FAQs about Lakeside Dental

• Are you accepting new patients?

  Yes, we are accepting new patients.

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• Do you accept any insurance?

  We are in-network with many dental insurance carriers. Please visit our Insurance and Payment Options section of our website, and contact our office to verify that we are in-network with your particular insurance plan.

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• What payments do you accept?

  We accept most insurances, cash, check, and credit cards.

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• What do I do if I cannot make my appointment?

  We only schedule one patient per staff member at a time; therefore, we appreciate our patients making every effort to keep their appointed time. If you must cancel or reschedule your dental appointment, please do so at least 48 hours in advance.

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• Does your office have a Privacy Policy?

  Yes, our Privacy Policy is available for you to download and review. We also have hard copies of the Privacy Policy available in our office.

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FAQs about Dental Health

• What should I do if I have bad breath?

  Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Because the major reason for bad breath is microbial deposits on the tongue, some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue can reduce bad breath by as much as 70%.

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• What can cause bad breath?

  There are various reasons you may experience bad breath. The main reasons are:

  • Dehydration and missed meals—Drinking water and chewing food increases saliva flow and washes bad-breath causing bacteria away.
  • Diet—Ketones, chemicals released in the breath when your body is burning fat, can cause bad breath.
  • Dry Mouth—Dry mouth, usually a symptom of medication, can cause you to have bad breath.
  • Food—Pungent foods like garlic and onions enter your bloodstream, travel to you lungs, and then are exhaled as bad breath.
  • Medical Illness—Diabetes, liver and kidney problems, sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia may contribute to bad breath.
  • Morning Breath—Saliva flow almost stops while you are sleeping which allows bacteria to grow and bad breath to occur.
  • Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)—Bacteria and food debris reside under inflamed gums causing bad breath.
  • Poor Oral Hygiene—Food particles remaining in the mouth promote bacterial growth which cause bad breath.
  
  
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• What can I do to prevent bad breath?

  To help prevent bad breath, you should:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush.
  • Floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from between your teeth.
  • Brush or scrape your tongue.
  • See your dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and cleaning.
  • Stop using tobacco products.
  • Drink water frequently.
  • Use dentist approved anti-septic mouth rinses that alleviate bad breath and kill germs.
  
  
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• How often should I brush, floss, and rinse?

  Brush—You should brush your teeth at least 2 times a day, especially before going to bed, with an ADA—approved soft bristle toothbrush and ADA-approved toothpaste.

  Floss—You should floss at least once a day. Brushing and flossing help control the bacteria that cause plaque and eventually, tartar. If plaque and tartar are not removed, they begin to destroy your gums and bones, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

  Rinse—You should rinse your mouth after you brush your teeth and after each meal. Ask Dr. Morales for a mouthwash recommendation.
  

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• How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?

  You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year. Regular dental exams are essential in detecting dental problems, preventing dental diseases, and maintaining dental health.

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• What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?

  Since teeth whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, we at Lakeside Dental offer many products and methods to help you achieve a brighter, whiter smile. Professional teeth whitening, or bleaching, is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of your natural tooth enamel. As we age, the outer layer of our tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a dark or yellow shade. The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which may become darker over time. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration, making our teeth yellow and dull.

  It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by Dr. Morales to determine if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening.

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• What does Dr. Morales check for during my visit and cleaning?

  When you visit Dr. Morales, he does more than just clean your teeth and check for cavities. He is committed to providing you with the best possible care, so he also checks and monitors your:

  • Medical history to give him insight into what might be causing you dental problems.
  • X-rays, which are essential for decay, tumor, cycts, and bone loss detection.
  • Risk for oral cancer by checking your face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums.
  • Risk for gum disease by checking your gums and the bones around the teeth.
  • Existing restorations.
  
  
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• How can I tell if I have gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease)?

  4 out of 5 people have periodontal disease and do not know it! Periodontal disease is usually painless in the early stages so most people do not know they have it until their family dentist informs them of the disease. Periodontal disease begins when plaque, a sticky, colorless, film of bacteria, food debris, and saliva is left on the teeth and gums. The bacteria produce toxins that inflame the gums and slowly destroy the bone.

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• What are the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease?

  Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease include:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Loose teeth
  • New spacing between teeth
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Receding gums
  • Red and puffy gums
  • Tenderness or discomfort
  
  
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Dental Links

In addition to our own website, there are other sites on the Web that provide interesting and helpful dental information. Because we are committed to improving the oral healthcare knowledge of our patients, we have provided the following selection of links to help you stay informed. If you have a suggestion for a new link, please send us an email. We are always looking for good resources to pass along to our valued patients and visitors to our website.

The following links provide some general information about dentistry.