Blog
Fillings
January 30, 2012General
Fillings When you go for a dental exam, your dentist checks your fillings and may suggest that you replace any loose or broken ones. Your dentist also looks for signs of decay, such as brown or black spots and may want to use X-rays to take a closer look at problem spots. If you have a cavity, your dentist may keep an eye on it (if it's small) or fill it right away. If a large cavity is not filled, it can get bigger and cause pain. The tooth may even have to be removed and replaced with a false…
Dental Procedures
January 23, 2012General
Dental Procedures Because dentists believe the best teeth are your own teeth, modern dental offices perform many different dental procedures to make sure you keep your teeth. Your dentist may recommend a treatment or procedure to restore or replace a tooth that has been lost or damaged or to improve the appearance, health and function of your teeth. Some of these procedures are straightforward, while others are more involved. The information in this section has been provided to help you understand the different treatments and procedures available to keep your smile healthy. Bonding and Veneers — Bonding and veneers make…
Flouride
January 16, 2012General
General 1. What is fluoride? Fluoride is a mineral found in soil, water (both fresh and salt) and various foods. 2. How does fluoride prevent tooth decay? Fluoride has a positive effect on oral health by making teeth more resistant to decay. Fluoride can also prevent or even reverse tooth decay that has started. 3. Where do I get the fluoride that prevents tooth decay? For many Canadians, fluoride is in public drinking water, which provides protection to the entire community. Fluoride toothpastes and rinses are available for purchase, and your dentist can provide professional fluoride products such as gels…
Early Childhood Tooth Decay
January 9, 2012General
Early Childhood Tooth Decay Once your child has teeth, he is susceptible to tooth decay. Mother's milk, formula, cow's milk and fruit juice all contain sugars. Babies may get early childhood tooth decay from going to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. Unrestricted at-will breast-feeding at night may increase the risk of tooth decay, although the majority of breast-fed children do not experience this early childhood disease. It can happen to children up to age four. Once your child has teeth, lift his or her lips once a month and check the teeth. Look for dull white…
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…