Give the Gift of Whitening this Holiday Season

For those who are looking for that standout gift for a loved one this holiday season, the team at Pickering Square Dental is now offering on the latest whitening services. With whitening treatments now evolving at rapid pace and the results achieved through our work setting the standards within the local market, the clinic’s services are the ideal choice for a broad range of dental patients. Here, we’ll showcase the benefits of gifting teeth whitening services this holiday season.

 

Whitening Can Now be completed in One Treatment

 

In previous years, many patients have been put off the idea of whitening due to the time that the treatment might take from their day-to-day schedule. But with the latest innovations in the dental field, patients can now experience transformative results in as little as one treatment. This also means that the cost of whitening has been reduced significantly. This makes the service more accessible as a gift between friends and family members and means that the recipient isn’t inconvenienced when completing their whitening treatment.

 

Whitening Can Now Provide Lasting Results

 

Until recently, whitening patients had to return to the dental office regularly to have their teeth re-whitened. But the latest services, such as the Pola whitening procedure offered through Pickering Square Dental, can help patients achieve effective whitening results over many years. This helps provide gift-givers full value for their investment and ensures that the gift recipient receives the benefit of having a white, bright and brilliant smile for many important social events in the years to come.

 

Limited Side-Effects

 

The latest whitening procedures are exceptionally well-researched and comprehensively tested. This means that dental professionals can now ensure limited or no side-effectives during their whitening treatment. The most common side-effective suffered by patients during the procedure is tooth sensitivity. But this sensitivity subsides minutes after the treatment has been completed.

 

It’s a safe, effective treatment that can help gift recipients boost their self-confidence over the holiday season. To learn more about our whitening services offered, as well as the latest gift certificates available through Pickering Square Dental, please contact our offices directly today!

Holiday Time Safety: Tooth Friendly Desserts That Will STILL Make the Holiday Season Sweet

It’s getting closer to that time of the year when families come together to celebrate the holiday season. While spending time with loved ones, it’s important to consider the types of foods you’re consuming and their effect on your teeth. Sugary treats are a staple of the holiday season and both children and adults can benefit in the long-term by using this time to change their eating habits and discover healthy treats. By choosing some of the following options, you can protect your teeth for the many exciting holiday seasons to come.

Specialty Cheeses

Selecting a collection of cheese for a holiday snack is a great way to protect teeth while ensuring all guests enjoy delicious treat. Cheese actually works to protect enamel against erosion caused by coffee, soda and sugary snacks. This means that, in addition to being healthier for you than that chocolate cake, cheese snacks also actively work to prevent many future dental health challenges.

Apple Crisp

Apple crisp is a widely popular dessert that can become a key part of a tooth-health focused holiday meal plan. By using calcium rich walnuts as a topping, and only adding small amounts of a mild sweetener such as maple syrup, this healthy desert can be made to protect against enamel erosion. Adding raisins or cranberries is a great way to add texture to the apple crisp without sacrificing oral health. But remember to brush immediately after eating to remove sticky raisins, cranberries and sugars from your teeth.

Rice Pudding

Rice pudding, when it’s made with natural ingredients in the home can be a delicious and healthy alternative to sugar-laden ice-cream.  Not only does it have fewer calories than most other dairy-based treats, it is also low in cholesterol and an exceptional source of calcium. It’s important to limit the amount of sugar used in the rice pudding to maximize the dessert’s benefits. One idea is replacing the required sugar with cinnamon can ensure the desired taste while limiting potential tooth erosion.

By committing to an oral-health focused diet this coming holiday season, you can set a great example to family members and showcase your own cooking creativity!  To learn more on maintaining effective oral health during the upcoming holiday, speak with a member of our Team at Pickering Square Dental.

Fall Friendly Oral Health Tips

The summer is now coming to an end. Swimsuits are being packed away and beach towels are being thrown to the back of the closet after another exciting summer season. With the fall calendar countdown about to begin, it’s important to understand how to maintain optimal oral health in the coming cooler months. Let’s look at a few fall-friendly oral health tips.

1. The Cooler Weather Could Signal Teeth Issues

Do you suffer from sensitive teeth when the cool weather arrives? Many do. This could be nature’s way of telling you there is damage to the tooth or gums. Cold sensitivity could be the result of several factors, including cracked teeth, gum shrinkage, thin enamel or tooth bruising. Those who experience sensitive teeth for more than three days this fall should speak with our office as soon as possible to have the problem evaluated.

2. Manage Your Child’s Candy Eating Effectively

October 31st is a date your child has been waiting for all year. It’s important that they’re able to enjoy their Halloween trick or treating without hurting their teeth for the long-term. In order to help mitigate teeth issues, you must help manage their candy supply for them. One tip is to reduce all candy eating to meal times. That way the saliva will help to rinse the mouth of cavity causing bacteria.

