Answers to the questions we hear most.

For most healthy adults, a professional cleaning and check-up every six months keeps plaque and tartar from building up and lets us catch small problems while they're still small.

Some people need to come in more often — every three to four months — if they're prone to gum disease, have had recent gum treatment, smoke, or wear braces. Others with very stable dental health may be fine on a slightly longer interval.

At your visit we'll suggest a schedule that fits your mouth rather than a one-size rule, and we'll tell you plainly if we think you can stretch it out.

A first visit is mostly about getting to know your mouth and your history. We'll ask about any concerns, past treatment, and general health, then do a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and bite.

Where it's helpful, we may take X-rays to see what's happening between and below the teeth. If a cleaning is due and appropriate, we'll often do it the same day.

You'll leave with a clear picture of where things stand and, if anything needs attention, a plan and rough costs — so you can decide what to do next without pressure.

The general guidance is to bring a child for their first dental visit by their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth coming through — whichever comes first.

Early visits are short and gentle. They're less about treatment and more about helping your child get comfortable, checking that teeth are coming in as they should, and giving you practical advice on brushing, feeding, and habits like thumb-sucking.

Starting early builds a calm, positive relationship with the dentist that pays off for the rest of their life.

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are most often showing early inflammation (gingivitis), caused by plaque building up along the gumline. It's common and, caught early, usually reversible.

The fix is often straightforward: gentle but consistent brushing twice a day, daily cleaning between the teeth, and a professional cleaning to remove hardened tartar you can't reach at home.

If bleeding is heavy, persistent, or comes with loose teeth or bad breath, have it looked at — it can be a sign of more advanced gum disease that's better treated sooner than later.

Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. If it's healthy, fully grown in, in the right position, and you can keep it clean, it can often stay.

Removal is usually recommended when a wisdom tooth is impacted (stuck), coming in at an angle, causing pain or repeated infection, crowding other teeth, or too far back to clean properly.

The right call depends on your specific mouth, usually with an X-ray. We'll explain what we see and why, so any decision to remove one is made with you, not for you.

For immediate relief, rinse gently with warm salt water, floss carefully to remove anything trapped between the teeth, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever you'd normally use. Avoid putting aspirin directly on the gum.

A toothache is a signal, not the problem itself — it rarely fixes itself for good. Persistent pain, swelling, a bad taste, or fever all mean you should be seen promptly.

Call ahead and we'll make room as soon as we can. If it's a knocked-out or broken tooth, keep any pieces, avoid touching the root, and come in quickly — time matters.

Professionally supervised whitening is safe for most people. The most common side effect is temporary tooth sensitivity, which usually settles within a day or two.

Whitening works best on natural teeth and won't change the colour of crowns, veneers, or fillings — so if you have restorations at the front, we'll talk through what to expect first.

We check that your teeth and gums are healthy before whitening, because treating decay or gum problems first protects both your results and your comfort.

The three common ways to replace a missing tooth are a dental implant, a bridge, or a denture. The best choice depends on your bone, your neighbouring teeth, your health, and your budget.

An implant replaces the root as well as the crown and stands on its own without altering nearby teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth for support. A denture is removable and often the most accessible option for replacing several teeth.

Replacing a missing tooth isn't only cosmetic — it helps keep your bite stable and stops neighbouring teeth from drifting. We'll walk you through the options that actually apply to your situation.

There's no single price for braces — the cost depends on the type you choose (metal, ceramic, or clear aligners), how much correction your bite needs, and how long treatment takes. Straightforward cases finish faster and cost less; complex ones involve more visits and adjustments.

Most clinics, ours included, spread the cost over the length of treatment rather than charging it all upfront, which makes braces far more manageable than the total figure suggests. Metal braces are generally the most affordable, with ceramic and clear aligners costing more for their discretion.

The only way to get an accurate figure is an assessment — we look at your teeth, take any X-rays needed, and give you a clear plan and price before anything starts, with no obligation. Book a consultation and we'll talk through the options that fit your goals and budget.

An implant's cost reflects what's involved: a minor procedure to place the titanium post, the months it takes to heal and fuse with the bone, and the custom crown fitted on top. Cases that need bone grafting or several implants cost more than a single straightforward one.

