Simply brushing your teeth is not an effective solution for preventing tooth decay and erosion. The general dentistry team at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry recommends dental sealants, which give teeth solid protection against the bacteria that infiltrates your mouth and causes cavities.
What are dental sealants?
Sealants are made of durable, stain-resistant plastic and are bonded to the grooves of your teeth. After a dentist at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry seals the tooth, the grooves are smoothed down and make it hard for plaque to build. Sealants make brushing teeth easy and efficient.
Dental sealants are safe for children and are a great way to prevent tooth decay after their permanent teeth have erupted. Sealants, however, can only be placed on healthy teeth. Sealing permanent teeth is much more common that sealing baby teeth; however, each person has different needs and your dentist at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry can tell you if dental sealants are a good option for you or not.
Sealants last for a few years, although it is common for adults to have older sealants that are still functional. A dental sealant is only effective when it is in good shape, so if your sealant falls out, let your dentist know and book an appointment so we can reseal your teeth.
To learn more about dental sealants, or to book an appointment with your dentist at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry to reseal your teeth, contact us today.
No matter how cool and trendy you think tongue rings are, these piercings are dangerous and potentially fatal. Piercing your tongue can result in chipped teeth, recessed gums and nerve damage. What some people don’t know is that getting a piercing in the mouth can result in a fatal condition, like Ludwig’s angina or endocarditis.
Ludwig’s angina is an infection in the bottom of the mouth caused by bacteria, and occurs after your tooth has been infected, an injury to the mouth, an oral procedure or an unnecessary hazard to your health. When you get an oral piercing, the mouth develops an open wound for bacteria to travel through your blood. Bacteria has the power to make the bottom of the mouth swell quickly which blocks the airway or stops you from swallowing your saliva.
Endocarditis comes from bacteria traveling in the blood through the hole that has been pierced. This can be an infection in the heart, and people who have a history of heart problems are at risk for this disorder.
Most professionals will not recommend piercings, but if you do get a piercing, be sure to take good care of it. Unclean piercing equipment can cause other infections, like hepatitis. Make an appointment at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry to ensure that you are getting the follow-up care you need.
Tooth sensitivity is a nerve irritation that occurs after your enamel has worn down or if your gums are receding, exposing the surfaces of your teeth. Pain normally stems from consuming hot or cold foods and beverages that touch your teeth, bringing them in contact with cold air. If you’re having tooth sensitivity, CGS Dentistry in Coquitlam can help.
The most popular complaint from dental patients is that tooth sensitivity causes so much pain that your eating habits change – even a spoonful of ice cream can be an excruciating experience for people with sensitive teeth.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
There are a variety of reasons that your teeth may be extra sensitive. One factor that may lead to tooth sensitivity is eating or drinking large quantities of foods with acid, especially citrus juices. Avoiding these foods and drinks can help alleviate the problem.
How can I prevent tooth sensitivity?
Another great way to prevent tooth sensitivity is by using the proper toothpaste. Toothpastes that have abrasive ingredients like the ones in whitening toothpastes will be hard on people with sensitive teeth. A desensitizing toothpaste is a better choice, and having your dentist apply sealants or fluoride will help.
Brushing your teeth too hard can also cause tooth sensitivity, so it is a good idea to use a soft toothbrush. Brushing too hard can start breaking down the tooth and expose the more sensitive underside. A good test to see if you are brushing too aggressively is by looking carefully at the bristles on your toothbrush. If the bristles point in several directions, then you are brushing too hard.
The dental team at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry have a number of regiments that can help you manage tooth sensitivity. One treatment solution is to apply a desensitizing agent or protective coating that will alleviate any discomfort you might have.
Contact Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry today to learn more about managing tooth sensitivity.
Below you’ll find an informational video from Colgate on tooth sensitivity:
We all know that sugary junk food isn’t going to do us any favors for our waistlines, but eating lots of sugar will also rot your teeth and lead to tooth decay. At Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry, we will ensure your teeth feel healthy and can give you strategies to prevent tooth decay.
