FAQs

Q:  Does my dental insurance cover hygiene visits? How many per year?

A:  Nearly every insurance plan covers regular hygiene visits, however, the number of annual visits vary from plan-to-plan. We are happy to help you understand what your plan covers. Please ask our reception staff at your next appointment.

Q:  My teeth feel fine; do I still need to see a dentist?

A:    You may feel fine and think that your oral health is at no risk. But the thing is, that only a professional dentist can detect dental problems on early stages. This might happen only during a regular dental checkup. Caries, food staining, gums problems and teeth weakening are just a few such issues that can go unnoticed for quite a while. Also, you need to take advantage of all the modern dental medicine to fix any issues you did not fix earlier (like broken, chipped teeth etc…).

Q:  Why is visiting the dentist so important?

A:   Visiting the dentist on a monthly basis will not only help keep your teeth and oral health in tact. It will also help keep the rest of your body healthy.

Dental care is important because it:

• Fights teeth decay
• Helps to prevent periodontal (gum) diseases, which eventually can lead to tooth loss
• Prevents bad breath. So besides brushing and flossing, seeing the dentist regularly will help eliminate the bacteria that
  causes a bad smell
• Awards you with a snow-white smile and a new breath of confidence!
• Helps keep teeth shiny by preventing them being stained by food, drinks, and cigarettes
• Makes your teeth stronger which allows you to eat any food you want, at any age!
• Keeps your entire body healthy. Medical research has shown that bacteria can enter the blood stream through unhealthy gums.

Q:  How can I take care of my teeth in between dental checkups?

A:  

• Do not forget to brush your teeth, at least, two times a day (5 minutes each time). Floss at least once a day!
• Use a fluoride containing toothpaste. Ask your dentist if you also might need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent
  any cavities in the future!
• Avoid sugary drinks, foods and cigarettes as much as possible. These harm the overall immunity of your mouth and
  stain your teeth badly.
• When brushing teeth, brush your tongue as well! By doing so you will remove food particles and reduce the amount
  of mouth bacteria.
• Tongue brushing will make your breath much fresher!
• Be sure to schedule your regular, routine check-ups. It is recommended to check your teeth at least twice
  a year or even more often.

YourDentalHealth.ca

Q:   At what age should I start taking my child to see the dentist?

A:    The British Columbia Dental Association recommends taking kids as young as 5 years old to a regular dental healthcare checkups.

Q:   What is periodontal disease?

A:     Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.

Q:   What is the cause of gum disease?

A:     Sum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.

Q:  What is gum disease?

A:  Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Q:  What is gingivitis?

A:  Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.

Q:   What happens if gum disease is not treated?

A:     Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do not notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.

Q:   How do I know if I have gum disease?

A:     The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.