3. Schedule End of Year Appointments

Some still wait for their dental professional to contact them to schedule their next visit.  If you’ve not seen us for a while and are looking for a time to get back on track, the end of the year could be the ideal time to begin a refreshed oral health regimen. You might also find that your dental insurance plan allows for another appointment before the end of the year. This means you should try to schedule your next appointment as early as possible to help in finding an ideal appointment time.

A commitment to year-round oral health care is exceptionally important. But with the dangers that cool weather and those Halloween snacks bring, it’s important to begin the fall with a renewed focus on oral care issues. Speak with one of our specialists today about your oral health needs. 

What Could Be Behind the Soreness in Your Jaw

Jaw pain can make your life miserable. It might stop you from eating as you would normally, and it might even stop you from enjoying athletic activities or everyday events with family and friends. If the pain continues for several days, it’s important to identify the root cause of the problem and resolve the issue effectively. In this blog, we’ll look at the most common causes of jaw pain.

TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder)

The true cause of TMD is not always clear in some patients, but is often the result of stress or continuously grinding teeth. By working with your dentist, you can uncover the cause of the jaw pain and ensure that the TMD is professionally diagnosed. Dentists will often use x-rays to determine the extent of the issue. They may also refer you to a Oral Surgeon Specialist with training in treating TMDs.  To relieve the pain symptoms of TMD before the appointment, it’s important to try to relax the jaw muscles and stop clenching and grinding your teeth.

Cavities

The nerve supply of the teeth follows a path around or near the jaw. This means that many people who suffer jaw pain could simply have a cavity within their teeth that is causing the sensation. Often, when the cause of the pain is a cavity, the jaw pain is felt at the same time as pain in the affected tooth. But sometimes jaw pain may actually precede the tooth pain, which can be disconcerting. If you suspect that you have cavity-related jaw pain, it’s important to speak with your dentist and arrange an appointment to ensure the problem is evaluated and resolved.

Tooth Abscess

An abscess is an infection in and around the tooth.  This infection could be caused by an untreated cavity or gum disease. Initial symptoms of an abscess include throbbing pains while chewing and swelling of the face and jaw.  Over time, these symptoms may disappear, but this usually means the infection has started to dissolve the jaw bone.  Swelling of the mouth requires immediate attention of a Dentist.   

Proactively addressing jaw pain can help to both alleviate fears and answer questions. But when pain persists, expert dental treatment is required. To learn more about your particular symptoms, schedule an appointment with one of our Dentists today. 

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush My Teeth?

It’s happened to most people at one time or another. You brush your teeth normally and then notice some blood on the white bristles of the brush. It can be startling when it first occurs. But it’s important to understand why gum bleeding happens and what can be done to prevent the bleeding in future. Here, we’ll analyze the question “Why do my gums bleed when brushing?”

1. Lack of Regular Oral Hygiene Routine

When your teeth are not professionally cleaned by a dental professional on a regular basis, plaque, tartar and calculus can accumulate under the gum line over time. The longer these materials stay on the teeth, the more likely they are to lead to problems such as inflammation of the gums – or gingivitis. While plaque can be cleaned with regular brushing, tartar build-up removal requires dental equipment and expertise.  When plaque is not removed it can easily lead to more serious dental diseases.

2. Pregnancy or Hormones

For many women, gums can become more sensitive during pregnancy. Fluctuations within hormone levels lead to “pregnancy gingivitis”, which increases blood flow to the gums and other tissues. And because pregnancy can affect the body’s normal response to bacteria, you may become more susceptible to periodontal diseases when you’re pregnant.  Speaking with an OBGYN or your Dentist can ensure the problem is resolved through treatment.

3. Bleeding Disorders

Bleeding disorders are highly serious cause of bleeding gums. One of the main symptoms of bleeding disorders is the body’s inability to clot, leading to blood loss. Those suffering bleeding disorders might also notice small bruises on their gums after brushing. With proper treatment most bleeding disorders are highly manageable. But they’re still very dangerous. It’s imperative to speak with a dental professional as soon as possible if you suspect you’re suffering from a bleeding disorder.

No matter what the cause of the gum bleeding issue, it’s important to have the problem analyzed by a Dentist. Only by undergoing a professional evaluation process can gum bleeding sufferers determine the root cause of their issue.  Preventing discomfort and ensuring exceptional oral health begins with seeking out expert advice. 

