Family Dentistry in
Matthews, NC

Brushing removes food debris and plaque from the back and front surfaces of your teeth. However, the toothbrush cannot reach into the tiny spaces between the teeth. Flossing helps you remove the debris and bacteria in these areas that the toothbrush is unable to reach.

Bacteria thrive in these hard-to-reach places in your teeth. If you don’t floss regularly, the bacteria multiply to cause serious gum diseases, such as periodontitis or gingivitis. At Craft Smiles, your caring dentist will demonstrate the correct technique for brushing and flossing to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy.

A cavity is a hole on the tooth that starts small and becomes bigger gradually when left untreated. Also known as tooth decay or dental caries, cavities can be hard to detect because they are painless in the beginning.

Our Matthews dentist recommends several steps to prevent cavity formation:

• Brush and floss after drinking and eating. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once. You should brush and floss particularly after you eat or drink sugary foods.
• Avoid frequent sipping and snacking: Include more fruits and vegetables, while avoiding frequent snacking on unhealthy foods. Sugary foods and drinks encourage bacteria to thrive and release acids that damage the tooth enamel.
• Drink water: Tap water has added fluoride which helps reduce the risk of tooth decay. It will also help wash down food debris after eating.
• Get periodic dental health checks. Your dentist at Craft Smiles will recommend a dental health check schedule that is ideal for you. Apart from professional teeth cleaning, we perform regular oral exams that help prevent minor problems from blowing up into something serious so you can rest assured that you are receiving the best dental care.

Morning breath can be caused by many factors. These include acid reflux (GERD), tobacco, strong-smelling foods such as onion or garlic, and dry mouth. Apart from these, poor oral hygiene is often the main reason behind morning breath. At night, saliva production also decreases. This helps the bacteria in your teeth release sulfur compounds from the food debris, resulting in bad breath. If regular brushing, flossing, and tongue-cleaning are not helping you get rid of morning breath, consult your dentist in Matthews.

If you are experiencing mild teeth sensitivity, you can use a desensitizing toothpaste that blocks the pain. However, consulting your dentist is the best way to address teeth sensitivity. After a thorough evaluation, the dentist recommends the right treatment that can include root canal, fluoride application, gum graft or application of bonding resin.

The results typically depend on the type of teeth whitening treatment. Over-the-counter products such as gels, toothpaste or strips use a mild bleaching agent (peroxide) to whiten teeth. The results can last for four months once you use them as recommended.

Dentists use stronger whitening products when they perform professional teeth whitening. Your teeth will stay bright for up to a year with our in-office teeth whitening while keeping optimum oral hygiene. Our dentist in Matthews is here to provide you with the best teeth whitening results.