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The
following is a list of common questions and answers that our patients
have asked over the years. If a question you have is not on our
list, please feel free to either call or ask us in person. We would
love to help you!
How
does the Doctor keep up to date on all of the current techniques
and materials?
Dr.
Edwards takes time on a regular basis for continuing education by
attending seminars and lectures concerning the newest technologies
and techniques the ever-changing dental field has to offer.
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If
I wear dentures or partials, do I have to visit my dentist and dental
hygienist?
Yes. Regular dental check-ups are important. The dentist
will examine your mouth to see if your dentures continue to fit
properly. The dentist also examines your mouth for signs of oral
diseases including cancer during your scheduled appointment.
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Does
Menopause affect my teeth & gums?
Yes.
Because estgrogen levels drop, it's not uncommon for your gums to
hurt, become inflamed or bleed. You may experience tooth sensitivity,
dry mouth & altered sense of taste. Although estrogen supplements
may ease symptoms, good home care, regular check-ups and professional
cleanings done by skilled hygienists are helpful ways to reverse
these problems. We also provide in our office Biotene - for dry
mouth due to menopause, chemo, and medications.
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What's
the deal regarding in-office bleaching?
The
"take home" tooth whitening system offered to our patients has continuously
produced fabulous results. Molds are taken of your teeth; then trays
are made to fit your mouth specifically. You then will receive a
demonstration and instructions to begin whitening your teeth in
the comfort of your own home.
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Who
can bleach?
Almost
everyone can be a candidate for tooth whitening. The only exceptions
are small children, pregnant or lactating women, or patients with
crowns ("caps") on all of the front teeth. Note: Only natural teeth
will lighten in color.
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How
long will it take to bleach?
Every
individual is different. It depends mainly on your tooth discoloration.
The individual wears the tray for a few hours or through the night,
based on your convenience for wear and sensitivity level. Your oral
health care professional can advise you accordingly.
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How
long will the bleaching last?
That
depends on the individual as well. If an individual drinks a lot
of coffee, tea, or smokes tobacco products, your teeth will become
discolored again quicker. Bleaching refills can be purchased in
the office to maintain the patient's desired color.
Tooth whitening has become very popular as it an excellent way to
improve the look of your smile quickly and safely.
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Is
it bad if my gums bleed after I brush my teeth?
It’s certainly
not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. However,
the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the
source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the
following: improper, rough, ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular
brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a
soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum
sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem
persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or occurs
every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation
appointment.
Bleeding
gums after you brush your teeth is an indication of infection. It
is important to your overall health that you have your teeth cleaned
and examined every six months. Prevention is the key to a happy,
healthy smile. By visiting your dentist every six months, we can
help you prevent infection and decay.
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I
really don’t like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can
do to help me relax?
Dr. Edwards' mission is to provide excellent dentistry in a caring
and relaxed atmosphere. Therefore, we provide nitrous oxide, headphones
and TV’s in each treatment room to help make your visit a pleasant
one.
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I
want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces.
What would you recommend?
If your teeth are crooked, you don't necessarily need braces. When
you come in for a consultation, we can talk to you about several
other options, including porcelain veneers. If you're a candidate
for this sort of treatment, the whole process will take about two
weeks rather than two years, as is usually the case with braces.
There is a growing desire for cosmetic dentistry today. In many
cases, Dr. Edwards is able to place porcelain veneers or crowns
to correct unsightly crooked teeth without the need for braces.
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Will
Dr. Edwards teach me about my dental health?
Educating our patients is of the utmost importance at Dr. Edwards
office. All treatment is thoroughly explained and any questions
welcomed.
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When
should I start bringing my child to see the dentist?
We like to see children in our office by the age of three or four
for a "Happy Visit". By then their primary teeth are in, and they
are ready to meet the dentist. Even if they don’t have dental work
performed, they can meet our team and see what a dental office really
looks like, and hopefully learn going to the dental office can be
fun. Of course, if your toddler accidentally chips or knocks out
a tooth prior to this age, you should let us know right away.
Children can begin a regular cleaning routine as young as 4 or 5
years old. We recommend that you bring your child with you to one
of your regular check-up appointments before we begin a routine
for them. This helps the child get used to the office, staff, and
Dr. Edwards. Remember to make all appointments for children a positive
experience.
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My
child has had an accident and his/her tooth has been entirely knocked
out. What do I do?
There is a chance we can get the tooth back in your child's mouth,
so please rush your child and the tooth to our office right away---within
the hour. If possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk, so that
the calcium and vitamin D from the milk can continue feeding the
tooth bone.
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Do
I have to floss every day? Is it really that important?
The use of dental floss is essential in preventing gum disease.
Most oral health problems are related to dental plaque--the soft,
sticky layer of bacteria on the surface of gums and teeth, particularly
along the gum-line. When dental plaque grows it releases toxins
that irritate the gums causing gingivitis. If left untreated it
may lead to a more serious form of gum disease (periodontitis).
