Make Your Dental Visits a Success

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Dentist

At least twice a year, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist. These visits allow your dentist to assess you oral health, address any concerns you have, and look for signs of problems. Protecting your teeth and gums is a partnership between you and your dentist. For the best results, follow these helpful hints:

Find the right dentist
Selecting a provider and dental office that fits your personality will make you more likely to keep your appointments.

Provide an accurate health history
Although your dentist’s primary concern is your mouth, overall wellness can impact your dental health. For example, chronic health issues like diabetes and HIV can increase your risk for gum disease.

Bring a list of current medications
Your dentist needs to know the names and dosages of any medicine you take regularly. Certain medications, such as pain relievers, allergy medicines, and anti-depressants, can cause dry mouth, which may make you susceptible to dental problems.

Report any issues right away
Sometimes, you may develop a toothache or notice bleeding gums between your visits. Don’t ignore these symptoms because they may indicate bigger problems. The longer you wait to address any issues, the more time and money you will lose.

Share your fears
For some people, dental visits cause anxiety or fear. Let your dentist know exactly what worries you. Most doctors want you to feel relaxed and comfortable, so they will take time to answer your questions and help you feel at ease.

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Interesting Dental Tidbits

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Dentist

While most people know the basics about dental health, like brush twice daily and schedule routine checkups, those facts may be all they know. You can expand your dental knowledge to learn more information about dentistry. Modern dental care has helped protect our oral health and smiles, but these little factoids will impress your friends and family!

• Before anyone invented toothpaste, people used mixtures of lemon juice, charcoal, ashes or even a mixture of tobacco and honey to clean their teeth.
• In China, September 20th is Love Your Teeth day.
• At one time, people used twigs or their fingers to brush their teeth.
• Years ago, bad teeth were considered an issue for rich people because only individuals with money could afford sweets, which created cavities and rotted teeth.
• One poll found that 73 percent of people would rather grocery shop than floss their teeth.
• The Ancient Greeks were the first to use pliers to extract teeth.
• During the 1600s, Japanese women made their teeth black as a sign of loyalty to their husbands.
• Blue toothbrushes are more popular than red ones.
• A beautiful smile can make you seem more attractive, intelligent, and successful to people you meet.
• On average, women smile 62 times a day, and men smile just 15.
• George Washington’s famous dentures were constructed from ivory, gold, lead and a mixture of human, donkey and hippopotamus teeth.
• Your tooth prints are just as unique as your fingerprints, even for identical twins.
• In 1866, Lucy Hobbs became the first woman to earn a D.D.S. degree, graduating from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery in Cincinnati, OH.

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Understanding Restorative Dentistry

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Dentist

Even when you take the right steps with your oral health, your teeth may need repair at some point. Restorative dentistry focuses on strengthening damaged teeth and replacing missing teeth. Modern technology allows dentists to create solid, attractive restorations that won’t compromise your smile’s beauty. Fillings, crowns, dental implants, and dentures are often used to revive a worn-out smile.

What is the difference between a filling and a crown?
For small cavities, your dentist can generally remove the decay and place a filling. When your tooth sustains more extensive damage, you may need a dental crown. With a crown, or cap, the restoration covers the entire tooth area above the gum line, restoring stability and function.

I have several missing teeth. What are my options?
Lost teeth can negatively impact your appearance and oral health. Partial dentures, dental bridges, and implants can close gaps in your smile and improve your dental health. Your dentist will examine your mouth and then explain your options in detail.

How do I know if I am a candidate for implants?
Generally, individuals need to be in good overall health and have sufficient bone mass to support the implants, tiny metal posts surgically positioned into your gums. If your dentist is concerned, he or she may recommend a bone graft before implant therapy.

What is a root canal?
If a tooth experiences deep decay or a traumatic injury, the soft inner core called pulp may die, halting the supply of blood and nutrients to the tooth. Pressure and infection build inside the tooth. Without treatment, you could lose the tooth. During a root canal, your dentist will remove the diseased tissue, sanitize the area, and seal the tooth to prevent future issues.

Restorative Dentistry at Dentistry on King in Toronto, Canada

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Make Your Brushing Count

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Dentist

While most people understand the importance of brushing twice a day, they may not realize that how you brush is also critical to protecting your oral health. Brushing is designed to remove food and bacteria from your mouth. The technique you use and steps you take play an important part in your success. At your checkups, your hygienist can offer suggestions to help you maximize your home care routine.

