1. You may print out and complete our new patient paperwork that can be found on our website under “Forms” OR you can come about 10 minutes early to fill out paperwork in our office.
2. Please bring your current dental insurance card(s).
3. A list of the medications you take (if applicable).
4. That’s it!

First of all, you definitely are not alone! We are aware of the prevalence of dental anxiety and we are trained to work with you in helping you to overcome these fears. Asking questions about your mouth and future treatment will help to remove fear of the unknown and give you an opportunity to be involved in your dental health. Most importantly, remember that we want to work with you, not just on you, in order to achieve a mutual goal.

Your child’s teeth typically come in at about 6 months old. You can take them in as early as 1 year for their first check-up. The first check-up is usually for the parents as much as it is for the kids. We will have the opportunity to talk about what to expect with your child’s teeth and to answer any questions you might have. Taking them in early also gives them a chance to normalize themselves with the dentist to prevent any future dental anxiety.

We recommend coming in every six months for an exam and cleaning. Dr. Howard is trained to locate and fix many problems before you are even aware of them. Coming to the dentist often will save you from toothaches and expensive treatment because we can catch the decay before it turns into a major procedure.

If you have been told by your doctor that you need to be pre-medicated before your dental appointment, please be sure to request this prescription before your appointment. If you have any questions, give us a call and we will be more than happy to help.

The first step will be to schedule a complete exam with Dr. Howard. We will make you a treatment plan showing any diagnosis he has made and this will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Dental x-rays are used to help dentists diagnose issues that are otherwise nearly invisible to the naked eye. When x-rays are performed properly, there’s very little cause for concern. According to the ADA (American Dental Association), “The amount of radiation used to obtain dental radiographs is very small. For example, bitewing radiographs—two to four images of the back teeth—exposes a patient to about 0.005 mSv of radiation. By comparison, because radiation is part of our natural environment, people in the United States are exposed, on average, to 3.2 mSv every year from background sources of radiation.”

In our office we offer whitening trays and we also offer in-office whitening. For the whitening trays, you take them home and whiten your teeth until you reach your desired results. The in-office whitening is a single, hour-long appointment visit where you will receive anywhere from 1-4 treatments.

There are various options to replace missing teeth. In our office, we can make our patients:

• Partial Dentures
• Bridges
• Implants
• Complete Dentures

Since there are a few different options, we recommend scheduling a consult with Dr. Howard first to see which one you would be a better candidate for.

Proper brushing technique is more important than the brand or type of toothbrush. We will discuss this with you at your cleaning appointment. Typically we recommend any toothbrush with soft bristles. Some patients prefer an electric toothbrush.

Flossing is just as important as brushing. Flossing is the only thing that can capture the bacteria and plaque that grows in between your teeth. In fact, this is the area where most cavities form because this is where food will typically get stuck. The longer food stays in between your teeth, the longer bacteria has to form! It is recommended to floss at least once a day. We always say flossing before you go to bed is the best time so you don’t go to sleep while food and bacteria is between your teeth. So, yes, flossing is very necessary. Especially to prevent cavities and bad breath!