Patient FAQs & Answers

Dental Faqs answered by Dr. Pio ModiIf you have any questions about your first visit to our dental clinic, or about our dental services, you’ll find the answers on this page. We regularly update this dental FAQ but if your question is not here, simply call us at 519-720-9119 to ask us your questions. We’d be happy to help you.

Browse through the questions below for answers to your questions about dentistry.

What is dentistry?

Dentistry is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions, disorders, and diseases of the tooth, gums, mouth, and jaw. Often considered necessary for complete oral health, dental care can have an impact on the health of your entire body.

Who is a dentist?

A dentist is a specialist who works to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral problems. Our dentists Dr. Modi, Dr. and Usman Malik are oral surgeons that have completed their Doctorate of Dental Surgery and a Doctorate of Dental Medicine.

A child's first dental visitA pediatric dentist specializes in providing oral care for children from infancy through to their teen years. A pediatric dentist has received the proper education and training needed to work with young children. Other dentist specializations include:

  • Endodontics (root canals)
  • Oral and maxillofacial surgery (including pathology, radiology, and surgery)
  • Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
  • Periodontics (gum disease)
  • Prosthodontics (implants)

What should I look for when choosing the right dentist for me?

Choosing a dentist who “clicks” with you and your family is important, and you may wish to consider several dentists before making your final decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if the dentist is right for you. During your appointment, consider the following:

  • Is the appointment schedule convenient?
  • Is the office easy to get to and close by?
  • Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?
  • Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
  • Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health?
  • Is information about cost presented to you before treatment is scheduled?
  • Is your dentist a member of the CDA (Canadian Dental Association)?

Why is visiting the dentist so important?

Visiting our office regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. Dental care is important because it:

  • Helps prevent tooth decay
  • Protects against periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to tooth and bone loss
  • Prevents bad breath; brushing, flossing, and seeing us regularly will help reduce the amount of bad breath-causing bacteria in your mouth
  • Gives you a more attractive smile and increases your self-confidence
  • Helps keep teeth looking bright by preventing them from becoming stained by food, drinks, and tobacco
  • Strengthens your teeth so you can enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles for the rest of your life!

Can I afford visits to the dentist?

We have affordable dental plans. The cost of your treatment will vary, depending on your individual needs and treatment plan.

We will discuss the cost of your treatment and each of your available payment options with you before you begin, so you can make the best choice for yourself. Your smile is yours forever, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to receive the best dental care when you need it.

Our practice accepts most major credit cards and insurance plans and our office staff is always available to help you with insurance claims and paperwork. We’ll work with your insurance provider to make sure your coverage meets your needs and your budget. Call or contact us with any questions about your insurance coverage you have have.

My teeth feel fine; do I still need to see a dentist?

Your teeth may feel fine, but it’s still worthwhile to see our dentists for an initial examination, and make regular appointments because problems can exist without your knowing or develop over time. Your smile’s appearance is important, and we can help keep your smile healthy and looking beautiful.

With so many advances in dentistry, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth. Today’s dentistry offers many treatment choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:

How can I take care of my teeth between dental checkups?

  • ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth at least three times a day, and floss at least once!
  • Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask us if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities.
  • Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (which increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, and can cause more plaque and potential cavities), and avoid tobacco (which can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and lead to oral cancer).
  • Don’t be afraid to brush your tongue! This will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria. Tongue brushing also helps keep your breath fresh.
  • Be sure to schedule your routine checkup. It is recommended you visit the dentist every six months.

At what age should I start taking my child to see the dentist?

The Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children first see a dentist as early as six months of age and no later than one year. During this time, your son or daughter’s baby teeth will be coming in, and we can examine the health of those first few teeth. After the first visit, be sure to schedule regular checkups every six months.

How often should I see the dentist?

Affordable Dental Payment PlansChildren, teens, and adults should all see us for a regular checkup at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for oral cancer or gum disease may be required to come in more than just twice a year. Our dentists will help determine how often you should visit our office for regular checkups.

What is a cavity?

A cavity is a small hole that forms inside the tooth and is caused by tooth decay. Cavities form when plaque build-up on the outside of the tooth combines with sugars and starches in the food you eat. This can produce an acid that can eat away the enamel.

If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Cavities can be prevented by remembering to brush your teeth at least three times a day and floss between teeth at least once.

What is a filling?

A filling is a synthetic material that a dentist uses to fill a cavity after all the tooth decay has been removed. Fillings do not generally hurt, because we will numb your mouth with an anesthetic.

Fillings are made from a variety of different materials, including composites, gold, or ceramic. If you need a filling, be sure to talk to our team about what type is best for you and your teeth.

How often should I brush my teeth?

According to our dentists and the Canadian Dental Association, you should be brushing your teeth at least two times a day. Brushing keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy by removing bacteria-causing plaque.

It is also recommended that when you brush your teeth, you use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. You should spend at least a minute on the top teeth and a minute on the bottom, and remember to brush your tongue; it will help keep your breath smelling fresh!

When should I change my toothbrush?

Your toothbrush will eventually wear out, especially if you are brushing your teeth two times a day for two to three minutes each time. We recommend that adults and children should change their toothbrush every three months. If you are using an electric toothbrush, be sure to read the directions, because you may not need to change toothbrush heads as frequently.

Patients with gum disease are encouraged to change their toothbrush every four to six weeks in order to keep bacteria from spreading. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs and keep the bristles clean. If you’ve been sick, be sure to change your toothbrush as soon as possible.

If I have braces, do I still need dental checkups every six months?

Yes! In fact, it’s even more vital that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places your toothbrush can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up, and can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. We will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure your teeth stay clean and healthy while you’re wearing braces.

How do I schedule my next checkup?

Simply call our practice! Our front desk staff will be happy to schedule your next dental checkup at your convenience. If you are a new patient, please let us know, and we will provide you with all the information you need for your first dental visit.

Get In Touch With Us

Dr. Pio Modi and Parkway Dentistry would like to invite you to our dental office, and ask us any questions you have about our services and procedures. You can setup an appointment on our appointment page, or call us now at 519-720-9119 – we’d love to make you smile inside and out!

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©2024 Parkway Dentistry
1-299 Wayne Gretzky Pkwy.,
Brantford, Ontario,
N3R 8A5, Canada
519-720-9119

About Us

Our Dentists Dr. Pio Modi, Dr. Usman Malik, Dr. Ryan Margel and our Brantford dental team provide high quality dentistry for the whole family.

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