Dental questions & answers.
Search for a topic or select a category to find answers to some of our most asked questions.
Common dental concerns
This planning tool lets you preview your future smile before treatment begins. It’s a mix of tech and artistry—and it’s helping patients feel more confident every step of the way.
Learn more: What is Digital Smile Design
Yes—implants aren’t all the same. Some support a single crown, others hold bridges or full dentures. What works best depends on your health, bone density, and what you’re looking to restore.
Learn more: Are there different types of dental implants?
Whitening toothpaste can help maintain brightness—but it won’t make a dramatic change on its own. Think of it as upkeep, not a full transformation.
Learn more: How effective is whitening toothpaste?
Fresh veggies, cheese, and water? Great. Sugary drinks, sticky snacks, or anything super acidic? Not so much. Your diet plays a big role in how your smile looks and feels.
Learn more: What foods help or harm my smile?
Some people try baking soda or oil pulling, but results vary and the effects are usually mild. If you’re looking for a noticeable change, it’s worth asking your dentist about professional options.
Learn more: How do you whiten teeth naturally?
Charcoal toothpaste can help lift some surface stains, but it’s not magic—and it can wear down enamel if used too often. It’s trendy, but not always gentle.
Learn more: How does charcoal whiten your teeth?
Home whitening can be convenient, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Some kits are gentle, others can irritate your gums. Talk to your dentist before trying one—it’s the best way to make sure you get results safely.
Learn more: How to whiten your teeth at home
Restorative dentistry fixes problems—like cavities, missing teeth, or broken fillings. Cosmetic dentistry improves the look of your smile, with treatments like whitening or veneers. Sometimes, they overlap.
Learn more: What’s the difference between restorative and cosmetic dentistry?
A root canal has a scary reputation, but it’s usually no worse than getting a filling. The goal is to remove the infection, clean the area, and seal the tooth—so you can keep it without the pain.
Learn more: What is a root canal and does it hurt?
If your mouth always feels parched, you might have dry mouth. It’s not just annoying—it can lead to cavities, bad breath, or even infections. Sometimes it’s caused by medication, sometimes by stress or age.
Learn more: What is dry mouth?
A custom mouthguard is made just for you—fitting snugly and staying in place during activity. Over-the-counter versions are cheaper, but they can feel bulky or loose. Comfort and protection often come down to fit.
Learn more: Custom vs. off the shelf mouthguards
A dental implant is like a new root for your missing tooth—anchored in your jaw and topped with a crown that looks and feels real. It’s a longer process, but the results can be life-changing if the fit is right.
Learn more: How do dental implants work and what should I know before getting one?
Way back when, we needed extra molars to help chew tough, unprocessed food. These days, wisdom teeth often just crowd your mouth or grow in the wrong direction. That’s why so many people have them removed.
Learn more: Why do we have wisdom teeth?
Dentists don’t just point and guess—they use a system to number your teeth so everyone’s on the same page. It helps track what’s happening where, and makes things clearer during exams or treatments.
Learn more: How are teeth numbered?
Orthodontics is all about straightening things out. Whether it’s braces, aligners, or retainers, this area of dentistry helps guide your teeth and jaws into better alignment—so they not only look better but also work better.
Learn more: What is orthodontics?
Brush your teeth and tongue, floss daily, and stay hydrated. If bad breath persists, it could be caused by gum disease or other health conditions.
Learn more: How to Conquer Bad Breath
Choose one that’s comfortable, has a timer, and a gentle brush head. Sonic and oscillating brushes both work well—it’s more about consistency than brand.
Learn more: Which Electric Toothbrush Should You Buy?
Yes. Your genes, diet, brushing habits, and saliva flow all impact cavity risk. Even stress can play a role in how vulnerable your teeth are.
Learn more: Why You Could Be More Prone to Cavities
Most people should visit the dentist every six months. But if you’re prone to gum issues or cavities, you might need more frequent visits.
Learn more: How Often Should I See My Dentist?
That depends on your needs. Some mouthwashes target bacteria, others freshen breath, and some contain fluoride. Avoid alcohol-based ones if you have dry mouth.
Learn more: Which Mouthwash Should I Use?
Most dental insurance plans cover routine checkups and a portion of basic treatments. Every plan is different—check your coverage and ask your clinic for help navigating claims.
Learn more: Understanding Your Dental Insurance
Flossing removes food and bacteria from between teeth where brushes can’t reach. It helps prevent gum disease and cavities.
Learn more: Why Should I Floss?
Avoid acidic drinks, use fluoride toothpaste, and wait 30 minutes after eating before brushing. Your dentist can recommend the best products.
Learn more: Enamel Loss and How to Fix It
Tooth colour depends on more than brushing. Enamel thinning, diet, smoking, and even genetics can all play a role.
Learn more: Teeth Yellow Despite Good Dental Hygiene
Enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth. It protects against decay—but it can wear down from acid, brushing too hard, or grinding.
Learn more: How Does Your Tooth Enamel Erode?
Bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis or inflammation from plaque buildup. It’s your body’s way of saying something’s off—so don’t ignore it.
Learn more: Why Are Your Gums Bleeding?
Jaw pain can be caused by TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, or joint inflammation. If it’s frequent or painful, your dentist can help identify the cause and treatment options.
Learn more: TMJ and Jaw Pain
You can’t regrow enamel, but fluoride and minerals like calcium can help strengthen it. Look for remineralizing toothpaste, reduce acidic foods, and talk to your dentist about professional options.
Learn more: Remineralizing Your Teeth’s Enamel
It could be your brushing habits—or your genes. Some people have softer enamel or drier mouths, which makes cavities more likely. Even your diet and stress levels can play a role.
Learn more: Why You Could Be More Prone to Cavities
Tooth pain can have a few causes—maybe a cavity, maybe clenching, maybe something else. If it doesn’t go away quickly, don’t wait it out. A dentist can help figure out what’s behind it and get you some relief.
Learn more: Top 3 Reasons Teeth Hurt
Dental appliances include things like mouth guards, retainers, and dentures. They’re made just for you—and they help with everything from grinding to sleep issues to missing teeth.
Learn more: Dental Appliances
Use a tongue scraper or your toothbrush to gently clean from the back of your tongue forward. It helps remove bacteria, freshens breath, and improves overall oral hygiene.
Learn more: Cleaning Your Tongue
Dentistry today uses tools like 3D imaging, digital scanners, and same-day crown machines to help make treatment faster, clearer, and more comfortable.
Learn more: Top 10 New Technologies in Dentistry
Use a toothpaste made for sensitivity, and avoid really hot or cold foods when you can. If it doesn’t improve, your dentist may have other options—like fluoride gels or sealants.
Learn more: Treatments for Sensitive Teeth
Try rinsing with warm salt water and avoiding that side of your mouth. A cold compress can help, too. But if the pain keeps coming back—or gets worse—it’s worth calling your dentist.
Learn more: Toothache or Trauma?
A tiny crack in your tooth might not be easy to spot—but it can cause pain when you chew or drink something cold. Some don’t need treatment, but others might need a crown or repair.
Learn more: Hairline Tooth Fractures
It’s usually the freezing—that local anesthetic can leave your tongue and lips feeling tingly or numb for a few hours. If it lasts into the next day, it’s a good idea to check in with your clinic.
Learn more: Numb Tongue After Dental Procedures