Our Dental Blog Archives for Dentist Coquitlam: Page 1

In our continuous series of the best ways to prevent cavities, Greenline Dental explains why vending machines are causing more and more cavities in children and adults.

“Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring…”

Vending machines are quick, easy and cheap. Put in some of your extra pocket cash and instantly enjoy a chocolate bar, chip bag, or even a can of pop. That’s not the only thing you’re getting for cheap, vending machines are not only giving out sugar-filled treats; they are also giving out cavities!

When you choose to satisfy your hunger with a chocolate bar or bag of candy, the bacteria in your mouth starts digesting sugar, quickly turning it into acid. This harmful chemical stays on your teeth and begins to eat away at the natural enamel (the material that protects your smile from tooth decay). When enamel gets eaten, you get a cavity!

So what are some helpful ways to prevent cavities from occurring? Always remember to brush your teeth after eating any sugar-filled treat. If you don’t have a chance to brush, don’t even think about treating yourself!

Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring:

• Bread
• Sliced meat
• Milk
• Raw veggies and fruit
• Nuts and seeds

Subscribe to our blog for more helpful ways to prevent cavities, or contact the friendly team at Greenline Dental to learn more about what causes cavities.

It is a commonly known fact that smoking leads to health problems such as lung cancer, but did you know that smoking and oral health problems often go hand in hand?

In fact, smoking is the leading cause for almost 75% of gum disease in adults. This percentage includes adults who smoke from pipes and cigars, as well as those enjoying smokeless tobacco.

“As soon as you begin using tobacco products, you are more likely to experience these common problems that are tied with smoking and oral health problems”

As soon as you begin using tobacco products, you are more likely to experience these common problems that are tied with smoking and oral health problems:

• Bad breath
• Stained teeth and tongue
• Gum disease
• Gum recession
• Tooth loss
• Bone loss in the jaw
• Delayed healing process after dental treatment
• Mouth sores
• Decreased sense of taste and smell

At Greenline Dental we are always dedicated to helping you maintain optimal oral health, that is why we strongly recommend patients to quit using any tobacco products.

For the sake of your teeth, gums and oral health, use these steps recommended by the Surgeon General to help make quitting smoking easier.

• Be prepared
• Ask for help from friends/family members/co-workers
• Invest your free time in an interesting activity
• Be prepared for a relapse
• Get medication, if necessary, and use it correctly

The team at Greenline Dental Centre understand how difficult and time-consuming quitting smoking can be. However, we are dedicated to helping you protect your most valuable asset – your beautiful smile.

Contact our Coquitlam dental clinic if you are in need of any support or advice on your journey to understanding smoking and oral health issues.

Do your gums often get red, swollen, and tender or do they bleed easily? Have your gums pulled away from your teeth at all? Are your teeth loose or separating? Do you suffer from chronic bad breath (halitosis) or a bad taste in your mouth? Have you experienced any changes in your bite?

If your answer was yes to any of these questions you may have gum disease, also known as periodontal disease.

Gum disease is essentially an infection of the teeth’s supporting tissues. Gum disease targets the area just below the gum line, where it can break down the attachment between the tooth and its supporting tissues. As the tissues are damaged, pockets are created where bacteria can thrive and impact your oral health.

Did you know it’s possible to have gum disease without any symptoms or warning signs? Gum disease has two main stages known as gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the less severe and reversible form of gum disease, which affects the gums only. If Gingivitis is neither identified nor reversed it will likely lead to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease which in turn affects your overall health.

The dental experts at Greenline Dental Centre assess the health of your teeth and gums at every appointment, checking for the signs of gum disease and performing professional cleaning to ensure that pockets of bacteria and plaque don’t build up in your mouth. Your hygiene professional will provide personalized guidance on how often you should visit to prevent gum disease or what is required to get rid of active infection. They will also instruct you on how best to care for your teeth between visits.

Contact Aaagon Dental to book your preventative dentistry appointment today, and we will work with you to ensure that your smile is healthy and your energy levels high to support your active lifestyle.

Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth in your sleep? Perhaps a parent or partner may even try to wake you up while you’re grinding. Unfortunately, most people who grind their teeth in their sleep, don’t even know they’re doing it.

Teeth grinding is one of the most common sleep disorders referred to in the medical profession as Bruxism. The symptoms for which are broad and far reaching, including: jaw stiffness and soreness, anxiety,depression, headaches as well as insomnia. Your health partners at Greenline Dental want to empower you to combat Bruxism, so you wake up feeling rested, pain free and ready for the day!

Quality of sleep factors greatly into how you perform in your waking hours, whether at work or at home. If you are resting well, you are feeling well and needless to say the reverse is true as well. There are several ways dental professionals diagnose and treat bruxism.

As with any other health problem, early detection is the key to treating this particular sleep disorder. There are various ways to test the frequency and duration of your grinding throughout the night. Most importantly, there are treatment methods available such as dental guards and splints which are typically worn on a long-term basis during each and every night’s sleep.

