What You Should Look for in a Toothpaste

Portrait of smiling young brunette selecting dental treatment in drugstore

We are still celebrating Dental Health Month, and we decided to focus the spotlight on a dental product that we do use every day – our toothpaste!

 

When you are purchasing a tube of toothpaste you can be one of these two: a.) passive –not really caring what kind you get and most likely to go for a reasonably priced toothpaste brand or b.) confused – paying too much attention on every detail, including flavour, ingredients, packaging, and more.

 

While it is not advisable that you just grab the first product you see on the shelf, we don’t think you should worry too much either. After all, most formulas you’d find on those shelves will definitely protect your teeth. To help you make a decision though, we’ll explain some of the most common label terms you find printed on toothpaste boxes.

 

Cavity- Fighting

Of course, all toothpaste products should be able to fight cavities by removing plaque. That is what they are for, after all. What you should look for though is fluoride, which for years has been proven to keep your tooth enamel from decaying. The use of fluoride in dental hygiene is recognized by the CDA, Health Canada, and many other national health organizations.

 

Antibacterial

You probably have seen toothpastes that claim to have antibacterial agents, specifically triclosan, that can protect your gums from gingivitis and other bacterial infections. So if you are prone to gingivitis, this can be good for you. Check with your dentist whether or not this kind of toothpaste would be beneficial to you.

 

Whitening

What whitening toothpastes actually do is help in combating stains but you cannot expect the same results that dental office treatments can deliver. Whitening toothpastes, cleans the surface harder to remove stains giving the illusion of whiter teeth. However most whitening toothpastes contain an abrasive agent which is not for everyone. So again, check with your dentist if it suits you.

 

For Sensitive Teeth

Does your mouth ache when you eat ice cream? You need toothpaste that are meant for sensitive teeth. When you have sensitive teeth, your gums may be receded thus exposing the roots of your teeth. Because the roots have no enamel it can easily be affected by temperature changes, sweets, and more. Toothpaste for sensitive teeth can block whatever the stimulus is from getting through the surface of your roots.

 

These are just some of the labels you see on toothpaste boxes. And while every product aims to provide you with healthier teeth and gums, it also wouldn’t hurt to look for something that works a little extra to address your specific concerns. If you are still unsure what to get, you can visit Pickering Square Dental and consult with our expert dentists for advice.

How to Prepare Your Child for Dental Visits

Don’t you just love it when your child smiles? For most parents, their child’s smile is one of the best view in the world. That’s why parents also understand how important it is to keep that great smile healthy, and that can only be achieved by regularly visiting the dentist.

 

Unfortunately, most kids have apprehensions about going to the dentist’s office. That of course, is a mild interpretation of those tantrums a child throws complete with wailing, kicking, and sometimes even locking oneself in the room – at the mere mention of seeing the dentist.

 

There could be a lot of factors contributing to this anxiety, including fear of the unknown, or worse, fear of what an older sibling or friend had shared with him or her before. Whatever the reason for this anxiety is, it will be helpful if as parents, we do our part to prepare them for that very important visit. Here are some tips:

 

Start really early. Do not wait until his or her preschool years before visiting the dentist for the first time. By that time, your child will most probably have a made-up idea of how scary dentists are. How early should you go? As soon as the first set of teeth start to pop up.

 

Our Dentists handle little patients, too. Not that there are dentists who hate kids. It’s just that it would help a lot if the dentist can make your child feel at ease during an appointment. It makes a lot of difference if a dentist is friendly with your kid and exerts effort to make the visit truly pleasant.

 

Set expectations honestly. Not knowing what to expect plays a big part to your child getting all stressed out about a visit to the dentist. You can calm their nerves by telling them about the procedure they’re getting, and perhaps some of your own experiences when you had the same procedure. (Unless you had a traumatic one, of course)

 

Give everything a positive spin. Instead of telling your child that a tooth would be extracted, why not say, the dentist has to make room for his new tooth to grow? You can make things sound easy. Assure your kids that they can do it. Let them know that you’ll be there every step of the way. You can even offer an incentive sometimes!

