Family Dentistry

Regular dental cleanings performed by a professional dental hygienists, along with your at-home care routine, are fundamental to maintaining your oral health. Plaque and tooth decay are often not seen by the naked eye, yet are the primary causes of tooth loss in adults. Getting a dental cleaning every six months is recommended to keep plaque and tartar in check.

If you have not seen a family dentist for over a year, a new patient exam is recommended. This will give our dentists the opportunity to assess your current state of oral health and to recommend preventive and restorative dentistry that is necessary to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful. Very often, x-rays are required to be able to see below the gumline and inside the tooth for problems not visible to the naked eye. A new patient exam is recommended, once every 3 years, depending on your oral health.

First we need to understand the difference between a cavity and a root canal. Cavities are extremely common and caused by plaque buildup that eventually causes tooth decay. While cavities can range in severity, the tooth is not as damaged as it is when needing a root canal. Cavities can be fixed in one single visit by applying a filling made of either white composite resin or silver amalgam. Decay on the surface of the tooth, not in the root, can easily be fixed with a dental filling.

When a root canal is needed, there is severe decay and an infection deep in the tooth pulp that will become worse over time. Needing a root canal is a more involved procedure, and the difference for many begins with the amount of pain they experience. This is because needing a root canal means there is an infection deep in the canal of the tooth and the nerve is severely inflamed and infected. It is important to note that not all teeth that require a root canal cause pain, and this is why many are confused as to why their Toronto dentist suggests a root canal versus a dental filling. Call our Toronto family dentistry office for an appointment today!

Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth because they do it while they sleep. Bruxism often occurs in the early part of the night and can disturb sleep partners. The clenching and grinding may be quite audible. Others make no sound while bruxing their teeth and do not realize they are doing it until the dentist discovers unusual wear spots on their teeth. People who grind or clench their teeth may wake with a headache, earache or toothache. Regular dental checkups are important to detect damage in the early stages.