Dr. Chris wants to keep you in the know about safe dental practices and effective prevention. Here are some questions he hears quite a bit:

What COVID protocols are being observed at the office?
When you visit, remain in your car and call us. You’ll wear a mask (we are), and we’ll also take your temperature. We also have air purifiers in every room, plus a vacuum suction machine that really cleans the air. For complete information, visit our COVID page.

What is your most powerful piece of anti-COVID gear?
Glad you asked. We have a new extraoral vaccum dental suction that catches droplets and aerosols in the air during treatment – and cleans the air afterward. It gets wheeled around to where ever the next procedure is happening. It’s a game-changer!

What is root canal therapy?
RCT is a method of saving a tooth by cleaning out a damaged nerve and filling in the resulting chamber.

What is gum (Periodontal) disease?
Periodontal disease is the deterioration of the supporting structures of the teeth.

What are dental implants?
Dental implants are titanium screws or cages that are surgically placed in the bone of the mouth to which a tooth, bridge, or denture can attach to make a stable restoration.

Why should I replace a missing tooth?
The empty space in your mouth starts to cause many problems including decay and periodontal disease, an unbalanced bite, and stress on the remaining teeth.

Why do I need a crown (cap)?
A crown is needed on a tooth when the tooth is weakened by either decay, a fracture or a very large restoration.

I don’t like my smile is there anything I can do?
Besides braces, there are four common procedures available; bonding, bleaching, crowns, and veneering.

Why does the floss shred and get caught in my teeth?
Floss can shred if the contact between the teeth is tight or there is a rough or broken surface between the teeth.

How can I avoid getting cavities?
The best way to avoid cavities is by eating right, brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing daily and visiting your dentist every six months. Children and some adults can benefit by having Sealants placed.

At what age should I start taking my child to the dentist?
Some say at one year of age, but definitely by the child’s 3rd birthday.

What should I do if my child’s tooth is knocked out?
Place the tooth in cool milk or if the child is old enough, under the child’s tongue. Be real careful not to swallow the tooth and get to the dentist within 30 minutes so it can be reimplanted.

When do those baby and permanent teeth erupt?
Teeth erupt at different times in all individuals. Your child’s tooth should erupt eventually unless your dentist tells you that there is no replacement permanent tooth.

I’ve got these lacy-white streaks, white patches, and ulcerations in my mouth, what can they be?
It is possible that you have a condition called Lichen Planus. It has an unkown cause but can be an allergic reaction. Have you changed your toothpaste brand, medications, etc? Also, it may be aggravated by stress!