3 Tips for Preventing Toothaches

Dental Implants

Woman suffering from toothacheToothaches are unforgettable.  If you’ve ever had one, you’re sure to remember how it felt.  Usually, toothaches are either dull, sharp, or worse, throbbing. Toothaches are triggered differently, often, depending on the degree of damage to the tooth, gum tissue or supporting bone.  Some teeth hurt when there’s applied pressure, while other teeth just hurt even when you’re sleeping. When a tooth is infected, fever, headache, and a foul odour or taste in your mouth might also be present. It can also be caused by a number of several things such as:

– abscessed (infected) teeth
– teeth fractures
– damaged fillings
– extensive tooth decay
– teeth grinding
– gum infection
– teeth injuries

Whatever the cause is, what’s important is for the pain to be relieved. Here are some of the ways to prevent toothaches:

Good Oral Hygiene
Learn more about frequently asked questions.

Toothaches are definitely prevented by keeping good practices of oral hygiene. This can be done by brushing regularly with toothpaste containing fluoride. You also need to floss at least once daily, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day, and make sure you have your teeth professionally cleaned by our dental team at Pickering Square Dental at least  twice a year.

Healthy Diet

Food plays an important role when dealing with toothaches. You should keep a low-sugar diet if you want to prevent cavities. You should also be mindful when eating hard foods. If you have an existing injured or fractured tooth, you have to stay away from foods that are hard to bite and chew. Failure to do so may lead to larger issues.

Regular Dentist Trips

Not a lot of people enjoy going to the dentist. However, this is essential when you want to totally avoid the excruciating pains of damaged teeth. Your dentist can definitely help you in preventing toothaches by addressing the potential problems with your teeth. Treatments depend on the cause.  If your toothache is coming from a cavity, one of our Dentists can assess the tooth and typically a simple filling can be placed.  If your tooth’s infected nerve is causing the pain, then a root canal might be required. This happens when bacteria have worked their way in the inner parts of the tooth. If there is fever or swelling of the jaw, then an antibiotic might be prescribed.

 

There are other dental treatments available – again, they vary depending on the causes. To ensure that your teeth and gums are taken care of, do not delay your trip to our office.  Your invested effort in visiting Dr. Lean and our Team of Dentists is nothing compared to the potential problems or possible pain you may be dealing with if you choose not to come.

Helpful Resources

dentist

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Dentistry and Other Medical Conditions – Part 2

On our website we have an informative article about medical conditions that can affect your teeth and that your dentist might be able to help with.  For more information on conditions like diabetes, oral cancer, bulimia and anorexia nervosa you should consult Part 1.  In this blog post we’ll take a look at some other medical issues that can have an impact on your oral health.

Temporomandibular Disorder

The temporomandibular is a name for the joints and muscles around the jaw that let us chew, swallow, and speak.   When there issues with this area it may be indicative of temporomandibular disorder or TMD.  Symptoms include tender or saw jaw muscles, issues opening and closing your mouth, headaches, or clicking when you chew or yawn.  Your dentist can help by examining you and treating your TMD possibly with a specially designed appliance custom made for you.  
Learn more about periodontal care in Pickering.

Anemia

Anemia is a disorder in which your red blood cells don’t contain enough of the iron-rich protein hemoglobin or less of them are produced than is normal.  This means your body may not get the oxygen it needs through the bloodstream which could result in serious medical issues including heart failure.  It has oral effects as well including a higher risk of periodontitis, pale mouth tissue, or an inflammation of the tongue.  If you have anemia it is vital to let your dentist know since some forms could carry higher risk of infection and your dentist may need to prescribe antibiotics  (in severe cases) before performing any procedures to minimize that risk.

Thyroid Problems

Your thyroid produces and regulates many very important hormones in the body and conditions that affect it can disrupt the functionality of organs and various bodily systems.  In terms of oral care thyroid problems carry a greater risk of gum disease since it can inhibit the body’s ability to heal.  Additionally, dry mouth can be caused which may result in a greater chance of cavities.  The tongue may also be afflicted through enlargement or a distorted sense of taste.  Make sure to inform your dentist of any thyroid problems to ensure they know how to best deal with your particular issues.