Let us break it down for you: sugar that lives in the mouth gets devoured by bacteria which create acids that break down your tooth enamel. This leads not only to decay but to other problems, including gingivitis.
Because we live in such a fast-paced culture, it’s common to neglect a balanced diet in favor of an unhealthy one made up of convenient foods with high-sugar content. It is obvious that this type of lifestyle is detrimental to not only people’s oral health, but to their overall well-being.
Experts say that because we live in such a stressful society, fast food is a quick and easy fix for most people.
So what can you do to prevent tooth decay and lead a healthy lifestyle? Staying away from fast food and foods high in sugar is the obvious answer, but there are other things you can do as well.
Ways to Keep Tooth Decay At Bay:
Be sure to book an appointment with an oral health expert at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry for your regular dental check-up.
X-rays are essential to a person’s oral health, and at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry in Coquitlam, we want to ensure that people are getting regular X-rays for their teeth.
So what is the big deal about getting X-rays? X-ray exams reveal the state of your teeth, and the composition of the bones in your face. They are also able to spot gum disease and abnormal growths (including cysts and tumors). X-rays can also locate where impacted and unerupted teeth are, and can find cavities or disease that a simple checkup couldn’t.
X-rays for Coquitlam dental patients at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry can be vital for maintaining oral health. For most patients, they will receive a full set of mouth X-rays to determine the state of their oral health. Patients may need to follow up so we can analyze the condition of their gums or their odds of tooth decay.
Our patients’ health is important to us, so schedule an appointment at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry in Coquitlam today to book your X-ray. Here’s a wonderful video that explains the many benefits of digital X-rays:
April is Oral Health Month and to celebrate we are hosting a Free VELscope Oral Cancer Screening day on April 26, 2012.
Male smokers over the age of 40 are the most susceptible to Oral Cancer but everyone’s at risk – something as simple as getting too much sun, smoking or drinking alcohol may increase your chances of suffering from Oral Cancer.
With Oral Cancer, prevention and early detection is key. Practice correct oral health care by brushing twice daily and flossing every day and come in for your FREE VELscope oral cancer screening at your nearest 123Dentist.com Community Dentist Network practice.
As part of Oral Health Month, members of the 123Dentist.com Community Dentist Network are offering a FREE Velscope Oral Cancer screening on April 26, 2012. VELscope screenings typically take only a few minutes and are completely pain‐free.
Reserve your FREE Oral Cancer screening appointment or find the nearest participating location near you by clicking here.
April is Oral Health Month and to celebrate – and encourage – great oral health care, members of the 123Dentist.com Community Dentist Network across the Lower Mainland are offering a FREE VELscope Oral Cancer Screening on April 26, 2012.
The VELscope system is a laser device that was invented by the BC Cancer Agency as a tool to fight Oral Cancer through early detection. Oral Cancer is a potentially deadly disease and early detection and early treatment are key in the fight against Oral Cancer.
The VELscope oral cancer scanner works by using fluorescent light technology to help detect signs of cancer and precancer that are not visible to the naked eye. Quick and painless, an oral cancer screening often takes just 2 to 3 minutes.
Consider this: over 3,400 new cases of oral cancer were found last year in Canada alone.
Take just 5 minutes out of your day on April 26, 2012 to ensure you have a safer Oral Health Month.
For more information about our Free VELscope Oral Cancer screening on April 26 or to reserve your appointment, please click here.
We at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry are excited to announce the Invisalign Celebration Evening on April 27 at 6:00pm!
Guests will be able to learn about the benefits of Invisalign or Invisalign Teen over tasty appetizers!
In addition, attendees will have the chance to commit to treatment during the event, which will earn $1000 off Invisalign or Invisalign Teen treatment.
Best of all, one lucky attendee will WIN their entire Invisalign Treatment for FREE!
