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| Check-Up and
Cleaning |
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Regular dental check-ups at least every six
months are the best way to make sure your gums and teeth
stay healthy. The check-up allows us to diagnose any
problems, and to take preventive action to stop dental
problems before they develop.
This appointment includes dental and medical history update,
examination, basic cleaning, and advice.
Patient Benefits:
Things that We Can See That You May Not:
- filling, crowns, and other repairs (or restorations) that
are no longer in good shape
- root cavities, or cavities that form when the gums pull
away (or recede) from the teeth
- cavities around your fillings
- tiny cracks (or fractures) in a tooth
- wisdom teeth that are trapped (or impacted) in the gums
- early signs of gum disease
- early signs of oral cancer
- signs of other problems that could affect your general
health |
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| Brushing
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 Regular
and thorough brushing are very important steps in preventing tooth decay
and gum disease. Brushing removes bacteria that promotes tooth decay and
plaque that can cause gum disease.
Ideally, you should brush after every meal, because the
bacterial attack on teeth begins minutes after eating. At
the very least, brush thoroughly once a day and
always before you go to bed. |
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| Flossing |
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Flossing removes plaque and bacteria that
cannot be reached with your toothbrush. If you do not floss,
you are missing more than one third of your tooth surface.
Gum diseases usually start between the teeth.
Plaque is the main cause of gum disease. It is an invisible
bacterial film that develops on your teeth every day. Within
24 to 36 hours, plaque hardens into tartar (also called
calculus) which is much more difficult to remove. If you
floss at least once a day, then plaque never gets the chance
to harden into tartar.
Getting into the habit of daily flossing is easier when you
floss while doing something else, such as watching TV or
listening to music. |
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| X-Rays |
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We only take x-rays when it is indicated and
necessary. X-rays help us see problems before they become
serious. X-rays are safe. People are exposed to very low
levels of radiation as part of their daily lives. When you
have a dental x-ray, you are protected in 3 ways:
- Targeting - machine directs x-ray only to the area
where you need it
- Covering - a lead apron gives you protection
- Staff Training - dental team is licensed and well
trained in giving x-rays
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Fluoride Treatment |
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Fluoride builds stronger teeth. It also
helps prevent cavities by fixing the first stages of tooth
decay, and by slowing down the germs (or bacteria) growing
on your teeth |
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| Nutrition |
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A balanced and nutritious diet is good for
your general health and your dental health.
Your teeth and gums can become more susceptible to decay and
gum disease without the right nutrients. Sugar is one of the
main causes of dental problems. The average Canadian eats
the equivalent of 40 kg of sugar each year.
Here are a few ways to cut down:
Try to choose sugar-free snacks --- fruit, raw vegetables,
nuts, plain yogurt, hard boiled or devilled eggs, plain milk
and buttermilk, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, cheese and
cottage cheese, melba toast, juice, salads.
Add less sugar to coffee or tea (or use sugar substitutes).
Avoid sugar-sweetened soft drinks. Look for fruit juices and
drinks with no added sugar.
Read lists of ingredients - when you're grocery shopping.
Honey, molasses, liquid invert sugar, glucose, and fructose
are all types of sugar.
When you do eat sweets, there are three ways to avoid
harming your teeth:
- Avoid sticky sweets - they cling to teeth and are
harder to brush away.
- Eat sweets with a meal - not as a snack. The
increased flow of saliva during a meal helps to wash
away and dilute sugar.
- Carry a travel-size toothbrush - and use it after
eating sweets. If you cannot brush, at least rinse your
mouth with water or eat a fibrous fruit or raw
vegetables. Or chew a piece of sugarless gum.
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| Mouth
Guards |
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Each week millions of Canadians head out to
the diamonds, fields, rinks and courts of our country to
partake in their favourite recreational and organized
sports. Do they take along the common sense that'll help
keep their face and mouth safe from injury? Even purely
recreational athletes should understand the differences in
types of mouth protection available and what to do if an
accident happens. |
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©
Copyright West Street Dental Group 2002-2005, all rights
reserved |
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