Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need for my first visit?

We will need your driver's license, insurance card, and a list of any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications. If you have been instructed in the past to take antibiotics before any dental procedure, please call us to verify if it will be necessary for your initial visit.

Can I get my teeth cleaned on the first visit?

Typically the answer is yes if you have been keeping up with a dentist recommended regular cleaning schedule (usually every 6 months). However all cleanings are diagnosed during the initial exam and if there are indications of gum disease a different type of cleaning may be recommended and, depending on the schedule of the doctor, may need to be scheduled on another day.

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

We work diligently to make sure you are always aware of your oral health needs. Your hygienist will help you understand what interval is needed to keep your mouth healthy. We'll schedule your sequential appointment before you leave. We will also send you a card, give you a call, send an e-mail, or even a text message when you are due for your next visit. Make an appointment today and we'll help you figure out what schedule is best to maintain your oral health.

How Should I Handle a Knocked-out Tooth?

A tooth being knocked out is an accident most people are susceptible to, and with proper first aid the likelihood of the dentist of being able to save the tooth is strong. Contact our office immediately, and handle the knocked out tooth very gently, avoiding the roots. If it is dirty, rinse it in water, but avoid soap or cleaning agents, and do not scrub or brush it. Place the tooth in a special solution such as Save-A-Tooth, or milk, for transport to the dentist. Do NOT store in tap water. Time is of the essence, and the sooner a dentist can re-insert the tooth into its socket, the better.

How Often Should My Family Brush Their Teeth?

Ideally, the teeth should be cleaned after every meal, to remove food particles that may be lodged the teeth and gums. Also, beverages such as sodas and sports drinks leave an acidic residue on teeth that eats away at enamel, your tooth’s hard, protective coating, so it is best to clean your teeth after consuming these products as well.

How Often Do I Need to See The Dentist?

Under normal circumstances, patients should visit the dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and examination. Rivergate Village Dental’s staff can clean the hard-to-reach places that sometimes elude toothbrushes. Also, only a professional cleaning can remove harmful material such as calculus, hardened plaque that can not be removed through regular brushing. Timely visits also help ensure that any problems are caught in the developmental stage and complex procedures are avoided.

Is flossing Important?

Flossing is a key to oral health, since it helps remove food from between the teeth and gums, where a toothbrush typically can not reach. By keeping these areas clean, your family will keep their gums healthy and firm, and avoid diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis, which can lead to the loosening, and eventually, loss, of teeth.

Are X-Rays Required?

• To help make an accurate diagnosis, Dr. Hall may have an x-ray taken to help determine the nature or extant of a dental disease or condition. Armed with the knowledge an x-ray provides, she can provide a more effective treatment, in a more efficient manner, than without an x-ray. If Dr. Hall recommends an x-ray, it is entirely for your benefit.
• If a check, or other instrument, or any electronic authorization or debit sent or provided to Rivergate Village Dental for payment is not honored at first presentment, regardless of the reason, even if the check, instrument, or electronic authorization is later honored, you will be charged the maximum allowable service charge of $30.
• If your account is not fully paid, the account may be turned over to a collection agency. In addition to paying your balance, you are responsible for paying all reasonable attorney’s fees, collection and/or other court costs.