What should I do if I have bad breath?



What may cause bad breath?

  • Tobacco products – Dry the mouth, causing bad breath.


What can I do to prevent bad breath?



How often should I brush and floss?





  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.




Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.


Are amalgam (silver) fillings safe?






How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?










Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

  • Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth.
  • New spacing between teeth – Caused by bone loss.
  • Receding gums – Loss of gum around a tooth.


Why is it important to use dental floss?




How to floss properly:


Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.


How can cosmetic dentistry help improve the appearance of my smile?




Cosmetic Procedures:








What are porcelain veneers and how can they improve my smile?



  • Severely discolored or stained teeth
  • Unwanted or uneven spaces
  • Worn or chipped teeth
  • Slight tooth crowding
  • Misshapen teeth
  • Teeth that are too small or large




What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?






The most widely used professional teeth whitening systems:





What are my options if I have missing teeth?




Options for replacement of missing teeth:










  • Contribute to the development of heart disease
  • Increase the risk of stroke
  • Compromise the health of those that have diabetes or respiratory diseases




When are sealants recommended?



Who may need sealants?







What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?



Ways to transport the tooth



You can prevent broken or knocked-out teeth by:

  • Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports
  • Always wearing your seatbelt
  • Avoiding fights
What is Air Abrasion

Air Abrasion Tooth Cutting

Usually, dentists remove decay from teeth or reshape teeth to receive crowns by using air-rotor hand pieces and rotating abrasive instruments.  These high-speed devices provide excellent, easy, non-traumatic removal of diseased tooth structure usually requires anaesthesia and produces a characteristic high-pitched sound, which is objectionable to some people, as well as a peculiar odour.

Small areas of tooth decay can be removed with microscopic abrasive particles forcefully blown onto the affected tooth using compressed air.  The resultant removal of decay has the following advantages.

1. Local anaesthetic may not be required

2. There is no odour involved with the decay removal.

3. The technique has no vibration and very little noise

4. The cuts made on the tooth are not traumatic to the tooth, and they are very small.

The only disadvantages to air abrasion tooth cutting are:

1. Occasionally, the procedure requires local anaesthetic.

2. The abrasive particles are messy.

3. It may take more time than using the air-rotor hand piece.

4. Only small areas of decay can be removed.

Air abrasion tooth cutting is very useful when the affected teeth have small and undermined areas of decay.  Most patients find the technique to be very acceptable.

What is Bottle Mouth?

Bottle Mouth – A Preventable Condition

Babies have a natural tendency to suck whatever is placed into their mouths.  Objects range from thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, liquid-filled bottles, and various other objects.

A commonly occurring problem in infancy is that because sucking the baby bottle calms the child, and sweet fluids further pacify the child, caregivers are often influenced to let the child suck a baby bottle with sugar-containing liquids in it such as fruit juice, baby formula or milk. The result of prolonged and unrestricted sucking of a baby bottle with sugar-containing liquid is it is often rampant, uncontrollable dental decay – also called “baby bottle syndrome.”

It is suggested that caregivers provide non-sugar containing liquids for babies until the child is capable of using a cup.  Avoid training cups that have no-spill valves in them, which are very similar to baby bottles and require sucking.  Instead of using no-spill cups, cups with a weighted base to reduce spills are more appropriate.  Limit use of sugar-containing liquids to mealtimes.

“Baby bottle syndrome” is a serious condition that can have long-term consequences.  Avoid it by using the preceding simple suggestions.

What is Cracked-Tooth Syndrome?

Cracked-Tooth Syndrome

Often, teeth may crack when subjected to the stress of chewing hard foods, ice, or hard objects, or just from normal chewing.  Teeth with or without restorations (fillings) may exhibit this problem, but teeth restored with typical silver alloy or tooth-coloured restorations are most susceptible.  Older persons have more cracked teeth than younger people.


1. Pain on chewing

2. Pain on cold-air application

3. Pain when eating sweets

4. X-ray evidence of the problem is not present

5. Dental decay is not present

6. Easy verification of the crack by the dentist when the tooth is prepared for restoration.


1.Simple crack: The majority of cracked teeth (about 9 out of 10) can be treated by placement of a simple crown (cap) on the tooth.  When the tooth is prepared for the crown and a temporary restoration is placed, the pain usually leaves within a few days.  If this is the case with your tooth, we will place the final crown without a problem on your next appointment.  The condition should then be solved.

