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Never forget your day to day oral Hygiene routines during COVID-19 Isolation

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These days with all the changes in our day to day lives we should not forget about our oral hygiene. Everyone recommends Social distancing but it doesn’t mean that no one can smell our bad breath! Staying home in our pajamas all day long to flatten the curve doesn’t mean we can skip brushing and flossing. I’m happy that our patients have really good oral hygiene habits.
Here’s some tips to stay on track:

Brush Regularly:
Brushing regularly with a fluoride-containing toothpaste removes plaque from your mouth and prevents the stuck food from rotting inside your mouth.

Floss Regularly:
Fibers on a brush can’t reach in between your teeth while your food doesn’t face any obstacles getting in there. This makes flossing (once a day) just as important as brushing.

Use a Mouthwash:
Antiseptic right mouthwashes are used to kill any remaining bacteria in your mouth. They also fight bad breath.
A natural alternative to mouthwashes is coconut oil. Rinsing your mouth with one tablespoon of coconut oil can dissolve the remaining bacteria and take them to the drain with it.

Avoid Unhygienic Activities:
There are some caffeinated drinks such as white tea that don’t stain your teeth.Among tea and coffee, coffee is a much better choice. If caffeine isn’t a must, any fruity tea or herbal tea will work. Red wine also stains your teeth.
You should also be very careful about the amount of your added Sugar which is known to be associated with tooth decay and is harmful to your health.

Please feel free to contact Dr.Ross Shahriary, if you have anymore concern or question,

How Smoking affects your dental health?

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Smoking is already proven to be really bad for your oral health. It appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. This interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections. It causes severe periodontal (gum) disease, and once you have gum damage, smoking also makes it harder for your gums to heal. In general, smoking gives you bad breath, tooth discoloration and Increasing risk of bone and tooth loss.Further more, it has serious effects on developing oral cancers . Smoking can also lower success rate of dental implant procedures. Please If your have any signs and symptoms of gum disease like red,puffy,tender gum or bleeding while you are brushing do not hesitate to call us. We can book you a quick check up appointment with Dr.Shahriary.

Some tips for Thanksgiving

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Next weekend, as your family celebrates Thanksgiving Day, it’s important to keep your oral health in mind. When preparing your holiday meal, include foods that are nutritious and beneficial for your teeth and gums. Turkey, Cheese, Greens and vegetables are packed with protein and phosphorous, Calcium, vitamins and minerals which are all good for  health and strength of your teeth and gum.

Cranberry sauce which is a tasty Thanksgiving tradition, pumpkin pie and desserts are the sweetest  part of our celebration. But you should consider that starchy foods are full of sugary carbohydrates, which build up bacteria in the mouth and can lead to cavities. Just make sure to have a few drinks of water afterward to wash away food debris from your mouth.

If you do notice tooth stains after Thanksgiving, contact us and also ask about our teeth whitening services. There’s no need to completely deprive you this Thanksgiving. But do keep in mind these suggestions  for your dental health.

Happy Thanksgiving in advance!       

Step by Step Dental Implant Surgery

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Does Dental Implant work as my missing tooth?

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Dental implants are used where there are one or more missing teeth. Implants are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, fuse with your jawbone and you will still have a certain amount of sensation with, when you chew and talk. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots.

There are many advantages to dental implants:

-Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth.They are designed to fuse with bone, so they become permanent.

– Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip like those poor-fitting dentures.

– Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.

–  Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. With dental implants you can eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.

– Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.

– Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health.

–  Dental implants require the same care as real teeth including: brushing, flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and regular dental check-ups.With good care, many implants last a lifetime.

Call Our Office ( https://austindentalgroups.com)  to book your Implant consult with Dr.Ross when you would like to know if you are a good candidate for implant treatment or not.

 

What’s the Procedure for getting your Veneers?

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Dental Veneers or porcelain laminates are tooth-colored, wafer-thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, size, length, or shape.

Getting a dental veneer usually requires at least three appointments with the dentist: one for a consultation and two others to make and apply the veneers.

  • The first step is when you explain what you expect to achieve and your dentist checks your teeth to see if dental veneers are appropriate for you, discuss what the procedure will involve and your dentist may take X-rays. Also, there is a possibility of making impressions of your mouth and teeth, on the same day.
  • Second appointment: Your dentist will remove about 1/2 millimeter of your tooth surface, approximately equal to the thickness of the veneer. Then, an impression of your tooth will be made to be sent out to the lab to construct your veneer. It usually takes 2-4 weeks to receive the veneers back. Meanwhile, Temporary dental veneers will be placed.
  • Third appointment: Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented, your dentist tries in the veneers repeatedly and may trim the veneer as needed to achieve the proper fit. Also, your dentist needs your confirmation about the proper color, size and fit before permanently bond and cement your veneers.
  • You might be asked to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check gums and to once again examine the veneer’s placement.
  • If you need more information about Veneers, make a free appointment today to consult Dr.Shahriary.

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.

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!