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Anomalies in Teeth – lets get weird.

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Did you know that teeth can form incorrectly in ways that affect their function and appearance? Here are some of the rarest tooth anomalies seen in dentistry.

Tooth Fusion

Dental Anomalies

Tooth fusion occurs when tooth buds make contact before calcification occurs. It is the union of two or more teeth during development. Tooth fusion occurs in primary dentition 0.5-2.5% of the time and 0.1% of the time in permanent dentition.

Macrodontia

Tooth Anomalies

Macrodontia is a condition where a tooth or group of teeth are abnormally larger than average. Macrodontia seen in permanent teeth is thought to affect around 0.03 to 1.9 percent of the worldwide population.

Microdontia

Tooth Anomalies

Microdontia is a type of dental anomaly in which teeth are smaller in size than normal. Microdontia of one or two teeth is common, but microdontia of all teeth is rare. The prevalence of microdontia ranges from 1.5 to 2% and occurs more frequently in females than males.

Hyperdontia

Tooth Anomalies

Hyperdontia refers to an excess number of teeth beyond the expected 20 deciduous and 32 permanent teeth. We call these teeth “supernumary” teeth. Hyperdontia, which represents about 1 – 3% of all dental anomalies, has a prevalence that ranges between 0.1-3.8% in permanent dentition and 0.35-0.6% in primary dentition.

Olgliodontia

Teeth Anomalies

Oligodontia is a rare genetic disorder which represents the congenital absence of more than six teeth in primary, permanent or both dentitions. It is a relatively rare condition affecting 0.1–0.2 % of the population.

Mesiodens

Teeth Anomalies

 Mesiodens is a supernumerary tooth present in the midline between the two central incisors. Mesiodentes are the most common supernumerary teeth, occurring in 0.15% to 1.9%of the population.

Dilaceration

Teeth Anomalies

Dilaceration is an abnormal bend in the root or crown of a tooth. Apical root dilaceration can affect 1 to 4.9 percent of all permanent teeth, with a higher incidence in female patients.

Oral Cancer, what you need to know.

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Approximately 1 in 800 British Columbians have a precancerous area in their mouth and about 3,200 Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Oral cancer is a disease of soft tissue not teeth, so it can also affect anyone even older adults who do not have their natural teeth.

Oral cancer generally has a high mortality rate due to late detection. Late-stage treatment of the disease can also result in disfigurement and affect daily activities such as eating. Oral cancer screening is a highly effective tool for identifying pre-cancerous lesions, and early detection may improve prognosis.

When to seek a screening.

If you have any areas of concern in your oral tissues, such as discolouration, unusual textures, lesions, or sensitivity you should contact your dentist for an exam. It is also important to have regular dental cleanings as your soft and hard oral tissues are all examined by the dentist as part of their routine examination.

What happens if my dentist finds an area of concern?

If your dentist finds a lesion or other unusual spot in your mouth they may recommend a VELscope assessment. A VELscope instrument is a system that relies on the loss of fluorescence in visible and non -visible high risk oral lesions that can be identified by applying direct fluorescence. In simpler terms, a special blue light is used to light your oral tissues that makes it easy to spot changes in the tissues.

If a lesion or other area is concerning we will perform a biopsy on the tissue and send the sample to the BC Oral Biopsy Service at Vancouver General Hospital for testing.

Who is High Risk?

People with a high risk of oral cancer may be more likely to benefit from oral cancer screening, though studies haven’t clearly proved that. Factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer include:

  • Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others
  • Heavy alcohol use
  • Previous oral cancer diagnosis
  • History of significant sun exposure, which increases the risk of lip cancer

Quiz Time – What do you know about teeth?

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Pop Quiz – how much do you know about your teeth and how to care for them?

1 – How many teeth does the average adult have?

A) 20

B) 28

C) 32

D) 36

2 – True or False: Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body

3 – How many litres of saliva can a human produce in a year?

