Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about dentistry and oral health issues. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment please don’t hesitate to contact us, we would love to hear from you.
Tooth grinding or bruxism, is a serious issue that can result in damage to your teeth, poor sleep patterns and soreness in the muscles of the face and neck, not to mention an unhappy spouse. Fortunately, this problem can normally be corrected with the use of a dental night guard.
Night guards look much like a sports mouth-guard, but are specially designed to prevent muscle tension and withstand the intense pressure exerted by tooth grinders. Only your dental office can provide a custom-made night guard that will fit you perfectly.
Ask us about dental night guards or other treatments available to relieve tension and discomfort in the jaw and neck.
The main differences are in how well the mouth guard fits and the materials used. The mouth guards provided in our office are custom-made to perfectly fit the wearer’s teeth. This proper fit can result in a more comfortable and secure mouth guard, which can’t easily be dislodged. In addition, we use a heavier mouth guard material selected based upon each patients individual needs. The boil and bite mouth-guards that you purchase in retail stores simply can not provide the same level of protection.
The high-speed collisions that occur during the play of sports like hockey, football, soccer and basketball can cause serious tooth damage and concussions. A professionally fitted mouth-guard is the best defense for any athlete against these injuries.
Well, you might be surprised to learn the extent of what really goes on during your regular check-up. In addition to cleaning and polishing all the visible and hidden surfaces of your teeth, we also check for many potential problems. Tooth decay, oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease are just a few examples of problems that can have serious consequences if left undetected.
We recommend that our patients visit our office at least twice each year to ensure their optimal oral health and to help avoid serious and costly problems. In certain cases, we may even recommend 3 or 4 visits per year in order to properly treat conditions that require more regular attention.
Maintaining a regular dental appointment schedule isn’t just good for your teeth, it’s an important part of your overall health.
Firstly, you can take solace in the fact that you are not alone. A significant percentage of adults suffer from some level of fear of dental treatment. However, given the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums to your overall health, it is imperative that you find a way to deal with these fears.
In our clinic we offer a range of techniques to help our patients reduce their anxiety. Here are a few ideas that you might consider;
• Visualize yourself in a comfortable place while in the dental chair – a warm sandy beach for example.
• Avoid drinking beverages that contain caffeine before your appointment.
• Ask us lot’s of questions about your treatment – quite often fears of the unknown are the worst fears of all.
Our ultimate goal is to enable our patients to receive dental treatment in a comfortable state of mind. Please feel free to call our office if you would like to learn more about our unique approach to this serious problem.
According to recent studies, almost half the population of adults in North America suffers at least occasionally from bad breath (halitosis). The most common cause of bad breath is bacteria in the mouth and on the back of the tongue. These bacteria produce a volatile sulfur compound, which in turn produces a smell similar to “rotten eggs”. Other causes of halitosis include certain foods, smoking, alcohol, hormonal changes or simply being hungry.
Depending upon the type of bad breath, the treatment usually begins with ensuring meticulous oral hygiene. Your dentist or dental hygienist will check for gum disease and if necessary prepare a detailed treatment plan. Tongue scraping should also become an important part of daily home care and part of your regular tooth brushing routine.
Recent studies have shown that by the age of three, a child is already at risk of having cavities which can be caused by something as innocent as putting a baby to sleep with a bottle of juice or milk. Along with taking our first look at your child’s oral condition, this first appointment is also largely focused on the parents and helping them to establish a good oral hygiene program and diet for the child. We believe that a child should have his or her first dental visit by the age of 3.
It is a little known fact that a child’s primary teeth are vital to the long-term health of their permanent adult teeth. The premature loss of primary teeth as a result of accidents or decay can cause serious problems, including poorly spaced and crooked adult teeth. As a result, it is just as important to care for a child’s baby teeth as it is for the adult teeth that follow.
The answer is Yes and No. The whitening agents contained in almost all tooth whitening material products is either carbamide peroxide or a stabilized hydrogen peroxide.
The difference is that the materials prescribed by a dentist are generally stronger concentrations that provide faster, more dramatic and longer lasting results. More importantly, your dentist can provide the personalized advice that you need to determine if whitening is right for you. Your dentist is also trained to recognize and treat any potential problems that may arise from your use of tooth whitening products.
We invite you to call our dental office for more information on teeth whitening alternatives.
While brushing is very effective at removing plaque and food debris from your teeth, a toothbrush simply cannot effectively clean all of the surfaces of your teeth. In particular, the spaces between your teeth are difficult, if not impossible to clean properly by brushing alone. This can mean that people who brush regularly are still very susceptible to cavities and gum infections in these areas.
The use of dental floss or tape once a day can clean these difficult to reach surfaces and provide you with a truly clean and healthy mouth. It takes just a few minutes per day, and the payback is a cleaner and healthier mouth. Please contact our office if you have any questions about the proper care of your teeth and gums. Any one of our staff members will be happy to answer your questions.