An average healthy adult typically benefits from a professional cleaning and checkup every six months. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, you may require more frequent checkups. We send out postcards, or use phone calls to remind you about scheduling your next visit. Even though daily brushing and flossing help in maintaining a healthy mouth, it’s important to come in for regular checkups and cleanings to guard against tooth decay and gum disease.
Bleeding gums after brushing may alarm you. However, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by improper, rough, ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.
Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily teeth 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 that cause bad breath. Finally, we may also suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition, in which case we may recommend a visit with your family physician or specialist to identify the cause.
A little regular flossing goes a long way, and is truly critical for your overall oral health. It loosens food particles in tight spaces your toothbrush cannot reach; it gets rid of plaque build-up toothbrushes alone cannot remove; and it exercises your gum tissues. All of which is necessary to avoid gum disease. So, think of daily flossing as the finishing touch after brushing - insurance for your smile's future.
There are convenient, safe, and effective at-home whitening products that can brighten up your smile. The doctors will evaluate the potential for whitening your teeth based on their current color and the causes of any discoloration. You will probably spend anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks undergoing a series of simple whitening treatments.
We like to see children by age 2 ½ to 3, or whenever all of their primary teeth have come in. We call this first visit the “Happy Visit.” To make your child feel at home, we take them on a little tour of the office, count their teeth, and then conclude with an examination by both the hygienist and the doctors.
Yes. Often an abscess may feel like a bump. It may not be causing you pain but that’s only because the infection caused by bacteria (which in turn caused the abscess) has already damaged the nerves that would normally signal pain. The bottom line is that an abscess in this location is an infection that is close to your head or your heart - and that is not good.
In case of a true dental emergency, please contact our office phone number (330) 484-6401. You will be given a phone number for either Dr. Cook, Dr. Rotolo, or Dr. Earich. We’ll give you helpful information over the phone, and then determine if you need to be seen immediately.
If there is no imminent medical emergency such as uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness or other bodily injury, please contact us immediately to see Dr. Cook, Dr. Rotolo, or Dr. Earich. You can describe the situation over the phone, and our office staff will help you determine the safest and most appropriate plan of action.
When a temporary crown falls off or breaks, call us immediately so we can schedule an appointment to evaluate the situation. If it is after hours, contact us by calling the office number (330) 484-6401 and we will provide you with information to alleviate the problem.
We are happy to accept referrals from other dental offices. Many of our patients also refer us to their family and friends. Your referrals are our best compliments!
We know deciphering insurance benefits can be confusing. We are happy to help with insurance concerns and will file the necessary paperwork for you.
We feel that your insurance should never dictate the quality or timing of your treatment. If you have extensive or long term dental care, our office offers financial assistance through Care Credit. If you have any questions, call (330) 484-6401 for assistance!
Our office accepts cash, check, and credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, and Discover. As a service to our patients, we offer reasonable financing options to pay for more extensive work. We are pleased to provide no interest payment plans through Care Credit. These options allow you to finance 100% of your dental care with no upfront costs, annual fees, or pre-payment penalties. During your consultation, we'll discuss your payment preferences as they pertain to your particular treatment plan options. If you have any questions, please feel free to call (330)484-6401 for assistance!
Our team is well trained in state-of-the-art sterilization techniques designed to ensure patient safety. In addition to wearing gloves and facemasks to prevent passing germs, we use a specialized sterilization center and a water filtration system that guarantees a fresh water source for each patient. We also only use digital x-rays which means you experience up to 90% less radiation. Additionally, our office is 100% compliant with the federal Health Information Protection Act (HIPA), which is part of the Right to Privacy Act. Under this law, all of your medical information is kept completely confidential at all times.
When the jaw joints are out of alignment, you may experience clicking and popping when you open and close your mouth. Jaw joints are clinically referred to as temporomandibular joints, and when they do not function properly, the condition is known as TMJ dysfunction. Patients experience a myriad of problems, from chronic headaches, migraines, and earaches to face, head, shoulder, and neck pain. Oral function may also be inhibited, and patients with TMJ dysfunction tend to grind their teeth. Fortunately, the condition can be corrected, in most cases, with a simple oral appliance called a nightguard. As another option, the dentist can rebuild worn teeth to correct the occlusion (how upper and lower teeth fit together) and reposition the jaw joints. Sometimes stress-relieving exercises or habit changes are beneficial as well.
While we are trained and equipped to handle many dental issues in our office, when a specialist would better serve you we'll refer you to the appropriate office. Some dental specialists include oral surgeons, periodontists (supporting structures), endodontists (internal tooth problems), orthodontists (for moving teeth), and pedodontists (for children). We refer our patients only to trusted professionals with whom we have a strong rapport.