The only thing wrong with my smile is my yellow teeth. What can I do?
We offer several different teeth whitening options that can be done in our office or in the privacy of your own home. To determine which option is best suited for your needs, we recommend you contact our office to schedule an initial consultation.
How long will whitening last?
This depends on factors such as how much coffee, tea, red wine, berries (dark beverages and foods) you consume, as well as smoking and oral hygiene. You may want to touch up your whitening every 6 months.
What is plaque?
Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque converts certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculas are not removed, they begin to distroy the gums and bone causing periodontal (gum) disease and ultimately loss of teeth.
Plaque formation is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing and the use of other dental aids.
What should I do to take care of my teeth?
Brushing. Brush your teath at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with a soft bristle brush and toothpaste.
- Brush at a 45º angle to the gums using a gentle, small circular motion ensuring you always feel the bristles on your gums.
- Brush the outer, inner and biting surfaces of each tooth.
- Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
- Electronic toothbrushes are recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. They are especially helpful if dexterity is an issue
Flossing. Daily flossing is the best way to clean between your teeth and under the gum line. Flossing disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth and bone.
- Take 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers leaving about 5 cm (2 inches) of floss between hands.
- Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
- Curve the floss into a "C" shape around each tooth and under the gum line. gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth (we are always please to provide flossing instruction in-office)
Rinsing. It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing and also after meals if you are unable to brush.
How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?
You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though we may recommend more frequent visits if there are potentiall problematic areas.
Regular dental exams and cleanings are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for caveties. In addition, the following procedures help us to detect, prevent and maintain your oral health:
- Medical history review
- Examination of dignostic x-rays
- Oral cancer screening
- Gum disease evaluation
- Examination of tooth decay
- Examination of existing restorations
- Removal of calculus
- Removal of plaque
- Teeth polishing
- Oral hygiene recommendation
How can cosmetic dentistry help improve the appearance of my smile?
There are many cosmetic procedures available to improve your teeth and enhance your smile. Depending on your particular needs, cosmetic dentistry can change your smile dramatically and can run the gamut from restoring a single tooth to having a full mouth makeover. Here are the most common cosmetic procedures:
- Teeth whitening
- White fillings
- Porcelain veneers
- Porcelain crowns (caps)
- Dental implants
- Orthodontic traetment
I really don't like going to the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?
We offer oral sedation and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to make your visit more comfortable. Before we can give you sedation or nitrous however, we need to discuss your medical history with you. We will ask whether you or anyone in your family has had difficulty with anaesthetics. We also want to know if you are pregnant, taking steroids, or on medication for high blood pressure.
At what age should my children first see a dentist?
We would like to see children after their third birthday. At this time, we will perform just a visual exam to see how their teeth are doing. We suggest you bring your child with you to observe your check-up experience and become familiar with the office and our staff before his/her first visit.
