Finding a local dentist who can treat every member of your family is not an easy feat. In fact, the process can be anxiety-inducing. You know that regular visits to your dentist are the best way to protect your teeth and keep those unwanted dental problems at bay.
At the office of Daniel Sheridan DDS, we try to make this necessary precaution as fun as possible. We believe that “if you can’t have fun doing it, don’t do it.” This might sound like a stretch for a dental office, but we want to make sure your experience in our office is relaxing.
When you come in, you can rest assured that we will take the time to get to know you and what you need, specifically, to cater to your unique smile.
We’re here for you and your smile. Schedule an appointment with us today to join the family!
Visit Your Dentist Regularly for Optimum Oral Health
It’s important to protect your whole smile—from the teeth to their roots, and from the gums to your tongue. The best way to do this is through practiced daily oral care and keeping on top dental checkups.
We know a trip to the dentist is never on the top of your list. However, the best way to prevent costly and possibly painful procedures with your oral health is to prevent the problems from occurring in the first place.
We suggest coming to see your dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning as the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
However, if any more immediate tooth pains or dental problems arise, you should come to see us for those issues right away, just to make sure there aren’t any underlying factors.
Why Should You Choose Daniel Sheridan DDS?
We aim to create lasting smiles. Our dental practice is dedicated to providing you with quality care and service. We customize your experience to help you feel as comfortable as possible during your visit. You are our family and we want you to have the best experience possible.
We love changing your perception of dentistry. We aim to create a fun and friendly atmosphere with plenty of humor—not to mention our up-to-date treatments.
Dr. Sheridan makes sure to develop meaningful relationships with each of his patients. And if you couldn’t tell by now, he’s a jokester and a blast to spend time with! His top priority is to make sure you receive the most outstanding care possible.
Quality will always be #1 for us! Call Dr. Sheridan—our team is ready to help you create a lasting smile today!
Always Ask for Referrals
In our office, we do everything we can to eliminate the fear that is usually associated with the dentist’s office. But don’t just take our word for how much we care about your teeth—here are some of our reviews:
Your Regular Dental Exams: What To Expect
We promise to do our best to make sure you and your loved ones will feel entirely comfortable during the entire process. We will never be satisfied until you and your family are laughing in the dental chair. Here is what you can expect from a regular checkup with Daniel Sheridan DDS:
Dental Imaging: For each regular checkup, we’ll begin by taking digital x-rays and images of your teeth. These images will help us to see a better “picture” of what is really happening under the surface of your teeth.
Oral Health Exam: After we have the beautiful pictures of your teeth, we will give you a full examination of your teeth and gums—including a noninvasive oral cancer checkup.
Dental Cleaning: We will carefully clean all of your teeth and between all the spaces for a fresh feeling. We do this by removing any mineral buildup and then polishing your teeth to help get your teeth back to their natural sparkle. We will finish your visit with a fluoride treatment to improve the health of your teeth and prevent cavities or other dental decay.
Question and Answer: We want you to have a great time in our office, and we believe this includes being as informed as possible about your oral health. Your dental checkups are a great time for you to bring up any and all questions or concerns you may have had over the last six months. Feel free to ask us any question—big or small—and Dr. Sheridan can help give answers and suggestions he may have to help improve your oral health routine.
Recommendations: Before you go, we’ll discuss more recommended habits and send you away with anything you need to keep your teeth in the best shape possible.
We recognize that children need different attention and treatments than teenagers or adults. Our experienced team knows how to give each patient the unique dental care they need.
For example, children may benefit from:
- Opportunities to ask questions and get to know their dental staff.
- Gentle cleanings and exams.
- Education regarding at-home cleaning and care.
- Sealants to protect teeth from decay.
In addition to regular exams and cleanings, teen and adult patients might need:
- Dental crowns.
- Porcelain veneers.
- Tooth whitening.
- Dental implants.
- Oral cancer screenings.
If you have any questions or concerns about any procedures or recommendations we give you, always feel free to ask anyone on our team. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible here.
Common General Dentistry Issues We Treat
Plaque and Tartar
Everyone has dental plaque. A thin film forms on your teeth when you eat, formed from a combination of the bacteria in your mouth and the contents of your food. Although brushing and flossing can get rid of most of this buildup, if you don’t remove the plaque all the way, it will harden into tartar—which can only be removed with professional dental tools.
Tartar, or untreated plaque buildup, can lead to more severe dental problems such as gingivitis (gum disease) and dental decay (cavities). Plaque can also gather under your gums and attach to the roots of your teeth leading to the breakdown of the bones that support your teeth, leading to adult tooth loss.
Though you can’t avoid dental plaque on a daily basis, you can minimize the problem by having a good daily brushing and flossing routine. Then treat those hard-to-reach areas by seeing our team for your regular checkup and dental cleaning.
Cavities
You’ve likely had a cavity before, but do you really understand what it is? Dental cavities are small holes of dental decay in your teeth that form when acid in your mouth erodes the enamel on your teeth.
Cavities can often be a source of toothache—but that is not the only thing you need to worry about. Cavities, or any amount of tooth decay, can affect all layers of a tooth. Your tooth has 3 main layers, and decay can progress quickly from the outer hard layer through to the innermost layer which contains the nerve endings and blood supply—in other words, the really sensitive part of your tooth.
People of all ages can and do get cavities. Watch for the following signs in your teeth: toothache, bad breath, bleeding gums, or redness around or inside your mouth. These symptoms may mean you have a cavity.
