Fluoride is found naturally in soil, water, foods, and several minerals. Tooth enamel is also naturally rich in Fluoride. It helps protect the teeth and strengthen them. When we polish your teeth at a cleaning appointment a slight layer of Fluoride rich enamel is removed. We make sure your teeth are protected by putting Fluoride back onto the teeth after the cleaning. Fluoride IS safe in the recommended amounts.

X-rays show us what we can’t always see by just looking in the mouth (cavities, abscesses, hairline fractures). It’s important to catch cavities before they get too large to fix with a filling. It’s also important to update the x-rays every 1-2 years as things can change quickly and we won’t be able to see this necessarily by just looking in the mouth. Also, new x-rays are needed if a tooth breaks as we need to see how close to the bone level the tooth broke to determine if the tooth can be saved. It may even determine how the tooth is removed if it can’t be saved. Or if there is an abscess present we will need to prescribe antibiotics.

Here, at Hanover Dental we take digital x-rays. This greatly reduces the amount of radiation. Research shows that taking around 12 digital x-rays is equivalent to about 30 minutes in sun exposure.

There is a lot of controversy about x-rays and pregnancy. With digital x-rays, as stated above, the radiation is greatly reduced and would most likely not harm if it even reached the baby. However, to be on the safe side it’s best to avoid taking x-rays while pregnant. If you have a dental emergency while pregnant and need an x-ray taken it is safe (especially with digital technology), but it is your decision.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day to help remove plaque from the areas between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. This is important because plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing can eventually harden into calculus or tartar.

Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches), such as milk, soft drinks, raisins, cakes, or candy are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. Plaque can also develop on the tooth roots under the gum and cause breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth.