Ask our Aurora Dental Office!
Frequently Asked Questions:

A: The brand of the toothbrush is less important than the type of brush, your brushing technique and how often you brush your teeth. We recommend that you have a soft-bristle brush. This type of brush will effectively remove plaque and a soft brush will not damage your gums. We also recommend that you brush at least twice a day and replace your brush when necessary.

A: Tooth enamel is hard but also has microscopic pores. Sugar combines with the bacteria in plaque, which forms on your teeth daily, to produce acids that seep into the enamel's pores. This causes the enamel to demineralize and become weak, contributing to the formation of cavities. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel and speeding up the natural remineralization process. This keeps your teeth strong and healthy.

A: Tooth sensitivity is often experienced when the surface of the tooth has been worn down. One of the most common reasons for adults is that the roots of the teeth are exposed because the gums are receding. This allows the effects of heat and cold to penetrate to the pulp where the nerves are located. The problem can get worse as you tend not to brush your teeth properly if they cause you pain. If you are experiencing pain or sensitivity, let us know so we can assess your situation and recommend the best treatment to take care of your discomfort.

A: There are a few things that you should keep us informed about in order to ensure that we are most effective when treating you. Please keep us informed about:

• Whether your teeth or gums are more sensitive to heat, cold or sweets.
• Any changes in your gums, such as colour, tenderness or bleeding when you brush or floss.
• Any changes in the skin on the inside of your mouth, such as colour.
• If you clench or grind your teeth, or if your neck and jaw muscles are tense or sore.
• Whether you have any allergies, medications, or health problems.
• If you are pregnant.

A: Gum Disease is one of the most common dental problems in adults, and it can progress quite painlessly until you have a serious problem. The end result can be bone loss and the loss of teeth. Even though you may brush and floss regularly, regular visits to the dentist will help detect gum disease in the early stages. If you already have gum disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better. That's why in the early stages of gum disease, the best treatment is regular flossing and brushing, and dental visits every 6 months.