Learn How To Keep Your Teeth Clean While Wearing Braces

Learn How To Keep Your Teeth Clean While Wearing Braces

by | Mar 2, 2021 | Dental

It is essential to make sure you keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy with dental braces because you can be more susceptible to cavities, bacteria build up and gum inflammation during this time. Dental braces can be tricky to clean because there are more nooks and crannies where plaque can get trapped. Surfaces that require adequate and consistent cleaning are the biting surfaces of teeth, along the gum lines, in-between the teeth and around the brackets. Listed below is a range of tools that you should be using to help keep your mouth healthy during braces. 

Electric Toothbrush 

It is vital to use an electric toothbrush during orthodontic treatment to keep your teeth and braces clean and plaque-free. Electric toothbrushes can do a better job of cleaning than manual toothbrushes due to their electronic brush strokes. Electric toothbrushes come in an either circular or oval shape and use either an oscillating or a sweeping motion. Electric toothbrushes can help access areas that are difficult to get to with a manual toothbrush. Make sure to use your electric toothbrush at least twice a day. 

Water Flosser 

A water flosser is a tool that utilizes a jet of water to help flush out plaque from around the teeth, gums and brackets. A water flosser is the best way to access difficult areas that a toothbrush can’t fit, such as between the teeth. Make sure to use your water flosser at least once a day. 

Floss & Floss Threaders/ Superfloss 

Flossing can be tricky with dental braces, but floss threaders and super floss help speed up the process. Both of these tools have a rigid end that helps to poke the floss underneath the wire. Floss threaders use regular floss to loop through, and super floss is a pre-cut piece of floss. Make sure to use your floss at least once a day.

clean dental braces brush dentist

Proxabrush 

This is a small pipe cleaner-looking brush that helps clean between brackets and underneath the archwire, which can be challenging to access. The small bristle protrusions trap and pull out plaque. Try to use your proxabrush at least once a day. 

Dental cleanings are recommended more frequently during orthodontic treatment to help keep your teeth and gums clean, around every 3-4 months. If you have any questions about tools to use during orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to contact us to schedule an appointment today. 

What Is a Sports Guard and Why Might You Need One?

What Is a Sports Guard and Why Might You Need One?

by | Jan 4, 2021 | Dental

​Sports guards are required and beneficial for any sport where there is a risk of contact with objects (such as a ball, puck or stick) or another person. Examples of contact sports include hockey, basketball, football and lacrosse. A sports guard consists of a plastic tray that covers your upper teeth and palate to prevent any tooth or jaw injury. Sports guards work by reducing/eliminating the amount of trauma sustained during an injury by taking the force and dispersing it throughout the guard. The guard acts as a cushion between the upper and lower jaw. 

There are two main types of sports guards, professionally made sports guards and store-bought sports guards. These two options offer very different protection and come in at a very different price point. 

Store-Bought Sports Guard

Store-bought sports guards come in a universal shape and are made out of plastic, which is boiled and bit into to leave the jaw’s shape for a comfortable fit. A boil and bite sports guard offers protection for the teeth and jaw, but because it doesn’t fit precisely to each individual mouth, it lacks the quality of a professionally made sports guard. Boil and bite sports guards are recommended for kids whose mouths are changing and growing. Around 14 years of age, it is recommended to switch over to a professionally made sports guard. 

Professionally Made 

A professionally made sports guard is fabricated in a lab, specifically for each mouth. The first step in the process is to have impressions of your mouth to give an exact mould of your teeth and jaw. After about a week, you will return to your dental office to try the guard in and make sure it fits snug. Because professionally made sports guards are made for each mouth, they offer a far superior fit and better protection against tooth and jaw trauma. 

How to Care For Your Sports Guard 

  • Clean your sports guard after each use with a separate toothbrush and warm water 
  • Avoid hot water on your sports guard as this can warp the plastic material and alter the fit 
  • Store your sports guard in a clean sports guard case 
  • If you notice any cracks or chips in your sports guard, bring it in to the dentist for a check 
  • Wear your sports guard any time there is a risk of a contact injury, even during practice 
  • If you can pop your sports guard out with your tongue, the fit is too loose, and it requires adjustment 

If you believe you would benefit from a sports guard or have any questions about how they work, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. 

 

We Are Still Open!

We Are Still Open!

by | Dec 24, 2020 | Dental

WE ARE STILL OPEN!

Following the province’s recent COVID-19 lockdown announcement in Ontario, we want to let you know that we are still open! Our dental office will remain open as an essential service to serve you and your family.

Rest assured that we have taken all measures to meet or exceed the recommended sterilization and safety protocols. We have installed medical-grade HEPA air filtration units to continuously recycle the air in each room and in the entire office. As well, all patients are screened before treatment, and all high-touch surfaces are wiped down frequently throughout the day.

It is best to treat dental issues early on before they become painful and result in more costly treatment. Avoiding dental treatment increases your risk of the following:

  • Development of gum disease
  • Progression of gum disease into periodontal disease
  • Increased rate of dental decay if existing dental decay is not detected by dental exam or dental x-rays
  • Lack of oral health monitoring 
  • Reduced cancer screenings during oral checkups

We encourage you to contact our office today to schedule an appointment. 

What Is Herpetic Gingivostomatitis?

What Is Herpetic Gingivostomatitis?

by | Aug 4, 2020 | Dental

What Is Herpetic Gingivostomatitis?

Hermetic gingivostomatitis is a viral infection that affects the oral tissues and lips. It’s most common initial outbreak affects children under 5, but can occur in both youth and adulthood. The virus that causes herpetic gingivostomatitis is herpes virus simplex type 1 (HVS1.) There are two main types of the herpes virus: type 1 affecting the mouth, eyes and face, and type 2 affecting the genitals and lower half of the body. By age 35, it is estimated that up to 90% of the population will test positive for HSV1, and 50% of those people have exhibited reactivation of symptoms.

What Causes It? 

The cause of gingivostomatitis is a virus called herpes simplex type 1. Transmission of the virus occurs through oral secretions and saliva. Examples of transmission are sharing utensils, kissing, and children putting unclean hands or objects in their mouths. Reactivation of the virus can be caused by general illness, stress, fatigue and immunosuppression. 

What Are The Symptoms?

The symptoms of initial infection with the HSV1 are fever, general feeling of fatigue, oral blisters and lesions, red puffy gums, irritability and loss of appetite. The initial infection can even cause mild necrosis of gum tissue. The virus lays dormant in a facial nerve (typically the trigeminal ganglia along the jaw) until reactivation. Reactivation of the HSV1 causes cold sores and fever blisters. Reactivation of HSV1 into herpes labialis can be frequent for some people and infrequent for others. 

Treatment Of Herpetic Gingivostomatitis

The treatment for herpetic gingivostomatitis is rest and time. If there is pain, a mild pain relief medication can be used. Typically, the virus and its associated symptoms will go away on their own in a week or less. Treatment for a cold sore/fever blister includes over-the-counter anti-viral medication, pain relief medication, lip balms and stress-relieving techniques. In all cases, hydration is essential and helps speed up healing. 

If you believe your child may be experiencing symptoms of herpetic gingivostomatitis, or you have any questions about the herpes simplex virus, we encourage you to contact our office today 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

“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.