Frequently Asked Questions
General
We accept most insurance plans and will gladly process your claim. Please bring the necessary information with you on your first visit. We participate with UAP, Madison, Cooperative Bank, Resolution, Kenbright, Pacific. For all other dental insurance plans, our staff will take care of the billing so that you receive reimbursement directly from the insurance company.
We accept debit/credit cards, cash (USD/KES), mobile payments (MPESA) and cheques (business only)
We recommend patients visit the dentist biannually for routine checkups and teeth cleaning (every six months).
Congratulations on your decision to get started with us! During the new patient exam our doctors will do a very thorough exam. We will take X-rays and any necessary photos, and you and your doctor will review these together. Afterwards, our doctors will customize a treatment plan for you. Read more about your initial visit *have the click here for more on first visit*
Yes, Dr. Gitangu is an experienced cosmetic dentist. We offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services including E-Max veneers, teeth whitening, Crowns and Fillings *click here for more*
Your teeth can become discolored by stains on the surface or by changes inside the tooth. Some tooth discoloration can be removed with professional cleaning. An example would be the stains caused by food, plaque or coffee. Many stains are permanent, however. Teeth sometimes can be whitened with a bleaching gel in office or home bleaching. In some cases, if the discoloration is severe, a crown or veneer may be required to cover it.
Oftentimes, dental implants are the best restoration for a missing tooth. Our doctors will discuss your options with you in order to customize an ideal treatment plan. The implant process is relatively simple and requires two steps. First, the implant is placed into the tooth-socket where your tooth root used to be. Second, a restoration is created and placed on the implant to restore the crown of your tooth. For patients who are missing many or all of their teeth, implants may be the solution for restoring all of the missing teeth, offering great life-improvement. Sometimes, a few implants may be placed in order to stabilize floppy dentures, another terrific improvement in the lives of many denture-wearers.
Getting a checkup during pregnancy is safe and important for your dental health. If you’re pregnant and need a filling, root canal or tooth pulled, one thing you don’t have to worry about is the safety of the numbing medications your dentist may use during the procedure. They are, in fact, safe for both you and your baby. Routine dental x-rays should be deferred until after pregnancy.
With contemporary safeguards, such as lead aprons and high-speed film, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. Even though there is very little risk, pediatric dentists are particularly careful to minimize the exposure of child patients to radiation. In fact, dental X-rays represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem.
Dental fluorosis is a condition that causes discolouration or mottling of the teeth, giving them a permanent, brownish colour. It is caused by overexposure to fluoride during the first eight years of life. Majority of Kenya’s underground (borehole) water contains high fluoride levels. For expectant mothers (or those hoping to be soon), getting your drinking water tested should be the first step in preventing your child from the effects of fluorosis. For those that are using borehole water with high levels of fluoride for COOKING and drinking, an activated alumina-Aluminium oxide filter can captures the fluoride and reduce the exposure to fluoride. Children younger than age 3 should use a “smear” of toothpaste containing fluoride, limit tooth brushing to 2 times a day for this age group. Children aged 3-6 years should use a slightly larger, “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste containing fluoride.
You heard right. Studies implicate gum disease as a risk factor for developing heart disease. These studies show the bacterial infections of gum disease are associated with bacterial infection of the blood, inflammation, and a strong immune response, all of which are significant risk factors for the development of heart disease. Also, the most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque can cause blood clots that induces heart attacks when they escape into the bloodstream. Beyond heart disease, gum disease in pregnant women is considered a risk factor for low birth-weight babies. Proper brushing and yes, of course, flossing, combined with routine visits to your dentist help to reduce your risk of gum disease. Ask your dentist and hygienist if you are at risk for gum disease and what you can do to eliminate it.
