FAQs

Below are few signs you should be seeing your dentist:

• If your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold
• Your gums are swollen or bleed when you brush or floss
• You have difficulty chewing or swallowing
• You have pain in your face, neck, or jaw
• You have a medical condition such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease
• You have a family history of gum disease or tooth decay

Yes. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can still have dental health problems that only a dentist can diagnose. Regular dental visits will also help prevent problems from developing. Continuity of care is an important part of any health plan and dental health is no exception. Keeping your mouth healthy is an essential piece of your overall health. It’s also important to keep your dentist informed of any changes in your overall health since many medical conditions can affect your dental health too.

Regular dental visits are important because they can help spot dental health problems early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable. They also help prevent many problems from developing in the first place. Visiting your dentist regularly is also important because some diseases or medical conditions have symptoms that can appear in the mouth. 

There is no one-size-fits-all dental treatment. Some people need to visit the dentist once or twice a year; others may need more visits. You are a unique individual, with a unique smile and unique needs when it comes to keeping your smile healthy. 

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and over time the enamel can break down. This is when cavities can form. Most fillings can last for years before they’ll need to be fully replaced. Fillings can be used on areas of the tooth that have cracked, chipped or fractured. 

For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk. Then see your dentist as soon as possible.

If the tooth is a baby tooth, the best thing to do is find the tooth, keep it moist and get to a dentist. Your dentist can see whether the entire tooth, or just part of it, came out. Your dentist can also determine whether to implant it again. If it is an adult tooth, follow the steps listed in the previous question.