About Idlewild Family Dentistry

TEETH STAINING FOODS TO AVOID AFTER A WHITENING TREATMENT

The first couple of days after teeth whitening are the most critical. To maximize your whitening results, avoid these 12 stain-causing foods and beverages.

• Black coffee
• Tea
• Red Wine
• Soda
• Cranberry juice
• Slushies and Popsicles
• Soy Sauce
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Tomato Soup
• Blueberries
• Beets
• Curry

Because the bleaching process leaves your teeth extra absorbent, it is important to steer clear of these foods for a few days after a whitening treatment.

PATIENT CENTERED CARE

The focus of Idlewild Family Dentistry is patient-centered, preventative and cosmetic dentistry. We enjoy helping people actively participate in their dental health. Further, we emphasize aesthetic, adult restorative treatments designed for long term beauty, comfort, function and low maintenance. 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A DENTAL EMERGENCY?

A dental emergency is an injury to the teeth or gums and can lead to serious repercussions if ignored. When you have a dental emergency it is important to know what to do.

• First of all, call your dentist as soon as possible
• Broken Tooth – Rinse your mouth out with a salt water solution and place the tooth fragments in milk and bring with you to your dental appointment
• Knocked-out Tooth – Hold the tooth in the socket if possible. A tooth has a better chance of being re-implanted if you see a dentist with-in 30 minutes
• Crown Came Off – You can use petroleum jelly or denture adhesive to hold it in place until you can see the dentist. It is important to not use that tooth for chewing.
• Cracked Tooth – Rinse your mouth with a warm salt-water solution to clean the area and see a dentist as soon as possible.

These are only a few instances of a dental emergency. Accidents happen, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent a dental emergency.

• Avoid chewing on ice or hard candy
• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sporting events
• Do not use your teeth to open packaging

As a trusted Matthews Dental office, we’re proud to offer our patients emergency dental services. In most cases, Dr. Dhulab can accommodate same-day emergency dental service during regular business hours.

Idlewild Family Dentistry: (704) 893-0351

WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that provide a permanent base for fixed, replacement teeth. These metal anchors are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong base for the artificial teeth. Small posts that protrude through the gums are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. Compared to dentures and bridges, dental implants are a popular and effective long-term solution for people who suffer from missing teeth. They are quickly becoming the new restorative dentistry standard in tooth replacement. A dental implant is permanent and is an effective, attractive, secure way to fill gaps in your smile—all while preserving your existing teeth.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE FOR STRAIGHTER TEETH WITH SIX MONTH SMILES

One of the services that Idlewild Family Dentistry does for our patients is helping them improve the look of their smile. That is why we are proud to offer Six Month Smiles. Six Month Smiles is a short term orthodontic treatment for adults with crooked teeth.

Click here to learn more about Six Month Smiles in Matthews, NC.

Fact or Fiction: Do Root Canals Hurt?

Does the phrase “root canal” make you cringe? There’s a common misconception that root canal therapy is a painful procedure. When in fact, it is used to alleviate pain. Root Canal therapy is performed when a tooth is causing pain from an irreversible condition such as a broken tooth, infected pulp,  or a slowing dying nerve.

Root Canal therapy is performed when a tooth is causing pain from an irreversible condition such as a broken tooth, infected pulp,  or a slowing dying nerve. Most people who have undergone root canal therapy admit that they did not experience any pain during their appointment and felt better after the procedure.

Let’s debunk a few of the myth’s about root canal therapy.

MYTH #1 – Root Canal Therapy is Painful

A root canal relieves the pain associated with infection that has reached the root of the tooth, Through modern day advancements in dental technology, having a root canal feels similar to receiving a filling and can be just as painless.

MYTH #2 – Root Canals Are Only Necessary if You Are Experiencing Tooth Pain.

In some cases, teeth that have died need a root canal in order to avoid becoming infected. Rhodes Dentistry can conduct several tests in order to determine if a tooth with dead nerves is in need of root canal therapy

MYTH #3 – Root Canal Therapy is Only Temporary.

The results are long lasting. Root canals relieve patients’ tooth pain and preserve the tooth indefinitely. The final step in a root canal is a well-made and well-fit crown. With proper oral care at home and routine visits to the dentist, your tooth will last a lifetime.

MYTH #4 – Extraction is a Good Alternative to a Root Canal.

Saving your natural tooth is always the best option. A root canal with a good restoration (dental crown) is not only the most cost-effective option, it allows you to keep your natural tooth. Dental implants and other tooth replacement alternatives will require additional treatments and additional out-of-pocket expense.

If you would like to find out more about root canals in Matthews and the surrounding areas or if you think you may be in need of a root canal, give us a call. Idlewild Family Dentistry is here to help you maintain a healthy, natural smile!

The Benefits of Using Mouthwash

Adding a mouthwash rinse to your daily oral health routine can compliment brushing and flossing. It can reach areas within the mouth that are equally as important as your teeth such as the back of the throat and the inside of the cheeks.Mouthwash also helps by removing plaque and food particles that brushing and flossing alone may have missed.

The greatest oral health benefits of using mouthwash

• It helps prevent plaque build-up
• The fluoride in mouthwash helps to prevent cavities
• Freshens breath

For best results add an antibacterial mouthwash in addition to an ADA recommended toothpaste, and remember to visit your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and dental cleaning!

All About Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry offers everything from teeth whitening to complete smile makeovers. If you or a loved one have stained, uneven or broken teeth, cosmetic dentistry can help. It can also offer a wide range of benefits, including making regular cleaning easier, improving a patient's confidence, and even reducing bruxism (grinding).

Dental Health Month: Developing Lifetime Relationships With Our Patients

When patients first walk into Dr. Dhulabs dental office in Matthews, NC, one of the first things they usually notice is the warm and friendly atmosphere. This is because, at Idlewild Family Dentistry, we are more than just a local dental care provider, we strive to become the dental care home for you and your loved ones. Our dental practice is interested in our patients well-being, along with their oral health. We focus on treating not only the present dental problems on the surface, but we also work with our patients to develop healthy habits through oral health education. Dr. Dhulab and his team believe that it is important to develop lifetime relationships with our patients. As a trusted dentist in the area, Dr. Dhulab is always going above and beyond with his involvement in the community. One such instance is that in honor of Dental Health Month, Dr. Dhulab took an opportunity to do something extra special for one of his patients. 

Fluoride is a Good Thing!

Fluoride is a good thing! It stops the acid produced by bacteria (plaque) from eating away tooth enamel (the hard, shiny substance that protects teeth). It can reverse low levels of tooth decay and keep new cavities from forming.

Are Cavities Contagious?

We all know that the common cold is contagious. But, have you ever thought that cavities might be contagious? The bacterial cause of tooth decay can be passed along from person to person.