The Top 5 Questions Dentists Get Asked
With so much information out there and so many adverts across all media for all kinds of dental products it’s hard to know what to believe.
Of course you should always quiz your dentist on anything you’re not sure about. Your dentist is going to be a more trustworthy source of info than some hyped up advert that promises you the most amazing pearly whites if you use their product.
Here are the most common 5 questions we get asked in our clinic
1) Should I Use An Electric Toothbrush?
Good tooth brushing depends more on technique rather than which toothbrush you use – so… spending enough time; moving the brush around, not forgetting any parts and making sure you get to the gums. You can still do a good job with a manual toothbrush. However… the truth is.. most people don’t do a good job! So an electric toothbrush will help you brush better, if you don’t spend enough time brushing (a full two minutes which most people don’t) or if you don’t brush particularly well.
2) Should I Use A Mouthwash?
Plaque is very sticky and gets stuck to your teeth and gums. It needs to get removed or it causes decay and gum disease. Removing plaque, is like trying to remove a lipstick mark from a coffee cup, you can’t wash it off, you need to get in there and rub it with something. No amount of washing or rinsing is going to get it off. It’s the same with plaque; you have to physically remove it – with a toothbrush, floss and a tongue cleaner.
So because mouthwashes won’t remove plaque, they won’t prevent cavities, gum disease or bad breath, no matter what their ads say they will do. They aren’t quite as good as they claim.
3/ Why Do My Gums Bleed?
We hear this question a lot. Gums don’t bleed because you’re brushing too hard. When you were a child learning to brush, you were told to brush your teeth but did anyone mention that you’re meant to brush your gums as well?
Gums usually bleed due to plaque build up along the gum line which causes inflammation of the gums, what we call ‘gingivitis’. Gum disease is usually painless and left untreated it can turn to periodontal disease and become quite serious as it can cause you to loose your teeth. It’s important to have regular dental checkups and hygiene clean appointments.
So… brush your gums when cleaning – it may bleed a bit at first, don’t stress… it just means you are getting to the right spot. Flossing under the gums is good as well. During your appointment Dr Debra can show you a really good way of doing this, just ask.
4/ Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?
Many people suffer with sensitive teeth and have to avoid things like ice cream. Ouch! This most often happens when the enamel is worn off the teeth, so the sensitive nervy layer of dentine is exposed. This could happen due to wearing down of your teeth due to grinding in your sleep, receding gums due to brushing too hard or even consuming too many acidic foods or drinks which dissolve enamel.
Using sensitive toothpaste is a good place to start. In our clinic we have professional strength desensitisers available such as Tooth Mousse and Clinpro tooth crème.
5) Are My Teeth Yellow? Do I Need To Whiten Them?
I can tell you something now, most people are far too polite to tell you your teeth are yellow, myself included. So you won’t get a truthful answer to this one I’m sorry.
Teeth do yellow over time and like some people have darker eyes , some people just have naturally darker teeth, it’s just genetics and how they are.
Yellow teeth aren’t necessarily bad teeth; they just may not look as nice. Whether you need to whiten them is entirely your decision, no one HAS to whiten their teeth. It is up to you whether you want to do it for cosmetic reasons.
If you have any dental questions or concerns call us today to make an appointment on 4957 5957 or
Click here to book an appointment
Dr Debra Brown
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
