Is Dental Fluoride Beneficial For You?

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Feb 2, 2022 | Dental

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

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Jan 3, 2022 | Dental

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

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Sep 1, 2021 | Dental

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.

Tips for Managing Dental Anxiety

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Feb 2, 2021 | Dental

It is quite common to feel a little stressed or anxious when thinking about the doctor or the dentist. Most of this fear comes from the idea of the “unknown,” or feeling a lack of control. Rest assured that many other people out there feel this same anxiety about dental and doctors’ offices. The last thing you should do is avoid going to the dentist because infrequent dental visits can lead to gum disease and cavities, which worsen with time. Avoiding the dentist can lead to issues with eating, speaking, pain, and low self-esteem.

Forms of Dental Anxiety

Anxiety can present itself in the form of an upset stomach, hot flashes, sweating, palpitations, low blood pressure, fainting, hyperventilating, difficulty breathing, and even panic attacks. One or several of these symptoms may be experienced.

How Can We Help Your Anxiety?

Talk with your dentist about your concerns. If your dentist is aware of your anxiety, they will be able to alter treatment to fit your needs, such as detailed explanations about treatment and slowing things down.
Ask what tools are available to help with your anxiety in the office. These office tools may include TV/ movies, noise-canceling headphones, blankets, aromatherapy, or relaxing music.
Dental sedation such as nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, or general anesthetic

How Can You Help Your Anxiety?

Meditation to address your dental anxiety, make sure to take deep breathes and practice mindfulness
Distract yourself from your surroundings. Use your phone, watch the TV or movie, listen to some music.
Use a stress ball or something similar to hold in your hand.
Use visualization techniques to daydream.
Consider using anxiety medication. This must be discussed with your medical doctor before your appointment. Certain medications can help for the short term to take the edge off.

If you experience dental anxiety, and if you haven’t been to the dentist in a long time because of your dental anxiety, we encourage you to contact us today to discuss options.

Dental Cleaning

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Nov 15, 2020 | Dental

Dental Cleaning In Toronto, ON

During your dental hygiene appointment or at the end of your appointment, you probably remember the dental hygienist telling you to remember to brush and floss at least twice daily. This is great advice because proper oral care at home is the important part of maintaining your oral health. However, even with the best brushing and flossing technique, we still miss some areas of plaque build-up.

What Is A Dental Cleaning?

A dental cleaning is an essential part of good overall oral hygiene. It involves the removal of plaque build-up and tartar build-up from teeth and other hard to access areas, such as under the gums. Dental cleanings performed by a dental hygienist, but sometimes the dentist will perform the cleaning. Cleaning is achieved using an assortment of specialized dental tools. Your dental professional will perform an assessment of your oral health, and create a customized treatment plan tailored to your unique oral health needs.

Why are dental cleanings needed?

Dental cleanings are recommended at least two to three times a year. However, these requirements vary depending on your oral health. Regular dental hygiene visits help maintain oral health, and overall health to a smaller extent. Plaque build-up is sticky and causes dental decay if it is not removed regularly. Plaque that stays on the tooth for extended periods of time,hardens and is difficult to remove with floss and a toothbrush. Only a dental cleaning will remove hardened plaque effectively. Hardened plaque or tartar eventually causes bone loss if it is left untreated.

Dental hygiene visits contribute towards maintaining overall health also. Poor oral health is linked to heart disease, diabetes complications, and premature births. Bacteria found in the plaque may enter the bloodstream and become lodged in the arteries. Another reason why regular dental cleanings are vital to oral and overall health.

In addition to preventing dental decay and gum disease, dental cleanings reduce inflammation and swelling of the gums. Bleeding gums are also treated with dental hygiene cleanings and regular oral care at home.

Stain removal is another area where a dental cleaning helps. Patients with staining of the teeth due to external causes such as smoking, coffee, tea, or wine consumption will have surface stains removed during their dental visits. For patients with heavy staining, more than one dental hygiene visits will be necessary to remove all of the stains. Regular dental cleanings will prevent heavy accumulation of staining in the future.

dental cleaning in toronto on west village

What to expect during a dental cleaning?

Your hygienist often starts the cleaning with an ultrasonic instrument to remove the bulk of the plaque and tartar build-up. The ultrasonic tool uses vibrations to break apart the buildup and uses water to wash away bacteria and build-up. Most of the stain is removed with this tool as well. The hygienist also uses manual instruments to access harder to reach areas and to remove stubborn build-up. Every surface of the tooth is cleaning in this way until all the teeth are cleaned. The final steps including polishing the teeth with a fine paste to remove any leftover stain and to give your teeth a smooth and clean feel. For some patients, fluoride treatment may be necessary if there is a history of dental decay or if the patient is at a higher risk of developing cavities.