Implants are more expensive than a bridge or denture at the outset, but they last longer, don't rely on neighbouring teeth, and help preserve the jawbone — so many patients find them better value over time. We'll always lay out the alternatives and their costs so you can decide what's right.

Because every mouth is different, we quote implants only after an examination and X-ray. Book a consultation and we'll give you an honest assessment of whether an implant is the best option in your case, and exactly what it would involve.

Traditional braces use brackets and wires fixed to your teeth, and they can correct almost any alignment or bite problem, including complex ones. Clear aligners are removable, nearly invisible trays that suit mild to moderate cases and appeal to people who'd rather treatment didn't show.

Aligners are easier to keep clean and let you eat without restrictions, but they only work if you wear them 20–22 hours a day — they rely on your discipline. Braces work continuously with no effort on your part, which can make them the more reliable choice for teenagers or complex cases.

There's no universally 'better' option — it depends on what needs correcting and how you live. At a consultation we assess your bite and talk through the trade-offs so you can choose with a clear picture, not a sales pitch.

There's no single right age, but orthodontists generally recommend a first check-up by around age 7. By then enough adult teeth have come in for us to spot problems early — even if treatment itself doesn't start until later.

Most children begin braces between about 10 and 14, once most baby teeth have been replaced but the jaw is still growing. Treating during this growth window often means faster, gentler results, because we can guide teeth and jaw development rather than working against a fully-set adult mouth.

Early assessment doesn't mean early braces — sometimes the best advice is simply to monitor and wait. Dr. Mae Michelle checks growing smiles and will tell you honestly whether to start now, later, or just keep an eye on things.

For a knocked-out adult tooth, time is critical — the best chance of saving it is within about an hour. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), never the root, and gently rinse off any dirt with water or milk without scrubbing.

If you can, place the tooth back into its socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it there. If that's not possible, keep it moist in a cup of milk (not water) or tucked inside your cheek, and get to a dentist immediately — bring the tooth with you.

For a baby tooth that's knocked out, don't try to reinsert it, as that can damage the developing adult tooth underneath — but do call us. Either way, phone ahead so we can keep a slot open and guide you on the way.

That sharp, brief pain from hot, cold, or sweet things usually means the softer layer beneath your enamel (dentine) is exposed, letting temperature reach the nerve. Common causes include worn enamel, gum recession, a cracked tooth, a cavity, or brushing too hard.

Simple sensitivity often improves with a desensitising toothpaste, a softer brush, and easing off acidic foods and drinks. But because it can also signal decay, a cracked tooth, or gum problems, sensitivity that persists or worsens is worth having checked rather than living with.

At a visit we work out why it's happening — sometimes it's a quick fix like a filling or treating exposed roots, and sometimes it just needs a change in routine. Either way, you don't have to put up with it.

The vast majority of bad breath (halitosis) comes from the mouth itself — bacteria on the tongue and along the gumline, trapped food, gum disease, or simply a dry mouth. Less often it's linked to sinus, throat, or digestive issues.

The basics fix most cases: brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth daily, gently brushing your tongue, staying hydrated, and keeping up regular cleanings to remove the hardened plaque you can't reach at home. Persistent morning breath is normal; persistent all-day breath is worth investigating.

If good habits don't clear it, it's worth a check — ongoing bad breath can point to gum disease or a tooth problem that's easier to treat early. We can find the source and sort it, rather than just masking it.

Dental X-rays use a very small amount of radiation — far less than you're exposed to naturally over a normal day. Modern digital X-rays lower that dose even further, and a lead apron shields the rest of your body, so for routine dental use they're considered very safe.

We still take X-rays only when they'll genuinely help — to see decay between teeth, check roots and bone, or plan treatment — rather than routinely at every visit.

If you're pregnant, always tell us. Necessary dental X-rays with proper shielding are regarded as safe during pregnancy, but we'll usually postpone anything non-urgent until after, and take extra care either way. When in doubt, ask — we're happy to explain before anything is done.

Choosing a dentist is really about trust — you want someone who explains things clearly, doesn't rush or over-treat, and puts the whole family at ease. Look for a clinic that covers the range of care you're likely to need (check-ups, kids, orthodontics, surgery, restoration) so you're not sent elsewhere for every issue.

