Family Dental Services

From your child’s very first visit, to bi-annual cleanings and emergencies, we’re a family-first office that offers a full range of services for your whole family.

YOUR CHILD’S FIRST VISIT | PREVENTION: DENTAL CLEANINGS & CHECKUPS  |  NIGHT GUARDS  |  ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS | SEALANTS |  SPORTS GUARDS

Your Child’s First Visit

A positive impression of going to the dentist is vital for children at an early age.  At our office we understand that perception is reality and reality is perception and have heard so many people say they haven’t been to the dentist in a long time due to a perceived traumatic dental experience when they were young.  Instilling a positive impression with a dental check-up as soon as teeth erupt in the mouth will help ensure your child gains the comfort required to be proactive with taking care of their mouth over a lifetime.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

Prevention: Dental Cleanings & Check-Ups

The best way to stay out of the dental chair is to come at least twice a year for a dental cleaning and exam. These are the two of the most basic yet important preventive treatments provided that can prevent invasive and costly dental procedures. Each time you visit our dental practice for a checkup, we will provide a professional teeth cleaning and dental exam to help your smile stay healthy.

Our registered dental hygienists will clean your teeth by removing any plaque or calculus (hardened plaque also called tartar), which if not removed can lead to tooth decay and possible tooth loss. They will also floss, polish and examine your teeth for any signs of damaging tooth-related conditions or diseases while providing proper home hygiene instructions.

Dr. Johnson recommends that you come see us every six months for a routine dental cleaning and exam. He may suggest more frequent visits if needed, and also encourage you to immediately contact us if you suffer from a dental emergency, pain, or injury.

What to Expect During a Dental Checkup

Sealants

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent tooth decay. Sealants quickly bond into deep grooves on teeth (usually molars and premolars) to form a protective shield over the enamel of a tooth where cavities and decay are likely to form. As soon as the tooth fully erupts in the mouth, a dental sealant is recommended, thus children and teenagers are good candidates, as often times these are the cavity-developing years of age. Dental sealants are a cost-effective means encouraged at the early age of a tooth to prevent costly and invasive dental procedures in the future.

How to Seal Out Tooth Decay

Oral Cancer Screenings

Our staff is committed to helping you stay in good health. While we perform oral cancer screenings at all of our dental check-ups, it is important as you the individual to reach out to us if you notice a persistent sore throat or mass in the back of the throat, unprovoked mouth bleeding, a sore on the face, neck or mouth that does not heal within two weeks, unexplained loss feeling in your face, neck or mouth or any type of ear pain. Lumps, bumps, or rough spots on the gums, lips or other parts of the mouth as well as red, white or speckled patches in the mouth may also be early indicators that a systemic health issue may be present. Any type of difficulty in chewing, speaking or swallowing as well a spontaneous change in the way your teeth or dentures fit should be immediately be consulted with dentist or oral health provider. We encourage anyone with these types of symptoms to contact us.  Remember…the mouth is a window into the overall health status of the body.

Night Guards

A night guard, or occlusal guard, may be advised if you often wake up with a sore jaw or dull toothache. According to the ADA, 10-15% of adults suffer from teeth grinding (bruxism). There are several ways to alleviate the effects of bruxism, one of which includes sleeping with an acrylic guard personally fashioned to fit around your teeth to stop the loss of enamel and alleviate the symptoms described.

6 Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard

Sports Guards

Protecting your teeth is important at any age!  Especially when playing contact sports. The ADA states that “a properly fitted mouth guard is the best available protective device for reducing the incidence and severity of sports-related dental injuries.”  Sports (or mouth) guards are plastic dental appliances that kids bite into and are worn over the teeth, protecting the teeth, cheek, gums and lips from injury. Custom fitted mouthguards are the best fitting option, allowing the fit and comfort to be ideal so all concentration stays on winning the race or scoring a touchdown!  

Are Mouthguards for Kid’s & Adults?