FAQs

Can tooth decay bacteria be passed onto my baby from other family members?

What causes tooth decay in children?

Are all snacks bad for my child's teeth?

When should my child have their first dental hygiene visit?

Does tooth loss affect dietary intake?

What is the impact of smoking on my oral health?

I would like to whiten my teeth. What is the procedure done at Finesse Dental Hygiene Clinic and is it safe?

How can I best protect my children's teeth from Halloween treats?

I'm confused about all the options for cleaning my teeth.  Which is the best way to remove plaque?

I just found out I am pregnant and wonder if I should continue with my regular dental hygiene appointments or wait until after the baby is born?

What is scaling and why do I need to have my teeth scaled regularly?

I don't have any cavities, why do my teeth hurt when I eat or drink cold or sweet things?

I don't have any cavities, and I don't get food caught between my teeth.  Why should I floss?



Can tooth decay bacteria be passed onto my baby from other family members?
Teeth are at risk for tooth decay from the first day they appear in the mouth.  The bacteria found in your baby's mouth play a role in tooth decay.  Therefore, if family members have a healthy mouth they will have less of the decay causing bacteria to pass on to their baby.  In  addition, the foods they eat and drink will play a role.

What causes tooth decay in children?
Tooth decay may happen if your child's teeth are frequently exposed, for long periods of time to 'sticky' foods or liquids that contain sugars.  Sugar exposure is detrimental to teeth.  It provides food for the bacteria that cause cavities and increases the acid levels in your mouth.  An increase in acidity of the mouth leads to tooth decay.  As it is unavoidable for children and adults to indulge in Halloween treats, a crucial thing to remember is the length of time and frequency that your teeth are exposed to sugar.  It is best to eat sugary foods like a desert immediately after a meal and to finish the Halloween candy within a short amount ot time instead of saving it for weeks.  This limits the number of sugary acid attacks your teeth are exposed to.  Also, remember to brush and floss and drink lots of water to clear the sugars from your mouth.

Are all snacks bad for my child's teeth?
Not all snacks are bad for your child's teeth.  In fact, snacks are an important part of a child's daily food intake not just a "treat" between meals.  Here are some suggestions on healthy snacks for hungry and thirsty children: applesauce, raw vegetables, raw fruits, fruit juices, vegetable juices, milk, cheese, cottage cheese, ice milk, milk puddings, yogurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, seeds, bagels, cereals, crackers, muffins, pita breads, yogurt drinks.  Of course the healthiest thrist quencher is water and you should encourage your child to drink water throughout the day.

When should my child have their first dental hygiene visit?
It is recommended that your child has their first visit to a dentist or dental hygienist around his or her first birthday, but it could be sooner if you notice anything that concerns you.  When the first dental visit happens at a young age it usually means that it will be a fun experience for you child.  Good dental habits start when you are young and the dental hygienist is perfectly situated to talk about tooth brushing, flossing, eating habits and fluoride.  At Finesse Dental Hygiene Clinic, parents are encouraged to bring their children with them to their dental hygiene appointments to familiarize them with the clinic so they know what to expect with their own cleaning appointment.

Does tooth loss affect dietary intake?
As your teeth are used primarily for chewing, fewer teeth can make chewing difficult.  In a large study done on adults it was found that "intake of vegetables, dietary fibre, crude fibre and carotene was significantly lower, while intake of total calories, cholesterol, and fat was significantly higher"  when comparing people with less teeth to those with 25 teeth or more.  Therefore, as gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, dietary evaluation and nutrition recommendations should be offered by dental hygienists to their patients.  (Oral Care Report, vol14, Number 1, 2004)

What is the impact of smoking on my oral health?
Tobacco use, either from smoking or spit tobacco, is the leading cause of gum disease.  It also contributes to the following oral conditions amoung others: oral cancer, leukoplakia, smokers palate, impaired blood circulation, receding gums, halitosis, dental staining, and excess dental calculus.  The good new is that within hours of quiting the body begins to repair itself.  Recent studies have shown that success rates incras with the us of stop-smoking medication and help from a health professional.  Dental hygienists are ideally situated to provide smoking cessation technques through education, motivation, offering assistance and providing follow-up visits at regular itnervals.  We are always ready to assist anyone who is considering quitting smoking. 

I would like to whiten my teeth.  What is the procedure and is it safe?
Whitening is a harmless, quick, simple and cost effective way to brighten your smile.  A brighter smile can emanate a feeling of confidence, improved self-esteem and make your oral health a higher priority.  This is beneficial to your general well-being.

The procedure is an at home process that usually takes 1-2 weeks.  At Finesse Dental Hygiene Clinic we manufacture a custom tray to apply the whitening gel.  This tray fits snugly to your teeth and will help prevent the risk of hypersensitivity to the teeth and gums, and reduce excess product waste.  Finesse will also recommend appropriate measures to ensure your whitening process is a positive experience.

