5 New Year’s Resolutions to Commit to for Better Oral Health
Everyone comes up with New Year’s resolutions, but whether or not you follow through depends on you alone. While it is indeed difficult to instantly change once the New Year sets in, it is something worth working hard for, especially when it has something to do with your health.
If you are like us who are looking for better ways to care for our teeth and gums, here are some resolutions that might make things easier for you:
Floss, Please!
Yes, brushing your teeth twice a day can help keep fresher breath. While that is important, you should also take note that no matter how hard you brush, it just isn’t enough to avoid the buildup of plaque in between your teeth, it also can’t remove food remnants completely. Flossing can help you with that. If you haven’t been diligent about flossing, then it should definitely be included in your New Year’s resolutions.
Reduce Your Sugar Intake
A study that was published in BMC Public Health in 2014- states that there is a direct link between a person’s sugar consumption and tooth decay. The logic is quite simple. If you cut back on sugar, you also reduce the risk for tooth decay.
Opt For Mouth-Healthy Snacks
To optimize the benefits of your diet on your teeth, resolve to eat more mouth-healthy foods on a daily basis. You can do this, as you cut back on sugar. Dairy products, as we know are high in calcium and work great for your teeth. Fibrous foods also scrub away plaque and other food remnants.
Finally Kick the Habit!
You may have been planning this for a while now. Have the willingness to finally do it. Get rid of all trigger products from your home and office. Ask for help from your friends and family. Remember that smoking is linked to an array of health issues.
Visit Your Dentist As Soon As Possible
If you have skipped a few dentist appointments in the past few weeks, you probably feel too guilty by now to feel comfortable visiting him or her again, but that should not be the case. Make it a point to show up to your appointments, even if you feel everything is fine with your teeth.
These are just five really simple resolutions that will benefit your teeth now and in the long run. Can you add more to the list? What are your New Year’s oral resolutions?
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies can come out of nowhere. A bad slip that lands you on your face, biting down on something you weren’t expecting, or some form of freak accident could cause you severe dental or oral distress. When incidents like this happen you should seek a dental professional as soon as possible and in the meantime do what you can to try to mitigate the issue. Here are some common dental emergencies and how to deal with them.
Pain or Bleeding
For toothaches call your dentist and explain the nature of the pain and any other symptoms you might be experiencing. It is likely they’ll be able to give you some advice and that should be adhered to.
If you find yourself bleeding from your gums, tongue, or lip, apply pressure with a clean cloth. For swelling use an ice pack to try to keep it down. The bleeding should stop relatively quickly but if it does not seek help at a hospital Emergency room.
Damaged Teeth
If a tooth is fully knocked out of your mouth pick it up and examine it. If it appears clean and intact you can attempt to put it back in its socket. If this is not possible for whatever reason gently rinse it with milk or water and place it in a container of cold milk and seek out dental assistance right away. Within two hours – and preferably within ten minutes – the tooth has the potential to take root again. After that the odds are decreased.
Broken teeth or dental work can usually be repaired. For lost fillings you can safely secure the area by placing a piece of sugar free gum in the cavity until you can see dentist – which should be as soon as possible.
Dental emergencies can be stressful and scary but with the knowledge above you’ll know how to take action as you seek out dental help. If you have a dental issue, emergency or not, contact Pickering Square Dental today.
Should I Brush My Teeth With Coconut Oil?
Using coconut oil as a way to improve oral health is a new trend within dentistry that has developed over recent months. Professionals from across the dental care community are now discussing the many benefits of coconut oil. We thought it was important to outline the benefits the coconut oil can bring to your daily brushing routine. So in this blog, we’ll focus on coconut oil and its oral health advantages.
Contains No Harmful Chemicals
Across the consumer marketplace, there has been an uptick in concern about the chemicals in the products used on a daily basis. Some have found that conventional toothpastes contain a chemical called triclosan, which in studies has been linked with antibiotic resistance. Coconut oil contains no harmful chemicals and is a completely natural product.
Cost-Effective
With many people now concerned about the cost of dental treatment and of the toothpastes they purchase on a regular basis, it’s important to find low cost oral care products. Coconut oil is inexpensive and can be found at low pricing at many stores within our local community.
Whitens Teeth
Using coconut oil as part of a daily oral care regimen isn’t just recommend for health reasons; it can also improve the aesthetics of teeth as well. Patients have reported that they’ve experienced significantly whiter teeth almost instantly after use. Within two weeks, many have found that coconut oil can produce the same or better whitening results as conventional whitening strips.
Eliminates Bacteria
In addition to using oil to brush their teeth, patients can significantly improve their overall health by swishing coconut oil in their mouths for a few minutes per day. Oil pulling (the process of swishing with oil and pulling bacteria from the teeth) can help remove toxins and other elements from the mouth. This has numerous additional benefits. For example, it has been shown that the process can improve bad breath. It can also help prevent bacterial infections that can often impact all areas of the body over time.
Begin investigating the benefits coconut oil can bring to your oral health regimen. You may find an affordable and healthy alternative to current oral care products! To learn more on the subject, contact our office team directly.
Dental Health Month In Focus: What is Root Canal Treatment and What are Its Benefits?
