Dental FAQs for Kitchener Patients

Some questions come up at our front desk every single week. Others get asked quietly at the end of an appointment, once someone has their coat on. We’ve collected a good mix of both here. These answers from Highland Kitchener Dentist are general guidance rather than advice for your specific mouth, so if you’d like a proper answer for your situation, give our Kitchener office a call or ask us at your next visit.

Before your appointment

Do you see patients of all ages?

Yes. We see young children, teens, adults and seniors, and many families come to us together. Having everyone at one office keeps records in one place and makes it easier to line up visits.

Can I bring my kids along to my own appointment?

Call ahead and ask. Young children usually can’t be left alone in the waiting area, and some treatments need your full attention, so it’s often easier to arrange childcare or book family appointments back to back.

What should I tell you about my health?

More than you might think. Medications, recent surgeries, heart conditions, joint replacements, diabetes, pregnancy and allergies can all affect dental care. Our patient forms walk you through it. Bring a list of your medications with doses, including over the counter ones and supplements.

I need to move my appointment. What should I do?

Call us as soon as you know. Earlier notice gives us a better chance of finding you a new time, and lets us offer your spot to someone who may be waiting with a sore tooth.

Everyday care at home

Which toothpaste should I buy?

For most people, any fluoride toothpaste is a good choice. The brand matters much less than using it twice a day. If you have sensitive teeth, try a sensitivity formula and give it a few weeks to work. Very gritty or charcoal pastes can wear enamel over time, so we’d steer you away from those.

Do I need to use mouthwash?

It’s optional. Mouthwash can’t replace brushing or cleaning between your teeth. A fluoride rinse can help people who get a lot of cavities, and certain rinses help with dry mouth. If you like a rinse, use it at a different time from brushing so it doesn’t wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste.

Why do I keep getting cavities even though I brush?

Brushing is only one piece. Frequent snacking or sipping on sweet or acidic drinks, a dry mouth from medication, skipping the spaces between teeth, and deep grooves on back teeth all raise the risk. Sometimes it’s simply genetics and the shape of your teeth. We can look at your habits together and suggest changes, and extra fluoride often helps.

Is sparkling water bad for my teeth?

Plain sparkling water is mildly acidic, but it’s far gentler than pop, juice or sports drinks. Flavoured versions with citrus or added sugar are harder on enamel. Drinking it with meals rather than sipping all day reduces the effect.

How should I clean my night guard or retainer?

Rinse it after each use and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and cool water. Plain soap is fine. Avoid hot water, which can warp it, and toothpaste, which can scratch it. Store it dry in its case, away from pets, who seem to find them irresistible.

Should I brush right after eating?

Usually that’s fine, but after something acidic, like citrus, wine or pop, wait about half an hour. Acid softens enamel for a short while, and brushing straight away can wear it. Rinsing with water first is a good habit in the meantime.

My gums bled a bit after my cleaning. Is that normal?

A little bleeding or tenderness for a day is common, especially if there was tartar below the gumline. It should settle quickly. If bleeding continues for more than a few days, or your gums bleed every time you brush, mention it so we can check your gum health.

Treatment and your teeth

What’s the difference between a filling and a crown?

A filling repairs a hole inside a tooth. A crown covers the whole visible part of the tooth like a cap. We usually suggest a crown when so much of the tooth is missing or cracked that a filling wouldn’t hold it together. Our dental restorations page explains the options.

Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?

No. Unlike a broken bone, a cracked tooth doesn’t repair itself, and cracks tend to spread with chewing. Pain when you bite and release, or sharp twinges with cold, are common signs. Early treatment, often a crown, gives the tooth the best chance.

What happens if I leave a cavity alone?

It grows. Decay moves faster once it gets through the enamel into the softer layer underneath. A cavity that could have been a small filling can eventually reach the nerve and need root canal treatment, or the tooth may not be savable. Small cavities are simpler to fix than big ones.

How long do fillings last?

There’s no set number. Many last a decade or more. Size, location, your bite, grinding habits and how well the area is cleaned all play a part. We check every filling at your exams and will let you know if one is starting to fail.

Am I too old to straighten my teeth?

Not at all. Adults are a big share of orthodontic patients. Clear aligners such as Invisalign are popular because they’re hard to notice and come out for eating. Healthy gums and bone are the main requirements, so we’ll check those first.

I take blood thinners. Can I still have dental work?

In most cases, yes. Don’t stop any medication on your own. Tell us what you take and the dose, and we’ll plan around it. For some procedures, such as extractions, we may check with your doctor first so everyone is on the same page.

Will I need time off work after treatment?

For most routine treatment, no. You might feel numb for a few hours after a filling, so a lunchtime appointment can be awkward if you have meetings. After bigger procedures like extractions, we’ll let you know if taking the rest of the day easy makes sense.

Kids’ questions parents ask

Is my child’s thumb sucking a problem?

Thumb and soother habits are normal in young children and usually stop on their own. If the habit continues as adult teeth come in, it can affect how the front teeth and jaw develop. We’ll keep an eye on it at checkups and suggest gentle ways to help if it’s lasting longer than it should.

Is fluoride safe for children?

Yes, in the right amounts. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste for babies and toddlers and a pea sized amount from about age three, and help young children spit rather than swallow. Fluoride varnish applied at the dental office is a small, safe dose that helps protect developing teeth.

What can I do about teething pain?

A clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gently rubbing the gum with a clean finger helps many babies. Ask your pharmacist or doctor before using any medication. Teething gels with certain numbing ingredients aren’t recommended for young children.

Insurance, direct billing and CDCP

What if I don’t have dental insurance?

You can still come in. We’ll explain our fees for any recommended treatment before we start, and we can help you prioritise what needs doing first.

How does billing work?

We bill most dental plans directly, so in most cases you only pay the part your plan doesn’t cover. Some specialist work may be billed differently, and we’ll tell you ahead of time if that applies. If you’d like an estimate to send to your insurer before treatment, just ask. For anything your plan doesn’t cover, we accept credit cards and cash.

Why didn’t my insurance pay what I expected?

Common reasons include reaching your annual maximum, a frequency limit (for example, one set of X-rays per set period), a waiting period on a newer plan, or a lower coverage percentage for major services. A predetermination before larger work avoids most surprises.

Can I use the Canadian Dental Care Plan here?

Our CDCP page explains how the federal program works in general terms. Since eligibility and covered services can change, please confirm the current details on canada.ca and call us with any questions about using it at our office.

Urgent care

I have a toothache at night. What can I do until morning?

Rinse with warm salt water, floss gently around the tooth in case something is stuck, and keep your head raised when you lie down. Over the counter pain relief can help if it’s safe for you. Call us first thing in the morning. If you develop facial swelling, fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the hospital emergency department.

My child chipped a front tooth playing sports. Is it urgent?

Call us the same day. Find the broken piece if you can and keep it in milk or water, as sometimes it can be bonded back on. If the tooth is loose, pushed out of position or there’s a pink spot in the break, it needs to be seen right away. Our emergency dentist page and same day appointments page have more on urgent visits.

Ask us anything

If yours isn’t answered, call Highland Kitchener Dentist at 519-885-1598. We’re at 140 Highland Road West in Kitchener, and no question is too small.