.

About You:
 .
.Frequently Asked Questions  
  1. Is tongue piercing safe?
  2. There are so many different toothbrushes on the market today. How do I know which one is the right one for me?
  3. Will my insurance cover my appointment/treatment?
  4. Why is it important to keep scheduled dental appointments?
  5. At what age should a child begin seeing the dentist?
  6. What does it mean when my gums bleed when I brush and floss?
  7. What is Decay?

ANSWER 1)

In a word (or four) PLEASE DON"T DO IT!

Fortunately, I have only seen a couple of these in "real life". I have read of numerous cases in our dental journals which have resulted in all sorts of problems.

To begin with, the tongue is an extremely vascular organ, which means that it has loads of blood vessels. A tremendous amount of swelling is expected when the tongue is pierced and a large oversized "barbell" is initially placed to accomodate for the expected swelling.

This can cause difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Eating, drinking and speech are all impaired. The large barbell flops around and has caused unrestorable fractures of teeth when accidentally bitten.

The barbell can come unscrewed and be swallowed or possibly be aspirated, sucked into the lung. Either of these could require surgery.

I repeat, PLEASE DON'T DO IT!

Back to the Top ^
ANSWER 2)

This is a good question, which we hear daily. The brand of the toothbrush is not nearly as critical as the type of bristle, the size and shape of the head and how frequently you replace your brush.

We recommend a soft bristled brush with a small head. The soft bristles are most important for the health of your gums. A small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums.Daily frequency of brushing and replacement with a new brush are much more important issues than the brand you choose.

We recommend replacing your brush at least once a month.

My employees and I all brush, on average, 5 times a day. We brush first thing in the morning, after each meal and at the end of the day.

If you are not able to do this because of your busy schedule, we recommend brushing twice a day at a bare minimum.

Back to the Top ^
ANSWER 3)

Your insurance is a contract set up between you, your employer and the insurance company. We have limited access to the details of your insurance so we recommend that you be aware of the limitations of your insurance.

Back to the Top ^
ANSWER 4)

Hygiene appointments are made to accommodate your oral and health care needs. Lapses in hygiene treatment will negatively affect your oral and in turn your overall health. Recommended time lines in hygiene treatment are customized to fit your specific to oral health care needs.

Back to the Top ^

ANSWER 5)

Children should see the dentist for the first time between the ages of two and three. If there are visible issues seen earlier then two, then they should be seen and treated earlier.

It is never too early to get a child aquainted with their dental team. Most children have some teeth by age one and most of their teeth by age two. Decay can start within months of erruption and accidents can occur anytime. It is recommended that children start coming to the dentist between age one and two for a chair ride and an oral exam.

Back to the Top ^
ANSWER 6)

This is a warning sign that gum disease is present and needs to be treated by a dental hygienist. Gum disease is what leads to tooth loss and failure of dental treatment. This frequently occurs in the absence of pain, making it an important first symptom in detecting the disease.

Back to the Top ^
ANSWER 7)

Decay is the destruction of tooth structure. Decay occurs when plaque, the sticky substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars and / or starches of the foods that we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel. The best way to prevent tooth decay is by brushing twice a day and flossing daily.

Back to the Top ^