Dental appointments shouldn't just be made when you have a problem that needs to be addressed. Prevention is always better than needing a cure and there are plenty more reasons why it's important to maintain regular visits Raton Family Dental. Our goal is to make your visit as quick-and-easy as possible, but we also need to find any dental concerns early in the process, so we can address and prevent them from becoming more serious issues. That's why regular dental visits are so important.

• Prevent Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities
• Identify and Treat Tooth Decay
• Reduce the Risk of Gum Disease
• Provide Help and Advice Specific to Your Needs
• Check for Mouth Cancer
• Keeping Bad Habits in Check
• Find Problems Under the Surface with X-rays
• Help with Sleep Problems
• Preventing Bad Breath
• Saving Money on Future Dental Procedures
• Avoiding Teeth Loss

Regular dental visits are important to your health and happiness. We provide the best protection and preventive care at the most affordable cost possible. At Raton Family Dental, we want to help you avoid unpleasant dental surprises that can be uncomfortable both for your mouth and to your wallet.

Many patients feel that a dental cleaning appointment is solely for removing stubborn plaque or tartar build-up on your teeth. However, your dentist appointment is more than a hygiene treatment; it's a dental examination as well. The purpose of a dental cleaning is to clean the team while an exam is there to diagnosis any issues you have.

In addition to removing plaque, tartar, and stains that cause tooth decay and gum disease, what else happens during a teeth cleaning appointment at Raton Family Dental? Many things. We'll perform the following examinations during your dental cleaning:

• Check for tooth decay
• Check gums for blood, pus, or pockets
• Evaluate gum texture and gum recession
• Check facial muscles, jaw joint, and lymph nodes
• Conduct an oral cancer screen inside the mouth and outside on your face
• Utilize X-rays to measure bone levels and check for decay between teeth, cysts, abscesses, and root absorption.'
• Check fillings for leaks or cracks
• Check for loose teeth or shifting and drifting of teeth
• Check bite for wear, proper function, and TMJ issues
• Patient Education and Recommendations

Raton Family Dental focuses on ensuring a positive dental care experience for every member of your family, and families of all ages. offers a variety of treatments for kids, parents, and grandparents alike, all under one roof, which means you can bring everyone in your family for routine cleanings, fillings, and comprehensive oral health care.

It's important to start your children out on the right foot with dental visits so you can set them up for a lifetime of excellent oral hygiene. When a member of your family needs restorative procedures, you can bring them to the office for:

• Preventive Dental Care
  Exams, X-Rays, Cleanings
  
  
• Restorative Dental Care
  Fillings, Crowns, Bridges, Implants
  
  
• Oral Surgery
  Dental Implants, Wisdom Teeth, TMJ Treatment
  
  
• Dentures & Partials
  Dentures & Partials
  
  
• Pediatric Dentistry
  Children's Dental Health Concerns

Every member of the Raton Family Dental team makes sure your children are comfortable during treatments and have an enjoyable experience in the office. Teeth should last a lifetime. Every member of your family has different needs for keeping those teeth healthy.

Simply call our practice or request an appointment online! The friendly front desk staff at Raton Family Dental will be happy to schedule your next dental checkup at your convenience.

Raton Family Dental provides the most caring, professional dental services for everyone in your family - including infants, pregnant mothers, and senior family members. Scheduling regular dental visits help to avoid oral health issues then diagnose and treat any conditions.

Before Your First Appointment
For your first time, we ask that new patients fill out an informational packet. Download our New Patient Packet here. We have several other new patient forms that we ask to be filled out before your visit. The forms include dental history release of information, financial policy, informed consent, medical history, and patient financial agreement.

During your first appointment, your overall dental and oral health will be assessed with a comprehensive oral evaluation. Upon completion of your medical / dental health form, we will ask you to tell us about your goals regarding your smile, teeth, and gums. Digital photos and X-rays will be taken of your teeth to identify areas of decay, cracked teeth and malfunctioning restorations.

Our goal is to preserve as many of your teeth as possible by catching decay in its earliest stages. We will also assess your gums and recommend the appropriate hygiene treatment for you.

You will need a photo ID, insurance card, list of medications you are currently taking, and the phone number of your medical doctor. You will be asked to complete a patient registration form and medical and dental history forms.

As a new patient, how long will it take me to get an appointment?
If you're flexible on the time of the appointment, we can usually see you within a matter of days. Afternoon appointments typically fill up first, so if you require an afternoon appointment you're waiting time may be slightly longer.

Can I call and get a same-day appointment?
In the event of a dental emergency we will make every effort to see you on the same day. For other indicated treatments you'll need to schedule an appointment at a future date.

At Raton Family Dental, we're happy to accept several dental insurance plans, including plans from Cigna, Aetna, Delta Dental, and Medicaid. Our team can file the paperwork on your behalf so that you have a better chance of receiving the maximum benefits available. On each of your visits, be sure to bring your driver's license and insurance card when you check-in at the reception desk.

Dental insurance is designed to assist you in paying for your dentistry. Most plans include co-insurance provisions, a deductible, and certain other expenses which must be paid by the patient at the time services are rendered. Dental insurance can help lower the cost for dental care that you would have to pay on your own if you didn't have the plan. Reimbursement amounts are not, and never should be, a guideline for quality care.

What your dental insurance covers depends on the plan you choose. Patient co-payments are due at the time of service. To help you afford your smile, we offer a variety of payment options. Our goal is to keep dental care accessible and comfortable financially. If you don't have insurance or your procedure isn't covered - don't worry! We are pleased to work with CareCredit to allow you to spread your payments over several months.

One of the most effective ways to establish good preventive care is to come twice a year for regular check ups at Raton Family Dental. During these checkups, x-rays may be taken as needed, in addition to a thorough examination to check for pits and early signs of decay. Steps can then be taken to stop the decay and prevent the need for further intervention.

