Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss. Also, avoid frequent snacking or sipping on beverages other than water, unsweetened coffee, or tea. For early detection and prevention, schedule regular checkups at Maas Family Dental. We're one of the dental offices in Cedar Rapids, IA that residents recommend.

Periodontal or gum diseases such as gingivitis can affect your overall health. Regular dental cleanings remove plaque and calculus (tartar) accumulation from the teeth which leads to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a significant contributor to heart health, diabetes, respiratory disease, certain cancers, and Alzheimer's. At your regular dental visits, Maas Family Dental PC ensures your teeth and gums stay healthy for overall well-being. Schedule an appointment today with Maas Family Dental PC, one of the dental offices Cedar Rapids, IA and surrounding areas recommend for its care and compassion.

Within the first year of age, your newborn should have a dental visit. This is a quick appointment in which we apply fluoride and check the erupting teeth for any concerns. This will help them become accustomed to going to the dentist as well as make dental hygiene a normal practice throughout adolescence. Visit us today for family dental care in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Yes, they are safe. X-rays emit some radiation, but according to the American Dental Association (ADA), radiation exposure due to dental X-rays is minimal in comparison to both human-made and natural radiation sources. Dental X-rays are a useful diagnostic tool when helping Maas Family Dental PC detect damage and disease not visible during a regular dental exam, commonly, before you are even aware there is a problem. Cavities and periodontal disease (gum disease) have no symptoms in their early stages. It is not until they are more advanced that these diseases produce symptoms such as pain and sensitivity, at which point the cost of treatment becomes much more extensive. As one of the dental offices in Cedar Rapids, IA, we take your health and safety seriously.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in soil, water, and air that has been shown to prevent cavities and tooth decay. For the past several decades, fluoride has been added to community water supplies and oral care products such as toothpaste and oral rinses. Fluoride works by strengthening the tooth’s hard outer surface called enamel. At Maas Family Dental PC, we can apply a fluoride varnish which we paint on the teeth at your routine dental visits. Fluoride can prevent tooth decay across the lifespan; both children and adults benefit from it. Call us today for more information about our general dentistry in Cedar Rapids, IA.

When you’re looking for toothpaste, you’ll find that the brands make various claims. It can be overwhelming when you are trying to decide which is the best option for you. But here at Maas Family Dental PC, we can help simplify it for you. Most importantly, you want to look for a toothpaste with the American Dental Association stamp of approval and fluoride as an ingredient. Fluoride is very important in keeping the enamel, the hard outer shell of your tooth, strong and healthy. It is one of the best ways to prevent cavities along with frequent brushing and flossing.

Beyond that, it is a matter of personal preference and what makes your mouth feel the best. Tooth sensitivity is a very common problem and can be helped with a toothpaste tailored to that. Potassium nitrate and strontium chloride are two ingredients that may help sensitive teeth. Look for these when choosing a toothpaste to help desensitize your teeth. If this doesn't help, reach out to Maas Family Dental PC to discuss other options and potential causes of your sensitivity.

Do you have trouble with the tissues of your mouth being sore, frequent canker sores, or dry mouth? Dr. Maas recommends a toothpaste free of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). It is the foaming agent found in most toothpaste and can be helpful for washing off bacteria, plaque, and food particles from the teeth, but there is also some evidence it may contribute to tooth sensitivity and cause mouth ulcers for people with sensitive gums. If your teeth are already prone to sensitivity, you may be better off avoiding this ingredient.

If you have trouble with bleeding gums, gingivitis, or gum disease, a toothpaste that addresses these issues can be very helpful. They have antibacterial ingredients that can help control the inflammation in your gums. Along with these types of toothpaste, the best way to eliminate the harmful bacteria is through brushing, flossing, or using other interdental cleaners such as a water flosser or interdental picks.