The toothbrush can't reach difficult areas in the mouth, like between
teeth and along the gums. Using dental floss at least once a day
provides effective removal of dental plaque and cleaning between
the teeth. Flossing is very important to your dental health. Not
only does flossing help remove plaque from in between your teeth
where your toothbrush can’t get to, it helps prevent decay, gum
disease and bone loss. Teeth can be lost in two ways, from decay
and from gum disease. Flossing helps prevent both!
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Do
you accept referrals?
We are always happy to see your family, friends, and co-workers.
We believe that good patients refer other good patients.
Referrals are always welcome. We're always looking forward to new
patients so we can provide the same excellent level of dentistry
that we provide to our existing patients.
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How
do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?
We make sure to schedule an appointment with all of our patients
every 6 months in order to provide a thorough, professional cleaning.
In the meantime, twice daily brushing and daily flossing go a long
way towards maintaining a healthy mouth. We will schedule you ahead
of time for your next cleaning and check-up, and our staff will
follow-up with you to make sure you are aware of your next appointment.
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What
do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
You can breathe easy knowing if you were to end up in a dental emergency
Dr. Edwards is there for you. Calling our office after hours will
give you the option of leaving a message that will be returned as
soon as we are back in the office, or receive an emergency number
to contact Dr. Edwards or one of his team who will be more than
happy to help.
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I
have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off
or breaks?
If your temporary crown comes off or breaks, carefully wrap up the
piece(s), place it into a protective container, and call our office
to schedule an appointment for Dr. Edwards to re-apply it as soon
as possible. If the crown comes off or breaks after hours, please
call our office answering machine to get in touch with Dr. Edwards
right away. Under NO circumstances should you attempt to re-glue
the crown or crown pieces back into position.
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What
is the difference between a crown and an onlay?
These restorations are most generally used in instances where a
tooth has been fractured, broken, or had root canal treatment. A
crown is often referred to as a "cap" because it fits just like
a cap covering the whole tooth. Where as, an onlay is more conservative
allowing you to keep more of your own natural tooth. When possible
we provide treatment that is conservative, but we always do what
is in your best interest.
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My
breath has a terrible odor, but I brush every day. Is it just me,
or is there something you can do to help?
Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite
daily teeth brushing. Here’s a checklist of procedures that can
eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and
tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings, and careful cleaning
of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your
hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer several
solutions. First, we can recommend a specially-prepared rinse or
toothpaste designed to actually break the odor-causing sulfur bonds
that cause bad breath. Second, we may also suspect a systemic or
internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition, in
which case we may recommend a visit with your family physician or
specialist to identify the cause.
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Should
I replace a missing tooth with an implant?
An implant and crown fit so securely you won’t even notice it when
you chew and speak. When an implant is placed it is not necessary
for us to alter the structure of the adjacent teeth, so their strength
and integrity is maintained. Also, an implant replaces the roots
of a tooth, helping to fend off the bone loss occurring when it
is missing. In essence, an implant is the next best thing to your
natural tooth. If you’re interested in an implant, we will perform
a thorough evaluation to determine whether your health and lifestyle
make you a good candidate for this kind of restoration.
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What
precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
We use state-of-the-art sterilization procedures. We dispose items
whenever possible, and we pride ourselves on a clean and neat facility.
We follow all OSHA and ADA requirements.
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What
is the benefit of composite (tooth colored) bonded fillings over
silver mercury (amalgam) fillings?
There's
some debate in the dental industry regarding the pros and cons of
using silver fillings, or dental amalgams, to fill cavities. At
our office, we exclusively use composite resins for several reasons.
First, composite resin actually bonds to your tooth structure, protecting
against decay and strengthening the tooth. And of course, strength
means better longevity…increasing your chances of keeping that tooth
for life. By contrast, dental amalgams do not form such a bond:
they simply form a mechanical barrier to decay. Thus, over time,
the amalgam-treated tooth can weaken, often creating a liability
to your long-term dental health.
Resins are also advantageous in providing long-term bacterial invasion
protection. Once bonded, the filling won't wear down or change its
shape despite the incredible forces of biting and chewing. Since
there's no cracking or shifting involved, there's no 'place of entry'
for bacteria. However, silver amalgams on biting surfaces do change
shape with biting and chewing impact. Thus, little by little, the
filling may not 'fill' the cavity any longer. Tiny cracks and shifts
in the material can easily allow bacterial reinvasion, creating
a bigger decay problem than you had at first. In addition to these
functional reasons, we appreciate the esthetic value of composite
resins: allowing us to match your normal enamel color so closely
that your dental work will be nearly invisible. So, all things considered,
we find white fillings to be the conservative, durable, and attractive!
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