Fillings 101: The Facts & Fiction

Patients often come to us with questions about dental fillings. There seems to a lot of confusion in this area of dental care and the fog of fiction continues to blur the facts. Fortunately, there continues to be comprehensive research taking place within the dental field to help provide guidance to patients. It’s important to understand the dental process with comprehensive awareness and clarity. And so in this blog, we’ll highlight the prevailing myths surrounding the industry while separating fact from fiction.

Fiction: Dental amalgam fillings release mercury vapors that are harmful to the body.

Fact: Amalgam fillings may release a tiny amount of mercury under the pressure of chewing or grinding. However, there has been no scientific research to indicate that this level of low exposure is harmful to the body. The studies show that it would require the person to have at least 500 fillings for even the slightest symptoms of mercury exposure to occur. This highlights how unlikely the chances of mercury exposure are for those patients using dental amalgam fillings.

 

Fiction: All fillings must eventually be replaced.

Fact: Filings will only require replacement if the material breaks down or a cavity forms around the filling. Maintaining high levels of oral hygiene while following the instructions of dental professionals can ensure that a fillings longevity is maximized.  Of course, it’s still important to have fillings checked regularly by a professional to ensure there is no structural damage or decay that could impede their performance.

 

Fiction: Dental amalgams are the only option available.

Fact: The dental industry is continually researching new products to ensure that fillings are more aesthetically-appealing and more durable. The industry has come a long way in the last few decades and one of the latest products available are white fillings. One of the leading advantages of white fillings is they can be closely matched to the natural colour of your teeth. And they can also be placed in areas where it would be more difficult to place an amalgam filling. They offer an effective solution for a broad range of filling applications.

By speaking with your local dental health professional, and turning to experienced experts when you have questions, you can avoid making faulty assumptions on dental fillings. To ensure your questions are answered by trusted professionals, speak with one of our team members directly. 

Dental Insurance 101: What To Know When It Comes To Coverage

Before you schedule your visit with the dentist, you need to make sure that you understand what your dental insurance policy covers. It may not be the most exciting reading you ever do but if you are not familiar with your benefits, you will not be getting the most out of them.

 

You Don’t Benefit from Coverage you Don’t Use

Your dental insurance plan is meant to be used. If you are paying for part of your coverage through your work or you are funding it yourself, make a point of going to the dentist for checkups and preventive care. This is cheaper in the long run than putting off seeing someone until you are in pain or a problem becomes a bigger one that is much more expensive to treat.

 

What Services are you Covered For?

Depending on your policy, you may have a no-frills plan that covers you only for basic services like exams, cleaning, fillings, scaling, polishing, root planing and diagnostic services. A top-of-the line plan would provide you with the basic level of coverage, plus reimbursement for endodontics, periodontics and dentures. It will likely also cover services like dentures, orthodontics, crowns and bridges.

 

What Percentage does your Plan Cover?

 

Your insurance plan will not cover the entire cost of your dental care, which means you will still be responsible for a portion of the services your dentist provides to you. This percentage will vary, depending on your contract with your plan provider.

In some instances, the level of coverage you have depends on how long you have been a plan member. During the first calendar year of coverage, you are reimbursed at a lower rate than during the second one. Your level of coverage may increase up to a maximum level during the fifth calendar year.

 

What is your Annual Maximum?

 

A dental insurance plan will have some type of annual dollar limit for the amount it will pay out in benefits for each person it has enrolled under its plan. You’ll want to make sure that you find out whether the annual limit applies to the anniversary date that you enrolled or the calendar year.

 

Once you know the date, you can make it work for you. For example, your plan calculates its annual limit by anniversary date and you joined the plan as of May 15. Your annual limit is $1,000.00. If you know you need dental work done, arrange to have part of it done in early May to use up the last of your dental benefit for one year and the rest completed after May 16 to start using your following year’s benefits; you’ll have another $1,000.00 to work with .

 

By getting familiar with your policy and the type of dental insurance coverage you have, you will be able to get the care you need to look after your oral health. 

Avoid Tooth and Mouth Injuries For Your Child On The Ice This Winter

If your child plans to take to the ice this winter, you’ll want to make sure that he or she is wearing the proper safety equipment to guard against tooth and mouth injuries. Since the majority of dental injuries involve at least one of the front teeth,  taking steps to avoid tooth and mouth injuries is very important.

 

Consequences of Not Wearing Proper Facial Safety Equipment

 

When players do not wear the right type of head and face protection when they step onto the ice, they put themselves at risk for the following types of injuries:

•   Chipped or broken teeth

•   Lost teeth

•   Jaw fractures

•   Mouth and tongue lacerations

 

Avoid Tooth and Mouth Injuries on Ice with the Right Equipment

 

The first piece of safety equipment all hockey players should don before stepping out onto the ice is a well-fitting helmet. When shopping for one, make sure that it it certified by either the Canadian Standards Association or the Hockey Equipment Certification Council. Once you bring the helmet home, make a point of inspecting it regularly to ensure that the hardware and screws are secure.

