Click here for the FAQ's for the Medical side.

Dental Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do you accept Medicaid and Denali Kid Care?
Yes

2. Do you accept payment plans?
FMDC offers “Care Credit” patient payment plans. Care Credit is a revolving charge account that is easy to use, takes just minutes to apply, and can be used to pay for all of your dental treatment needs.

3. How often should I see the dentist?
The idea of regular checkups lies in prevention (to prevent disease, decay, and subsequent tooth loss). Your dentist will detect and treat many problems before you’re even aware of them. But your dentist can only help you if you come in for regular checkups. For most, once every six months is sufficient.

Checkup procedures vary with each dentist, but should contain: an oral cancer screening, a review of your dental and medical history, periodontal probing, an overall examination of your mouth, a general assessment of your at-home oral hygiene, a prophylaxis (cleaning) and possibly a fluoride treatment.

4. What are the two most useful items for the person interested in preventive dentistry for self and family?
a. Fluoride is the single best element to add to tooth structure at optimum levels to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease.

1) Systemic Fluoride – Communities who have municipal water supplies with optimum levels of fluoridated water are truly dentally blessed. If you are in a community without optimum fluoride levels for decay prevention ask your dentist or physician for dental supplements. Systemic fluoride is of benefit to children and young people up to age 28.
2) Topical Fluoride – TV does a good job selling the benefits of fluoridated toothpastes. Fluoride added to toothpaste, mouthwash, even floss is of definite value and is a benefit to anyone using such items on a regular basis. Topical fluoride is the single best addition to prevent smooth surface decay.

b. Sealants – Get in the groove. Seal out decay. The first place that most teeth get decay is the grooves on biting surfaces. These pits and fissures can be filled in with a plastic material that bonds to teeth and seals out decay. Pit and fissure sealants (occlusal sealants) are one of the best means available to practice preventive dentistry. These sealants can be placed without anesthesia and done properly, will remain as long as the enamel is present. Do yourself or child a favor, have your teeth sealed.

5. Is it safe to have x-rays when pregnant?
You can safely have necessary dental x-rays be protecting yourself and your baby with the lead apron provided at the dental office. Routine x-rays can be postponed until after the baby is born.

6. Is it safe to have any dental treatments done when I am pregnant?
Treatment and medications can be timed and selected to keep you and your baby healthy. Tell your dentist/hygienist that you are pregnant. Most mothers find they are more comfortable with dental work in the 2nd trimester. Having a healthy mouth may reduce your risk of premature labour or of later passing decay causing germs to your child during teething.


7. Why are my gums bleeding now that I’m pregnant?
Hormonal changes may make your gums more vulnerable to bacteria. The swelling and inflammation is called “pregnancy gingivitis” and is often accompanied by tenderness or bleeding. This problem can be avoided by brushing teeth and gums gently and thoroughly everyday to remove bacterial plaque. Daily flossing and brushing twice a day are more important than ever when you are pregnant.


8. When will my child get teeth?
The first tooth often appears at about six months of age, but can appear several months earlier or later. Healthy babies can have markedly different teething schedules. Most of the 20 “baby” teeth are in by three years of age, but this can also be earlier or later.


9. Does teething hurt?
Some babies are not bothered by teething at all, while others are cranky, and seem to have sore gums. A cool clean teething toy or wet cloth can help relieve soreness. Teething biscuits can promote tooth decay. Check with a health professional if you are using teething gels, ointments or tablets. Some contain anesthetics which numb the gums but can also lead to feeding or choking problems, or may cause allergic or other side effects.


10. Does teething cause my child’s fever?
Don’t assume that your child’s symptoms are from teething. Although an elevated temperature can coincide with teething it is best to check with your family doctor is your baby has a fever or diarrhea.


11. My child is getting his first tooth, when should I start to brush?
Now is an excellent time to start brushing. Baby teeth can decay and when they first come in they are more vulnerable to decay causing bacterial plaque. Brush twice a day with a small smear of fluoride toothpaste.


12. Can drinking from a bottle cause cavities?
Any fluid other than water can cause cavities if taken frequently throughout the day or night. Use a bottle for feeding only, not as a comfort tool, and do not allow the baby to keep the bottle through the night.

13. Baby teeth fall out, so does it really matter if they get decay?
Most children don’t loose all their baby teeth until they are about 12-13 years old. Adult teeth are in the mouth long before all the baby teeth are lost. Decay can spread from the baby teeth to the adult teeth. Children who have problems with baby teeth are far more likely to also have problems with the adult teeth, especially if the baby teeth are not treated early. Teeth are important to y0our child’s speech, nutrition, and social well-being. Dental pain can also interfere with learning. Baby teeth are important.


14. Will my baby inherit my bad teeth?
There are many factors which influence the susceptibility of teeth to decay. Some of these factors may be inherited (shape of teeth), others may be influenced by environment (fluoride) or behaviour (brushing). Clean teeth do not decay. Although some people are more immune to decay than others, with good dental care cavities can be prevented. If you have a lot of fillings or even dentures your child can still grow up with healthy teeth.


15. My child takes a medication frequently that seems really sticky and sweet to me. Is that a concern?
Medications can contribute to decay because of the sugary syrup that they are suspended in. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a no-sugar alternative is available. Some medications also tend to dry up saliva and reduce the natural rinsing of the mouth. If medication is necessary for your child then you will need to be extra vigilant about thorough brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and should also discuss with your dentist whether additional measures to prevent decay need to be taken.

16. What kind of toothpaste should my child use?
Use fluoride toothpaste. The one you already use might be just fine. Don’t use a bleaching toothpaste on babies. Baby teeth are naturally whiter than adult tooth. Pick a toothpaste that has the American Dental Association’s seal of approval.


17. My child likes to brush his own teeth. Is that okay?
It is wonderful that your child is learning to brush her own teeth, but she is not able to do a good job on her own until 7 or 8 years of age. Encourage her efforts but make sure that you also brush for her every day in order to remove all the plaque and prevent decay.


18. I’ve heard that the bottle can cause tooth decay, what about nursing?
All milk contains some sugar, even breast milk. Breast feeding promotes good jaw development and reduces the risk of many diseases. But even breastfed babies can get cavities just like bottle fed babies, especially if they feed frequently through the night after teeth come in. The chance of this happening are reduced if the teeth are thoroughly cleaned with fluoride toothpaste before bedtime and in the morning.


19. When should I take my child for their first dental visit?
Routine dental visits should be before the age of three years and earlier if you have any concerns about your child’s teeth. Some dentists like to see babies as early as one year of age to make sure that parents are well informed on preventive measures. If you are pregnant or have a young baby ask your dentist on one of your own regular visits when s/he would like to first see your baby.


20. How often do I need to brush my child’s teeth?
Teeth should be cleaned thoroughly every day. For most children, twice a day, morning and at night before bedtime works well. Some children may need more frequent cleaning, for example after every dose of sweet medication. If brushing is more frequent, limit toothpaste use to just twice a day, morning and night.


21. How can I prepare my child for their first dental visit?
Take your child with you when you, or a friend, visit the dentist. Children like to model the adult behavior, so will often copy others. Dental personnel want to encourage young children and will be helpful in giving them positive experiences.