Brushing Tips

• Place your toothbrush under running water to soften the bristles. Then, apply a small dab of fluoride toothpaste to the brush.
• Plan to brush for at least two minutes. Set a timer or sing a song like “Happy Birthday” in your head to devote adequate time on this task.
• Choose the right tool. Pick a toothbrush that has soft bristles and has a comfortable handle so that you won’t have an excuse not to brush.
• Gently brush your teeth in a circular motion and spend 5 to 10 seconds on each tooth. Start on one side of your mouth and work your way across to reach all your teeth.
• Cover all your bases. Make sure to brush your teeth, gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth.
• Get into the groove. Don’t brush too harshly because it can damage your gums and weaken tooth enamel. If you don’t brush firmly enough, though, you may not remove the bacteria and debris from your teeth and gums.
• Remember to care for your toothbrush. Always rinse it after you finish. Also, you need to replace your toothbrush or brush head every two to three months.

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The Value of Dental X-rays

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Dentist

Though you may schedule your checkups every six month, dental X-rays are an important component in protecting your oral health. With dental X-rays, your dentist can get a better picture of what’s going on inside your mouth. Advances in technology have made digital X-rays the preferred choice of many dentists.

Why are X-rays important?
Not all oral health problems can be seen with a visual inspection. X-rays allow your dentist to locate hidden abnormalities, like tooth decay under a restoration, signs of gum disease, infections, bone changes, and other issues. Finding small problems before they escalate can save you time and money as well as protect your smile.

Are dental X-rays dangerous?
Most practices use digital X-rays, which emit 90 percent less radiation than traditional techniques. Radiation exposure from dental X-rays is actually very low.

How often should I have X-rays?
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including age, risk for dental health problems, and current oral condition. If you are a new patient, the dentist may want to take X-rays to serve as a baseline for future comparison. Typically, adults have full X-rays every 12 to 24 months.

Are there different types of dental X-rays?
Yes. Bite-wings provide details of the upper and lower teeth in one area of the mouth and help identify decay between teeth. Periapical X-rays capture an image of the entire tooth. Panoramic X-rays show all the teeth, on both the upper and lower jaws, on a single X-ray.

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Getting Ready for Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Dentist

Most children get their first tooth between 6 and 12 months. By age three, you should start regular dental visits to promote a healthy smile. Having a positive experience as a child can carry over into how a person feels about trips to the dentist as an adult. For children from 3 to 12, you may want to consider a pediatric dentist because they specialize in caring for young patients.

You can help your child have successful dental visits by:

Relaxing
If you feel nervous, your child will sense your concerns. As an adult, you may have dental anxiety, but you need to keep those feelings from your child. By conveying confidence about seeing the dentist, you communicate that everything is alright.

Choosing your words carefully
Avoid words that have a negative connotation. Don’t talk about shots, needles, or pain because it could cause unnecessary stress for your child.

Using props
Go to the library and check out books about trips to the dentist, or look online for coloring sheets and other fun activities that will make your child feel excited about the appointment. You could also see if any pre-school shows, like “Blues Clues”, “Caillou” or “Sesame Street”, have episodes that relate to visiting the dentist for the first time.

Offering brief explanations
When you child asks question about the appointment, provide short, accurate answers. If you son or daughter wants to know what will happen, explain that a hygienist will clean the teeth and then the dentist will look inside his or her mouth.

Dentistry on King – Dr. David Cheng – Toronto Canada – Pediatric Dentistry

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Test Your Dental IQ

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Dentist

You may understand the basics of dental care, like brushing two times a day, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist for check-ups, but people often miss other important information. To ensure a healthy smile for life, you need to make oral care a priority. Take the following quiz to see how much you know about protecting your teeth and gums.

True or False: Baby teeth will fall out anyway, so they don’t really matter.
Answer: False
Not only do primary teeth serve as placeholders until your child’s permanent teeth arrive, but they also make chewing possible and help with speech development. Care for baby teeth as you would permanent teeth by brushing and flossing regularly.

True or False: My smile looks great, so I don’t have a problem.
Answer: False
Often, people develop issues such as gum disease or tooth decay, and they experience few signs of trouble. Even oral cancer can begin with mild symptoms such as a sore throat or lesion that doesn’t heal. Regular checkups will allow your dentist to thoroughly examine your mouth and monitor your oral health.

True or False: Oral health impacts overall wellness.
Answer: True
Research ahs linked gum disease with serious health conditions like osteoporosis, diabetes complications, pre-term labor, and Alzheimer’s. Taking good care of your teeth and gums will help promote total body health.

True or False: Bones are the hardest substance in the body.
Answer: False
Actually, enamel, the outside covering of your tooth, earns that distinction. Protect tooth enamel by rinsing with water after you eat, avoiding excessive amounts of sugary treats or sodas, and brushing twice a day.

True or False: Flossing is just as important as brushing.
Answer: True
Brushing alone won’t completely clean your mouth. Floss removes plaque and food particles from between teeth and next to the gum line, which helps prevent gum disease and decay.