Other things we look for at Raton Family Dental during a regular check up are:

• signs of teeth grinding
• wearing of the tooth enamel
• cracks in the teeth
• infection or gum disease
• signs of oral cancer

Many people don't want to see a dentist on a regular basis and they typically only when they have a problem. This is reactive versus preventive. While some of these patients may feel they are saving money, it often ends up costing much more in dollars and time, because many dental problems do not have symptoms until they reach the advanced stages of the disease process.

An example is tooth decay. It is typical to hear from patients that they are not experiencing any noticeable pain or aches, but there is something present that needs attention. Tooth decay often does not hurt until it gets close to the nerve of the tooth. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a huge cavity who has never felt a thing. The dentist can usually detect a cavity 3-4 years before it develops any symptoms. This early detection can help you prevent root canal treatment or even extraction.

For most patients, we recommend twice-yearly visits for cleanings and examinations, with possibility of more depending on your individual needs. At Raton Family Dental, we believe that prevention is truly the key to achieving and maintaining optimum oral health. When you come in for your routine six-month cleaning and check-up appointments, we screen you for these and other conditions.

Seeing the dentist is not just about having a beautiful smile. Oral health exams also play a large role in identifying and preventing potential problems that can interfere with how healthy that smile remains as you age. Our dentists can detect these concerns much earlier than you can, and one reason is that there are often not many symptoms at first.

The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting your dentist at least twice a year for an exam and cleaning. By maintaining a preventive dental health schedule, you are helping to ensure that you and the ones you love are taking good care of your overall oral health. Preventing tooth and gum disease is relatively easy, as long as you are brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist twice a year to examine and monitor your condition.

The condition of your mouth is closely tied to your overall health. At Raton Family Dental, we believe taking care of your teeth isn't just about having a nice smile and pleasant breath. Recent research has found a number of links between oral health and overall health. While in many cases, the nature of this link still isn't clear - researchers have yet to conclude whether the connections are causal or correlative - what is certain is that the condition of your mouth is closely tied to your overall physical health.

What we eat affects our health, as well as other mouth-related habits like smoking or nail-biting, and problems in overall health may show their first obvious symptoms in the teeth and especially the gums. It's easier to maintain good overall health by maintaining good oral health.

Conditions that are linked to your oral health

• Endocarditis
  Endocarditis is inflammation of your heart's inner lining, called the endocardium. It's usually caused by bacteria and germs, which may originate from your mouth.
  
  
• Cardiovascular Disease
  Some studies have shown that bacteria in the mouth that are involved in the development of periodontal disease can move into the bloodstream and can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
  
  
• Pregnancy & Birth Complications
  Pregnancy increases the risk of certain dental health problems that may lead to pregnancy complications, like premature birth.
  
  
• Pneumonia
  Bacteria like streptococcus or staphylococcus can invade through your oral cavity and make it to your lungs, causing infection and pneumonia.

Preexisting medical conditions may also affect your oral health including:

• Diabetes
  Patients with uncontrolled diabetes could have higher blood sugar levels, and as such, be at an increased risk of developing certain oral health conditions. Research suggests that the link between diabetes and oral health may stem from your blood sugar levels.
  
  
• Osteoporosis
  Osteoporosis can affect any part of the body - including the jawbone that supports the teeth. This may be of particular concern if you are considering certain dental procedures such as getting dental implants to replace missing teeth.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), your child's first dental visit should take place as soon as their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. As soon as your baby has teeth, they can begin to get cavities, so it's a good idea to schedule an exam so your dentist can assess their oral health.

As a kid friendly dental practice, the dental team Raton Family Dental strives to create a comfortable and welcoming environment to help kids have a positive experience with visiting the dentist. It is no surprise that many children, and adults, are not always fond of dental treatment. However, by creating a positive experience with the dentist at a young age, children will have a more positive view of oral hygiene as a whole.

It's important to start your children out on the right foot with dental visits so you can set them up for a lifetime of excellent oral hygiene. We'll work with your kids to reduce anxiety by explaining our process so they know there's nothing to be afraid of when it comes to dental visits and oral health.

We will also help to instill healthy oral hygiene habits the parent or guardian can continue at home, to help make brushing teeth fun for the child. Our goal is to help children maintain healthy teeth as they age so that they can continue to have healthy teeth later in life. We will customize treatment to the child's needs and help ease them into a regular dental routine.

Family checkups and treatment are a breeze. Whether you want your entire family to come in at once, or have each member visit a different day, we'll schedule your appointments in a way that's most convenient for everyone.

Technology in the dental field is ever-changing and Raton Family Dental strives to integrate state-of-the-art equipment into his practice. Utilizing the latest advancements in dentistry allows us to treat patients with less pain and in fewer visits, which equals less time in the dental chair and a more comfortable experience from start to finish.

• Precision Dentistry
  For the most precise aspects of restorative dental procedures, we use electric hand-pieces. This results in an extraordinarily precise interface between your tooth and your new restoration (crown, veneer, or filling). Another result is a more comfortable patient experience with less vibration and less noise.
  
  
• Digital X-Rays
  Our advanced digital x-rays magnify and enhance your teeth for better diagnosis and treatment. This technology allows us to take images of your teeth and display them on a computer screen quickly and easily. With digital x-rays, we can view your teeth and surrounding structures with remarkable accuracy. These images provide the information we need to plan your dental treatment.
  
  
• Intra-Oral Camera
  Intra oral cameras enable us to record images of your teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue from inside your mouth.. Due to its small size and sleek design, it is comfortable, easy to use, and able to view a wide range of angles. The intra-oral camera is a safe and effective tool that can be used with patients of every age.