Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

A preventive dental check-up is recommended every six months, or at the very least, once a year. These routine visits are essential for catching potential dental issues before they become serious problems. By identifying concerns early, you can address them promptly, avoiding the need for more invasive and costly treatments down the road. During these check-ups, professional cleanings play a vital role in maintaining optimal oral health by removing plaque and tartar buildup that daily brushing and flossing might miss. It’s important to remember that just because you don’t feel any discomfort doesn’t mean everything is fine—this is one of the most common misconceptions in dental care. Many dental issues, like cavities or gum disease, can develop silently without any noticeable symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. Regular check-ups are your best defense against these hidden threats.

To maintain a healthy mouth, a dental cleaning is generally recommended every 9-12 months. However, the ideal frequency can vary depending on how quickly plaque and tartar build up in an individual’s mouth. Some people may require more frequent cleanings, especially those with certain oral health conditions. For patients with compromised oral health, specialists often advise cleanings every 4 to 6 months to prevent further deterioration of teeth and gums. At Dent Ally, recognized as the best dental clinic in Delhi, our experts offer tailored advice on the optimal cleaning schedule, ensuring that each patient receives the care they need for their unique oral health situation.

Mouthwashes should be used judiciously and only when necessary. While it might seem simple to pick one up based on a chemist’s recommendation, choosing the right mouthwash for your specific oral health needs is a decision best left to your dentist. There are various types of mouthwashes, each serving different purposes, and only a dental professional can accurately determine which is right for you. At our clinic, where prevention is a core principle, we offer customized mouthwashes and gels tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Until you can consult with your dentist, a safe and effective interim solution is to rinse with warm saline water after meals. This simple practice can help maintain oral hygiene and reduce potential issues until you receive professional advice.

Tooth sensitivity is tooth discomfort in one or more teeth that is triggered by hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks, or even by breathing cold air. The most common form of interpreting tooth sensitivity is pain. The pain can be sharp, sudden, and shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth.

There are several reasons that could cause tooth sensitivity and the best person to diagnose the correct root cause is a specialized dentist.

We have listed some common reasons below:

Cavities (Caries): Cavities result in degradation of tooth layers thus causing sensitivity in tooth.

Wear down or Abrasion (removed enamel layer) of tooth: Over time, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush with incorrect brushing technique can wear down enamel and cause the dentin to be exposed. It can also cause recession of the gums (the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth). At Dent Ally, we teach each one of our patients the right tooth brushing technique so this can be prevented.

Recession of the gums: As gums move away from a tooth because of conditions such as periodontal disease, the root surface becomes exposed that causes sensitivity.

Gum disease: Inflamed and sore gum tissue may cause sensitivity because of the loss of supporting ligaments, which exposes the root surface that leads directly to the nerve of the tooth.

Cracked teeth: Chipped or broken teeth may fill with bacteria from plaque and enter the pulp, causing inflammation and sensitivity.

Teeth grinding/clenching (Bruxism): Grinding or clenching your teeth may wear down the enamel and expose underlying dentin. Also the excessive forces of grinding can lead to pulpal inflammation resulting in sensitivity and pain.

Tooth whitening products or toothpaste with baking soda and peroxide (using incorrect material & techniques): These products are major contributors to tooth sensitivity. Without getting a recommendation from a dentist, do not use such over the counter products as teeth whitening is a specialized process and should be done only by a specialist dentist.

Plaque buildup: The presence of plaque on the root surfaces can cause sensitivity due to bacterial build up over the tooth.

Cavities are a very common problem faced by more than 80% of the adult population. The cause could be plaque build-up leading to small cavities that eventually causes a larger tooth surface to be destroyed.

When the destruction caused is mild to moderate, confined to enamel (outermost surface of the tooth) or extending to the dentin (inner layer to the enamel), a tooth can be easily restored with a filling material. Filling material can be of various kinds – ranging from silver amalgam to best aesthetic tooth colored composite fillings. At Dent Ally, awarded best dental clinic in Delhi, since we practice holistic dentistry and maintain a mercury free environment at the practice, we only do tooth colored composite fillings and use BPA free biocompatible materials for our fillings.  To know more about the materials we use for our fillings, refer to this blog here.

