A dentist is a person who works to diagnose, treat and prevent oral health problems.
Types of Dental Specialties:
– Endodontist
– Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
– Orthodontist
– Pediatric Dentist
– Periodontist
– Prosthodontist
Visiting the dentist regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but it will also help keep the rest of your body healthy.
Dental care is important because it:
- helps prevent tooth decay
- protects against periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to tooth and bone loss
- prevents bad breath – brushing, flossing and seeing the dentist regularly will help reduce the amount of bad breath-causing bacteria in your mouth
- gives you a more aesthetically pleasing smile
- helps keep teeth looking bright by preventing them from becoming stained by food, drinks and tobacco
- strengthens your teeth so you can enjoy having a healthy smile
Choosing a dentist that is right for you and your family is important and you may wish to consider several dentists before making your final decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if the dentist is the one for you.
During your initial appointment, consider the following:
- Is the appointment schedule convenient?
- Is the office easy to get to and close by?
- Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?
- Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
- Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health?
- Is information about cost presented to you before treatment is scheduled?
- Is your dentist a member of the Canadian Dental Association?
Your teeth may feel fine but it’s still important to see the dentist from time to time because problems can exist without you knowing. Today’s dentists offer many treatment choices that can help you improve and maintain a healthy smile through proper oral care.
Yes, we are happy to accept new patients. Learn more about your first visit to Foothills Dental Clinic.
Children, teens and adults should all see the dentist for a regular check-up at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for oral cancer or gum disease may be required to see the dentist more than just twice a year. Your dentist will help determine how often you should visit the dentist for regular check-ups.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends the assessment of infants, by a dentist, within 6 months of the eruption of their first tooth or by one year of age.
The goal is to have your child visit the dentist before there is a problem with his/her teeth. In most cases, a dental exam every six months will let the dentist catch small problems early.
Learn more about our children’s services and how we can help your child.
- Always remember to brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss at least once!
- Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride and ask your dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities.
- Avoid foods that contain a significant amount of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and possibly cavities) and avoid tobacco (this can stain your teeth, cause gum disease and lead to oral cancer).
- Don’t be afraid to brush your tongue! By brushing your tongue, you will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria. Tongue brushing also helps keep your breath fresh.
- Be sure to schedule a routine check-up. It is recommended that you visit the dentist every six months.
According to the dentist and the Canadian Dental Association, you should be brushing your teeth at least two times a day. Brushing keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy by removing bacteria-causing plaque.
It is also recommended that when you brush your teeth, you use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. You should spend at least one minute on the top teeth and one minute on the bottom teeth, and remember to brush your tongue – it will help to keep your breath smelling fresh!
Simply contact our office! Our front desk administrator will be happy to help schedule your next dental check-up at your convenience. We are open 7 days a week to accommodate even our most busy patients.
If you are a new patient, please let us know, and we will provide you with all the information you need for your first dental visit.
Your toothbrush will eventually wear out. It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush every three months.
If you are using an electric toothbrush, be sure to read the directions, as you may not need to replace toothbrush heads as frequently.
Patients with gum disease are encouraged to replace their toothbrush every four to six weeks in order to keep any bacteria from spreading.
After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs and keep the bristles clean. If you’ve been sick, be sure to replace your toothbrush as soon as possible.
Our staff at Foothills Dental Clinic are available to help you with insurance claims and paperwork. We’ll work with your insurance provider and make sure you understand your insurance benefits. We offer direct billing, financing, and flexible payment options for dental procedures.
Your smile is yours forever and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to have a healthy smile and to receive dental care whenever you need it.
Our practice accepts most major credit cards and insurance plans, plus we offer affordable financing. With financing, you can:
- start treatment immediately
- enjoy low monthly payments
- finance up to 100% of the treatment cost
- choose between several payment options
- pay no costs up front
- pay no annual fees
A cavity is a small hole that forms inside the tooth and is caused by tooth decay.
Cavities are formed when plaque buildup on the outside of the tooth combines with sugars and starches in the food you eat. This can produce an acid that can eat away the enamel on your tooth.
If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss in-between teeth at least once to help prevent cavities.
A dental filling is a synthetic material that your dentist uses to fill a cavity after all of the tooth decay has been removed.
Dental fillings do not generally hurt because your dentist will numb your mouth with an anesthetic.
If you need a dental filling, be sure to talk to the dentist about your concerns.
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is mostly caused by plaque and bacteria buildup that is not treated in its early stages. Other causes of periodontal disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, some medications and genetics. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease, and if detected, it is treatable.
Gingivitis left untreated may turn into gum disease. Advanced gum disease will lead to tooth and bone loss and is a permanent condition. Brushing your teeth regularly and visiting the dentist every six months will help prevent gingivitis and more severe cases of periodontal disease.
Common signs of gum disease are:
- Red, irritated, bleeding or swollen gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Loose teeth or loss of teeth
- Extreme tooth sensitivity
- Receding gum line
- Abscessed teeth
Yes, we do offer emergency dental care. We hope you never have to deal with a dental emergency, but we are here if you need us.
Our goal is to see you the same day that you call. We always try to keep wait times to a minimum.
Yes! In fact, it’s even more important for patients receiving orthodontic treatment to visit their dentist regularly.
With braces, food may be caught in places your toothbrush can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and gum disease.
We will make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.