Our Dental Blog Archives for Blog: Page 8

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 Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre.

“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 Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre 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 Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre 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:

We all know that nail biting is a bad habit, but do you know why? The dental team at Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre want to clarify why this habit is so detrimental to your overall oral health.

Nail biting is a common habit within certain age groups, including children, teens and young adults. Stress often triggers nail biting, and can diminish as you get older. However, nail biting should be stopped at a young age because it is unclean and unhealthy.

Biting your nails can be detrimental to your oral health for a variety of reasons:

It’s unsanitary. Nails are filled with dirt and they’re even filthier than your fingers. If you bite into your nails, germs will easily get into your mouth and help the spread of bacteria.

Chewing objects is bad for your teeth – When you bite your nails, your teeth will be chewing constantly. The motion of chewing wears down teeth quite fast and puts stress on your teeth which can cause them to misalign.

They harm braces – If you have braces, you know how much pressure is placed on your teeth. If you want to add to this pressure, biting your nails is a great idea! This will stress your teeth out and weaken them, harming your orthodontic treatment and your overall bite.

It can end up costing you – You wouldn’t think that nail biting would be an expensive habit, but it can end up costing you up to $4,000 in extra dental bills during your life!

So what can you do about your problem? Just knowing the facts and how damaging nail biting can be should help you take action and kick that habit for good. The dental team at Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre can answer any questions you might have about nail biting. Contact us today!

Greenline Dental Centre is proud to be a sponsor and participant in events in our community, and we’re proud to support the next generation of community leaders and the future of dentistry. Recently, Greenline Dental’s doctor attended the Grand Opening of the 123Dentist.com Study/Conference Room donated by the 123Dentist.com Community Dentist Network to the Faculty of Dentistry at the prestigious University of British Columbia. Our doctors are pictured with Dr. Charles Shuler (far right), the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry.

For more photos of the wonderful event, please visit the 123Dentist.com Facebook page.

Your children’s oral health is important, and keeping teeth and gums healthy is crucial on so many levels. Recently, experts have discovered that children’s teeth might be able to help treat Parkinson’s disease and diabetes because of stem cells located in the pulp chambers of the teeth. Clearly, your child’s teeth are vitally important and the dental team at Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre want to make sure your children’s oral health care is top notch.

Practicing proper oral health care

If you’re wondering when the right time is to start brushing your baby’s teeth, we have some tips for you. Regular dental cleanings should be done after your baby has their teeth. After you have breastfed or bottle-fed your baby, take a damp washcloth and softly rub your baby’s gums. To make cleaning easier, you can wrap the cloth around one of your fingers to remove all those food scraps from your baby’s mouth.

As soon as your baby’s first tooth comes, a baby toothbrush will be needed. You can easily find special children’s oral health care toothbrushes at your local drugstore. These brushes are gentle and have only a few bristles. You don’t have to worry about buying toothpaste, you’ll only need water to clean your child’s teeth.

Children’s oral health care experts have determined that when more teeth start to come in, that’s when toothpaste becomes necessary. You will only need a very small amount and be sure that there is no fluoride in the toothpaste for the first few years. A great exercise is to have your child pretend to spit out toothpaste after brushing – then they will have already formed good habits when it comes time to use fluoride toothpaste which is hazardous when swallowed.

For more questions or concerns about proper children’s oral health or your baby’s teeth, call or visit us at Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre!

Did you know: February is National Children’s Dental Health Month?

February is the month to raise awareness about the significance of your oral health. With National Children’s Dental Health month beginning in Cleveland in 1941 and extending to a month-long program since 1981, it is especially important to take care of your child’s oral health. The dental team at Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre support National Children’s Dental Health Month and encourage you to follow up with regular checkups and proper oral care.

In February, Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre and other dentists around the world are concerned with preventative oral care, especially when it comes to children. It is important to remember that having good oral health habits when you’re young and having periodic dental appointments will get your children on the right track to keep those teeth and gums healthy.

If your child hasn’t been to Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre in the last six months, be sure to contact us and make an appointment.

If you’re pregnant and wondering what effect your oral health might have on your unborn baby, the dental health experts at our Coquitlam Centre dental practice want patients to know the facts about how oral health can impact pregnancy.

There has been evidence that shows a correlation between gum disease and premature babies. Researchers have revealed that pregnant woman who have gum disease are more likely than other pregnant women to have a premature birth.

There needs to be more research on this subject, but it does seem that gum disease is detrimental to fluids that induce labour. If gum disease worsens during pregnancy, the risk will be greater of having a baby born too early or too small.

The dental health team at Greenline Dental encourages pregnant women to visit our Coquitlam dental practice for regular dental appointments so that oral health issues can be treated before they have an impact on pregnancy.

