FAQs

Call anytime at (336) 768-3314.  We are in the office from 7am to 5pm Monday through Thursday with lunch from 12 to 1pm.  If we are not there to answer your call, leave your contact information and we will return your call as soon as possible.  Also feel free to ï»¿ contact us ï»¿ through this website with your information and we will contact you.

We accept cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.  We also offer free financing through Care Credit.  We do not accept Medicaid, but do accept most dental insurances and are in-network for Delta Dental, MetLife, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.  If other types of financing are necessary, please contact us and we will discuss your situation.

As health professionals, we are concerned about your health.  We would not want to perform a procedure for you that could wait until your blood pressure is better controlled.  We do not charge you anything to check your blood pressure.  Our checking your blood pressure is for your benefit.  It could point to other health issues you may never know you had.

You may be concerned about your child’s thumbsucking and wonder if it is harmful, at what age your child should stop, or what could happen if your child doesn’t stop.

Sucking is a natural reflex for children. As infants get older it serves many purposes. Sucking on their thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects may make babies feel secure and happy and help them learn about their world. Young children may also suck to soothe themselves. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may help them fall asleep.

After the permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It can also cause changes in the roof of the mouth. The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Some aggressive thumbsuckers may cause problems with their baby (primary) teeth. If you notice changes in your child’s primary teeth, consult your dentist.

Children should have ceased sucking by the time the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually children stop between the ages of two and four years.

Pacifiers can affect the teeth essentially the same ways as sucking fingers and thumbs. However, it is often an easier habit to break.

Tips:

• Praise children for not sucking, instead of scolding them when they are.
• Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
• For an older child, involve him or her in choosing the method of stopping.
• Your dentist can offer encouragement to a child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.
• If the above tips don’t work, remind the child of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. Your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe a bitter medication to coat the thumb or the use of a mouth appliance.



The American Pediatric Dental Association recommends taking your child to the dentist around 12 months of age.  If you as the parent see any reason for concern at any age, please bring them in and we will take a look.  If there is a problem that would be better handled by a pediatric specialist, we will assist you in finding one appropriate to your situation.

We typically begin seeing children around the age of 3 for regular dental cleanings.  It is at this age when many children are fairly cooperative and can tolerate simple instructions and sitting still for a few minutes at a time.  Feel free to bring your child in anytime you are in for your appointment for a "fun visit."  This is where they can have a ride in the dental chair, have a spotlight shine on their teeth,  wear some sunglasses, and we'll "count their teeth" for them.  They can even get a prize afterward!

The purpose for this type of appointment is to help build a comfort level when coming to the dentist.  We want them to enjoy their experience, and allowing them some positive dental experiences early on only helps them as they get older.

When teeth begin erupting, some babies may have sore or tender gums.  Gently rubbing your child's gums with a clean finger or a wet gauze pad can be soothing.  You also can give the baby a clean chilled teething ring to chew on, but never dipped in sugar or syrup.  If your child is still cranky and uncomfortable, consult your dentist or physician.  Contrary to common belief, fever is not normal for a teething baby.  If your infant has an unusually high or persistent fever while teething, call your physician.

The FDA has reissued a warning about the use of benzocaine gels or liquids to relieve teething pain for children under 2. Parents should not use over-the-counter medications containing benzocaine for children under 2 because they are at particular risk for the rare but serious disease of methemoglobinemia, a disorder in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream is greatly reduced.

During sleep, muscles and soft tissues in the throat and mounth relax, shrinking the airway.  This increases the velocity of airflow during breathing.  As the velocity of required air is increased, soft tissues like the soft palate and uvula vibrate.  The vibrations of these tissues result in "noisy breathing" or snoring.

Surgical techniques used to remove respiration-impairing structures have shown only moderate success rates (20 to 40 percent).  For the majority of snorers, however, the most affordable, noninvasive, comfortable and effective snoring solution remains a dentist-prescribed snore prevention device.

There are custom-fabricated dental devices that moves the lower jaw into a forward position, increasing space in the airway tube and reducing air velocity and soft tissue vibration.  The fit is excellent and comfortable, permitting small movements of the jaw (TMJ) and allowing uninhibited oral breathing.