Dental
Health
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1. Nothing by mouth (food or drink) 2 hours
prior to procedure
1. It normally takes 2 to 3 hours for the
freezing to subside. Be careful not to bite your lops, tongue, or cheek on
the operated side. Exercise caution when drinking hot beverages. 2. It is normal for the operated tooth to be sensitive to hot and cold for several weeks. If sensitivity persists, please call us. 3 If the bite on the filling feels high after the freezing subsides, please call to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to adjust the filling. This takes only a few short minutes and prevents further discomfort. Resting your jaw Keep your Teeth apart Practice Good Posture Eat Soft Foods Applying Ice and Heat Ice Heat and Ice Exercising your Jaw Open and Close Taking Medications Fluoride is a natural element that can be found in many things, like the water we drink and the food we eat. Decades ago, scientists began to notice that children who lived in places where fluoride occurred naturally in the water, had fewer dental cavities. Fluoride that is absorbed by your body is used by the cells that build your teeth to make stronger enamel. Topical fluoride - fluoride that is applied to the outside of the enamel - makes the crystals that form enamel more durable. Tooth enamel crystals that have fluoride are much more resistant to acid. They are less likely to breakdown and cause the tooth surface to become porous. If your dentist recommends a fluoride treatment during your next dental visit, you'll be receiving topical protection. The fluoride your dentist puts in your mouth will help make the crystals in your tooth enamel stronger. Always use a toothpaste with fluoride. Look for the Canadian Dental Association seal of approval on the toothpaste tube in your bathroom. Brushing alone isn't enough to clean all of the plaque from the surface of your teeth. Interproximal areas (those places in between your teeth) and below the gumline are two spots where the toothbrush can't reach and plaque can build up. These are areas that are more susceptible to cavities. Daily flossing and regular visits to your dentist are the only effective ways to remove this plaque. Dental fact: Dental floss is a man-made fibre (usually made of nylon) that comes on a spool. Ask your parents or your dentist how to correctly use dental floss if you're not sure. Why do we brush our teeth? What's the best kind of brush to use? Your tooth enamel is relatively thin. Years of aggressive brushing can begin to wear away the enamel and make the teeth sensitive. (Remember, the enamel on your teeth does not contain nerve fibres, but the dentin layer underneath does. See the Healthy Teeth page on Cavities.) Brushing too hard can also damage your gums. There are different styles of toothbrushing. The important thing to remember is that an effective brushing cleans every exposed tooth surface in a gentle, massaging motion. How long do you take to brush your teeth? Most people think they brush for at least a minute or two, but in reality they brush for 30 seconds or less. Time yourself and see how you do. An effective brushing takes 2 - 3 minutes. How does your dentist know when you have a cavity developing between your teeth, or a wisdom tooth beneath the gumline that isn't growing in properly? Dental x-rays provide a picture of what's happening in areas we normally cannot see. Early decay, impacted teeth, abscesses and bone loss from gum disease are all things that dental x-rays reveal. When the nerve in a tooth is badly damaged, either by an accidental trauma or because of dental decay, sometimes your dentist (or a dental specialist like an Endodontist) will perform Root Canal Therapy, where a hole is made into the tooth and the damaged nerve (or pulp) is removed with a special file and replaced with a filling material. Usually the tooth is later fitted with a new top called a Crown to help it remain strong.
You and your dentist determine how often you need to visit the dentist. Your dentist suggests how often you need to visit based on the state of your oral health. The state of your oral health is influenced by what you do between dental appointments. Ask yourself the following questions:
The answers to these questions are all factors that affect your oral health. They will help you and your dentist decide how often you need to visit for check-ups. Some people visit once a year and some people visit every three months, however most people fall into the six-month range. It's worth noting that you should not determine your need for dental care on what your dental plan covers. Do I need x-rays at each visit? How often you need to have x-rays also depends on your oral health. A healthy adult who has not had cavities or other problems for a couple of years probably won't need x-rays at every appointment. If your dental situation is less stable and your dentist is monitoring your progress, you may require more frequent x-rays. If you are not sure why a particular x-ray is being taken, ask your dentist. Remember that dental x-rays deliver very little radiation and they are a vital tool for your dentist to ensure that small problems don't develop into bigger ones. Asking questions and getting answers is a part of good health care.
Your health is very important to your dentist. One of the ways that your dentist helps you stay healthy is by preventing the spread of germs. One of the best ways to do this is to use barrier protection such as gloves and masks. Your dentist and other dental team members also wash their hands regularly. In addition, they sterilize equipment used in the dental office and clean the furniture and fixtures in the examining rooms. This system is referred to as "universal precautions." It means that every patient is treated in the same way because patients don't always know if they're sick. It's always better to be safe than sorry. If you would like to know how this system is carried out in your dentist's office, ask to be shown how it's done. Dentists welcome the opportunity to ease their patients' concerns, rather than have them leave the office with unanswered questions. Once you see the work that goes into making the dental office a clean and safe environment, you will feel reassured. It is worth noting that even though universal precautions are used, it is still important to tell your dentist of changes in your health. This will help your dentist suggest the right choices of treatment for you. What's the difference between the bleaching I can do at home with a kit from the store and the bleaching that my dentist does? Dentists have been doing what's called "non-vital" bleaching for many years. Non-vital bleaching is done on a damaged, darkened tooth that has had root canal treatment. "Vital" bleaching is done on healthy teeth and has become more popular in recent years. Vital bleaching , also called whitening, may be carried out in the dental office or the dentist may instruct the patient on how to do the bleaching at home. There is also a wide variety of products for sale in stores. Not all products are the same and not all give you the same results. Different products, including those used by dentists, may also have different risks and side effects. Here is an overview:
Patients should be aware that the long-term use of whitening or bleaching products may cause tooth sensitivity or tooth abrasion. Please consult with your dentist before using a whitening or bleaching product
Very. Nine out of 10 Canadians will
develop gum disease at some time in their lives. It is the most common
dental problem, and it can progress quite painlessly until you have a real
problem. That's why it is so important to prevent gum disease before it
becomes serious. Prevention is the most important factor in the fight against gum disease.
It is essential to keep your teeth and gums clean. Brush your teeth properly
at least twice a day and floss at least once every 24 hours.
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