Frequently Asked Questions

Family & General Dentistry Questions

What should I do to take care of my teeth?
Do you have any tips on proper tooth brushing?
What are cavities?
How should I care for my infant's teeth?
How should I care for my preschooler's teeth?
When should I start taking my child to the dentist?

Cosmetic & Specialized Dentistry Questions

What is implant dentistry?
Is teeth whitening safe?
How do porcelain veneers work?
Do I want implants to fix my smile?

Family & General Dentistry

What should I do to take care of my teeth?
To keep your mouth and teeth healthy:

• Brush your teeth everyday with a fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily
• Limit refined sugar intake
• Eat a healthy diet
• Don't smoke or chew tobacco
• See your dentist on a regular basis

How should I care for my infant's teeth?
Clean your babies teeth with a soft, clean cloth or an infant toothbrush to prevent the build up of bacteria and check regularly for spots and stains.

How should I care for my preschooler's teeth?
You can start using a fluoride toothpaste when you child is preschool age. Because young children tend to swallow most of the toothpaste, use just a pea-sized amount. Don't cover the entire brush with toothpaste.

What are cavities?
A cavity is an area of decay in a tooth also known as caries. You can learn more by following this link.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?
The American Dental Association recommends that parents take their child to a dentist around his or her first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child's teeth.  We can review important information about diet, bottles, tooth brushing and fluoride use. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.

Cosmetic & Specialized Dentistry

What is implant dentistry?
Implant dentistry involves implanting customized prosthetics into the patient's mouth to correct imperfections such as bone loss and missing teeth.

Is teeth whitening safe?
Yes, completely.  Our professional teeth whitening services use the latest dental "bleaching" procedures to keep those pearly whites their whitest. It is important to have a thorough dental exam prior to any teeth whitening because any problems (cavities or gum inflammation, for example) need to be addressed prior to teeth whitening to keep the procedure safe and healthy for you.

How do porcelain veneers work?
Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are laid over the visible surfaces of teeth, usually front teeth.  These thin pieces of porcelain can change a smile from one that is dreary, dark, crooked, and decayed, into something beautiful and healthy.  Greenville Smiles uses porcelain because it is both healthier for you and more attractive long term.

Do I want implants to fix my smile?
Implants are a great solution because they are truly a revolution in dentistry. Pioneered by Dr. Leonard Linkow, implants are, in very simple terms, screws that are placed into the jaw where teeth are missing to act as roots. Implants can then be restored with crowns, dentures, or other prostheses. Implants are truly the best way to fix a broken smile. Although bridges and dentures work, they do not have the longevity, simplicity, or ease of use that implants provide.

If you need more information, please visit our services page to learn more about specific services and procedures or call our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Wilson.