A) 480L

B) 730L

C) 40L

D) 1,072L

4 – True or False: Teeth are the only part of the human body that can’t repair themselves

5 – How long does the average person spend each day brushing their teeth?

A) 48 seconds

B) 1 minute

C) 1 minute 16 seconds

D) 2 minutes

6 – True or False: Your adult teeth can grow back once extracted.

7 – How much of your tooth is below the gum line?

A) 1/2

B) 1/3rd

C) 1/5th

D) 1/8th

8 – True or False: Humans are born with 18 primary teeth below the gum line

9 – How often does your dentist recommend brushing and flossing your teeth?

A) Brush once daily, floss every other day

B) Brush twice daily, floss once per week

C) Brush twice daily, floss once per day

D) Brush after every meal, floss every time you brush

10 – True or False: If flossing causes your gums to bleed, you should avoid flossing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answer Key:

1  C,  The average adult has 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 bicuspids, 8 molars, and 4 wisdom teeth

2  True, enamel is even harder than bone!

3  B, 730L  now that is a lot!

4  True, teeth cannot repair themselves – that’s why we do fillings, root canals, crowns, etc…

5  A, you should be brushing 4 minutes each day! 2 minutes in the morning and 2 minutes before bed

6  False, most mammals cannot regrow their teeth – unlike reptiles and fish

7  B, 1/3rd of your tooth, (the root) is below your gum line. When it becomes exposed due to recession it can be very painful

8  False, infants have 20 teeth below the gum line waiting to erupt during teething (ouch!)

9  C, everyone should be brushing twice daily and floss once

10 False, When you floss often and regularly, the gum tissue between your teeth becomes more resilient and stops bleeding when flossed

Travelling Tooth Tips

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The world is opening up again and more and more people are travelling. Here’s how to keep your oral hygiene it’s best while on the road.

1. Schedule a dental appointment before your trip

If you are due for a cleaning and check up, now is the time to get it done. Your annual x-rays will find any problems that need to be sorted out before you leave – the last thing you want is to need emergency dental care on vacation! Have you had a dull or on and off tooth ache you’ve been avoiding? Travelling by air can aggravate it – get it checked before you leave.

2. Clean your travel bags

Most of us just throw our toothbrush into our toiletries bag when travelling. Can you remember the last time you cleaned the inside? Me neither. I know I don’t want my toothbrush bristles rubbing up against my spilled hair gel!

3. Dry it out!

Ideally, you shouldn’t pack your brush into a closed environment where it stays wet. The moisture will help to feed bacteria. Whenever possible, let your toothbrush dry out before it goes into a case or toothbrush holder. Since that’s not always possible, and you may need to pack it away wet, make a habit of unpacking your toothbrush, cleaning it and leaving it in an airy spot as soon as you arrive.

4. Forgot your toothpaste?

It’s easy to get toothpaste from a convenience store, but if you find yourself with a last minute missing toothpaste situation, don’t let that stop you from brushing. Use plain water and clean your teeth as you ordinarily would. Toothpaste is ideal but brushing without it is better than not brushing at all.

5. Can you trust the water?

When you’re used to clean drinking water on tap, you can forget that even brushing your teeth or rinsing your toothbrush with contaminated water could make you ill. Find out about local water quality, and if you need to drink bottled water in the country you’re visiting, be sure to brush your teeth and rinse your toothbrush with bottled water too.

6. Slow down on sugary treats

If you’re on holiday, you’re likely to spoil yourself with foods you don’t usually eat. And if you’re travelling overseas, you’ll be eager to try the local sweet treats and desserts. By all means enjoy your culinary holiday but take good care of your teeth too! Try to stick to one or two sweet treats a day and eat sugar-free gum afterwards to keep bacteria at bay.

Your teeth don’t get a holiday,  so be kind to them while you’re having a good time. A holiday may only last a few days or weeks, but your teeth must last a lot longer than that. Keep up your oral health routine, use these tips for oral health on the go, and have a great time!