2. Complex Crack:  Occasionally, (about 1 in 10) the tooth cracks into the pulp (nerve) of the tooth.  If pain persists after placement of the temporary crown, you may have a crack into the pulp of the affected tooth.  Please call us.  This tooth may require endodontics (root canal therapy) before the crown is placed.  This procedure requires about two additional appointments before the crown is placed.

3. Tooth Cracked in Half:  Occasionally, a tooth  cracks into two separate pieces, requiring removal of the entire tooth, or removal of one of the pieces, root canal therapy, and a crown on the remaining pieces.

Thank you for your co-operation

Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)?

Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)

Small amounts of radiation are used to make pictures of teeth (radiographs)

These black and white images show various shades of grey because some portions of teeth or dental restorations let more or less of the radiation pass through  The result is a picture that shows the presence of dental decay.  It is nearly impossible to diagnose the presence of decay between the teeth without using dental radiographs

There are two types of dental radiographs, conventional and digital.  The newer form of radiographs are digital, which allow faster observation of the images with lower radiation.  Some people are worried about the radiation used in dentistry.  Dental radiographs use a very small amount of radiation and it is directed exactly to the site where it is needed.  The amount of radiation required for one dental radiograph (bitewing or periapical) is about the same amount of radiations you receive by standing in a parking lot in the sun for a few minutes, or riding in an airplane for a few minutes.  The fear of dental radiographs, which are used with caution and good judgment, it totally unfounded.  The extremely minimal amount of radiation present in dental radiographs is far outweighed by the diagnostic advantage provided by the radiographs.

What are Sealants?

Why Seal Teeth? Over the past many years, numerous materials and techniques have been developed to seal the chewing (occlusal) surfaces of teeth. Sealants are necessary because some teeth have defective occlusal surfaces when they erupt into the mouth, and food debris and micro organisms penetrate into the grooves on the teeth during eating. Patients cannot clean these areas effectively, and dental decay (caries) occurs frequently.


Do All Teeth Need to Be Sealed? Usually only the back (posterior) teeth require sealing. It is difficult to tell which teeth require sealing because incomplete fusion of the teeth often leaves a microscopic entry from the enamel outside the tooth into the softer dentin inside. Therefore, we suggest that all suspect posterior teeth and selected anterior teeth be sealed. An electronic device (DiagnoDent) may be used to assist the dentist in determining if dental decay is present.


Will All Decay Be Prevented? Sealants placed as close to the eruption time of the teeth as possible prevent the majority of decay on the chewing (occlusal) surfaces of the teeth. However, flossing, brushing, and routine fluoride therapy are required to prevent decay on the other surfaces of the teeth. In the presence of poor oral hygiene, decay may begin between the teeth, since sealants cannot be placed on these surfaces.


Cost? The cost for sealing a tooth with plastic is about one-fourth to one-third the cost of filling (restoring) the tooth in the event of decay. Sealants do not require aesthetic or cutting away tooth structure.


How Long Do Sealants Last? Studies show sealants last many years. However, occasional resealing may be required.

Thank you.

Tongue Pierceing and Its Dental Effects?

Body piercing is popular among adolescents and young adults. Included in this phenomenon is piercing of the tongue and placement of a metal bar or ring through the tongue. This ornament rests in the mouth at all times and unavoidably moves as the person eats or talks.


If you have a metal bar or ring in your tongue, you should be very careful to avoid having the metal hit your teeth as you move your tongue. Letting the metal object move as the tongue makes its normal eating and speaking movements may cause cracks in teeth or even break off pieces of enamel.


Micro cracks are created in teeth by hitting them with the metal. The result of the micro cracks will be future fractures of tooth enamel, necessitating extensive and expensive dental crowns.


Tongue piercing may cause mild to severe infection upon placement or throughout the life of the piercing. Consult your dentist as soon as any soreness, redness, or draining occurs.


The best tongue piercing is none at all, but if you must have it done, be very gentle with the movements of your tongue or dental damage is inevitable.

What Materials are Used for Tooth Restorations?

This information is provided to help you make decisions about selection of materials as tooth restorations in your mouth. Many types of metals are used in dentistry for the replacement and rehabilitation of oral structures. Most of these metals are considered to be inert when placed in the body, while others have been criticized as potential toxins or allergens. Plastics and ceramics are used commonly as tooth restoratives, and although controversial, these have not been shown to have adverse biologic responses. The following information will help you to make decisions about the type of tooth restorations you prefer to be placed in your mouth:



Silver amalgam has been used since the 1800s for tooth restoration. This alloy contains silver, tin, copper, zinc, and about 50 percent mercury. It has been highly successful, but unsightly. Use of mercury in the body has been criticized since its inception, but amalgam use is still supported by the American Dental Association and other health groups worldwide. A few people in the overall population may be allergic to the elements in silver amalgam. You have several other options for restorations (fillings).




