Common Dental Questions

Bleeding gums are common, but they’re not normal. It’s usually an early sign of gum disease — a condition called gingivitis. At this stage, your gums are inflamed because of plaque buildup along the gumline. The good news is that gingivitis is completely reversible with a professional cleaning and better brushing and flossing habits at home.

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis, which is a more serious infection that damages the bone supporting your teeth. Signs of advanced gum disease include persistent bad breath, gums pulling away from the teeth, and teeth that feel loose.

Don’t stop brushing the areas that bleed — that usually makes things worse. And don’t wait it out. Come see us so we can assess what’s going on and get you on the right track.

Very likely. Jaw pain, morning headaches, earaches, and worn-down or chipped teeth are all classic signs of bruxism — teeth grinding and clenching that usually happens while you sleep. Most people don’t realize they’re doing it until the damage starts showing up.
Over time, grinding wears through enamel, cracks teeth, and puts a lot of strain on your jaw joint (the TMJ). We can check your teeth for wear patterns and, if grinding is the culprit, fit you with a custom night guard. It’s a thin, comfortable appliance you wear while you sleep that keeps your teeth from making contact.

That sharp jolt you feel is called tooth sensitivity, and it happens when the inner layer of your tooth — the dentin — becomes exposed. Normally, your enamel and gums protect that layer. But if your enamel has worn thin, your gums have receded, or you have a crack or cavity, cold (and sometimes hot or sweet) temperatures can reach the nerve and cause pain.

There are a few things that can contribute: brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, acidic foods and drinks, or gum recession. The fix depends on the cause. It could be as simple as switching to a desensitizing toothpaste, or it may need a professional fluoride treatment, bonding, or a gum graft if recession is significant.

If the sensitivity is new, getting worse, or affecting your daily life, let us know. We’ll figure out what’s causing it.

First, don’t panic. Save any pieces of the tooth if you can, rinse your mouth gently with warm water, and call our office. If there’s swelling, a cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help.

What we do next depends on the size of the chip or crack. A small chip can usually be repaired in one visit with dental bonding — a tooth-coloured resin that’s shaped to match your natural tooth. A larger break or a crack that runs deeper may need a crown to hold the tooth together and protect it. If the crack extends below the gumline, we’ll discuss whether the tooth can be saved or if extraction is the better option.
The biggest mistake people make is waiting. A cracked tooth can get worse quickly, so the sooner you come in, the more options we have.

In most cases, yes. Surface stains — from coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco — can often be significantly reduced with a professional cleaning alone. For deeper or more stubborn staining, we offer professional whitening options, both in-office and take-home, that are much more effective (and safer) than the drugstore kits.

Some discolouration is intrinsic, meaning it comes from inside the tooth. This can happen from certain medications, trauma, or just natural aging. Whitening may not work as well for intrinsic stains, but options like veneers or bonding can still give you the result you’re looking for.
If you’re unhappy with the colour of your teeth, come in for a consultation. We’ll look at what’s causing the staining and recommend the best approach for your situation.

Yes, we are. We’re accepting new patients from Sarnia and across Lambton County. You can call our office or use the online booking form on our website to set up your first visit. We’ll walk you through everything at your first appointment so you know exactly what to expect.

A knocked-out tooth, a severe toothache that won’t go away, a broken crown or filling, swelling in your face or gums, or a tooth that’s been cracked by an injury; those all count. If any of that happens, call us right away. We keep time in our schedule for same-day emergency appointments.

If a tooth gets knocked out, pick it up by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently, and keep it moist, in milk, saliva, or held inside your cheek. Getting to us within 30 minutes gives us the best chance of saving it.

Professional whitening done under a dentist’s supervision is safe and will not damage healthy enamel. The risk comes from over-the-counter products used incorrectly leaving strips on too long, using products too frequently, or using products with harsh formulations that can irritate your gums. We offer both in-office and take-home options and monitor your results to make sure everything stays healthy.

No, and we don’t take them every time. We only take X-rays when they’re clinically necessary, which depends on your oral health history, risk factors, and what we’re seeing during your exam. Digital X-rays use very low radiation, far less than the older film X-rays, and they let us catch problems we can’t see just by looking, like decay between teeth, bone loss, or infections below the gumline. If you’re ever unsure why we’re recommending one, just ask.

There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule. If you’re a new patient, we’ll usually take a full set at your first visit so we have a baseline. After that, it depends on your risk level. Someone with no history of cavities or gum disease may only need X-rays every two to three years. If you’re cavity-prone or we’re monitoring a specific issue, we may recommend them annually or even more often. We follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) so you’ll never get an X-ray you don’t need.

Modern digital X-rays use an extremely small amount of radiation. A single dental X-ray exposes you to roughly the same amount of radiation you’d get from a short flight or a day of natural background exposure. Even a full set of X-rays in one visit is well within safe limits. That said, we’d never take more than what’s clinically needed. If you’ve had X-rays taken recently at another office, bring them along or let us know; we can often use those instead of retaking them.

