Frequently Asked Questions for Your Barrington Family Dentist

family dentist

What Is a Family Dentist?

A family dentist is a specialist who has been trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Our family dentists have completed many years of dental schooling in order to practice dentistry. In dental school, a dentist can receive either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. Some doctors specialize in pediatric dentistry as well, which means that they work with children from infancy up through teenage years. There are other specializations that a dentist may go to school for:

  • Oral and maxillofacial (includes pathology, radiology and surgery)
  • Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
  • Endodontics (specialization in root canals)
  • Periodontics (specialization in gum disease)
  • Prosthodontics (specialization in dental implants)

What Is Dentistry?

Dentistry is the treatment and prevention of disorders and diseases of a patient’s teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw. Dentistry performed properly is necessary for complete oral health and it has a significant impact on the health of a patient’s entire body.

Are Regular Dental Cleanings Necessary?

Here at Maple Avenue Family Dentistry, we know how busy life can be. Fitting a dental appointment into your busy schedule seems to be one of the most difficult things you have to do. Proper oral hygiene is difficult to maintain. Brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing after every meal will keep many oral hygiene problems away, but not all. Scheduling a cleaning at Maple Avenue Family Dentistry twice a year is highly recommended to maintain proper oral hygiene and catch problems before they become costly and painful.

Do I Need To See A Dentist Even If My Teeth Feel Fine?

It’s very important to schedule regular cleanings here at Maple Avenue Family Dentistry. Our family dentists recommend coming in twice a year because many dental problems don’t show symptoms at first. Not only can we identify problems before they become painful and expensive, but we can also help to keep your smile looking fantastic. We know how important it is to feel comfortable with your smile. This is why we offer many treatments to help improve patient aesthetics.

What’s A Dental Cleaning Like At Maple Avenue Family Dentistry?

Sixth-month cleanings are recommended for proper oral hygiene. At Maple Avenue Family Dentistry an appointment will include a full oral examination, oral cancer exam, professional x-rays to catch cavities, and a full cleaning by our amazing hygienists. Your cleaning will remove tartar, debris, and plaque from your mouth.

Our family dentists will coordinate with your hygienist and recommend a treatment plan for any problems we find. We’ll also recommend any aesthetic and cosmetic treatments to improve your smile.

Please call our office at (401) 247-2200 to schedule an appointment or for any additional questions.

At What Age Should I Bring My Child To See The Dentist?

Dental professionals as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend that children begin receiving professional dental care as early as six months of age. This is when a child’s teeth begin to show. One of our family dentists will be able to examine the health of your child’s first few teeth and make recommendations.

When Should I Change My Toothbrush?

Our family dentists recommend changing toothbrushes at least every three months. If you’re using an electronic toothbrush, make sure to check the recommendation of the type of toothbrush, because you may not have to change the head of the brush as often. For patients with gum disease, the dentists recommend changing your brush more often than every three months. Also, after brushing it’s very important to wash and rinse your brush out with hot water. This will kill germs and bacteria and keep your toothbrush clean.

How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease?

Gum disease is also called periodontal disease. Plaque and bacteria build up in a patient’s mouth over time. When this buildup is not curbed by effective brushing and flossing, it can lead to gum disease. Periodontal disease can also be caused by smoking and chewing tobacco, teeth grinding, certain medications, and genetics. Advanced forms of periodontal disease can cause bone and tooth loss as well as permanent damage. Our family dentists recommend brushing and flossing every day as well as scheduling dental appointments every six months as the best ways to fight gum disease. Some of the most common signs of periodontal disease are the following:

  • Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
  • Receding gums
  • Abscessed teeth
  • Extreme tooth sensitivity
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Loose teeth and/or loss of teeth

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call us as soon as possible. You can reach us at (401) 247-2200 or email us to schedule a consultation. Your dental health is our highest concern.

Do You Accept Insurance?

Here at Maple Avenue Family Dentistry, we accept most insurance and PPO plans but check with us to make sure. Please call our office for more information about insurance at (401) 247-2200. Prior to calling, please have your insurance information ready. Also, plan to pay your copay or deductible portion at the time of service.

What Payment Methods Do You Accept?

For your convenience here at Maple Avenue Family Dentistry, we accept cash, check, cashier’s checks, Visa, Master Card, Amex, and Discover. If none of these payment methods suit your needs, we also provide payment plans through our office or third party financing through Care Credit. We also provide discounts for those able to pay in full at the time of service. If you have any more questions regarding payment methods, please give us a call at (401) 247-2200 and we’ll do our best to find the right solution for you.