Visiting Your Dentist – Why It’s A Must

Maintaining your oral health should never be compromised.  

Reasons for Regular Dental Visits

*Early diagnosis of tooth decay – By seeing your dentist based on personalized treatment recommendations, you will be able to avoid the risks associated with dental issues such as gum disease and tooth decay, among others. Although minor, these issues might lead to more complex ones if left untreated.

 

* Prevention of Gum Disease – Keeping teeth clean – Brushing and flossing the teeth is very beneficial but, never enough to keep everything perfectly clean.

 

Regular Dental Visits

A regular dental visit consists of two parts: check-up and cleaning. For the first part, the dentist checks for cavities and assesses if there is build-up of plaque or tartar on your teeth or any other dental concerns too. Plaque is a clear and sticky layer of bacteria. If this is not removed, it hardens overtime and becomes tartar. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing the teeth. If there’s a build-up of plaque and tartar, the risk for oral diseases is increased. The gums, tongue, throat, face, neck and head are also checked-up by the dentist to look for any signs of swelling and other problems that might be connected to your oral health.

 

The second part which is cleaning involves special tools used by the dentist and dental hygienist to remove tartar. This is termed as scaling. This is to remove tartar build-up that cannot be done with normal brushing and flossing.

 

In-Between Visits

Your oral health is not defined just by having regular dental visits. You are also held accountable in-between your dental visits too! It is essential that you take care of your teeth and gums in order to prevent oral diseases from occurring. Plaque is always forming on the teeth, but you can get rid of it by brushing and flossing the teeth regularly. Good oral care can be done at home by doing the following regularly:

 

*Brushing at least twice a day – use toothpaste that contains fluoride.

*Flossing at least once a day.

*Using a mouth rinse – this helps get rid of plaque bacteria and to freshen breath.

 

Post-Visits

Once Dr. Lean or one of our Team of Dentists at Pickering Square Dental has performed the examination and cleaning, they will tell you about the current health of your teeth and gums. Recommendations will also come at this point – make sure you visit them regularly to ensure maximum oral health. 

Food and Drinks That are Bad for the Teeth

Although there are many available dental procedures and treatments that ensure optimal dental health, prevention is still better than any cure. Other than brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis, avoiding the wrong foods and drinks also help in keeping your teeth healthy. Here are some of the foods and drinks that damage the teeth:

 

Citrus Fruits

Although loaded with vitamin C and other nutrients that are good for the body, citrus fruits also contain sugar and acid that might erode tooth enamel over time. Grapefruit and lemon juice, in particular, are highly acidic. In 2008, a study found that among all the citrus juices, these two can cause the most damage to the teeth. Orange juice was said to cause the least damage based on the same study. Brushing, flossing and/or simple rinsing with plain water as soon as possible following consumption will help in minimizing any risks.

 

Ice

Some people think that ice is good for their teeth. Although it’s made of water and does not contain any sugar or other additives, ice can cause damage to the teeth when chewed because it’s hard. Chewing on hard substances leaves your teeth vulnerable to enamel damage and other dental emergencies.  Enjoy water in its liquid form, instead of its solid form.

 

Caffeinated Drinks

Coffee and tea, in their natural form, can be healthy beverage preferences. However, some people cannot drink these beverages without adding sugar. Caffeinated drinks are known for drying out the mouth. Frequent drinking of coffee and tea also leads to staining the teeth. When you do consume coffee or tea, make sure that you drink plenty of water afterwards.

 

Sticky Foods

Dried fruits are being eaten by some people because they are healthy, but a lot of dried fruits are sticky – these can also damage the teeth. Sticky foods tend to stay on the teeth longer than any other types of food. If you eat dried fruits often, make sure you rinse your mouth with water afterwards. Brushing and flossing your teeth afterwards also helps in preventing teeth damage.  

 

Crunchy Foods

Crunch snacks such as potato chips are filled with starch. This additive tends to get trapped in between the teeth. If you are fond of eating these snacks, make sure that you floss carefully to remove food particles that lead to the build-up of plaque.

