Yes

There are many dental plan options available. Plan coverage is determined by you and/or your employer. The details of your plan are protected by the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). While your dental office can help you understand your plan, they do not know the details of your plan and/or any changes that may occur based on annual usage or employer changes. It is your responsibility to understand what your plan covers. It is important to be aware of any financial limits and changes to your plan.

Yes, we do have your information on file. However, if there are any changes with your medical health from one appointment to the next that we don’t know about, it could greatly affect our treatment for that day. Some examples of how medical changes affect you and us: certain drugs could react with local anesthetics, nursing would change the type of anesthetic we use, if someone is taking birth control and we need to prescribe antibiotics it will nullify the effects of the birth control and it’s our job to inform you. Having you review the medical history each time is a good reminder for you in case you forget to mention a new change to us.

Visiting the dentist regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help in maintaining your overall health. Dental care is extremely important because it:

• Helps prevent tooth decay
• Protects against periodontal (gum) disease, which further leads to bone loss
• Prevents bad breath – brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly will help reduce the amount of bacteria 
• Increases your self-confidence and gives you a more attractive smile 
• Helps keep teeth looking bright by preventing them from becoming stained from food, drinks, and tobacco
• Strengthens your teeth so that you can enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles for the rest of your life!

Your teeth may feel fine, but it’s still important to see the dentist regularly because problems can exist without you knowing. The appearance of your smile may be important to you and your dentist will aid in keeping your smile not only healthy, but esthetically pleasing. With so many advances in dentistry, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped or missing teeth. Today’s dentists offer many treatment choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:

• Professional teeth whitening
• Fillings that mimic the appearance of natural teeth
• Tooth replacement and full smile makeovers

During your first visit, you should be able to determine whether the dentist is right for you. During your appointment, consider the following:

• Is the schedule convenient?
• Is the office easy to get to and close by?
• Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?
• Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health?
• Is information about cost presented to you before treatment is scheduled?

• ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss at least once!
• Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride as it helps prevent cavities. 
• Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grow in your mouth and may cause more plaque buildup and possibly lead to cavities)
• Be sure to schedule your routine checkup. It is recommended that you visit the dentist every six months.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children first see a dentist as early as six months of age and no later than one year of age. During this time, your child’s baby teeth will be coming in and your dentist can examine the health of your child’s first few teeth. After the first visit, be sure to schedule regular checkups every six months.

Children, teens, and adults should all see the dentist for a regular checkup at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for oral cancer or gum disease may be required to see the dentist more than just twice a year. Your dentist and dental hygienist will help determine how often you should come in for routine checkups and cleanings.

A cavity is a small hole that forms inside the tooth because of tooth decay. Cavities are formed when plaque builds up on the outer surface of the tooth combined with sugars and starches in the food you eat. This produces an acid that can eat away the enamel on your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Cavities can be prevented by remembering to brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss between teeth at least once.

A filling is a synthetic material that your dentist uses to fill a cavity after all of the tooth decay has been removed. Fillings do not generally hurt because your dentist will numb your mouth with an anesthetic. Fillings are made from a variety of different materials, including composites, gold, or ceramic. If you need a filling, be sure to talk to your doctor about what type is best for you and your teeth.

According to your dentist and the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth at least two times a day. Brushing keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy by removing bacteria-causing plaque. It is also recommended that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride when you brush your teeth. You should spend at least a minute on the top teeth and a minute on the bottom teeth, and remember to brush your tongue; it will help keep your breath smelling fresh!

Your toothbrush will eventually wear out, especially if you are brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Your dentist recommends that adults and children change their toothbrush every three months. If you are using an electric toothbrush, be sure to read the directions because you may not need to change toothbrush heads as frequently.

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is mostly caused by plaque and bacteria buildup that is not treated in its early stage. Other causes of periodontal disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, certain medications, and genetics. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease and if detected, is treatable. Gingivitis left untreated may turn into gum disease. Advanced gum disease will lead to tooth and bone loss, and is a permanent condition. Brushing your teeth regularly and visiting the dentist every six months will help prevent gingivitis and more severe cases of periodontal disease. Common signs of gum disease:

• Red, irritated, bleeding or swollen gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth or loss of teeth
• Extreme tooth sensitivity
• Receding gum line
• Abscessed teeth