Dental
We strive to meet all of your wellness needs, including dental care.
About Our Dental Services
Routine dental care is an important part of wellness! Johnson Health Center strives to meet all of your wellness needs. Dental services are available to adults, children and expecting mothers. You do not have to be a primary care patient of Johnson Health Center to see one of our dentists.
We recognize some children may be anxious about their dental exam or present with other concerns. In order to help pediatric patients remain calm so that the best service is available to them, we offer mild conscious sedation. This involves the utilization of nitrous oxide in combination with a pre-anesthesia oral sedation medication. The child will be partially awake and responsive but will have no memory of the procedures done, meaning no trauma is generated. There are special requirements so every case will be evaluated for whether sedation is appropriate.
Services Available
- Routine cleanings
- X-rays
- Fluoride treatments
- Extractions
- Sealants
- Fillings
- Toothaches
- Pediatric sedation
- Oral cancer screenings
- Root Canal Therapy
Emergency Dental Care
Walk-in emergency care is available on our Mobile Dental Unit. Visit our mobile unit page for additional information.
No appointments are required – patients are seen on a first come, first served basis.
*Limited slots are available for walk-in care. You may be asked to come back on a different day if we have reached capacity for the day.
Dental Care While Pregnant
It is important for you to take good care of your teeth and gums while pregnant. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase the risk of developing gum disease, which can affect the health of your developing baby.
Below are some good tips to help you maintain good oral health throughout your pregnancy.
Is Dental Care Safe While Pregnant?
Pregnancy and dental work questions are common for expecting moms. Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are not only safe but are recommended. The rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums.
Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to preterm birth.
Toothaches and Other Dental Needs
Dental work while pregnant, such as cavity fillings and crowns, should be treated to reduce the chance of infection. If dental work is done during pregnancy, the second trimester is ideal. Once you reach the third trimester, it may be very difficult to lie on your back for an extended period of time.
However, sometimes emergency dental work, such as a root canal or tooth extraction, is necessary. Elective treatments, such as teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, should be postponed until after the birth. It is best to avoid this dental work while pregnant and avoid exposing the developing baby to any risks, even if they are minimal.
What About Medications?
If dental work is needed, the amount of anesthesia administered should be as little as possible, but still enough to make you comfortable. If you are experiencing pain, request additional numbing. When you are comfortable, the amount of stress on you and the baby is reduced. Also, the more comfortable you are, the easier it is for the anesthesia to work.
Dental work often requires antibiotics to prevent or treat infections. Antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin, which are labeled category B for safety in pregnancy, may be prescribed after your procedure.
Are Dental X-rays Safe?
Routine x-rays, typically taken during annual exams, can usually be postponed until after the birth. X-rays are necessary to perform many dental procedures, especially emergencies. According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus. According to the ADA and ACOG, having dental X-rays during your pregnancy is considered safe with appropriate shielding.
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Johnson Health Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