 

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol is not just bad for the teeth; it is also bad for overall health. Alcohol causes dry mouth and dehydration. People who drink alcohol excessively may find their saliva flow to reduce as time passes. This can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections including gum disease. Heavy alcohol use also increases the risk for mouth cancer.

 

For dental problems associated with eating and drinking the wrong foods and snacks, we can help you fix them. Contact Dr. Lean and his team of experts to prevent further teeth damage. 

Dr. Marvin Lean: The Ontario Dentist for All Ages

Some people, both young and old, tend to be scared of dental procedures and dentists, in general. It might be due to an old and painful experience with a dental procedure, or it could be a dentist that wasn’t too caring during a procedure. For whatever reason, neither dentists nor dental procedures should be deemed as scary. 

Here at Pickering Square Dental, our very own Dr. Marvin Lean, along with the rest of the team, aims to provide dental procedures that all patients will be sure to appreciate. Let us get to know a little more about our beloved dentist. 

NHL Hockey Team Dentist
For all hockey enthusiasts, you might be happy to know that Dr. Marvin Lean has been a huge contributor to the Toronto Maple Leafs Organization as their dentist. For 10 years, he has been dedicating his services to ensure that the oral health of our dear professional athletes is optimal and generally well taken care of. He was not the only dentist for the Leafs but during the All-Star game in Nashville, he was there to help out all the athletes with their concerns on dental health. He is also part of the meeting for the Winter Classic that will be held in Toronto for their 100th anniversary. This, of course, is a proud moment for those who are from the Board of NHL Team Dentists. 

Kids and Adults
Dr. Lean is not just available for the pros – he is available for everyone, in general. He and his team work doubly hard to ensure great dental services that will be appreciated by both children and adults. They adapt procedures that cater to patients who have low pain tolerance, and those who prefer to be sedated during a procedure. Small things such as those mentioned go to show how much the staff at Pickering Square Dental cares about their patients. 

For over 25 years, Dr. Marvin Lean has been providing remarkable dental procedures. If you have been looking for a dentist in Ontario that you can entrust your teeth with (as well as your whole family’s), then Dr. Lean is your best bet. Contact us today and set up an appointment with us. You will not regret being under the hands of someone who even professional athletes trust. See you soon!

Guide to Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Experts recommend that a child’s first dental visit should be by the age of 1 or within 6 months after his or her first tooth comes in. Some dentists recommend that a child should see a dentist for the first time by their first birthday – with two-time annual dental check-ups. For toddlers, the first trip to the dentist might be a scary thing. Be sure that loud noises, new faces and strange instruments can make your child upset. Here are some things you need to do before your child’s first trip to the dentist. 

Health Information
It is best that you provide your child’s dentist with all of the medical conditions of your child, or if he or she is taking any medication. You should also keep your paediatrician’s contact information should the dentist need additional health information. If your child has a sucking habit, inform the dentist too, as that habit might affect your child’s teeth and jaws. 

Orientation
It’s important to have a talk with your child as to what will happen. It’s best to practice brushing with your child before going to the dentist’s office, so that your child will be used to having a toothbrush in his or her mouth. 

The First Visit
The actual visit is going to be short and informal. The dentist will want to meet and greet the child for the first time, and to build some level of trust. Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, the parents might be asked to hold the child while the dentist looks around his or her mouth. The parents might also be asked to sit in the waiting room so the toddler can have some quality time with the dentist and staff on his or her own. 

Schedule
The dentist will let you know when the next visit will be and this will be based on how your toddler’s teeth look. It is important not to miss out on your dentist’s appointment especially with your kids. 

Dr. Lean and the team are keen on providing comfortable dental services to both kids and adults. Contact us today if your kid needs to have his or her first dental visit. See you soon!

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) & How to Overcome It

Maintaining oral health is not just about brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. Sometimes, unconscious habits such as bruxism can also destroy the structure of teeth. Bruxism is a habit that involves grinding of the teeth. This often occurs during times of excessive anxiety, stress, anger, and other negative emotions. However, if a person does it continuously, it can certainly be damaging. 