There are many medical issues that can have a serious impact on dental and oral health and these are just few more.  If you have any questions regarding the impact of an illness you may have or are looking to solve some unrelated dental issues contact Pickering Square Dental today.

Helpful Resources

tooth repair

For more information, visit the Government of Canada Oral Health Guide.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Advancements in Dental Technology

Dentistry has always had its eye on technology for any edge in forwarding care for teeth and gums.  Even older inventions like braces, crowns, and false teeth have seen continual updating in materials, techniques and design resulting in the more effective and elegant versions we have today.  Within the last couple of decades however significant advancements have occurred that have continued the forward march of dental health.

Lasers

The word ‘laser’ always feels vaguely futuristic for people of a certain age but the technology is well-proven at this point.  Dental laser treatment is used in a number of ways, from the removal of inflamed gum tissues to easy preparation of cavities for filling.  Laser dentistry has little pain or to no pain, virtually no bleeding, and dramatically less swelling than previous methods.   

Implants

Implants can now be used to fully replace a tooth in a way that allows it to fit naturally and with as much strength as a natural tooth.  Using a titanium implant in the jaw a tooth will be anchored to it.  Once inserted an implant is cleaned exactly the same way your regular teeth are.  You can think of it as a bionic tooth!

CEREC

The latest breakthrough takes a wide range of new technology and puts it to work for your teeth.  Older full and partial crowns would require measurement and custom creation by an outside facility – but CEREC (CEramic REConstruction) allows the entire process to be completed in the dentist’s office in a single sitting.  A high tech 3D scanner is used to get to capture three dimensional views of the affected area – this is then transferred to a computer that creates an appropriate model of the necessary crown.   Using the latest in 3D printing equipment the installation is built from ceramic on-the spot, enabling a perfectly fitting crown in less than sixty minutes.  From days to less than an hour – technology has come a long way indeed.

Dental technology moves ever forward and Pickering Square Dental continues to keep up with the advances in dentistry.  If you need to have these advancements put to work on your teeth, including CEREC, contact us today.

  

Looking for professional help? Learn more about our laser dentistry services at Pickering Square Dental or call (905) 420-1777 to book an appointment.

Helpful Resources

sedation dentistry

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

3 Tips for Relieving Dental Anxiety

It’s a problem that impacts thousands of Canadians each year. That fear and panic before you go to the dentist is natural. But it’s a problem that can be overcome to ensure you achieve optimal dental health in the long-term. Our specialists have many years’ experience dealing with dental care anxiety and within this blog, we’ll provide three tips to help you overcome your or, your loved ones fears and ensure exceptional oral health over the long-term.

1. Visit the Dentist Office with a Loved One

If it’s been a while since visiting the Dentist, sometimes having a loved one by your side can be really beneficial!  This can help you to become more relaxed as you wait for your treatment to begin. You can develop personalized coping strategies alongside your loved one to ensure there’s always someone ready and able to calm you down should anxiety begin to get the best of you at the office. This strategy will then ensure you’re more focused and relaxed, when you visit the dentist by yourself in future.
Learn more about family dentistry services in Pickering.

2. Avoid Caffeine in the Hours before the Dentist

Caffeine is one of the leading causes of anxiety among the general Canadian population. If you’re already nervous about an upcoming dental appointment, drinking that cup of coffee or tea in the morning may make your day even more stressful. Simply avoid coffee during the morning and try to take relaxing caffeine-free drinks such as green tea. This will help ensure you’re in the right frame of mind to take control of your anxiety as your enter the dental office.

3. Speak with our Dental Team Before the Appointment.

A large majority of the cases of anxiety are related to the unknown. Anxiety is often our mind creating the worst-case scenarios in our head.  By speaking with our Dental team ahead of your next appointment, and going over the treatments with them, you can prepare yourself mentally for the dental office experience. Not only will this help you remain calm in the days leading up to the appointment, it will also help ensure you avoid anxiety triggers at the office, as you’ll be prepared completely for a safe and effective treatment.

Consider the preceding guidelines next time you’re suffering from anxiety due to a future dental appointment. There’s no need to stress your mind and body over your dental needs.  Speak to our team directly today to learn more on how to alleviate anxiety.

Helpful Resources

Dental Fillings

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.