Frequently Asked Questions

Below you’ll find answers to many of the most frequently asked questions about dental care and visiting Premier Dental.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes, Dr. Rodriguez and Premier Dental are always happy to treat new patients! And if you are experiencing a dental emergency and your regular dentist is unavailable, Dr. Rodriguez is available to relieve your pain and discomfort. After treatment, he will send a detailed report to your regular dentist.

What do I need to bring to my first visit?

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time, and bring the following:

• Completed new patient paperwork unless you were able to fill out through our online portal
• Dental and medical Insurance Card (if applicable)
• Identification such as Driver’s License, Military ID or State ID

Do you accept insurance?

Absolutely! We work with all PPO dental plans, including:

At what age should I start taking my child to see the dentist?

Dental health is vital for children. At Premier Dental, we recommend bringing your child for their first visit when they have teeth starting to erupt. During this first visit, we want to familiarize your child with the dentist office, do a general oral check up, and a cleaning. After the initial visit, we’ll want to do regular check ups every six months!

I’m terrified of going to the dentist. Do you offer sedation?

Don’t let your fear prevent you from taking care of your dental health! At Premier Dental, we offer three types of sedation to patients:

• Inhaled sedation (Nitrous Oxide, also known as “Laughing Gas”)
• Oral Sedation (A pill form of sedation)
• IV Sedation

If I’m pregnant, can I still have my regular exam and cleaning?

Definitely! While we may not be able to do X-rays during your visit unless you are having a specific issue, it is still very important to have a checkup and cleaning, especially during pregnancy.

I have braces. Do I still need checkups every six months?

Yes, and it’s actually even more important for orthodontic patients to visit their dentist regularly. When you have braces, it’s easy for food to get caught in places your toothbrush can’t get to, which causes bacteria to build up. That can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease.

How often should I brush my teeth?

According to the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes each time. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too! 

How often should I change my toothbrush?

We recommend that everyone — adults and children — change toothbrushes every three months if they’re using a regular toothbrush. Toothbrushes wear out over time, especially if you’re brushing as you should — twice daily for two to three minutes. For electric toothbrushes, check your directions because they may not need to be changed as frequently. If you suffer from  gum disease, we would encourage you to change to a new toothbrush every four to six weeks to minimize the spread of bacteria. 

If I brush my teeth regularly, why do I need to floss?

Both are important! After you eat, food particles are left behind on your teeth. Millions of microscopic bacteria living in your mouth feed off these particles. While brushing removes some of these bacteria, flossing gets rid of the bacteria that are in places your toothbrush can’t get to.

What do my gums bleed when I brush my teeth?

Gums bleeding during teeth brushing is a common sign of gingivitis, or inflammation of your gums. This mild form of gum disease is caused by plaque building up at your gum line. 

What is a cavity?

Cavities are small holes formed inside your tooth. These holes occur when plaque — the sticky film of bacteria that lives on our teeth — combines with the sugars in the foods and drinks we consume to form an acid that eats away at our tooth enamel. If this decay makes it through the enamel (the hard outer layer of your tooth) it forms a cavity.

What is a filling?

Fillings are artificial material used to fill in cavities to restore the tooth to its form. Fillings can be done using many materials, including a composite resin, gold, amalgam (mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper), or porcelain. 

Why is fluoride important?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral widely distributed in nature. Known as “nature’s cavity fighter,” it helps strengthen teeth and makes them more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities.

What is a root canal?

When tooth decay leads to an infection, root canal therapy is a way to try to save the tooth. This treatment starts with applying a local anesthetic to the affected tooth and surrounding areas, then using special instruments to make a small opening in the tooth to remove infected tooth pulp and the tooth’s nerve. Next, the dentist will clean, medicate and seal the root canal. Once the tooth has fully healed, a permanent restoration, such as a crown, will be placed to protect the tooth and restore natural function and appearance.