You Asked, We Answered
Below you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions at Hicks Family Dentistry. If you have a question and don’t see your answer, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Yes. Patients can make payments online by clicking here.
Yes, we are family dentistry and pride ourselves on serving patients of all ages.
We recommend brushing after every meal. At a minimum, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice per day. This should be for at least two minutes.
It is important to see the dentist every 3-6 months. This will help us locate any dental problems early, making treatment quicker and easier. This will also allow us to give you thorough cleanings, which will greatly cut down on the plaque and bacteria in your mouth.
Dental anxiety is a fairly common condition. If you are struggling with fear and anxiety surrounding the dentist, Dr. Hicks will talk to you about what triggers these fears. He will walk you through the process and let you know that you are in complete control. We offer also nitrous oxide which often helps patients relax while they are being treated.
For your first visit, we recommend coming ten to fifteen minutes early to fill out your paperwork. This will help your visit run smoothly and on time. After that, it is okay to show up for your appointments at the designated start time.
The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums, and a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. It’s unnecessary to “scrub” the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings.
Generally, no, but, it’s advisable to use a fluoride-containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride.
Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy.
No. While most teeth which have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal.