The Smile Works Blog
Real questions, answered properly — including the ones patients are too polite to ask their dentist. No sales pitch. Nearly a century of practice behind every answer.
Treatment decisions
Do I really need a root canal?
When a root canal is genuinely necessary, when it is not, and what to ask before you agree. Free second opinions from a third-generation Port of Spain practice.
Read →Do I really need this tooth extracted?
Extraction is permanent — always worth a second look. When a tooth genuinely cannot be saved, what the alternatives are, and what losing it costs long term.
Read →Do I need a crown, or will a filling do?
Crowns cost several times what a filling does. Here is how the decision is actually made, and when it is worth a second opinion before you commit.
Read →How to read a dental treatment plan
What the line items on a dental quote actually mean, how to tell urgent from optional, and the questions that make the whole thing clear.
Read →Implant, bridge or denture?
The three ways to replace a missing tooth compared — what each costs in money, time, and the teeth either side, and when each is right.
Read →What happens if I leave a gap?
Leaving a gap has consequences: teeth drift, the opposing tooth over-erupts, and the jawbone shrinks. The realistic timeline, explained.
Read →Are my dentures supposed to move?
Some denture movement is normal. One that slips while eating or rubs sore spots needs adjusting, relining or replacing. What each involves.
Read →Do I really need my wisdom teeth out?
Not every wisdom tooth needs removing. When extraction is genuinely necessary, when watching is reasonable, and what to ask before agreeing to surgery.
Read →Why does my dentist want to replace all my fillings?
Wholesale filling replacement is sometimes justified and sometimes not. How to tell the difference, what questions to ask, and when to get a second opinion.
Read →What to bring to a second opinion
Five minutes of preparation makes a second opinion far more useful. What to bring, what to ask, and what happens at the appointment.
Read →Symptoms
Why are my teeth suddenly loose?
A loose adult tooth is never normal. Causes include advanced gum disease, injury, grinding and infection — and acting fast changes outcomes.
Read →What your symptom might mean
Start from the symptom: pain on biting, cold sensitivity, facial swelling, a clicking jaw, a lost filling, a bad taste, night grinding.
Read →Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down?
Pain when biting usually means a cracked tooth, a filling sitting too high, or inflammation at the root tip. Here is how to tell which, and when to be seen.
Read →Why is my tooth sensitive to cold?
Brief cold sensitivity is usually exposed root or worn enamel. Pain that lingers after the cold points to the nerve — a different problem.
Read →Why does my jaw click or ache?
A clicking jaw is common and often harmless. Pain, locking, or waking with an aching jaw is different. What causes TMJ problems and what actually helps.
Read →Why do I have a bad taste in my mouth?
A persistent bad taste usually has a findable cause — gum disease, an infection, a failing filling, or dry mouth. What fixes each one.
Read →Why am I grinding my teeth at night?
Most people who grind their teeth at night have no idea until the damage shows. The signs, what causes it, and what actually protects your teeth.
Read →Everyday oral health
Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
Bleeding gums are a sign of inflammation, not a reason to stop flossing. Here is why they bleed, how long it takes to settle, and when to see a dentist.
Read →How much plaque does flossing actually remove?
Brushing misses around 40% of every tooth surface — the areas between teeth where cavities and gum disease most often start. Here is what flossing adds.
Read →Which vitamins are good for teeth and gums?
Vitamin D, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin A all play distinct roles in dental health. Here is what each one actually does and where to get it.
Read →What is the right daily routine for healthy teeth?
Five habits that do most of the work: brush twice for two minutes, clean between your teeth, stay hydrated, limit how often you eat sugar, spit do not rinse.
Read →How do I stop bad breath?
Most bad breath comes from bacteria on the tongue and between the teeth, not the stomach. Here is what actually works and when it signals something else.
Read →The five stages of gum health
The five stages of gum health, from healthy gums through gingivitis to advanced periodontitis — what each stage means and what it needs.
Read →Laser gum treatment: what it does, and when it helps
What laser gum treatment actually does, how it compares with conventional deep cleaning, what recovery is like, and when a laser is genuinely the better option.
Read →Can receding gums grow back?
Receding gums do not grow back on their own. Here is what actually causes recession, how to stop it getting worse, and what can be done to cover exposed roots.
Read →Whitening & appearance
Does teeth whitening damage your enamel?
Supervised teeth whitening does not damage enamel. What whitening actually does, why sensitivity happens, and which products are risky.
Read →What foods and drinks stain your teeth?
Coffee, tea, red wine, dark sodas, curry and berries are the main culprits behind stained teeth. Here is why they stain and how to limit the damage.
Read →Emergencies
What should I do if I chip or knock out a tooth?
A knocked-out adult tooth can often be saved if you act within the hour. Handle it by the crown, keep it in milk, and get to a dentist immediately.
Read →My face is swollen — what does it mean?
Facial swelling from a dental infection can spread and become dangerous. Here are the signs that need same-day care, and what happens at the appointment.
Read →My filling fell out — what now?
A lost filling is not usually an emergency, but the tooth underneath is now exposed. What to do today, what to avoid, and how soon it needs replacing.
Read →Children
Why are my toddler's teeth decaying?
Early childhood tooth decay is usually caused by sugary drinks in bottles and sippy cups, especially at bedtime. Here is how it happens and how to prevent it.
Read →When should my child first see a dentist?
Current guidance: by the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Here is why that early, and what the first visit involves.
Read →Visiting the dentist
How often do I really need a dental check-up?
Every six months suits most people, but the right interval depends on your risk. What shortens it, and what to do if it has been years.
Read →Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays use a very low radiation dose, and digital sensors lower it further. Here is how the dose compares to everyday life and what to do if pregnant.
Read →What happens at a first dental visit?
A first appointment is history, examination, X-rays if needed, and a clear plan. No treatment happens without your agreement. Here is exactly what to expect.
Read →How much does a dental cleaning cost in Trinidad?
What affects the cost of a dental cleaning in Trinidad, what should be included, and how to avoid the quotes that turn out to be incomplete.
Read →Can I change dentists mid-treatment?
Yes. You can change dentist at any point, including partway through treatment. What to ask for, what transfers, and how to handle money already paid.
Read →Three generations of Jagdeo dentists
Ask us your own question
A real answer from a real dentist, free
Ask us your own questionPrefer to talk? Call 622-6893 · Open from 7:00am weekdays