If you find that you have a fear of going to the dentist, you are not alone. Dental phobia is extremely common. Many people say there is just something different about having work done in the mouth than of any other part of the body. Some go as far as saying they would rather go through child birth than have a dental visit.

We strive to make your visit as stress free and enjoyable as possible. Trust is a big factor in reducing fear. Trusting you will be comfortable and trusting you are receiving the best care possible helps to reduce fear. We strive to make sure you are comfortable, which may mean complete numbing, a blanket, hand paraffin, or neck support. We also have the greatest dentist around for giving the best care there is. Every one who works here is very knowledgeable and, best of all, caring, companionate, and understanding. We will literally hold your hand to help you through your care if that’s what it takes.

One way of easing the stress of a dental appointment is by taking your mind off of the treatment. Sound from work being done is a major fear factor for many people. We have Sony headphones to block the sound while you’re listening to music, we have Pandora radio, where you can listen to any kind of music you want with the headphones. 

So have no fear, Dr. Smith and her team are here.

Sara - Patient Coordinator

In a world of text messaging, emails, and computers the art of conversation and personal contact can seem old fashioned. Even though Dr. Smith is at the forefront of dental technology, she still remains old fashioned when it comes to patient interaction. We enjoy getting to know our patients, their families, their friends and hearing their stories.

As much as we enjoy seeing our existing patients, we equally enjoy meeting new people. We believe your first visit to our office will be different from any other dental visit you have had. Upon entering our doors, you will notice our calming atmosphere, you will be greeted by our friendly staff, and all the paperwork will be done for you. We strive to make every visit to our office as comfortable for you as possible.

We have always encouraged our existing patients to share their experiences here with family and friends, but now we have taken it a step further. It is our highest form of flattery when existing patients refer new patients, so now we like to send a little thank you. If you are reading this post and have never been to our office, please pick up the phone and schedule an appointment to come see us. We would love to meet you. If you are an existing patient, please forward this link to a friend and let them know to mention your name at their comprehensive exam and x-ray appointment to receive your special thank you.

Digital radiographs work by putting a small sensor in your mouth connected by a thin wire to a computer.  Images are sent out to the sensor through your teeth to capture the image. The sensor can be moved to take other images.  Our office uses digital radiographs which have several advantages over traditional methods:

• Less Radiation:  An 80% reduction in radiation over traditional x-rays.
• Quick Developing: Digital X-rays are ready in a matter of a couple seconds.
• Magnified Images: Digital Images are easily displayed at larger sizes to make diagnosis of decay or abnormalities easier.
• Earth Friendly: Digital X-rays are electronic, so they save us from needing to use chemicals or film.

Digital radiographs are just one way we are working to make your visits better.

The American Dental Association claims that amalgam fillings are safe because the amount of mercury released into the body is too minute to be harmful; however, several states now require dentists to separate the amalgam waste out of the water before it reaches the sewer line; reason being that amalgam fillings may be harmful and toxic to the human body. In fact, there are countries, such as Sweden, that have banned the use of amalgam completely. Hmmm…

Though there are strong proponents on both side of the argument, at Cypress Dental we have taken the stance not to use amalgam. 

Why Cypress Dental Does Not Use Amalgam Silver Fillings:

• Silver fillings are ugly
• Mercury is a hazardous waste and can harm our bodies and the environment
• Some people are sensitive to mercury
• Amalgam fillings expand and contract with temperature changes which can cause tooth fracture
• Edges can leak and allow recurrent decay
• The benefits of bonded fillings just plain outweigh benefits of amalgam
• Basically, better options, such as tooth-colored bonded fillings, are available

Do you need to go and have all of your silver fillings removed immediately?

Not necessarily. You may choose to replace them for esthetic or personal reasons; however you do not need to have your amalgam fillings replaced until you start to notice that they are breaking down. If you have any questions or would like to have your silver fillings evaluated, we would be happy to help.

During your regular checkups we examine the health of your mouth, measure the bone levels around your teeth, check for decay, screen for oral cancer, examine your dental work, evaluate your bite, and clean your teeth.  Your dental exam and cleaning is a critical part of a preventive strategy.  It is the best way for you to prevent advanced dental problems and minimize the time and money you spend in the dental chair.

So, let’s keep you healthy.  If you aren’t already scheduled for your check up and cleaning, give us a call, we’d love to see you.

Sipping soda or juice all day could be worse than eating a candy bar, because the longer sugar stays in contact with teeth, the greater the risk for tooth decay.  Bacteria, which live in plaque on teeth, feed off the sugars in food and produce acid in the mouth, which erodes the tooth enamel - causing cavities.  Foods high in sugar such as cookies and candy, or high in acid, such as fruit juices and sodas, present the greatest risk to dental health.

Foods with high sugar content should be in contact with your teeth as little as possible. If you must drink sugar-laden beverages, do so with meals rather than sip them slowly throughout the day. Keep in mind that eating sticky foods such as raisins or fruit snacks puts teeth at a greater risk for tooth decay because the sugar remains in contact with the teeth longer.

Foods such as milk and nuts are “low-risk” foods because they are low in sugar and they have a non-sticky texture. Other low-risk snack foods are low-fat cheese, raw vegetables, crunchy fruits, and popcorn.

When you have eaten and have no way to brush, chewing sugar-free gum (especially those with Xylitol) will stimulate saliva, thus neutralizing acids and washing away food particles.

Some of you may recall the former TV show “Cheers.” The opening song said, “where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.” That is the feeling you get when you walk into Cypress Dental.

We take pride in our exceptional patient experience. Nothing compares to the excitement our patients feel when their smile is improved. They are always smiling when we see them, with an air of confidence and a spring in their step. They can’t thank us enough for changing their lives. We are so pleased to be a part of that change.

We love to take the time to visit and really get to know our patients. They enjoy coming into our friendly office. Your patient experience is very important to us and we are always here to “serve” you.