Practical things to check: is the clinic easy to reach and open at times that suit you? Are the dentists' areas of focus clear? Do reviews mention gentleness, honesty, and clear pricing? A good first visit tells you a lot — you should leave understanding what's going on and what your options are, without pressure.

In Cebu, a family-run clinic like ours means the same familiar faces care for you across every stage of life, from a child's first check-up to adult restorative work. If you're weighing your options, book a consultation and see how it feels — that's the best test of all.

A root canal treats a tooth whose inner pulp (the nerve and blood supply) has become infected or inflamed, usually from deep decay, a crack, or injury. Rather than removing the tooth, we clean out the infected tissue, disinfect the canal, and seal it — saving your natural tooth.

Despite its reputation, a modern root canal is done under local anaesthetic and feels much like having a filling. The pain people associate with it is really the toothache beforehand — the treatment is what relieves it. Some tenderness for a day or two afterward is normal and settles quickly.

A tooth that's had a root canal is often best protected with a crown afterward, since it can become more brittle. If you have lingering tooth pain, sensitivity to heat, or swelling, don't wait — the sooner it's seen, the more likely the tooth can be saved.

Cavities form when bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and produce acid that wears away enamel. The two biggest levers are cutting how often you have sugary or starchy snacks and drinks (frequency matters more than amount), and removing plaque well twice a day.

The basics do most of the work: brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth once a day, and don't rinse straight after brushing so the fluoride keeps working. For children, sealants and fluoride add extra protection on the teeth most likely to decay.

Regular check-ups catch early decay while it's still a small, cheap fix — sometimes before a filling is even needed. Prevention really is far easier and less costly than treatment, which is why we focus on it.

Gum disease starts as gingivitis — red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush — and at this stage it's usually reversible with good cleaning and a professional scale. Left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, where the bone supporting your teeth is gradually lost.

Warning signs to watch for: bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gums that are receding or tender, and teeth that feel loose or have shifted. Because it's often painless until it's advanced, many people don't realise they have it — which is why regular check-ups matter.

Treatment depends on the stage, from a thorough professional cleaning to deeper gum therapy for advanced cases. The earlier it's caught, the simpler the treatment and the better the outcome — so don't ignore bleeding gums.

Braces create lots of little spots for food and plaque to hide, so cleaning takes more care — brush after meals where you can, use interdental brushes to get around the wires, and don't skip flossing (a floss threader makes it easier). Good hygiene now prevents white marks and decay when the braces come off.

Some foods are worth avoiding: hard things (nuts, ice, hard candy) and sticky ones (caramel, gum) can break brackets or bend wires, which sets treatment back. Cut crunchy foods like apples and corn off the cob into smaller pieces rather than biting straight in.

A little soreness after adjustments is normal — soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief help for a day or two. If a bracket comes loose or a wire pokes, call us; small fixes keep your treatment on schedule.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of your teeth to improve their colour, shape, or alignment. They're a popular way to address stained, chipped, worn, or slightly crooked front teeth, or to close small gaps, when whitening alone won't do it.

They suit people whose teeth and gums are healthy but who want a cosmetic improvement — they're not a fix for decay or gum problems, which we'd treat first. Because preparing a tooth for some types of veneer is irreversible, it's a decision worth thinking through, and we'll always talk you through the alternatives.

Done well, veneers look natural and proportionate to your face, not obviously 'done.' At a consultation we'll assess whether veneers, bonding, or whitening is the best route for the result you're after.

Dental care during pregnancy is safe and, in fact, important. Hormonal changes make gums more prone to inflammation and bleeding ('pregnancy gingivitis'), so keeping up with cleanings and check-ups helps protect both your gums and your overall health.

Routine check-ups, cleanings, and necessary treatment like fillings can be done during pregnancy — the second trimester is often the most comfortable time. Let us know you're pregnant and how far along, and we'll tailor care accordingly and postpone anything non-urgent if appropriate.

Necessary X-rays with proper shielding are considered safe, but we only take them when needed. If you're pregnant or planning to be, a check-up is a good idea — healthy gums are one less thing to worry about.

A tooth is usually removed when it's too damaged by decay, infection, or a fracture to save, or to relieve crowding. It's done under local anaesthetic, so you'll feel pressure but not pain, and a simple extraction only takes a few minutes.

