BOTOX® has not traditionally been a treatment associated with dentistry, but since dentists have specialised training in the anatomy of the face and mouth, they have the perfect expertise to perform this type of delicate work. Our North Vancouver dental office has dentists who are certified to provide safe BOTOX® injections for both cosmetic treatments (softening fine lines in the forehead, around the eyes, and between eyebrows) and to treat bruxism (teeth grinding).
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A trip to the dentist may seem like a harmless thing to postpone. Schedules get busy and arranging to visit your family dentist can cost time and money, depending on the type of coverage you have. In the long run, however, the cost of skipping preventative check-ups and early treatments is greater than the cost of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. When more invasive treatments are needed, the side effects can be greater and the procedures and materials end up costing more.
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Many dental offices still use traditional x-rays due to the cost involved in upgrading equipment and training for their staff. Our North Vancouver dental office uses technology, including digital x-rays to provide benefits to patients such as reduced exposure to radiation and quicker processing times.
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The use of dentures is much less common today due to improvements in personal oral health and accessibility of dental care. While around 95% of adults aged 20 – 79 years have experienced some dental decay, in most cases the teeth are treated early enough that extraction is not needed. Approximately 80% of Canadians have had at least one filling done in their lifetime. Although preventative care and early restorative treatments are much more common these days, dental implants and dentures are still used when needed to replace missing teeth that have been extracted or damaged.
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If you are preparing your child for his or her first filling, it is very important to be calm and positive. Use positive words to explain basic information, for example ‘The dentist is going to clean up your tooth and make sure it is nice and strong’. Don’t imply that the treatment is any form of punishment due to eating too much candy or not brushing well enough. Be careful not to impart your own anxieties about the dentist, and consider having the parent who is the most comfortable with dental procedures accompany the child to their appointment. If the affected tooth is a baby tooth that is close to falling out, a filling may not even be needed.
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Fillings are used to preserve teeth that have been partially damaged by decay. Tooth decay occurs over time due to bacteria in the mouth. When we eat and drink, bacteria in the mouth mixes with sugar in our foods to form a mild acid that damages the teeth and causes cavities.
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When people think about the impact of crooked teeth, one of the first things that comes to mind is physical appearance of the smile and how it affects self esteem. Most people’s primary motivation to seek treatment for crooked teeth is to improve the appearance of their smile. However, the impact of crooked teeth goes beyond physical appearance. Issues with tooth and jaw alignment are associated with decay and other damaging effects, and can potentially increase the risk of other general health issues.
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Bruxism is the term used for the conscious or unconscious clenching or grinding of the teeth. Many people may not be aware that they have bruxism, especially if they only grind their teeth at night, but bruxism is thought to affect around 30 to 40 million people in the United States. Stress is one of the most common trigger for bruxism. Unless there are structural issue with the teeth that cause them to rub together, bruxism is usually a mild condition that does not require treatment.
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Enamel is the hard outer layer of the teeth that helps protect the teeth from damage and decay. Enamel is even stronger than bone, but can be damaged and worn down by acid and abrasion. It is important to monitor enamel wear because enamel does not contain living cells and therefore cannot regrow or restore itself. Symptoms of enamel wear to watch out for include the following.
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Dental care for babies and young children is often overlooked since baby teeth are known to fall out and be replaced by new adult teeth. It is important to care for baby teeth to prevent tooth decay and teach healthy oral care habits to children early on. Once baby teeth start to come in, children are susceptible to tooth decay due to the sugars found in milk, formula, and juice.
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