Over the counter mouth guards sold at drug stores, while inexpensive, are considered by dental professionals to be ineffective in preventing tooth erosion and further decay. A good nights rest is imperative to maintaining a healthy quality of life for you and your family. If you or your children experience bruxism, consult your Greenline Dental expert for treatment options as your oral health depends upon it.

Expecting a new addition to your family soon? A little bundle of joy? If you are expecting a baby make sure you educate yourself about oral health practices for you and your newborn baby. If you remain healthy throughout your pregnancy your baby will remain healthy in the womb and when he or she arrives.

Oral health is imperative for all of us and if you are bringing a new baby into the world it is even more important to keep up with routine dental visits. Our team at Greenline Dental wants to make sure that you have healthy teeth and gums so that you can protect your child from any future complications that can result from dental problems.

Some dental procedures are dangerous for soon-to-be mothers such as x-rays, anesthetic methods and more. It is also important to take care of your oral health from the very beginning and book a dental appointment with Greenline Dental before you get pregnant.

It’s a beautiful life-altering experience to be pregnant and prenatal dental visits are extremely important with regards to the health and development of the baby. It has been known that by taking care of your teeth while pregnant you can reduce the risks of low birth weight in a newborn baby. You can avoid developing bacteria within the mouth and tooth decay by booking a consultation with Greenline Dental. In the past, studies have shown that women during the reproductive age are at a higher risk of gum or periodontal disease.

Prematurity has also been linked to periodontal and gum disease because oral bacteria can spread to the uterus which can cause inflammation. Inflammation can then cause the baby to be born at a low birth weight or earlier than the due date. You can reduce the risk by taking care of your teeth at home by flossing, brushing and rinsing with mouth wash, but regular dental visits are necessary. We at Greenline Dental want to encourage all soon-to-be moms to get in touch with us so we can develop a specialized dental care treatment plan for you and your new arrival.

Contact us today and let’s get you and your baby on the road to optimal oral health!

The American Diabetes Association recently announced that studies have identified and confirmed a direct correlation between diabetes and gum disease. Not only are diabetics more prone to gum disease, but oral health problems such as gingivitis can also affect blood glucose stability, leading to the advancement of diabetes.

Our experts at Greenline Dental share a passion for staying at the forefront of the healthcare field as the industry evolves in knowledge, treatments and technology. New research has confirmed that excellent oral health is integral to the maintenance of excellent whole body health. Evidently, this link is vital to our patients who are diabetic.

Diabetes and unstable blood glucose levels increase your risk of developing serious gum disease and losing teeth. Furthermore, recent and potentially groundbreaking studies have found that gum disease can contribute to a rise in blood sugar and thus make diabetes harder to control.

If you suffer from a diabetic condition, you can effectively increase your chances of related complications by neglecting to care for your teeth and gums. The most important ways for our diabetic patients to maintain optimal oral health include: 1) Controlling glucose levels, 2) Visiting Greenline Dental every six months for your professional cleaning, 3) Keeping us aware of how you are managing your diabetes, 4) Brushing your teeth at least twice daily after meals, flossing daily, and using mouthwash, 5) Quitting smoking, 6) Becoming more aware of warning signs such as receding, tender or bleeding gums, and loose teeth.

Greenline Dental is concerned with every aspect of our patients’ health, and would like to partner with you to restore and revitalize your overall heath. If you have diabetes, speak to one of our team members about how we can best protect your oral health.

Summer days means lazy afternoons by the pool and busy evenings at sporting events, concerts or on the road traveling with the family. Concession stands and snack bars tempt us with a variety of sweets and sugar-filled soda and juices, so parents must create strategies that will protect your children’s dental health and counteract tooth decay!

Here are five easy-to-follow summer tips that will help protect your child’s teeth from decay:

Nothing beats H20. Bacteria are attracted to sugar and together they create an acid, which causes tooth decay and deterioration. Water rinses your mouth of bacteria and acid in addition to increasing the formation of your saliva.

Be sure to read all labeling on food and beverages you are choosing for your family at the supermarket. Consider your family’s usual selection of beverages… Are they full of sugar? Stay away from beverages loaded with sugar and acid.

A straw can save your child’s smile. If your kids are going to drink a sugary beverage, using a straw can keep sugar away from their teeth. It’s best to drink sugary beverages with a meal rather than permitting kids to sip on them throughout the day. Acid penetrates tooth enamel – so follow up sugary beverages with water to rinse your mouth until brushing time!

Consider the length of your snack sessions. We all want to have a treat now and again – the key is moderation. If your children are sucking away on sour candy keys or chewing Swedish berries throughout the day, acid is given the opportunity to erode their teeth. Snacks that can be eaten in one session, like popcorn or baked chips are a better alternative – teeth are exposed to food for a shorter time, and these snacks encourage saliva production to rinse away the food particles.

