Ha-Ha-Ha-Happy Halloween!

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Happy Halloween from all of us at Dr. Shahriary’s office! This October 31st we’re here to help you practice your best witch’s cackle and have a little laugh!

Q: What dinosaur has the healthiest teeth and gums?
A: A Flosso-raptor

Q: What did the vampire say after his dental appointment?
A: Fangs very much!

Q: What did the ghost say when he found out he had cavities?
A: Boo Hoo

Q: Why did the vampire need mouthwash?
A: Because he had bat breath

Q: What kind of toothpaste do vampires buy?
A: Ultra-Bite

Q: What do you call a bear without teeth?
A: A gummy bear

Q: What does the tooth fairy give sharks when they lose teeth?
A: Sand dollars

Q: What do dentists use to fix a dragon’s teeth?
A: Fire drills

Q: What does a vampire fear most?
A: Tooth decay

Q: What do mice use to floss their teeth?
A: String cheese

Q: Who has the most dangerous job in Transylvania?
A: Dracula’s dentist!

The Scariest Treats for your Teeth this Halloween

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This Halloween don’t let your teeth become the scariest part of your costume! While no sweets are “recommended” by your dentist, there some that are a better choice than others! When it comes to candy – be picky if it’s sticky!

Sticky and gummy treats are some of the worst candies for your teeth. Because these candies are so sticky they stay in your mouth and on your teeth for longer. They are harder to remove which gives that bad, cavity-causing bacteria more time to work.

Hard candies are also bad due to the length of time they stay in your mouth. As the candies dissolve the sugars get into your saliva and wash over your teeth. They pose an extra risk as they can actually break your teeth if you’re not careful. Biting down on a hard candy can turn your Halloween into a REAL nightmare.

Sour candies are arguably the worst treats your kids can receive this Halloween – especially if they are also sticky and coated in sugar. The acidity in sour candy can weaken and damage your enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to cavities.

You might be thinking that our list leaves you with nothing safe for your teeth this Halloween, but you’re forgetting about the most popular treat of all!

Chocolate! Chocolate washes off of your teeth more easily than other candies. Even better is dark chocolate, which contains less sugar than milk chocolate.

Overall, we at Dr. Shahriary’s office want you to have a fun, safe, and healthy Halloween; and if you do develop a pesky cavity after Halloween we can help with that too!
Call or email to book your next appointment https://austindentalgroups.com/contact/

 

To get your kids interested in their oral health, check out the Canadian Dental Association Website for some great ideas: https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/teaching_resources/

I Just Had a Filling – Why does my tooth still hurt?

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So your dentist recommended you have a filling done, but now a tooth that didn’t bother you before is hurting! Yikes!

Before you start panicking there are a few reasons this could happen. Firstly – is the pain you are experiencing upon biting or chewing? or is it a constant ache?

Pain with biting/chewing

If the pain/sensitivity is with biting or chewing, chances are your filling needs a slight adjustment! When the dentist checks your bite after performing a filling, sometimes you’re so frozen it’s hard to get a good idea if your bite feels “normal” or not. Even the slightest bit of filling material being too high, or left over bonding agent can cause sensitivity with biting if you have a “tight” bite.

Typically, we can see you the same day for a quick appointment (that requires no freezing) to adjust the filling.

Constant Ache

If your pain is more of a constant ache there are two possible issues. Your pain may be associated with the injection site for the anesthetic. Some people are very sensitive to freezing and can experience and ache/bruised feeling in their jaw from the anesthetic – especially in the lower jaw. The best course of action is to wait a day or two to see if the ache gets better.

The other possibility with a constant ache is that the decay was much deeper than expected. While we always try our best to prevent a tooth from needing a root canal, sometimes the decay is so deep we have no choice. When Dr. Ross performs a filling where the decay is deep in the tooth, he will often place a medication to desensitize the tooth and help it “calm down”.  If this doesn’t work, a root canal may be the best course of treatment to fix the tooth.

Whatever the problem may be – we’re here to help you fix it. Call or email us today! https://austindentalgroups.com/contact/

 

Sugar makes my teeth sensitive – Ouch!

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For most of us a slice of cake or a TimBit sounds like a deliciously sweet treat. For some people the thought of a sugar-filled snack makes them cringe. If you’re cringing right now, you may be wondering why your teeth react this way to sugar and if you can get some relief. In short, your sensitivity is due to damage to your enamel. Fortunately, there are steps you can take and products to help reduce this sensitivity so that you can enjoy your favorite treats again!

Causes

Most people associate tooth sensitivity with exposing your teeth to burning hot or chilling cold, sweets can also trigger tooth sensitivity. Regardless of the cause, sensitivity can result from the loss of enamel on your teeth. The most common causes of enamel loss include brushing too hard and enjoying too many acidic foods. Both activities damage your enamel and can expose the sensitive inner layer of your teeth. When your outer layer of enamel is damaged, sugary foods, hot and cold treats, or other irritants have a more direct route to the nerve center of your teeth.

Preventing Sugar Sensitivity

If you can’t imagine living without your favorite sweets there are steps you can take to prevent sensitivity. Your best course of action is to take proper care of your teeth with an oral health routine and the right tools.

The first step is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. A softer brush is not only better for your enamel, but it’s also gentler on already sensitive teeth. We always give our patients a soft-bristled brush in their patient “goody bag” at each cleaning appointment. Use a toothpaste designed to protect against sensitivity; the active ingredient you should look for is “stannous fluoride”. Finally, improve your brushing technique! Brushing too hard can cause serious damage to your enamel and gums, leading to tooth sensitivity. You can always ask your hygienist for proper oral hygiene instruction at your regularly scheduled cleaning appointment.

Contact us today to set up your next appointment! https://austindentalgroups.com/contact/