Dealing with Sensitive Teeth

Closeup of beautiful young woman suffering from toothache, Dental health and care, People with teeth problem concept.

Sensitive teeth can be such a drag – especially if you love ice cream! But did you know that there are a number of things that can aggravate sensitive teeth, including certain foods and brushing. What used to be a small annoyance can quickly turn into a painful problem.

While it’s true that desensitizing toothpaste can provide temporary relief, it’s still better if you can find ways to relieve sensitive teeth naturally and avoid pain in the future. Well, you’d be glad to know that with just a few changes to your daily routine, you can actually make a huge difference in how your teeth feel.  But first you have to know more about sensitive teeth.

What causes the pain?

Many dental issues can cause sensitive teeth. If you focus on what causes tooth sensitivity can help you understand how you can treat it and even keep it from coming back. Tooth sensitivity is often triggered when you eat foods that are hot or cold.  It can be caused by various factors including gum or periodontal disease, exposed roots at the gum line, tooth decay, aggressive brushing, and wearing away of the enamel.

If your sensitive teeth are caused by gum disease, infection, or tooth decay, you should see your dentist at once. Only when those oral health problems are addressed will you find relief from sensitive teeth. Some issues, however, like soft enamel may be habit-based or hereditary, making it easier to wear it down. In such case, you may be able to address sensitivity at home.

Like we mentioned above, changing your usual habits can make a big difference. You can try these tips to enjoy healthier and pain-free teeth:

Cut Down Your Intake of Acidic Foods

There are certain foods that can cause sensitivity. Some examples are citrus fruits, coffee, carbonated drinks, and even yoghurt. The reason for this is the way acidic products wear away tooth enamel. The best thing to do is to avoid them completely, but if you do enjoy drinking pop occasionally, do so using a straw to minimize the contact between the liquid and your teeth. Also, don’t brush your teeth immediately after drinking or eating acidic foods because acid softens the enamel so your teeth are even more sensitive if they are brushed too quickly. It is a good idea to drink a glass of milk instead to neutralize the acid first.

Replace Your Hard-Bristled Toothbrush

While brushing helps keep your teeth clean and healthy, a hard-bristled toothbrush and abrasive toothpaste can make your teeth even more sensitive. If your toothbrush is hard, swap it for a softer one. Also, make sure that you brush your teeth gently.  Brushing harder doesn’t mean you’re brushing better, especially when you have sensitive teeth.

Protect Your Teeth at Night with a Mouth Guard

A lot of people grind their teeth at night – sometimes even without realizing it. Bruxism can wear away the enamel and result to sensitive teeth. A mouth guard can help protect your teeth from grinding. You can visit Pickering Square Dental to have one fitted for you.

If you’re suffering from sensitive teeth, you should know that using desensitizing toothpaste is not your only option. Following the tips we gave can help you achieve less sensitive teeth naturally. If you want more helpful tips for your sensitive teeth or for any oral health concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Pickering Square Dental!

 


 

Why We Need to Address Your Child’s Cavities

Little girl is having her teeth checked by dentist

Even if children have teeth that they will eventually lose, you still have to make sure that those teeth will survive until your kids’ adult teeth push them out of the gums. Having their teeth intact until that time will help ensure that there will be enough room for the adult teeth and that they will grow in correctly.

That is why if there are any signs of cavities in your child’s teeth, they should be immediately addressed!

Oral hygiene is important from the time that those tiny teeth come in. That is why you should start teaching your toddler how she can take care of her teeth.

Unfortunately, there are instances when despite your efforts to keep your young one’s teeth healthy, he or she will still end up with cavities. What should you do then? How will the cavities be addressed?

Fillings for Baby Teeth

To preserve your child’s baby teeth, the cavities could be drilled out and the teeth can be filled or crowned. The goal is to save the teeth and avoid extraction. Like we mentioned above, those baby teeth help usher the adult teeth properly so losing them before they’re ready to come out is not going to be good for your child’s permanent teeth.  Just like with adult teeth, fillings may be required for baby (primary or, first set of teeth) which is a measure taken when necessary to retain the tooth for as long as possible.   

The treatment for tooth decay includes drilling the decay from the baby tooth as needed. Now, depending on the severity of the problem (how much damage was caused by the cavity) the tooth can be filled or a crown will be created for it.

Decay Can Possibly Recur

Tooth decay can be a recurring issue, even though your child’s dentist works hard to get all the decay out. That’s why it’s really important that your child establishes good oral hygiene. When decay comes back, the filling will be removed so the new decay will be removed. The tooth will be re-filled or crowned after.

