FAQ
How Often Should I Get a Dental Checkup?
Dental health varies from person to person; a general rule for adult patients is to visit a dentist once or twice a year, even if your mouth is in excellent condition. This way, you can get your teeth professionally cleaned regularly and maintain excellent oral health.
What Are the Best Ways to Practice Good Oral Hygiene at Home?
In addition to daily brushing and flossing, take your oral hygiene to the next level by following a few steps to good dental health:
- Using toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride.
- limiting any sugar intake by only eating whole fruits or limiting snacks to homemade things that are high in protein, not sugar.
- Avoiding tobacco in any form.
What is the best way to brush my teeth?
It is best to brush your teeth by holding the brush at a 45-degree angle so that the bristles are aimed at the gum line. The tiny area between your teeth and gums is a great place for bacteria and plaque to build up, so it’s important to brush this area well.
When the brush is at the right angle, it’s just a gentle rocking back and forth, brushing only one or two teeth at a time. There is a fine line between too harsh and insufficient cleaning.
The purpose of brushing is to penetrate the bristles between the teeth, remove soft plaque and prevent plaque formation.
Cleaning requires a system. Brush all your teeth in order, brushing inside and out. It will be easier for you if you see what you are doing – brush your teeth in front of a mirror.
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day. Always use the correct cleaning technique; improperly brushing your teeth can damage your teeth and gums
Is brushing your teeth enough?
We believe that the best way for most of us is to brush your teeth twice a day to prevent plaque, but this is simply not true. Food and plaque often accumulate between teeth and in places that are barely reachable with a standard toothbrush. Therefore, you should use dental floss to remove all the remains of food between your teeth.
How should I floss my teeth?
Dental floss has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
Ideally, floss your teeth every day. If possible, before brushing your teeth. When eating, take dental floss and clean the gaps between the teeth where bacteria can grow and plaque form.
The key to dental floss is how to hold it. Take the appropriate length and wrap the floss tightly around the middle fingers of both hands. Must be locked on each finger. Use a gentle sawing motion against the sides of each tooth while moving the floss back and forth. If this is difficult, talk to your dentist for a real demonstration. Your dentist will suggest the best oral hygiene methods for you and will teach you how to use them.
Occasionally, after brushing your teeth and using floss, your gums may bleed or become sore. Do not panic, as sometimes we brush a little too hard and lightly press the gums down; or, if we don’t floss regularly, your gums may become inflamed and bleed more easily. If the bleeding persists, please contact your dentist.
What are the Veneers?
If you want to improve your smile, a dental veneer is the best choice. A veneer is a thin cover that is placed on the front (visible) part of the tooth. They look like natural teeth. Veneers can be used to fix a variety of dental problems, including:
- Discolored teeth that do not turn white when bleached
- Missed or worn teeth
- Bent or deformed teeth
- Uneven space or large gaps between the upper front teeth
What are Porcelain Veneers?
If you want to improve your smile, a dental veneer is the best choice. A veneer is a thin cover that is placed on the front (visible) part of the tooth. They look like natural teeth. Veneers can be used to fix a variety of dental problems, including:
- Discolored teeth that do not turn white when bleached
- Missed or worn teeth
- Bent or deformed teeth
- Uneven space or large gaps between the upper front teeth
What are the Benefits of porcelain veneers?
– They are strong and long-lasting
– They have a natural-looking surface
– Less tooth enamel needs to be removed than with a crown
– They don’t stain easily
What is a crown?
A crown or dental cap is a type of dental restoration that completely caps or surrounds a tooth or a dental implant. If large cavities threaten the health of your teeth, you may need a crown.
If you have cavities, the dentist will remove the cavities before making the crown. In this case, it may be necessary to trim the teeth to support the crown. If your teeth are damaged, we may need to build them up before preparing them for crowns. This procedure might require local anaesthesia to be given to the patient due to sensitivity.
How do you know which one is right for me (Crown, Veneers)?
If your teeth have a lot of fillings, root canals, or are very worn or cracked, a crown may be the best choice. If your teeth are basically intact and the restoration is for aesthetics, veneers may be the best option. The veneer can also be used for subtle shape correction.
What are the Steps to place porcelain veneers?
Obtaining a porcelain veneer is usually a multi-step process. The first step is to consult a dentist. During this visit, you can outline your goals and concerns, and the doctor will explain how veneers will work for you. X-rays, clinical examinations, photographs of the smile and impressions of your teeth will be taken before and after the procedure. The second step is to prepare the tooth for the veneer. To prepare the teeth, the dentist removes a small amount of about 0.2–0.3 mm of enamel from the front and sides of the teeth. This frees up space for the veneers so your teeth fit properly and look natural.
The dentist will also choose the shade of the veneer that best suits your smile. It gives the impression to oval dental laboratory that makes custom-made porcelain veneers for your teeth. This may take several days. In the meantime, your dentist will apply temporary veneers.
In the next visit, the dentist will place the veneers on the teeth to check the shade, fit and shape. After any adjustments, the teeth will be cleaned and the permanent veneers will be cemented to the teeth.
Further changes may be made in future appointments.
How to protect my crowns or veneers?
Practice brushing your teeth carefully. If you haven’t brushed your teeth twice a day, then it’s time to start. If you are sensitive to heat or cold, consider using toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Flossing every day will help keep all your teeth in top condition.
Avoid eating hard foods. Chewing on ice or hard food may cause the crown or veneer to crack.
If you grind or clench your teeth at night, your dentist may recommend that you use nightgaurd to protect your crown, veneers, and surrounding teeth.
How to take care of my Temporary dental crown or veneers?
The temporary crown or veneer should be especially gentle, as the adhesive is intended for temporary installation only.
