When should my child see a dentist for their first visit?

For new patients, we like to see you and your child around his/her first birthday. For additional family members, age 2 is appropriate unless you have any concerns about their teeth or mouth. back to top »

What type of toothbrush should I use?

The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums, and a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. It's unnecessary to "scrub" the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist every 6 months for cleanings. back to top »

Is one toothpaste better than others?

Generally, no. However, it's advisable to use a fluoride containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride. back to top »

How often should I floss?

Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy. back to top »

Why do you use crowns and what do they look like?

These are restorations to repair a severely broken tooth or severely decayed tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and all decay. The restoration material is made of stainless steel (molars are all stainless, Incisors have a porcelain face). Dentists refer to all of these restorations as "crowns." However, patients often refer to them as "caps." back to top »