Frequently Asked Questions

We have listed a few dental emergencies that you may be having and what to do for each of them here:

• Knocked-Out Tooth:
  Make sure to hold the tooth by the crown and not by the root. If the root is dirty, rinse it off, but do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue. If possible, try to replace the tooth in its socket, and hold it there with your tongue. If you cannot replace the tooth in the socket, put it in a glass of milk or water and go to your dentist as soon as possible.
• Broken Tooth:
  To clean the broken tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water. To reduce swelling, put a cold pack on your face where the broken tooth resides. It is important to visit your local dentist as soon as possible if you have a broken tooth.
• Possible Broken Jaw:
  It is important to not move your jaw if you think it’s broken. You should secure your jaw by tying a towel, necktie, or handkerchief underneath your chin and over the top of your head. Go to your local hospital’s emergency room, or contact an oral surgeon to ensure you receive the care and attention you need. General dentists in Rapid City, SD are not equipped to treat a broken jaw.
• Toothache:
  To clean food particles out of the aching tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water. Do not place aspirin on the gum tissues or aching tooth. Ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain relievers may help. For more severe toothaches, sips of water can provide short-term relief. Contact our dental office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

For most patients, we recommend dental exams twice a year. While these visits are routine, they play an important role in helping us find potential issues. These issues could be cavities, gum disease, etc. Finding them in the early stages allows us to correct them before they become a bigger problem.

According to The American Dental Association, 52% of adults visit their dentist every six months, while one in five adults haven’t been to the dentist in five years. Deterioration in your oral health can happen if you don’t visit the dentist routinely. Call us today and schedule an appointment with one of our dentists in Rapid City, SD.

Gum disease and tooth decay develop when plaque builds up on the teeth and remains there. Regular brushing and flossing can help to remove the plaque, but it is important to receive regular dental cleanings to remove any plaque that has hardened into calculus. This plaque is often in hard-to-reach areas near the gum line and between the teeth. Give us a call today and schedule an appointment for teeth cleaning with one of our dentists in Rapid City, SD!

Caries dye is a colored chemical that is used by dentists in Rapid City, SD when removing tooth decay. The dye reacts with the decayed tooth structure and stains it so the dentist can clearly see it and remove it. It does not stain the healthy tooth structure. Without the use of caries dye, caries removal is often incomplete.

By the age of two and a half years, most children will have developed the social skills to cope with a dental visit. This is also the age at which all deciduous teeth, also known as baby teeth, have usually completely developed in the mouth. Of course, if there appears to be a problem before your child is two and a half years old, do not hesitate to call one of our dentists in Rapid City, SD.

Our goal is to help your child develop positive associations with dentist offices in Rapid City, SD and their oral health. During their first appointment, we will gently examine their mouth, teeth, and gums. We may take X-rays to check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums and reveal any hidden decay. To help protect against decay, we may clean their teeth and apply topical fluoride. In addition, we will work with you to make sure your child is receiving the right kind of at-home dental care. We will also teach you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth to ensure they have healthy smiles.