Question 1

How often should I have a dental check-up?

Accepted Answer

Generally once a year, sometimes more often depending on your situation: gum disease, many restorations, ongoing treatment or a high risk of cavities. A regular check-up makes it possible to spot problems before they hurt. An early cavity, gum inflammation or a crack is simpler to treat when it is detected early. For most adults, a yearly check-up is a good basis. The dentist may, however, recommend more frequent visits if you have fragile gums, implants, frequent cavities or diabetes, if you smoke or if you are pregnant. The visit includes an examination of the teeth, gums and soft tissues of the mouth, sometimes X-rays, and often scaling. It is also the time to ask your questions about brushing, sensitivity or a cosmetic project. The dentist tells you how often you should come, given your situation, and offers to schedule your next check-up.

Question 2

What is scaling for, and is it unpleasant?

Accepted Answer

Scaling removes the tartar that brushing cannot remove. It protects the gums. How it feels depends on the amount of tartar and your sensitivity; it generally remains tolerable. Plaque that is not removed every day eventually hardens into tartar, especially near the gums and behind the lower teeth. Tartar no longer comes off with brushing and keeps the gums inflamed. Scaling consists of removing this tartar with suitable instruments, often ultrasonic ones, then polishing the teeth to smooth their surface. It also removes some of the staining caused by tea, coffee or smoking. How it feels depends on the amount of tartar and the condition of the gums. Vibrations, a little sensitivity or slight bleeding are common. If you are sensitive, say so: the dentist can adjust the settings or offer local anaesthesia for the area. Scaling does not damage the enamel. Carried out regularly, generally once or twice a year depending on the case, it helps keep the gums healthy.

Question 3

How do I know if I have a cavity?

Accepted Answer

An early cavity often does not hurt. Sensitivity to sweet things or cold, a brown mark, a visible hole or food that gets stuck are possible signs. Only an examination can tell for sure. A cavity is the gradual destruction of the tooth caused by the acids that plaque bacteria produce when sugars are present. It starts in the enamel, often without symptoms, then progresses towards the dentine and possibly the nerve. Several signs can alert you: brief sensitivity to sweet things, cold or heat, a brown or black mark, a small hole, a tooth that feels rough under the tongue, or food that always gets stuck in the same place. Some cavities develop between the teeth or under an old filling, where they cannot be seen. That is why the dentist often completes the examination with X-rays. The earlier a cavity is treated, the simpler and more conservative the treatment. A cavity that reaches the nerve may require root canal treatment. A regular check-up remains the most reliable way to catch it in time.

Question 4

My gums bleed when I brush: what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Bleeding gums most often reflect inflammation linked to plaque. Do not stop brushing; see the dentist for an examination and a clean. Healthy gums do not bleed when you brush. Bleeding, often with redness or swelling, is generally a sign of gingivitis, an inflammation caused by plaque that has built up along the gum line. The instinct to brush more lightly or to avoid the area that bleeds makes things worse. On the contrary, you should keep brushing carefully with a soft brush and clean between your teeth every day. Without treatment, the inflammation can spread to the tissues that support the teeth: this is periodontitis, which can lead to bone loss, receding gums and, eventually, loose teeth. Smoking, diabetes, stress and certain periods such as pregnancy increase this risk. The dentist examines your gums, measures how firmly they are attached around the teeth and offers you a suitable clean, sometimes over several sessions, along with personalised advice for your daily hygiene.

Question 5

Why are my teeth sensitive to cold?

Accepted Answer

Sensitivity often comes from receding gums or worn enamel that leave the dentine exposed. It can also point to a cavity or a crack: an examination identifies the cause. Beneath the enamel lies the dentine, crossed by tiny channels connected to the nerve. When it is exposed, cold, sweet or acidic substances reach the nerve more easily and cause a sharp, brief pain. The most frequent causes are receding gums that expose the root, brushing too hard, enamel wear linked to acidic drinks or tooth grinding, and sometimes recent whitening. A toothpaste for sensitive teeth, used regularly, often brings relief after a few weeks. A soft brush and gentle brushing, without scrubbing from side to side, also help. Sensitivity located on a single tooth, or that lasts a long time after contact with cold, may reveal a cavity, a crack or inflammation of the nerve. In that case, an examination is needed to identify the cause and propose the appropriate treatment.

Question 6

What daily habits keep teeth healthy?

Accepted Answer

Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth, limiting sugar between meals, avoiding tobacco and having regular check-ups: these habits make up most of prevention. Brushing morning and evening for about two minutes, with a soft brush and a fluoride toothpaste, remains the foundation. What matters is reaching every surface of the teeth and the gum line, without brushing too hard. A toothbrush does not reach the spaces between the teeth. Dental floss or interdental brushes, used every day, complete brushing. The dentist helps you choose the right size. Diet also plays a part: it is not only the amount of sugar that counts, but how often you have it. Snacking or sipping sugary drinks throughout the day exposes the teeth to repeated acid attacks. Water remains the ideal drink between meals. Finally, avoiding tobacco and having your teeth checked regularly make it possible to spot a cavity or gum inflammation early, while treatment is still simple.

Everyday care and prevention

Everyday care and prevention

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