FAQs

How do I schedule an appointment?

There are two easy ways:

• Online: click the Request an Appointment button, fill out the form, and our scheduling coordinator will contact you to confirm.
• By phone: call the office and we will find a time that works for you.

How often should I schedule regular checkups?

The American Dental Association recommends exams and cleanings twice a year. Some people need them more often. After your first exam, we will recommend the right schedule for you.

What do I need to bring to my first appointment?

• Completed new patient forms
• Your insurance card or information
• A list of current medications and medical conditions
• X-rays taken in the last 6 months, if you have them

What if I need to reschedule?

Please call the office at least 24 hours before your appointment, and we will help you find another date that fits your schedule.

What is your cancellation policy?

We understand that things come up that are out of your control. If you miss an appointment, please call the office to reschedule.

What if I need emergency dental care?

If you are in pain or have an emergency, we will make every attempt to see you within 24 hours. See emergency dentistry for first-aid tips.

What services do you provide?

Main Street Dental Smiles provides general, pediatric, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. See our Services page for the full list.

What happens during my first visit?

We do a thorough exam to plan the best route to a healthy mouth and your goals. We will:

• Take full-mouth X-rays to find current problems and set a baseline for future visits
• Check the health of your gums
• Examine your teeth for cavities and check older fillings and crowns
• Do a head and neck exam, including the salivary glands and lymph nodes
• Screen for oral cancer and TMJ (jaw joint) problems
• Clean and polish your teeth

Which medical conditions should I tell you about?

All of them. Many health conditions show up in the mouth and affect oral health, so your medical information helps us diagnose problems with your teeth, gums and mouth.

Are X-rays necessary?

Yes. Dental X-rays are an essential preventive and diagnostic tool. Many problems develop between the teeth or under the gums and bone, where they cannot be seen and may cause no early symptoms. Left untreated, they can lead to serious dental and general health problems, including tooth loss. Finding them early makes treatment less painful, faster and less expensive. The American Dental Association recommends a full series of X-rays every three years.

What types of sedation do you use?

Many procedures can be done with local anesthesia alone. For anxious patients or more complex procedures, we also offer inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide), oral sedation and IV sedation. Learn more about sedation dentistry.

What is Novocaine?

Novocaine is the local anesthetic most people know by name. It blocks the nerve that supplies feeling to the teeth in one area, so you feel no pain during the procedure while staying fully alert and able to function normally. It wears off fairly quickly without side effects.

What is inhalation sedation?

Inhalation sedation uses nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas. After two to three minutes of breathing it, you feel pleasantly relaxed while staying aware of your surroundings and able to answer questions. It has very few side effects and leaves the body within three to five minutes after the gas is turned off.

What is oral sedation?

You take a prescribed medication before your appointment. Depending on the dose, sedation is minimal to moderate: you stay awake but drowsy and much less anxious. The effects can last several hours, so arrange for someone to drive you to and from your visit.

What is IV sedation?

IV sedation delivers medication into the bloodstream, so you can close your eyes and relax in a semi-conscious state with little or no memory of the treatment. You will not be safe to drive, so plan for someone to bring you to the office and take you home.

When should I start cleaning and brushing my child’s teeth?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends wiping your baby’s gums with a soft cloth soon after birth. Once the first tooth appears, brush twice a day with a soft infant toothbrush and just a smear of toothpaste. At your child’s first visit, we will show you how to brush properly.

At what age should my child first see the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first visit when the first tooth appears or by the first birthday. We check for early problems and help your child get to know us as friends, which makes future visits a positive experience.

Can my teenager come to an appointment alone?

Patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at every visit. We want to meet with both of you to discuss findings and treatment and answer your questions.