Tooth sensitivity is a common problem. The reason and appropriate treatment depend on several factors. The causes for sensitivity can range from having cavities or cracks in teeth, worn teeth, sinus infections, gum recession, notching of teeth along the gum line, or other issues. Gum recession is a problem that can be caused by gum disease, aggressive tooth brushing, excessive force being applied to the teeth, or normal aging. As the gums recede, the root is exposed, and the tooth may become sensitive. In these cases, treatment can be as simple as using a toothpaste for sensitivity, regular fluoride rinses, or having your dentist apply a desensitizing agent to the root surfaces. Tooth notching can be caused by forces on the teeth, either from poor alignment, clenching or grinding, or a combination. The notches along the gum line can usually be filled in with a tooth-colored filling material, and your dentist has additional options to help prevent recurrence. Tooth sensitivity will not go away by itself, and because of the potential seriousness of the underlying causes, you should see your dentist if you have sensitivity problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
for Kids
Start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through (usually at around 6 months, but it can be earlier or later) Infant and toddler tooth brushes are designed with small heads and extra soft bristles. Brush your child’s teeth by placing the tip of the toothbrush bristles towards the gum line (at a 45 degree angle) and move the toothbrush in tiny circles over the teeth and gums. You should brush at least twice a day!
Flossing is only necessary once your child has two teeth that touch. This usually first occurs with the last two molars (around age 2).
Primary, or “baby,” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. Some of them are necessary until a child is 12 years old or longer. Pain, infection of the gums and jaws, impairment of general health and premature loss of teeth are just a few of the problems that can happen when baby teeth are neglected. Also, because tooth decay is really an infection and will spread, decay on baby teeth can cause decay on permanent teeth. Proper care of baby teeth is instrumental in enhancing the health of the your child.
“First visit by 1st birthday” is the general rule. To prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, usually between 6 and 12 months of age, certainly no later than his/her 1st birthday.
A loose tooth will not hurt your child? The best thing to do with a loose tooth is to let nature take its course and wait for it to fall out on its own. A loose tooth doesn’t always mean a permanent tooth is coming up.
It may look odd, but it isn’t a dental emergency. Ectopic eruption happens when the lower baby teeth haven’t fallen out yet, but the permanent teeth erupt anyway. It’s a fairly common occurrence. Most of the time, an ectopic eruption will resolve on its own, without intervention. The baby tooth eventually falls out and the tongue will push the permanent tooth forward into proper position.
First and foremost, test the water that you cook and drink with contains the optimal levels of fluoride ( 1ppm ). Ensure that children younger than the age of 3 should use a “smear” of toothpaste containing fluoride and limit tooth brushing to 2 times a day for this age group. Children aged 3-6 years should use a slightly larger, “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste containing fluoride and should always supervise brushing until age 8 to ensure they are not swallowing the toothpaste.
In many cases, fluorosis is so mild that no treatment is needed. Or, it may only affect the back teeth where it can’t be seen.The appearance of teeth affected by moderate-to-severe fluorosis can be significantly improved by a variety of techniques. Most of them are aimed at masking the stains using a hard resin that bonds to the enamel. Permanent restorations can be placed later when they are over 16 years of age.
Baby bottle tooth decay is a pattern of rapid decay associated with prolonged nursing. It happens when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding and/or bottle-feeding. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle. Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their 1st birthday. He/she should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.
Thumb- and pacifier-sucking habits that go on for a long period of time can create crowded, crooked teeth or bite problems. If they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers when the permanent teeth arrive, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist. Most children stop these habits on their own.
Sealants are clear or shaded plastic applied to the teeth to help keep them cavity-free. Sealants fill in the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, which are hard to clean, and shut out food particles that could get caught, causing cavities. Fast and comfortable to apply, sealants can effectively protect teeth for many years.
It is recommended not to use fluoridated toothpaste below the age of 2. Earlier than that, clean your child’s teeth with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. After age 2, parents should supervise brushing. Use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and make sure children do not swallow excess toothpaste.
With contemporary safeguards, such as lead aprons and high-speed film, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. Even though there is very little risk, pediatric dentists are particularly careful to minimize the exposure of child patients to radiation. In fact, dental X-rays represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem.
A mouthguard should be a top priority on your child’s list of sports equipment. Athletic mouth protectors, or mouthguards, are made of soft plastic and fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth. They protect a child’s teeth, lips, cheeks and gums from sports-related injuries. Any mouthguard works better than no mouthguard, but a custom-fitted mouthguard fitted by our doctor is your child’s best protection against sports-related injuries.
There’s no set age for a child’s first orthodontist visit — some kids go when they’re 6, some kids go when they’re 10, and some go while they’re teens. Even adults can need orthodontic treatment. Many orthodontists say kids should see an orthodontist once their permanent teeth start coming in, around age 7. At this age, issues such as uneven bite and overcrowding will become apparent. Braces are generally ideally placed between the ages of 9-14 years
