Why should I visit the dentist regularly?
When people have tooth pain, that is your bodies way of telling you something is wrong and needs immediate attention. Going to the dentist does not have to be associated with pain. Many people only go to the dentist when in pain or are having problems. Some might think they are saving money by not going to the dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings, but in reality, it cost more money and time to fix a dental problem than it is by visiting the dentist routinely every 6 months. When a dental issue is caught in its early stages, it is faster, cheaper, and less painful. We can catch issues before they cause pain or emergencies. By visiting us every 6 months we can give you the preventative care you need to stop problems in the early stages and monitor your oral health, teaching you the best ways to care for your teeth so that they remain healthy.

Why do I need to floss?
The bristles on your tooth brush will clean the top, front, and back or your teeth, but how about in between your teeth? The most common area for cavities is in between teeth. We use floss to remove the biofilm that bacteria put on our teeth, to remove plaque, tartar and any food debris stuck in our teeth. This will prevent cavities in between our teeth. Flossing is also needed to help stimulate our gums. To keep our teeth in our mouth we need healthy bone surrounding our teeth, and to keep healthy bone around our teeth we need healthy gums. In order to maintain healthy gums, we need to floss to remove the tartar and plaque so our gums do not become inflamed
How safe are dental x-rays?
Dental X-rays are extremely safe. In fact, you are exposed to less radiation with dental X-rays than you are in your day-to-day life from the sun. Our digital imaging technology is also much safer, requiring much less radiation than traditional film X-rays. Additionally, federal law requires that X-ray machines be checked for safety and accuracy every two years.

When should by child visit the dentist for the first time?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children visit the dentist for the first time about six months after their first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. These appointments are designed to help your child become comfortable in the dental office and ensure that he or she is growing and developing correctly. We can also check for any tongue or lip ties that can affect a child’s speech development or causing issues with feeding.
Why are primary/baby teeth important?
Primary teeth are critical to maintaining good oral health and proper development of your child’s permanent teeth. The health of your child’s primary teeth will aid in:
- Proper speech development
- Proper eating habits, nutrition, and digestion
- Self confidence
- Better aligned permanent teeth, because our primary teeth help hold the positions for the future permanent teeth.
What is cosmetic dentistry and how can it help me?
We want you to feel confident and proud of your smile. Cosmetic dentistry improves the appearance of your teeth to create that perfect smile you are looking for. Some common treatments to achieve that perfect smile can include the following:
- Teeth whitening
- Veneers
- Crowns and Bridges
- Dental Implants
- Orthodontics
- Composite fillings
I’ve lost a tooth. What can I do to replace it?
There are multiple great options we have available to replace your missing tooth or teeth. Together we will discuss what end results you would like and go over your treatment options available to reach those goals. A customized treatment plan will be made to restore your teeth and smile. Some of the tooth replacement options we may discuss include:
- Dental implants
- Dental bridges
- Partial dentures
- Complete dentures
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a field of dental specialty that focuses on diagnosing, preventing and treating dental and facial irregularities, including misaligned teeth and jaws. An orthodontist is a dental specialist who manages tooth movement and guiding facial development.
Am I too old for orthodontics?
It is NEVER too late for orthodontics. Many patients receive orthodontic treatment as a child or in teenage years because that is during the development phases of a persons smile, facial bone structures and initial teeth alignment, not to mention insurance coverage is typically a greater advantage before age 18.
However, remember that we use our teeth every single day, all day long, for our entire lives. Having our teeth in the correct alignment, getting rid of crowding or spacing, will give you the proper bite to make your teeth not only last your lifetime, but will allow you to more easily clean your teeth and gums. The average life expectancy in the US is now about 78 years old, and if you need to possibly spend 1-2 years in orthodontics in order to keep your teeth all 78 years, and to being able to enjoy foods, flavors and a beautiful smile…it is DEFINITELY worth it. If you have any questions, concerns, or curiosities please as for a consult for orthodontics or even clear aligner therapy.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an oral infection that damages the gums and supporting bone structures in your mouth. It is a bacterial infection of the gums with symptoms such as red, swollen and tender gums that bleed, which if continues without treatment will gradually progresses until it destroys your gums and bone structure. The bacteria that are causing your gums to be red and inflamed will eventually cause your bone to be lost around the teeth and eventually cause your teeth to become loose and fall out. You should be checked for periodontal disease each time you visit our dental office.
What causes periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by the harmful bacteria trapped in plaque. As plaque hardens into calculus (tartar), the disease becomes more established in your mouth. Gum attachments begin to separate from your teeth and create pockets that harbor these harmful bacteria. If gum disease is allowed to progress without treatment, the condition may become irreversible.
What are signs of periodontal disease?
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- Red, swollen or tender gums, or other pain in your mouth
- Bleeding while brushing, flossing or eating hard foods
- Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of dentures or other removable appliances
- Halitosis (bad breath)
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What do I do if I have bad breath?
- Halitosis can be caused by multiple factors
- Morning time
- Poor oral hygiene
- Cavities
- Periodontal disease
- Poor fitted appliances
- Dry mouth
- Tobacco products
- Dehydration, missed meals
- Certain foods
- You can prevent bad breath by visiting our dentist regularly, staying hydrated, practicing good oral hygiene, using mouth rinses and by not using tobacco products. If your halitosis persists, we recommend that you consult a physician to determine if your bad breath is caused by a medical condition and receive an appropriate treatment.
If my teeth don’t hurt, do I need to go to the dentist?
As a dentist, we get patients who come in for “emergency” appointments almost every day. These patients usually are in extreme pain, and maybe even have a facial swelling of some sort from their dental infection! The patient that comes in with severe pain, or even moderate pain, is the patient who has waited too long. Why can’t they just be filled, you ask? Fillings are used to fix cavities that are either in the enamel (outer layer of the tooth) or partially into the dentin (the second layer of the tooth). Once the cavity has reached the nerve, the tooth is infected and a filling will no longer be sufficient to fix the problem.
Just like when people have heart attacks, there usually is no pain associated with it until it happens and can be too late. We want to catch the problem BEFORE pain and BEFORE the problem turns into more serious and expensive problems.
- Finance options
- “Don’t let finances and money prevent you from having the smile you want or force you to live with pain and discomfort”
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
- Care Credit
- Mountain America Credit Union
- Patient Forms
- Post Op Instructions
- New Patient Forms
- Special Offers
- Free Invisalign consultation
- Referral Program
- Refer a friend to the office and receive $20 gift card
Patient Forms & Financing
Finance options
- Don’t let finances and money prevent you from having the smile you want or force you to live with pain and discomfort”
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
- Care Credit
- Mountain America Credit Union
Patient Forms
- Post Op Instructions
- New Patient Forms
Special Offers
- Free Invisalign consultation
- Referral Program
- Refer a friend to the office and receive $20 gift card