Healing well is mostly about protecting the blood clot that forms in the socket. For the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing forcefully, smoking, drinking through a straw, or hot food — these can dislodge the clot and cause a painful 'dry socket.' Bite gently on the gauze, rest, and stick to soft, cool foods.

Some swelling and tenderness for a day or two is normal and eases with over-the-counter pain relief. If pain worsens after day three, or you notice a bad taste or heavy bleeding, call us — it's easily treated once we see it.

First, rinse your mouth with warm water and save any broken pieces if you can. If there's bleeding, press gently with clean gauze; if the tooth is sharp, a piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax over the edge can protect your tongue and cheek until you're seen.

How urgent it is depends on the damage. A small chip with no pain can usually wait a few days, but a large break, a tooth that hurts with heat, cold, or biting, or one that's loose needs prompt attention — the inner tooth may be exposed, and treating it early can be the difference between a simple filling and a root canal.

Depending on the crack, we might smooth and bond it, fit a crown, or in deeper cases treat the nerve. Don't wait it out hoping it settles — cracks tend to spread, and a small one is always cheaper and easier to fix.

A crown is a custom-made cap that covers a tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. We use them when a tooth is too broken down or weakened for a filling — after a large cavity, a crack, a root canal, or heavy wear — essentially rebuilding the tooth so you can use it normally again.

Modern crowns are matched to the colour of your natural teeth, so they blend in. With good care — brushing, cleaning between the teeth, and regular check-ups — a well-made crown commonly lasts ten to fifteen years or more, though very hard biting and grinding can shorten that.

A crowned tooth can still get decay at the gumline, so it's not maintenance-free — but it's one of the most reliable ways to give a compromised tooth a long second life.

Many people grind or clench their teeth (bruxism) without realising, often during sleep or in response to stress. Tell-tale signs include a sore jaw or dull headache in the morning, worn-down or flattened teeth, increased sensitivity, or a partner who hears the grinding at night.

Left unchecked, grinding can wear through enamel, crack teeth or fillings, and strain the jaw joint. The most common and effective solution is a custom-fitted night guard that cushions your teeth and takes the load off the joint while you sleep.

Because clenching is often linked to stress or an uneven bite, we look at the whole picture — sometimes small bite adjustments or managing stress make a real difference. If you're waking with a tight jaw or notice your teeth looking shorter, it's worth mentioning at your next visit.

It's a common assumption that baby teeth don't matter because they'll fall out anyway — but they do. Baby teeth hold space for the adult teeth, guide them into position, and are essential for eating and speech. A neglected cavity can cause pain and infection long before the tooth would naturally be lost.

An untreated cavity in a baby tooth can also spread to affect the developing adult tooth underneath, and losing a baby tooth too early can lead to crowding later. So a cavity in a baby tooth is worth treating, not ignoring.

The good news is that prevention is straightforward: help young children brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals, and bring them for regular check-ups so anything small is caught early.

There's no fixed answer, but most orthodontic treatment takes somewhere between eighteen months and two years. Simple alignment can be quicker, while more complex bite corrections take longer. We can give you a realistic estimate once we've assessed your teeth and jaw.

A few things affect the timeline: how much movement is needed, whether the jaw is still growing (younger patients often respond faster), and — importantly — how well you keep up with appointments, elastics, and hygiene. Missed adjustments and broken brackets add time.

After the braces come off, there's a retention phase — wearing a retainer to hold everything in place while the bone settles. It's a real part of treatment, not an optional extra, and skipping it is the most common reason teeth drift back.

New dentures feel strange at first — that's normal. For the first few weeks your mouth adjusts to the fit, and speaking and eating take a little practice. Start with soft foods cut small, chew on both sides evenly, and read aloud to get used to speaking. Minor soreness settles, but a spot that keeps rubbing is an easy adjustment for us to make.

Care matters: rinse dentures after eating, brush them daily with a soft brush and non-abrasive cleaner (not regular toothpaste, which can scratch), and soak them overnight so they don't dry out. Take them out at night to give your gums a rest, and still clean your gums and any remaining teeth.

Gums and bone change shape over time, so dentures need the occasional reline or remake to keep fitting well. Regular check-ups let us keep them comfortable — and check that your gums and mouth stay healthy underneath.