Frequently Asked Dental Questions

At Teuscher Legacy Dental in St Charles, IL, we always take extra time to answer your dental questions about cosmetic dentistry, family care, insurance, and oral health. We want to help you understand and think through your options. We are never pushy or try to “sell” dental care. We value your trust! Some of the most common questions we hear are answered below.

Teuscher Legacy Dental Answers Your Questions

Does Teuscher Legacy Dental have a pediatric dentist?

 

All of our dentists and hygienists love working with people of every age! We usually invite our youngest patients’ parents to bring their child along to a parent’s dental visit so the child can meet the staff, “ride up and down in the chair”, and allow us to simply and quickly look in their mouth. This positive first experience of pediatric dentistry goes a long way toward helping our young patients get excited for when it’s their turn to see us! Parents can help tremendously by talking easily and honestly about their own dental visits - and being a patient of the family dentists at Teuscher Legacy Dental makes it easy for you to be positive about your experience! 

Parents often have questions about the dental health of their children, and we are always happy to answer them. Parents can check our blog to find many answers to questions about baby teeth.

 

What areas does Teuscher Legacy Dental service?

 

We have patients from Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, South Elgin, Sugar Grove, Elburn, Sycamore, and from all over Kane County, DuPage County, Dekalb County and beyond! We are experienced in a wide range of dental services from simple fillings to advanced cosmetic dental reconstructions, and we are ready to help patients with any needs they have. 

 

What dental insurances does Teuscher Legacy Dental accept?

 

We advocate on your behalf with all dental insurance companies to ensure you receive the maximum assistance possible from your plan. Most dental benefits are limited to basic preventive care, and generally have a maximum allowable amount per plan year, and we work with your benefits toward achieving your optimal health. We do not “contract” with individual benefit carriers, in other words, we are an “unrestricted provider” who chooses to not be in network, so that an insurance company - that doesn’t know you and your health goals - won’t dictate limits on your care. This way you and we can concentrate on what’s best for you.

Our practice focuses on both prevention and on excellent diagnostics in order to intercept issues early when the cost and extent of treatment is lowest. Our patients are finding that under our care they’re achieving a level of dental health they never thought was possible, and this alone saves patients time and money.

No Insurance? Don’t worry - you can check out our in-house membership plan that offers our patients a simple, affordable, personalized alternative to traditional dental insurance. Hundreds of patients have chosen to take advantage of our membership option, and many patients have found they save significantly compared to traditional dental insurance!

Questions About Your First Appointment

What Covid-19 or health precautions does Teuscher Legacy Dental take?

 

We go above and beyond CDC guidelines to keep patients and staff safe, and we will continue to do so. We recently renovated to a brand new, state-of-the-art facility with the latest air filtration and sanitation systems coming out of COVID. We could give you a long list of the precautions we take every day, for every patient. If you want more detail, please ask us!

 

When should I arrive for my dentist appointment?

 

You are welcome to come right in, be greeted by our warm and friendly staff, and enjoy our lovely reception area. If you prefer, you are welcome to call us from your car at (630) 762-0000 and we are happy to meet you at our door and escort you inside.

 

What should I bring to my appointment with Teuscher Legacy Dental?

 

New patients can complete the forms button which can be found at the bottom of every page on our website, or by clicking here. You can securely complete these electronically or you are welcome to print these out and bring the completed forms to your first appointment. These forms include a Dental History, Medical History, Patient Information Form, Insurance Information, Authorizations & Acknowledgement Form, and a Communications Release.

Current patients should update any information that has changed since your last visit with us! This can easily be done electronically utilizing the Patient Forms button at the bottom of every page on our website, or by pressing here.

 

Will your office remind me of my dentist appointment?

 

Absolutely! We will remind you in the manner you most prefer! Via text is most popular, but we are also happy to email you or call you at the phone number you provide.

Understanding Basic Dental Health

How often should I go to the dentist?

 

The first and most important thing is to make sure you get established early with an excellent dental practice like ours whose focus is on your health! Each person has their own unique risk factors and oral environment, so we have individualized recommendations on how frequently to see us are individualized to suit each patient’s needs. That being said, we usually recommend everyone have an exam and thorough hygiene cleaning at least twice a year. Professional cleanings and exams by our highly-skilled dentists and hygienists allow us to diagnose issues earlier when treatment and cost are minimal, and this helps you get healthy and stay that way!

 

Why is it important to floss regularly?

