Complimentary Consultations at Dr. Long's office

At the dental practice of Dr. Michael G. Long, we treat patients in a casual, relaxed, and family-friendly environment. Dr. Long and our Fresno team are dedicated to giving you, our patient, the care you deserve and the healthy, bright smile you want.

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in dental treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Drs. Perry and Long, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning your dental treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give us a call at our Fresno, CA dental office!

We look forward to working with you, your family and all of your wonderful smiles!

February marks National Dental Health Month

Did you know February is National Dental Health Month?

It’s a great time of the year to renew those resolutions about continuing to practice great dental hygiene. Today, Drs. Perry and Long thought we’d discuss the importance of preventative oral care. While most people are familiar with traditional heart-saving practices such as eating healthy and exercising regularly, lesser-known are the benefits that great oral hygiene provides to one’s cardiovascular health.

Here are a few tips to help you continue those New Year’s resolutions:

*Remember that poor oral hygiene is linked to serious common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia and osteoporosis.

*Brush and floss every day to remove the plaque that can lead to cavities. Flossing daily removes food debris that your toothbrush cannot reach.

*Replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months or after a cold or illness to prevent re-infection. Remember to use a soft toothbrush so you won’t wear off the enamel of your teeth.

*If heart disease runs in the family, a diagnosis of gum disease increases the likelihood of developing heart disease, but an improved oral care regimen and healthy diet can lower the risk.

*Visit our office regularly. The American Dental Association recommends you visit our Fresno office every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. Fluoride treatments twice a year will help prevent tooth decay.

Each February, our team focus on the preventive oral care of our patients. Have you visited our office during the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Share your story with us! Why did you choose Dr. Long's office?

At the dental practice of Dr. Michael G. Long, we treat patients in a casual, relaxed, and family-friendly environment. Dr. Long and his team are dedicated to giving you, our patient, the care you deserve and the healthy, bright smile you want. Oral hygiene is at the core of what we do at our convenient Fresno office. We believe that a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy lifestyle, and we always want you to feel like your smile matters – because to us, it does!

Whether you've visited Drs. Long or Perry for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is doing! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Places page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Long create more beautiful smiles in Fresno and surrounding communities here in Central Valley.

You may write a review here.

Thank you in advance and enjoy your week! We look forward to reading your reviews!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

2011 is here—and what a year 2010 was at the office of Dr. Michael Long! Today, we thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to this year? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

2011 is here—and what a year 2010 was at the office of Dr. Michael Long! Today, we thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to this year? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

Introducing ONSET™, a painless and immediate anesthetic

Dr. Long and Perry's dental office is one of only 100 dental practices in the U.S. to use Onset by Onpharma buffered anesthesia for their dental injections. This new technique of buffering dental anesthetics just prior to inserting into tissues greatly reduces injection discomfort and creates instant anesthesia. Our office was chosen by Onpharma to be one of the first practices in the U.S. to use this technique.

Time for the anesthetic to work is greatly minimized due to the unique buffering of the solution, thus allowing immediate passage through the nerve sheath membrane, causing immediate and profound effect on pain receptors. Ordinary non-buffered solutions cause more discomfort and take longer to adequately anesthetize due to its acidic PH.

The usage of Onset will shorten the dental appointment and hopefully make painful dental injections a thing of the past. Drs. Long and Perry continue to expand the horizons of contemporary safe and comfortable dentistry for their patients.

Tell us about your summer plans!

It’s summertime here at Michael G. Long DDS, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is here to stay for a couple more months. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, taking in a camping trip, hitting California’s open roads or just having fun around Fresno, we want to hear all about it! Leave a comment on our Facebook page and tell us about your summer!

We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures to our Facebook wall!

Happy & safe travels everyone!

Featured patient reviews for Dr. Michael Long

Once in a while, Fresno dentist Dr. Michael Long and team get patient reviews that make us really proud to do the work we do at our convenient Fresno office: creating beautiful smiles. Check out these two reviews we received from two longtime patients and please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

"I've been going to Dr. Long for 20 years and will not go anywhere else, ever. He gives the most painless shots possible. He is soft spoken and kind. His front office is professional and most helpful. His hygienist staff mirrors his personality: kind, helpful and professional. I cannot say enough about the experience there. I highly recommend Dr. Michael Long."

"He and his staff are fun and friendly and willing to go out of their way to help you and your family. I have gone to him for 15 years and trust him and his staff. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that the staff knows your name and who you are. I highly recommend."

Write a review of Dr. Michael Long!

