Frequently Asked Questions
The quality of brushing is much more important than the time it takes you. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day for about 2-3 minutes. Unfortunately, most Canadians only brush for 45-60 seconds twice a day, and that is just not enough. We recommend you always start from one spot and finish to that spot to make sure you don’t miss any area. Many new electric toothbrushes have built in timers to help you brush the proper length of time.
Cold sensitivity can be due several reasons. Most of the time teeth are sensitive to temperature change when the enamel layer is thin or damaged. This may be due to recession of the gum tissue which exposes the root surface, abrasions of the teeth, large leaking restorations or dental decay. Treatments for this condition can include restorations, fluoride applications or the use of desensitizing toothpastes.
Whitening toothpastes can only remove the surface stains by their abrasives particle. They cannot change the shade of your teeth like an actual whitening product. We recommend not to use whitening toothpaste on a regular basis as it damages your enamel in time.
There are a lot of factors that cause bad breath. Sometimes it can be from gastrointestinal origin. However the most common reason is the presence of curtain bacteria in your mouth and also on your tongue. These bacteria produce odorous compounds which causes bad breath. At Trillium Smile we recommend our patients regular dental cleanings and teach them how to clean their tongue to remove these bacteria.
Your gums bleed as a result of inflammation caused by the bad bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria when not properly cleaned off your teeth will result in an irritation of the gum tissue. This inflammation called gingivitis, will result in red, puffy and bleeding gums. Gone untreated, it can progress into periodontal disease where your teeth lose their bone support and start to get lose. This is why regular dental cleaning and proper home care is very important to maintain your oral health.