We have answers to your questions!
What are dental implants?
We talk about ‘implants’ on our web site at the link below:
When do children start losing their baby teeth?
Usually between 5 and 7 yrs. depending on their development. Some start early while others have to wait a little longer for the tooth fairy.
Click on the following link which should show the expected eruption patterns for permanent teeth.
When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?
CDA encourages the assessment of infants, by a dentist, within 6 months to one year of the eruption of the first tooth or by one year of age.It’s important to make the first visit a positive experience for your child – one reason why it’s best to visit before a problem develops. If you think there is a problem, however, take your child to the dentist right away, no matter what age.
The dentist says my child needs a filling in a baby tooth. Since the tooth is going to fall out, why bother?
Some primary (or baby) teeth will be in your child’s mouth until age 12. The tooth that needs to be fixed may be one of those.Broken teeth or teeth that are infected can hurt your child’s health and the way your child feels about him or herself.
To do a filling, the dentist removes the decay and “fills” the hole with plastic or other material. A filling can be a cheap and easy way to fix a problem that could be painful and cost more later because it stops decay from spreading deeper into the tooth.
What age should I start brushing my child’s teeth? And at what age should they start using toothpaste?
Even in early infancy, gently rubbing your baby’s gums with a facecloth as the teeth start erupting helps develop a healthy oral routine for your child. To encourage young children as early as 2 yrs old to brush on their own, we suggest a children’s flavored toothpaste (without fluoride) to start, whenever they are able to manipulate the toothbrush. As a general rule, when they stop swallowing the toothpaste they are likely ready for fluoridated brands.
What’s the difference between the bleaching I can do at home with a kit from the store, and the bleaching that my dentist does?
Bleaching kits sold in stores stay on your teeth longer than toothpaste and contain stronger bleach.” These store-bought products do not come with the added safety of having your dentist monitor any side effects. They also come with a one-size-fits-all tray that holds the “bleach” and is more likely to leak the chemical into your mouth.
Dentists may use products with stronger “bleach”, but they give patients careful instructions to follow. They are also trained to spot and treat the side effects that patients sometimes report during bleaching. In addition, if a tray is needed to apply the “bleach”, dentists supply custom-made trays. Because products used by dentists are strong, they tend to produce the best results.
Patients should be aware that the long-term use of whitening or bleaching products may cause tooth sensitivity or tooth abrasion.
Please contact us to find out more about our teeth whitening options.
Why does my dentist ask for medical history updates and changes in medications every time I visit the office?
The more your dentist knows about your overall health, the more effective they can be in addressing your oral health care needs and adjusting any treatment plans to suits your specific needs. For example, if you are taking any bisphosfonates to treat osteroporosis, a root canal treatment rather than an extraction of a tooth would seriously be considered. Patients taking this medication may experience necrosis or death of the jaw bone if a tooth is extracted.
Be sure to mention:
- Any new medical conditions you’ve been diagnosed with since your last visit, such as diabetes, highblood pressure, stroke or heart attack or AIDS, even if they don’t seem pertinent. Your dentist needs to know to properly manage your treatment and prevention program.
- Any new medications you’re taking (side effects can often include dry mouth and overgrown gums) if you’re pregnant…if you have any allergies…any changes you’ve noticed in your teeth, such as changes in colour, looseness or position.
- Any changes you’ve noticed in your gums, such as bleeding when you brush or floss.
- Any colour changes in the skin on the inside of your mouth.
- If you smoke or chew tobacco (which increases the likelihood of oral cancer).
- If your neck or jaw muscles are tight or if you’re aware of clenching or grinding your teeth.
How do I clean my mouthguard or nightguard?
Dissolvable tablets are available at your local pharmacy designed especially for these guards or simply add some Listerine® to tap water and let the appliances soak. Use a good stiff toothbrush to scrub it clean and it should stay nice and fresh.
Do you accept referrals from other dentists?
Yes – we do accept referrals from other dentists but in most cases a referral is not required. If you are seeing another dentist and he/she wishes to have a procedure done here, a referral helps us understand and better prepare to schedule consultation with Dr. Johnston or Dr. Ross.
Are you accepting new patients?
We are always accepting new patients.