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Preventive Appointments
More Than Just A Cleaning
Regular dental check-ups at our Rapid City dental clinic offer more than just a cleaning! Our family dentists will examine your teeth and gums, remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains. It’s important to not skip these preventive dental visits, these are essential to maintaining your oral health.
Along with cleaning and examining your teeth, we also look at bite, chewing, and swallowing patterns.
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Sterilization…for your safety
Our team of family dentists and dental professionals follow strict sterilization procedures to guarantee your safety during the dental visit.
To protect against the spread of disease and infection, we sterilize the equipment and personnel that come in contact with you. This is done through rigorous internal standards - each dentist and dental professional disinfects their hands between patients and follows strict guidelines of personal hygiene. Disposable gloves are worn by all personnel when examining a patient and changed between each patient.
Material objects that come into contact with a patient are disposable, whenever possible, and discarded immediately. If a dental tool is not disposable, it will undergo a sterilization procedure in the packaging. This is true of the most advanced dental supplies to the toothbrush you receive at the end of your visit.
Our dental office continues to stay informed of the latest changes in dentistry and sterilization techniques. If you have any questions, feel free to call or e-mail us. We want you to feel secure and comfortable during your examination.
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Symptoms Guide
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Sensitive
Teeth
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This could indicate underlying problems, you should schedule an appointment.
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Teeth Bleed after Brushing or Flossing
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Occasional bleeding is normal, however if the problem persists it could be an early sign of gum disease.
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Dry
Mouth
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Dry mouth is often a side effect of many medications. Be Aware: persistent dryness may aggravate dental problems.
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Bad Breath
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Bad breath is often the result of gum disease. If you still have bad breath even after thorough brushing and flossing, contact us.
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Loose Tooth
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Loose teeth may be caused by a hard impact or gum disease. If you have a loose tooth, contact us immediately.
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Teeth Care Tips
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Brushing
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A soft tooth brush is recommended because it’s easier on the gums. You want to brush thoroughly, but do NOT scrub. If you have tartar build up, make a dental appointment to have it removed.
Brush teeth in a circular motion and be careful not to apply too much pressure. When cleaning the biting surface of teeth, brush gently back and forth for about ten seconds.
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Tips On Flossing
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Gently run the floss between teeth. Be sure to curve the floss around the tops of the teeth near the gums - this is where tartar and plaque are most likely to build up.
Best Time To Floss
The best time to floss is after a meal, this removes food from teeth before plaque builds and cavities form.
Extra Brushing & Flossing Hints
Brush and floss at least twice a day, and especially at bedtime. This prevents food and bacteria from building - pay attention to areas around the gums, as this is a big area for tartar build up.
Helpful Hints
Get into a routine - brush and floss teeth at specific times everyday. Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months. It is also best to used un-waxed floss.
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Fluoride Benefits
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Fluoride becomes part of the tooth enamel and protects teeth from cavities. Fluoride can have a big impact in keeping teeth clean. Drinking water with fluoride reduces decay by 80%. If your water does not contain the proper amount of fluoride you can pick up fluoride tablets at your local pharmacy.
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Anxious? Relax…
We Offer Calming Treatments
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It’s common for children and adults to be nervous when going to the dentist.
Try avoiding caffeine before an appointment, bring a friend along, or even bring your iPod and listen to music while we work.
We want you to feel comfortable talking to us, especially if you are nervous about anything we are doing. Our goal is to help you look forward to your dental appointments. Look at it as a time to relax and take a break from your work. Our hope is that you will leave the office feeling better than when you arrived.
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Sedation…Calming
Nitrous Oxide is a form of sedation that uses a combination of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen as an anesthetic. It is used to relax and calm the patients during their treatment. Nitrous Oxide has no long term affects, and will wear off by the time you leave.
Oral conscious sedation is ideal for those who experience anxiety over dentist visits or who will be undergoing a painful procedure. With Oral Conscious Sedation, the patient remains conscious and responsive but in a deeply relaxed state and feel no pain. Oral conscious sedation is also a good solution for those with sensitive teeth and gums or a bad gag reflex to comfortably achieve what they need from routine dentist visits. Though you will still be conscious, if using oral conscious sedation, plan to have someone drive you to our office and home after your visit.
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Dental Basics
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Symptoms Not To Ignore
You should see your dentist if you see any of these symptoms:
• You see a brown spot on a tooth
• You have a loose tooth
• Teeth become sensitive to heat or cold
• You have toothaches
• Your gums are bleeding or swollen
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Importance Of Dental Health
Poor dental health affects not only your smile; it affects your well being as a whole. Without proper dental care your gums may become infected - a missing tooth could lead to the decay of surrounding teeth it if not properly cleaned or replaced.
Brushing and flossing everyday is an important part of taking care of your teeth. It prevents plaque and tartar from building up, and can help prevent more serious problems.
Also, one of the best ways to protect your smile is to simply make healthy choices when it comes to eating.
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Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are your third molars and the last ones to surface. Because there may not be enough room in your jaw they may grow in crooked, which could lead to pain due to inflammation when opening your jaw.
Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that are unable to erupt. If left alone, they can cause pain in your jaw, or push other teeth out of place.
When and Why To Remove Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth should be removed because they can lead to other problems, such as tooth decay or gum infections. Ask your family dentist if your wisdom teeth should be extracted.
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Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Bruxism essentially occurs when you grind or clench your teeth. This happens most often during sleep and, over time, can damage your teeth.
Bruxism is caused by stress. If left untreated, this may lead to excessive wear on your teeth, pain in your jaw, or even muscle spasms in your face and neck. To prevent Bruxism, simply try to relax or find better ways to manage your stress.
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Eating Well For Dental Health
When you eat foods high in sugar, they produce an acid. The more acid formed the more likely you will develop a cavity. You should eat regular meals and avoid snacking periodically throughout the day.
Food To Avoid
Avoid soft sticky sweets such as taffy or caramel. If you do have sweets, have them with your meals as the increased saliva will help curb the effect of sugar.
After Meal Hints
If you don’t have time to brush your teeth after meals, chewing sugar free gum can help clean your teeth. Certain foods can also naturally help clean your teeth such as nuts, cheese or apples.
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