Category Archives: Oral Health

Dental Crowns: The Advantages

Dental crowns are a common dental procedure that can help amplify the beauty of your smile. They are customized to the shape and colour of your original tooth and can cover from the chewing surface of the tooth to the gum line. In certain cases, crowns are essential in order to protect the structure of the tooth. An example of this is application of a crown on a root canal treated tooth.

Crowns are not only used for medical purposes they are also used for cosmetic purposes.  They can aid in the disguise of a chipped tooth from a childhood accident or mask a misshapen tooth. This versatile but simple procedure can not only improve your smile but also allow for your teeth to have a more practical function.

Alter the look of your teeth

Dental crowns help restore your teeth and alter your smile. They can help cover cracked, discolored, chipped, fractured, misshapen and crooked teeth.  They can help hide teeth that have a natural stain. Similar to porcelain veneers, crowns are used to correct flaws in your smile and amplify the appearance of your smile.

Maintain the structure of a damaged tooth

Root canal treated teeth sometimes may become more susceptible to breakage and chipping as they are more delicate. Additionally, teeth with extensive decay and oral trauma may become painful and sore. A dental crown best protects teeth in such conditions.  Adding a dental crown can protect the structure of the tooth, protect it from further sensitivity and maintain the oral health of the teeth.

Customized to your needs

Dental crowns can be customized to the shape, colour, size and fit that works best for your smile.  They are often made in a lab who receives the dental impression or an oral scan of your tooth. The lab works to make a crown with the exact colour that you request allowing you to have a smile that is perfectly blended.

Noninvasive procedure

Although the thought of having a dental crown placed in your mouth may sound daunting it is relatively a simple procedure, which is generally broken in two short visits to your dentist. The dentist will help shape your existing tooth into a position that can hold the crown.  Then the dentist will send an impression or  a digital scan of the tooth to the lab to have a customized crown created that would be cemented into place in your mouth. Just like that you can alter the look of your smile!

Durability

Dental crowns are usually made with a very strong material to mimic the structure of your natural teeth. These crowns can last 15 to 30 years depending on how the teeth are maintained. Flossing, brushing and regular visits to your dental office can help ensure the durability of your teeth and make sure you get the full benefit of your dental crown.

Your smile is an important asset, ensure that it is maintained by visiting your dentist and asking if dental crowns can help alter your smile. Dental crowns can help magnify how you use your teeth and how they appear. If you are suffering from a broken, cracked, fractured, misaligned or chipped tooth call D.R. Dental Clinic to see if dental crowns can work for you.

Could You Be Suffering From Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disease that many people may suffer from although they may be unaware. It may be perceived as common snoring but it can be a very dangerous condition that can affect your sleeping pattern.

Sleep apnea can be classified as central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and treatment emergent central sleep apnea. Identifying the type of sleep apnea is essential so that it can be treated correctly. Individuals from various ages and body types can be affected by sleep apnea.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the correct signals to control the breathing muscles

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This is the more common form of sleep apnea that patients suffer from. It is caused when the throat muscles relax and block the flow of air into the lungs.

Treatment Emergent Central Sleep Apnea

This type of classification is seen when patients suffer from both obstructive and central sleep apnea

Individuals who suffer from sleep apnea not only have difficulty sleeping through the night, snoring or sinus issues they may also suffer side effects such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, acid reflux, adult asthma and even shortened life expectancy.

There are many ways that you can monitor to the complications that you suffer from in your sleep but the most effective way is to schedule a sleep test with a sleep professional so that it can be assessed by a medical and dental professional.

Dental professionals can detect early signs of sleep apnea through symptoms such as dry mouth and teeth grinding. They may then refer you to a medical professional for a sleep test. D.R. Dental clinic can help you determine if you show signs of sleep apnea and guide you in steps you can take in diagnosing it.

Gum Disease (AKA) Gingivitis

If your gums bleed, are tender, sensitive, or swell up occasionally when you floss, you might have gingivitis. However, you’re not alone.

According to the Canadian Dental Hygienist Association, about half of the Canadian population has gingivitis, yet many are not completely aware.

How do I know if I have Gingivitis?

Healthy gums are pink in colour and quite firm in texture. Gums affected by Gingivitis on the other hand have the tendency to be red in colour, swollen, tender, non uniform and bleed easily especially when brushing or flossing, bad breath and receding gums are other signs.

Gingivitis is quite common. If properly addressed it can be easily treated; otherwise, it can advance into periodontitis, a more serious gum disease that can potentially lead to tooth loss due to its spreading throughout the deeper tooth supporting tissues and bones beneath your gums.

Periodontitis can go beyond your oral cavity!

New research indicates that periodontitis could have an impact on other health problems, including some cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and respiratory disease.

Who is more susceptible to developing Gingivitis?

The chances of developing Gingivitis increase with the following factors:

  • Poor oral hygiene habits.
  • Tobacco usage.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Poor nutrition.
  • Vitamin C deficiency.
  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy and cycles.
  • Certain blood pressure and seizure medications.
  • Crooked or overlapping teeth.
  • Ill fitting or broken dental restorations.
  • Conditions impacting your immunity like HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy and immunosuppressive medications.
  • Genetics can play a major role as well.

Gingivitis is a very serious problem that should not be neglected!

How can I protect myself from Gingivitis?

As they say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Luckily, there are various ways to prevent it from occurring:

  • Maintaining good oral hygiene. This is the most effective way of preventing this disease. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. It would also be helpful to brush after every meal or snack. Flossing is especially important as it removes any remaining food particles and bacteria that brushing leaves behind.
  • Follow proper health habits. Eating healthy isn’t only beneficial for your body, but it is also beneficial for your teeth. This is because when eating sugary or starchy foods, you feed the tooth decay and gum disease causing bacteria found in your mouth.
  • Regular dentist visits. Regular checkups and cleanings go hand in hand with good oral hygiene. Most people need to get cleanings every 6 months, but if you are more susceptible to developing gum disease for example if you smoke, have braces or pregnant you will be advised to get cleanings more often.

How is Gingivitis Treated?

Treating gingivitis can sometimes be done at home, or might also need additional treatment at the dentist’s office, depending on the stage and extend of the gum disease.

It all starts by letting the dentist examine and diagnose your individual gums status.

Sometimes an antibacterial toothpaste and antibacterial mouthwash would be recommended by your dentist for you to use at home. They are capable of fighting plaque and bacteria even after you’re done brushing, especially in those hard to reach places. Additionally, your dentist may suggest more effective ways of brushing including the use of an electric toothbrush, paying special attention to the gum line when brushing, using a water-pick and so on.

In some cases you might need additional in clinic treatments to be done to control gingivitis like:

  • Antibiotic gel. After a deep cleaning, this gel is spread around the gum lines and in gum pockets to help control the active infection.
  • Deep gum cleaning. Instruments that perform a deep cleaning under the gum line are used.
  • Surgical open flap cleaning. especially for areas with very deep pockets.
  • Prescription of an antimicrobial mouthwash. A prescribed mouthwash that is more effective at fighting bacteria than regular mouthwash.

Gingivitis shouldn’t be something that you have to worry about now that you know how to avoid it and treat it. Brush your teeth, floss, use a mouth wash, and go for regular dental checkups and cleanings, and you should be good to go!