The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.

One of our staff members will compile your medical and dental history during your first visit. We will then examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer,take X-rays of your teeth as needed, and complete a TMJ (temporomandibular or jaw joint) exam. After we review your dental profile, we will discuss a diagnosis with you. If treatment such as a root canal (endodontics), braces (orthodontics) or oral surgery is needed, we will plan to treat you in our office or refer you to a specialist. We will discuss your options for treatment and fee payment and help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.

Please call our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you in to our schedule if you have an emergency during regular business hours. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office for the doctor’s emergency contact number.

Tooth sensitivity is a common problem that affects millions of people. Basically, tooth sensitivity means experiencing pain or discomfort to your teeth from sweets, cold air, hot and cold drinks or ice cream. Some people with sensitive teeth even experience discomfort from brushing and flossing. The good news is that sensitive teeth can be treated.

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be downright embarrassing. According to dental studies, about 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition that is to blame. Gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, dry mouth and bacteria on the tongue are some of the dental problems that can cause bad breath. Using mouthwash to cover up bad breath when a dental problem is present will only mask the odor and not cure it. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, visit your dentist to rule out any of these problems.

For overnight bleaching, we make an impression of your teeth and create a mouthguard that fits your bite. Each day you fill the mouthguard with a small amount of bleaching gel and wear it overnight, or for a few hours during the day. The overnight bleaching process takes approximately two weeks. Other over-the-counter daily bleaching products are available, but it is important to use any bleaching product only under the supervision of a dentist. To achieve the whitening results you desire, the ADA recommends that you seek the professional advice of a dentist, including examination and diagnosis of the cause of tooth discoloration, before you begin any bleaching program.

No. While most teeth which have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal.

Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually and permanently attached to the fronts of your existing teeth. Bonding utilizes a composite material made of plastic to fill in areas of your teeth and correct chipping and shape problems. Both porcelain veneers and bonding are color-matched to the rest of your teeth.

The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums. Tooth brushes with a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums.

Generally, no. However, it's advisable to use a fluoride containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride.

These are restorations to repair a severely broken tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and all decay. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, composites, or even stainless steel. Dentists refer to all of these restorations as "crowns". However, patients often refer to the tooth-colored ones as "caps" and the gold or stainless steel ones as "crowns".

Both bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth. A bridge is permanently attached to abutment teeth or, in some cases, implants. A partial denture is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily removed by the patient. Patients are usually more satisfied with bridges than with partial dentures.

Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy.

Absolutely. Teeth whitening techniques and materials have come a long way. Modern teeth whitening uses safe and effective bleaching gel to melt away stains and discolorations. We offer tooth whitening or "tooth bleaching". Teeth whitening can be performed to reduce discoloration and staining, or simply to provide you with whiter, brighter teeth. Whiter teeth tend to help minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles, giving way to a more youthful and energetic appearance.

It is certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. However, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough, 'scrubbing' instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque or tarter build-up below the gum line; or something more serious like gingivitis or periodontal disease (gum disease). Gum disease can cause loose teeth, inflamed gums, and eventually tooth loss. Regular cleanings and maintenance is an important step in stopping gingivitis and gum disease. Your dentist and hygienist are a key part of limiting this disease from progressing.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and other dental organizations recommend that your children first visit the dentist around one year of age. At Dr. Taylor's, we can check on the development of your child's teeth and look for signs of problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, gum disease and thumb sucking.

We offer a variety of options to aid in improving one's smile including Invisalign®, or "invisible braces." These come in a series of trays that work to align your teeth without unsightly metal brackets. You can insert and remove the trays manually, and no one knows that you are wearing braces. They are virtually invisible. We also offer Veneers that cover the existing teeth. These veneers are bonded in place and can offer wonderful esthetics to create a beautiful smile.

The average patient will not know if they have sustained a jaw joint or TMJ injury in an accident. This is because a wide range of different pain symptoms that occur can be confusing. The only way to determine if you have sustained an injury to your TMJ is to have a complete evaluation. The most common symptoms related to a TMJ injury or disorder are pain in front of the ears, clicking noises in the jaw hinge joints, headaches at the sides of the head and pain in the back of the neck. If you have any of these symptoms, call us today for an appointment.