In cases, where the destruction or infection has reached the pulp (nerve tissues), in these cases, root canal treatment is advised.  Many a times, you may not have any pain and your dentist advises you to go in for a root canal treatment. Don’t be confused as pain may not be the only indicator for root canal treatment. To know more about the root canal treatment done at Dent Ally, refer to this link

The first preventive dental check-up should ideally be scheduled when your child’s first teeth begin to emerge, typically between 6-10 months of age. However, if no teeth have appeared by this time, it’s also a concern that should be addressed by a dentist. At Dent Ally, we treat this first visit with utmost importance, seeing it as an opportunity to educate new parents on how to maintain their baby’s oral health effectively.

How can I make the process of teething easier for my child?

Teething usually begins around 4-6 months of age, with the two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) often being the first to emerge, followed by the top front teeth (upper central incisors). Common signs of teething include:

• Irritability or crankiness
• Sore or tender gums
• Increased drooling
• Chewing on objects
• A slight fever in an otherwise healthy baby

To ease your teething baby’s discomfort, consider these helpful tips:

Dry the drool: Excessive drooling is common during teething. Keep a clean cloth handy to gently wipe your baby’s chin and prevent skin irritation. You might also consider applying a water-based moisturizer to protect their skin.

Rub your baby’s gums: Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger or a moistened gauze pad. The pressure can relieve discomfort. Silicone finger cups available in the market can also help prevent infection and injury.

Keep it cool: A cold washcloth, spoon, or chilled teething ring can soothe sore gums. However, avoid giving your baby a frozen teething ring, as it may be too hard and could damage their developing gums.

Try hard foods: If your baby is already eating solid foods, you can offer something firm to gnaw on, such as a peeled, chilled cucumber or carrot. Be sure to supervise closely, as any small pieces that break off could be a choking hazard.

There are certain stages of pregnancy when dental treatments are safer and more advisable. The second trimester is generally considered the best time for any necessary dental procedures, particularly for emergency treatments. During this period, the baby’s organs have developed, and the risk to both mother and child is minimized. Ideally, any woman planning to conceive or who is already expecting should schedule a preventive dental check-up early on. This proactive approach can help identify and address potential dental issues before they escalate, reducing the likelihood of complications during pregnancy. Maintaining good oral health during pregnancy is crucial, as untreated dental problems can not only affect the mother but may also impact the baby’s health.

Preventing oral health diseases requires a combination of consistent and effective oral hygiene practices, along with regular professional care. Proper tooth brushing, ideally twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, is the foundation of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. This daily habit helps remove plaque, which if left unchecked, can lead to cavities and gum disease. However, brushing alone isn’t enough. Regular professional cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist are essential for reaching areas that brushing and flossing might miss, ensuring a thorough removal of plaque and tartar buildup. Additionally, routine dental check-ups play a critical role in early detection and prevention of potential issues. These visits allow your dentist to monitor your oral health, provide tailored advice, and intervene early if any problems are detected, helping you maintain optimal oral health throughout your life.

While it’s true that foods that stick to your teeth can contribute to cavities, we at Dent Ally, recognized as the best dental clinic in India, believe that enjoying all types of food is an essential part of life. Our team of 13 internationally trained specialists is dedicated to ensuring you can do just that without compromising your oral health. We see ourselves as your partners in preventing cavities and maintaining your overall oral health.

A common myth is that sugary foods alone cause cavities. In reality, any type of food can lead to cavities if not properly cleaned from the teeth, as cavity-causing bacteria can thrive on all food residues, not just sugar. At Dent Ally, we focus on educating our patients about the importance of correct tooth brushing and flossing techniques to effectively remove all food particles. Additionally, we emphasize the benefits of a balanced diet that includes plenty of fibrous foods, which naturally help clean your teeth and promote oral health. Our goal is to empower you to enjoy your favorite foods while keeping your smile healthy and cavity-free.

Baby teeth begin to fall out at the age of 6-7 years. The first teeth to fall out are the lower front two teeth followed by upper front two teeth.

Dental Implants are the latest and most advanced way to replace teeth. Dental implants are fixed and a far more durable and long term treatment option. 

Dental implants are usually advised to replace missing teeth and failed/mobile teeth.Also if you are planning to undergo dental implants, it is important to note that you must get dental implants done at the earliest i.e. as soon as teeth are lost or as an immediate replacement at the time of tooth removal. Because as soon as one looses teeth, bone resorption happens rapidly in that zone leading to loss of healthy bone which if lost, comprises the future prognosis of implants and healthy replacement.