Blog
Dental Care for Seniors
December 19, 2011Dental Tips
Dental Care for Seniors Canadians of all ages can enjoy good oral health and benefit from regular professional dental care. Provided you look after them, your teeth and gums will look good and stay healthy for life. As you age, however, you may need to make a few changes in the way you care for your teeth and gums. If you need advice on looking after your teeth and gums, or those of a dependent relative or friend, your dentist and the Canadian Dental Association can provide you with valuable information. You are never too old to have healthy teeth…
Children’s Dental Development
December 19, 2011General
Dental Development All twenty baby (or primary) teeth come in by the time your child is two or three years old. Primary Teeth This chart tells you when baby teeth come in (or erupt) in most children. If your child is getting his or her teeth and seems to be in pain, you can: rub the gums with a clean finger, or rub the gums with the back of a small, cool spoon. If your child is still unhappy, your dentist, pharmacist or doctor can suggest an over-the-counter medicine to ease the pain. Here's what you should not do: Do…
Cleaning Your Child’s Teeth
December 12, 2011Dental Tips
Cleaning Teeth Young children are not able to clean their own teeth. As a parent, you must do it for them when they are very young and do it with them, as they get older. When your child can write (not print) his or her name, your child is ready to do a good job brushing. You should check to make sure your child does a good job. You should start cleaning your child's mouth even before your child has teeth. It gets both you and your child into the habit of keeping the mouth clean, and it gives baby…
The Dental Exam
December 5, 2011Advice
Regular dental exams are the best way to make sure your gums and teeth stay healthy. The dental exam allows your dentist to diagnose any problems, and to take preventive action to stop problems before they develop. Your dentist is trained to look for anything unusual in your mouth, throat and neck, including the oral manifestations of diseases, oral cancer, infections, the early signs of gum disease, eroded fillings and dental decay. Your dentist understands the treatment alternatives available to you, and can help you make informed decisions about your dental care. But you have a role to play too…
Flossing & Brushing
November 28, 2011Dental Tips
To have good dental health, you need a mix of personal dental care, and the care of your dentist. Flossing Flossing removes plaque and bacteria that you cannot reach with your toothbrush. If you don't floss, you are missing more than one-third of your tooth surface. Plaque is the main cause of gum disease. It is an invisible bacterial film that develops on your teeth every day. Within 24 to 36 hours, plaque hardens into tartar (also called calculus), which can only be removed by professional cleaning. Floss at least once a day, and plaque never gets the…