 

Using floss or some other tool to clean in between teeth is essential because a toothbrush doesn’t reach those places, and because most dental diseases begin in-between teeth. Yet even those of us with excellent flossing and brushing techniques can still miss the build-up that a skilled professional using magnification and specialized instruments can detect and remove, which is why it's important to be helped by a highly-trained team like ours!

 

Why does my breath smell bad? Or… DOES it small bad?

 

Sadly, most people actually have no idea that their breath smells bad. Dental health issues are a common source of bad breath. Tooth decay, gum disease and poor oral hygiene are common causes of bad breath. Because people who have bad breath usually don’t realize they have it, a trip to the dentist is a good first step toward exploring, resolving and preventing the issue.

There are other potential causes of bad breath, including infections in the nose, sinus or throat, as well as chronic acid reflux, other GI issues, some metabolic disorders and even some cancers. Small children who suddenly develop sour breath may have food or a small object lodged in a nostril.  So while many breath issues originate orally, it’s important to have a dentist who understands the causes of bad breath beyond the mouth. At Teuscher Legacy Dental we study and understand oral-systemic connections as well so we can serve you with a more complete whole-body approach. It can be important to address a breath issue with your doctor too.

 

What can cause tooth sensitivity?

 

Sensitive teeth can be caused by many things including a cavity, gum disease, or even things we do when sick with COVID. Tooth sensitivity that lasts more than a couple of days often occurs when gums pull away from your teeth at the gumline. This exposes the dentin, which is the softer tooth layer that’s underneath the hard enamel surface. Because it’s below the gumline, dentin is not protected by the enamel that you can see. The exposed dentin leaves unprotected microscopic pores that lead to the tooth nerve, which then becomes sensitive to things like cold, hot, and sometimes sweet or acidic foods and beverages. If you are experiencing sensitive teeth, please talk with us so together we can explore the causes and the ways to alleviate your pain. Often we’ve helped patients find simple resolutions through changes they can make at home!

Dental Care

Is it safe to get a dental X-ray?

 

This is a very understandable question. Something to note is the difference between the extremely safe digital x-rays that we use in our office compared to traditional x-rays that can involve up to 90% more radiation exposure. Our digital x-rays allow us to capture a high-resolution image through which we can see inside and around tooth structures where pathology such as tooth decay, bone loss and even oral cancer can reside. Early diagnosis of these concerns using our digital imaging allows for less invasive and more cost effective treatments, not to mention reduced pain and - especially in the case of oral cancer - can literally save your life. To better understand the level of radiation from a digital x-ray, it’s helpful to compare it to other radiation we are exposed to from the sun, cell phones, and even during an airplane ride. A full set of 4 “bitewing” digital x-rays is approximately 0.005 mSv (millisieverts), which is less than the average radiation exposure you get in a single day of life. By comparison, going through an airport security scanner is 80x our average daily exposure, and a chest x-ray is 1000x the average daily exposure. At the dental office we drape a lead apron over you to further shield sensitive body tissues and organs, as well as protect our team from the small chance of a cumulative effect of exposure to many patient x-rays in a day.

For our pregnant patients: The American Pregnancy Association, along with the American College of Radiography, state that regular dental X-rays don’t use enough radiation to have any type of unwanted effects on an unborn baby or their mother. Yet in our practice we choose to go over-and-above to help alleviate fears. We will help in any way we can without the use of x-rays if possible, but the fact remains that x-rays are often necessary for us to diagnose and treat dental issues that need attention - especially in light of studies indicating correlations between a pregnant mother’s dental health and the health of the growing baby.

In many situations, dental care may be necessary before the issue becomes more complex or spreads to other parts of the body. Current research suggests that the 2nd trimester is the safest for x-rays so we can talk about your choices should you find yourself in a position of a dental concern. Because prevention is such a high value in our practice, we advise that if you plan to become pregnant let’s get your dental health taken care of beforehand!

 

What is TMJ and how can I treat it?

 

When people use the term TMJ they’re usually referring to temporomandibular joint disorder and the pain associated with it. This kind of pain often results from the upper and lower teeth not being aligned properly. This is not an insignificant issue since good symmetry is essential to having a healthy smile and teeth that last. Without this harmonious relationship tooth enamel wears abnormally, teeth and dental restorations such as fillings and crowns can fracture, and “TMJ” pain can develop.

