Commonly Asked Dental Questions

Floss at least once a day. Flossing gets rid of food and plaque between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque stays between teeth, it can harden into tartar, which must be removed by a dentist.

You should visit the dentist usually twice a year. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, it's important to have regular checkups and professional teeth cleanings. You should also see your dentist if you experience any pain in your teeth or mouth or bleeding swollen gums.

Plaque is a sticky, colourless deposit of bacteria, which is constantly forming on teeth. Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect on teeth and where teeth and gums meet.

Plaque build-up is the primary factor in periodontal (gum) disease. Fighting plaque is a lifelong component of oral care.

Plaque begins forming on teeth 4 to 12 hours after brushing which is why it is so important to brush at least twice daily and floss daily.

A root canal, also called endodontic treatment, is a common and safe procedure to treat an infection in the pulp of the tooth. Years ago, damaged and diseased teeth were removed. The advent of modern dental techniques has enabled dentists to save and repair damaged teeth through root canal treatment. Infected teeth that are not extracted or repaired will be a source of infection, contaminating the body and weakening the immune system. Because damaged teeth do not heal on their own, as they get worse, they will continue to damage bone and be the source of extreme pain.

A healthy, balanced diet is a very important part of caring for your teeth. A nourishing, low sugar diet is the first prerequisite for healthy teeth.

Visit our Dental Fees page to learn more about how dental fees are determined and the average fees per procedure in Edmonton.