Q. How often should I see a dentist?
A. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and a professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.
Q. What do I do if I have a dental emergency?
A. Please call our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. If you have a dental emergency during regular business hours, we will be glad to work you into our schedule. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office for the doctor's emergency contact number.
Q. What kind of toothbrush should I use?
A. Adults should use a small-to-medium size toothbrush with soft-to-medium bristles. The head of the brush needs to be small enough to brush all areas of the mouth thoroughly, specifically the back of the mouth, which can be hard to reach. Children should use small toothbrushes with soft bristles. People with sensitive teeth can benefit from using gentle, soft bristled toothbrushes.
Q. How often should I replace my toothbrush?
A. The American Dental Association recommends that you replace your brush every 3 to 4 months. With each use, the bristles become worn and cleaning effectiveness decreases. Depending on your oral health, you may need to replace your brush sooner. Typically, children toothbrushes need to be replaced more regularly than adults.
Q. Is a powered toothbrush more effective than a manual toothbrush?
A. Generally, manual toothbrushes are just as effective as powered toothbrushes. Children may find brushing with a powered toothbrush more exciting. If you have difficulty using a manual toothbrush, a powered toothbrush may be much more comfortable and easier to use.
Q. Should I brush or floss first?
A. As long as you brush and floss thoroughly, it does not matter if you brush then floss or floss then brush. However, flossing before brushing enables the fluoride in your toothpaste to better reach the areas between the teeth.
Q. Is one type of toothpaste better than the others?
A. No. However, we recommend you use a toothpaste that contains fluoride and carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which means it has been assessed for safety and effectiveness. Studies consistently show that fluoride helps strengthen and rebuild tooth structure, and helps prevent dental decay.
Q. Are payment plans available for my dental treatment?
A. Yes. We accept most major credit cards and many types of dental insurance. We will process your insurance claim for you upon receipt of your co-payment.
We understand that accidents and emergencies happen. We are here to help. Below is information on our same-day care, the types of emergencies we often see, and what you can do in case you experience one.
Same-Day Emergency Care
Our West Chester, PA team can provide you with fast emergency dental care during normal business hours if you are in need. Simply call our office to schedule an emergency appointment. If you can come in, we can see you! We realize that emergencies happen outside of business hours — if you catch us after 5 p.m., please call the after-hours number listed on the answering machine. Dr. Sykora will try to help you any time of day or night.
Types of Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies come in a variety of forms. If you are experiencing any of the following situations, please contact us immediately for help.
- A broken or knocked-out tooth due to injury.
- A tooth that has become loose or has fallen out entirely due to disease.
- A tooth otherwise damaged by decay or injury.
- Bleeding due to a tissue injury.
- Severe oral pain of any sort.
- Pain to hot, cold or biting that lingers for more than just a moment
We want to help you look and feel your best! If you are in pain or otherwise need immediate assistance, please contact us right away. In many cases, a quick call to us can mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth. Usually we can help save or repair your tooth. If we cant, well do everything we can to help you get out of pain and offer you the tooth replacement options you need.
Tips for Handling An Emergency Situation
Don’t know what to do in case of a dental emergency? You are not alone. Let’s talk about what steps to take to help maintain of your tooth after an accident and how you can get help quickly.
- Seat the tooth. If it is loose, try to secure it in its socket. If it has come out entirely, try to place the tooth back into the socket. Call us immediately at 610-696-9119
- If placing the tooth back into the socket doesn’t work, protect the tooth until you can be seen at our office. Try not to touch the tooth root. If you have a broken tooth, save any pieces that may have come out of your mouth.
- Stem any bleeding. If you are experiencing extensive bleeding, or if the bleeding won’t stop within about 20 minutes, please get to the emergency room as soon as possible. They are best equipped to aid in a critical situation.
- Call us for help immediately. As soon as you can, get to our office for your emergency dental services appointment. The sooner you are seen, the better our chances are of being able to save your tooth.