Frequently Asked Questions

Generally speaking, adults and children should visit the dentist every six months for an exam and cleaning. Certain patients may require more frequent visits to maintain optimal oral health. Visiting the dentist "only when it hurt" may be cause for more extensive, and expensive dental care.

The American Dental Association advocates brushing after each meal. The best way to be sure you are caring for your teeth properly is to discuss your homecare techniques and needs with your dentist or hygienist.

Visit the page of the Gentle Dental location you would like to visit. There you can call to make an appointment, or schedule directly online.

Each Gentle Dental dentist is fully licensed in the state in which they practice.

For serious injuries to your mouth or jaw, go to the nearest hospital emergency room. For other dental emergencies including toothaches and pain, contact our office for a same-day appointment. Evening and Saturday appointments are available and a few offices are even open on Sundays. If your emergency is taking place when the office is closed, please call to leave a message or for instructions on how to reach the dentist after hours.

At Gentle Dental, we believe that excellent dental outcomes are achieved when dentists coordinate care with specialists. That's why Gentle Dental offices are multi-specialty with dental specialists on staff, so you do not need to go anywhere else to complete your treatment. These specialists may include periodontists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, and oral & maxillofacial surgeons. Your general dentist will let you know if you need care from one of our talented dental specialists.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts. Primary teeth typically begin growing in around 6 months of age.

Yes, it is important to continue to have dental checkups every six months if you have braces. Food may be caught in places your toothbrush cannot reach and this will cause bacteria to build up. This can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease.

A serious injury like a knocked out tooth should be treated by a dentist. Carefully rinse the tooth to remove any dirt and place the clean tooth in your mouth between your check and gum or under your tongue. If you cannot do so, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth and immerse in milk. Successful re-implantation can be possible if the treatment is performed promptly so get to your dentist as soon as possible.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. Flouride helps prevent tooth decay by making your tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria in your motuh. Flouride can also reverse early decay. City water often contains fluoride, so by drinking tap water you will acquire fluoride. If your drinking water does not have fluoride, supplements are available. Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about whether you are getting the daily amount of flouride you need. The ADA recommends flouride for adults as well as children.

Bleeding gums can be a sign of periodontial disease or gingivitis which, if caught early, can be reversible. It is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to have a periodontial screening to determine if you have gum disease and the best course of treatment. . When gums are inflamed, brushing and flossing could help reduce the inflammation so continue to follow your oral health protocols. Ignoring the problem can lead to more serious problems including tooth and bone loss.

There are many different orthodontic solutions including braces and invisalgn. The cost of treatment will depend on what solutions are recommended and how long you will need to be in treatment. A typical brace case can range from $3,000 - $6,000. If you have insurance, you may have a lifetime Orthodontic benefit which often covers a significant portion of treatment. At Gentle Dental, we offer braces as low as $147 per month with no downpayment. Invisalign treatment requires a down payment, but payments can also be made monthly. We accept third party financing like Care Credit and Essential Dental, a discount dental plan. And we can help you understand your insurance benefit for orthodontic treatment.

Yes, oral health is extremely important during pregnancy when hormonal changes can impact the health of your gums. Make sure to tell the dentist you are expecting and any new medicines or supplements you are taking.

At Gentle Dental, a cleaning is part of our $57 new patient offer. After that, regular hygiene visits are recommended every 6 months. We accept Essential Dental, a discount dental program that offers free exam and x-rays with a discounted rate for hygiene appointments. Schedule an appointment and our patient care representative will review our fees with you.

The dentists at Gentle Dental will take your health history, complete an exam, and create a personalized treatment plan just for you. Xrays will be taken and the doctor will examine your entire mouth to evaluate your overall oral health. Your treatment plan will make recommendations for your long term health as well as plans to fix any immediate problems.