Below is a list of some of the questions our patients ask us most frequently. If you have a question that isn't answered below, feel free to give us a call and our team at Woodyard Dental Care will be happy to assist you.
How often should I visit the dentist?
How often should I brush and floss my teeth?
What is the proper way to brush my teeth?
What is the proper way to floss?
What is plaque?
What is periodontal (gum) disease?
What are the signs of periodontal disease?
How can I prevent periodontal disease?
Why do our teeth turn yellow?
What are the different types of teeth whitening options?
How long does teeth whitening last?
Are implants the right decision for me?
Are implants or bridges a better choice?
Can implants be used to restore multiple teeth?
Are implants expensive?
How long do implants last?
What if I do not have enough bone in my jaw for implants?
When an implant is surgically placed how long until I get my new tooth?
How can I get a full set of teeth in one day?
What are veneers?
How much of my tooth is removed with veneers?
Will my veneers change color?
How long does it take to get a set of veneers or even just one?
How many veneers do I need?
How long do veneers last?
What can I do about bad breath?
What is cosmetic dentistry?
What is the easiest way to improve my smile?
What are composite fillings?
Should I get my mercury fillings removed?
What are the options for mercury replacement?
Is the mercury dangerous to remove?
You should visit the dentist at least twice a year. A dental exam can reveal early signs of decay and disease that you may not see or feel. Catching these conditions early can help control them before they get worse and harder to treat. Additionally, getting a cleaning by a trained professional will remove plaque in areas you may have missed or cannot reach.
You should brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before going to bed. You should floss once a day as well.
What is the proper way to brush my teeth?
The following guidelines are important to brushing correctly.
Firstly, make sure to use a soft bristled brush. Hard bristled brushes can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
Place your brush at a
Use short back and forth strokes or tiny circular movements to brush your teeth. Each movement should be no bigger than the size of each tooth.
Make sure to use gentle strokes while brushing. Gentle strokes are effective in removing plaque, while too much pressure can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
Brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the outer, inner, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Finally, don't cut your brushing short! Make sure to brush for at least 2 minutes.
The following guidelines are important to flossing correctly.
Take 18" of floss and wind it around the middle finger of each hand. You can use these fingers to take up floss as it becomes dirty. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the floss leaving 1-2 inches in between for cleaning.
Gently move the floss up and down the spaces of your teeth. Never snap the floss down onto your gums, as it can cause damage.
As you move the floss down into
Repeat this process for all of your teeth.
Plaque is a sticky, clear film which forms every day on teeth from food debris and bacteria. If plaque is not removed, it can lead to gum disease and cavities. Regular dental
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place. Typically, periodontal disease
The following are signs of periodontal (gum) disease, and you should contact your dentist if you experience any of these:
Gums that bleed while brushing
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
Bad breath that doesn't go away
Pus between your teeth and gums
Loose teeth
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
A change in the fit of partial dentures
Periodontal disease can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene. This includes brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly.
While our teeth start out pearly white, they can discolor through the years as our enamel wears down. The wearing down of enamel allows dentin, a yellow color substance that makes the core of our teeth, to show through. This is what gives our teeth a yellowish tint.
Below are the three most popular teeth whitening options available today.
In-office teeth whitening works by producing a significant color change in your teeth in
These whitening kits are purchased from your dentist for use at home. The strength of the gel used in these kits is lower than that used for in-office bleaching, and thus the gel can be applied for longer periods of time.
Over the counter
Teeth whitening usually lasts from one to three years before darkening of the teeth is noticed. Additionally, once your teeth have been initially whitened, typically only "
Bad breath is caused by a variety of factors, including the types of food you ingest, periodontal disease, dry mouth, and other causes. Going to your dentist will help you determine the cause of your bad
Regardless of the cause of your bad breath, good oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist will help reduce it. Brushing and flossing will eliminate particles of food stuck between your teeth which emit odors. It will also help prevent or treat periodontal disease (gum disease), caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by your dentist). Finally, make sure to brush your tongue regularly to eliminate any residue.
Implants are made of titanium, a biocompatible material. They are used to replace one or more
They are integrated into bone and act like a tooth root to support new teeth.
They do not decay or have the same gum disease risk as natural teeth
Implants look, feel and act like natural teeth
A missing tooth would historically be replaced by a bridge. A bridge requires the neighboring teeth of the space to have the majority of external tooth structure removed. With an implant, you only need a crown made on top of the implant itself to restore it, and leave the neighboring teeth undisturbed and completely intact.
Implants can also be used to multiple teeth, a full set of fixed or removable teeth or even a complete denture. If you experience tooth loss, the bony ridges in your mouth start to decrease and be lost as well. Implants are placed and preserve bone from shrinking leaving you many future options for tooth replacement not available otherwise.
To replace a single tooth an implant is usually less expensive than any alternative in our office. The cost of implant care increases with the complexity of the case, the history of tooth loss and the position of the implant in the mouth.
Research has shown that implants are 98% successful: a higher success rate than almost anything else in dentistry! Under professional care, implants have
Minor grafting can improve and restore the bone
For front
With the use of CAT scan
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that cover the front, edge, and a small portion of the back of anterior teeth. Veneers are used for cosmetic as well as reconstructive purposes; to cover up stained and worn down teeth, as a means to straighten slightly crooked teeth, to change the shape and color of your teeth or to restore teeth with failing older, unsightly white or mercury fillings.
Compared with older fashioned crowns, you don't have to take away a lot of enamel with veneers, and some veneers don't require any removal of tooth structure at all! Proper planning and expertise always lead to
Porcelain doesn't stain like most other dental materials or even natural teeth, keeping the shade of the veneers stable for their lifetime.
We can work quickly if that is your request or we may take a longer period of time to ensure your satisfaction with the esthetic result. Cosmetic dentistry is an art as well as a technical exercise. The beauty that is in your mind's eye is not always easy to arrive at. We take the time necessary to produce exquisite smiles. We can also work as quickly as one week from start to finish if that is the request.
This question is best answered by looking into your own smile. If you check out your upper smile from the side as well as the front, a veneer candidate will frequently count from 8 to 10 teeth that matter in the display of a good smile. The lower teeth may matter less or even more so to some people. Frequently a full makeover entails 20 teeth. A conservative plan considers 4 to 8 for a moderate change.
Veneers can chip or break under severe
Are you unhappy with your smile? There are several possibilities to improve your smile with cosmetic dentistry. Options can range from whitening to veneers to crowns with or without ClearCorrect™ orthodontics preceding your care. Essentially, anything to improve your smile could be considered in this field, however Dr. Woodyard, DMD has studied extensively and has committed a large part of his practice to exceptional smile transformations, from the most subtle nuanced changes to extreme makeovers televised on the networks and in magazines.
The least invasive route is whitening your teeth. This can be done in the office or at home. Keep in mind, whitening does not work well for tetracycline stained
Composite is tooth colored resin/ceramic filling material of many different forms that can
Our position on
The answer is a very definite "it depends"! The larger the existing filling and defect, the more research shows that reinforcement with stronger materials is necessary. Today's
For those concerned about the metal