Fluoride Benefits and Information

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Fluoride is a mineral which is naturally found in Canada’s water, food, soil, and air.

We have used fluoride to prevent tooth decay since the 1940’s. In fact, it has been scientifically proven to:

  • strengthen tooth enamel
  • lower the amount of acid in your mouth
  • rebuild minerals that make teeth stronger

Sources of fluoride to prevent tooth decay

Toothpaste

Brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay.

Water

Drinking water that contains an optimal level of fluoride helps prevent tooth decay.

Varnishes

Varnish prevents tooth decay in people who are at risk for the disease. Varnish should be painted on your teeth by someone who has been trained to do so.

Mouth rinses

Mouth rinses or mouthwashes prevent tooth decay in people who are at risk for the disease. Talk to your oral health professional before using them. Never give fluoridated mouth rinses or mouthwashes to children under 6 years of age. These rinses contain very high levels of fluoride, and young children are more likely to swallow them.

Gels and foams

Gels and foams are applied to the teeth to prevent tooth decay in people who are at risk for the disease. However, research shows that they do not work as well as varnish.

Supplements

Fluoride supplements are drops or tablets. Only take them if an oral health professional advises you to.

Effects on health

Fluoride is good for your teeth, but having too much can cause two potential effects on health:

  • dental fluorosis
  • skeletal fluorosis

Bad Breath and Bacteria

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Bad breath happens. If you’ve ever gotten that not-so-fresh feeling on a date, at a job interview or just talking with friends, you’re not alone. Studies show that 50 percent of adults have had bad breath, or halitosis, at some point in their lives. There are a number of reasons you might have breath odour. While many causes are harmless, it can sometimes be a sign of something more serious.

Bacteria

Bad breath can happen anytime thanks to the hundreds of types of bacteria that naturally lives in your mouth. Your mouth also acts like a natural hothouse that allows these bacteria to grow. When you eat, bacteria feed on the food left in your mouth and leaves a foul-smelling waste product behind.

Dry Mouth

Feeling parched? Your mouth might not be making enough saliva. Saliva is important because it works around the clock to wash out your mouth. If you don’t have enough, your mouth isn’t being cleaned as much as it should be. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems or by simply breathing through your mouth.

Gum Disease

Bad breath that just won’t go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, which is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque.

Food

Garlic, onions, coffee… The list of breath-offending foods is long, and what you eat affects the air you exhale.

Smoking and Tobacco

Smoking stains your teeth, puts you at risk for a host of health problems and contributes to mouth odour. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues, tobacco users are also more likely to suffer from gum disease.

Medical Conditions

If your dentist has ruled out other causes and you brush and floss every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney disease. In this case, see your healthcare provider.

How Can I Keep Bad Breath Away?

Brush and Floss

Brush twice daily and floss to get rid of odour causing bacteria.

Mouthwash

Over-the-counter mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask bad breath. The longer you wait to brush and floss away food in your mouth the more likely the odour will return.

Clean Your Dentures

If you wear dentures be sure to take them out at night and clean them thoroughly before using them again the next morning.

Keep That Saliva Flowing

To get more saliva moving in your mouth, try eating healthy foods that require a lot of chewing like carrots or apples. You can also try chewing sugar free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies.

Quit Smoking

Giving up smoking is good for your body in many ways. Not only will you have better breath, you’ll have a better quality of life.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

If you’re concerned about what’s causing your bad breath, make an appointment to see your dentist. Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth and stop them before they become more serious. By determining your mouth is healthy your dentist can refer you to your primary care doctor for tests.

Saba Sets Sail with Dr. Shahriary’s Office

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Chances are, if you have had a crown or bridge done in our office in the last few years it was made by Nassar at Saba Dental Lab. This August, our office was fortunate enough to be invited out on Nassar’s sail boat for an evening of delicious food and gorgeous sights in Deep Cove.

