FAQ’S
Every day in our office we speak with our patients to answer any questions that they may have regarding the health and maintenance of their oral condition.
Listed below for your reference are the five questions that we are asked most often. If you would like to discuss any of these questions in more detail or if you have dental questions of your own, we invite you to call us 905-458-1212.
Why is it important that I visit my dentist every 6 months?
We recommend that patients visit our office at least twice each year to ensure their optimal oral health and to help avoid serious and costly future problems. In addition to cleaning and polishing all the visible and hidden surfaces of your teeth, we also check for many potential problems. Tooth decay, oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease are just a few examples of problems that can have serious consequences if left undetected. In certain cases, we may even recommend 3 or 4 visits per year in order to properly treat conditions that require more regular attention.
Maintaining a regular appointment schedule with your dentist isn’t just good for your teeth, it’s an important part of your overall health
Why do my gums bleed when I brush my teeth?
Bleeding during brushing and flossing is often the first sign of periodontal (gum) disease. This means that your gums have become inflamed or infected as a result of plaque and tartar buildup along and below the gum lines. This condition can become very serious if left untreated and can eventually lead to receding gums and tooth loss.
The best treatment for this condition is a visit to your dentist for a thorough check-up and cleaning, followed by a complete regimen of brushing and flossing. With prompt and thorough treatment, the condition if caught early can normally be corrected. Please feel free to call our office if you have noticed bleeding during tooth brushing, or if you would like direction on proper homecare techniques.
How can I help myself to prevent bad breath?
According to recent studies, almost half the population of adults in North America suffers at least occasionally from bad breath (halitosis). The most common cause of bad breath is bacteria in the mouth and on the back of the tongue. These bacteria produce a volatile sulfur compound, which in turn produces a smell similar to “rotten eggs”. (Other non-dental causes of halitosis include certain foods, smoking, alcohol, hormonal changes or simply being hungry.)
If the halitosis is of oral origin, the treatment usually begins with ensuring meticulous hygiene of the mouth. Your dentist or dental hygienist will check for gum disease and, if necessary, prepare a detailed treatment plan. Tongue scraping should also become an important part of daily home care and part of your regular tooth brushing routine. (It’s easy and painless.)
How is a mouth guard from my dentist different from one I buy at a sporting goods store?
High-speed collisions that occur during the play of sports like hockey, football, soccer and basketball can cause serious tooth damage. A professionally fitted mouth-guard is the best defense for any athlete against this. The mouth guards provided in our office are custom-made to perfectly fit the wearer’s teeth which can result in a more comfortable and secure fit. In addition, we use a heavier mouth guard material selected based upon each patient’s individual needs. The boil and bite mouth-guards that you purchase in retail stores simply can not provide the same level of protection.
Fillings… silver or white, what’s the difference?
Many of us who grew up before the time of fluoridated water have a mouth full of silver fillings. These fillings known as amalgams, have proven to be extremely durable restorations, but they are not very pleasing to the eye.
Fortunately, recent advances in dental materials have made it possible to use tooth coloured filling materials. These materials can be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth and are used to achieve long lasting and attractive restorations. In our practice, we use tooth coloured materials for almost all of the fillings that we place. We even use these materials to replace old amalgam fillings that have started to deteriorate or that simply detract from the appearance of our patient’s smiles.
Feel free to contact our office if you have any concerns about your old silver fillings. We will be more than happy to answer your questions.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Missing teeth can cause serious problems, and not just with your appearance. The shape of your face and jaw can change, your remaining teeth can drift out of place, and you may have trouble eating certain foods or speaking clearly.
Dental implants can solve all of these problems. Implants are permanent replacements that mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. What are some of the benefits?
• They enhance the appearance of your smile and improve your speech. • Because they are fixed permanently, you can enjoy all the foods you love. • They are an ideal replacement for loose-fitting dentures. • No more dentures means no more denture glue.
Imagine being able to smile broadly instead of hiding your teeth. Imagine biting into a crunchy apple without worry. Dental implants can give you the confidence and healthy smile you have always wanted. Talk to us today to learn more.
What Is a Root Canal and When Is It Required?
Deep cavities and cracks in teeth can allow bacteria to enter the pulp that nourishes the teeth, leading to irritation and infection. Eventually, the pulp may die, threatening the health of the surrounding tooth. In cases like these, your dentist will try to save the natural tooth with a root canal treatment.
At each check-up your dentist looks for possible signs of infection. If root canal treatment is necessary, your dentist can perform the procedure. It is important that you receive treatment as soon as possible to prevent further infection and possible tooth loss.
Root canal treatments remove the dead or infected pulp through a small opening in the tooth. The root canals are sealed to prevent bacteria from reaching the bone, and the opening in the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown.
With a root canal you can keep your natural teeth and avoid a costly tooth replacement. Speak to one of our team members to learn more.
How Can I Fix My Chipped Teeth?
Chipped teeth should always be evaluated by a dentist to ensure the damage is assessed correctly. Depending on the size and location of the chip, there are a number of solutions available:
- Enamel Shaping – A reshaping of the tooth to smooth out small chips.
- Bonding – A quick solution for small chips that can be done in one visit. The dentist bonds a tooth-colored resin to the chipped area to mask the chip.
- Veneers – Custom-made porcelain veneers are fitted to your teeth to cover imperfections, including chips. Crowns would be used for larger chips.
- Crowns – Crowns cover the chewing surface of a tooth and are best suited to chips in the molars. Like veneers, they are custom-fitted to your teeth.
Talk to us today about the best option for natural-looking repairs of your chipped teeth.