Caring for teeth is a lifelong job, says Edmond dentist Dr. Damon R. Johnson, DDS. Here, the ADA affiliated dentist talks to Presentation Solutions about oral health from birth and beyond.

Presentation Solutions: Thank you, Dr. Johnson, for taking the time to chat with us today.

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: It’s my pleasure.

Presentation Solutions: Today, we’re talking about how to care for teeth. Let’s start at the beginning. How should parents care for their child’s baby teeth?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: Believe it or not, healthy teeth actually begin in the womb. Pregnant mothers-to-be can give their babies a head start by taking calcium supplements and eating a variety of healthy foods.

Presentation Solutions: And after the baby is born…?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: Within the first few days after birth, parents can wipe the baby’s gums after feedings with a soft, damp cloth.

Presentation Solutions: What’s the point? Babies don’t have teeth at that age.

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: You’re right, most babies don’t have teeth at birth. However, removing bacteria keeps the gum line healthy and that’s where decay starts.

Presentation Solutions: How long should parents brush their children’s teeth?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: Children don’t have the manual dexterity to brush their own teeth properly until they’re about six years old.

Presentation Solutions: How prevalent is the issue of tooth decay among American adults?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: The Centers for Disease Control estimate that one in three adults have untreated cavities. This is an extremely high number considering tooth decay can be detected early through inexpensive dental exams twice a year.

Presentation Solutions: Aside from cavities, what other dental issues might a dentist catch in the early stages?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: Dentists can pick up on a number of issues before they cause any noticeable symptoms. One in particular is periodontal disease.

Presentation Solutions: Like plaque and gingivitis?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: That’s right! In the early stages, gum disease can cause inflammation, swelling, and tenderness of the gums. However, if left unchecked, it can cause bone loss around the teeth and may require extensive surgical correction.

Presentation Solutions: What are the risk factors for gum disease?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: Poor dental hygiene along with smoking and taking certain medications will increase a person’s risk of periodontal disease.

Presentation Solutions: How can an adults avoid cavities?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: It all goes back to proper oral hygiene. For instance, people of all ages can skip bottled water and drink tap water, which is supplemented with fluoride.

Presentation Solutions: What special dental concerns are of note for your older patients?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: Older adults, even those with dentures, still need to see their dentist on a regular basis. This group is more at-risk for developing mouth or throat related cancers.

Presentation Solutions: Speaking of dentures, what are some telltale signs that my dentures may not be fitting correctly?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: Ill-fitting dentures will be uncomfortable and may feel loose. Red, swollen gums is the most dominant indication that dentures are no longer a proper fit.

Presentation Solutions: Is it normal for older people to lose their teeth?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: With a regular routine that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash, many people can keep their natural teeth well into their golden years.

Presentation Solutions: That’s all the time we have for today. Thank you again for talking with us, you’ve given us lots of great information to pass on to our readers.

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: I look forward to speaking with you again in the future.

Damon R. Johnson, DDS Dental Excellence founder and namesake, explains his educational background, office policies, specialties, and more in this brief question-and-answer session.

Q: From where and when did you graduate dental school?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: I am proud to call Oklahoma University’s School of Dentistry my alma mater. I finished in 1993 – the same year I opened Damon R. Johnson, DDS Dental Excellence.

Q: Have you taken any advanced courses since that time?

Edmond, OK dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: Yes, of course. I’ve studied extensively on cosmetic and restorative dentistry. I am trained in the treatment of misaligned teeth using Invisalign® and have taken numerous training courses on our advanced dental tools and procedures.

Q: Where can one find unbiased reviews of your practice?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: I invite readers to visit the following site – reviewstar.com/oklahoma/edmond/medical-health/damon-r-johnson-dds

Q: What about your staff? Do you have a certified dental hygienist?

Edmond, OK dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: We do! Valorie has been with us for going on five years. Our patients love her and will actually rebook if she’s unavailable!

Q: Is your office pretty easy to find?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: We are probably the easiest Edmond, OK dentist office to find as we are just across the street from Mitch Park.

Q: Can you accommodate early and late appointments?

Edmond, OK dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: We work from 7:30 until 5:30 (and often later) Monday through Thursday.

Q: I’ve heard that some Edmond, OK dentist offices will blacklist a patient for missed appointments…what’s that about?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS:  I don’t know about others but we do try to work with people and reschedule. We all have families and other obligations and understand that things come up.

Q: Do you take credit cards?

Edmond, OK dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: We do, yes, and can even offer financing for up to twelve months.

Q: What if I have insurance?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: We work with most companies. Our front office staff is pleased to talk to each patient and will work with their insurance if possible.

Q: What are your specialties?

Edmond, OK dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: I focus on all aspects of general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. I use Cerec 3D Crowns along with pain-free lasers and advanced imaging equipment.

Q: What about common issues, like periodontal disease?

Edmond dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: That’s one of the most common problems we use the WaterLase water laser for. It’s a special laser that charges water instead of light to correct ailing gum lines.

Q: How can I make an appointment?

Edmond, OK dentist, Damon R. Johnson, DDS: Appointments are available by calling 405.348.6161 or by visiting our website online at DamonRJohnsonDDS.com.