Ancaster Family Dentist Answers Common FAQs About Dental Health

From an early age, one is encouraged to ask questions to teachers, parents, or even coaches. The same curiosity is encouraged in the dentist’s office. It’s an important part of your long-term healthcare to ask questions to your dentist. Some common frequently asked questions about dental health include:

How Often Should I Go for a Dental Checkup?

Although dental health varies from one person to another, a general dental rule for adult patients is that they should visit their dentist at least twice a year. In addition, you should go for dental checkups even if you have an excellent mouth condition. This way, you’ll get your teeth cleaned professionally, and you’ll be able to maintain excellent oral health.

What Are the Best Ways to Practice Proper Oral Health at Home?

In addition to flossing daily and brushing twice daily, you should take your oral hygiene to the next level by taking a few steps that include:

• Using dental products that contain fluoride, such as fluoride-based toothpaste
• You limit taking snacks that are high in sugar
• Eating a balanced diet of vegetables and fruits
• By avoiding tobacco in any form

How Can One Improve the Whiteness of the Teeth?

A beautiful smile with white, clean teeth boosts your confidence. Unfortunately, most people have discolored teeth, either from internal ones or surface stains. You should treat stains caused by tobacco, coffee, pigmented foods, or wine with in-office or home whitening is done regularly. For internal discoloration, consider composite bonding or apply veneers to the affected teeth. Veneers help provide a more permanent solution.

Why Should I Have Dental X-rays Taken?

Your family dentist in Ancaster, ON, takes a full set of dental X-rays early into your doctor-patient relationship. Dental X-rays help your dentist monitor any changes that might happen in your teeth between appointments.

Most people have bitewing X-rays annually and a full mouth series every 4-5 years. But if you are at higher risk for cavities, you need them every 6-18 months.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay, Gingivitis, and Other Problems?

The best way to ensure you have a healthy mouth is to follow a balanced diet and visit our family dentistry in Ancaster, ON, regularly. You should do this while maintaining an oral care routine with flossing daily and brushing twice daily.

You should protect yourself from problems that may advance quickly by discussing the questions you have with your dentist.

What’s Tooth Sensitivity and Why Do I Have It?

If you have tooth sensitivity, you’ll feel pain when you consume drinks and foods that are cold or hot, acidic or sweet. Tooth sensitivity happens when your tooth enamel that protects the tooth’s pulp and dentin gets thin due to much exposure to acidity and extreme temperatures. Sensitivity might also occur due to:

• Tooth whitening
• Receding gums
• Orthodontics and fillings
• Fractured or chipped teeth
• Tooth grinding during sleep

You should talk to our dentist at Golf Links Dental, and they’ll examine the affected teeth and offer treatment accordingly.

Should Mouthwash Be Used Regularly?

Using mouthwash depends on the type you’re using. Cosmetic mouthwashes help freshen your breath and maintain a healthy tooth color, and they are fluoride-based to fight cavities. Therapeutic mouthwashes help treat tooth sensitivity, gingivitis, and inflammation. If you have advanced conditions, your dentist will prescribe a mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine gluconate to kill bacteria that cause inflammation, bleeding and plaque.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants help replace weakened or missing teeth. Implants are an excellent alternative to dentures if you have a healthy jaw and mouth. They are permanent as well.

Most patients are candidates for dental implants because they prevent the remaining teeth from loosening or moving.

At What Age Should a Kid See a Dentist?

Your kids can develop their first cavities as soon as two years of age. So, our dentist recommends you book the first visit once their first tooth appears. Your dentist can catch potential problems that might affect your kid’s overall health and well-being as more teeth grow over time.

When Do Baby Teeth Usually Fall Out?

Most babies start losing their baby teeth at 6-8 years. They usually fall out in roughly the same order as they grow. Children’s oral condition depends on how long they’ve stayed without an appointment, how long their baby teeth last, and the kinds of things they are naturally more sensitive to.