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Why You Should Not Delay Dental Care

Why You Should Not Delay Dental Care

by | Jun 26, 2024 | Dental | 0 comments

Regular dental treatment and care is an essential aspect of overall health and well-being. Yet, many people tend to postpone their dental visits due to various reasons, including fear, cost, or simply a lack of perceived urgency. However, delaying dental care can lead to significant health issues, higher costs, and more extensive treatments. Learn why you should prioritize regular dental check-ups and timely dental treatments.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

The preventive aspect is one of the most compelling reasons to avoid delaying dental care. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist and dental professional to catch and address potential dental issues before they become significant problems. Early detection of cavities, oral cancer and gum disease can save you from pain, discomfort, and more invasive procedures in the future. Preventive care, such as regular dental cleanings and dental fluoride treatments, can help to maintain oral health and prevent common dental issues.

Avoid Pain and Discomfort

Dental problems often start small and can progress gradually, leading to significant pain and discomfort. What begins as a minor toothache can quickly escalate into a severe infection or dental abscess if left untreated. You can avoid the agony and disruption of advanced dental problems by addressing dental issues promptly. Regular dental visits help catch issues early and prevent them from worsening.

Save in the Long Run

While it may seem like you’re saving money by skipping dental visits, the opposite is often true. Preventive care and early treatment are usually much more affordable than the cost of treating advanced dental conditions. For instance, a simple dental filling to address a small cavity is far less expensive than a root canal or extraction for a neglected tooth. Investing in regular dental care can save on more extensive and costly treatments later.

Maintain Total & Overall Health

Your oral health is linked to your total and overall health. Poor dental hygiene and untreated dental issues can contribute to a host of various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and even complications during pregnancy. Harmful bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and affect other area of the body, leading to systemic health issues. By keeping your mouth healthy, you are also promoting better overall health.

Preserve Your Smile and Confidence

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and maintaining good oral health is essential for preserving your smile. Dental conditions such as gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss can significantly impact your appearance and self-confidence. Regular dental care helps ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy, allowing you to smile confidently and enjoy better social interactions and self-esteem.

Prevent Bad Breath

Unpleasant breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, dental infections, or gum disease. Regular dental exams, check-ups and cleanings help to remove dental plaque, tartar, and bacteria contributing to bad breath. By maintaining optimal oral hygiene and promptly addressing dental issues can keep your breath fresh and avoid social awkwardness.

Improve Your Quality of Life

Dental problems will regularly affect your ability to eat, speak, and enjoy life. Pain, discomfort, and the need for complex dental treatments can negatively impact your quality of life. By staying on top of your dental health and addressing problems early, you can maintain better oral function and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Delaying dental care can lead to many problems, from pain to more severe health issues and higher costs. By prioritizing regular dental visits and timely treatments, you can maintain good oral health, prevent serious problems, and enjoy a healthier, more confident life. Remember that early prevention and early intervention are essential to long-term health and well-being regarding dental care. So, don’t wait – schedule your dental appointment today and take a proactive stance with your oral health. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a consultation.

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 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. 

All You Need To Know About Canker Sores

All You Need To Know About Canker Sores

by | Jul 3, 2020 | Dental | 0 comments

“Canker sore” is the layman’s term for an aphthous ulcer. They typically appear as small, flat, white or off-white lesions on the soft tissues of the mouth such as the inner lips, the base of the gums, under the tongue and on the cheeks. They do not appear on any keratinized tissues, such as that of the top of the tongue. Canker sores differ from cold sores in that they do not appear on the lips, and they are not contagious. 

What Causes Canker Sores?

There is not always an easy answer to this question. Some people are more prone to canker sores than others, and some people rarely get them. A combination of factors may cause an outbreak. Possible causes may include: 

  • Emotional or physical stress 
  • Lack of sleep or fatigue 
  • Sensitivity to certain foods such as acidic fruits and vegetables (tomato, lemons)
  • Minor trauma from an injury or dental work 
  • Tongue or cheek biting 
  • Low vitamin b12 levels 
  • Use of toothpaste or mouthwash that contains sodium lauryl sulphate 
  • Certain oral bacteria 
  • Certain medical conditions such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, Behcet’s Disease and HIV/AIDS

Risk Factors For Canker Sores 

Canker sores most commonly affect young adults and youth and are more common in females than in males. In addition, there is also a family link for canker sores, whether this is from a genetic predisposition or from environmental factors such as a similar diet or allergens. 

How to Prevent Canker Sores 

Canker sores are sometimes inevitable, but there are ways to reduce the frequency and severity of them. 

  • Avoiding foods that are known irritants (such as spicy, acidic and tart foods)
  • Take a vitamin b12 supplement if you have a diet low in vitamin b12
  • Reduce your stress
  • Protect your mouth from irritants and injuries 
  • Find a toothpaste and mouthwash that works for you 
  • Maintain good oral hygiene 

Treatment of Canker Sores 

The most important factor is time. Canker sores will usually go away on their own in a week or less. If the canker sore is particularly large, it may take several weeks. Some ways to help speed up the healing or relief the symptoms are:

  • Off the shelf oral or topical medications for pain relief 
  • Dab magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesium) on the sore several times a day 
  • Rinsing with salt water morning and evening 
  • Apply ice to the area by sucking on ice chips 

If you get frequent canker sores or have any questions about preventing canker sores, we encourage you to contact our office today to schedule an appointment.