Are Root canals painful and cause health problems? No, root canals are not painful and do not cause other health problems, though you may feel some mild, temporary soreness afterward. The pain is from the infection before the procedure, and the treatment itself is done with anesthesia, making it relatively painless. The idea that root canals cause illness is an... read more »
Should You should rinse your mouth after brushing? No, you should not rinse with water after brushing your teeth, as this washes away beneficial fluoride. Spitting out the excess toothpaste allows the fluoride to remain on your teeth, strengthening your enamel and making it more resistant to decay. If you feel the need to rinse, consider a very small amount... read more »
How to Prevent Dry Socket To prevent dry sockets, protect the blood clot by doing rest, gentle rinsing, drinking water, eating soft foods, and keeping your head elevated. One of the most important things in preventing dry sockets is making sure you don't smoke/vape, use straws, spit forcefully, rinse vigorously, eat hard/crunchy/spicy foods, use alcoholic mouthwash, and do not do... read more »
Sleep apnea negatively impacts oral health by causing dry mouth due to mouth breathing, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It can also lead to bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching), causing tooth wear and gum recession. Poor sleep quality and associated depression can also result in poor oral hygiene, further contributing to plaque buildup and decay. You can... read more »
Many clients that visit Scarborough dental offices don't know that diet soda is almost equally bad for their teeth as normal soda. While diet soda contains no sugar, it can cause significant tooth decay through high acidity, which erodes tooth enamel just as effectively as the acid produced by sugar. This means switching from regular to diet soda does... read more »
A dental crown becomes the only viable option to save a tooth when the tooth's structural integrity is severely compromised and insufficient natural tooth structure remains to support a filling. This typically occurs in specific situations where a filling would not provide enough strength or protection. Key reasons a dental crown is necessary: Extensive Decay: When a cavity is... read more »
Signs that a dental crown may need replacement include pain or sensitivity, visible cracks or wear, looseness, and discoloration or a bad taste around the crown. Other indicators are gum recession, swelling or irritation around the crown, and difficulty chewing. Common signs to watch for: Pain or sensitivity: You may feel discomfort when biting or eating hot/cold foods, which... read more »
To care for braces, maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing after every meal and flossing daily with the help of tools like a floss threader or interdental brush. You must also avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can damage your braces, such as popcorn, hard candy, and gum. It is also important to continue with regular professional dental... read more »
how to tell if a toothache is an infection? Many clients that visit our family dentistry initially just brush off tooth aches and don't attempt to tend them, but many toothaches are actually involved with infections. A toothache is likely an infection if it involves throbbing or severe pain that may spread to your jaw, neck, or ear, especially if... read more »
Invisalign vs. braces: pros and cons Invisalign is nearly invisible, removable, and often more comfortable, but requires strict adherence to the 20-22 hour wear time and is best for mild to moderate cases. Braces are more effective for complex issues, are a fixed option, but are more noticeable, may cause more discomfort, and require dietary restrictions and more challenging cleaning.... read more »