FAQ About Our Dental Office in Spring Hill, TN

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Before you come to our office, please provide your dental insurance details so we can confirm your benefits. You should also arrive with your completed paperwork or arrive 15 minutes early to fill it in at the office to streamline your visit.

During your first appointment, which will last around 90 minutes, we will take our own set of records that include x-rays, photos, gum disease screening, and chart all existing restorative work (crowns, fillings, etc.)

If time permits and there's no gum disease present, we'll proceed with a cleaning. Dr. Todd, Dr. Kendra, or Dr. Jordan will conduct a thorough examination and develop a custom plan as necessary. We'll then discuss your treatment's financial aspects and schedule any future appointments essential for your dental care.

If the patient is a child or teenager, they must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or caregiver with written permission.

What to Do in Case of a Dental Emergency

During our office hours, we'll strive to give you immediate attention and see you as soon as we can. Should you require assistance after hours, reach out to our office and follow the instructions given. We'll make it a priority to return your call promptly.

If you're facing a serious or life-threatening emergency, please don't hesitate to dial 911 or head directly to the nearest emergency room for immediate help.

When Is Orthodontic Treatment Necessary?

Although having a more beautiful smile is always one outcome, there are many other extremely important reasons to get braces, such as:

Gaps Between the Teeth: Gaps not only affect aesthetics but also trap food particles, potentially leading to gum issues and irregular jaw growth.
Overbite: When the top teeth protrude too far forward, it can cause jaw pain and abnormal tooth wear. It often originates from habits like thumb sucking or genetic factors.
Underbite: Here, lower teeth extend beyond upper teeth, which can stem from jaw irregularities or missing upper teeth and cause similar issues as overbites.
Crossbite: Misalignment where lower teeth edges fall outside upper teeth edges, often due to jaw misalignment, risking tooth wear, gum disease, and bone loss.
Open Bite: When upper and lower teeth fail to make contact, speech and chewing difficulties arise and can lead to TMJ problems.
Excessive Crowding: Insufficient space for teeth leads to crowding, hindering your oral hygiene and promoting decay and gum disease.

When Do Children Need Orthodontic Treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists suggests that children see an orthodontist by age 7, or even earlier if there are concerns. By this age, the first adult molars usually appear, helping assess the bite. While treatment might not be needed, monitoring helps plan the best treatment timeline and prevents future issues.

Early treatment benefits include:

Less need for tooth removal
Space creation for crowded teeth
Lower risk of injury to front teeth
Preserving space for permanent teeth
Shorter future orthodontic treatment time

What to Do If You Need Orthodontic Help

If your appliance breaks or feels loose, don't worry, we're here to help! Just give our office a call as soon as you can. Please don't rush over without calling first. By reaching out to us, we can schedule a time to take care of you properly. If you already have an appointment scheduled, just let us know about the repair needed, and we'll make sure to allocate extra time if necessary.

If you need assistance outside of our regular hours, call our office number and leave a message on our emergency service line. Please remember to leave your name, phone number (with area code), and a quick message about what you need.

Here’re also some tips on how to deal with non-emergency orthodontic problems:

Discomfort or Soreness: Non-prescription pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help with the temporary discomfort that sometimes occurs for the first day or two after an orthodontic adjustment.  A diet of soft foods for a day or two can also be helpful.
Ligatures Come Off: If a rubber band ligature comes off, you may be able to put it back in place using clean tweezers. If a wire ligature comes off, you can try removing it with clean tweezers or bending it back down away from the tissues with a Q-tip or clean pencil eraser.
Irritated Cheeks: Place non-medicated orthodontic relief wax over the brackets or wires that are irritating the tissue.
Food Stuck in Braces: Use dental floss, an interproximal brush or a toothpick to catch and remove the food or try tying a knot in the dental floss before threading it through the brackets.
Wire Out of Place: If a wire is out of place and poking the cheek, use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire against the tooth. If this is not possible, or if the wire is still uncomfortable, place wax over the end of the wire and call our office to set up a time to have the wire adjusted and put it back into place.
Sores in the Mouth: Rinse with warm saltwater several times a day or apply topical anesthetics with a Q-tip.
Infections and Inflammation: Use Peroxyl, an antiseptic rinse containing hydrogen peroxide, up to 4 times per day after brushing. Refer to the product label for specific instructions.

Aftercare Help

Restorations

If anesthesia is used, avoid chewing, biting, and eating until the numbness wears off.
Eat softer meals and avoid foods that are crunchy, chewy, or hard foods for 24 hours to give time for the cement to fully bond.
Carefully clean around the restoration, brushing and flossing every day.

Dentures

Remove your dentures overnight or for at least 6 hours a day to give your mouth and gums time to rest.
Store your dentures in a clean container with denture cleaning solution.
Lightly brush the roof of your mouth, your tongue, and your gums after removing your dentures. 
Visit our office at least once a year to have your dentures or partials adjusted and checked.

