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How often you go to the dentist will depend on your oral health and your specific needs. More frequent visits will allow your dentist to catch problems sooner when they are smaller and easier to repair. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining how often you should see your dentist:

1. Do you floss your teeth on a regular basis?
2. Do you brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste?
3. Are you brushing properly?
4. Do you consume a lot of sugary foods or snacks? Do you drink a lot of soft drinks or put a lot of sugar in your coffee or tea?
5. Do you have a history of gum disease?
6. Do you get a lot of cavities?
7. Are you a smoker?
8. Are you in good overall health?

Many people are unaware that there is a direct link between oral health and overall health. There are many medical conditions as well as medications that can have a direct effect on your oral health. For example, diabetes can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease, certain medications may require the dentist to change the type of local anaesthetic (freezing) to be used, if the dentist needs to prescribe medication, he/she will need to make sure it doesn't interact with any of your current medications. If you are on blood thinners you may have to stop taking them for several days prior to having dental surgery or deep cleanings. Patients with artificial joints and certain heart conditions must take antibiotics (antibiotic prophylaxis) prior to their dental cleanings. During a cleaning bacteria is introduced into the bloodstream putting them at risk of developing an infection in the heart (infective endocarditis) or at the site of the artificial joint. Your well-being and safety are our main concern and having this information will allow us to provide you with the most thorough, effective care possible.

It is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day. More often if you have been eating sugary snacks. It is very important to not skip brushing before bed because salivary flow decreases during sleep making your teeth more susceptible to the harmful effects of the bacteria in your mouth. The cleaner they are before bed the less opportunity there is for the bacteria to damage your teeth.

There really is no right or wrong time to start but it is a good idea to bring them in once they get their first tooth. We call this a wellness visit and it gives us the opportunity to meet your child and familiarize him/her with our office and team. We want your child's first visit to be as positive and stress free as possible so that future appointments will not be met with fear or anxiety. It also gives us the opportunity to discuss nutrition, oral hygiene care and any other dental concerns we or you may have.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral which is found in some foods and water supplies. Research has shown that people who grew up drinking fluoridated water had up to two-thirds fewer cavities than those who had non-fluoridated water. Studies continue to show that when fluoride is added to drinking water, the incidence of tooth decay decreases. Fluoride helps to harden tooth enamel, it helps to reduce the rate at which enamel demineralizes and increase the rate at which it remineralizes during cavity formation.

It is recommended that you change your toothbrush every 3 months because on average most toothbrushes are worn out after approximately 3 months. Once the bristles are worn out the brush is not as effective as it should be. Some people may have to change their brush more frequently depending on how hard they brush their teeth. You should also change your toothbrush after a cold or flu to decrease your risk of reinfection.

We are pleased to inform you that all of our x-ray units are digital. Compared to traditional x-ray units, digital units emit half the radiation and provide much more detailed information which enables our dentists to diagnose problems as early as possible. We still use lead-lined aprons for added protection as well. The amount of radiation we are exposed to from dental x-rays is very small compared to other sources of radiation we are exposed to on a daily basis.

Our dentists will discuss why and how often x-rays should be taken based on your current oral health. If you are prone to cavities, have poor oral hygiene or periodontal disease, x-rays may be recommended on a yearly basis. It is common to take a full mouth series of x-rays or a panorex and 4 individual x-rays of back teeth on new patients. This gives us valuable baseline information which we can compare to future x-rays.

X-rays are a valuable part of our comprehensive care. There are many oral conditions that cannot be seen by a visual examination alone. Many of these conditions can exist below the gumline, at the roots of teeth, between teeth and under existing fillings, crowns or bridgework and in the jawbone. Some of the problems that are detected by x-rays are: small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing fillings, infections in the bone, periodontal disease/bone loss, an abscess or cyst, developmental abnormalities and tumours.

The advancement of digital x-rays has enabled dentists to detect even the smallest problems and prevent them from becoming more serious. This early detection allows us to save you time, money and unnecessary pain.

Anyone can suffer from dry mouth but it tends to be more common as we get older. Certain medical conditions can cause a dry mouth and it is often a side effect of numerous medications. Some of the common medications that may cause dry mouth are: antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, pain medications, muscle relaxants, blood pressure medications, Parkinson's Disease medications and incontinence medications. It is important to be aware of this possible side effect because saliva helps to wash away food debris and reduce plaque by neutralizing acids produced by the bacteria in plaque. There are treatments available to help relieve a dry mouth and we would be more than happy to provide you with information as well as product samples.

Nitrous oxide is very safe because it is easy to take and its effects are mild. The added bonus is that you remain fully conscious during treatment while being completely comfortable and relaxed. It is not addictive because its effects are mild and those effects wear off quickly once the nitrous is turned off.

Electric toothbrushes can help you brush your teeth more effectively and thoroughly but with proper technique a manual toothbrush can be just as effective. An electric toothbrush may be more beneficial to individuals who have limited manual dexterity, crowded teeth or wisdom teeth.

During pregnancy women experience hormone changes that can result in a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. It can cause the gums to have an exaggerated response to plaque build up which can lead to excessive bleeding as well as swollen tender gums. With proper home care and in office therapy we can work together to keep your gums as healthy as possible during and after your pregnancy.

Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease and often goes unnoticed because the symptoms are quite subtle. It is inflammation of the gums caused by plaque build up. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible! If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more advanced and aggressive form of gum disease known as periodontitis or periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a more advanced and aggressive form of gum disease. This stage of the disease can result in destruction of the tissues that support the teeth. Left untreated, the continuous loss of bone will eventually lead to tooth loss.

• Red, bleeding, tender and/or swollen gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Receding gums
• Tooth sensitivity because of receding gums
• Abscessed teeth
• Tooth loss