Modern X-ray machines limit the radiation beam to the small area, so the dose of radiation you are exposed to is extremely small.

Professionally applied tooth bleaching products are safe. These products use hydrogen peroxide and can be used together with a light or laser.

The frequency of dental exams depends on your dental health care needs. You should visit your dentist at least once per year.

Brushing
1: Use a soft toothbrush for thorough and gentle cleaning.

2: Hold your brush at a 45 degree angle. Begin by brushing the outside of the front teeth. Use gentle, half-tooth wide, back and forth strokes.

3: Next, brush the outside back teeth, starting along the gumline.

4: For the inside back teeth, use short, angled brush strokes.

5: For the inside front teeth, tilt the brush vertically, and use an up-and-down motion.

6: For the chewing surfaces, hold the brush flat, and use a gentle motion.

Flossing

1: Wind 12 inches (the length of your forearm) of floss around your two middle fingers.

2: Gently guide the floss between teeth.

3: To remove plaque and debris, gently move the floss up and down against the tooth.

4: As you move from tooth to tooth, use a fresh section of floss each time.

Most importantly, if your dental professional has given you any special instructions, be sure to follow them precisely.

So you were in a hurry, you picked up your mouthwash and had a quick rinse before you left the house, that’s as good as brushing …right? WRONG!

Mouthwashes are effective at masking bad breath and as effective as rinsing with water with regards to removing surface particles.

Don’t get me wrong, I like to rinse with my favourite minty wash before I head out for the day, but it is no substitute for brushing and flossing.

In fact, a mouthwash is most effective right after a good brush and floss as it rinses away anything that was loosened and kills bacteria that still remain behind.

Do you think that you are too old for braces? Are repeat visits to our offices unlikely to fit your schedule? You can often eliminate embarrassing spaces without the intrusive nature of braces or other costly, time consuming procedures. Of the several procedural options available to you, one that may fit your budget, time constraints and needs is called bonding.

Bonding has become a very common procedure and can usually be completed in one, short, comfortable visit.
What is Bonding? Continue reading here.

Tooth decay describes the break down of strong healthy teeth over time. Your tooth’s surface is composed of a hard mineral coating called enamel. Enamel is the hardest tissue in your body, but by no means indestructible. Actually, enamel is exposed to bacteria all day which produce plaque. Plaque is the substance that covers your teeth and eats away at the enamel causing the holes known as cavities.

Brushing your teeth, flossing and regular dental visits will help keep plaque under control. Leaving plaque on your teeth leads to tartar buildup which brushing and flossing alone can not remove. Letting plaque get out of control can lead to many oral problems ranging from bad breath and cavities to gum recession Periodontal disease and tooth loss.

Proper oral hygiene is important not only for your appearance, but also for your overall health. Improper oral hygiene may lead to infection, gum disease, bone and tooth loss, circulation and cardiovascular disease, and even strokes.

Why is cleaning part of good oral hygiene?

Oral Cancer
As part of the cleaning, you are also screened for oral cancer, which is curable if diagnosed and treated early.

Gum Disease
If gum disease is diagnosed early, it can be reversed through treatment.

It’s in our water, our toothpaste and we are even treated with it when we visit the dentist, but what exactly is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in the earths crust and throughout nature. Fluoride is used widely in dentistry to combat tooth decay.

It does this in three ways:

Fluoride aids in the remineralization of your teeth – this is the process that replenishes the calcium and phosphorous that keeps your teeth hard.
Fluoride makes the tooth more resistant to the formation of tooth decay.
Fluoride inhibits oral bacteria’s ability to create acids.
Consuming the small amount that is often added in public drinking water has been shown to reduce your risk of tooth decay.

If you have any questions or concerns about fluoride ask us on your next visit, we’d be pleased to answer them.

Common symptoms of a dental emergency and possible infection include:

– Sharp pain when biting down
– Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods
– Dull pain and pressure
– Sharp, acute and intense pain
– Local tenderness and swelling in the gum.