So you’ve just been told one of our Dentists that you need a root canal treatment. You’ve heard horror stories about others who have experienced the process, but you’re not sure on what a root canal involves. Fortunately, we have comprehensive experience in this regard. Within this blog post, we’ll provide an explanation on what’s involved with a root canal treatment and the treatment’s benefits you can anticipate.
What is a Root Canal?
The actual root canal is the space inside the tooth that travels down the length of the root to the tip. On average, each one of our teeth may have one-to-four root canals. The pulp that makes up the root canal can become infected due to a deep cavity, or a fracture that allows bacteria to seep into the area. This damage can cause increased blood flow to the area and increased pressure, which can then cause persistent pain. To relieve this pain and to remove the infection, dentists will perform a root canal treatment.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment involves the process of removing infected, injured or otherwise damaged pulp from the inside of the patient’s tooth. Generally, this treatment begins with the freezing of the affected area. The dentist will then place a rubber dam around the tooth to protect the tooth from bacteria within the saliva.
After making an opening in the tooth, the dentist will then remove the damaged pulp by cleaning and enlarging the root canal. The dentist then fills and seals the canal before sealing the opening in the tooth. The dentist will then have to restore the tooth to ensure optimal functionality for the patient. Their choice of restoration depends largely on the underlying strength of the remaining tooth. A crown may be chosen to restore functionality and allow the patient to chew comfortably over the long-term.
The root canal process can help protect teeth and prevent them from having to be replaced by artificial products. It’s a process that takes time but can be highly effective in ensuring tooth function for those with significant bacterial infections within their teeth. To learn more on this complex treatment, speak with one of our office team members directly today!
The Importance Of Dental X-Rays
When a dental professional is providing you with the proper oral care that you need, there are times when they may ask you to get a dental X-ray (radiograph) during your visit. When getting X-rays at the dentist, all you need to do is sit back and relax in the dental chair that you're already sitting in- after all, it's not a complicated procedure. How important is it to get a dental X-ray? In this article, we're going to delve into the importance of getting dental X-rays.
The Importance Of Dental X-Rays
We've listed some of the reasons why it's important to get dental X-rays below:
-Getting X-rays during your visit gives your dentist the opportunity to get a full visualization of all the teeth in your mouth. It allows your dentist to adequately see if any impending issues (including under the gums that we can’t see without x-rays) that may be on the horizon. Essentially, with a dental X-ray, you help them help you!
-A dental X-ray allows you, the patient, to see exactly what your dentist is talking about when they're describing an oral-related issue. With an X-ray, dental professionals can more easily detect cavities in your mouth.
-Your dentist can adequately see if you have any tooth decay, extra teeth, infections, jaw fractures, growths, and possible bone loss. When you get dental X-rays, it allows your dentist to take proactive steps in accessing your specific needs.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Pickering Square Dental– praised by patients for over 25 years! This reputable family dentistry location provides all visitors, from children to seniors, with a comfortable, soothing environment. Whether you want to watch TV or listen to music, these dental experts will help you relax while they take proper care of your teeth. On top of the multitude of services that are available to patients, Pickering Square Dental also offers laser dentistry! To learn more about this lauded dental clinic, check out pickeringsquaredental.com.
Dental Emergencies & Children: What To Do With A Sports Related Oral Injury This Spring
Children love to play. It’s a fact. We can sometimes look on in awe as we see the amount of energy that these pint-sized human beings have in them! A great outlet for our youth to burn energy while building on important skills such as proper communication, perseverance, and hand-eye coordination is sports. Whether it’s ice hockey, soccer, baseball, or basketball, injuries can be quite prevalent during these physical activities. A common case that impacts children that are participating in a physical activity is an oral injury.
Dental Emergencies & Children: What To Do With A Sports Related Oral Injury This Spring
Listed below are some important steps that you should take if your child suffers an oral injury:
-First of all, call the office of a reputable dental clinic, such as Pickering Square Dental, to promptly schedule an appointment. They’re quite familiar with oral injuries from sporting activities, since they’re the trusted dentists for the Toronto Maple Leafs! You can contact Pickering Square Dental by dialing 905-420-1777.
-If your child’s mouth is bleeding, apply adequate pressure to the wound. This can help you stop the bleeding, and calm your child down.
-If your child loses a tooth while playing a sport, do your best to locate the tooth immediately. Prepare a glass of milk (or a salt water solution), and place the tooth in there. Call a dental clinic and let them know about the situation so they can schedule your child for an appointment as soon as possible.
-In case your child loses a filling, tell your child to avoid chewing on the tooth. They should also avoid any hot or cold foods- this will prevent them from experiencing additional pain.
If you have any questions regarding oral injuries, feel free to contact Pickering Square Dental– praised by patients for over 25 years! This reputable family dentistry location provides all visitors, from children to seniors, with a comfortable, soothing environment. Whether you want to watch TV or listen to music, these dental experts will help you relax while they take proper care of your teeth. On top of the multitude of services that are available to patients, Pickering Square Dental also offers laser dentistry! To learn more about this popular dental clinic, check out pickeringsquaredental.com.