FAQ's

Dr. Penniall believes educating and explaining treatment options to each patient, using the latest techniques of intra-oral pictures and digital x-rays. Dr. Penniall can use the flat screen monitors at every chair to illustrate diagnoses and potential problems as well as discuss treatment options. Dr. Penniall believes that every patient is unique in their needs and wants – he doesn’t believe in dictating his treatment to you – but believes in educating and discussing problems with the patient and coming to an ideal treatment plan for each patient.


Pediatric Dentistry (Dentistry for Kids)

First Visit

At Penniall Family Dental, we strive to make your child’s first dental visit a proactive and memorable experience to buildupon for a lifetime of good dental health.  As parents, you can help us make your child’s experience a positive one. 

Coaching

First of all, going to the dentist is a fun and exciting privilege to kids. Explain that going to see the dentist is a fun thing to do, a privilege.  “You get to go to the dentist today.”  Do not use any words that may cause unnecessary fear in children such as shots, pull or drill.  Our dentists and staff focus on creating a positive “kid centered” experience with more kid-friendly words that are non-frightening.

Do not use the dentist as a threat to get your children to brush their teeth, i.e., “If you don’t brush your teeth, Dr. Penniall is going to love to pull all of your teeth.” This creates an unnatural fear of the dentists in kids.

Explain to your children as you brush your teeth that the dentist will brush your teeth just like Mom/Dad does, and will count them, and make sure that they are healthy.

What will be done at a first visit.

  • Teeth and soft tissue fully examined
  • Occlusion – the way teeth fit together – will be evaluated
  • Habit discussions – thumb sucking, bottles, etc.
  • Digital x-rays taken as necessary to diagnose cavities and infection
  • Teeth cleaned and polished
  • Fluoride given – when appropriate
  • Hygiene – home care instructions to kids and parents

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Hygiene/Nutrition Counseling

Do not put kids to sleep with milk or juice bottles or sippy cups. These drinks have sugar which if given at sleeping times can gradually cause large numbers of cavities.

Sugary snacks and drinks are appropriate to give your children from time to time but should be limited in their frequency that they are eaten/drank. By allowing a child to sip a glass of juice or eat a sugary snack all day it provides a constant source of sugar which can quickly cause tooth decay. By limiting intake to a few times daily the body naturally buffers the sugar with saliva.

The most important time of the day to brush is before bedtime. As we sleep, our body stops making saliva, which acts as a natural buffer to help prevent tooth decay. So brushing and flossing before bedtime helps remove plaque and bacteria that cause tooth decay for a night time of healthy mouth.

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Why is fluoride important?

Topical effect – When we gargle/rinse with fluoride, it strengthens the outside layer of teeth by incorporating fluoride into the enamel of the teeth.

Developmental effect – Fluoride is incorporated into developing teeth therefore making the teeth stronger and more resistant to decay. Fluoride is in most city drinking water, but if you drink well water your children will benefit from a fluoride supplement.

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What are sealants?

Sealants are preventative resin coating that are usually placed on the occlusal (chewing surface) of permanent molars as they erupt in children. Sealants prevent decay in tooth surfaces by sealing the deep grooves and crevices on the chewing surface of molars, which is the most likely surface for decay.

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Adult First Visit

  • Registration, including gathering necessary personal and insurance data.
  • Intra/extra-oral exam – all teeth soft tissue structures and holes fully examined
  • Intra-oral photos taken with a small camera taken as necessary to diagnose and to help explain treatment
  • Digital x-rays taken as necessary to diagnose decay/infections
  • Occlusion (the way the teeth fit together) will be assessed
  • Full giginal (gum) exam which determines general health and helps diagnose periodontal (gum) disease
  • Consultation with Dr. Penniall on diagnosed conditions and needs including time for your questions and answers
  • Fluoride given (when appropriate)
  • Oral Hygien instruction (proper brushing and flossing technique)
  • You will be given samples (such as toothbrush, floss, paste, or other oral hygiene tools) that may be helpful for your home care
  • In absence of periodontal disease (gum disease) teeth will be cleaned and polished

Dr. Penniall believes educating and explaining treatment options to each patient, using the latest techniques of intra-oral pictures and digital x-rays. Dr. Penniall can use the flat screen monitors at every chair to illustrate diagnoses and potential problems as well as discuss treatment options. Dr. Penniall believes that every patient is unique in their needs and wants – he doesn’t believe in dictating his treatment to you – but believes in educating and discussing problems with the patient and coming to an ideal treatment plan for each patient.

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Primary Location

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed