Why do you need to know my medical history?
When you become one of our patients, we will first ask you to complete a full medical history form. The form covers your medical health and history in detail, and asks about areas of the body that may seem unrelated to your dental health. However, we ask that you complete the forms as honestly and thoroughly as possible. The entire body works as a unit, and your oral health is intricately connected to the rest of you. Not having a complete medical history may result in dental treatment having adverse or unexpected effects. There are also oral manifestations of various systemic diseases that may lead to a delay in proper diagnosis without a full medical history. For a copy of our medical history form, please click the link below.
New Patient History
Why is it important to give you a complete list of my medications?
A complete list of medications and their doses is an important part of your medical history. Many medications have side effects that will effect the health and appearance of your oral tissues. If we are aware of your medications, it may help us to explain certain oral conditions. More importantly, knowing your medications will help us to avoid writing prescriptions and doing procedures that would have an adverse reaction with what you are currently taking.
How do you sterilize your instruments?
Our instruments are processed after each patient using a multi-step process which includes both cleaning and sterilization. Instruments are first cleaned- meaning all debris is removed from the instrument- through either ultrasonic vibration, chemical treatment or scrubbing. The instruments are then sterilized -which means that all living organisms are killed- with the use of moist heat and pressurization. When possible, disposable items will be used.
How often should I have my teeth cleaned?
As a general guideline, we recommend that most patients visit the office for a cleaning and exam twice a year. However, we may adjust our recommendation based on your dental health, your habits, and your preferences.
I have silver fillings. Should I be concerned about mercury poisoning?
In a word- no. Amalgam fillings do contain a small amount of mercury. This has been a source of concern for many patients. The amount of mercury exposure, however, is well below what would be harmful to humans. Furthermore, removing old amalgam fillings because of concerns for mercury poisoning is not recommended, as the highest levels of exposure are on the day the filling is placed, and the day it is removed. If you would like more information about this, please click here.
Do I really need X-rays?
For the majority of our patients the answer is yes. Although we will not force anyone to have any procedure done that they object to, it is important to understand that X-rays are a very important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems. The amount of radiation in dental x-rays is very small, and the benefits far outweigh the risks. Without x-rays, it is often impossible for us to diagnose cavities and other issues while they are small and easily dealt with. For a great explanation of the amount of radiation in a dental x-ray, click here.
Don’t x-rays cost a small fortune?
If you are concerned about the cost of any procedure, please feel free to ask. Unfortunately, there seems to be a myth that x-rays are astronomically expensive. Although it is understood that each person lives by a different budget, the most common dental x-rays are about $50.
Should my child be given a fluoride treatment?
We recommend that all children under the age of 14 receive a fluoride treatment at each of their cleaning appointments. Fluoride is beneficial both in the ingested form (such as in drinking water or with a fluoride vitamin) and topical form (such as in toothpaste and fluoride treatments). Ingested fluoride strengthens teeth that are yet to erupt, and topical fluoride strengthens the teeth that are already present in the mouth. Although it is true that too much ingested fluoride can cause problems, fluoride given in a measured dose has been shown to reduce tooth decay by 40-60%. Our fluoride treatments are given in the form of a fluoride varnish, which is a very safe and effective way to deliver a measured dose of topical fluoride to your child’s teeth.
Does my water at home have fluoride in it?
Fluoride in the community water supply is a safe and effective way to deliver a measured dose of ingested fluoride to children. Fluoride does not occur naturally in the ground water of this area at a level which benefits oral health. However, some municipalities have added fluoride to their water supply. If you’d like to check your area, please click here for a link to the CDC site for fluoridated water supplies.
Of course, don’t forget- many of us drink bottled water. If your child is drinking exclusively bottled water, this may change the amount of fluoride he or she is receiving.
Is it bad for me to have fluoride in my drinking water?
Recently, a popular TV talk show host ran a segment on the evils of fluoride in our drinking water. Understandably, this type of thing causes concern to those watching. However, the claims presented during this television segment showed an alarming lack of scientific evidence supporting them. Following the segment, the CDC, ADA, ADHA and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine all released statements on the safety and effectiveness of fluoride in our drinking water. In fact, the CDC has named community water fluoridation to be one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. Please click on the links above for more information.
What does my insurance cover?
The best way to find out what your insurance covers is to contact your insurance company, or to check the paperwork provided to you by your insurance company. We will be happy to tell you what most insurance companies commonly cover. However, each individual policy is different- even within the same company.
When should I bring my child in for his/her first cleaning?
We recommend bringing your child to visit us starting at age 3. Although many 3 year old children are not at all interested in actually getting their teeth cleaned, it is an important life experience. We will make the visit as pleasant as possible, explaining ourselves every step of the way. We want your child to have an enjoyable experience as much as you do. What we want to avoid is the unfortunate experience in which an older child (or adult!) has never had a pleasant visit with the dentist, and can only associate dental visits with toothaches and trauma.
If your child is less than 3 years old, and you feel that he or she has a dental issue- such as a discolored tooth, or dental trauma, please contact one of the very qualified pediatric dentists in the area. They will also be happy to provide cleaning and preventive care to even the youngest of patients.
What electric toothbrush is best?
Although not everyone needs an electric toothbrush, they certainly are a great tool for improving your oral health. If you have periodontal disease, a tendency to develop staining, a tendency to be too aggressive while brushing or a disability which prevents you from being effective with a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush could be the key to a healthy mouth. Besides, even those of us who don’t need an electric toothbrush will love the super clean feeling you’ll have when you use one.
When choosing a toothbrush, be sure to find one that is easy to keep clean, has a rechargeable battery, and has a small head. At our office, we sell Sonicare toothbrushes, but we also like several Oral B models. Be sure to ask which one is best for you at your next appointment.
What kind of toothpaste should I use?
There are so many different toothpastes on the market, it’s a bit overwhelming. The answer to which is best really depends on the individual. When you visit us for your cleaning and check up, we will be happy to guide you as to which toothpaste works best for your individual needs. One easy way to be sure you’re making a safe choice until then however, is to look for this seal of approval on the box:
I’m leaving the area, and would like my records transferred. How can I get them?
Although we’ll be sad to see you go, we’ll be happy to help you out. We’ll need the name, address, email address and phone number of your new dentist, along with a signed letter from you requesting the records transfer. Please allow at least a week for all current x-rays to be copied and sent.