Dentistry is the treatment and prevention of disorders and diseases of a patient’s teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw. Properly performed dentistry is necessary for complete oral health and it has a significant impact on the health of a patient’s entire body.
A dentist is a specialist who has been trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health conditions and dental problems. Our doctors has completed many years of medical schooling in order to practice dentistry. After schooling, a dentist can receive either a DDS or DMD degree. DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery and DMD stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine. Some doctors specialize in pediatric dentistry as well, which means they work with children from infancy up through their teenage years. There are other specializations that a dentist may go to school for:
- Oral and maxillofacial (includes pathology, radiology, and surgery)
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- Endodontics (specialization in root canals)
- Periodontics (specialization in gum disease)
- Prosthodontics (specialization in dental implants)
Here at Union Hills Family Dental Care & Orthodontics, we know how busy life can be. Fitting a dental appointment into a busy schedule can feel like a hassle, but it’s worth it. Brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing daily will keep many oral health problems away; however, it’s not a complete guarantee. Scheduling regular cleanings at Union Hills Family Dental Care & Orthodontics is highly recommended to maintain proper oral hygiene and catch problems before they become costly and painful.
It’s very important to schedule regular cleanings here at Union Hills Family Dental Care & Orthodontics. Our doctors can make a recommendation on you how often you should be coming in to best suit your dental health needs. Not all dental problems have obvious symptoms at first. Not only can we identify problems before they become painful and expensive, we can also help to keep your smile looking fantastic. We know how important it is to feel comfortable with your smile. This is why we offer many treatments to help improve patient aesthetics.
At Union Hills Family Dental Care & Orthodontics, an appointment will include a full oral examination, oral cancer exam, professional X-rays to catch cavities, and a full cleaning by our amazing hygienists. Your cleaning will remove tartar, debris, and plaque from your mouth.
Our doctors will coordinate with your hygienist and recommend a treatment plan for any problems that are found. We’ll also recommend any aesthetic and cosmetic treatments to improve your smile. Please call our office at (623) 582-6789 to schedule an appointment or for any additional questions.
Professionals throughout the dental industry as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) agree that a child’s first dental appointment should happen as early as six months of age. This is when the first baby teeth usually begin to show. Our doctors will be able to assess the health of your child’s first few teeth and make recommendations for things like navigating teething periods, reducing the risk of decay, and good cleaning techniques.
Our doctors recommends at least every three months. If you’re using an electronic toothbrush, make sure to check the recommendation for the type of toothbrush because you may not have to change the head of the brush as often. Other factors like gum disease might require changing toothbrushes more often. Also, after brushing, it’s very important to wash and rinse your brush out with hot water, then store it upright somewhere it can dry between uses. This will kill germs and bacteria and keep your toothbrush clean.
Gum disease is also called periodontal disease. Plaque and bacteria build up continually in our mouths. When this buildup is not treated in the early stages, it can result in gum disease. Risk factors that increase susceptibility to gum disease include smoking or chewing tobacco, teeth grinding, certain medications, and genetics. Advanced forms of periodontal disease can cause permanent damage in the form of bone and tooth loss. Our doctors recommends brushing and flossing every day as well as scheduling regular dental appointments as the best way to fight gum disease. Some of the most common signs of periodontal disease are the following:
- Abscessed teeth
- Extreme tooth sensitivity
- Chronic bad breath
- Loose teeth and/or loss of teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Receding gumline
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call us as soon as possible. You can reach us at (623) 582-6789 or email us to schedule a consultation. Your dental health is our highest concern.
At Union Hills Family Dental Care & Orthodontics, we accept most insurance and PPO plans, but check with us to make sure yours is included. Call our office at (623) 582-6789 for more information about insurance. Make sure you have your insurance information handy when you call. Also, plan to pay your co-pay or deductible portion at the time of service.
For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, cashier’s checks, Visa, Master Card, AmEx, and Discover. We also accept payments via Paypal and Venmo. If none of these payment methods suits your needs, we also provide payment plans through our office or third-party financing through Care Credit. We also provide discounts for those able to pay in full at the time of service. If you have any more questions regarding payment methods, please give us a call at (623) 582-6789 and we’ll do our best to find the right solution for you.
If you’ve ever wondered why your dental team checks your blood pressure, you’re not alone. Even though we work on teeth and gums, your overall health plays a huge role in how safely we can treat you.
Taking your blood pressure is important because:
• It helps us establish a baseline so we know if you’re anxious or in distress during your appointment
• It provides essential information when we use numbing medications or sedation
• Many patients see their dentist more often than their doctor, so this simple check can catch early signs of heart or cardiovascular issues
• High blood pressure can change how your body responds to procedures, pain, or anxiety
If your number is a little high from nerves, we can slow down and help you relax. If it’s very high, we may need to pause treatment and recommend seeing your physician first to keep you safe.
