FAQs

How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?

How often should I brush and floss?

Why is it important to use dental floss?

What is periodontal disease?

When should a child have his/her first dental appointment?

Do we take new patients?

Do we accept Medicaid, Hawk-I, and/or Dental Wellness Plan (also called Iowa Health and Wellness)?

 

How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?

You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits.

 

Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities. Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health.

 

How often should I brush and floss?

You should brush at least every morning and night as well as floss daily. Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that causes dental disease. Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

 

Why is it important to use dental floss?

Brushing our teeth removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from all tooth surfaces, except in between teeth. Unfortunately, our tooth brush cannot reach these areas that are highly susceptible to decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

 

Daily flossing  is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gum line. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

 

Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that cause cavities and irritate and inflame the gums. Also, when plaque is not removed above and below the gum line, it hardens and turns into calculus (tartar). This will further irritate and inflame the gums as well as slowly destroy the bone. This is the beginning of periodontal disease.

 

What is periodontal disease?

When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to periodontitis, which means inflammation around the tooth. In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces, called pockets, that become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissues that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.

 

When should a child have his/her first dental appointment?

It is recommended that children visit the dentist by their first birthday. This will allow the dentist to diagnose any special oral conditions early and to create a positive first visit. Before bringing your child to the dentist, do inform your child of the visit; however, there is no need to go into depth about the visit. The dentist and staff are trained to explain dental procedures in children's terms so as to explain what will be done in a pleasant and non-frightening manner.

 

Do we take new patients?

We are currently accepting new patients. Please call either (515)965-1653 today to schedule your appointment!

 

Do we accept Medicaid, Hawk-I, and/or Dental Wellness Plan (also called Iowa Health and Wellness)?

Yes, we accept all of those insurances.