How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?

An average, healthy adult person typically benefits from a professional cleaning and check up every six months. While brushing three times a day and daily flossing go a long way towards maintaining a healthy mouth, it’s wise to check for plaque that has hardened into tartar, requiring professional cleaning to avoid gingivitis, or more progressive periodontal problems.

How can I have whiter teeth?

There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile, from at-home bleaching products to in-office supervised treatments. Dr. Weygandt can help evaluate your potential for whitening your teeth, based on their current color and the causes of any discoloration. Once a decision has been made on the most appropriate method, you’ll spend anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks undergoing a series of simple whitening treatments. Most patients can expect to end up with teeth approximately 2 shades brighter on the dental shade chart.

What about my children, at what age do they see a dentist?

Our office recommends that children between the ages of three and four come in for their first dental examination and cleaning. In striving to give your child a positive first dental experience, we recommend that your child attend a cleaning with you or an older sibling to get aquatinted. This helps strengthen the trust and bond between the dental staff and your child.

What different payment options do you provide?

We accept cash, check, credit cards and Care Credit. Your insurance co-pay is due at the time of your first visit. We do allow some flexibility toward payment if arrangements are made prior to your visit.

You can even apply for Care Credit online. First click this online link and then click the "Instant Credit Application" button on the right of the page.

What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

When you become a patient of our practice, we think of you as a person, not just another set of teeth to fix and clean. Our goal is to help you obtain and then maintain the best possible oral health. So, we take time to understand your dental history and evaluate the best options for your particular dental needs. Plus, we help you understand the why’s and wherefore’s of preventive care through thorough patient education.

Is it bad if my gums bleed after I brush my teeth?

It’s certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. However, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough, ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.

I really don't like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?

We understand that some people have fear or anxiety when visiting the dentist. Our goal is to create a calm and relaxing experience for each patient. In doing so we provide a TV in each room, along with headphones for your musical enjoyment. For more invasive procedures we provide Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) to our patients who request it.

My breath stinks and I brush everyday, is it just me or is there something you can to help?

Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here’s a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: brushing three times a day, 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 that cause bad breath.

Finally, we may also suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition, in which case we may recommend a visit with your family physician or specialist to identify the cause.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces, what can you do to help?

Dr. Weygandt has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of braces.  For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. In other cases, it may be necessary to wear braces. We’d be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.

My spouse snores and keeps me up all night. I've heard that a dentist might be able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. If this is true, how do I find out if you can help?

Snoring is tough on any relationship! And, since it can be caused by a number of factors, we encourage you to have your spouse come in for a consultation and analysis with Dr. Weygandt to determine the cause. In some cases, a person may actually stop breathing for short periods during the night—a condition called sleep apnea. In other cases, snoring can be caused by enlarged anatomical structures within the mouth and throat. During sleep, the throat area relaxes, allowing these structures to collapse against one another and obstruct clear airflow. In the latter situation, we can prescribe and fit a special appliance called a ‘snore-guard’, which gently holds the mouth and throat in an open position during relaxed sleep and thus prevents snoring.