You’ve heard your entire life that you need to brush twice and floss every day. But have you ever stopped to consider if you are brushing correctly? As it turns out, there are bad ways to brush as well as recommended ways. If you want to have a successful dental check up and healthy teeth, use these tips to help you get there:
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Your child’s teeth are a reflection of their growth and maturity; a signal that those sweet newborn and infant days are coming to an end. New things are on the horizon when that first tooth breaks through: solid foods, teething rings, and even bite marks on your furniture!
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If there’s any dental treatment that has acquired a bad reputation because of old wives’ tales, it’s root canals. Fortunately, modern endodontic therapy is easier than ever. At Pier Dental Centre, we tell our patients that it’s a lot like getting a filling, it just takes a little bit longer.
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The purpose of prescription antibiotics is to kill bacteria that are causing an infection. Sometimes, when antibiotics are used frequently, bacteria start to become resistant to treatment. Antibiotic resistance develops naturally but is exacerbated by overuse and incorrect use of medication. Once bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, the resistant bacteria can spread the same way as normal bacteria do, and infections then become more difficult to treat.
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Your body requires a number of nutrients for optimal health, and your teeth and gums are no exception. The best way to ensure you are receiving enough vitamins and minerals is to eat primarily whole foods and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
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The festive season between Halloween and winter holidays is often accompanied by a surge of sugary treats and drinks, especially for children. When sugar mixes with bacteria in the mouth it forms a mild acid that can damage tooth enamel and lead to decay. The longer and more frequently children have sugar in their mouths, the more their teeth are at risk. Your family or pediatric dentist can help you plan for the season and incorporate dental care for children into your holiday routine. Below are a few suggestions to get started.
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A common question that patients are asked when they visit the dental office is, “How often do you floss your teeth?” Although daily flossing is recommended, most people don’t do it. Some people floss occasionally, and up to a third of North Americans actually lie to their dentist about how often they floss. Flossing may seem less important or less rewarding because it doesn’t have the immediate benefits of a clean mouth feel and fresh, minty breath. If you don’t floss, however, you are missing more than one third of your tooth surface where your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque and bacteria are not removed from between the teeth, the plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed with professional cleaning. The bacteria between your teeth is also the leading cause of gum disease.
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Questions about wisdom teeth are common in the dental office. What are wisdom teeth? Why do they need to be removed? How can you tell if they need to be removed? To help answers these questions, here are some key facts and guidelines about wisdom teeth. The average adult has thirty two teeth. Front teeth are designed to bite, and back teeth (molars) are designed to chew and grind food. Wisdom teeth are referred to as third molars because they are the last of the back molars to grow in (usually between ages 17 – 21). The trouble is, the average mouth is made to hold only twenty eight teeth, not thirty two.
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Dental check-ups are known to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle and many dentist recommend an appointment every six months. You may wonder why regular dental exams are encouraged and what exactly your dentist is checking for.
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On Wednesday, March 4, the World Health Organization (WHO) released updated recommendations for sugar consumption, warning that added sugar increases the risk of tooth decay, obesity, and other health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Top Vancouver dentists agree that sugar is a leading cause of dental problems. A balanced and nutritious diet is best for both your general health and your dental health.
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