FAQ

There are two components to good oral hygiene. One is establishing a brushing and flossing habit, with maybe some mouthwash too. Every day, at least twice a day will keep your teeth clean of bacteria and bits of food.

The other is monitoring which foods and drinks come in contact with your teeth. The number one cause of tooth decay today is sugary liquids and snacks. Sugar is rare in nature, so our teeth evolved in an environment where they rarely encountered it. Now we put sugar in everything, and our teeth aren’t prepared for it. Decreasing or eliminating your consumption of sodas and junk food will go a long way toward preserving your teeth.

Finally, come to the dentist at least twice a year for a teeth cleaning. Our tools cleanse your teeth more thoroughly than what you can achieve at home with a toothbrush.

Usually, your dental insurance plan is very specific about which treatments it covers. Basic plans almost always cover regular teeth cleanings and fillings, but more complex procedures such as crowns require additional coverage.

Insurance does not cover cosmetic dentistry treatments that are considered to be for aesthetic purposes only. This includes veneers and teeth whitening.

Some patients are unsatisfied with the look of their teeth and ask if we’re able to pull healthy teeth and replace them with implants. We strongly advise against this. Though dental implant technology has made great strides and implants are effective substitutes for natural teeth, nothing is better than the set of teeth you were born with. When taken good care of, natural teeth last a lifetime.

For any cosmetic concerns, we recommend trying cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening first. We prefer to try every other option before pulling a healthy tooth.

They can! However, we don’t recommend cosmetic dentistry beyond basic whitening on baby teeth, since they will fall out in a few years anyway. Once your child’s adult teeth have erupted and are in place, they can start receiving cosmetic treatments.

Dental bonding can be done to repair children’s teeth after falls or sports accidents. The early teens is also a great age to get braces, so your child will get to enjoy the benefits of straight teeth for as long as possible.