Thanks for the question. Your first visit with Dr. Michael McCarthy and Dr. Cristen Lindal typically includes an x-ray that allows us to view the structure of the jaw, the position of any teeth that have not yet erupted, malformed roots, and tooth decay.

The initial visit also involves getting your medical history. When you share your medical history with us, be sure to provide complete, up-to-date information on your health. Please let us know if you have experienced recent hospitalization or surgery, or if you have recently been ill. Also tell us the names, doses, and frequency of any medications you are taking — whether prescription or over-the-counter products — and the name of your physician. Please also let us know about any changes in your health or medications. This information will us select the most safe and effective method of treatment path for you.

When you’re ready to take the next step in improving the health and beauty of your smile, feel free to contact our Camarillo dental office and schedule a complimentary consultation.

At Dr. McCarthy & Dr. Lindal's dental office, we know image is everything. May, which is almost here, happens to be National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

We know one of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a visit to our Camarillo office. Has your child visited Dr. McCarthy & Dr. Lindal's office in the past six months for his or her regular check-up? We invite you to give us a call to book your appointment!

See you soon!

Toothaches occur when the nerve root of a tooth is irritated and can be caused by an infection, gum disease, decay (cavities), or injury. If your child complains of a toothache, rinse his or her mouth with warm water and inspect the teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. If pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, as this can cause damage to the gums. Children’s pain relievers may be taken orally.

If the toothache persists, it is important to give us a call to determine the cause of the pain and provide relief. Immediate contact should be pursued if your child experiences:

· Pain that is not be relieved by over-the-counter drugs
· Severe pain after a tooth is pulled which may be dry socket syndrome
· Pain associated with swelling of the gums or face, or discharge around a tooth, especially if accompanied by a fever
· Broken or knocked-out teeth from an accident or injury

We hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions below or by giving us a call!

We hope you're off to a great week! In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality care available to our patients, Dr. Michael McCarthy and Dr. Cristen Lindal screen our patients for oral cancer. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved.

Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. Ask Drs. McCarthy or Lindal about a screening at your next appointment at our convenient Camarillo dental office!

Cavities occur as a result of the destruction of tooth structure, called tooth decay. Tooth decay can affect both the enamel (the outer coating of the tooth) and the dentin (the inner layer of the tooth). While it is very important to brush and floss every day to remove food particles and plaque, regular cleanings and checkups at Dr. McCarthy & Dr. Lindal's office is the best way to help avoid cavities.

Dr. McCarthy & Dr. Lindal can discover cavities during your regular dental checkup. The tooth surface feels soft when probed with a dental instrument. X-rays can also show cavities before they become visible to the eye. In advanced stages of tooth decay, you might experience a toothache, especially after consuming sweet, hot, or cold foods or drinks. Other signs of tooth decay are visible pits or holes in the teeth.

Don’t wait for a toothache!

Remember, the longer you wait to treat a cavity, the more extensive your treatment will be. A small cavity can be treated with a filling, while a large cavity that weakens the structure of your tooth may require a crown. If the decay is so bad that it causes the nerve or pulp of the tooth to die, a root canal or tooth removal may be your only options. If you think you may have a cavity, contact our Camarillo dental office and schedule an appointment. We’ll make sure you leave with a healthy, pain-free smile!

Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you're wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our staff at the office of Dr. McCarthy and Dr. Lindal will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you're undergoing orthodontic treatment.

If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our Camarillo office, please give us a call!

A lot of our patients have questions about their dental treatment, whether it's by calling us or asking Dr. Michael McCarthy or Dr. Cristen Lindal during their regular appointment. They span the range of "When should I change my toothbrush?" to "What is a filling?"

So, what we've done is compiled our most frequent questions and answered them one-by-one here on our website. Dr. McCarthy and Dr. Lindal are committed to excellent dentistry and have years of experience creating beautiful smiles and healthy mouths.

Don't see an answer for your specific question? Give us a call or ask us below or on our Facebook page, and we'll be more than happy to provide the answer!