduling your appointment for another time or book a consultation with our dentist to discuss any questions you have about your other health history. Even still, our dentist will make sure to take the necessary precautions needed to provide you with quality dental care.
Your mouth is an amazing piece of engineering, but it's common for bacteria to find their way in and infect your gums. This infection is called periodontal disease. When left untreated, it can lead to tooth and bone loss. Gum disease is one of the most common reasons that people lose teeth. Unfortunately, it's also very common in adults. It's important to maintain regular cleanings and checkups to prevent and treat gum disease.
If you begin to notice gum tenderness or bleeding, it's important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. If caught early enough, you can reverse the effects. However, if left unmanaged, it can cause irreversible damage to your smile. You might also experience bad breath, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. If you have noticed any of the signs or symptoms of gum disease, please give our office a call to schedule your next checkup and cleaning.
Periodontal disease is caused by an infection of the gums. Bacteria can enter the gums through food particles and plaque that is not properly removed from your teeth. The gums can become irritated by the bacteria, and they may start to pull away from the teeth. This can lead to the formation of pockets along the gum line, which traps more food and plaque. This leads to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. Pockets are spaces that form between the teeth and gums where bacteria can hide and grow. Over time, the bacteria can destroy the gum tissue and bone, leading to tooth loss.
Regular professional cleanings can remove the plaque and tartar from your mouth that your toothbrush can't reach. If you notice any changes in your health or the health of your mouth, be sure to contact your dentist right away. They can diagnose your condition and recommend treatment to stop the progression of the disease.
Tooth loss is the permanent loss of a tooth from the mouth. Tooth loss can occur due to several reasons. The major among them are listed below.
- Tooth decay is one of the most common reasons for tooth loss. If untreated, cavities can not only cause the tooth to become weaker but may also lead to infection or nerve damage, which will ultimately lead to the need for extraction if left untreated.
- Many patients also develop problems with their wisdom teeth, which is why many dentists recommend having them removed before they fully emerge. Impacted wisdom teeth may push other teeth out of alignment or cause pain from crowding. In some cases, they may need to be removed to prevent an infection. This also leads to the loss of a tooth in the mouth.
- Patients also commonly lose teeth as a result of injury. Sports-related accidents and other falls can lead to chipped, cracked, or broken teeth and knocking out a tooth altogether. Whether a child loses a permanent tooth in an accident or an adult experiences a traumatic event that leaves them without a tooth, it's important to see a dentist right away to receive care and prevent damage from becoming worse.
- Some patients suffer from advanced periodontal disease and lose multiple teeth as a result. This serious condition can cause bleeding gums, gum recession, and even jawbone loss if not treated promptly. Without the support of healthy gum tissue and bone structures, the teeth are at increased risk of falling out or becoming loose.
Regardless of your reason or reason for tooth loss, it's important to schedule an appointment with an experienced dentist as soon as possible to discuss the right restorative treatments for your needs. Even a single missing tooth can have a major impact on your overall oral health, so it's always best to address the problem before it has the opportunity to get worse.
Dental crowns and dental bridges are used to restore a tooth after it has been damaged or lost through injury or decay.
Dental crowns
A dental crown is an artificial tooth that is shaped to fit over your existing one. A dental crown fits over a natural tooth in order to restore its form and function. Crowns are made of different materials, but porcelain crowns look the most like natural teeth and are often recommended for this reason. With advances in cosmetic dentistry, getting a crown is usually a simple process that provides durable results.
A crown can restore your smile if you have a damaged or decayed tooth or if your teeth are misaligned. Our dentists can reshape your tooth and prepare it for a crown so they can ensure it is the right size and color for you. We can then take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab, where they will custom-make your new crown. Once it arrives at our office, we can place your new permanent crown by cementing it to the prepared tooth.
Dental bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed dental prosthesis that is used to replace missing teeth. Bridges are referred to as so because they literally bridge the gap between the two surrounding teeth located on either side of the missing tooth or teeth.
Bridges work by anchoring crowns to the two surrounding healthy teeth with dental cement. These crowns are cemented over each tooth and act as anchors to hold the bridge in place. The artificial tooth in between the crowns is referred to as a pontic. The pontic is held into place by the crowns on either side, which are known as abutments. Dental bridges are a good option for patients who are missing multiple teeth and do not want to wear removable dentures.
Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic care, is a procedure designed to save an injured or infected tooth from extraction and possible replacement with a dental implant. During the treatment, our dentist removes the diseased pulp, cleans the root canal of the tooth, and then seals it to prevent reinfection. Then, your tooth is restored with either a filling or a dental crown.
Receiving this treatment typically requires two visits to our office. During your first visit, we will remove the infection, clean the tooth, and place a temporary restoration to protect your tooth against further damage. About two weeks later, you will return for the placement of your final restoration.
Nightguards are custom-fit mouthpieces that you wear while you sleep to help prevent symptoms of teeth grinding, such as jaw pain and morning headaches. If you are experiencing any symptoms of clenching and grinding, ask your dentist about a custom-made mouthguard to protect your teeth during sleep.
Night guards are effective in several ways. It is important to protect your teeth against damage while sleeping by using a mouthguard to prevent grinding and clenching. Doing this will protect your natural teeth from wear and erosion from your nighttime habits. It will also protect the restorations, such as fillings or crowns, so you won't need to replace those as often.
Nightguards are worn while you sleep. A soft material fits comfortably over your teeth as you sleep to stop them from rubbing against each other. Wearing a nightguard helps the muscles to relax and prevents unnecessary stress on your jaw joint. It also protects your teeth from the wear and tear that happens when teeth grind together and rub on the tongue and gums. This can result in sore and painful muscles, headaches, and even broken teeth and fillings. If you frequently wake up with a headache in or around your ears, it might be worth checking to see if you may need a nightguard to protect your teeth. Talk to your dentist about treatment options for bruxism (teeth grinding) - you may be able to benefit from a custom-made nightguard to stop your teeth from grinding together.
Dental plans use certain cost-control measures to determine how they share treatment costs with you. Here are the major terms used to describe these measures:
- Deductible: This is the money a patient must pay before the plan provider pays for your service. And the patient may need to undergo one or more procedures and dental visits to meet the deductible. However, a deductible is not needed for preventive services like dental exams and cleanings or diagnostic services.
- Co-insurance: In major cases, once the deductible is met, the patient will be expected to pay a percentage of the allowed benefit amount of a covered dental service. This is called co-insurance.
- Annual Maximums: Annual Maximums refer to the maximum amount that will be paid by a dental plan during the year. If the plan includes dental braces, there will be a separate lifetime maximum limit. Annual maximums are generally decided on the basis of the contract between the patient and the dental benefit provider. And the patient would need to pay for any dental expense above the annual maximums. If your annual maximum is too low to meet your dental needs, you may wish to consider a higher annual maximum.
No! In most cases, your dental plan would not cover dental diseases you had before you enrolled in the plan. Even though treatments are necessary to address those conditions, the patient may need to pay for them from their own pocket. For example, a tooth lost before enrollment to the plan may not come under the coverage; the patient may need to pay on their own to replace it.
Yes, there are. A dental plan may have frequency limitations it can be used to pay for a particular treatment. For example, a dental plan may pay for only two teeth cleanings a year. However, it is important to note that our providers do not make any treatment decisions based on your plan coverage but based on what your dental needs are.
If your insurance provider denies your claim on the grounds that the treatment is not necessary, don't worry! Our office can appeal on your behalf. Do not cancel your treatment because of the claim rejection; your treatment decisions should be made by you and your dentist.
