What Laser Dentistry Can Improve

Since 1994, lasers have been used in the field of dentistry to treat a number of dental problems. These lasers are not similar to the ones used in phototherapy for the relief of headaches, inflammation and pain. Laser dentistry can be a precise and effective way to perform a number of dental procedures. Here are some of the oral conditions that can be improved with the help of a laser:

 

Tooth Decay

Cavities, referred to as tooth decay, which occurs when certain types of bacteria produce acid that destroys the tooth’s enamel. Lasers are used to remove tooth decay as well as prepare the surrounding enamel to receive the filling.

 

Lesion Removal

Small lesions can be in the form of; canker sores, cold sores or mouth ulcers, and they usually develop in the mouth or at the base of the gums. They can make drinking, eating and talking uncomfortable. Lasers are also used to remove lesions in the mouth to relieve the pain of canker sores. Lasers can also be used to remove a small piece of tissue (biopsy) so that it can be examined further too if necessary.

Gum Disease

Our mouths are full of bacteria that can form a colourless, sticky ‘plaque’ on the teeth. Brushing and flossing do help get rid of plaque, but plaque that isn’t removed can harden and form ‘tartar’. When this worsens, you can develop gum disease. Lasers are also used to reshape gums and to remove bacteria during a root canal procedure.

 

Teeth Whitening

Our teeth, over the years, can get discolouration due to the foods and drinks we ingest. Tooth- whitening lightens the teeth and helps to remove stains and discolouration that cannot be removed by simply brushing the teeth. Lasers can also be used to speed up in-office teeth whitening procedures.

 

 

If you are somewhat of an anxious dental patient, the ease and comfort of the laser might just be what you are looking for. For Laser information, please consult Dr. Marvin Lean or a team member at Pickering Square Dental, as he has incorporated laser dentistry techniques into his practices and treatments over the years. For a complete list of conditions treated by laser dentistry, it is also best to set an appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean and his team for a more in-depth discussion on your dental concerns. 

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. 

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!

How to Prevent Receding Gums

It can, and usually does, happen without you even knowing it.  You smile a big smile in the mirror and you notice something – your teeth seem ever so slightly taller or longer than they used to be.  You have receding gums.  Receding gums is a condition in which the gum tissue around the teeth pulls back or is worn away, exposing more of the teeth and their roots.  It can be serious problem especially with heavy recession as the gaps that can form between the teeth can allow bacteria to build up and can even result in severe damage to teeth and the surrounding bone if left untreated.  In order to understand what you’re dealing with there are some things you should know about receding gums.

Causes

Gum disease is the largest cause of receding gums – the bacteria destroys tissue around the teeth and attacks the supporting bone structure as well.  Hard or incorrect tooth brushing can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away and your gums to recede.  Inadequate brushing can also make it easy for tartar to build up which itself can lead to issues with receding gums.  Additional contributing factors include hormonal changes, heredity, smoking, and grinding your teeth.

Treatment

If receding gums become enough of an issue that treatment becomes necessary mild or moderate recession can be treated by deep cleaning and potentially antibiotics.  If the recession has progressed into becoming severe it may require dental (periodontal) surgery to treat.

Prevention

Preventing gum recession can be as easy as taking good care in maintaining dental hygiene.  Brush and floss every day and see your dentist at least twice a year.  Always use a soft bristled toothbrush and follow the correct instructions on how to use it.  If receding is caused by grinding or crooked teeth you should get the issue corrected by your dentist as soon as possible.  Make sure to keep an eye on your gums if you sense a problem and see your dentist if you’re worried.

Taking care of your gums isn’t too difficult but if you are noticing an additional sensitivity or you’re worried about your dental care in general contact us at Pickering Square Dental today.