If you are experiencing this, or if you know someone else who is, read this article to give you tips on how to stop this negative habit. 

Self-Awareness
Habitual teeth-grinding is commonly experienced at night, but it can also occur during daytime. If you are the person experiencing it, you should practice self-awareness by concentrating on what your body is doing. The moment you start to notice your jaw clenching, make an effort to relax it. You can do this by placing the tip of your tongue between the upper and lower part of your front teeth to fight the tooth-grinding urge. Self-preservation should prevent clamping down on your tongue. This will also force your jaws to relax. 

Relaxation
Experts agree that stress is one of the risk factors of bruxism. If you are feeling stressed out, it is best to take up a relaxing hobby or come up with a healthy routine such as yoga classes or exercise. It will be helpful to learn how to meditate even for small periods at a time, especially when you have stressful moments throughout the day. It is important that you find seclusion to calm your mind and to be able to relieve the day’s stress. 

Proper Equipment
There are times when a person suffering from bruxism (teeth grinding) cannot be self-aware because it occurs while sleeping. You can still protect yourself at night by having Dr. Lean fit you with a custom sleep guard. This is similar to a sports mouth guard. The only difference is wearing this at night to keep your teeth separated while you sleep. This will serve as a barrier that prevents your teeth from scraping across each other. This helps in preventing dental damage associated with bruxism. 

Lifestyle Change
Teeth grinding might worsen after consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or stress. More disturbed sleep means less rest and the more nocturnal activity you have, the more your teeth grinding would manifest. You should also stay away from chewing gum often. Chewing gum or pen lids might make your jaws used to clamping. 

Dr. Lean and the team are dedicated to address conditions such as this. Contact us today if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or if someone you love is.

Fruit Juices and Smoothies: Are They Bad for Our Teeth?

Contrary to popular belief, it is not just sugar that damages our teeth, but acid, too. Acid is usually found in frizzy drinks such as sodas, and wines. However, another source of acid would be… fruit juices. Yes, you read it correctly. Though fruit juices are healthy for the body, they might not be too healthy for our teeth. Fruit juice contains concentrated amounts of all nutrients found in fruits such as vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidants. However, they also contain other substances that are harmful to the teeth. 

Sugar
Sugar is one of the substances that are most harmful to the teeth. It is consumed by bacteria in the mouth and gets converted to acid – this causes cavities and wears away teeth. Dental plaque is what we call the build-up of these bacteria on the tooth surface. The bacteria also irritate the gums – this might lead to gum disease and can weaken the teeth, causing them to fall out. Even fruit juices that come in their pure form contain large amounts of natural sugars that also affect the teeth. In reality, a pure fruit juice might even contain more sugar than a soda. 

Acid
The enamel on the teeth is more fragile than most of us think. It gets affected by the acid released by mouth bacteria, and it wears down even faster by acids found in common fruit juices. Lime or cranberry fruit juices can actually be more acidic than vinegar when consumed excessively. This can wear down tooth enamel, leading to sensitive teeth, cavities and tooth loss, eventually. Fruit juices, which are often used as a substitute for sodas especially for children, might even cause more damage as it is acidic. Orange juice, in particular, has been found to decrease tooth hardness and roughen the surface of the teeth which leave them more prone to cavities and plaque. 

Prevention
Some fruit juices are still nutritious compared to sodas, despite some harmful effects on the teeth. To prevent teeth damage, it is best to limit the consumption of fruit juices. You can also dilute the juice in water to decrease the amount of damage to the teeth. It is, of course, necessary to brush regularly, especially after drinking juice – this helps in controlling the levels of bacteria on the teeth. You may also drink fruit juices using straws to decrease the damage it can cause to the teeth. 

For any dental concerns such as build-up of cavities and plaque, contact us. Here at Pickering Square Dental, we aim to solve any dental issues for our beloved patients. 

