Dr.May,is pleased to be able to offer beautiful, healthy smiles to his neighbors in Roanoke and the surrounding communities. He has lived in the Roanoke area his entire life. He went to Glenvar High School and was a Bittle Scholar at Roanoke College. Therehe received his bachelor's degree before attending Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry for his Doctor of Dental Surgery. He is very proud to be able to serve the community in which he grew up.

Dr. May is committed to educating his patients about the role of dental care in achieving optimal oral health and providing and coordinating thatcare. This commitment ensures the highest quality, now and in the future.

We always give our patients individualized attention for the best dental care. This level of care and consideration provides a high quality of service. Dr. May takes the time to answer your questions so you can make informed decisions about your dental care.

Dr. May is experienced and knowledgeable in evaluating your dental needs and providing appropriate treatment. As a dental professional, he chooses the most suitable materials and procedures to benefit the health and appearance of your smile. Safety in procedures and the sterilization of instruments after each use is our guarantee. Dr. May cares about your dental health as much as you do!

Our goal is to provide our patients with care that gives long-lasting benefits for your best dental health. Many of our patients with great oral health only need to be seen twice a year. Occasionally, a patient has to move out of the area, which means we always have room to welcome new patients into our practice!

Ourhygienists have a combined 40+ years of experience. They will take the diagnostic x-rays utilizing the ALARA principle of As Low As Reasonably Achievable in regards to needed exposure. They then use a combination of ultrasonic cleaners and specialized instruments to clean away tartar build-up and plaque. This combination of techniques results in an efficient and comfortable cleaning experience that is a pleasant surprise for most of our new patients.

Dr. May will come back and look at the complete picture of your dental health. He will diagnose tooth decay, periodontal (gum) issues, or any other dental disease present. He will then discuss with you options for treatment, as well as the benefits and risks (if any) associated with them.

If you do not have insurance, we will talk to you about our in-house option that will provide you an opportunity to save a significant amount of money on your initial visit and any dental work that you may need.

Did you know 'teeth cleaning' does more than just clean your teeth? Removing plaque is essential if you want to preserve your teeth. It builds upon the tooth surfaces and between the teeth. Brushing and flossing are, of course, vital, but everyone needs their teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Remember, only a dental hygienist can completely clean your teeth.

Fluoride is an excellent caries (decay) preventative...in proper amounts. Excessive fluoride can cause tooth enamel irregularities. Young children especially often swallow too much toothpaste while brushing. So parents, supervise your young kids while they brush. Kids (and even adults) often use way too much toothpaste (a pea-size drop is plenty). A little goes a long way.

Tooth enamel is very hard, but that doesn't mean you can't break it. Like everything in life, if you overload teeth with force, it can result in a break. Some breaks are easily-treatable chips, but some breaks couldresult in the loss of the tooth.

Sugar and acids are your teeth 's worst enemies. What kinds of foods contain these? Soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, and candy. As a result of the acid content, Mountain Dew seems to be the worst of the worst. Dentists even have a name for the damage it does; they call it 'Dew Mouth'. These drinks soften the tooth enamel, making it highly susceptible to decay. Parents, watch your kids consumption of these, because young children 's enamel hasn 't developed fully. This makes these drinks even more damaging for kids. As well as eliminating the above (or at least reducing their consumption), usesugar-free xylitol chewing gum after meals. Also, rinse your mouth with a fluoride-containing dental mouthwash.

Yes, we do. Dentists and hygienists are your first line of defense in detecting and treating oral cancer! Each year in the US, approximately 30,000 people are newly diagnosed with oral cancer. Worldwide, the problem is far more significant, with new cases annually approaching 300,000. In the US alone, a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. If you add the subcategory of laryngeal cancers, the rates of occurrence (about 10,000 additional new cases per year) and death are significantly higher. However, the good news iswhen found early, oral cancers have an 80 to 90% cure rate.

Even a single damaged tooth can cause the adjacent teeth to shift and move around. This can affect chewing and your ability to absorb nutrients from your food. Other undesirable things can happen, as well: your face can change shape ( looking more sunken), your speech can be affected, and you may find yourself favoring softer foods which can have an additional effect on your overall nutrition. Even with the availability of implants, dental crowns and/or bridges and still excellent ways to treat damaged teeth or replace a missing tooth or multiple teeth. They can be made to look so natural that even a dentist may have to look twice to tell the difference.

Any suspicious lump or bump on your gums, cheeks or tongue that doesn't resolve in three weeks should be checked regardless of age. Additionally after the age of 18, oral cancer should be screened for annually. Our screenings are painless and straightforward, as Dr. May examines your oral tissue, lips, and gums for any signs of abnormalities. With a test as easy as this, everyone should be screened for oral cancer.