Following are some of the most frequently asked questions
we receive from patients. Please take a few minutes to browse through
them. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, please
feel free to call or e-mail us. We’re here to help you.
A healthy adult generally benefits
from a professional cleaning and checkup every six months. Brushing
and flossing twice a day go a long way toward maintaining
good dental health, but regular checkups and professional cleaning help prevent the formation of plaque, which can harden into tartar and cause gingivitis.
Regular checkups are your ticket to good
dental health!
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We accept almost all major insurance
plans. Our friendly, knowledgeable office team is more than happy
to discuss your coverage with you.
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We accept cash, personal checks and
all major credit cards. We also accept most insurance plans. Your
insurance co-pay is due at the time of your visit, but we also
offer financing plans such as CareCredit and Unicorn
Financial. For
more information, speak with
our friendly, knowledgeable office team at 903-753-0337. We'll
be happy to assist you.
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Modern dentistry offers you a number
of choices to help whiten your
smile. Dr. Bruyere will evaluate what
will work best for you based on the current color of your teeth and
the cause of any discoloration. Once you decide on the most appropriate
method, you will spend two to four weeks undergoing a series of simple
whitening treatments.
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Bleeding gums can be caused by a number
of factors, including improper, rough "scrubbing" instead of gentle,
circular brushing motions, using a hard-bristled toothbrush instead
of a soft one, plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line,
or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal gum disease.
If the bleeding persists despite proper brushing and flossing or
occurs every time you brush, contact our office for an appointment
to evaluate the problem.
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A little flossing goes a long way
and is truly critical for your oral
health. Flossing removes food
particles in tight spaces your brush cannot reach, gets rid of plaque
build-up and exercises your gums, all of which are necessary to avoid
gum disease. So, just think of daily flossing as the finishing touch
after brushing and as insurance for your smile's future.
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If you have an emergency after office
hours, please contact our office voice mail and let us know the nature
of your condition. We will return your call as soon as possible,
give you helpful information over the phone and determine if you
need to be seen immediately.
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In order to maintain a well-run office,
we ask all appointment cancellations be made at least 24 hours before
your scheduled appointment. This ensures you will avoid being billed
for our time and preparation, and allows us to work in other patients' emergency
visits.
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Millions of people struggle with halitosis,
or bad breath, despite daily brushing. Here is a checklist of procedures
that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing
and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings, and careful
cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However,
if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer
several solutions.
First, we can provide a plastic tool
called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your
tongue and significantly alleviates odor. Or, we can recommend a
specially-prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break
the odor-causing sulfur bonds causing bad breath. Finally, a systemic
or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition
may be the cause. We may recommend a visit with your family physician
to identify the cause.
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Believe it or not, children should
have their first dental visit about six months after their primary
teeth have erupted, or generally around their first birthday. First
of all, this provides the dental professional with an opportunity
to spot and prevent any potential dental problems and it also gives
your child a positive, non-threatening dental experience.
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Please visit our online Patient Library for articles about crowns,
veeners and other helpful information. Another good source of information
is the American Dental Association Web site.
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