Summer Fun: Keep Your Teeth Safe

Summertime is the perfect time to be with your family and friends, and have fun under the sun! Since you will probably be thinking about all the good things you will be doing, you might neglect your teeth – but you shouldn’t. Here are some tips on how you can keep your teeth safe and shiny this summer:

Rinse your mouth after swimming
The acidity of the water in swimming pools can affect your tooth enamel. In order to prevent this from happening, rinse with clean water throughout the day as well as after swimming. Brushing your teeth within an hour of pool time should be avoided as the enamel might still be vulnerable. 

Drink enough water
Dry mouth contributes to cavities so it is important that you drink enough water to stay hydrated throughout the whole day. This is not just for your teeth, but for your overall health as well. (so-so)

Use straws when drinking fresh coolers
Drinking lemonades, sodas, and other sweet and acidic drinks can be bad for your teeth. Help your teeth by drinking through straws – this limits the impact of the acids on your teeth. You should also rinse with water after drinking sugary or acidic drinks as this helps, too. 

Brush your teeth after eating sweets
Hard candies soak your teeth in sugar for a long time while sticky candies, on the other hand, get stuck on your teeth. In order to protect your teeth and gums from too much sugar, you should brush and floss after these types of treats. If that’s not possible, you can just rinse with water or you can also chew sugarless gum, instead. 

Use proper protective equipment
When you are playing contact sports, make sure you use mouth guards accordingly. It doesn’t just protect your teeth, but it also helps prevent concussions. There are different types of mouth guards that are appropriate for different kinds of sports. To make sure that you are using the right one, it is best to consult Dr. Lean and his Team. 

We encourage you to take special care of your teeth during the summer. Brushing and flossing your teeth daily are important especially when you’re on vacation. Summer can also be the best time to catch up on your missed dental appointments. Here at Pickering Square Dental, we make sure that we prioritize all our patients’ teeth. We provide the best dental services we can give for our valued patients. Call us today!

How to Beat Dental Problems and Stay Smiling

Some people tend to take oral health for granted. They only pay attention to their mouth when they experience throbbing and incessant pain. Some fail to make their oral health their priority and use their busy schedules as their excuse. However, your oral health is as important as your overall health. Here are some ways on how to beat dental problems and stay smiling all the time:

Halitosis (Bad Breath)
This problem involves a person that has an unpleasant and foul odour coming from his or her mouth. This problem might be caused by several things: lingering food particles in the mouth, dryness of the mouth, poor dental hygiene, mouth infections, or illness. Resolving this problem depends on its cause but for some, this may be resolved simply by brushing the teeth to remove build-up of plaque, as well as brushing the tongue to remove bacteria. If you are suffering from this, it’s important that you replace your toothbrush every three months and have regular cleaning appointments. If this is caused by dry mouth, chew gum or drink water at regular intervals.

Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)
Gums are the tissue inside one’s mouth that serves as teeth support. When they get infected due to plaque, it is called periodontal disease. The two basic types are: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder form and it is reversible. When left untreated, it develops to periodontitis – an advanced stage of gum disease. Bacteria can cause deterioration of the gums as well as destruction of tooth-supporting bones in this case. It might lead to tooth loss. Prevention is the key when it comes to this disease. Proper tooth brushing and flossing techniques remove the plaque and bacteria. Make sure you practice good oral hygiene.

Tooth Decay
As plaque forms on the teeth, it also produces acids. These acids attack the enamel and if not removed properly, it can damage the tooth enamel – this is called tooth decay. If this is not treated at the soonest possible time, it can result in cavities (small holes in the teeth). Tooth decay is caused by poor brushing techniques or failure to brush one’s teeth regularly or with proper technique.  It is highly preventable with basic oral maintenance – daily brushing and flossing after every meal.

Mouth Sores
Mouth sores vary in types and they can appear on the gums, inner cheeks, tongue and lips and even at the bottom of the mouth. They range from mild sores to more serious ones. Mouth sores can be prevented depending on the type of sore. People who get sores from biting their cheeks can prevent sores by chewing more carefully and slowly. Being careful when drinking hot substances also help in preventing sores from burns. Antiviral medications can also be given as they help prevent cold sores from appearing.

