Our Dental Blog Archives for Oral Health: Page 1

Everyone is aware that a healthy mouth means a healthy body and yet only a few people seem to take the challenge of keeping it healthy seriously. What you eat is what you are and yet a lot remain to eat whatever they feel like eating. Nutrition doesn’t usually come into the picture and become an issue until a person starts experiencing tooth pains.

Before you decide what to eat next, it is best that you look into its impact on not just your dental health but your overall health as well. No matter how much you deny it, the effects of what you eat on your nutrition and oral health is undeniably big. In fact, if you choose to eat the wrong things, your immune system can weaken and you can get sick. At the same time, such types of foods usually cause tooth decay and the growth of cavities which could all cause tooth pains and worse tooth problems.

If you start eating only the right kids of foods, you will notice how healthy you feel from the inside. Less carbohydrates, less sugary and starchy foods and high vegetables and fruits will help you become fitter and healthier with a more beautiful smile.  To help maintain a healthy smile, and proper oral health, don’t forget to visit your dentist for your regular checkups.

Cleaning and taking care of your teeth is easier said than done. There are many among us who do brush their teeth but not often enough or maybe not able to brush all areas of each tooth because of improper brushing techniques. If you want to take better care of your teeth, gums and mouth, here are several things you can do to ensure your teeth stay strong, white, and healthy.

Step one when taking care for your teeth is that you should brush at least twice a day. It is preferable that you brush your teeth after every meal and before going to bed. You should also be thorough when you brush your teeth and you should also brush your tongue. It is important that you brush each and every side you can. You should also make sure to brush the gum line because this is where bacteria and decay can stick. If you are unsure or do not have a proper brushing technique, book a consultation at Greenline Dental Centre and get tips on the proper brush strokes and movement so that you clean your teeth as efficiently as possible.

Flossing is another important step when learning how to care for your teeth. This is very important because it reaches areas that the toothbrush does not. These are the areas in between teeth where in most complications and problems begin to develop. You should also use some mouthwash to get that overall cleansing that brushing and flossing may have missed. Mouthwash is also important because it strengthens the tooth enamel.

A few final tips on how to care for your teeth should include watching your diet. Consuming too much sugary foods will rot your teeth faster than you think. You should also drink plenty of water so that you keep on rinsing your teeth. Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots. These help you keep your teeth healthy as they act as natural tooth brushes when you chew them.

Finally, you should visit the dentist often, or at the very least twice a year. This is to ensure that there are no cavities or other oral health problems that are developing. In case there are any, we can help you fix it as soon as possible.

One of the most common questions asked to dental professionals is: “what are receding gums?”. In simple terms, receding gums are a result of gum disease — causing your gums to have a “receding” appearance.

What causes receding gums?

Typically, gum disease plays the largest role in causing receding gums. In simple terms, bacteria that enters the oral cavity as a result of gum disease starts to form plaque. Plaque accumulation can cause inflammation of the gums and this inflammation results in erosion of gum tissue – giving your gums a recessed appearance.

How to prevent receding gums?

Luckily, gum disease is very easy to diagnose. If you have noticed a receding of the gum line, then you should make an appointment at Greenline Dental Centre to confirm the diagnosis and start proper treatment. Sensitive teeth, especially increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods, are another symptom of gum recession – the sensitive roots of the teeth become exposed and that’s why you might feel pain.

Gum recession can be a slow progression, but the end result can be quite serious and drastic. In the initial stage, the gums are pink and appear scalloped around the teeth. Afterwards, the gums turn a bright pink or red, soften and begin to bleed.  You can actually see the gums receding away from the teeth as days go by. The teeth also loosen and liquid begins to collect in the space between gums and teeth. The final stage of receding gums is when the roots become visible along with increased pus formation. This is extremely painful and causes severe bleeding along with tooth sensitivity.

Is there treatment for receding gums?

Don’t delay and book an appointment with a health care professional at Greenline Dental Centre for proper diagnosis and treatment. There is no one product or medication that offers a cure for receding gums. The treatment usually focuses on gum disease – treating gum disease will usually also treat receding gums. However, you might require gingival flap surgery, tissue graft, bone graft and cosmetic dentistry to save your teeth as well as to restore the appearance of your gums and teeth.

The best treatment for receding gums is to understand the importance of a good and healthy oral routine to prevent and curb gum recession. Most often, there is no special treatment undertaken if the gums have begun to recede. Practice a good oral regimen to control the condition followed by periodic visits to the clinic to ensure that the recession has not progressed and that your gum disease is under control.

Receding gums can turn out to be a major problem if not treated immediately, so contact Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre for an appointment today and we will help you keep your smile beautiful and healthy.

Knowing how to brush your teeth properly is important so you can avoid conditions such as gingivitis and tooth decay.

Bad brushing technique can lead to tooth abrasion, which wears away the surface of the tooth. Because gum tissue is so delicate, it can be damaged from the bristles on your toothbrush and lead to tooth sensitivity.

These instructions will help you brush your teeth the right way:

1. Put a thin layer of toothpaste on your already-moist toothbrush.
2. Brush your back teeth first, especially focusing on the front of the teeth.
3. Hold the toothbrush alongside your teeth, and point the bristles where the tissue is located. Your bristles need to be applied near the gum line.
4. Brush using a round motion for about 10 seconds.
5. When you’re done this step, sweep the bristles away from the gum line.
6. Continue these steps until the top and bottom teeth are clean.
7. Clean the inside surfaces of your teeth, and repeat steps 2 to 5 on your upper and lower molars.
8. Brush your front teeth by moving the tip of the toothbrush from the gum line down. Repeat twice or three times.
9. Do step 8 for the lower front teeth, but be sure to guide away from the gum line. Repeat twice or three times.
10. Brush towards the back of your tooth so you reach the biting surface.
11. You can softly brush your tongue and cheeks if you wish.
12. Rinse with either water or mouthwash.

Brushing at least two times a day is key- we recommend you do this in the morning and before bed. If your bristles look worn out, be sure to replace your toothbrush. You should also get a new toothbrush every 3 months. If you get the cold or flu or any kind of sickness, be sure to get a new toothbrush.

These tips should help you with brushing your teeth properly, but if you find yourself having any teeth issues, book an appointment at Greenline Dental Centre at Coquitlam Centre and we’ll be happy to take care of you.

Children’s dental care is often overlooked in Coquitlam, because many parents think that baby teeth are just going to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth. However, regular family dental care is important for all family members, young and old.

“Aside from the fact that tooth decay is the most preventable illness in children, not taking care of baby teeth can lead to future problems as an adult.”

Taking care of baby teeth is one of the most valuable lessons to teach young, impressionable children. Aside from the fact that tooth decay is the most preventable illness in children, not taking care of baby teeth can lead to future problems as an adult.

Early Dental Disease

Cavities are painful and they can also cause embarrassment, wasted time, speech impediments and more. Even though baby teeth are going to fall out, protecting these teeth will not only help improve overall health and wellness at the present, they will also help lead to healthy adult smiles.

Practice Good Oral Health

Maintaining great oral health should be a fun experience for both you and your child. From an early age, it is an important idea to promote brushing and flossing daily. Bad habits form at an early age, visit your local family dental clinic to learn tips and tricks on how to encourage proper oral health habits.

For more information on children dentistry, or to book an appointment at Greenline Dental, contact us today.

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!