Frequently
Asked Questions

Taking care of your oral health is imperative to maintaining your systemic health. Not only will our dentists check for disease processes that affect your teeth and gums, we will complete an oral cancer screening. For most healthy adults and children, it is recommended to visit your dentist for exams and a professional cleaning every 6 months. The appropriate x-rays will be recommended to look for cavities that can develop in between the teeth and to evaluate the bone health around your teeth. For patients that may have gum disease, we will make recommendations for deep cleanings and periodontal maintenance on a 3-4 month basis. Keeping up with regular care visits will better help to maintain your smile.

We are understanding that illness can happen or occasion unforeseen circumstances that may prevent you from coming to your appointment. We kindly ask that you give us at least 24 hours notice or more to cancel and reschedule your appointment to keep our schedule running smoothly. Please give us a call at 540-949-8053.

Dental caries is the technical term for tooth decay or dental cavities. Dental caries is one of the most common disease worldwide. Dental caries is caused by bacteria in the oral cavity that feed on fermentable carbohydrates and produce acid that cause breakdown of the tooth surface. At your visit, we will talk to you about proper diet and hygiene to prevent tooth decay. Eating a diet rich in healthy proteins, fruits, and vegetables with plenty of water will help to keep your teeth healthy. Untreated decay can lead to toothaches, infection, and tooth loss. Our goal is to catch tooth decay early and prevent advanced decay from interfering with your daily life.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a disease process that leads to progressive loss of bone that supports the teeth and loss of attachment of the gums. Gum disease is related to a series of risk factors including smoking, poor oral hygiene, traumatic forces of occlusion, and is even related to certain genetic factors. Gum disease is caused by certain bacteria that cause breakdown of the bone and gums. Deep cleanings and periodontal maintenance therapy are vital to slowing the progression of periodontal disease. We may refer you to a gum specialist known as a periodontist to help in the therapy to maintain your teeth and gums.