Fillings
To fix a cavity and make sure that the dental decay doesn’t get worse or even spread to other teeth, you will most likely need a filling.
To get a filling, first, Dr. Sheridan will clean out any bacteria that is contributing to the decay. Then, he’ll smooth out the hole left by the cavity so the filling will adhere securely to your tooth.
The filling will be made out of a dental resin or ceramic mixture that will then be fitted inside your cavity and shaped down to fit your tooth. We use white filling material so they match the color of your teeth. Getting your tooth fixed will prevent bacteria or plaque from building up inside cavities, which could lead to serious infections. Fillings also help to reinforce the strength of your tooth so you don’t have to worry about any further infections or chipping and cracking.
Gingivitis / Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis, also known as gum disase or periodontal disease, is an inflammation of your gums. Most people deal with gum disease at some point in their lives—if your gums have ever bled after brushing or flossing, that is one of the first signs of gum disease. However, while the mild symptoms make it easy to ignore and to treat, gingivitis can lead to bigger problems.
One of those bigger problems is an advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis. When gum disease is left untreated for too long, it develops into periodontitis. Periodontitis goes deeper into your gums, making them pull away from your teeth which can cause your adult teeth become loose or even fall out.
Stop gum disease before it becomes a big problem! Look for the following signs that you have gingivitis:
- Irritated gums that bleed during tooth brushing.
- Chronic bad breath.
- Receding gums.
The earlier you get it treated, the easier it will be to recover from gum disease. We may be able to stop its progression with a simple deep cleaning procedure; in later stages, we may need to give you an antibiotic to take as well.
Toothaches
Toothaches are not fun, and—to make problems worse—they can be caused by many things.
- Food stuck between teeth.
- Bacterial infection.
- Damaged filling.
- Broken tooth.
- Tooth decay.
- Abscessed tooth.
You can help relieve the pain of these problems at home with an ice pack or some ibuprofen, but that won’t be enough to fully treat the source of your toothache. Here at Orange Door Dental Group, we can help treat all sorts of toothaches, no matter the cause.
Our dental team will do a physical exam to help locate the cause of your toothache. Then we can treat the problem by giving you a cleaning, a dental filling, or even a new crown.
Mouth Sores
Mouth sores are things that affect the tissues of your mouth, such as your gums, soft and hard palates, and your tongue. Like most dental afflictions, mouth sores can be a result of many common causes, including the following:
- Stress.
- Tobacco product use.
- Irritation from orthodontics.
- Burning your mouth on hot food.
- Hormone changes.
- Brushing your teeth too hard or with a hard-bristled toothbrush.
- Herpes virus (resulting in canker and cold sores).
Most mouth sores should clear up on their own, however, if they remain persistent for more than a week, there could be something more serious that should be addressed by Dr. Sheridan.
General Dentistry FAQs
What’s the best routine for good oral health?
The “best” option will be differnt for everyone depning on age, diet, health history, and even occupation. However, there are some aspects of a good oral health routine that will help any smile. These things include daily care, routine professional checkups and cleanings, and a healthy diet.
Here’s a basic routine to help keep your smile sparkling:
- Brush: This should be a good 2-minute brush twice a day—try to focus on each quadrant of your mouth for about 30 seconds each. For best results, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your tooth’s surface and wait at least an hour after eating before brushing your teeth.
- Floss: You should floss between your teeth at least once a day. For best results, floss right before bed so your teeth are nice and clean while you sleep. Use about a foot and a half of floss to make sure you have a clean section for each tooth, and use a gentle scooping motion around each tooth rather than harshly pulling the floss straight up and down.
- Rinse: After brushing and flossing, rinse with a good mouthwash or fluoride. Pour a capful and swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. This step helps to further protect your teeth from bacteria between brushing—and it also makes your breath smell pretty great.
- Regular Checkups: Even the best home toothbrushes can’t get all the plaque off like professional dental brushes can. Make sure to see your local dentist for professional checkups and cleanings about every six months.
What dental problems should I ask my dentist about?
Keeping up with your oral health routine and seeing Dr. Sheridan for general dentistry checkups should prevent many, if not most, serious dental issues from occuring. However, you should call our office for a consultation if you experience any of the following:
- Severe bleeding gums when you brush or floss.
- A consistent toothache that doesn’t get better with pain relievers.
- Red, tender, or swollen gums.
- Loose permanent teeth.
- Receding gums
- Teeth or jaw hurting when chewing.
- Persistent bad breath, despite brushing.
- Heightened sensitivity to hot and cold.
Come see us if any of these problems or any other issue in your mouth is causing you pain or discomfort. We want your mouth to be healthy so you can show off your smile!
When should you seek help for bad breath?
Everyone experiences bad breath occasionally, but if your problem isn’t going away despite regular brushing and mouthwash use—no matter how many mints you use—call our office. Persistent bad breath could be a sign of a more serious condition.
- Gum disease.
- Dry mouth.
- Sleep apnea.
- Other medical conditions.
Dr. Sheridan can help determine the cause of your bad breath and give you ways to treat it so you won’t feel embarrassed to talk to people anymore!
Start Creating Your Lasting Smile in Saginaw
You deserve to have that dream smile and we can help you get it! Schedule an appointment with Daniel Sheridan DDS in Saginaw today to get started on the road to better oral health in a fun-filled environment.
