Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

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When you go to the dentist in Gilbert, AZ, you may get dental X-rays. The professionals at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry use dental X-rays to catch dental problems that the dentist can’t see during your examination. Dental X-rays are a part of standard dental care.

Many patients have questions about dental X-rays, including questions about their safety and why they’re important. In this article, we’ll help answer those questions, so you can feel safe and comfortable while getting x-rays during dental examinations.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

Dental X-rays are considered safe for patients. Although X-rays emit a small amount of radiation, that amount is comparable to the amount of radiation you might absorb from certain building materials or your cell phone.

To help ensure that your dental X-rays are safe, your dentist will cover you with a lead apron while giving you the X-ray. In addition, your dentist will likely not give you an X-ray every time you come into the office. Most people only need X-rays once per year.

What Are the Benefits of Dental X-Rays?

Dental X-rays help your dentist catch problems like cavities between teeth, infections deep down in the tooth, and wisdom teeth coming in the wrong way. Dental X-rays help dentists diagnose problems and choose the appropriate treatment for those problems. Without an x-ray, your dentist may not be able to catch some dental problems until they become far worse.

Do you have concerns about the safety of dental x-rays in Gilbert, AZ? Do you need to know more about why dental X-rays are important? Ask your dentist at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry during your next dental appointment. Call today to get your next visit on the schedule.

4 Reasons to Bring the Whole Brood to A Family Dentist

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When you’re choosing a dental provider, selecting a family dentist in Gilbert, AZ can improve your dental experience. Family dentists have many benefits over other types of dentists.

If you’ve never been to a family dentist before, it’s helpful to understand the benefits. Below, we’ve listed the many advantages of taking your family to a family dental practice.

1. Family Dentists Serve Patients of All Ages

Family dentists service patients of all ages, from the very young to the very old. If you bring your young children to a family dentist, they can continue to visit that dentist into their old age if they wish. This enables your children to develop a life-long relationship with a dental provider they trust.

2. Taking Everyone to One Dentist Is Convenient

It’s easy to take everyone in the family to the same dentist. When you visit the dentist regularly, it’s easier to remember their location, what their waiting room looks like, and what to expect during the appointment. This information can help you plan your dental visits to make them go smoothly.

3. The More You Visit the Dentist, the More You’ll Trust Your Dental Provider

It’s important to have trust in your dental provider. When you bring your kids to the same dentist you visit, there are many opportunities to develop trust in that dental provider.

4. Family Dentists Offer a Range of Services

Family dentists offer most of the dental services that people need throughout their lifetime. This means you can get most or all of your dental needs addressed by the dental provider that you’re already comfortable with.

Ready to schedule a dental exam in Gilbert, AZ? Call Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry today.

4 Dangers of Losing a Natural Tooth

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When you lose a natural tooth, it’s traumatizing. No one wants to lose a permanent tooth, even thoughdental implants in Gilbert, AZ, are available at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry. But if you do lose a natural tooth, it’s imperative that you act quickly to avoid additional problems. Losing a natural tooth isn’t just a cosmetic issue. The loss can increase even if you don’t visit your dentist immediately. Here are four dangers to be aware of:

1. Bone Loss

When a tooth is missing, there is no pressure on the bone immediately above the gap. Without that pressure, the bone will atrophy, decreasing bone density and volume. This condition can even change the structure and appearance of your face. This complicates any future plans for a dental implant, too.

2. Shifting of Teeth

Each tooth is a placeholder in addition to its other functions. Without that placeholder, the other teeth will begin to shift. Over time, this can lead to a larger misalignment of the teeth and can even cause TMJ to develop.

3. Speech Impairments

The loss of certain teeth—particularly the front teeth—can cause speech impairments, such as lisps. It can also affect the ability to sing, whistle, and make other common sounds.

4. Increased Risk of Infections

Gaps caused by losing a natural tooth can act like traps for food particles and bacteria, increasing the risk of oral infections, gum disease, and tooth decay in adjacent teeth. Periodontal disease, which is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic health issues, can also be exacerbated by tooth loss.

If you’ve lost a natural tooth or have a permanent tooth in danger of falling out, please visit yourGilbert, AZ, dentist as soon as possible for treatment.

What to Expect At Your Baby’s First Dental Appointment

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Your child will likely start growing their first teeth by the time they turn one year old. When they do, it’s important to bring your child to the dentist for the first time. Getting early dental care is important because it can help thedentist in Gilbert, AZ, identify any dental problems your child may have. If your child needs intervention or treatment, then they’ll get that dental care they need.

Bringing your baby to the dentist for the first time can be a great experience, but it helps to know more about what to expect during the appointment. At Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, we help patients have a good experience when they bring their child to the dentist for the first time. Here’s what you need to know.

Examination

During your baby’s first dental examination, the dentist will look inside their mouth to see that everything is developing normally. They’ll inspect your child’s teeth, but it won’t take very long. The examination will not take as long as the dental examinations you experience when you go to the dentist because your baby will not have the same kind of tolerance that you do.

Talk With the Dentist

The dentist will invite you to ask any questions that you may have about taking care of your baby’s teeth. Your baby will need you to brush their teeth for them. Brushing a baby’s teeth differs from brushing your own, so the dentist may need to advise you on how this is done.

Ready to Bring Your Baby to the Dentist? Call Today

At Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, we help children maintain healthy teeth and gums from an early age. To bring your child for adental examination in Gilbert, AZ, call today to make an appointment.

3 Steps to a Better Smile

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We live in a time when you have lots of options for improving your smile. Your dentist in Gilbert, AZ can help you have a better smile in a very short time, so there’s no reason for you to put it off any longer. Here is your path of three steps to a better smile.

Step 1: Consultation and Assessment

A consultation and assessment is needed in order for your dentist to ascertain a baseline. This is when you can tell your dentist what your goals are. Then you and the dentist can discuss your various options, depending upon your current oral health situation. You’ll also be able to get an idea of how long it will take to achieve the smile you desire.

Step 2: Choose Your Cosmetic Services

There are many cosmetic dentistry services in Gilbert, AZ for you to choose from. They include:

Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening can lighten your teeth by several shades in just one session, offering immediate and long-lasting results. This is a great way to kick off your smile transformation, letting you see firsthand just how great the benefits can be.

Porcelain Veneers

Custom-made porcelain shells are crafted to mimic the natural appearance of your teeth, providing a lifelike and long-lasting transformation. Only a handful of dental visits are needed to get veneers.

Dental Crowns

Made from porcelain, ceramic, or even gold, dental crowns are designed to encase the entire visible portion of a tooth, improving its shape, size, and color. Crowns are especially useful for teeth that are too discolored for whitening or too damaged for veneers.

Dental Bridges

Unlike removable dentures, bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that are anchored to adjacent teeth. They fill the gap left by missing teeth, restoring both function and appearance.

Step 3: Contact Us!

Contact your dentist in Gilbert, AZ today to learn about all the possibilities for improving your smile. We look forward to hearing from you!