 

The other piece of equipment required to help protect your child from tooth and mouth injuries is a mouth guard. This is a piece of plastic that fits inside the mouth and is designed to protect the teeth, tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw when they are hit by a moving object. There are three main types available:

•   Stock. This type of mouth guard is inexpensive and comes in sizes S, M, and L. Some players find that they are too wide in the back and this style makes it difficult to talk.

•   Boil and Bite. With this style, hot water is used to soften the plastic and the player bites into the guard to create a semi-custom fit. It offers a good level of protection.

•   Custom. For the best protection against tooth and mouth injuries, see a dentist for a custom mouth guard. It is the most expensive type, but the money is worth it if your child plays sports throughout the year or if they have braces. Once a child is 13 or 14 years of age, the mouth guard should continue to fit for as long as the child continues to participate in sports.

 

Always keep safety in mind when going on the ice. Taking short cuts and neglecting to wear a helmet and mouth guard just open the door to a potential injury.

Pickering Square Dental: The Best Dental Office For Your Teeth

Why should you choose Pickering Square Dental for your oral health care needs? We care about our patients and put their needs first in everything we do. Our goal is to provide caring dental services while making sure that you are as comfortable as possible. If you are looking for a new dentist, there are a number of reasons we think we are the best dental office for your teeth.

 

Why Choose Pickering Square Dental to Care for your Teeth

 

1.     We care for patients of all ages.

Our dentistry practice sees patients ranging in age from 3 to seniors. You and your family will receive continuity of care without having to develop a relationship with a new provider when one of you enters a new stage of life.

2. We offer the latest innovations in dental care.

We make a point of staying current with the latest techniques in dental care so that we can offer our patients the best quality care possible. We know that over time our patients’ needs change, and our services have also evolved to keep pace with them.

3. We put ourselves in our patients’ shoes.

Many patients find going to the dentist to be a stressful experience. Some people even skip their regular checkups altogether rather than make an appointment to see a dentist because they find even the idea of sitting in the chair to be so anxiety-provoking. We understand that you may have concerns about your procedure, and urge you to tell us about them. There are techniques we can use to help you feel more at ease, such as

•   giving you anti-anxiety medication to take before your appointment;

•   using a topical anaesthesia before administering a needle to numb your gums;

•   using a vibration technique to reduce the discomfort associated with administering local anaesthesia;

•   administering IV sedation which will put you in a deep state of relaxation;

•   using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to relieve anxiety;

•   putting patients under general anaesthesia for complex and lengthy treatments.

Children are given “sleepy juice” to keep them comfortable during dental treatments.

 

If you are looking for a dental practice that cares and will go out of its way to make you feel comfortable, give us a call at Pickering Square Dental today. 

Effective Oral Health Care Tips for Your Trick-Or-Treaters

Children look forward to Hallowe’en each year with great excitement. They have fun choosing their costumes and pretending to be someone else for an evening. What type of persona will they decide to be this year? Will they decide to be someone based in everyday life like a doctor or a firefighter, or is the year to dress up like a superhero, princess, or even a Ninja turtle? Along with the costumes, the other part of Hallowe’en that trick or treaters look forward to is receiving a variety of candy. Getting all that sweet stuff doesn’t have to put your children’s oral health care at risk, as long as you keep these tips in mind:

 

1.     Do allow your children to enjoy some of their Hallowe’en candy after trick or treating, but keep in mind that sugary sweets tend to get stuck between teeth after eating. Remind your trick or treaters that they need to brush their teeth thoroughly before going to bed.

2.     Good oral care includes regular flossing, and this is just as important after going out on October 31 as on any other night. Chewy candies, nuts, and taffy also tends to get stuck in between teeth, and it can be difficult to get all the remnants of the candy out. Along with sliding the floss between the teeth, use it in an up and down motion to dislodge any stray candy pieces or nuts. If your child has braces, he or she should not be eating hard or chewy candies or nuts. Chocolate is a better choice for a Hallowe’en treat.

3.     The time of day that your children are eating their Hallowe’en candies matters to their oral health as well. Offer them a snack that isn’t quite so sugar-laden after school and save the candy for after their evening meal. There is a good reason for this strategy; after meals, the mouth has extra saliva which helps to get rid of acids and bacteria, which can lead to cavities.

This annual celebration doesn’t have to mean that your children need to neglect their oral health. They can enjoy their treats and continue to look after their teeth.