Following are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from
patients. Please take a few minutes to browse through them. If you don't find
the answer you are looking for, please feel free to call or e-mail us. We're
here to help you.
A healthy adult generally benefits from a professional cleaning and
checkup every six months. Brushing and flossing twice a day go a long way
toward maintaining good dental health, but regular checkups and professional
cleaning help
prevent the formation of plaque, which can harden into tartar and cause
gingivitis. Regular checkups are your ticket to good dental health!
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Good News! We are an UN-Restricted out of network provider. We can accept
almost all major insurance plans. Most dental patients belong to Restricted
in-network plans that sacrifice Quality for Discount Price. At SmileCenter
of Fayette, we will always provide The Best Dentistry Available according to
your Ability to Pay. We ask our patients to Upgrade the Quality of their
Dentisty as their Finances Permit. We call this philosopy in Values Based
Dentistry! Many of our patients have an Out of Network benefit that allows
them to seek quality care. In many cases, the benefit covers more services
like cosmetic dentistry, tooth colored fillings, tooth whitening unlike a
Restricted in-network plan. Our friendly, knowledgeable office team is more
than happy to discuss your coverage with you.
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We accept cash, personal checks and all major credit cards. We also
accept most insurance plans. Your insurance co-pay is due at the time of
your visit, but we also offer financing plans such as
Care Credit and Unicorn Financial. For more information, speak with our friendly,
knowledgeable office team at 903-753-0337. We'll be happy to assist you.
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Modern dentistry offers you a number of choices to help
whiten your smile. Dr. McCulloch will evaluate what will work best for
you based on the current color of your teeth and the cause of any
discoloration. Once you decide on the most appropriate method, you will
spend two to four weeks undergoing a series of simple whitening treatments.
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Bleeding gums can be caused by a number of factors, including improper,
rough "scrubbing" instead of gentle, circular brushing motions, using a
hard-bristled toothbrush instead of a soft one, plaque and/or tartar
build-up below the gum line, or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or
periodontal gum disease. If the bleeding persists despite proper brushing
and flossing or occurs every time you brush, contact our office for an
appointment to evaluate the problem.
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A little flossing goes a long way and is truly critical for your
oral health. Flossing removes food particles in tight spaces your brush
cannot reach, gets rid of plaque build-up and exercises your gums, all of
which are necessary to avoid gum disease. So, just think of daily flossing as the finishing touch
after brushing and as insurance for your smile's future.
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If you have an emergency after office hours, please contact our office voice mail and let us know the
nature of your condition. We will return your call as soon as possible, give
you helpful information over the phone and determine if you need to be seen
immediately.
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In order to maintain a well-run office, we ask all appointment
cancellations be made at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
This ensures you will avoid being billed for our time and preparation, and
allows us to work in other patients' emergency visits.
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Millions of people struggle with
halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily brushing. Here is a checklist of
procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily
flossing and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings, and careful
cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your
hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer several
solutions.
First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans
away bacterial build-up on your tongue and significantly alleviates odor.
Or, we can recommend a specially-prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to
actually break the odor-causing sulfur bonds causing bad breath. Finally, a
systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition
may be the cause. We may recommend a visit with your family physician to
identify the cause.
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Believe it or not, children should have their first dental visit about
six months after their primary teeth have erupted, or generally around their
first birthday. First of all, this provides the dental professional with an
opportunity to spot and prevent any potential dental problems and it also
gives your child a positive, non-threatening dental experience.
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Visit our links page for helpful and resourceful links related to various
dental procedures, or visit the
American Dental Association online.
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