FAQs
Your questions, answered! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
I have dental insurance. Do you bill the insurance company directly?
As of January 4 2021, we will be accepting payment in full at the time of service. We will be submitting your information to the insurance company and you will subsequently be reimbursed for the covered portion within 1-3 business days. Please provide any changes to your insurance information.
How often should I see the dentist or hygienist?
The frequency of your cleanings can vary from every 3 months to every 9 months. This depends on a variety of factors, some out of your control. Please feel free to ask your hygienist what he/she recommends for you. Ideally, we like to do dental check-ups on our patients every 6 months to ensure that we find any issues as early as we can.
When should my child see the dentist?
According to the Canadian Dental Association, it is recommended that a child see the dentist before age 1 or within 6 months of your baby getting their first tooth. This allows us to teach parents how to clean their baby’s teeth and assess for potential developmental issues regarding their teeth.
How often should I be brushing and flossing?
For most people, we recommend brushing twice with fluoridated toothpaste daily, and flossing once at night. Anything extra is the cherry on top!
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Read our blog post Improve How You Brush Your Teeth > and Proper Flossing Technique >
What toothpaste should I use?
Any toothpaste that has fluoride is recommended. We recommend fluoridated toothpaste because unlike other communities across Canada, Vancouver does not add fluoride to its water.
Is fluoride harmful to my health?
Fluoride is beneficial to the teeth and helps prevent cavities. The amount of fluoride in toothpaste is minimal and will not cause any harm to your health if used appropriately.
I’ve never had a cavity. Do I still need to floss?
Yes! Flossing is very important not only to prevent cavities but also to keep your gums clean and healthy in places that your toothbrush cannot reach.
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Read our blog post on Proper Flossing Technique >
What is gum disease and why should I care?
Gum disease (ie. gingivitis) occurs when bacteria accumulates around the gums causing inflammation and bleeding. While this does not cause pain, it will lead to bone loss around the teeth (periodontitis) if left untreated. Sometimes the bone loss can be so severe that the tooth can get loose, infected, and may need to be extracted.
My teeth are sensitive to cold. Do I need to go see the dentist?
It can be normal for your teeth to be sensitive to cold, especially if you have some gum recession. However, if you experience severe pain to cold that lingers, that can indicate that there may be something wrong with the tooth. In any case, it is never a bad idea to ask your dentist about your tooth sensitivity and for ways to minimize it.
How long can I delay getting my wisdom teeth taken out?
Not all wisdom teeth need to be extracted. If it is determined that there is a large benefit to taking out your wisdom teeth, the sooner the better. The ideal age to take out wisdom teeth is 16-22. However, everyone's situation is different so it is best to ask your dentist so they can determine what is best for you.
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Learn more about Why Wisdom Teeth Extractions are recommended >
If I just got a root canal, do I need to put a crown on my tooth?
This varies case by case. After the root canal is finished, we will inform you on our best recommendation for your tooth. Generally, if you had a root canal done on your back tooth, we will recommend a crown because your molars are your main chewing teeth and are more prone to fracturing.
If I need a crown, does this mean I need a root canal as well?
This does not always mean that you need a root canal. The dentist will assess the situation and provide you with more insight after all the proper testing is done on the tooth. Depending on the situation, not all teeth that need crowns also need root canals.
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