How can we help you?
Our first priority is helping you to maintain your great oral health. Taking care of your teeth and gums keeps them healthy and also protects your general health. We believe that educating our patients is an important part of the service we provide, and we will answer all your questions completely so you understand the treatments you need and how they promote oral health.
We’ve listed a few of the questions our patients ask most often. If you find that your question is not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact our office. A member of our professional team will be more than happy to provide the information you need.
Other
Yes, we offer orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth. For children and older patients with serious alignment problems, we recommend traditional bracket and wire braces. We also offer invisalign® (sometimes called “invisible braces”) for teens and adults with mild to moderate alignment issues.
We accept most major dental insurance plans. When you first visit our office, be sure to bring your insurance card, so we can enter your information into our system. We will bill your insurance company electronically for the services we provide. If you have questions about which specific plans we accept, please contact our office.
The invisalign® system is very effective for straightening teeth that are not severely misaligned. The clear plastic aligners are changed every two weeks and gently move your teeth into their proper position. Treatment times are different for each person, but straightening your teeth with invisalign® usually takes about a year or less.
Dental lasers are safe and effective for use in procedures like filling cavities and removal of gum disease. Laser dentistry is comfortable and eliminates the need for drilling teeth, so it is perfect for children and patients with dental anxiety.
Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy)
A root canal is necessary when the part of your tooth inside the root becomes infected. It is important that this be taken care of quickly because the infection can spread if not treated and may lead to loss of the tooth. Root canal therapy removes the infected tissue and protects the tooth from further damage.
Periodontal (Gum) Care
Chronic dry mouth is often a side effect of certain types of medications like those prescribed for high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, allergies, and weight loss. If you have dry mouth, you should tell the dentist. Dry mouth is uncomfortable, but it can also lead to more serious oral health problems like gum disease.
Gum disease occurs when the gum tissue around your teeth becomes infected. During the day, food debris builds up on your teeth and forms a sticky film called plaque. Bacteria can grow in the plaque that remains on your teeth and eventually cause the gums to become infected. If the infection is not cleared away, it may spread and cause serious problems with your dental (and overall) health.
Gums that bleed when you brush and floss are usually a sign that you have gum disease. When your gums become infected, they can become swollen and inflamed, causing bleeding when brushing and flossing. This is one of the first and most obvious symptoms of gum disease that patients notice.
Preventive Dental Services
We are happy to offer preventive services like dental exams and cleanings for children of all ages. Once your child is ten years of age or older, we can provide other dental treatments like fillings.
If your teeth are healthy, the general recommendation for having your teeth cleaned at our Corpus Christi dental office is one to two times per year (every 6-12 months). If you are a smoker, have diabetes or a family history of gum disease, we recommend a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year. People who are prone to cavities or have already been treated for gum disease should have their teeth cleaned three to four times per year.
Regular professional cleanings with a dental hygienist are important for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. The reason is that, over time, a layer of tartar builds up on our teeth.
This layer of tartar becomes calcified, or hardened, and can only be removed by a hygienist during a professional cleaning. If this hardened material is not removed, it can lead to gum disease and cavities.
When our hygienist removes the tartar it lessens the chance that you will experience problems like gum disease. It also allows us to check your teeth and gums to make sure that other problems are not developing.
Regular professional dental cleanings are one of the easiest ways to take control of your oral health and reduce the odds of more serious problems from occurring. Please contact our Corpus Christi dental office, and we will be happy to arrange an appointment for a cleaning with our dental hygienist.
Chronic dry mouth is often a side effect of certain types of medications like those prescribed for high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, allergies, and weight loss. If you have dry mouth, you should tell the dentist. Dry mouth is uncomfortable, but it can also lead to more serious oral health problems like gum disease.
We recommend that you bring your child in when their baby teeth start to appear, between the ages of 6 to 12 months. They should be seen by a dentist no later than their first birthday. This helps us to make sure that your child’s teeth are developing properly. Bringing children in at an early age also helps get them used to seeing the dentist on a regular basis.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening toothpastes that you buy at the drug store help to whiten your teeth a little, but they are not as effective as a take-home whitening kit provided by your dentist. The gel in take-home kits has more whitener, and the custom whitening trays allow the gel to stay in contact with your teeth longer for more noticeable whitening.