Whitening toothpaste can help keep surface stains off your teeth and may brighten your smile a bit but the toothpaste is not in contact with the tooth surface long enough to achieve significant results. Long-term use of whitening toothpaste can make your teeth sensitive if you are prone to that. Here at Maas Family Dental PC, we can help you brighten your smile with our professional products. We're one of the dental offices Cedar Rapids, IA relies on, so you can call us with any questions you may have on the vast array of dental products out there.

Yes, Dr. Maas works with local oral surgeons for your implant needs. Dental implants are the most comfortable and permanent solution for restoring missing or failing teeth. They form a strong foundation for your replacement teeth and keep oral structures healthy and strong by stimulating the bone in your jaw just like natural teeth. Implants can support individual replacement teeth or secure specialized dentures to replace multiple teeth or even an entire arch of teeth. Unlike bridges, no healthy teeth are damaged to secure the restoration, and implants can last a lifetime if proper care is taken. Implant-supported replacement teeth are an extremely lifelike, stable, and comfortable solution for almost any patient. We're proud to offer the general dentistry Cedar Rapids, IA residents deserve.

When you visit Maas Family Dental PC for a check-up, the dental assistant will review your medical history. Please provide any updates on medication and changes in your health conditions. Let us know any problems or concerns you may be having. Any needed X-rays will then be taken. X-rays are generally taken on a yearly basis and when a tooth is giving you trouble.

Teeth are then flossed and polished to prepare for the dental hygienist to come in. The dental hygienist will review the information the assistant has collected, examine oral hard and soft tissues, and perform a periodontal exam (measuring the space between the tooth and the gum) if needed. This allows us to determine the health of the gum tissues. The hygienist will then clean your teeth using hand instruments called scalers to remove plaque and calculus (tartar). In some instances, they may also use an ultrasonic scaler, which vibrates and sprays a jet of water. Depending on your unique oral health needs, your dentist or hygienist may recommend other preventive services like dental sealants or fluoride treatments.

If you have back teeth (premolars or molars) with deep grooves or crevices, dental sealants can help protect these areas from harmful, cavity-causing bacteria. Fluoride treatments help strengthen your enamel and reduce your risk for cavities. Children and adults alike can benefit from sealants and fluoride treatments. Ask the staff at Maas Family Dental PC if these preventive treatments are right for you.

Dr. Maas will then be in to review all the findings from the assistant and dental hygienist. He will also perform a hard and soft tissue exam and determine what treatment needs you may have. We take pride in being one of the dental offices in Cedar Rapids, IA that treats the whole family with their dental needs.

According to Zippia, there are over 100,000 dentists currently employed in the United States. When choosing the right one for you, you’ll want to find a dental office that takes your insurance; has extensive knowledge and training; offers an honest, friendly, and compassionate environment; and will listen to all of your concerns. An office with a low turnover of staff creates a comforting environment. As a patient, you get to know the staff and they get to know you and your history to ensure you have a great experience. At Maas Family Dental, we have all worked together as a team for over 25 years providing high-quality family dental care in Cedar Rapids, IA. We're confident you'll be satisfied with us.

Purple toothpaste uses dental color-correcting technology similar to that of purple shampoo. Yellow and purple are complementary colors opposite each other on the color wheel. This means that when these colors are mixed, the purple toothpaste neutralizes the yellow color of the enamel, giving the appearance of whiter teeth. In contrast to traditional whitening toothpaste that uses mild abrasives and/or hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth, purple toothpaste leverages color theory to create a temporary illusion of brighter teeth.

If you want to brighten your smile quickly for a special occasion, using purple toothpaste can be a good solution. However, if you plan on using it on a daily basis, we highly recommend finding a brand that contains fluoride.

If your goal is to have whiter teeth, we suggest getting a professional whitening system. At Maas Family Dental PC, we offer several different systems to choose from depending on your goals. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have for a whiter, brighter smile. We are a reliable dentist office in Cedar Rapids, IA, and we are here to take care of your dental needs!