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Can Dental Sealants Benefit Your Smile?

Can Dental Sealants Benefit Your Smile?

by | Feb 21, 2023 | Dental | 0 comments

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are thin layers that are applied to teeth that have grooves, pits or fissures to prevent cavities from forming. Dental sealants work by filling in crevices where harmful bacteria like to hide. The sealant material is similar to filling material that is used for cavities, but it is placed on the surface of the teeth with minimal tooth structure being removed.

The material gets applied as a liquid, so is able to seep in to grooves and difficult to reach areas, and is then hardened into place with the use of a light curing machine. Dental sealants can be used for any tooth that has a difficult to reach area and may be more susceptible to cavities. The most common teeth to be sealed are the biting surfaces of the back molars, as well as the pit that is common on the cheek side of the back lower molars. 

Who can benefit from dental sealants? 

People of all ages can benefit from dental sealants, including children and adults. Any tooth that has grooves or pits and may be susceptible to a cavity can benefit from having a dental sealant placed. Dental sealants are less expensive and less invasive than a dental filling. The best time to place dental sealants is for children when molars are just erupting, to prevent the teeth from getting cavities. 

Dental sealant procedure 

The teeth are first cleaned and polished to prepare for the procedure. Then, the teeth will be dried and an acid etch material will be placed on the surfaces receiving the sealants. The purpose of the acid etch is to create tiny notches in the tooth surface so the material will stick. The acid etch is left for 15-30 seconds and then rinsed away. The teeth are again dried, and the sealant material is placed. A light cure machine will be used to harden the sealants into place. Lastly, the bite will be checked and any rough or high spots will be adjusted. The procedure is extremely quick and painless, and is less expensive and intrusive than dental fillings. The best part is that they prevent cavities for you and your children! 

If you have any questions about dental sealants, or believe you or your children are good candidates for dental sealants, please contact the office today to book an appointment. 

 

How Can Dental Implants Benefit Your Smile?

How Can Dental Implants Benefit Your Smile?

by | Aug 2, 2022 | Dental | 0 comments

Do you have a missing tooth? Multiple missing teeth? Do you have a partial or even complete denture? Dental implants are the new gold standard for tooth replacement and the best way to get your smile back to tip-top shape. Tooth loss occurs for various reasons, including large cavities, gum disease, trauma, fractures, and even sometimes, a tooth may not erupt.

Gone are the days when a flipper, partial or complete denture is needed to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are all around a better option for function and aesthetics.   

What is a Dental Implant? 

A dental implant is an artificial structure which is screw-like that is placed into the bone to function as a tooth root. A dental crown is later attached to the top of the dental implant to form a fully functioning tooth once the dental crown has fully fused to the bone. The screw is typically made out of titanium, and the crown is made out of porcelain. Dental implants can be used for one tooth or multiple missing teeth. In the case of an entire arch of missing teeth, dental implants can be used to support a fixed denture or implant-supported denture, which means that the denture always stays in place and doesn’t require daily removal. 

For a dental implant to work for you, it is essential to maintain a healthy mouth and healthy body. Dental implants are at risk of failing if there is active gum disease, bone loss, or if they aren’t being taken care of with proper brushing and flossing. In addition, an implant is at a higher risk of failure if there are underlying health conditions that aren’t being maintained, such as diabetes with an uncontrolled blood sugar level. Smoking is also a factor in dental implant failures.

Dental Implant Procedure 

When a tooth has been missing for a long time, a bone graft will likely need to be placed before the implant to allow enough bone support. Bone grafting strengthens and solidifies the bone, and the graft can be taken from another site, synthetic tissue or even donor tissue. After a bone graft is placed, it will take a few months to heal and integrate into place.

When the implant is ready to be placed, the gum will be opened to expose the bone. A small diameter hole will be drilled into the bone to allow the implant to thread through. The implant is placed somewhat deep into the bone where there will be the most support. Usually, dental implants will take several months to heal and integrate into the bone before the crown can be placed on top to allow for chewing pressure. A temporary crown will be placed in the meantime. The length of the procedure from start to finish can range from a few months to almost a year, depending if bone grafting is necessary and how many implants are being done. 

Post Care for Dental Implants 

Just like any other dental surgery, you may have some pain, swelling, bruising and minor bleeding after the procedure. You may be given a prescription for pain medication and an antibiotic. Post-care symptoms will gradually improve within the next week.

If you have any questions about dental implants or believe you may benefit from them, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Is Dental Fluoride Beneficial For You?

Is Dental Fluoride Beneficial For You?

by | Feb 2, 2022 | Dental | 0 comments

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in salt and fresh water. It has been studied over decades and has been found to help reduce the likelihood of dental decay, slow the process of current decay and even halt and reverse it. It is a highly successful preventative measure used in dentistry that is fully supported by the CDA (Canadian Dental Association.) Through the last 50 years, dental fluoride has continued to be an effective and safe tool for all ages. It can be applied in a controlled environment topically, such as at the dentist, and used at home through products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as systemically in tap water. 

