Everyone’s needs are different. When it comes to frequency of dental visits, age, oral hygiene habits and overall health are just a few factors that come into play. A good rule of thumb, however, is to visit your dentist at least once every six months for a check-up and professional cleaning.

You may be required to go more frequently if you are at a greater risk of gum disease or cavities or have other risk factors such as diabetes, being a smoker or having a family history of dental problems.

Regular check-ups are important because they allow your dentist to screen for any early signs of disease or decay and to catch problems before they become more serious. By identifying and treating problems early, we can often avoid more serious and costly issues down the road. Similarly, by maintaining your oral health you also help reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath! Regular dental visits also give you an opportunity to ask questions and learn how to better care for your teeth and gums.

Some oral health problems are not as noticeable in the early stages and may not cause pain. That is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly for check-ups so that any problems can be identified and treated early on.

There are, however, a few things you can look out for in between visits:

• gums that are swollen, tender, bleed when you brush or floss, or appear red (gums should be a pale pink colour)
• oral pain, especially while chewing
• persistent bad breath
• loose teeth
• consistent bad taste in mouth
• teeth that are unusually sensitive to temperature.

A tooth filling is a dental procedure that is used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay. When you come in for a filling, the dentist will first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill it with a special material that restores the tooth back to its normal function, shape and appearance.

Yes! Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene. It helps to remove plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth and under the gumline. If left untreated the plaque will harden into tartar which can widen the space between teeth and gums, causing pockets. Over time, the gums will pull away and teeth loosen.