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Our dental office can be a place where you relax, read a magazine, and have your teeth cleaned twice a year. We know that this isn't an ideal situation and that, even though our office is comfortable, most people would prefer to avoid the dentist office like the plague. However, we also know that if you are in our office twice a year for cleanings and a checkup, chances are greatly improved that you will not be visiting us with a dental emergency like a toothache. This is good news because you have the ability to take proactive steps to maintain your teeth in optimal condition and thereby reduce the number of visits you may have to make. For us, this is also a winning situation because we can catch any potential problems early and treat you accordingly.

If you want to prevent your teeth from decaying, want to prevent your children from getting cavities, or just like a brighter white smile, visiting our office is the place to start. With years of experience, we will make sure that your annual well visits are extremely productive. While you are here, we will give your teeth a professional cleaning, eliminating plaque and reducing the potential for decay. We will also take x-rays and keep an eye on any soft spots or other potential problems so that we can identify and treat them before they flare up and create the need to rush in with an emergency. This common-sense approach allows us, and you, to prevent any serious issues from developing.

Most commonly, outside of well visits and cleanings, people come to our dental office to have a toothache looked at or because they have had some kind of dental emergency. Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly but when teeth are healthy and strong, the risk of severe damage is greatly reduced. Still, aggressive sports like martial arts, football, and even baseball can result in a tooth being knocked loose or out which creates an immediate need to visit our dental office. Other dental emergencies occur when someone ignores a problem, like an infected tooth, for a long time and eventually cannot bear the discomfort any longer. This too can be prevented with ongoing care.

Toothaches are a form of dental emergency though many people will live with it for awhile before scheduling an appointment. We never recommend waiting if you have a toothache. This is because there are underlying reasons which trigger the discomfort. These reasons have little chance of going away on their own, making it critical that you come to our dental office immediately upon discovering a toothache. Since toothaches can be caused by a number of reasons ranging from teeth grinding at night to infected roots, it is prudent to have an examination so that we can identify the underlying issue and begin treating it right away. While we understand that visiting the dentist is not always high on our patients' priority list - it should be. Working together we can keep you in good oral health, feeling comfortable, and decrease the likelihood of you having a dental emergency.

How Should I Clean and Store My Toothbrush?

Your toothbrush can help take care of your teeth and remove plaque, but you need to return the favor and take care of your toothbrush. Proper cleaning and storage of a toothbrush can include washing it after use and keeping it dry throughout the day. A healthy toothbrush will help to ensure clean and healthy teeth.

The video on toothbrush care from the American Dental Association is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you have any questions or are interested in more information about proper toothbrush care, then give us a call. No video is a substitute for a professional dentist.