My child fell and broke a tooth. What should I do?
What's a root canal?
Can gum disease cause heart attacks?
My teeth are crowded. Do I need braces?
What are dental implants?
I'm always told to floss more, why is this so important?
What is gingivitis?
I'm afraid of the dentist. How can you help me?

My child fell and broke a tooth. What should I do?

When a child has an accident it is always unsettling for the parent or guardian. The key point is to remain calm. The child should first be checked out for any other injuries (i.e. bruises, cuts, broken bones etc). If any of these exist then the child should be taken to the family doctor or emergency department to be assessed.

If the child has fractured a tooth, find the fractured piece, place it in milk (or water if milk is unavailable) and bring it to the dentist as soon as possible. Upon examination, the dentist can assess the situation and provide you with a further treatment plan. To find out more information on dental emergencies read the Emergency Dental Care article located in this website.

What's a root canal?

Although the thought of a root canal strikes fear in people, it's usually the discomfort that people have before this procedure that they associate with a root canal. A tooth may need a root canal (endodontic therapy) for many reasons. The most common causes are a large cavity, a large filling or a traumatic event that has occurred on the tooth. All of these reasons have caused the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth to become infected.

Although antibiotics and pain medication may alleviate the tooth discomfort, they do not get rid of the source of the infection (i.e. the nerves and blood vessels). Endodontic therapy is composed of several steps: the removal of the infected nerve, the cleaning and shaping of the tooth canals, and the placement of an inert filling material to prevent any further infection. This procedure is done under dental freezing and generally immediately removes the discomfort the patient has had. To see an illustration of how endodontic therapy (Root Canal) is performed click here or to find out about emergency dental care read the Emergency Dental Care article located in this website.

Can gum disease cause heart attacks?

Although we cannot definitively state that gum or periodontal disease causes heart attacks, there is growing evidence that a relationship exists between periodontal disease and heart disease. Periodontal disease is a chronic infection in the body and it is thought that this low-grade infection stimulates a chronic inflammatory response that can lead to heart disease.

Although further research will examine this topic in more depth, it does give people another reason to start flossing. To find out more about how dental disease affects the rest of your body click here. To find out how diseases of the body can affect your dental health click here.

My teeth are crowded. Do I need braces?

This is a common question and one that has to be answered on an individual basis. In general, major crowding of the teeth is best solved with braces or orthodontics, however minor to moderate crowding can also be corrected by cosmetic dentistry. This involves cosmetic bonding, placement of veneers or crowns on the teeth. These procedures do not move the teeth as do braces, but rather reshape the teeth to provide the appearance of healthy smile. To understand more about cosmetic dental procedures read the article, Different Ways of Restoring Teeth.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a long-term solution to replace missing teeth. They cannot be taken in or out of the mouth, and thus offer a life-like replacement to missing teeth. The dental implant is made of titanium—a material, highly compatible with body tissues, which resembles a small screw. It is used as a root to support an artificial tooth on top, or to support a denture.

Dental implants are placed in the area of your jawbone where teeth are missing or are being taken out. In a minor surgical procedure with a dentist, the anchor is accurately placed under the gums into the bone and is left for a number of months. In this time, the bone will harden securely around the implant.

With a success rate of over 90%, implants become rigidly fixed in the jaw, and are the ideal sub-structure to support a denture or an artificial tooth that will eventually be cemented on top much like any cap or crown. As with any procedure, there are certain criteria the patient must meet in order to be suitable for implants. To find out if you are a candidate, schedule a consultation with your dentist. To find out more about replacing missing teeth click here.

I'm always told to floss more, why is this so important?

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums can only be achieved by proper brushing and flossing. When we floss at least once a day, it helps to remove the plaque between and under the gum line, where our toothbrush can't reach and where most cavities and gum disease starts. If we are not flossing we are missing 35% of every tooth.

If the plaque is not removed it may eventually harden into tartar, a hard mineral shell and will erode healthy gum tissue. The gum tissue can become very unhealthy (bleeding and swollen) and gingivitis can occur. Gum or periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. This condition, left without attention, can cause pockets to develop around the teeth, which will eventually lead to bone loss. The teeth will lose support and subsequently we can lose these teeth. In addition to tooth loss periodontal disease has been linked to other health problems. To find out more information on the affects of dental disease on the rest of your health click here.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is defined as an inflammation of the gums characterized by changes in colour (usually redness), swelling and bleeding. This can also be an early sign of gum disease. To view more explanations to dental terms used by your dental team click here.

I'm afraid of the dentist. How can you help me?

This is a common problem in both children and adults. We have found that thoroughly explaining all procedures, so that you can clearly understand what is going to be done and why, goes a long way in overcoming any fears. We will also gladly answer any questions or concerns you may have in order to make your dental appointments with us as pleasant as possible.

In addition we understand you must feel comfortable in order to be relaxed. This is why we provide TV and music in each room, for you to enjoy throughout your appointment.

For those who need a little more help we also offer nitrous oxide. This is commonly known as "laughing gas". It is inhaled through the nose and helps you relax and feel more comfortable. The majority of dental procedures that you need are explained at the first dental appointment. To find out more of what happens during your first dental appointment click here.

Home | Services | Articles | About Us | Faqs | Policies | Suppliers | Links

To contact us directly, click here.

If you have any questions or concerns about this website, contact our webmaster.

This site and its contents are protected under international copyright laws.
Website design by Capstone Communications Group