Blog | Katherine E Garrett DDS, PA | Family Dentist in Raleigh, NC

Oct 28 2013

Dental Tips: Enamel Erosion

Family dentist, Dr. Katherine E. Garrett, wants you to keep your teeth as clean as possible at all times! Use the following tips to help with teeth whitening, health and longevity.

Wait 30 minutes to Brush: Waiting at least 30 minutes after drinking soda or anything related will give your teeth some time to harden after the acidic beverage softens the tooth enamel. Saliva protects the teeth from the effects of the acid
Use a Straw: Drinking through a straw will minimize acidic contact between tooth and drink.
Calcium: Research has shown that the presence of calcium not only may reduce the erosive potential of soft drinks, but it may also increase mineral density.
Only brush twice a day: Over-brushing can keep your teeth clean, but it can create bigger problems, such as receding, bleeding gums or additional wear to enamel!
Don’t eat before bed: It takes saliva about an hour to neutralize acids in your mouth, but saliva flow dramatically decreases when you sleep. That’s why it’s best to finish your last meal/snack at least an hour before bed.

Our family dentist is dedicated to helping your dental health! Come in and receive our new patient special. Complimentary Zoom teeth whitening (a $430 value) when you complete your initial cleaning and x-rays. Click here for the coupon.

Oct 11 2013

Who should get dental implants?

Your cosmetic dentist has some tips for deciding whether or not dental implants are for you.

If you are missing one or more teeth, then dental implants may be an option for you. Our north Raleigh cosmetic dentist Katherine E. Garrett understands how difficult it can be to smile when you aren’t proud of your smile. That’s where cosmetic treatments such as dental implants come into play.

Provided that you have enough bone in the area of your jaw where your teeth meet the jaw bone itself, then dental implants are a possibility. We’ll use the existing bone to anchor the implant permanently so as to create the look and feel of a natural tooth. The implant itself will last a lifetime while the crown will need repair every 10 or so years.

In the end, no one except for you will be able to tell it’s an implant. For more information on the treatment and if you are a good candidate, contact cosmetic dentist, Katherine E. Garrett.

Oct 09 2013

Are Porcelain Veneers Right for You?

There are many different ways your cosmetic dentist can help improve your smile. Porcelain veneers might be the right choice for you.

Cosmetic dentist, Katherine Garrett wants to make sure you are aware of the options available for your dental health. and cosmetic needs. Sometimes even a proper brushing routine is not enough to get the smile you want. There are dental procedures around this problem. One way to achieve a white, beautiful smile is through the use of porcelain veneers. Veneers are very thin pieces of material places on the teeth to help restore enamel. There are two types of veneers:

Composite Veneer Procedure: applies the bond directly to the tooth.
Porcelain Veneer Procedure: a piece is created in the dental lab fixed to the tooth at a later appointment.

Recently, a third type of procedure is catching on:

Lumineer Porcelain Veneer Procedure: a new type of micro thin porcelain (approximately the thickness of a contact lens) is affixed to the tooth with little to no contouring of the original tooth

If you are looking to make improvements to your smile, Contact us ,today for scheduling an appointment with a Raleigh cosmetic dentist. We are looking forward to helping you. We will find what’s best for your smile!

Oct 05 2013

Have You Chipped a Tooth? It Can Be Fixed Easily and Quickly!

Dental caps, explained by our cosmetic dentist.

Dental caps and molds, much like crowns, are made from a composite material and created in a laboratory to exact specifications. In the same manner, a temporary cap is placed on your tooth until the permanent cap is in place. Your cosmetic dentist can easily apply these caps. In some cases, a filling may be needed to naturally counter the weight of the cap. Coloration and match are important factors in the procedure. If the procedure is done properly, there will be little to no evidence of any dental work.

If you have a chipped or broken tooth, contact Dr. Garrett and make an appointment today with a cosmetic dentist. Your smile will thank you. Happy holidays!