Here’s a wonderful infograph about Invisalign to help introduce you to Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces!
Many dental patients in Coquitlam believe they have perfect oral health. However, at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry, we see many patients who are suffering from gingivitis and gum disease without even realizing it. Puffy, red gums that bleed could mean you have gingivitis. If you ignore these symptoms — and many patients do as the swelling, redness and bleeding aren’t typically painful — you may be on your way to early stage periodontal (gum) disease. But, it’s also possible to prevent the disease from occurring by reducing plaque build-up. Daily flossing and brushing, as well as regular dental hygienist cleanings, can keep plaque away. Regular dental checkups at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry are crucial in gum disease prevention since any early signs of decay can be caught.
Some of our Coquitlam patients are surprised when their previously healthy, pink gums start to turn red and begin to bleed, but an individual’s oral health can change at any time. This is why gum disease prevention must be an ongoing effort on your part. Without daily flossing and brushing, plus regular checkups and cleanings at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry, you’re likely to be at risk for periodontal disease. Make sure you brush at least twice a day, as well as floss daily, to avoid plaque build-up. Plaque, a film containing bacteria and acids, ruins tooth enamel as well as causes periodontal disease. Food particles can become trapped in plaque and further the progress of the disease, so it’s important to get regular hygienist cleanings plus gum disease prevention support from your dentist, who may recommend fluoride or other decay-preventive solutions.
Getting tips and checkups at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry is an easy way to prevent gum disease and avoid destroying the structure of your teeth. Without regular professional care, moderate and late stages of gum disease may occur. If the gums aren’t healthy, they can’t adequately support the teeth. In the moderate stage of periodontal disease, gums tend to recede and expose large portions of the upper teeth–negatively affecting the tooth structure. Teeth often become loose at this stage. You’ll need to see your oral health expert to help avoid the advanced stage of gum disease. This stage of periodontal disease is the main cause of adult tooth loss and pain is typically present due to infection being built up deeply within the gums.
Don’t put off the state of your oral health! Contact the team at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry to book an appointment for personalized gum disease prevention and treatment.
Here’s a great video about what you can do to prevent gum disease and keep your smile healthy!
Using dental floss properly is essential to your oral health because it eliminates plaque and gets rid of food bits in places where a toothbrush can’t reach. These areas are in between the teeth and underneath the gum-line. Here are some great oral health tips on clean teeth and dental floss from the dental team at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry in Coquitlam.
“Why is dental plaque so bad for me?”
When dental plaque builds up, it can cause tooth decay and gum disease, which is why the dental team at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry in Coquitlam recommends that you use dental floss regularly, every day.
“How do I floss properly?”
Here are some strategies on using dental floss most effectively:
– Give yourself about 18 inches of floss and wrap it around both of your middle fingers. Leave an inch or so of dental floss that you can maneuver.
– Hold the dental floss in a flexible way and keep it between your thumbs and index fingers. Be gentle when sliding it up and down between your teeth.
– Take the dental floss and put it around the base of each tooth so you get into the gumline. Do not be forceful with the floss because it can harm gum tissue.
– When you move between teeth, be sure to use the clean section of the floss.
-Removing the floss from your mouth is easy: use a similar back-and-forth motion so you can move the floss up and away from your teeth.
The two kinds of floss you can use are Nylon floss or PTFE. With nylon floss, you can choose between waxed and unwaxed, and there are many different flavors. The problem with nylon floss is that it can sometimes tear easily, but this won’t happen with PTFE floss. PTFE floss is more expensive but worth it because it maneuvers easily between teeth and won’t shred. However, both kinds of floss are efficient in eliminating plaque.
For any questions about dental floss and clean teeth, contact us at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry in Coquitlam and we can give you all the information you need.
So, do you have the answer to “How do I floss properly” yet? If not, check out this informative video from Colgate:
At CGS Dentistry, we’re very proud and fortunate to be members of BC’s own 123 Dentist – Community Dentist Network.