FAQ


1. I wake up each morning with a sore jaw, should I consider a mouth guard?

This could mean you grind your teeth in your sleep, which 10% of all adults do. A mouth guard is a great solution as it eliminates the negative effects of grinding such as the pain mention above as well as headaches. 


2. What kind of dental bridges does GT Dental offer?

GT Dental offers both Traditional Fixed Dental Bridges and Fixed Implant Supported Dental Bridges.


3. In what cases are veneers needed?

The following cases are good reasons to consider getting dental veneers:
Teeth are chipped
Teeth are discoloured
Teeth that are misaligned, uneven or irregularly shaped
Teeth have gaps (to fill in the spaces)


4. What happens on the first visit of a new patient?

The first visit of a new patient will take about an hour and it will include a comprehensive oral examination. For more information click here.


5. My teeth are yellow. How can GT Dental help me with that?

Having yellow teeth could be due to staining from drinks like coffee or smoking. The treatment you need is called whitening. Simply using the over the counter teeth whitening kit isn't going to do the trick, though. The best thing to do is to combine GT Dental's Zoom! Whitening system with a take-home teeth whitening kit. More over, you must make sure to routinely brush your teeth - if possible right after smoking or consuming coffee and any other teeth staining drinks like dark sodas.


6. I am pregnant. Is there any special advice GT Dental could provide me with?

You must make sure you are getting more calcium than usual because you are providing it both for you and your baby. For more information click here.


7. When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?

It's important to get an early start on dental care, so that your child will learn that visiting the dentist is a regular part of health care. The first step is to choose a dentist for your child.

It may be your own dentist or one who specializes in treating children (called a pediatric dentist). Once you have selected a dentist, call the office to find out at what age he or she prefers to see child patients for the first time. CDA encourages the assessment of infants, by a dentist, within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by one year of age.

It's important to make the first visit a positive experience for your child - one reason why it's best to visit before a problem develops. If you think there is a problem, however, take your child to the dentist right away, no matter what age.

If you are a nervous dental patient, ask your spouse or another family member to take the child for the appointment. If your child senses that you are nervous, he or she may feel nervous too. When you talk to your child about going to the dentist, explain what will happen without adding things like "it won't hurt" or "don't be scared."

Be sure to get an early start on regular dental care at home. Start cleaning your child's mouth with a soft damp cloth before teeth come in and continue with a soft toothbrush once he or she has a first tooth. Limit the number of sugary treats you give your child, and focus on healthy food choices from the very beginning.


8. Do I really have to go to the dentist every six months? Do I need x-rays at each visit?

How often you go for a dental exams depends on your oral health needs. The goal is to catch small problems early. For many people, this means a dental exam every six months. Your dentist may suggest that you visit more or less often depending on how well you care for your teeth and gums, problems you have that need to be checked or treated, how fast tartar builds up on your teeth, and so on.
Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do I floss every day?
  • Do I brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and follow my dentist's instructions on how to brush properly?
  • Do I eat a well-balanced diet, including food from all food groups, and limit sweets and sticky foods?
  • Do I smoke?
  • Do I have a history of cavities or gum disease?
  • Is my overall health good?

The answers to these questions are all factors that affect your oral health. They will help you and your dentist decide how often you need to visit for dental exams. It's worth noting that you should not determine your need for dental care on what your dental plan covers.


9. What's the difference between the bleaching I can do at home with a kit from the store and the bleaching that my dentist does?

Dentists have been doing what's called "non-vital" bleaching for many years. Non-vital bleaching is done on a damaged, darkened tooth that has had root canal treatment. "Vital" bleaching is done on healthy teeth and has become more popular in recent years.

Vital bleaching, also called whitening, may be carried out in the dental office or the dentist may instruct the patient on how to do the bleaching at home. There is also a wide variety of products for sale in stores. Not all products are the same and not all give you the same results.

Different products, including those used by dentists, may also have different risks and side effects.

Here is an overview:

Whitening toothpastes with abrasive ingredients are really not bleaching products at all, but work on surface stain only. These products are sold in many stores.

Some whitening toothpastes do contain a chemical ingredient (or "bleach") that causes a chemical reaction to lighten teeth. Generally, they have the lowest amount of "bleach." They may not whiten as well as stronger products, but they have less chance of side effects. These pastes are brushed onto teeth and rinsed off, like regular toothpaste.

Bleaching kits sold in stores stay on your teeth longer than toothpaste and contain stronger bleach." These store-bought products do not come with the added safety of having your dentist monitor any side effects. They also come with a one-size-fits-all tray that holds the "bleach" and is more likely to leak the chemical into your mouth.

Dentists may use products with stronger "bleach", but they give patients careful instructions to follow. They are also trained to spot and treat the side effects that patients sometimes report during bleaching. In addition, if a tray is needed to apply the "bleach", dentists supply custom-made trays. Because products used by dentists are strong, they tend to produce the best results.

Patients should be aware that the long-term use of whitening or bleaching products may cause tooth sensitivity or tooth abrasion. Please consult with your dentist before using a whitening or bleaching product.