FAQs

Dental radiographs are done as part of the dental examination, and are essential for several reasons:

• Diagnosis: They help identify issues that are not visible during a clinical examination, such as cavities between teeth, bone loss, or infections.
• Treatment Planning: Radiographs provide critical information for planning dental treatments, including extractions, fillings, dental implants and orthodontics.
• Monitoring Progress: They allow dentists to track the progress of dental treatments and monitor changes over time.
• Detection of Diseases: X-rays can reveal systemic diseases that affect oral health, such as tumours or cysts.
• Evaluating Trauma: After an injury, radiographs help assess damage to teeth and bone structure.

Overall, dental X-rays are a crucial tool in maintaining oral health and ensuring effective treatment.

Teeth bleaching, when done correctly, is generally safe for most people. However, there are some potential drawbacks, including:

• Sensitivity: Some people may experience temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation after bleaching.
• Enamel Damage: Overuse or improper techniques can lead to enamel erosion, making teeth more vulnerable to decay.
• Uneven Results: Bleaching may not work equally on all types of stains or on dental work like crowns or veneers.
• Gum Irritation: If bleaching products come into contact with gums, they can cause irritation or chemical burns.

To minimize risks, it is best to consult with a dentist before starting any whitening treatment. They can recommend safe options tailored to your needs.

Topical fluoride treatments at the dentist are beneficial, especially for patients at higher risk of dental decay. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay by remineralizing areas that may have begun to demineralize. While most people receive fluoride from sources like toothpaste and tap water, in-office fluoride treatments provide a higher concentration that can offer extra protection, particularly in patients with conditions like dry mouth, gum recession, or those with limited dexterity for brushing and flossing.

For adults, fluoride treatments can also help reduce tooth sensitivity. Regular fluoride application might not be necessary for everyone, but it can be especially helpful for people with specific risk factors for decay.

Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth, usually above the gum line. Scaling is recommended for cases of gingivitis or mild gum disease, and can usually be completed in one appointment.

Root planing is a more in-depth procedure performed when the gum disease has progressed to a moderate or severe stage. It targets the roots of the teeth below the gum line, where plaque and tartar can accumulate, causing inflammation and infection. Root planing involves cleaning of the root surfaces of teeth, and smoothing them to promote re-attachment of the gums to the teeth. Typically root planing is carried out under local anaesthesia, and completed over several appointments.

No. Scaling and polishing is unable to adequately treat severe gum disease, even if you do it more frequently, although it may temporarily help to reduce acute symptoms like bleeding gums.

Mouthrinses can be a helpful addition to your oral hygiene routine, but it does not replace good toothbrushing and usage of interdental aids like floss and interdental brushes. Opt for alcohol-free mouthrinses where possible. Certain mouthrinses (e.g. high fluoride mouthrinse, chlorhexidine mouthrinse) are formulated for specialised use and should be only used as directed by your dental professional.

Unfortunately, the answer is “no”. Interdental mechanical oral hygiene with floss or interdental brushes is still essential to reduce the risk of decay and gum disease. Toothbrushing by itself is not able to clean between the teeth, where teeth decay and gum disease usually start.

Studies have shown that for the majority of the population, using an electric toothbrush is as good as using a normal toothbrush. However in older individuals or in kids, where the manual dexterity is poorer, using an electric toothbrush may achieve better results.

Water flossers alone are not sufficient for individuals with active and advanced gum disease. Usage of interdental brushes (even if you have already used the water flosser) are still required to achieve acceptable interdental hygiene for patients with periodontal disease.

No. All active decay and gum disease must be treated and be under control before consideration for orthodontic (braces) treatment, or any dental implant treatment.