Are sweets and ice really bad for my teeth?

Yes, sweets and foods with acid, like candy and soda, could stick to teeth and lead to cavities. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause oral cancer and gum disease. While teeth are strong enough to chew ice and tear open packages, this can break them and stress your jaws. Gritting or grinding down on teeth when you're stressed may crack them. Biting your nails is another bad habit. It pulls your jaw out of position and changes how your teeth fit together.

Do I really need to floss?

There's no getting around the need to get around your teeth daily with dental floss. It clears food and plaque from between teeth and under the gum line. If you don't, plaque hardens into tartar, which forms wedges and widens the space between teeth and gums, causing pockets. Over time, gums pull away and teeth loosen.

Does the Waterpik replace flossing?

While the Waterpik Water Flosser is extremely effective, it is still not a replacement for traditional floss! It’s so important to floss because that process removes bacteria colonies from teeth and gums. The Waterpik or Water Flossers simply rinse these areas. Ideally, patients should use both.

How can I improve my smile?

The best way for patients to improve the appearance of their smiles is to start with a healthy foundation. Dr. Olga Frey provides a full evaluation for her patients to uncover any hidden dental conditions that may interfere with patients’ desires to have cosmetic procedures. Once she determines that the patient’s teeth and gums are completely healthy, she can provide a cosmetic dental treatment plan that addresses the patient’s aesthetic concerns. Some of the cosmetic procedures she offers include: Professional teeth whitening – A custom professional take-home whitening system can improve the patient’s tooth color by several shades with two to three weeks of use. Dr. Frey will discuss whitening time as well as frequency to help her patients achieve the brightest smile while avoiding common side effects. Cosmetic dental bonding – Cosmetic bonding is an economical and non-invasive treatment that fixes minor flaws in a patient’s smile, such as gaps, chips, misshapen, or damaged teeth. Porcelain crowns – Dental crowns provide stability and can improve the appearance of patients’ smiles by covering worn or damaged teeth. Porcelain veneers – Porcelain veneers are the gold standard for patients wishing to make dramatic changes to their smiles. Veneers cover the patient’s natural teeth and can address aesthetic conditions such as short or worn teeth, deeply stained teeth, and misaligned teeth.

How do I use my Water Flosser?

Fill the reservoir with warm water and place firmly on the base. Select a tip and click into the handle. Note: If this is the first use, set the pressure control dial to high. Point the tip into the sink and turn on until water flows. Turn unit off. Start with the lowest pressure setting, lean over the sink, place tip in your mouth. Turn unit on. Close lips enough to prevent splashing, let water flow from your mouth into sink. Aim the tip at the gumline. When finished, turn unit off and use the tip eject button to remove the tip.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants have 3 parts: a bio-compatible, small titanium post, an abutment, and then the dental restoration. The post is implanted into the jaw bone via a simple surgical procedure. The implant integrates with the jaw bone acting as the tooth root and providing a solid foundation for an artificial tooth. A dental implant is used to replace missing teeth due to disease or lack of oral hygiene as well as missing teeth due to injury or trauma. How long is the process? If you need any pre-treatments such as a bone graft or tooth extraction that will be performed first. Then you will move on to the surgical phase where the implants are surgically placed. This will require 3-6 months of healing time. During this time, you will have a healing cap on the implant. Last is the attachment of the abutment and the dental restoration. The entire process can take anywhere from 6-9 months. The national success rate for implants is over 95%. Factors like smoking greatly increase your chance of implant failure.

What are early signs of dental trouble?

If you have any of these issues or see your child having trouble chewing or complaining of soreness: Mouth sores Jaw pain Redness Swollen face or gums Tooth sensitivity Broken teeth Dry mouth Bleeding gums Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth Getting checked out right away prevents more serious problems and infections.

What can I add into my Water Flosser?

Mouthwash for flavoring, chlorhexidine if prescribed by your dentist. Dr. Frey's recommendation: Add a capful of Listerine Whitening with warm water to your water flosser to help reverse gingivitis. Because of it's antibacterial properties, hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen that helps destroy bacteria which may help battle periodontal disease.

Dr. Olga Frey, DDS

Dr. Olga Frey, DDS > Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Patients want an office that provides the procedures they are looking for and a doctor who understands their needs. Dr. Olga Frey has provided the answers to some of the most common questions she hears from patients. She and her team are standing by to answer any additional questions from potential or existing patients.

X-rays, do I need them?
What are Dental Implants?
Why are my teeth sensitive?
What is gingivitis?
How can I improve my smile?
What is teeth whitening?
Do I really need to floss?
What are early signs of dental trouble?
Are sweets and ice really bad for my teeth?
Does the Waterpik replace flossing?
What can I add into my Water Flosser?
How do I use my Water Flosser?

FAQ Categories

Show All FAQs
Other
Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental Implants
Periodontal Treatment
Preventive Treatment
Teeth Whitening

If you have difficulty using our website, please email us or call us at (401) 521-6207

View the ADA Accessibility Statement

Turn on ADA Views