Frequently Asked Questions

What is TMJ/TMD?

TMD (temporomandibular disorders) refers to a group of conditions, often painful, that affects the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or tmj) and the associated muscles used in movement of the jaw and neck. Discomfort from TMD is usually temporary and often occurs in cycles. Most of the time the pain goes away with little or no treatment. A small percentage of people develop significant, long-term symptoms. Here at Smiles by Design we have the Neuromusclar technologies to diagnose and treat problems with the TMJ. Call us for a complementary consultation today!

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Why do my teeth look yellow?

When your teeth begin to change color, there may be a variety of reasons. If your parents have yellowish teeth, you may be headed toward that same hue. Thus, heredity may be the culprit. In addition, lifestyle issues like consumption of enamel-tinting liquids such as coffee or tea, poor dental hygiene, and older age can contribute. While many individuals have very light or whiter shades in their teeth, others have a naturally occurring yellowish tint to their teeth. The key is in knowing what is or was the natural color of your teeth. You can then work with a dental-health professional to find the cause for the color change.

Here are a few reasons to consider:

Stains can be caused by the following:

Foods (blueberries, curry, soy sauce) and drinks (coffee, tea, cola, red wine, dark beer)
Tobacco smoking or chewing
Poor dental hygiene leading to the formation of tartar and plaque, which in turn makes it easier for stains to accumulate from foods, drinks or tobacco
Overuse of prescription mouthwash containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride
Excessive intake of fluoride due to unusually high levels in the water, or through the consistent and intentional ingestion of fluoride from toothpaste and/or mouthwash
Medications that may include antihistamines, antipsychotics, and those used to control high blood pressure

But there is a solution! Here are Smiles by Design we can brighten any smile. Zoom is our in office whitening system and will brighten your smile quickly and safely if only one visit.

Call us for a complementary consultation today!

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What do I do if my tooth is loose or knocked out?

If the tooth is loose, even extremely so, but is still attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove it and call our office immediately. If it is out of its socket completely and unattached, but still in the mouth, it is best to have the person hold it there, if possible, until Dr. Emerson can attempt re-implantation. If it is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle it as little as possible. Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it. If it is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until you can get into our office. If milk is not available, lukewarm water will suffice. Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation is still possible after several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.

How often should radiographs be taken?

How often X-rays (radiographs) should be taken depends on the patient's individual health needs. We will review your history, examine your mouth and then decide whether you need radiographs and what type. We do require x-rays be taken every two years here at Smiles By Design. If you are a new patient we require radiographs and photo records to determine the present status of the hidden areas of your mouth and to help analyze changes that may occur later. If you have had recent radiographs at your previous dentist we can have the radiographs forwarded to our office. The schedule for needing radiographs at recall visits varies according to your age, risk for disease and signs and symptoms. Recent films may be needed to detect new cavities, or to determine the status of gum disease or for evaluation of growth and development. Children may need X-rays more often than adults. This is because their teeth and jaws are still developing and because their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than those of adults.

What can I do about bad breath?

Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, it's an unpleasant condition that's cause for embarrassment. Some people with bad breath aren't even aware there's a problem. What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating. If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe anartificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake. Tobacco products cause bad breath. Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Don't forget to brush your tongue too! Once a day, use floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between your teeth.

What is tooth decay or dental carries?

Tooth decay and periodontal disease are the most common causes of tooth loss. Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavity, is a disease where bacterial processes damage hard tooth structure (enamel, dentin and cementum). These tissues progressively break down, producing dental cavities (holes in the teeth). Two groups of bacteria are responsible for initiating caries, Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli. If left untreated, the disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, infection. Today, caries remains one of the most common diseases throughout the world. The presentation of caries is highly variable, however the risk factors and stages of development are similar. Initially, it may appear as a small chalky area which may eventually develop into a large cavitation. Sometimes caries may be directly visible, however other methods of detection such as radiographs or xrays are used for less visible areas of teeth and to judge the extent of destruction. Depending on the extent of tooth destruction, various treatments can be used to restore teeth to proper form, function, and aesthetics, but there is no known method to regenerate large amounts of tooth structure. Instead, dental health organizations advocate preventive and prophylactic measures, such as regular oral hygiene and dietary modifications, to avoid dental caries. Though more than 95% of trapped food is left packed between teeth after every meal or snack, over 80% of cavities develop inside pits and fissures in grooves on chewing surfaces where the brush cannot reach and there is no access for saliva and fluoride to neutralize acid and remineralise demineralised tooth. Few cavities occur where saliva has easy access. Chewing fiber like celery after eating helps force saliva into trapped food to dilute carbohydrate like sugar, neutralize acid and remineralise demineralised teeth

When should a child come in for their first dental appointment?

