Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting the dentist for check-ups twice a year is crucial for most patients. We can find early signs of issues and prevent them from getting worse, and you get plaque removed from your teeth that you may not be able to get yourself.

Daily flossing is the only way to get between teeth and remove build-up at home. Along with brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing must be in your daily oral hygiene routine to ensure the best care for your mouth.

Outside of your twice-a-year check-ups with us, here are some signs you may need to visit the dentist:

• Jaw pain

• Sensitive gums or teeth

• Broken teeth

• Swollen gums or face

• Mouth sores

The sooner you get your mouth looked at, the better. We can fix any serious issues you may have while preventing other problems from worsening.

While you can get whitening products from the store, you can also get gels and trays from us. However, procedures and professional whitening are recommended to be performed at a dental office.

Keeping up with daily dental care of flossing and brushing your teeth goes a long way in preventing a cavity from forming. Regular check-ups and your diet have an impact too. Make sure to eat a diet that minimizes the sugar you consume and acidic beverages like soda.

Some dental problems produce no symptoms!  This is why it is essential to stay on top of seeing a dentist regularly to ensure that more significant problems with your mouth don’t occur.”

Dental radiographs (X-rays) are necessary to see between your teeth, which is a common site for tooth decay.  They also allow us to see the roots of your teeth and the surrounding structures and detect problems or diseases that are not visible with the naked eye.

Our office follows the ALARA concept: As Low As Reasonably Achievable.  This means we take specific types of X-rays when necessary and at intervals which provide the best diagnostic value while also keeping exposure to a minimum.

We use state-of-the-art digital radiography, which reduces your exposure to X-rays by about 70% compared to film-type radiographs.  

Our Patient Education link under the Patient Portal is a good place to start!

You can start by filling out the necessary paperwork ahead of time.  New patient forms can be found in our Patient Portal/New Patients link.  If you have recent X-rays from your previous dentist, please contact him/her and ask that office to forward them to ours.  

Call ahead and let our staff know if you have any concerns or specific requirements before visiting.

We’ll start by taking the necessary X-rays and follow with a thorough examination of your entire mouth.  Dr. Cielinski will then discuss the findings and try to work with you to come up with a useful and comprehensive treatment with your goals in mind.