Preparing for Your First Appointment
We ask that new patients bring the following
with them to their first appointment:
- Any current x-rays that you have or copies that you may get from your previous dentist can be forwarded to our office by mail. If there is not enough time for us to receive them by your scheduled appointment, bring them along with you. If additional x-rays are necessary to assess the condition of your teeth we will take them at your appointment.
- A list of current medications or supplements that you are taking
- Medical History — Please advise us if you have a history of allergies, heart murmur, artificial heart valves, congenital heart defect or have taken an antibiotic pre-medication prior to your dental visit. Also, inform us if you have a latex allergy. PLEASE NOTE: All patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian for the initial visit.
Your Child's First Visit
The ADA recommends regular dental check-ups, including a visit to the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, and no later than the child's first birthday. Preventive care such as cleanings and if necessary, fluoride treatments, provide children with 'smile' insurance. Routine dental exams uncover problems that can be easily treated in the early stages, when damage is minimal.
Emergency/Trauma to Teeth
Knocked Out Tooth: Hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root of the tooth in water if it's dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that isn't possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk or saliva and get toour office as quickly as possible. Alternatively, you could place the tooth in an "emergency tooth saver" bottle that has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance. The sooner you can do any of these things the better because it helps keep the small attachment fibers on the root of the tooth alive. Remember to take the tooth with you!!! Note: only reimplant a permanent tooth in its socket--never a baby/primary tooth.
Broken Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down. Call our office immediately.
Possible Broken Jaw: Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Go to the hospital emergency room immediately.
Objects Caught Between Teeth: Gently try to remove the object with dental floss. If you're not successful, call our office. Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.
Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Use dental floss to remove any food that may be trapped between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. Schedule an appointment at our office as soon as possible.
Bitten Tongue or Lip: Clean the area gently with a cloth, and put cold compresses to keep the swelling down. If bleeding is excessive or doesn't stop in a short period of time, call our office or visit a hospital emergency room.
Early Childhood Caries (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay)
Baby bottle tooth decay can destroy children's teeth. It occurs when a child is frequently exposed to sugary liquids such as milk, fruit juice and other sweet liquids. The ADA recommends the following steps to prevent your child from getting early childhood caries.
- Begin oral care early. Wipe the baby's gums with a wet washcloth or a clean gauze pad after each feeding.
- Babies and toddlers should finish their naptime and bedtime bottles before going to bed. Never allow your baby or toddler to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juices or sweetened liquids OR a pacifier dipped in sugar or honey.
- Encourage children to drink from a cup by their first birthday.
- Don't let children constantly sip on sugary liquids (including milk and juice) from training (sippy) cups. Offer these liquids at mealtimes.
- Help your child develop good eating habits early and choose nutritious snacks.
Disinfection and Sterilization
For the continued good of our patients and staff, our office remains committed to the most up-to-date infection control procedures. Our staff uses universal precautions to protect your health and welfare. That means that we use all measures to prevent contamination from our instruments or hands, to you and your family. We use gloves, masks, and protective eyewear, as well as sterilize our instruments after each and every use. We dispose of all waste items and contaminated material properly. We disinfect every room before each patient. We go above and beyond the standard of care to ensure that patients receive care that is safe and exceeds your expectations. After all, we treat our own families here, too!