Why It’s Time to Prioritize Your Oral Health

Oral health is not limited to your appearance and sense of well-being – it is also essential to your overall health. Achieving that ‘winner smile’ is something that requires hard work and extra care for your teeth. Even when you’re going through tough times, you still have to include regular dental care in your priorities. Cavities and gum diseases might contribute to more serious conditions and untreated cavities are painful and can also lead to serious infections. Here are some of the reasons why you should prioritize your oral health:

Have white teeth
Everyone wants to have whiter teeth. Smiling is easier done when you have pearly whites to flash to other people, and a brighter smile definitely gives us more confidence. Professional treatments and home remedies are available in order for you to achieve your ‘dream smile’, but you can also prevent teeth from yellowing by brushing and flossing regularly. You can also avoid substances that stain teeth such as coffee, wine, tea and cigarettes.

Prevent gum diseases and tooth decay
Flossing daily is one of the best things you can do in order to prevent tooth decay. Some dentists even suggest that flossing is more important than teeth brushing. However, both have benefits of oral health. It’s important to brush two times a day and floss once a day. Fluoride treatments and products are also recommended such as mouthwash and toothpaste with fluoride.

Minimize the risk of some health problems
Good oral health has been linked to minimizing risk for general health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. People who suffer from bleeding gums can be in worse situations when bacteria from their mouths enter their bloodstream through the openings. The bacteria promote development of blood clots that might put the patient at high risk for strokes and other heart diseases.

Avoid expensive dental treatments
If you do not practice good oral hygiene, you are bound to have a wide range of dental problems and issues such as tooth decay and gum diseases – these will only lead to complicated and expensive treatments. Dental problems that are ignored and left untreated also cause increased damage to the supporting bones of your teeth and gum tissues. Regular trips to the dentist should be planned – once every six months. In doing so, you can avoid painful dental procedures because simple problems will be addressed by your dentist before they even worsen.

How to Convince Your Children to Brush Their Teeth

If adults, who are aware of the importance of brushing their teeth still forget to do so, what more can you expect from children? Parents are supposed to brush their kids’ teeth until they turn 7. It might not be the most pleasurable experience – children might detest the act and it gets messy – but it is essential.

The Best Approach
When you are teaching the little ones about brushing their teeth, you should start with yourself. Make sure that you brush your own teeth in front of them without any implications. You are giving a subliminal message to your kid that it’s something that should be done on a regular basis. Yes, you have to be the role model. Just like with any daily routine, you have to let your kids know that brushing their teeth is a fun thing to do. Even as your child gets older, make it a habit that your child will sure to bring in adulthood.

Toothpaste IS Optional
Toothpaste can make children want go gag or spit – it definitely makes things messier – and brushing might seem like a chore to them instead of something fun. Don’t let toothpaste hinder your children from wanting to brush their teeth. If they don’t like the taste of toothpaste try different brands and flavours or, just make sure you let them hold their toothbrush and brush away, in the right manner, of course.

Use the Mirror
When you’re teaching your children how to brush, make sure you are both standing in front of a mirror. You cannot really train your child if you have him or her sit on the toilet as you train him or her. Stand beside your kid while he or she brushes his or her teeth, or if his or her age still needs assistance then assist him or her.

Prioritize Brushing
Don’t fit teeth brushing into your busy schedule. When your child sees that you are doing this, he or she might get the notion that brushing the teeth is more of an afterthought – something done as quickly as possible. Let  your child understand that their oral health is a priority.

Family Activity
Eating together is considered as a family activity. You can do the same with brushing your teeth. After a meal, your whole family can gather in the bathroom to brush your teeth at the same time. When you have younger kids, this will be beneficial to them – seeing both their parents and older siblings brush their teeth. You can even try to make it fun by letting one parent brush the other parent’s teeth, or let your child brush your teeth and vice-versa!

Be Positive
Threatening your child to brush his or her teeth might be the worst thing you can do. Don’t say silly things such as they will get punishment from the dentist of they don’t brush their teeth. Brushing their teeth, as well as going to the dentist, should be positive lifelong habits.