We know paperwork isn’t anyone’s favorite part of a dental visit, but keeping everything updated is important for your safety, accurate billing, and compliance with dental regulations.
Here’s how it works at our office:
• Medical history is updated every 6 months. Medications, allergies, and health conditions can change and may affect your treatment.
• General information is updated once a year. This keeps your contact and demographic information up to date.
• If we update our forms or policies, we are legally required to have patients review and sign the new versions.
• We ask all patients to notify us of any insurance changes before their appointment. If updated insurance is not provided at the time of service, the patient may be responsible for payment.
Even if nothing has changed, we still need the forms completed so we have the most accurate and legally updated information on file. It only takes a moment, and it helps us take the best care of you.
To make things easier, we conveniently send our paperwork electronically so you can complete it ahead of time on your phone through a text link or by email. If you prefer, we also provide tablets in office, and our team is always happy to help.
We do ask that patients arrive 10 minutes early to complete any unfinished paperwork. If forms aren’t completed beforehand, it may cut into your reserved appointment time.
Keeping your information up to date helps us give you the smoothest and safest visit possible.
It might seem unrelated, but your medications have a big impact on your dental health and how we safely treat you. Even medications that seem minor can affect your gums, healing, anesthesia, or how your body responds during certain procedures.
Here’s why we always ask:
• Medications can affect bleeding. Blood thinners, aspirin, and certain heart medications can increase bleeding during cleanings or procedures.
• Some medications slow down healing. This matters for extractions, deep cleanings, and surgical treatments.
• Many medications cause dry mouth. Dry mouth increases cavity risk, gum issues, and tooth sensitivity.
• Some medications interact with anesthesia. We need to know what you’re taking to use the safest numbing medications and dosages.
• Autoimmune, diabetes, and mood medications can change your oral health. They can affect inflammation, gum response, and how your body reacts to dental infection.
• Even vitamins and supplements count. They can impact bleeding and healing, too.
Sharing your full list helps us customize your care and avoid any unwanted complications. Even if your medications haven’t changed, we still ask at every visit to make sure our records stay accurate and legally compliant.
Our goal is simple: keep you safe, keep you comfortable, and give you the best care possible.
This is a super common question. Lead aprons used to be required when older X-ray machines released higher and less-focused radiation. Modern technology has changed that completely.
With today’s digital X-rays, lead aprons are no longer required.
The ADA, FDA, and ACR all state that aprons are not necessary for routine dental X-rays because:
• Digital X-rays use extremely low radiation
• The beam is very focused and does not scatter to the rest of the body
• The thyroid and reproductive areas receive almost zero dose
• Aprons don’t add measurable protection with current systems
Our office uses up-to-date Nomad handheld units, which are designed to minimize scatter and deliver the safest imaging possible.
To keep your oral health on track:
• One full set of X-rays is typically taken once a year
• Bitewing X-rays are taken every 6 months to check for interproximal decay (cavities between the teeth that cannot be seen visually)
This schedule allows us to detect issues early, prevent larger problems, and make sure nothing is developing silently.
And if you prefer a lead apron, just let us know.
Even though it isn’t required for safety with modern equipment, your comfort always comes first. If wearing an apron helps you feel more at ease, we’re happy to provide one.
A deep cleaning (also called Scaling and Root Planing or SRP) is a treatment used to stop gum disease from getting worse. It’s different from a regular cleaning because it goes below the gumline to remove hardened plaque, bacteria, and buildup that you can’t reach with brushing or flossing.
Your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning if we find:
• Gum inflammation or bleeding
• Pockets forming between your gums and teeth
• Bone loss starting around the roots
• Tartar hidden below the gumline
• Signs of active gum infection
Once gum disease begins, it cannot be reversed with brushing or a regular cleaning. Deep cleaning removes the bacteria causing the infection and helps your gums heal so the disease doesn’t progress.
Most patients feel little to no discomfort because the area is numbed, and treatment is usually completed in two visits.
Keeping your gums healthy is the foundation of keeping your teeth healthy. Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss, bad breath, infection, and even affect your overall health.
After you’ve had a deep cleaning, you don’t go back to regular cleanings right away. Instead, you move into periodontal maintenance, which is a specialized visit to keep gum disease under control.
Here’s why:
• Gum disease is a chronic condition. It can be managed but not cured.
• Bacteria return faster in areas that previously had infection.
• Periodontal maintenance cleans deeper areas that a regular cleaning cannot reach.
• We monitor pocket depths, inflammation, bone levels, and healing at every visit.
• These visits help prevent the disease from progressing and protect the investment you made with your deep cleaning.
Periodontal maintenance is typically done every 3 to 4 months, depending on your gum health. Once your gums stay stable over time, your dentist may determine when or if you can return to a regular 6 month cleaning.
Think of it like this:
A regular cleaning is for healthy gums.
Periodontal maintenance is for managing gum disease and keeping it from coming back.
