Frequently Asked Questions

You should visit the dentist at least twice a year. A dental exam can reveal early signs of decay and disease that you may not see or feel. Catching these conditions early can help control them before them get worse and harder to treat. Additionally, getting a cleaning by a trained professional will remove plaque in areas you may have missed or cannot reach.

You should brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and before going to bed. You should floss once a day as well.

The following guidelines are essential for brushing correctly.

1. Firstly, make sure to use a soft-bristled brush. Hard bristled brushes can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
2. Place your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gumline. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.
3. Use short back and forth strokes or tiny circular movements to brush your teeth. Each movement should be no bigger than the size of each tooth.
4. Make sure to use gentle strokes while brushing. Gentle strokes effectively remove plaque, while too much pressure can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
5. Brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth.
6. Finally, don't cut your brushing short! Make sure to brush for at least 2 minutes.

The following guidelines are essential for flossing correctly.

1. Take 18" of floss and wind it around the middle finger of each hand. You can use these fingers to take up floss as it becomes dirty. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the floss leaving 1-2 inches for cleaning.
2. Gently move the floss up and down the spaces of your teeth. Never snap the floss down onto your gums, as it can cause damage.
3. As you move the floss down into the space between two teeth, slide it up and down against the surface of one tooth. Gently clean at the gumline as well. Repeat this for the other tooth.
4. Repeat this process for all of your teeth.

Plaque is a sticky, transparent film that forms daily on teeth from food debris and bacteria. If plaque is not removed, it can lead to gum disease and cavities. Regular dental check-ups, along with brushing and flossing every day, can help prevent plaque buildup on teeth. In addition, avoiding sugary snacks and eating a balanced diet can help control plaque.

While our teeth start pearly white, they can discolor through the years as our enamel wears down. The wearing down of enamel allows dentin, a yellow color substance that makes the core of our teeth, to show through. This is what gives our teeth a yellowish tint.

Below are the three most popular teeth whitening options available today.

In-office teeth whitening

In-office teeth whitening works by producing a significant color change in your teeth in a short amount of time, usually within an hour. The procedure is done at the dentist's office, applying a high-concentration peroxide gel on the teeth after being protected with a special shield.

Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits

These whitening kits are purchased from your doctor for use at home. The strength of the gel used in these kits is lower than that used for in-office bleaching, and thus the gel can be applied for more extended periods. Usually, the trays are worn a couple of hours a day or overnight for a few days or weeks, depending on the product.

Over the counter whitening

Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits are store-bought and use a lower concentration gel than in-office bleaching and take-home kits purchased from your doctor. While they are cheaper, they typically are less effective than methods performed by your dentist because of the low concentration gel. Additionally, over-the-counter trays are not custom fit for your teeth, resulting in irritation to your gums while wearing the trays.

Teeth whitening usually lasts from one to three years before the darkening of the teeth is noticed. Additionally, once your teeth have been initially whitened, typically, only "touchups" are required to maintain the whiteness.

Bad breath is caused by various factors, including the types of food you ingest, periodontal disease, dry mouth, and other causes. Going to your dentist will help you determine the cause of your bad breath to take steps to eliminate it.

Regardless of the cause of your bad breath, good oral hygiene and regular checkups with the dentist will help reduce it. Brushing and flossing will eliminate particles of food stuck between your teeth which emit odors. It will also help prevent or treat periodontal disease (gum disease), caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, leading to bad breath. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by your dentist). Finally, make sure to brush your tongue regularly to eliminate any residue.