How do you care about your Denture?

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Dentures are “false teeth”, can replace all the teeth in your mouth or only some of them. You should care for denture as you would for your teeth.

To care of your Denture

  • Always Stand over a Towel or Bowl of water in order not to break your denture.
  • Store dentures in lukewarm water or denture-cleaning liquid overnight, not in hot water! Also, do not let them dry out.
  • Clean your denture every day with a brush designed for cleaning dentures or a toothbrush with soft bristles and denture cleanser, not toothpaste which can scratch your denture. Please do not use household cleaners or bleach.
  • You should at least 6 hours a day, leave your denture out. Remember to take it out at night. This lowers the risk of choking if the dentures become loose.
  • Please don`t try to fix your Denture yourself.

 To care of your Gums:

Check your gums daily. Brush your gum, tongue and the roof of your mouth with a soft brush every day before putting your denture in.

Let red, swollen gums heal before putting in the dentures again. If the redness does not go away in a few days, call the dentist.

White patches on the inside of the cheeks could also mean the dentures aren’t fitting well.

If you feel any discomfort with your gum or denture, Schedule your appointment today.

Flossing

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Did you know that Cleaning between your teeth may help prevent cavities and gum disease?

Cleaning between your teeth removes a sticky film called plaque. This Plaque contains bacteria that feed on leftover food or sugar in your mouth and the bacteria releases an acid that can eat away at the outer shell of your teeth and cause cavities.

Also, Plaque that is not removed by brushing and cleaning can eventually harden into a rough substance called tartar (or calculus). Tartar collects along your gum line and can lead to gum disease. Once tartar forms, only your dentist can remove it.

What Is The Best Time to Clean Between Your Teeth?

The most important thing about cleaning between your teeth is to do it!

Keep in mind that cleaning between your teeth should not be painful. If you do it too hard, you could damage the tissue between your teeth. If you’re too gentle, you might not be getting the food out. It’s normal to feel some discomfort when you first start but don’t give up. You can always ask your Hygienist at your cleaning appointment to show you how to floss properly.

Would you like to schedule your next cleaning and check up?  contact us!  (604) 936-1263

April 22nd is World Earth Day

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World Earth Day is April 22. Since 1970, 193 counties have joined the cause. Here are a few simple tips to participate this year.

  1. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
  2. Use reusable coffee mugs and water bottles.
  3. Reduce your meat consumption.
  4. Recycle household plastics, paper and glass.
  5. Stop using single-use plastic bottles, straws and bags.
  6. Use environmentally-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products.
  7. Change your paper bills to online.
  8. Buy local, organic food.
  9. Fix leaky faucets and shower heads.
  10. Take the stairs instead of elevators.

We are also taking initiative in the office to reduce our carbon footprint. Here are a few examples:

  1. We sterilize our instruments in reusable metal containers instead of using single use bags.
  2. We recycle scrap metal.
  3. We have an amalgam separator. This ensures that when we remove old fillings, the amalgam can be disposed of property and not introduced into the environment.
  4. We recycle office paper, cardboard and plastics.

Enjoy your Earth Day (and Easter!).

Contact US

Fun Animal Teeth Facts!

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We love talking about teeth around here. For something different, we are going to explore some fun facts about ANIMAL teeth. Animal teeth can come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and positions. A tooth is made up of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals.

Teeth are specific to an animals diet. A Herbivorous animal (like cows) have teeth made to cut and grind up leaves and grasses. Carnivorous animals (lions) have teeth for hunting  and tearing through meat. Humans are omnivorous and our teeth are easily able to eat a wide of foods.

Here are a few fun facts about animal teeth. I bet a few are surprising!

  • Frogs have teeth but toads do not.
  • A snail can have over 25,000 teeth!
  • Giraffes have 32 teeth (the same as humans) but they are all on the bottom jaw.
  • An elephant grinds its molars and then grows new ones. An elephant molar can weigh over 6 pounds.
  • Pigs have 44 teeth, cats have 30, dogs have 42 and armadillos have 104.
  • The Blue Whale is the largest mammal on earth, but eats only tiny shrimp because it has no teeth.
  • The Crocodile Birds is like a little dental hygienist ! It flies into the open mouth of a crocodile and cleans its teeth.
  • When a shark looses a tooth, a new one will grow in its place.
  • at 3 feet long the hippo has the largest canine tooth of any animal.
  • The unicorn-like horn on a narwhal is actually a tooth.
  • Zebras, beavers and rodents teeth never stop growing.
  • You can tell a dolphins age by the number of rings on its teeth – just like a tree.
  • When a rattlesnake closes its mouth, its teeth fold up like a pocketknife to protect its mouth.

