Fluoride plays an essential role in achieving optimal dental health, which matches its nickname as natures cavity fighter. Fluoride helps repair and protect our teeth from damage. It is a naturally occuring mineral found in food and water that replace minerals that were lost from damage. There are many ways of consuming fluoride, but the main sources are from fluoridated... read more »
A dental sealant is a protective coating placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay. It is typically done on primary (baby) teeth for someone susceptible to caries, but can be beneficial for permanent teeth as well. They can last years if taken well and prevent the need for spending time and money on... read more »
Crown and bridge is a common procedure in dentistry to replace one or more missing teeth. There are many steps to this procedure. The first step is to assess if you can even get the procedure. To get a crown and bridge, you must have strong supportive teeth beside the tooth that needs to be replaced. You must also... read more »
Removing plaque with daily brushing is an essential part of a good oral hygiene routine and promotes optimal dental health. However, people may not put much consideration into the type of toothbrush they use. While manual toothbrushes is very common to see, electric toothbrushes surpass manual ones in many ways. Research shows electric toothbrushes can remove up to 70% more... read more »
You may have heard the term root canal and wondered what it is or why people may need one. Well, a root canal is a dental procedure that removes the infected pulp (the nerve of the tooth) and fills the chamber with rubber material before sealing it in. The goal is to remove the infection from inside the tooth to... read more »
How to Avoid Gingivitis What is Gingivitis? Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease causing irritation, swelling and redness of the gum. Gingivitis is often due to a buildup of bacteria and plaque, a sticky layer of food debris and bacteria. This triggers an inflammatory response causing the gums to be swollen and tender. Gingivitis does not cause bone... read more »
What is cleft lip or cleft palate? Cleft lip or cleft palate are most commonly seen in new borns as most parents choose to have the cleft lip or palate fixed through surgeries. It is one of the most common birth defects. The causes of a cleft lip or palate include: genetics Smoking or cosumption of alcohol during pregnancy Deficiency... read more »
What is dental abcess? Dental abcess or a periodontal abscess is a pocket full of pus. Dental abscess has many causes and locations it can occur in. The most common is caused by a cavity that was left untreated and now the bacteria has reached the inside of the tooth and gums. The bacterial pus accumulates in a pocket and... read more »
What are mouth ulcers, causes and preventions? There are many types of mouth ulcers, however, the most common is the aphthous ulcer. You probably know this as a canker sore. These are generally not harmful, just a little irritating. The main causes of canker sores aren't known however they could be due to acidic foods/beverages, stress and injuries to the... read more »
What is GERD, how does it impact our teeth, causes and preventions? GERD, more commonly known as acid reflux is a digestive condition many individuals face. The sphincter in our stomach that prevents the acidic stomach juices from going back up in the mouth is weakened, allowing those acidic juices to go back in the mouth. The weakned sphincter allows... read more »