How can I best protect my children's teeth from Halloween treats?
Sugar is detrimental to teeth providing food for the bacteria that cause cavities and increasing the acid levels in your mouth.  As it is unavoidable for children and adults to indulge, a crucial thing to remember is the length of time and frequency that your teeth are exposed to sugar.  It is best to eat surgary foods like a dessert immediately after a meal and to finish the candy within a short amount of time instead of saving it for weeks.  This limits the number of sugary acid attacks your teeth are exposed to .  Also remember to brush and floss and drink lots of water to clear the sugars from your mouth.

I'm confused about all the options for cleaning my teeth.  Which is the best way to remove plaque?
We generally recommend oral hygiene routines on an individual basis, though most times it is mechanical removal of plaque (brushing and flossing) over chemical removal of plaque (mouth rinse) that is the best option.  Although there are several options for mechanical plaque removal including dental aides such as power brushes, floss, dental picks, or stimulators some individuals can not achieve control.  In these cases it is an option to use antibacterial mouthrinses or toothpastes to achieve more complete control.

I just found out I am pregnant and wonder if I should continue with my regular dental hygiene appointments or wait until after the baby is born?
During pregnancy certain hormones increase.  This can cause an exaggerated response of the gums to plaque and calculus and produce what we refer to as pregnancy gingivitis.  Symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis include red swollen gums that may be quite tender, an increase in bleeding from the gums, and/or benign tumours on the gums.

Toxins that are produced by the bacteria in plaque can enter the blood stream and trigger an increase in prostaglandin.  This hormone causes the uterus to contract.  Gum infections can also produce higher levels of tumour necrosis factor molecules another natural chemical that can trigger premature labour.

Several studies including a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology; say women with gum disease who have their teeth scaled can "dramatically reduce their risk of having a premature baby".  Prematurity is the leading cause of infant death and those that survive can be faced with a lifetime of serious disabilities.

For these reasons it is very important to have good oral hygiene and have your teeth scaled regularly throughout pregnancy to prevent or continue to treat gum disease.

What is scaling and why do I need to have my teeth scaled regularly?
Scaling is the removal of bacterial plaque, stain and calculus (tartar) from the tooth surface. Plaque accumulates on your teeth daily and contains bacteria that can cause gum disease.  The minerals in your saliva calcify plaque to form calculus.  Calculus provides a rough surface for the accumulation of more plaque and servies as a mechanical irritant to the surrounding tissue.  The irritation inflames the gums allowing the harmful bacteria to penetrate the tissue and cause gum disease.  This is why scaling needs to be performed regularly.

The rate of formation of caluculus is different for everyone.  It is greatly dependent on personal oral hygiene.  Therefore, a suitable interval between continuing care appointments (scaling) should be discussed and reviewed regularly with your dental hygienist.  A registered dental hygienist is educated and licensed to provide this important service to clients.

"When a Registered Dental Hygienist performs scaling on your teeth, they are doing more than just removing plaque and tartar - they are helping to prevent gum disease" (Wilkins, 7th edition).

I don't have any cavities, why do my teeth hurt when I eat or drink cold or sweet things?
You may be suffering from dentin hypersensitivity which is pain transmitted to the nerve of the tooth due to exposed dentin (root surface).  It was thought that gum recession from toothbrush abrasion was the most significant cause of sensitivity.  Evidence suggests erosion, caused mainly from dietary acids, is the most significant factor in the loss of tooth enamel and a key predisposition for the development of dentin hypersisnsitivity (Canadian Advisory Board on Dentin Hygpersensitivity 2003).

Citrus fruits and juices, wines and carbonated beverages, among others, are risk factors and play a critical role in "softening" enamel that then becomes more susceptible to the stresses of abrasion, attrition (grinding), or abfraction (clenching) causing dentin exposure.  First-line treatment should be non-invasive and reversible and should include behaviour modification to control or remove risk factors.  Dental hygienists help you evaluate risk factors, make alterations, monitor the progression and provide non-invasive therapy for treatment and prevention of dentin hypersensitivity.

I don't have any cavities, and I don't get food caught between my teeth.  Why should I floss?
New generations have not experienced the same dental problems as their parents and think that brushing is all that is needed to maintain a healthy mouth.  Research experts say "these people may be at the highest risk for tooth loss 10 - 20 years from now" - not from poor teeth but from poor gum tissue health (Dr. Ruth Freeman, Partners in Prevention 2003).

Although many people believe the purpose of flossing is to remove food from between the teeth it is primarily to remove plaque.  When thousands of bacteria in plaque are left undisturbed it leads to gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease).  Gingivitis is nearly a universal finding among children and 75% of the adult population has gum disease to some degree (Academy or Periodontology).

It can take less than 5 minutes twice a day to brush and floss and it is never too early or too late to learn good habits.  Dental hygienists assist you in developing new habits and monitor your progress at your dental hygiene recall appointment.