Contact us to set up an appointment.

 

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Tooth fairy traditions around the world

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In North America we all know of the Tooth Fairy. She collects your tooth from under your pillow and leaves money but around the world some kids have very different plans for fallen teeth.

In Asian cultures, kids throw their discarded teeth while making a wish. If it’s a tooth from the lower jaw, they throw it up on a roof. If it’s a tooth from the upper jaw, they throw it to the ground or under a porch. It is believed that the new tooth will be pulled towards the old one.

In Span, the Tooth Fairy is replaces by a tooth mouse. Known as “Raton Perez” he will exchange a gift for the lost tooth. Many children leave the tooth in a glass of water for Perez to drink. France also has a tooth collecting mouse called “la bonne Petite Souris” but he prefers to leave candy.

South Americans have ditched the pillow and instead leave teeth in slippers for the Tooth Fairy to collect.

Lastly, in Central Asia, kids like to include their family pet. The fallen tooth is put in fat and fed to the dog (we do not support this idea!). The premise is a hope that the new tooth will be a strong as a dogs. No pet? No problem! Just bury it by the a tree for strong roots.

Contact us for an appointment

 

Stuffy nose for 2 years caused by extra tooth!

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A Danish man suffered for 2 years with a stuffy and runny nose. The 59 year old was eventually referred to a specialist after topical steroids did not improve his condition.
A CT scan on his nasal cavity showed a mass and during the extraction of the mass doctors were surprised to find a tooth!

Retained teeth in the nasal cavity is extremely rare with only 23 recorded cases in the last 50 years.

Teeth lodged in the nasal cavity can happen due to trauma, infections, or conditions like cleft palate/lip. In this case Doctors believe the tooth had been there most of the man’s life without any symptoms.

It’s not uncommon for people to grow extra or “supernumary” teeth (Freddie Mercury had 4!). Occasionally these teeth will grow upwards or sideways, rather than into the mouth.

Contact us for your next appointment.

Baby Teeth – When do they come in?

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The most common questions we are asked about Baby teeth are “when will they come in?” and “when will they fall out?”. While the answer can vary – we have a general timeline for when we expect these things to occur.

Baby Teeth

Most children will have all 20 of their primary teeth by the time they are 3 years old. By age 21 all of your child’s permanent teeth should have erupted (with the exception of wisdom teeth which may or may not fully erupt.)

Caring for baby teeth can be difficult for parents.

From 1 to 2 years  

  • Brush your child’s teeth daily (using non-fluoridated toothpaste).
  • Check for signs of early childhood tooth decay once a month. Lift your child’s upper lip and look for chalky-white or brown spots on the teeth or along the gum line. If you see any, take your child to a dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist may suggest you start using a small amount (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Switch to a regular cup for all drinks between 12 and 15 months.
  • Limit soother use to nap and bedtime.
From 3 to 4 years old
  • Teach your child “2 for 2,” which means brushing twice a day for 2 minutes each time.
  • Start using fluoride toothpaste, the amount of a green pea, and teach them to spit rather than swallow.  Supervise your child while he/she is brushing teeth.
  • Encourage your child to do some brushing with you completing the job, making sure that all tooth surfaces have been cleaned.
  • If your child continues to suck her thumb as permanent teeth begin to appear, talk to your doctor or dentist.
For all ages
  • Wash your hands before and after brushing teeth.
  • Rinse toothbrushes thoroughly after brushing and ensure that each one can dry without touching other toothbrushes.
  • Replace toothbrushes every few months, when the bristles become flattened with use.
  • Between meals, quench a child’s thirst with water. Do not offer candy, dried fruit (including raisins) and sugared drinks or juices.
  • Take your child for regular dental visits (every 6 months, unless otherwise suggested by your dentist).

To schedule your child’s next cleaning Contact us! (604) 936-1263

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

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Many people have mild to moderate dental phobias. A lack of understanding about what happens while you’re in the chair for a cleaning can add to this fear.

