How can we help you?
We are happy to answer questions about our services and procedures.
These are a selection of some common questions that patients have. If your question isn't answered here, please contact our office. It's important to us that our patients understand their dental care.
Children's Dentistry
Both your pediatric specialist and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) state that your child's dental visit should be at one year of age, or at least six months after the first tooth comes in. There are many reasons to start dental care early on such as:
- It allows your pediatric dentist to begin monitoring your son or daughter's oral health and development so they can detect any concerns at an early stage.
- It helps your child acclimate to visiting the dentist and to understand that it's a safe and welcoming place.
- This is an excellent time to ask questions about your son or daughter's oral development so you can make the most of your routine at home.
You can prepare your child for his or her dental visits by talking about it beforehand in a positive way. Reading books or stories to them about visiting the dentist can also be helpful in preparing them for what's going to happen during their appointment. You might also consider bringing your child along with you to your cleaning and checkup so they can see what visiting the dentist is like.
If your child is ready for their first visit or you have questions about their dental development, call Fitzgerald Family Dentistry at (812) 923-7585 or schedule an appointment through our online contact form—our dental team is here to make every visit comfortable and stress-free for your family.
Crowns and Bridges
After getting a dental crown, it’s best to avoid very hard, sticky, or chewy foods, especially in the first few days while your crown fully settles. Foods like ice, hard candies, caramel, and chewing gum can potentially damage or loosen the crown. Once adjusted, you can return to a normal diet, but maintaining good oral habits and being mindful of overly hard foods will help extend the life of your dental crown.
Dentures and Partials
Dentures are typically worn throughout the day and removed at night to give your gums a chance to rest and to maintain proper oral hygiene. Wearing your dentures consistently during the day helps with speaking, chewing, and maintaining facial structure, but it’s important to take them out before sleeping to prevent irritation and reduce the risk of infection.
Fitzgerald Family Dentistry proudly serves patients in Floyds Knobs, IN. Dr. Lindsey Fitzgerald and her experienced team provide comprehensive family dentistry for patients in Floyds Knobs and nearby communities including New Albany, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Georgetown, and Lanesville.
If you need help adjusting to your dentures or have concerns about fit and comfort, contact Fitzgerald Family Dentistry at (812) 923-7585 or schedule an appointment through our online contact form for personalized care.
Family Dentistry
Absolutely! At Fitzgerald Family Dentistry, we welcome patients of all ages, making it easy for your entire family to receive care in one convenient location. From young children visiting the dentist for the first time to adults needing routine care or advanced treatments, our team is experienced in providing personalized, comfortable dental care for every stage of life.
Fitzgerald Family Dentistry proudly serves patients in Floyds Knobs, IN. Dr. Lindsey Fitzgerald and her experienced team provide comprehensive family dentistry for patients in Floyds Knobs and nearby communities including New Albany, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Georgetown, and Lanesville.
Whether you’re scheduling your child’s first checkup or coordinating visits for the whole family, call us at (812) 923-7585 or schedule an appointment through our online contact form—we’re here to make family dental care simple and stress-free.
Fillings
Yes, tooth-colored fillings are designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Made from composite resin, these fillings are carefully matched to the shade of your existing teeth, making them virtually unnoticeable when you smile, speak, or eat. In addition to their natural appearance, they also bond directly to the tooth, helping to restore strength and function.
Fitzgerald Family Dentistry proudly serves patients in Floyds Knobs, IN. Dr. Lindsey Fitzgerald and her experienced team provide comprehensive family dentistry for patients in Floyds Knobs and nearby communities including New Albany, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Georgetown, and Lanesville.
If you’re considering a more natural-looking solution for cavities or replacing old metal fillings, contact Fitzgerald Family Dentistry at (812) 923-7585 or schedule an appointment through our online contact form to achieve a healthier, more confident smile.
General Dentistry
You probably see the words general dentistry on local signs and online, but may wonder what that means.
Just like your primary care physician, your general dentist is your main point of contact for your oral health. Our general dentists in Floyds Knobs, IN provide most non-specialty services that patients of all ages need to stay healthy.
This includes preventive dentistry such as:
- Dental exams and Cleanings
- X-rays
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental sealants
- Mouthguards for sports and Nightguards
General dentists also repair teeth that suffer from decay, fractures, or trauma. Restorative dentistry refers to:
- Fillings
- Bonding
- Dental crowns
Teeth replacement is a big part of general dentistry and is designed to keep your smile looking good and to make sure you can eat a healthy diet.