 

It is important for your child to develop good oral habits so they can keep that happy smile healthier, longer. We, at Pickering Square Dental can help you prepare your child for a visit that is going to be quite enjoyable, too!

 

Are Your Teeth Ready for Halloween Candies?

Toothbrush and dental hygiene waxed tape mint floss by wash basin at night still life color photo.

Your kids are probably excited about Halloween, what with their great costume, and an even greater selection of Halloween treats they can get when they go Trick or Treating. Of course, you want your child to enjoy! But you do not want as a toothache to affect their memory of this year’s Halloween?

 

Keep your children’s teeth safe from scary cavities this season by considering these tips:

 

Shoo Chewy Candies!

There are candies like caramels, gummies, and taffies that just find their way into the grooves and pits of your kids’ teeth where they stay stuck for a while. These sticky candies get stuck on your teeth and their saliva just can’t wash them away. If a toothbrush is not handy, at least make them drink a glass or a bottle of water to swish away some of the sugars.

 

Eat Now, Treat Later

Never let your child out on an empty stomach, and make sure they have a nutritious meal. When you chew during a meal, it stimulates your saliva which has protective enzymes that can protect teeth against cavities. On top of that, you’ll feel more relaxed knowing that with that full tummy, your child would probably have a smaller room for sweets!

 

Give Away Good Treats

As a parent, you hope your kid would get some teeth-friendly treats when he or she goes Trick or Treating. If that’s the case, then there is no reason for you not to give away those kinds of candies, right? Be the “responsible parent” in your street who hands out sugar-free hard candies, lollipops, and gums. It won’t hurt to throw in a little reminder to brush teeth when you give those treats out.

 

Remember Your Routine

The fact that it is Halloween and your child is tired from Trick or Treating should not keep you from enforcing your usual oral routine at home. If anything, now is the time to spend an extra minute or two when you brush your teeth. Do not forget to floss as this can greatly help in removing sugars that your toothbrush missed.

 

Halloween is a fun holiday that should never be ruined by a terrible toothache. Make sure you let your child know of his or her limitations and responsibilities. Set a limit on the number of candies allowed in a day, and make sure that those tiny teeth are brushed, flossed, and rinsed well before bed time!

 

 


 

Why do I need to replace missing teeth?

After having a tooth extracted or losing a tooth due to an impact or disease, you face a number of treatment options. While some choose to simply leave the space in their mouth, this tends to have a number of consequences. Within this post, we’ll examine why it’s important to review your replacement options when you have missing teeth.

Tooth Shifting

One of the leading problems caused when you have missing teeth is tooth shifting. When you have a space in your mouth where a tooth used to be, the surrounding teeth will shift to fill the gap. This can shift your teeth out of alignment and thereby cause numerous knock-on effects. For example, when a tooth is out of alignment it can change the shape of your smile and lead to more crooked and broken teeth over the long-term.

Facial Changes

When the tooth root is not replaced after you lose a tooth, bone deterioration can quickly develop in the area. In a short amount of time this can lead to facial changes taking place which alter the way in which your mouth and lower jaw look. It’s a problem that many people with missing teeth experience and it’s one of the leading reasons it’s so important to replace missing teeth.

Aesthetic Issues

While you might feel comfortable with your current appearance if you’re missing one tooth, your feelings might change over time. However, if you wait too long to replace your missing teeth, a number of health issues can occur which might prevent the integration of an implant or another type of restoration or replacement option. It’s important to understand the risks involved in waiting to replace missing teeth and to consider all options available.

At our dental practice, we work with hundreds of people each year to provide seamless replacements for their missing teeth. Our specialists can advise you of your tooth replacement options and carry out the work directly within our cutting-edge treatment facility. To learn more on your treatment options, contact our office team directly!