Dentistry on King – Dr. David Cheng – Toronto Canada

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Debunking Root Canal Myths

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Dentist

Everyone has heard some variation of the phrase, “It’s worse than a root canal.” Inaccurate information and common misperceptions about root canal therapy have given this dental procedure a bad rap. Understanding the purpose of a root canal, what the procedure really entails, and how it helps save a damaged tooth can alleviate unnecessary concerns.

Myth: Root canals cause tremendous pain.
Truth: The discomfort you experience actually comes from the infection and pressure that build up in the tooth when the pulp, or nerve center of the tooth, dies. Cleaning out the inside of the tooth and sealing it off will alleviate your pain.

Myth: A root canal takes several appointments.
Truth: Usually, your doctor can complete a root canal in one to two visits. The extent of the infection and difficulty of the procedure determine how much time you will spend in the dental chair.

Myth: Having a root canal can cause a serious illness.
Truth: The idea that endodontic therapy will cause illness, such as heart disease, kidney problems, or arthritis, stems from outdated and unsupported research during the 1930s.

Myth: My tooth will hurt if I need a root canal.
Truth: Although your tooth may throb or offer other indications of infection, some teeth die without any signs of trouble. During your checkup, the dentist will thoroughly examine each tooth to check for problems you may not notice.

Myth: Extracting the tooth is a better option.
Truth: Whenever possible, it is best to keep your original teeth, and a root canal can help save an injured tooth. Having an incomplete smile can cause alignment problems, uneven tooth wear, and additional tooth loss.

Dentistry on King – Dr. David Cheng – Toronto, Canada – Myths about Root Canal

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iPhone Apps that Promote Oral Health

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Dentist

As each new version of the iPhone is released, you can find apps for just about anything. The various apps range from fun to helpful to bizarre. Health-related apps are continuing to grow in popularity. A number of apps exist that relate specifically to dental health. As with other apps, the cost varies for dental health apps.

Check out these cool iPhone apps:

Brush
This app serves as a toothbrush timer and lets you know when to begin brushing a different area of your mouth.

Brush It Up
Designed to teach kids skills for effectively brush teeth, this game app increases in difficulty over time.

CavityFree 3-D
Using 3-D tutorials, the CavityFree 3-D app teaches patients the correct techniques for brushing and flossing teeth. People with braces may find this app particularly helpful.

Checkdent
A good source of information, this app offers the latest podcasts about dental health and current treatments, including topics like implants, bleaching, braces, and gum disease

iPhone Nutrition
With this app, you can enter a certain food and receive all the nutritional information you need, which helps you to maintain a healthy diet.

Tooth Brushing Motivator
Created by MOTIVETRIX, this app guides and encourages tooth brushing. It has a motivating function for children, but it may also interest adults.

Overcome Fear of the Dentist
The brain child of Darren Marks, a leading hypnotherapist in the UK, this app helps you to start reprogramming your mind and overcoming dental anxiety.

Although these phone apps can give you instant data and offer you encouragement, nothing can substitute for good hygiene habits. Make sure your brush at least twice a day for two minutes, floss often, and make routine care appointments with your dentist to protect your oral health.

Dentistry on King – Dr. David Cheng – Toronto, Canada – iPhone Apps that Promote Oral Health

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Managing Diabetes and Oral Health

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Dentist

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, an estimated 9 million Canadians have diabetes or prediabetes. A chronic medical condition, diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t process sugar correctly. With Type 1 Diabetes, you produce no insulin at all. Type 2 diabetics don’t manufacture enough insulin or the insulin does not work properly. If you have diabetes, it impacts your whole body, including your mouth. Understanding common issues and taking a proactive approach will help you protect your oral health.

Does diabetes increase my risk for gum diseases?

Because diabetes weakens your germ-fighting abilities, you are more likely to have a higher concentration of the bacteria that cause gum disease in your mouth. High blood glucose levels can result in more severe levels of gum disease.

What other dental issues do diabetics face?

Although gum disease is the biggest oral health concern you may struggle with, diabetics should also watch out for increased chances of oral infections, thrush, dry mouth, and poor healing.

Should I tell my dentist about my diabetes?

Having diabetes changes your oral health needs. If your provider isn’t aware of the issue, he or she won’t be able to offer you the most thorough level of care. Make sure to update your dentist about any changes in your health during your regular visit.

How can I prevent problems in my mouth?

The biggest step you can take is controlling blood sugar and managing your diabetes. As well, you need to develop good home habits that include frequent brushing and flossing. Scheduling routine checkups will also help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Managing Diabetes and Oral Health – Dentistry on King – Dr. David Cheng – Toronto, Canada

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