Dr. Ross helped Nassar dock the boat and fuel while Morgan and Nada earned their “sea legs”. Beth and Dani soaked up the child-free sunshine. A great time was had by all.

While on a quick stop over at Arm’s Reach Bistro for appetizers and drinks, Dr. Ross and Nassar realized they had a connection back home in Iran. Nassar’s lab used to make crown and bridge work for the hospital that Ross’s father helped build!

We feel so fortunate to have beautiful  Saba work in our patient’s mouths. His crowns and bridges look natural, they’re durable, and are of exceptional quality.

 

School snacks for healthy teeth

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With the return to school fast approaching our office sees the improvement in your child’s oral health. No more all-day summer snacking and slurping back sugary drinks.

The snacks you send in your child’s lunch can help keep their smile healthy all year long.

School Snacks, Dentist Approved:

  • Fresh fruit and crunchy vegetables. They’re high in fiber and will help fill up hungry tummies. Bonus: chewing crisp fruits and veggies can scrub away food particles and plaque.
    • While citrus fruits, such as oranges, and grapefruit are healthy and delicious,  citrus fruits contain citric acid which can cause enamel erosion. Moderation is important!
  • Unsalted and low-salt nuts, such as almonds or walnuts.
  • A lunch meat and cheese roll up.
  • Cottage cheese or low-sugar yogurt. Both are excellent sources of calcium and vitamin D, which promote healthy bones and teeth!
  • Peanut Butter (especially natural) is packed with fiber and protein. Spread on celery stalks, apple slices, or on wraps with bananas.
  • Small cubes of cheese. Especially cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and other aged cheeses. These cheeses trigger the flow of saliva which helps to wash food particles away from teeth.
  • Choose water instead of soda or juice!

Uh-Oh! School Snacks to Avoid:

  Dried fruit, fruit leathers and fruit snacks
Not only are they loaded with sugar, but these snacks are gooey and sticky and cling to the surface of teeth and gums.

  • Energy, protein or granola bars
    These may seem like a good choice, but they are very similar to candy bars in the amount of sugar and calories. Many contain sticky dried fruit that cling to teeth  long after the snack is eaten.
  • Cracker snacks
    White flour crackers like goldfish, graham crackers, and bagel chips also stick to teeth. These types of crackers contain carbohydrates that turn into sugar when broken down. Try healthier alternatives like whole grain crackers and triscuits.
  • Sports drinks
    Sports drinks contain extra calories and high levels of sugar, almost as much as soda. They are also  acidic and can contribute to enamel erosion.

Call today for your back-to-school cleaning!

Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

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Nowadays, Cosmetic dentistry is growing at a rapid pace. All thanks to this improving industry which has made the dental procedures more and more affordable for people.

The most affordable cosmetic dentistry procedures THAT  we are going to help you with are:

1-Teeth Bleaching

Do you have discolored teeth? Do you want them to shine bright? If yes, it’s quite a cheap dental process and the best part is that it doesn’t come with any side effects.

2-Tooth Contouring & Reshaping

If you have a misshapen or chipped tooth for some reason, try the tooth contouring and reshaping treatment. It’s one of the painless dental processes that will help you feel good about your teeth and your smile.

3-Dental Crowns

Trying to fix your bad breath? Tired of chips, cracks, and cavities? Try dental crowns!

These crowns are basically dental molds that help by improving the visual quality of your teeth.

4-Composite Dental Bonding

Do you wish to get your tooth’s structure fixed? Or want a treatment that can help in improving your tooth’s strength?

The composite dental bonding is so far the best thing you can try. It’s a cheap process and it will fix almost all your major teeth issues.

Always there are options to fix your teeth and have your beautiful smile back.

If you like to check your options for cosmetic dentistry, don`t hesitate to call us at 604 936-1263 and make an appointment with Dr.Ross.

Happy Holidays from Dr.Ross and Staff

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Wishing you a sparkling holiday season 

May your smiles be Merry and White!