If you intend to move from one dentist to the other, you may request a transfer of your records. It is important to note that your dental records belong to the dentist who offers you dental services and not to you. According to the provincial dental regulatory body, dentists have to keep their patients' records for a set period. Upon moving to a new dentist, you may sign a release form at your former dental office. If you have any questions about the transfer of dental records, feel free to get in touch with us. For instance, if you want to join Empress Walk Dental from another dentist, it is possible to transfer your dental records.

The frequency of your dental check-ups will depend on your oral health needs. However, it is imperative to undergo regular dental check-ups. Regular check-ups help to reveal dental problems early and prevent them from escalating into bigger problems. The typical dental check-up interval for most people is six months. However, we may recommend that you visit our North York dentists more or less. We will make this recommendation depending on the health of your teeth and gums. When making recommendations for dental check-ups, we will also consider the rate at which tartar builds up on your teeth, among other factors.

When considering how often you should visit a dentist, you should have some considerations in mind. Consider your dental health: how often do you brush and floss your teeth? Your diet also goes a long way in determining your dental health. You should visit your dentist more often if your diet consists of sweet and sticky foods. Consider your overall health and your history of gum disease and cavities.

The frequency at which you need dental x-rays at our North York Centre dental office will depend on your overall oral health. You may not need dental x-rays at every dental appointment, especially if you do not have cavities and other dental problems. However, you may need regular x-rays if your dental situation is unstable and if your dentist is monitoring your progress. However, you do not have to worry about exposure to radiation; we only use digital radiography and this minimizes your exposure to radiation.

If you are not comfortable about an x-ray, ensure that you inform your dentist about it. However, always remember that x-rays are vital tools for dental care. X-rays help our North York dentists to see dental problems that may be hard to realize using naked eyes.

Usually, teeth sensitivity results from the exposure of dentine, a region of the tooth that registers pain. A layer of enamel protects the dentine from exposure. However, it is common for the enamel to wear out, especially due to cavities. Dentine exposure may also occur when the enamel wears out due to grinding and clenching. Gum recession due to gum disease may also wear off the enamel and expose the dentin.

You have a right to understand all relevant dental procedures. Always feel free to ask questions.

Brushing: Brush your teeth gently using a soft-bristle toothbrush, paying special attention to the areas where your teeth and gums meet. Clean every surface of every tooth. Use the tip of your brush to clean behind your upper and lower front teeth. Replace your brush every two to three months.

Flossing: Take a stand of floss about 8 inches long and wrap it around your middle fingers. Using a clean section of floss each time, ease the floss between each tooth; then, sweep it up and down several times while curving around the tooth at the gum line. Repeat on every tooth.

If you have gum disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better. That's why in the early stages of gum disease, the best treatment is coming for a professional cleaning with a dentist or dental hygienist, in addition to brushing twice a day to remove plaque and flossing once a day.

Gum disease has several stages. The initial stage is called gingivitis, which is an infection of the gingival (gum tissue). In this stage, gums become red, swollen, and prone to bleeding. The underlying bone remains unaffected. In later stages, however, gum disease can lead to bone loss and the loosening or even loss of teeth.

When gum disease is more serious, we may refer you to a dental specialist called a periodontist. A periodontist has at least three years of extra university training in treating gum disease and in restoring (or regenerating) bone and gum tissue that have been lost because of gum disease. A periodontist also treats serious forms of gum disease that do not get better with normal dental care. When serious gum disease is found, brushing and flossing become even more important.

Ask questions. It sounds simple enough, but sometimes we feel embarrassed to ask simple questions. There is no need to feel that way.

You will feel much better, and will be able to make a better decision, if you understand the dental procedure that is recommended to you. If you don't say anything, your dentist may think that you already understand.

Here are some questions to ask:

• If you can see any pictures of the procedure or what it looks like when it is done
• How many times our office has done this procedure in the past
• How much it will cost
• How long it will take
• If it will need to be redone in the future
• If there are alternatives to the procedure and if so, what are the pros and cons of each option.

The final decision about how and when to proceed with any treatment is yours. To help you understand what is involved in the treatment, we can provide you with accredited electronic sources as well as printed material to read. Be careful about getting information from unknown sources, as some of this information may not be reliable.

If you have already left the dental office without asking questions, call back later. If, after all of your questions have been answered, you are still uncertain, you may wish to get a second opinion from another dentist. Often, a second opinion will give you confidence that your dentist has planned the right treatment for you.