Protect your kid’s teeth with protein! Dietary Protein works remarkably well as a guard against acid, so feeding your kids nuts, cheese, and cold cut sandwiches is an excellent alternative to the unhealthy fast food choices your kids may make on their own. The same is true for fruits and vegetables that have high water content. Apples, pears, and celery are excellent choices to help rinse bacteria from your mouth.

In addition to the above tips it’s important to maintain oral health habits like daily brushing and flossing throughout your summer vacation. It’s easy to get off track when away from home or when your children are off their usual schedule.

Summer is also a great time to bring your children to Greenline Dental. It won’t be long before back to school season begins, so take advantage of your child’s free time to book a routine dental checkup and examination.

Call us today to book a summer appointment for your kids – you’ll be glad you did!

Do you find you avoid smiling, or are embarrassed to show your teeth due to damage or severe discolouration? Do you wish you could have a Hollywood smile makeover that will give you the confidence to achieve your full potential?

If you answered yes, then Dental Veneers might be the right cosmetic dentistry solution for you!

Dental Veneers are extremely thin custom-shaped shells made of ceramic, porcelain or a composite material that can be bonded to your existing teeth to quickly and flawlessly eliminate imperfections. Veneers allow us to completely remodel the shape and style of your smile – we can brighten your teeth and cover discolorations, cracks, or uneven spacing in only a few appointments.

Our cosmetic dentistry experts have years of experience with Dental Veneers and the artistic ability to match your aspirations. At Greenline Dental Centre in Coquitlam, BC we’ll take the time to discuss your needs and desires, and our artisan dentists will work with our expert dental labs to develop a set of custom Dental Veneers with the size, shape, and color that provide a natural look that complements your facial structure.

Patients receiving Dental Veneers will often tell us that they wished they had asked for them sooner – the burden of portraying unattractive defects or damage due to staining or injury is considerable and hard to put into words. We understand, and are ready to give you the powerful lift and confidence boost that a beautiful natural smile brings.

Contact us today if you want to unlock your smile potential and think veneers might be the right cosmetic dentistry solution for you!

Summer is in full swing and it’s wedding season! Are you a bride, groom, or a member of the wedding party? Then chances are you are going to want to look incredible on that special day and nothing can complete that polished look like a sparkling white smile care of your experts at Greenline Dental.

Many of the beverages we all enjoy like coffee, tea, and red wine as well as foods like strawberries and cherries stain your teeth over time and leave your smile appearing discoloured and lackluster. Our professional in office teeth whitening solutions are the fastest, most effective way to brighten your smile in time for that upcoming wedding.

Whitening is the trendy new activity for members of the bridal party to do together along with the traditional manicures, hair, make up, and dress shopping! Everyone wants to make his or her smile pop for the special day with healthy and natural radiance.

Is your son, daughter, brother or sister getting married and you want to look great in all the family photos that will be passed on for generations?

Greenline Dental’s professional in office whitening solutions can dramatically whiten your smile in less than an hour!

Most of us are receiving a handful of wedding invitations in the mail this time of year. When you see your old friends, colleagues and family members at that upcoming wedding reception we can help you make a terrific and lasting impression.

Contact us to book an appointment with one of our expert dentists and we’ll give you the white bright smile that communicates confidence and success!

If you suffer from jaw pain, frequent headaches, and worn teeth, you are likely grinding your teeth at night while you sleep. Bruxism (commonly known as ‘teeth grinding’) is a common problem that can compromise your quality of life by reducing the function of your teeth and causing chronic pain in your neck and jaw.

In today’s fast paced society, stress is an inevitable part of life and one of the ways stress can manifest itself is through involuntary tooth grinding while you sleep. Besides the fact that it can be loud enough to disturb your sleeping partner, bruxism can keep you from getting the peaceful rest you need to perform at your best. It can also cause significant pain and headaches during your waking hours, hindering your capacity to enjoy your life and live it to the fullest.

Teeth that have endured the pressure and wear of nightly grinding are much more likely to chip, break, and deteriorate over time. The damage incurred from teeth grinding can be costly to repair. With this in mind, correcting your bruxism as early as possible with a dental night guard can save you the headaches and financial cost of worn teeth in the future.

When you suffer from night teeth grinding, the force of the grinding, along with the pressure created by clenching your jaws, not only causes wear and damage to you teeth but can also significantly reduce your bite function. Poor bite function can reduce your nutrient intake and thus your energy levels, along with your whole body heath and overall happiness!

Our team at Greenline Dental is invested in protecting your oral and overall health, and in the case of bruxism, we believe it is in your best interest to correct the problem with a dental night guard. It’s simply the most effective solution to bruxism – a solution that is guaranteed to protect your teeth, thereby enriching your health, lifestyle and well-being.

Your experts at Greenline Dental wish to partner with you to combat bruxism. We offer night guards which protect your teeth from the damage caused by countless hours of nighttime tooth grinding.

Suffer from those nagging headaches and that persistent jaw pain no longer. Call our Coquitlam, BC dental clinic today to enjoy the benefits of a good night’s rest!