Frequently Asked Dental Questions – Lawrence, KS

Answering All of
Your Dental Questions

Do you have questions about your at-home oral hygiene routine, any treatments we offer, or how you can fix a certain oral problem you face? Our team is here to help. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions that we receive from our patients. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for, reach out to us directly so we can get you the answers you need to make smart, educated decisions about your grin!

Do you provide children’s dentistry?

Yes! Our team is happy to provide a wide variety of kid-friendly dental services to help keep growing smiles healthy. Some of the treatments that we recommend for children include:

  • Silver diamine fluoride
  • Dental sealants
  • Customized athletic mouthguards
  • Frenectomies
  • Non-nutritive habit-breaking
  • Pulp therapy (baby root canals)

Next time you come in for your routine checkup and cleaning, we invite you to make an appointment for your little one as well!

How often should I change out my toothbrush?

It’s recommended that you change out your toothbrush once every three months, whenever you notice the bristles beginning to fray, or after you’ve gotten over being sick. This will prevent bacteria from accumulating on the head and transferring to your mouth.

What types of problems can dental X-rays help diagnose?

Dental X-rays are a crucial component to each of your routine bi-annual checkups. They help our dentists diagnose a wide array of issues that otherwise wouldn’t be visible to the naked eye, including:

  • Tumors
  • Impacted teeth
  • Dental infections
  • Interproximal cavities
  • Cysts

What if I’m not in-network with a dental office. Can I still go there?

Yes! If you have a PPO plan, you have the choice to either stay in-network and receive coverage or go out-of-network and receive coverage. The primary difference may be the amount you’ll have to pay for your deductible and how much benefits you receive. If you have any additional questions about out-of-network coverage and how to navigate it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team, or you can call your insurance company and ask them.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleeping condition that is estimated to affect 18 million people in the United States. It can have a drastic impact on your health and overall quality of life by limiting oxygen flow to your brain as you sleep and preventing you from ever achieving a deep sleep state. Some common signs that patients with obstructive sleep apnea notice include:

  • Fatigue in the morning and throughout the day
  • Chronic, loud snoring
  • Waking up gasping for breath
  • Difficulty concentrating throughout the day
  • Moodiness or depression
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
  • Morning headache

Without the proper treatment, you could be increasing your risk of developing medical conditions like diabetes and strokes, which is why we recommend coming in for a sleep consultation with our specialist, Dr. Nick Salava.

Is your office wheelchair accessible?

Our office is wheelchair accessible.