ACTIVE THERAPY FOR PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Don’t consume hot foods or beverages until the anesthesia and numbness have worn off.
Avoid vigorous physical exercise as well as extremely hot or spicy foods for the first 24 hours. 
Don’t consume alcoholic beverages or smoke for at least 48 hours following treatment.
Rinse with warm saltwater (one teaspoon in an eight-ounce glass of water) three times a day.

Extractions

Maintain pressure on the surgical area with gauze until bleeding stops; replace gauze as needed.
Supervise children to prevent biting or chewing on tongue or lips.
Fill prescriptions and take as directed; avoid driving or operating machinery if taking pain medication other than aspirin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen.
Apply cold compress to reduce swelling for up to 20 minutes on and off; switch to moist heat after 36 hours.
Avoid sucking on straw, brushing, rinsing, spitting, smoking, hot/spicy foods, and carbonated/alcoholic beverages for 24 hours.
Limit activities on the day of surgery; resume normal activity the next day.
Rinse gently with warm salt water three times a day after the first day.
Stick to liquids and soft foods like soups, yogurt, juice, and smoothies for the first few days.
The sutures will dissolve in 7-10 days; contact us if removal is needed.
Contact our office for severe pain, excessive bleeding or swelling, or any concerns; for emergencies, call 911 or visit the nearest ER.

Whitening

Avoid dark-colored foods or beverages that can stain teeth for 48 hours after whitening.
Skip berries, cola, red wine, coffee, tea, tobacco, and dark sauces.
For custom trays, place bleaching gel in the center of each tooth position on the tray as instructed. Wear trays for recommended time, then rinse mouth and brush away any remaining gel with a soft bristle toothbrush. Clean the trays after each use.

Implant Surgery

Avoid pulling on your lip or probing the area with tongue and fingers.
Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed on the label or by our office.
Apply cold compress for swelling, then switch to moist heat after 36 hours. Avoid direct ice contact with skin.
Rinse with warm salt water three times a day.
Brush and floss as usual, avoiding the surgery site.
For 24 hours post-surgery, refrain from sucking on straw, brushing, rinsing, spitting, or smoking.
Minimize hot/spicy foods, carbonated/alcoholic beverages for 24 hours due to sensitivity.
Limit activities on the day of the surgery and resume normal activity the next day.
Stick to liquids and soft foods like soups, yogurt, juice, and smoothies for the first few days.
If you wear a denture overlapping the surgery site, minimize use initially and gradually increase wear time after the first week.
Contact our office if pain or swelling increases after a few days.

Fluoride Treatment

Patients should not rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes to maximize the fluoride’s direct contact with the teeth.

Sealants

Avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods for 24 hours following the placement of the sealant.

Braces

Avoid foods that are hard, chewy, crunchy or sticky.
Choose softer foods and cut your meals into smaller pieces before eating rather than trying to bite through them. 
Avoid chewing gum and chewing on ice.
Brush carefully with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss under the gumline. A floss threader may be necessary to get the floss under the arch wire. 
Always wear your elastics as directed. You may remove them when eating and brushing and replace them afterward.
If an elastic breaks, please replace both the broken one and the adjacent elastic to ensure the same amount of force is applied on each side.

Removable Appliances

Always wear your appliances, including while sleeping, as instructed.
Bring your appliance to every orthodontic appointment.
Clean your removable device morning and night with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Store your appliance in the provided case when not in use.
Keep your appliance away from pets to prevent chewing.
Avoid placing your appliance on napkins or tissues to prevent accidental disposal.
Remove your appliance during physical activities and use a mouthguard for protection.

Clear Aligners

Use your fingers to place aligners over your teeth, starting with front teeth and gently pushing down over molars.
Keep aligners in except when flossing, brushing, or eating, and remove for warm beverages.
Remove aligners by pulling off both sides simultaneously from back teeth, then lifting off front teeth.
Store aligners in provided case when not worn.
Clean aligners with toothbrush and toothpaste.
Wear each set for two weeks unless directed otherwise.
Wear aligners in correct numerical order (labeled U for upper or L for lower).
Bring all old aligners to orthodontic appointments.
If you lose the tab attached to your tooth, contact our office immediately.
If you lose an aligner tray, wear the next one or the previous one and inform our office to determine if a replacement is needed. There may be a fee for replacements.

What Are the Stages of Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss, progresses through two stages. In its early stage, known as gingivitis, patients experience symptoms like red, swollen gums prone to bleeding. It's crucial to diagnose and treat it early to prevent progression to periodontitis.

Periodontitis, the advanced stage, affects not just gums but also the bone supporting teeth. It can lead to gum recession and pocket formation, while moderate and advanced stages result in severe bone loss and tooth loosening.

Finally, advanced periodontitis may cause painful abscesses and ultimately tooth loss if left untreated.