Additionally, if a dentist or orthodontist does not understand or pay attention to this crucial symmetry, teeth can revert back toward a former mis-aligned position - often wasting the significant time and money a patient has paid to straighten their teeth or have cosmetic procedures performed.

Upper and lower teeth that are not in symmetry with each other can result in tooth sensitivity, headaches, difficulty chewing and speaking, irregular wear on teeth, and even muscle fatigue and pain in the face, neck, shoulders and back.

The Teuscher Legacy dentists have trained extensively in the science of tooth and jaw alignment, and are among less than 1% of dentists in the nation who have graduated from the Kois Center program to become specialists in this critical knowledge. We incorporate this expertise into any treatment plan or recommendation we offer, further helping to ensure your true dental health that lasts. 

 

What does a dental crown do?

 

A dental crown is a “cap” that covers and protects a tooth that has previously broken down from decay, wear, erosion, or fracture. A crown can also protect at-risk teeth from future break down, so in some cases crowns can be a preventative procedure. Often it’s better to prevent the inevitable, rather than “wait and watch” the tooth fail completely and need to be extracted too. In most cases, a crown can dramatically lengthen the life expectancy of your tooth in addition to keeping it looking beautiful. At Teuscher Legacy Dental, we have a variety of crown material options, and we work with you to decide what is best for your unique needs. As always, we vow to provide excellent care for you and your family, so we use the highest quality materials and techniques in designing and delivering your crown, so you can rest assured you will receive a level of care from us you won’t find anywhere else.

 

What are the benefits to “Invisalign”?

 

“Invisalign”, like the word “Kleenex”, is a brand name that has become synonymous with “clear aligner orthodontics”. Clear aligner therapy is a fantastic way to correct mild crowding, tooth rotation, or tipping, especially in adult orthodontics cases. Often a short time in clear aligners can lead to BIG smile improvements! We can also use clear aligners to help idealize patients’ bites and ability to chew comfortably. That being said, clear aligners aren’t the best option in every case, and there is still a time and place for traditional braces. If you’re interested in whether clear aligners could be used to enhance your bite or smile, schedule an appointment to learn more!

 

What should I do in a dental emergency?

 

If you’ve sustained a life-threatening or other questionable injury, immediately call 911. For issues strictly involving emergency dental care, call our office; if it’s after-hours just follow the instructions on our answering machine. Because of Teuscher Legacy Dental’s focus on prevention and getting patients healthy in the first place, under our care over time our patients rarely have emergencies aside from accidental ones.

Whether you are a current patient or a new patient with an emergency, we will do our best to help you as soon as possible. Never hesitate to call! With a family of four dentists collaborating their focus and expertise on your health, patients receive rapid and thorough care!

 

How can cosmetic dentistry change my smile?

 

Cosmetic dentistry can help you achieve the bright, confident, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. However, it is extremely important to have cosmetic dentistry done by dentists - like ours at Teuscher Legacy Dental - who are experts in both cosmetics and proper functional alignment. When not properly aligned in a healthy environment, cosmetic dentistry can fail (break, shift, etc.) sometimes very quickly, wasting your time and money, and often leaving you in worse shape than before. Additionally, when cosmetic dentistry is not performed on a solid foundation, the results can be uncomfortable or even painful, lessen your ability to chew effectively and speak clearly, and negatively affect your ability to confidently present yourself to the world.

We urge anyone hoping for cosmetic changes, whether minor or major, to resist being caught up in quick-fix gimmicks that can end up costing far more than just money. Always consult with dentists like those at Teuscher Legacy Dental, who are experienced in creating reliable cosmetic reconstruction. We make it our business to know what it takes to make your smile both healthy and beautiful.

 

What should I do if I chip my tooth?

 

For a chipped tooth, call our office - and call immediately if you’re in pain to receive urgent dental care. While it usually isn’t crucial to save the broken pieces of the tooth, by all means keep them and bring them with you when we see you. We are experts in getting your teeth back to normal as quickly as possible. These photos show teeth that were severely chipped, and we repaired these in less than 45 minutes.

AFTER a short visit with us! The “BEFORE”!

 

At what age should I bring my child to the dentist?

 

The ADA and AAPD recommend a child be seen within 6 months after their first tooth erupts, or no later than their first birthday. Read more about when to bring your child to the dentist in our blog post. Bring them in with you for your visit and let them meet us! We love kids and are big proponents of establishing healthy habits at a young age!

More questions?

Give us a call and we’d be happy to answer any questions you have.