At the dental practice of Dr. Michael G. Long, we treat patients in a casual, relaxed, and family-friendly environment. Dr. Long and his team are dedicated to giving you, our patient, the care you deserve and the healthy, bright smile you want. Oral hygiene is at the core of what we do. We believe that a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy lifestyle, and we always want you to feel like your smile matters – because to us, it does!

Whether you've visited Dr. Long for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is doing! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local listing and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Long create more beautiful smiles in Fresno and surrounding communities here in Fresno County.

You may write a review here.

Thank you and enjoy your week! Dr. Long and team look forward to reading your reviews!

Michael G. Long DDS, supporting National Children's Dental Health Month

Last week, we blogged about the need to screen for gum and heart disease during the month of February, which is designated as "America's Heart Month." Well, February is also National Children’s Dental Health Month, and Dr. Michael Long is here to tell you about the need for preventative oral care in kids. For 60 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Dr. Long and thousands of dental professionals in the U.S. focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Dr. Long and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited our office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Dr. Long wants to know: What do you love about Fresno?

The office of Michael G. Long, located in Fresno and serving surrounding communities, is situated around some pretty special neighborhoods here in Central Valley. Each is unique with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our amazing patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Long and our professional team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Fresno or California in general? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps you have a favorite California getaway? Do you love the pleasant weather we enjoy year-round?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Fresno, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.” And, who knows, Dr. Long and team just might post your response on our social networks! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Talking cavities, with Dr. Michael Long

Dr. Long knows one word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is "Cavity"! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do they happen? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity you ask? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

The best prevention for cavities is regular checkups with Dr. Long and proper oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing. A regular checkup with Dr. Long and our team consists of a thorough cleaning, polishing, and an oral exam by the doctor. During the oral exam, the doctor checks the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. At each visit, Dr. Long also checks old fillings and restorations because constant pressure from chewing, grinding, or clenching can cause them to wear away, chip, or crack. Digital X-rays will also be taken to pinpoint the cavities and to help determine the best treatment options.

If you have any questions about cavities, or to schedule an appointment at Michael G. Long DDS, please feel free to give us a call.

Dr. Long and team want to know: What puts you at ease?

Dr. Long understands not everyone is thrilled to see the dentist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. Dr. Long and our dedicated team treat patients in a casual, relaxed and family-friendly environment. Dr. Long and his team are dedicated to giving you, our patient, the care you deserve and the healthy, bright smile you want.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Long himself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Five steps to a healthier mouth—and a healthier you, from Dr. Long

Dr. Michael Long would like to suggest to you an interesting article that talks about the steps you need to take to accomplish better oral health. The article is titled, "5 Steps to a Healthy Mouth," written by respected physician Dr. Andrew Weil. The author notes that using dental floss, washing your hands and massaging your gums with your fingertips, having your teeth and gums cleaned by Dr. Long twice a year and using a goldenseal mouth rinse are all part of keeping your mouth—and smile—healthy.

If you have any questions on good oral hygiene, give us a call! Have a great rest of the week, from the entire team at Michael G. Long, D.D.S!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Dr. Long and team!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Dr. Long and his team reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2010? Opening
presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

A great article about changes in dentistry, from Dr. Long

The world around us is always changing and evolving, whether it’s the latest gadget you ordered online or the high-tech braces you're wearing on your teeth! Recently, Dr. Long and his team read an article in the New York Times about dental implants, and how they are becoming increasingly favored over bridges to replace lost teeth. One thing to remember about dental implants is that they need to be cared for just like your regular teeth; daily brushing and flossing are a must!

Call us today to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Long to discuss your implant options.

Happy Wednesday!

What do you love about Michael G. Long, D.D.S?

From your very first visit to our office Dr. Long and his team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Long? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback on our networks. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!

Thank you and happy Wednesday!
The team at Michael G. Long, D.D.S

Is fluoride your friend? You bet it is! Dr. Long explains...

There are so many ways you protect your teeth! You brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. But did you know there is another, often forgotten about, way to keep your teeth clean and healthy? Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement. Dr. Long uses in-office fluoride treatments to help protect the oral health of adults and children undergoing dental procedures.

Fluoride used in the our office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask Dr. Long how to purchase professional strength fluoride). A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or Dr. Long's recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six or 12 months. Dr. Long may also prescribe a fluoride product such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses for at-home treatment.

When choosing your own fluoride product be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

--From Dr. Long and his team

Happy Thanksgiving, from Dr. Long and team

Dr. Long and his team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat, especially if you have braces! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to send them along or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!