Comprehensive Dental Care for All Ages
At Red Rock Dental, we provide personalized, high-quality dental care for patients of all ages—from toddlers to seniors. Our goal is to help your entire family achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful smiles with preventive, restorative, and cosmetic treatments tailored to your needs.
What Is Family Dentistry?
Family dentistry is a branch of dental care that focuses on providing comprehensive oral health services to patients of all ages within a family unit. Unlike general dentistry, which may cater to specific age groups, family dentistry addresses the unique dental needs of children, adolescents, adults, and seniors under one roof.
This specialized field encompasses a wide range of services, including preventive care, routine check-ups, cleanings, fillings, orthodontics, and more complex procedures like root canals or oral surgeries. Family dentists are trained to handle the evolving dental needs of patients as they progress through different life stages, ensuring continuity of care and fostering long-term relationships.
Cleanings & Exams
Routine cleanings and exams help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. Our hygienists thoroughly remove plaque and tartar, while our dentists assess overall oral health and provide personalized recommendations.
The Benefits of Having a Family Dentist
CONVENIENCE & CONSISTENCY
With a single trusted provider for your whole family, you can streamline visits and reduce the hassle of managing different dental offices.
COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR ALL AGES
From infants to seniors, our team provides treatments that adapt to changing oral health needs throughout life.
BUILDING TRUST & REDUCING ANXIETY
Familiarity with a trusted dentist and friendly team helps ease dental anxiety—especially for children—making visits stress-free and comfortable.
The Dental Cleaning Treatment Process
INITIAL EXAMINATION
The dental cleaning process begins with a thorough examination of your oral health. Your dentist or hygienist will visually inspect your teeth, gums, and oral tissues for signs of decay, gum disease, or other concerns. If necessary, X-rays may be taken to get a more comprehensive view of your dental structures. This step allows us to identify potential issues early and tailor your treatment accordingly. It’s also an opportunity for you to discuss any concerns or symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
PLAQUE & TARTAR REMOVAL
After the examination, the hygienist will begin removing plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and gum line using specialized tools. While plaque can be removed at home with brushing and flossing, tartar (hardened plaque) can only be removed by a professional. This step is crucial in preventing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
POLISHING & FLUORIDE TREATMENT
Once your teeth are clean, the hygienist will polish them with a gritty toothpaste-like substance to remove surface stains and leave them feeling smooth. Finally, a fluoride treatment may be applied to strengthen enamel and protect against decay. Fluoride is typically left on for a short period to allow for absorption, and you may be advised to avoid eating or drinking for a brief time afterward. This final step helps reinforce your teeth’s natural defenses and keeps your smile healthy.
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Why do I need antibiotics?Periodontal disease forms when there is inflammation in the gums. This inflammation can lead to infection caused by an abundance of harmful oral bacteria. Your dentist may prescribe you antibiotics to help kill and control this harmful bacteria, allowing your gums to heal. If you are prescribed antibiotics to help control your periodontal disease, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions to a tee to ensure the harmful bacteria is eradicated. If you fail to complete the full prescription of antibiotics, the bacteria could become resistant to subsequent treatments with the medication.
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What causes gum disease?Gum disease is caused by large quantities of bacteria flourishing in the mouth. This can be caused by poor oral hygiene. Failing to brush and floss properly allows the bacteria that are present in your mouth to reproduce and form plaque and tartar between your teeth and your gums. Over time, these bacteria begin to attack and infect your gum tissue. Over time, this infection can result in permanent, irreversible damage to your oral health unless you seek out proper treatment. Some patients are also genetically predisposed to developing gum disease. This is why it is important to discuss with your doctor if there is a history of gum disease in your family. You and your doctor will work together to employ the best at-home care and in-office treatments to protect against it.
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What are the stages of gum disease?Gum disease is commonly split into three different stages. The first stage is called gingivitis. In this stage, there is usually no permanent damage to your teeth or gums yet. This means your dentist will likely be able to reverse and eliminate gum disease with proper care. Common symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding when brushing, inflamed and discolored gums, and chronic bad breath. If left to worsen, gingivitis will advance to the second stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis. This stage of gum disease is unfortunately not reversible, but can be controlled with proper intervention. Symptoms of periodontitis usually include gum recession, increased sensitivity or sore teeth and gums, excessive gum bleeding, and very swollen or puffy gums. The final stage is advanced periodontitis. In this stage, permanent damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw bone occurs. Common symptoms include pus forming between the teeth and gums, shifting of the teeth, changes in your bite, or the loosening of one or more teeth. Surgical intervention is usually necessary to treat advanced periodontitis. In very severe cases, your teeth may even need to be extracted and replaced with a dental prosthetic like dentures or dental implants.
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Is gum disease contagious?No, gum disease is not contagious. This is because it is caused by bacteria that are already present in all of our mouths. In a healthy mouth, these bacteria are not found in a high enough quantity to cause gum disease. These bacteria become an issue when they are left to reproduce and grow uncontrollably. Gum disease occurs when poor oral hygiene allows bacteria to reproduce, or if a patient is genetically predisposed to gum disease.
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What is sedation used for in dentistry?For most cases, sedation is used to treat dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is extremely common for patients of all ages and can keep people from getting the care they need. If you are anxious or nervous about coming to the dentist, sedation can help you feel more safe and comfortable. Sedation also minimizes pain and discomfort during more invasive procedures, such as tooth extractions and dental implant placements. It also helps you feel more comfortable if you require multiple dental procedures and need to sit still for several hours during treatment.
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Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?If you are healthy, do not have a history of drug abuse, and are not taking any medications that may interfere with the sedation process, you should be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Reach out to our team to learn more about your options.
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Is sedation dentistry safe?Absolutely. Our team is qualified and experienced in providing all methods of sedation dentistry. While deeper methods of sedation like oral conscious sedation and IV sedation have more prolonged side effects compared to laughing gas, they are still very safe, and they have no serious risks to your health or well-being if you are a good candidate for sedation.
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What does sedation dentistry feel like?Each sedation option feels a little different, so it depends on the method you choose. Laughing gas will make you feel light-headed, giggly, and relaxed, but you will be fully conscious and aware of your surroundings. You will also feel less discomfort during treatment. On the other hand, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation will usually make you feel groggy and “out of it”. You’ll probably fall asleep and forget most of your procedure. However, you will not be unconscious, and you can still be woken and respond to commands. General anesthesia is the deepest level of sedation. You will be completely unconscious and will not feel anything or remember anything from your procedure.