This is a super common question, and we totally understand why it might feel unnecessary. But an exam and X-rays are both required before a cleaning to make sure your treatment is safe, appropriate, and medically necessary.
Here’s why:
1. The dentist must determine what type of cleaning you need.
A regular cleaning isn’t always the right fit.
Some patients need:
• A regular preventive cleaning
• Periodontal maintenance
• Deep cleaning (SRP)
Only the dentist can legally diagnose this. X-rays are part of what helps make that diagnosis.
2. X-rays show what we can’t see visually.
We can’t see between teeth or under the gums without X-rays.
They help detect:
• Interproximal decay
• Bone loss
• Infections or abscesses
• Failing dental work
• Early gum disease
• Issues under existing restorations
Without X-rays, we cannot safely proceed with the correct type of cleaning.
3. An exam ensures it’s safe to clean your teeth.
If there is active gum infection, decay, loose teeth, or bone loss, a routine cleaning may not be safe.
The exam lets the dentist identify and prevent complications before they happen.
4. Dental insurance requires both an exam and X-rays.
Insurance companies classify cleanings as preventive care.
Most will not cover a cleaning without an exam and updated diagnostic X-rays.
Without them, the patient may be responsible for the full cost.
5. We don’t want to miss something important.
The exam allows the dentist to check:
• Cavities
• Oral cancer screening
• Bone health
• Gum health
• Infections
• Changes since your last visit
• Condition of existing dental work
Skipping this step means risking missed diagnoses — and we never want that for our patients.
Retainers keep your teeth from shifting, so taking good care of them is important. Clean your retainers daily using lukewarm water and a soft toothbrush, and avoid toothpaste since it can scratch the material. Never use hot water because it can warp the fit. A few times a week, soak them in a retainer-cleaning solution to keep them fresh and remove buildup.
When you’re not wearing them, always store them in their case — pets, pockets, and napkins are the most common ways retainers get lost or damaged. Keep them away from heat sources like cars or dryers, and never clean them with bleach, alcohol, mouthwash, or anything harsh.
Bring your retainers to your appointments so we can check the fit, and replace them if they become cracked, loose, or no longer feel snug. Wear them exactly as instructed, since retainers are a long-term habit to maintain your smile. If you lose them, call us right away so we can make a replacement before your teeth begin to shift.
A nightguard protects your teeth from grinding or clenching while you sleep, which can cause worn enamel, fractures, headaches, jaw pain, and sensitivity over time.
Wearing a nightguard creates a cushion between your teeth, relaxing your jaw muscles and preventing damage. To care for it, rinse and gently brush it with lukewarm water after each use, avoiding toothpaste since it can be abrasive. Let it air dry completely before storing it in its case to prevent bacteria or odors. Keep it away from heat, pets, and pockets, as nightguards can warp or get lost easily.
Once a week, soak it in a nonabrasive cleaner made for dental appliances to keep it fresh. Bring your nightguard to your dental visits so we can make sure it still fits properly, and replace it if it becomes cracked, loose, or no longer feels comfortable. A properly maintained nightguard can last years and is one of the best tools to protect your smile, jaw, and overall comfort.
Acrylic dentures need daily care to keep them clean, comfortable, and long lasting. Remove and rinse them after eating to wash away food particles, and brush them gently every day with a soft denture brush and a nonabrasive denture cleaner — never use toothpaste, as it can scratch the acrylic.
Soak your dentures overnight in a denture solution to keep them hydrated and maintain their shape. Be sure to clean your gums, tongue, and any natural teeth daily to prevent irritation or infection. Always handle your dentures over a soft towel or sink of water to avoid breaking them if they’re dropped. Keep them away from hot water or heat sources since acrylic can warp.
If your dentures feel loose, rub, or cause sore spots, call us so we can adjust them. With proper care, acrylic dentures can look natural and function comfortably for many years.
3D Printed Digital Dentures are strong, precise, and designed to restore both comfort and function, but they still need proper daily care to stay clean and long lasting.
Patients should rinse their dentures after every meal to remove food particles and brush them twice a day with a soft brush and a nonabrasive denture cleaner. Regular toothpaste and stiff brushes can scratch the surface and should be avoided.
Unlike traditional acrylic dentures, 3D printed dentures should not be soaked overnight — instead, they should be removed before bed, rinsed, and stored in a clean container.
Handle them carefully over a towel or water-filled sink to prevent damage if dropped, and keep them away from heat that can cause warping. Staying hydrated helps prevent dry mouth, which can cause irritation and increase bacteria. Patients should avoid very hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could damage the denture, especially as their mouth adjusts.
It’s important to see the dentist at least twice a year for checkups and professional cleanings, where we can check the fit, make adjustments, and look for signs of wear. Dentures typically need to be replaced every five to ten years depending on use and care, so reporting any discomfort or looseness early helps keep the smile comfortable and secure.