While you are pregnant, the team at our Coquitlam dental practice will pay close attention to your teeth and gums. In order to keep your mouth healthy, brush and floss on a regular basis and make sure your diet is nutritious. Ensure that you visit Greenline Dental Centre for your regular checkups and to prevent dental issues.

Aside from gum disease, another issue that women may develop during pregnancy is gingivitis. This occurs when plaque is stored in the teeth, causing gums to be irritated. Symptoms of this dental problem are red, swollen and bloody gums, and inflammation.

Gingivitis is a major concern for pregnant women who visit our Coquitlam Centre dental practice because the high level of hormones make the way gums respond to plaque much worse. It should be noted that plaque is the major cause of pregnancy gingivitis, not hormones.

If you are diligent about keeping your teeth clean, this will reduce your chances of gingivitis. Make sure to pay special attention to the gumline, as it attracts plaque and bacteria the most.

Let the Greenline Dental Centre team at Coquitlam Centre know about your pregnancy when you make your appointment.

It is common for parents to wonder whether it is bad for kids to be sucking their thumbs or fingers. Lots of households have at least one “thumb-sucker” and we at Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre in Coquitlam are here to set the record straight about the problems that arise from thumb sucking.

The big question is, should you worry about your child if they are sucking their thumb? For the most part, there is nothing to worry about. Thumb sucking is completely natural for most children, making them feel secure and content and even being quite relaxing for them. This habit is something that most kids can easily grow out of when they hit the ages of two to four.

However, thumb sucking does become a problem when your child continues to suck their thumb after they’ve received their permanent teeth (usually around the ages of four to six). This habit can become quite problematic at this point, causing pressure inside their mouth and preventing teeth from growing or aligning properly.

If you think that thumb sucking is becoming a problem for your child, contact the dental team at Greenline Dental in Coquitlam and we can evaluate what’s happening and give you some helpful tips on how your child can stop this habit.

A lot of people are making resolutions at the start of the New Year, either to eat better, exercise more, or save more money. But, how many have ever considered making a New Year’s resolution for their smile?

In 2012, make your smile something special with the help of Greenline Dental Centre!

We have a wide range of convenient, one-stop dental services including:

• Mercury-Free Fillings
• Professional Teeth Whitening
• and much more!

Request an appointment online today or call us at 604-464-7333 now.

Bad breath can scare away a variety of people, whether it be your boss, family, or a potential new love interest. The team at Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre in Coquitlam are always available to share the latest tips and tricks on how to freshen bad breath.

At Greenline Dental Centre, we know that many patients are worried about how their breath smells. However, while some cases of bad breath are persistent and chronic, bad breath can typically be kept at bay.

The following video thoroughly explains the causes of bad breath and how it can be prevented. Most of the time, bad breath can be stopped if you brush your teeth twice a day after eating and floss regularly. The video focuses on morning breath and how this can be controlled, providing tips such as brushing inside the cheek and tongue where most of the bacteria accumulates. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water to encourage saliva production.

Watch the video below for more tips on how to get rid of bad breath.

To learn more about proper oral health, feel free to contact Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre you have any questions.

What is cosmetic dentistry?

For most, the look of your smile is extremely important. If you are unhappy with your smile, there are numerous ways in which you can achieve the look you want. The cosmetic dentistry team at Greenline Dental Centre in Coquitlam will be able to perform the right procedure for you.

These five common cosmetic dentistry treatments can help with the overall look of your teeth:

Teeth Bleaching When people ask “what is cosmetic dentistry”, this is the typically the most well-known answer. Teeth bleaching is used to whiten teeth and can eliminate stains. Years of discoloured teeth from medication, coffee, tea or from smoking, genetics or from aging can be erased–almost instantly. Cosmetic dentistry and professional teeth whitening are a perfect solution for patients with upcoming job interviews, weddings, birthdays or more.

Bonding Filling in gaps and changing tooth color is done through bonding. Cosmetic dentistry bonding only needs one office visit, and can last for many years after the procedure is done.

Crowns Cosmetic dental crowns, a.k.a. caps, restores teeth back to their regular shape and look. Cosmetic crowns typically last the longest out of all cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Veneers If you want to change the color or shape of your teeth and get that winning smile you’ve always wanted, veneers are the choice for you. Thin pieces of porcelain are used on teeth to correct flaws in a person’s teeth.

Contouring and reshaping If you have healthy teeth and want to get a subtle makeover for your smile in a single session, contouring and tooth reshaping is done efficiently and will correct the flaws in your mouth. This procedure is normally used in conjunction with bonding to change the look of your teeth.

If we have not answered your question of “what is cosmetic dentistry” yet, give us a call or go online to book an appointment today at Greenline Dental Centre in Coquitlam to learn more and get that smile you’ve always wanted.