Extraction is the Last Option

While preserving baby teeth is the goal, sometimes the dentist will have no other choice but perform an extraction. This is when the decay is so advanced that it’s causing pain or gum problems. The gap where the extracted baby tooth used to be may be filled with a prosthetic to keep the correct space for the adult tooth.

It’s normal to feel anxious about getting your child’s teeth filled, but really, there is nothing to worry about. We at Pickering Square Dental will put you at ease. You can trust that we will come up with the perfect treatment plan for your child. Remember that as a parent, you should teach your child about proper oral hygiene and schedule regular teeth cleanings to avoid tooth decay!

Is Your Smile Valentine-Proof?

Is Your Smile Valentine-Proof?

What is Valentine’s Day without sweets? Aside from bouquets of flowers, sugary treats like chocolates and candies are the most common gifts we give to our loved ones whether they are young or old.

Considering how much sugar one consumes on this day, it’s very important that you and your loved ones take really good care of your teeth. Good oral hygiene is key to protecting your teeth from all the sugar and the bacteria that can cause gum disease and tooth decay.

So how do you protect your smile this Valentine’s Day?

Stay Away from Sticky Candies

While all sugary treats are a threat to your teeth, the sticky and hard to chew variety are the worst. Caramels, gum drops, and toffee, among others, are full of sugar and they will stick to both natural teeth and dentures. Some of them are so sticky that they can actually dislodge dental appliances like braces. If you want to protect your teeth from damage and decay, you should avoid these types of candies.

Don’t Forget to Brush and Floss

Sweets, especially the sticky and chewy ones take hours to dissolve or wear away. They can also get lodged between your teeth and eat away the enamel and lead to gum irritation and cavities. That’s why you should remember to brush your teeth after eating candies. You should also floss to get those hard-to-remove stuck particles between your teeth. Swishing with mouthwash after can also help.

Establish a Daily Oral Hygiene Routine

It’s not enough to just brush your teeth on days when you eat a lot of sweets. You should protect your gums and teeth all year long. You can do this by having a really effective oral hygiene routine. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily. When your teeth are strong, they can withstand the damaging effects of sugary treats better.

Schedule a Visit to Your Dentist

It’s a good idea to have a professional dental cleaning after Valentine’s Day. This way, you can be sure that your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned. Your dentist can also check those problem areas that you might have missed. Any oral health issue will also be caught and you can avoid major dental problems.

Pickering Square Dental can help you keep your teeth strong and healthy. We can also give you tips on how you can still enjoy those sweet treats you get on Valentine’s Day without having to worry about your oral health!

Missing a Tooth? Here are Some Great Options !

Close up on a man smiling while he is missing a tooth.

It is quite common for a Canadian between the ages of 20 and 65 to have more than two decayed or missing teeth. It’s a real concern for many. Why does it matter, you ask? Well, even if the missing tooth is not noticeable, it still affects the way you speak and chew your food – especially if you’re missing teeth in the back, which are meant for heavy chewing. When you lose those, you have no other choice but to use your front teeth for chewing. Because they are not intended for all that hard action, there’s a high probability that they’ll break down, as well. The remaining teeth may also shift when there’s a space that’s not supposed to be there.

 

If you are missing one or more teeth, you are probably wondering what options you have for you to be able to restore your smile. We’ll help you decide!

 

PARTIAL DENTURE (removable)

It is considered the most economical way to replace missing teeth. A partial denture is removable. It has replacement teeth on a plastic base that is colored to match the patient’s gums. It is connected to adjacent teeth using metal clasps. This is how partial dentures snap in place for both support and retention.

 

FIXED BRIDGE (non-removable)

A fixed bridge is yet another good option for replacing one or more missing teeth. A bridge replaces a patient’s missing tooth by connecting to adjacent teeth. For large restorations, multiple teeth are attached. What a fixed bridge basically is a crown on supporting teeth on either end and a false tooth in the middle.

 

DENTAL IMPLANTS (non-removable)

Implants are considered by many to be the best option for replacing one or more missing teeth. With an implant, a titanium anchor is integrated into your jaw bone, similar to your natural tooth root. An aesthetic crown is then attached to that implant as a replacement for the missing tooth.   Additionally, an implant helps you keep the bone height you have and it’s very hygienic, too.

 

It is important that you take care of your oral health to avoid losing a tooth. However, if it has already happened, know that you always have the option to get a tooth replaced. To know which one is the most suitable for you, you can contact Pickering Square Dental and we’d help you choose the best option for you.