Dental FAQ’s

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Dentistry is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions, disorders, and diseases of the teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw. Often considered necessary for complete oral health, dentistry can have an impact on the health of your entire body.

A dentist is a specialist who works to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Your dentist has completed at least eight years of schooling, and received either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree, or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. If your doctor is a pediatric dentist, this means that he or she specializes in caring for children from infancy through their teen years. A pediatric dentist has received the proper education and training needed to work with young kids. Other specializations include:

  • Endodontics (root canals)
  • Oral and maxillofacial (including pathology, radiology, and surgery)
  • Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
  • Periodontics (gum disease)
  • Prosthodontics (implants)

Visiting the dentist regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. Dental care is important because it:

  • Helps prevent tooth decay
  • Protects against periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to tooth and bone loss
  • Prevents bad breath – brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly will help reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath
  • Gives you a more attractive smile and increases your self-confidence
  • Helps keep teeth looking bright by preventing them from becoming stained by food, drinks, and tobacco
  • Strengthens your teeth so that you can enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles for the rest of your life!

Your teeth may feel fine, but it’s still important to see the dentist regularly because problems can exist without you knowing. Your smile’s appearance is important, and your dentist can help keep your smile healthy and looking beautiful. With so many advances in dentistry, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth. Today’s dentists offer many treatment choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:

  • Professional teeth whitening
  • Fillings that mimic the appearance of natural teeth
  • Tooth replacement and full smile makeovers

Choosing a dentist who “clicks” with you and your family is important, and you may wish to consider several dentists before making your final decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine whether the dentist is right for you. During your appointment, consider the following:

  • Is the appointment schedule convenient?
  • Is the office easy to get to and close by?
  • Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?
  • Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
  • Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health?
  • Is information about cost presented to you before treatment is scheduled?
  • Is your dentist a member of the CDA (Canadian Dental Association)?
  • ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth at least two times a day, and floss at least once!
  • Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities.
  • Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth causing more plaque and possibly cavities) and avoid tobacco (this can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and eventually lead to oral cancer).
  • Don’t be afraid to brush your tongue! By brushing your tongue, you will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria. Tongue brushing also helps keep your breath fresh.
  • Be sure to schedule your routine checkup. It is recommended that you visit the dentist every six months.

The Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children first see a dentist as early as six months of age and no later than one year. During this time, your child’s baby teeth will be coming in, and your dentist can examine the health of your child’s first few teeth. After the first visit, be sure to schedule regular checkups every six months.

Children, teens, and adults should all see the dentist for a regular checkup at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for oral cancer or gum disease may be required to see the dentist more than just twice a year. Your doctor will help determine how often you should visit the dentist for regular checkups.

A cavity is a small hole that forms inside the tooth because of tooth decay. Cavities are formed when plaque buildup on the outside of the tooth combines with sugars and starches in the food you eat. This produces an acid that can eat away the enamel on your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Cavities can be prevented by remembering to brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss between teeth at least once.

A filling is a synthetic material that your dentist uses to fill a cavity after all of the tooth decay has been removed. Fillings do not generally hurt because your dentist will numb your mouth with an anesthetic. Fillings are made from a variety of different materials, including composites, gold, or ceramic. If you need a filling, be sure to talk to your doctor about what type is best for you and your teeth.

According to your dentist and the Canadian Dental Association, you should be brushing your teeth at least two times a day. Brushing keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy by removing bacteria-causing plaque. It is also recommended that when you brush your teeth, you use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. You should spend at least a minute on the top teeth and a minute on the bottom teeth, and remember to brush your tongue; it will help keep your breath smelling fresh!

Your toothbrush will eventually wear out, especially if you are brushing your teeth two times a day for two to three minutes each time. Your dentist recommends that adults and children should change their toothbrush every three months. If you are using an electric toothbrush, be sure to read the directions, as you may not need to change toothbrush heads as frequently. Patients with gum disease are encouraged to change their toothbrush every four to six weeks in order to keep bacteria from spreading. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs and keep the bristles clean. If you’ve been sick, be sure to change your toothbrush as soon as possible.

