Tips To Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

Tips To Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

by | May 22, 2018 | Dental

Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

While going to the dentist regularly is strongly encouraged, teaching your child good oral hygiene is arguably more important. Keeping your child’s teeth healthy is important to help the adult teeth come in properly. A good oral hygiene regimen includes both brushing and flossing. Brushing should be done 2 times per day – once in the morning and once just before bedtime. Flossing should be done before bedtime. When your child says they have brushed their teeth, it is best to check after. See if they did a good job, and cleaned all plaque from the front, back and tops of the teeth. They will appreciate their lovely smile when they are older. Prevention is the best way to avoid costly dental treatment

How Do I Know If My Child Is Brushing Properly?

Be in a well-lit area and pull their cheeks back. Plaque deposits usually accumulate along the gumline and can range in color from yellow to white, even colorless. If you are not sure, just use your clean fingernail to scrape gently along the tooth towards the gumline. Check to see if anything is stuck to your nail. If your child has brushed properly, there should be little to no plaque on your fingernails.

Alternatively, there are plaque disclosing solutions, tablets and mouth rinses available which will stain the plaque. The benefit of staining the plaque on the teeth is to give a clear visual cue on where leftover plaque is located after improper brushing. Use this as a teaching tool and have your child look in the mirror to see missed areas of brushing. Should there be some plaque remaining, you can guide their hand for them.

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When can I let my child brush themselves?

The general rule of thumb is 8 years old before a child can do a proper job of brushing their teeth. If you are diligent, it may be younger.  Brushing their own teeth is a life skill, and as such, it takes time to develop the necessary dexterity and technique to master it. The more experience your child has, the better they will get at it, and the sooner they will be able to do it themselves. Contact us to schedule your child’s next visit.

What Is A Dental Crown & Do You Need One?

What Is A Dental Crown & Do You Need One?

by | Apr 30, 2018 | Dental

A dental crown is a hollow “cap” that is placed over a prepared tooth to restore the strength, function, and appearance of the tooth.

When are dental crowns needed?

After a root canal

A tooth that underwent root canal treatment is no longer living or vital. While this results in the tooth becoming more brittle and prone to breaking, a dental crown will preserve the strength of the tooth and prevent breakage.

Large fillings

Teeth with large fillings are weaker than a natural tooth. As a result, they are prone to breaking under the forces of chewing. However, a crown restores the strength of these compromised teeth.

Aesthetics

If you have broken, worn, decayed, misshapen or discolored teeth, dental crowns improve the appearance of your smile. However, other tooth replacement options exist as well.

Full mouth rehabilitation

Severely worn teeth due to grinding or erosion need extensive dental treatment. Opening up, or enlarging the bite and restoring the appearance and function of the teeth may require dental crowns to be placed on one, or more teeth.

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Dental bridge

A missing tooth that is replaced with a dental bridge, requires at least one dental crown. A dental crown covers the adjacent teeth on either side, and an artificial tooth fills in the space of the missing tooth.

Types of crowns:

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There are different types of crowns available for you and your dentist to choose from. Some materials that crowns are made of include: gold or other metal alloys, ceramic, composite resin, porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. The location in the mouth, aesthetics and durability are considered when deciding on the best type of crown to use.

How is a dental crown done?

This procedure is done in two separate appointments, giving time for the fabrication of the permanent dental crown.

First visit:

  • The dentist freezes the area first (this may not be necessary if there was a root canal).
  • The tooth is shaved down to make room for the crown to fit over the top.
  • Impressions or a scan of the tooth are taken and sent to the laboratory that makes the dental crown
  • A temporary crown is made and cemented to the tooth.

Second visit:

  • The dentist checks the shape, size, and colour of the crown to ensure it fits your smile perfectly.
  • The temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is cemented.
  • The dentist checks your bite to ensure your new crown functions properly.

How to care for your dental crown:

Thorough daily brushing and flossing are necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. While a dental crown adds strength to a tooth, it is still susceptible to gum disease and decay if not kept clean. Avoid very abrasive or whitening toothpaste that can scratch the crown and cause it to lose its luster. Additionally, ensure that you have regular dental check-ups so your dentist can monitor the health and condition of your teeth and dental work.

If you have any further questions about dental crowns, call us today! We would be happy to answer your questions or book a consultation with a dentist.

Tips To Help Overcome Dental Anxiety

Tips To Help Overcome Dental Anxiety

by | Mar 15, 2018 | Dental

Dental Anxiety

Dental fear or anxiety affects many people. For some, it can stop them from getting the oral care that they need. Dental professionals see patients on a daily basis that have varying degrees of dental anxiety. You do not have to worry about being “a bad patient” or feel guilty or ashamed. Getting through the door is often the hardest part, and your dental professional recognizes that. Dental staff will work with you to ensure your comfort every step of the way.

Some tips to help you get through a dental appointment:

Find the right dentist

There are gentle and understanding dentists that are willing to help you face your fears and get the dental treatment you need and deserve.

Talk about it

Be open and upfront about your dental anxieties. Knowing what your fears are and what they stem from can help the dental staff make sure you have a positive experience. For some, it helps to have procedures explained to them, so they know what is happening during each step. Good communication will your dental professional is important.

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Headphones

If the noises involved in dentistry increase your anxiety, bringing along your music or a podcast can help distract you.

Relaxation techniques

Knowing some easy relaxation techniques like controlled breathing can be helpful.

Take breaks if needed

If you need a break, it is okay to ask for one. If you need multiple dental procedures done, breaking them up into short, more manageable appointments may help you get through the treatment plan.

Pain control

If you have a fear of dental pain, it is important to know that there are different options for pain control. Even for a dental cleaning, there are options to keep you comfortable and pain-free. Talk to your dental professionals to discuss what might work best for you.

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Sedation

Some people need sedation to assist them in getting through dental procedures. Talk to your dentist about options if you think this is something that would help you.

Practice excellent oral hygiene

Thorough brushing twice a day and daily flossing help to prevent cavities and keep your gums healthy. Choose healthy tooth-friendly foods and forgo the pop and candy. This will mean shorter and less complicated dental cleanings and hopefully prevent you from needing major dental work in the future.

Dental professionals know that your fears are real and will strive to be understanding and help you work through them. Just because you have dental anxiety today does not mean that you always will. Once you have some positive experiences at the dental office, your confidence and comfort level will grow. If your anxieties stem from a bad dental experience that happened a long time ago, know that dentistry has changed a great deal over the years and patient comfort is now of the utmost importance. If you are in need of dental care, call today!