Brush as usual but be very gentle. Don’t eat harsh or coloured foods, as it might break and stain the temporary veneers. Contact your dentist if the temporary crown or veneer comes off or breaks while waiting for the permanent crown or veneer. Your dentist can fix it or make a new one for you.
Crown or veneers knocked out or loose what to do?
If there is not enough cement to hold it in place or due to unnoticeable grinding that you may have, your crown may loosen or even fall off. If you think your crown is loose or wobbled, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
What is Gum disease?
If you notice that the gums around the crown or veneer are sore or inflamed, or if this area begins to bleed, you may have gingival inflammation or periodontal disease.
You must book for a check up and inform your dentist about it.
Gum diseases can also occur to patients who might have systematic diseases such as diabetes, etc.
If, God forbids, you’re dealing with a certain disease or taking strong medications, it’s always best to check up with your dentist every 3 months.
How long do dental crowns last?
The life span of the crown can be anywhere from 5 to 15 years. Some crowns are more durable than others and may last longer.
Generally, gold and porcelain-metal crowns last the longest.
All-ceramic and Zircon crowns may look more natural, but are usually not as durable as metal or ceramic fused versions.
With proper care, crowns can last for many years.
How Can I Improve the Whiteness of My Teeth?
A beautiful smile with clean white teeth is a huge boost of confidence. Most people experience tooth discoloration over the years due to superficial or internal stains.
Remove coffee, wine, tobacco and pigmented food stains with home whitening or have a professional whitening routine done in the office. For internal discoloration, consider applying composite bonding or veneers to the affected teeth for a more reliable solution.
How Do I Prevent Tooth Decay, Gingivitis, and Other Problems?
The best way to ensure a healthy mouth is to eat a balanced diet and maintain your oral care routine with twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing, while going to your dentist regularly. Discussing these questions with a dental professional will protect you from possible problems that may develop quickly.
Why Should I Have Dental X-Rays Taken?
The dentist should take a full set of dental x-rays in every appointment and keep it saved in the patient’s record. X-rays help doctors monitor possible changes in teeth between appointments and discover newly formed decays.
What Is Tooth Sensitivity and Why Do I Have It?
Patients with sensitive teeth feel pain when drinking hot or cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. Sensitivity occurs when the tooth enamel, which normally protects the pulp and dentin, becomes thinner due to repeated exposure to acidity and extreme temperatures. Sensitivity can also occur as a result of:
- Recession of the gums
- Grinding or clenching the teeth during sleep or throughout the day
- Missing or broken teeth
- Teeth whitening
- Orthodontic treatment or deep fillings
Talk to your dental professional, and they will examine the affected teeth and recommend treatment to reduce your susceptibility.
When should my child first go to the Dentist?
Every child should go to the dentist at the age of three. It is important to brush your child’s teeth and check the inside of the mouth every day.
If you see dark spots or stained areas at any time, regardless of the age of your child, it is recommended to make an appointment in Oval Dental Clinic immediately.
What Is A Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial substitute for natural teeth. It is a titanium cylinder that is placed in place of a missing or lost tooth. They are compatible with the human body and attach to the tissues of the jaw bone. They have been around for decades and are quickly becoming the treatment of choice for missing or lost teeth.
Should I Use Mouthwash Regularly?
It depends on the type of mouthwash you’re prescribed to use. Cosmetic mouthwashes freshen breath and maintain healthy teeth colour and they also contain fluoride, which can help fight tooth decay. Healing rinses can help treat conditions such as gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, and inflammation. For more serious conditions, prescription mouthwashes often contain chlorhexidine gluconate to kill bacteria that cause bleeding, inflammation, plaque, or biofilm.
When Do Baby Teeth Typically Fall Out?
Most children start to lose their baby teeth between the ages of 6 and 8. They usually fall off in roughly the same order as the order in which they grow. Remember, all patients are different.
Do you grind your teeth?
Bruxism can cause other problems such as loose teeth, broken teeth, tooth wear, headaches, and tooth and jaw pain. Bruxism can occur for a variety of reasons, including anxiety, stress, tooth misalignment, airway problems, and irregular occlusion. In Oval dental clinic we will carefully inspect your mouth to diagnose the cause of bruxism/clenching problem.
What Is A Root Canal?
A root canal is a treatment given to a tooth to treat an inflamed nerve (pulp) of the tooth. It is usually done when there are infected nerves in the teeth and there is pain or discomfort. However, in some cases the pain and discomfort could be absent.
Remove the infected nerve, clean, and sterilize the empty chamber. The chamber is then filled with a special filler. Temporary filling is done until the final repair is possible. For the posterior teeth, the crown is usually selected as the final restoration, and for the anterior teeth, it is often either a crown or a filling.
Is it difficult to eat after putting dentures?
At first, you need practice to eat. You should start eating soft, chopped food. Food should be chewed on both sides to maintain denture stability. The amount of food can be increased gradually. You should not chew hard/hot foods. Avoid chewing hard objects.
How to take care of the Denture?
The dentures should be cleaned regularly because tartar/plaque can accumulate on the dentures. You should brush your dentures and soak them in mouthwash every night.
What Is the life expectancy for dentures?
Dentures can be used for 5 to 10 years. The gums and underlying bone are constantly changing shape throughout life (when there are no teeth). Dentures are artificially made, so their shape will not change with changes in the mouth, so they need to be adjusted or replaced after a few years. It is recommended to continue to see the dentist to avoid major problems that the patient cannot identify.
How long do dental Implants last?
Dental implants are designed for a long service life – over 25 years – and represent the solution for long-term replacement of permanent teeth. There’s a 95% success rate for implants in oval clinic.