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is mostly caused by plaque and bacteria buildup that is not treated in its early stage. Other causes of periodontal disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, some medications, and genetics. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease. If detected, it is treatable. Gingivitis left untreated may turn into gum disease. Advanced gum disease will lead to tooth and bone loss, and is a permanent condition. Brushing your teeth regularly, and visiting the dentist every six months, will help prevent gingivitis and more severe cases of periodontal disease. Common signs of gum disease are:

  • Red, irritated, bleeding, or swollen gums
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Loose teeth, or loss of teeth
  • Extreme tooth sensitivity
  • Receding gum line
  • Abscessed teeth

Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.

Simply call our practice! Our front desk staff will be happy to schedule your next dental checkup at your convenience. If you are a new patient, please let us know, and we will provide you with all the information you need for your first dental visit.

Sensitivity or pain when eating hot, cold, sweet or sour foods can indicate that your tooth enamel has eroded and the dentin is exposed. This can be caused by cracked teeth, receding gums or damaged fillings. Visit your dentist promptly to determine the cause of your discomfort.

While most people have mastered the habit of brushing twice daily, not many pay attention to all the right places. Areas like the tongue, gums, molars and the back of your front and incisor teeth are commonly missed.

Like the rest of your mouth, your tongue houses bacteria that can cause bad breath. Aim to clean your tongue each time you brush, moving gently from the back to the front.

Plaque can also build up around your gumline and behind your teeth. Taking extra time to brush those places reduces your risk of cavities and gum disease.

Brushing at least twice daily and flossing once a day reduces your chance of developing cavities. Unfortunately, good oral hygiene alone does not eliminate risk. Professional cleaning is recommended every six months to remove plaque and tartar that builds up in hard-to-reach places. More frequent visits may be required if you have a history of gum disease. Pre-schedule your cleaning appointments to make sure they aren’t missed or forgotten about.

Bleeding gums can indicate several problems and should not be ignored. Blood in your sink may be caused by issues like:

  1. Gum disease. Bleeding gums are an early sign of gingivitis – inflammation of the gums that leads to gum disease.
  2. Tooth infection. If you have a cavity, cracked filling or damaged tooth, bacteria can cause an infection in the dentin of that tooth. Brushing and flossing can aggravate the tooth and produce bleeding.
  3. Ill-fitting dentures. If your dentures do not fit properly, they can irritate your gums and lead to discomfort and bleeding.
  4. An abrasive routine. Using a toothbrush with stiff bristles, flossing too hard or using an abrasive toothpaste can irritate your gums. Try using a soft toothbrush, waxed dental floss and less abrasive toothpaste.

If your gums bleed every time you brush, make an appointment with your dentist.

Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled manual or electronic toothbrush after every meal to prevent the build-up of bacteria that causes plaque and tartar. Also, floss daily and change your toothbrush every three months, or when you see the bristles are splayed.

You can also reduce unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking sugary and acidic beverages. Limit your consumption of dark liquids like coffee and red wine to reduce stains. Snacking on crunchy fruit and vegetables and drinking plenty of water also keeps your mouth healthy.

When used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, whitening toothpaste may temporarily remove surface-level stains to create the appearance of whiter teeth. Choose a whitening toothpaste with the Canadian Dental Association’s seal of approval to ensure you’re using a brand that protects your tooth enamel.

Using a soft-bristled toothbrush with the proper brushing technique is an effective way to keep teeth clean. If your budget allows, electric or sonic toothbrushes with rotation-oscillation or sonic vibration movements clean your teeth well and may remove more plaque. The right toothbrush depends on your age, budget and lifestyle. Children under 12 require toothbrushes with smaller heads. The right size toothbrush lets you easily reach all the surface areas of your teeth. Review your brushing technique and toothbrush options with your dentist to determine the best options for you and your family.

Dental Care in Surrey

The experienced professionals at Newton Village Dental Clinic provide reliable dental services in Newton, Surrey. If you have questions or concerns about your oral health, call 604-599-4777 or complete our contact form to request an appointment.