Expert Advice

Yes, plaque and tartar are major causes of bad breath. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth, and when it hardens into tartar, it creates a rough surface where even more bacteria accumulate. These bacteria feed on food particles and dead cells in your mouth, producing volatile sulfur compounds that smell like rotten eggs. At Picasso Dental Clinic, where I've treated patients from Singapore to Sweden, I'd estimate that 60 to 70 percent of bad breath cases I see are directly related to plaque and tartar buildup. The good news is that professional cleaning removes tartar completely, and improved home care prevents plaque from returning. Within days of proper treatment, most patients notice their breath freshens significantly.

Root canal treatment is not dangerous when performed by a qualified dentist using modern techniques and proper sterilization. At Picasso Dental Clinic, root canals are routine procedures with a 90% success rate and minimal complications. The real danger is avoiding treatment when you need it, which can lead to abscesses, bone loss, systemic infection, or tooth loss. Internet claims about root canals causing cancer or systemic disease have been thoroughly debunked by decades of scientific research. The risks of root canal treatment are far lower than the risks of leaving an infected tooth untreated.

Yes, you absolutely can have cavities between teeth, and they're extremely common. These interproximal cavities form where teeth touch because food particles and bacteria get trapped in spaces your toothbrush can't reach. In my decade at Picasso Dental Clinic, I'd estimate 60-70% of cavities I treat are interproximal. They're particularly sneaky because you can't see them without X-rays until they're quite advanced. Flossing is your primary defense, but even diligent flossers can develop them if technique is poor or if teeth are very close together. We track cavity patterns across our Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City clinics, and interproximal decay is the most common type we see in adults. The good news? They're highly preventable with proper flossing and regular dental checkups that include X-rays.

You should brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time. Morning brushing removes bacteria that accumulated overnight, while evening brushing clears food particles and prevents overnight acid attacks on your enamel. In my decade at Picasso Dental Clinic, I've examined thousands of mouths, and the difference between once-daily and twice-daily brushers is striking. Patients who brush only once, even perfectly, show significantly more plaque buildup and gum inflammation. What many don't realize is that timing matters almost as much as frequency. Brush after breakfast and before bed, waiting 30 minutes after acidic foods. We track oral health outcomes across our Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City clinics, and twice-daily brushing is the single most predictive factor for long-term dental health.

Pain when biting usually means one of five things: a cracked tooth, a cavity that's reached the nerve, a loose or damaged filling, gum inflammation around the tooth root, or pressure from recent dental work that needs adjustment. In my decade at Picasso Dental Clinic, cracked teeth account for about 40% of these cases, especially in patients who grind their teeth at night. The second most common cause is decay that's progressed beneath an existing filling. What's important to understand is that this pain won't resolve on its own. The good news? When caught early across our Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City clinics, we can usually save the tooth with relatively simple treatment

The fundamental difference comes down to foundation. Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone, creating artificial tooth roots that fuse with the bone and support individual crowns. Bridges use your existing natural teeth as anchors, with a prosthetic tooth literally bridging the gap between them. Dentures rest on top of your gums with no bone integration, held in place by suction, adhesive, or clasps. In my decade at Picasso Dental Clinic treating over 70,000 patients, I explain it this way: implants become part of your body like natural teeth, bridges borrow support from neighboring teeth, and dentures sit on the surface. This distinction affects everything from how they feel and function to how long they last and what maintenance they require.

Children generally cannot get dental implants until their jaw growth is complete, which happens around age 18 for girls and age 21 for boys. Placing an implant before growth stops can lead to serious problems because the implant stays fixed while surrounding bone and teeth continue moving. At Picasso Dental Clinic locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, I've seen teenagers who received implants too early develop bite misalignment and aesthetic issues. We use alternative solutions like space maintainers or removable partials until the jaw matures enough for permanent implant placement.