A child should have his first dental appointment no later than his/her third birthday. Many dentists recommend a child have his first appointment when his first tooth comes in. This will help the child in getting familiar with the Dentist and the office atmosphere.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a serious, chronic bacterial infection that attacks the gums and bones that support your teeth. The major cause of periodontal disease is the buildup of plaque, which results from the overgrowth of the mouth's naturally occurring bacteria. In order to prevent the development of periodontal disease, an individual needs to maintain sound hygiene practices by brushing his / her teeth and flossing daily and regular visits to your hygienist. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums around the roots of the teeth. It marks the early stage of periodontal disease, and it is characterized by red, swollen gums.

If periodontal disease is caught at an early stage (when it has not progressed beyond the point of gingivitis), it can be treated with scaling and root-planning (removing plaque around the tooth and smoothing the roots' surfaces). If the disease progresses to a later stage, the patient may need surgical treatment, which involves cutting the gums, eliminating the hardened plaque build-up, and repairing the damaged bone

What are my options to fix my smile?

There are several different options are available to change the shape of teeth, make teeth look longer, close spaces between teeth or repair chipped or cracked teeth. Among the options are bonding, crowns, veneers, and recontouring.

Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied to the tooth surface and hardened with a special light, which ultimately "bonds" the material to the tooth.
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped "caps" that are placed over teeth. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Veneers (also sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth.
Recontouring or reshaping of the teeth (also called odontoplasty, enameloplasty, stripping or slenderizing) is a procedure in which small amounts of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth's length, shape or surface.

Each option differs to what the patient needs. Here at Smiles by Design we will create the perfect smile for you using the treatment best suited to you needs.

Call us for a complementary consultation today!

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I have a space between my two front teeth. Can that be fixed?

A space between anterior teeth is most commonly referred to as a diastema. Dental bonding is one way to correct the spaces between teeth. Porcelain veneers are another treatment option if there is more than one space to be corrected. Esthetic dentistry is Dr. Emersons specialty here at smiles by Design. We will work with you in creating a beautiful smile.

Call us for a complementary consultation today!

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Why should I floss and brush my teeth?

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that causes dental disease.

Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular hygiene visits, brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.

How often should I floss my teeth?

Flossing - Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Always floss before brushing. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
Curve the floss into a "C" shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

How often should I brush my teeth?

Brushing- Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with a CDA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time. Here at Smiles by Design we sell the Oral B electric brushes and attachments.

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What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is the art and science of designing wonderful smiles. It involves all aspects of general dentistry, with emphasis upon individual teeth and your resulting smile.

Should I consider cosmetic dentistry?

Look carefully at your smile. If you feel it could be better, you should consider cosmetic dentistry. Having a beautiful smile goes deeper than appearances. It gives you confidence. As a result, it will give you an "edge" by enhancing your professional and personal image.

What types of problems does cosmetic dentistry solve?

If your teeth are dark or worn and make you look older; if gaps or chips make you feel self-conscious; or if crooked or discoloured teeth stop you from smiling fully, cosmetic dentistry can help. The negative effects of abnormal gum tissue or out-of-date dental treatment are also problems that can be corrected with cosmetic dentistry. How long does it take to get a new smile? Although each case is unique, some new smiles are completed in a single visit.

When should I throw away my toothbrush?

Replacing your toothbrush frequently helps reduce the transmission of bacteria which cause colds, flu, bronchitis, and upset stomach... not to mention cavities and gum disease. If you or anyone in your family gets sick, replace your toothbrush three times. Use a new one when you become ill, another when you begin to feel better, and a third after recovery.

Are you a Family Dentist?

Yes, we provide dental care for patients of all ages. We are responsible for the overall coordination of services related to a patients' oral health needs. We also offer services such as tooth whitening, dentures, crowns and bridges, fillings, dental cleanings, periodontal treatment, tmj treatment and diagnose other dental concerns.

Do you cater to cowards?

Holding your hand and making you feel at home is all part of the Smiles-By-Design services we offer. Making your visit pleasurable is our reward!

Can I afford cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry offers many different options. Some patients require treatments that are relatively easy and inexpensive. Others need more extensive procedures to reach their goals. Questions are always answered, and fees are discussed before treatment begins.

How do I get started?

Your first step is a comprehensive examination and Cosmetic Consultation. Here you and Dr. Emerson will evaluate your smile and discuss your goals and options for treatment. It is as easy as picking up the telephone and dialing 250.595.3522.

Is tooth whitening harmful to my teeth?

Tooth whitening is not harmful to the teeth in any way. It simply removes stains from the teeth that may be caused by coffee, teas, tobacco, food and tartar. A very small percentage of patients do report sensitivity after bleaching, but is often completely reversible.

How long does teeth whitening usually last?

Depending on how well you maintain your teeth and the type of habits you have, your brighter smile can last a very long time!