When should I visit the dentist?
Every 6 months. A 6 month interval is sufficient to prevent almost all of the problems caused by lesions of either teeth or gums. It is better to visit the dentist for a simple cleaning or a check up, rather than delay and have to treat more complex problems.
How should I brush my teeth and for how long?
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day (morning – evening) and for at least 2-3 minutes each time. You must brush all tooth surfaces – external, internal and chewing surfaces – with slow and controlled movements and always in the direction of the gum to the tooth.
A good way to organize brushing is to divide the mouth into four quarters (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left) and spend at least 30 seconds brushing each quarter.
Using dental floss or interdental brushes is also necessary to complete oral hygiene.
Are some toothbrushes and toothpastes more effective than others?
All brands of commercial toothbrushes and toothpastes are effective. However, electric toothbrushes are considered to be more effective. As for toothpaste, your dentist is best placed to advise you as to which one is most suitable for you.
Why do my gums bleed ?
The main cause of bleeding gums, either when brushing or just spontaneously, is the presence of gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by the deposition of bacterial biofilms (plaque) and calculus (tartar) on the gums. The solution to this problem is for your dentist to clean and remove plaque and tartar as well as for the patient to improve his oral hygiene.
Deficient repairs, such as fillings, crowns or bridges, can also cause bleeding gums. In such cases the solution is to replace them. In rare cases, bleeding gums may be due to other factors such as the existence of a general underlying disease, medication, pregnancy, hormonal disorders, etc.
Why do I have bad breath?
Bad breath is mainly due to problems of the teeth and gums.
Neglected lesions caused by tooth decay or gum disease lead to an accumulation of food and germs that cause bad breath. Furthermore, the existence of pockets (periodontitis) and deficient repairs (crowns – bridges) can cause bad breath.
Furring of the tongue can also cause bad breath. To solve this problem the patient must treat all dental problems and improve oral hygiene. Nevertheless, bad breath might be the result of some general disease such as diabetes or a problem of the upper respiratory tract, lungs or a gastrointestinal problem. In such case a multi-disciplinary approach is needed to solve this problem.
Using mouthwash to clear your bad breath merely covers the symptoms without providing any real solution to the cause.
Should I have my wisdom teeth removed ?
There are 3 schools of thought:
- One is that all wisdom teeth should be removed.
- The second is that only those wisdom teeth causing a problem need be removed.
- The third is somewhere between the first two – namely that wisdom teeth that are currently causing a problem or that might cause a problem in the future need to be removed.
We are proponents of the third school of thought. The removal of a wisdom tooth should be decided on the basis of the clinical picture and imaging ( x-ray ) as well as the patient’s general circumstances (age, general health, medication, etc.)
Is bleaching your teeth bad?
When bleaching is supervised by a dentist, using properly certified materials, it causes no damage to dental tissue or gums. Your dentist wants to give you a healthy and beautiful smile without harming your teeth.
Implant or bridge?
Implants and bridges provide a solution to the same problem, namely areas of the mouth where we have missing teeth. Each case differs from patient to patient and even from different parts of the same mouth. The area to be reconstructed must be examined carefully both clinically and paraclinically. Your dentist is best placed to recommend the best treatment for you.
However both solutions are proven and reliable. Yet implants do have the edge on bridges from a biological point of view, since their placement has no impact on adjacent teeth.
Other factors that can influence the course of treatment are the patient’s general health, the time available and the financial situation of the person concerned.
Why have my teeth worn away?
Tooth abrasion is mainly due to the grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep or other times. Other factors that can cause abrasion are eating hard foods, malocclusion, tooth loss and different habits of the patient such as chewing his nails, biting pencils and pipes etc.