- Bridges
- Dentures and partials dentures
Since cosmetic dentistry is not a dental specialty, most general dentists are the ones who will be designing a beautiful smile and offering enhancements such as:
- Teeth whitening
- Cosmetic bonding
- Tooth-colored fillings and crowns
- Porcelain veneers
If it’s time for your routine checkup or you have concerns about your oral health, contact Fitzgerald Family Dentistry at (812) 923-7585 or schedule an appointment through our online contact form to keep your smile healthy and confident.
Gum Disease Treatment
Coming in for regular cleanings with one of our excellent dental hygienists will help keep your gums in great shape, but what you do at home matters as well. Brush twice daily and floss every evening. Our hygienists and dental team will be happy to show you good brushing and flossing technique.
Other steps you can take to prevent gum disease include:
- Don't smoke or chew tobacco
- Eat a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash. We'll be happy to recommend one.
- If you have a health condition that can affect your dental health such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, please let us know so that we can take extra steps to help keep your gums healthy.
If you’re noticing signs like bleeding gums, bad breath, or gum sensitivity, contact Fitzgerald Family Dentistry at (812) 923-7585 or schedule an appointment through our online contact form for personalized care and prevention.
Jeuveau
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) take a lot of wear and tear. Besides chewing, swallowing, and talking, the joints can experience overuse from gum chewing, yawning, and teeth clenching and grinding. If TMJ symptoms affect your quality of life, an oral surgery specialist can diagnose and treat the problem.
If contact our dental team in Floyds Knobs, IN you experience headaches, neck or jaw aches, clicking or popping in your jaw, pain around your ear, sensitive teeth, or jaw pain when eating or yawning, you may have a TMJ disorder.
Here’s what can lead to TMJ pain:
- Arthritis is common in older adults and can also occur in your jaw joints.
- Grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism) tightens your facial and jaw muscles and puts stress on your temporomandibular joints. Bruxism can also cause extra wear on your teeth.
- Poor posture causes the muscles of the jaw, neck, and face to tighten, causing pain and other symptoms.
- Trauma to your jaw can lead to a TMJ disorder later on.
- Misaligned teeth may impact your bite and how your joints fit together.
If you’re experiencing jaw pain or discomfort, contact Fitzgerald Family Dentistry at (812) 923-7585 or schedule an appointment through our online contact form for an evaluation and personalized treatment options.
Preventive Dentistry
A dental examination is a simple, comfortable visit designed to keep your smile on track. During your exam, your dentist will carefully check your teeth, gums, and overall oral health, looking for signs of cavities, gum disease, or other concerns. Digital X-rays may be taken to detect issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye, and your bite and jaw alignment may also be evaluated. In many cases, your visit will include a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, leaving your teeth feeling fresh and polished.
Fitzgerald Family Dentistry proudly serves patients in Floyds Knobs, IN. Dr. Lindsey Fitzgerald and her experienced team provide comprehensive family dentistry for patients in Floyds Knobs and nearby communities including New Albany, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Georgetown, and Lanesville.
If it’s time for your next checkup or you have concerns about your oral health, contact Fitzgerald Family Dentistry at (812) 923-7585 or schedule an appointment through our online contact form to keep your smile healthy and confident.
Tooth Extractions
One of the priorities in our dental office is to provide comfortable, gentle dentistry for our patients. Dental extraction treatment is no different. Before we begin, we will discuss your history with dental care. If you have difficulty getting numb, let us know. We can take some extra time anesthetizing your tooth to make sure you have a comfortable experience. Gentle care is important to us and since each patient is different, we will discuss any concerns you may have before we even begin.
It is normal to have some discomfort and swelling following a dental extraction. Typically, this can be addressed with over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen. We will talk to you about dosing recommendations and what to expect as you recover. Fortunately, the human mouth heals fairly quickly, as long as you avoid certain behaviors such as smoking and drinking through a straw following treatment.
You will likely feel a dramatic improvement in a couple of days and will feel completely healed within a week or two. We will schedule a follow-up exam to monitor your healing and make sure that everything is on track. We will be here with you every step of the way.
If you’re feeling nervous about an upcoming extraction or are experiencing tooth pain, contact Fitzgerald Family Dentistry at (812) 923-7585 or schedule an appointment through our online contact form—our team is here to make your visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible.