What kind of toothpaste is best?
We recommend any paste that contains fluoride. If you have sensitivity and you are using a tartar control product, try switching from a tartar control paste to a paste without. The difference between a gel and paste is purely personal.

Do whitening products really work?
Yes, but there are a number of factors to consider. Whitening products are offered by retail stores as well as dental offices. The difference is in the strength of the active ingredient, Carbamide Peroxide, which is similar to hydrogen peroxide. Whitening products available in dental offices usually contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than that sold in stores. The length of time necessary to achieve results depends on the strength of the active ingredient, how long each day the product is applied, and personal preference on degree of whitening. A person who drinks coffee, tea or red wine will see a decrease in whitening over time and may want to retouch their teeth periodically. Some stains will not be removed by external whitening. We can evaluate your particular case to let you know if at home whitening will work for you.

Why do my gums bleed?
Bleeding when flossing or brushing is an indication of infection in the gum tissue. The normal bacteria in your mouth will attach to the tooth and it's root if not cleaned off completely every day. This roughened area of bacteria produces toxins that cause the gum tissue to become infected, much like having a splinter in your finger. If the bacteria are not removed, the bone around the tooth also becomes infected and dissolves, eventually causing the tooth to loosen. Professional hygiene visits will help teach you how to keep your teeth clean and also remove the built up bacteria.

My husband has his teeth cleaned every six months, why do I have to come in more often than that?
Every individual's oral environment is unique due to diet, genetics and home health care. 60% of the adult population has periodontal disease, which is a chronic condition of the gum tissue that requires more frequent dental hygiene visits to maintain. At you hygiene visits we discuss the depth of your periodontal pockets. A pocket over 3mm is too deep for your toothbrush and floss to clean at home. The bacteria in your mouth will accumulate in these deep areas and cause continued infection unless professionally removed at more frequent intervals.

I was told I need a crown. Is that the same thing as a cap?
The terms mean the same thing. A crown (referring to the crown of a tooth, which is the part of the tooth visible in the mouth) is recommended when there is extensive decay, fracture or an old filling needs to be replaced. Materials used are ceramic, gold or porcelain to gold. These restorations last 10 years or more.

Why do I need x-rays and exams? I just want my teeth cleaned.
X-rays show us information that is not visible by eye. We often cannot detect decay or bone infection without the use x-rays and therefore don't know if you have any problems that could cause pain or costly procedures to correct. Dr. Poirier performs an oral exam on patients usually every two years unless there is an area that needs attention sooner than that. He not only checks the teeth and gum tissue but also inspects for oral cancer, temporal mandibular joint concerns and infection.

For more information on these or other dentally related questions, see our links page.