Do you Need fluoride?

Fluoride is recommended for children, as well as higher cavity risk adults. Children benefit from fluoride as it supports the health of the adult teeth forming underneath their baby teeth and when the adult teeth erupt into the mouth. Older individuals and people who suffer from a dry mouth also greatly benefit from fluoride as it reduces the risk of root cavities. The CDA recommends a professional topical fluoride treatment at routine dental visits, as needed. 

How is Fluoride Applied?

At your dental office, fluoride may be professionally applied to your teeth in a variety of different ways, depending on your needs. It comes in various forms, such as liquid, gel, foam and varnish, and varies in strength, from 1-5%. Vanish fluoride with a higher percentage is best suited for spot treatments at increased risk for cavities. Fluoride can also help reduce tooth sensitivity. 

Side Effects 

Like many medications, fluoride also has side effects, but only when too much is ingested. Signs of fluoride over ingestion are white spots on teeth called “fluorosis,” pitted or notched enamel and brittle bones. Fluoride in the water is in such a low dose that these symptoms will not occur. Fluoride poisoning is extremely rare but still possible. When it comes to toothpaste, make sure never to swallow it and monitor your child/children while brushing. 

If you have questions about dental fluoride and why you might need it, we encourage you to book an appointment with us today. 

We Are Open During The Modified COVID-19 Lockdown

We Are Open During The Modified COVID-19 Lockdown

by | Jan 3, 2022 | Dental | 0 comments

​Did you know that our dental office is still open to safely serving you after the province of Ontario’s announcement on Jan. 3rd, 2022, regarding entering a modified Step 2 lockdown to help manage COVID-19 cases?

Our office has invested in medical-grade HEPA air purifiers, which are located in each treatment room and strategically placed throughout other areas of the office. The air purifiers remove harmful contaminants from the air and recycle the air continuously throughout the day to maintain as safe an environment as possible.

In addition to the air purifiers, high-contact surfaces and areas in the office are wiped with sterilizing wipes throughout the day. Patients are screened before their appointments to comply with current guidelines before providing treatment.

If you are experiencing pain or noticing any changes in your mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, etc., do not delay or hold off on treatment. Most dental issues progress to cause more pain, which requires lengthier and costlier treatment. It is vital to maintain adequate oral health by regularly seeing your dental professional monitor your oral health and provide necessary treatment.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a dental exam or dental cleaning, please contact us today.

 

How to Keep Your Child’s Mouth Healthy

How to Keep Your Child’s Mouth Healthy

by | Sep 1, 2021 | Dental | 0 comments

​Ensuring that your child has a healthy mouth free of cavities and gum issues is vital, but it can be hard to know what to do to keep their mouth as healthy as possible. Listed below is an essential guide in maintaining the health of your child’s mouth:

  • Before teeth erupt in your baby’s mouth (around 6-10 months old), use a damp cloth to wipe your baby’s gums after milk.
  • Once the first baby teeth erupt (around 6-10 months old), start using a small-headed toothbrush to brush the teeth with water, after milk and before bed. 
  • All of your child’s teeth will be erupted by around 2.5 years old. 
  • There are 20 baby teeth in a full set, 12 front teeth, and eight back teeth. 
  • Reduce soother use and try to eliminate by the age of 2.5
  • To wean a soother, try cutting the tip of the soother off to reduce suction. 
  • Try to eliminate thumb sucking also around 2.5 
  • Both a soother and thumb sucking create a suction that can alter the shape of their jaw and affect how their teeth bite together. 
  • Make sure to brush your baby/child’s teeth after nursing and after bottles of milk. 
  • Never put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, as exposure to the sugars in the milk can cause cavities. 
  • Begin using a fluoridated toothpaste around three years old, only using a size of the tip of a pen 
  • Bring your baby/child in for their first dental visit around 2.5-3 years old or earlier if there is a specific issue or concern. 
  • If you notice a chip or discoloured spot on your baby/child’s teeth, bring them to the dentist, as this might be a sign of a cavity. 
  • Begin flossing your child’s teeth around four years old. At this time, the spaces between their back molars will close together, increasing the risk for cavities. 
  • Help your child brush and floss their teeth until around the age of 7-8 to prevent the risk of cavities (in particular, at the age of 6, adult molars erupt at the back that is difficult for kids to access on their own) 
  • At any point, if there is trauma to your baby or child’s mouth, bring them immediately to the dentist.
  • If you notice a grey or yellow baby tooth, it may mean there was past trauma, and you should bring them to the dentist for a check. 

If you have any questions about how to keep your baby or child’s mouth healthy, contact us now to schedule an appointment.