First Exam

Your hygienist will likely start by doing a quick exam of your mouth, noting and potential areas of concern to discuss with the dentist when they come in to perform a more thorough examination. They will use a small mirror to check your teeth and gums for any signs of inflammation, decay, and other issues.

Removing Plaque and Tartar

The hygienist will use a scaler during your cleaning to “scrape” plaque and tartar build-up around and under your gumline and between your teeth. They may also use a “cavitron” or water scaler in addition to or instead of hand instruments to remove build up.
If this is your least favourite part of your cleanings remember that improved oral health (proper brushing and flossing) reduces the amount of tartar and plaque in your mouth. Less tartar and plaque = less time scaling (scraping).

Polishing

This is when the hygienist uses a high powered electric rotating rubber cup to apply a gritty toothpaste to your teeth. The high-pitched sound can be intimidating but this part of your cleaning is important for removing surface stains.

Professional Flossing

No one is more skilled at flossing your teeth than a hygienist. It might seem silly to have your hygienist floss your teeth during your cleaning if you’ve already flossed that day, but this helps to remove any leftover plaque, polishing paste or debris.

Fluoride Treatment

There are a few different options available for fluoride treatments. (Not all dentists carry all options.) Most common are fluoride trays: foam trays that fit over your teeth and are filled with a flavoured gel or foam fluoride and placed in your mouth for 1 minute. There is also a flavoured paint-on varnish that stays on your teeth until you brush it off at night. Least effective, but a good option for people with a strong gag reflex is a fluoride ride that you swish in your mouth for one minute. Fluoride helps to strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay. It is an important part of your regular cleaning.

Post-Cleaning Exam

Your dentist will then come in and review any notes your hygienist has made, and perform their own exam with the help of a small handheld mirror. In this time they may find spots of potential decay and recommend x-rays to be certain. Other concerns your dentist is looking for is bite/jaw issues, the need for orthodontic referral, or referral to a periodontist if your gums have deep pockets around the teeth.

Contact us today to schedule your next cleaning and check up! (604) 936-1263

Pregnancy and how it affects your oral health.

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While keeping your mouth healthy is important, it becomes even more so during pregnancy. As your hormones change you may face oral health issues such as gum and bone disease. The following preventative measures will help keep your smile healthy and reduce risks such as low birth weight and pre-term delivery.

Morning Sickness

One of the most problematic symptoms you can experience in pregnancy is morning sickness. Repeated exposure to stomach acid can wreak havoc on your enamel causing tooth decay and erosion. These steps should be taken following any episodes of vomiting:

  • Rinse your mouth with water or fluoride mouth wash (if you can stand it) immediately following the episode
  • After rinsing your mouth, wait for at least 30 minutes to further reduce the acid in your mouth
  • Brush your teeth

Preventative Measures

Daily:

  • Floss
  • Brush your teeth at least twice per day with a fluoride toothpaste using a soft bristled toothbrush
  • Drink fluoridated water where available

Schedule a checkup and cleaning in your first trimester to assess the current state of your oral health.

Bleeding Gums

Your hormone changes can affect your gums. They may be more sensitive and they might bleed easily, even if you have good oral hygiene.

“Pregnancy Gingivitis”

Between months 3 and 9 gestation, you may experience pregnancy gingivitis. This is when your gums become swollen, red, and/or irritated from bacteria along your gumline. It is important to see your dentist during pregnancy as gingivitis may turn into periodontitis. Most pregnancy-related gum issues will resolve themselves after giving birth, however, if they do not it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Visiting Your Dentist

If you do need dental work during pregnancy – the best time to have your work completed is during your second trimester. It is a good idea to avoid X-rays while you are pregnant. X-rays of your mouth should only be taken in an emergency. If you need an X-ray, make sure you are covered with a lead apron to protect your baby from the radiation.

Contact us today to set up your next appointment!

Kudos to Dr. Shahriary

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We feel so fortunate to have such lovely patients. We were recently given a card applauding Dr. Ross’ exemplary level of care.

It reads:

“Dear Dr. Ross,
Thank you for supporting me through all my tooth problems. You are a good dentist but more important, you are a good person. Thank you very, very much.”

Call today to become one of our many valued patients.Contact Us
(604) 936-1263