You always have the right to decline any part of your treatment, including X-rays. We’ll never force anything on you. That said, X-rays let us see things that are invisible during a visual exam: decay between teeth, infections at the root, bone loss from gum disease. Without them, we’re limited in what we can diagnose, and small problems can go undetected until they become painful and expensive. If you have concerns about radiation or cost, let us know and we’ll talk through it.

The cost depends on the type and number of X-rays taken. A single periapical X-ray (focused on one tooth) is relatively inexpensive, while a full-mouth series or a panoramic X-ray costs more. Most dental insurance plans cover diagnostic X-rays as part of your regular benefits. If you don’t have insurance, we’ll let you know the cost before we take them so there are no surprises. Feel free to ask at the front desk when you book.

We accept most major dental insurance plans and submit claims electronically on your behalf, so you don’t have to deal with the paperwork. We also offer direct billing where your plan allows it.

If you don’t have insurance, we accept cash, debit, Visa, and Mastercard. For larger treatment plans, ask us about payment arrangements — we’ll work with you to find something that fits.

[Confirm with Dr. Davis — use Option A or B below]
Option A (if participating): Yes, we’re a registered CDCP provider. The Canadian Dental Care Plan helps eligible residents with a family income under $90,000 get coverage for dental services. If you’re enrolled, our team will handle the billing directly. Not sure if you qualify? Check your eligibility at Canada.ca or give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out.

Option B (if not participating): We don’t currently participate in the Canadian Dental Care Plan, but we do accept most major insurance plans and offer flexible payment options. If cost is a concern, call us — we’ll work with you.

Absolutely, and you’re not alone. Dental anxiety is one of the most common things we hear. Our approach is simple: we explain everything before we do it, we go at your pace, and we never pressure you. If it helps, you’re welcome to wear headphones, take breaks during treatment, or just raise your hand if you need us to stop. Let us know when you book so we can plan extra time and make sure you’re comfortable from the start.

Yes. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, and decades of research support its role in strengthening enamel and preventing cavities. Both the Canadian Dental Association and Health Canada recommend it. We may suggest a professional fluoride treatment if you or your child are at higher risk for decay; it’s quick, painless, and one of the most effective preventive tools we have.

Yes, it’s part of every routine exam. Dr. Davis checks for early warning signs like unusual patches, sores that haven’t healed, lumps, or changes in the colour or texture of the tissues in your mouth. Most of the time everything looks fine, but oral cancer outcomes are significantly better when it’s caught early. It’s one of the most important reasons to keep up with regular checkups.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first visit within six months of your child’s first tooth coming in or by their first birthday; whichever happens first. That might sound early, but these initial visits are short, gentle, and mostly about getting your child comfortable with the dentist and making sure everything is developing normally. Starting early sets the tone for a lifetime of good habits.

It depends on how much of the tooth is affected. A filling works well when the damage or decay is relatively small. But when a large portion of the tooth is compromised, a big cavity, a deep crack, or a tooth that’s had a root canal, a filling alone may not be strong enough to hold the tooth together. A crown wraps around the entire tooth and protects it from breaking further. Dr. Davis will always explain why she’s recommending one option over the other, and you’ll make the decision together.

If we had to pick one thing: floss. Most people brush regularly but skip flossing, and that’s where a lot of problems start; cavities between teeth and gum disease below the gumline. Beyond that, the formula is straightforward: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, limit sugary snacks, drink water, and come see us twice a year. If you’re at higher risk for cavities, we may also recommend fluoride treatments or sealants.

It depends on what we’re doing. A routine checkup and cleaning usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. If it’s your first visit, plan for a bit longer — we’ll do a thorough exam, take any necessary X-rays, review your health history, and talk through what we find. Procedures like fillings or crowns take longer and vary depending on complexity. When you book, we’ll give you a time estimate so you can plan your day.

Brush and floss before you come in — it’s more comfortable for everyone and gives us a clearer look at your teeth and gums. If you’re a new patient, arrive a few minutes early to fill out health history forms, or ask if you can complete them online ahead of time. Bring your insurance card and a list of any medications you’re currently taking (including over-the-counter ones and supplements). If you have dental anxiety, let us know when you book so we can plan accordingly.

No. Dental care in Ontario is not covered by OHIP for most adults, so your health card isn’t required. What you’ll want to bring is your dental insurance card (if you have one) and a piece of photo ID. There are a few exceptions — OHIP does cover certain dental procedures when performed in a hospital setting, and children and seniors enrolled in specific government programs may have publicly funded coverage. But for a regular dental visit, your health card isn’t needed.

It’s simple and you don’t need to give a reason. Just call our office, book an appointment, and let us know you’re transferring from another practice. We’ll take care of the rest. You can request that your previous dentist send your records, including X-rays, treatment history, and notes, directly to us. Under Ontario privacy law, your dental records belong to the office that created them, but you have the right to request a copy or have them transferred at any time.

Your previous dentist may charge a small administrative fee to copy and send your records, but the cost is usually minimal. There’s no set standard in Ontario. Some offices do it for free, others charge a nominal fee. It’s worth calling ahead to ask. Having your records transferred can save you money in the long run, since we may not need to retake X-rays or redo diagnostic work that was recently completed.