Sugar isn’t the only dental villain that undermines healthy teeth. Acidic, low-pH foods (sour candy, soft drinks, fruit juices) soften teeth. The result: enamel erosion and diminished tooth size. Citric acid is the worst acid for your teeth. Dentists’ worst nightmare: ultra-sour, ultra-sticky, ultra-sugary kids’ candies.

With the help of sealants, fluoridated water, and preventative care, the decay in school-aged children was cut down.

An amalgam or composite filling needs to be replaced if it breaks down or a cavity forms around it, or if the tooth fractures. If none of those problems occur, you can keep the same filling for life.

That’s a big, big bad myth. Mild tooth decay doesn’t cause symptoms. The pain we associate with cavities comes when tooth decay is more advanced and causes damage to the nerve.

Tooth sensitivity could just mean you have hypersensitive teeth, or gum recession has exposed some root surface. You could also have a cracked or broken tooth or could need a root canal. There are many things, including decay, that could lead to sensitive teeth.

Baby teeth hold the space for permanent teeth. If cavities are left untreated in baby teeth, they can develop into serious pain and abscesses. Occasionally the infection can spread to other areas of the body.

Even if you have one or more false teeth or dentures, you must still clean them and visit your dentist on a regular basis.

Definitive studies have revealed the link between poor oral health and diseases like diabetes in people of all ages. In seniors, poor oral health is connected to respiratory diseases. Research has also revealed a possible link between oral health and heart disease.

Not so. Bleeding gums are just a sign of gum disease.

Dental health has an impact on the health of baby to be born. Dental diseased during pregnancy could raise the chances of having a premature, under-weight baby.

We may think they look pretty, but teeth aren't meant to be pure white. You can help keep your teeth as white as possible by brushing regularly with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing. Avoiding food and drinks that can stain teeth, such as tea, and coffee, will also help to keep them white, so you won't need unnecessary polishing or whitening treatments.

Even though your child will lose their milk teeth, they still have to be brushed. Establishing good habits early in life helps ensure life-long dental health. Brush your baby's teeth twice daily from the moment their first tooth cuts through.

While 85-90% of bad breath is caused by bad oral hygiene, smoking, eating certain foods and (in rare cases) an underlying disease can also make your breath smell bad. Regular brushing, flossing, eating and drinking healthily, and taking plenty of exercise are the best ways to avoid bad breath.

The time of treatment can only be decided by a qualified orthodontist and it is different from one case to another. Please let an orthodontist examine your child at the age of 7.

Many adults can benefit from braces. There is no upper age limit for braces.

Braces are not painful, they might cause discomfort for a week or so. Like wearing a new pair of glasses, it takes a couple of days to get used to them after which you will forget they are on.

Today orthodontic treatment is a sign of health awareness and it is very acceptable in any social setup. Clear braces are used for adults and are nearly invisible.

Orthodontic treatment does not last for years if there is commitment to it from both patient and orthodontist. Braces may be worn for months, not years.

No this may only be necessary if the teeth are overcrowded.

Quite the opposite. Successfully treated teeth are more effective at load bearing and are less likely to be ground down. Provided you take extra care of your teeth while the braces are on, your bite should be healthier after treatment.

A common comment we get from patients is, “Make it tighter, doc. I want to get my braces off faster!” You may think that tighter adjustments and heavier forces will move your teeth faster. While a certain level of force is necessary to move teeth, a force level that is too high may start to damage the bone and surrounding tissues. Orthodontics is a delicate balance of forces. Too much force may cause some teeth to move the wrong way and increase overall time you need braces.

When patients are told before treatment that they will be in dental braces for a certain number of years, it is very easy to focus on that date. Usually, an orthodontist can judge from his or her experience what the typical time frame is to finish treatment. However this depends on many factors. Some factors that would slow down treatment include: broken braces, not brushing well, not coming in for regular appointments, and having dense bone. If you want to get your braces off on time, make sure you co-operate by brushing and flossing well, wearing your elastics, and showing up for your regular appointments.