A. Silver amalgam. Average longevity about 15 years, silver coloured, low-moderate initial cost. Best used in small-to medium-sized restorations of posterior teeth (premolars and molars).

B. Gold inlays and onlays. Average longevity 20 years or longer, gold coloured, moderate to high initial cost. May be used in most locations where metal is not displayed to an objectionable level.

C. Resin/Plastic (may be called composite) – (one- or two-day appointment placement*). Average longevity 10-15 years, tooth coloured, moderate to high cost. Best used in small-to medium-sized restorations for front or back teeth. Considered at this time to be comparable to silver amalgam’s service potential.

D. Ceramic (one- or two-day appointment placement*). Average longevity 10-15 years, tooth coloured, moderate to high initial cost. Best used in moderate- to large-size restorations for front or back teeth.




a. Metal alone. High-noble, noble, or base metal. Average longevity 20 years to life, gold or “silver” color, moderate to high initial cost. May be used in any area where metal display is not objectionable.

b. Porcelain fused-to-metal. Average longevity 10-20 years, tooth coloured, moderate to high initial cost.  May be used in any area where extreme biting stress is not present, and patient does not have severe tooth grinding habit.

c. All-Ceramic. These restorations are constructed from ceramic alone. Average longevity is under study, moderate to high initial cost. All-ceramic fixed prostheses may be used in many clinical situations.  These materials are being improved constantly, and it is expected that they will eventually replace metal-containing restorations.

d. Resin/Plastic. These restorations may be used for single crowns or some bridges.

Average longevity is several years. Success has been reported up to 5 years.

We will inform you about the best type of tooth restoration for your mouth, and we welcome your questions. Thanks for helping us to make these important decisions.

How to try and stop Thumb Sucking?

Your child is involved with a natural and commonly occurring reflex, thumb-sucking. It is nearly impossible to restrict or limit the natural act in infancy, but it usually stops somewhere between two and four years of age. If thumb-sucking continues beyond age four, it should be discouraged.


What can you do if your child keeps thumb-sucking past age four? Several suggestions follow:

• Reason with the child about the potential harmful effects of long-term thumb-sucking, including development of cracked teeth and a poor bite. This approach works on some children.

• Reward the child when thumb-sucking is reduced.

• Make sure the child knows that he or she is loved and is in a secure situation. Less anxiety and fear leads to less thumb-sucking.

• Often, placing a sock, glove, or bandage on the hand to remind the child not to suck his/her thumb is successful. However, some children pull the reminder off and continue to suck.

• Placing a spicy or unpleasant-tasting solution on the thumbnail sometimes prevents the child from sucking his/her thumb.

• As a last resort, your dentist can make an appliance to place in the mouth that will discourage and potentially eliminate thumb-sucking.

Fluoride as Preventative Therapy?

1. Use of small amounts of fluoride (one part per million) in community water supplies has been shown to significantly reduce dental decay. Your water supply may contain fluoride. If you do not know, ask your dentist or dental hygienist.

2. Where fluoride in water supplies is not available, addition of fluoride to the diet of children has been shown to similarly reduce the development of dental decay. About 1mg per day is the optimal dosage; with lesser amounts for young children (we will advise you of the amount for your child).

3. Application of fluoride on the tooth-cleaning appointment has a slight decay-reducing influence.

4. Application of resin containing fluoride to teeth by your dentist or dental hygienist is well-known to significantly reduce the possibility for dental decay.

5. Placement of fluoride on teeth in the form of rinses can reduce new dental decay, depending on the concentration of fluoride.

6. Strong fluorides are used for patients who have high decay potential, such as those receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or those in orthodontic


As a group, dentists and physicians, as well as global health organizations favour use of fluoride in all of the previously described methods. Fluoride for reduction of dental decay has had more legitimate worldwide research than any other health related subject. Nevertheless, there are some groups that oppose fluoride use for various political and alleged health reasons.

The decision to use fluoride for you and your family is up to you. For almost all dentists and physicians, “anti-fluoride” arguments make no sense at all.

Why do I need a Bite Guard for Bruxism and/or Clenching?

1. Reasons for Occlusal Splints: The purpose of splint therapy is to allow your lower and upper jaw to come together without tooth contact, thereby reducing muscle pain and tooth wear. Many situations cause the malfunction of your lower jaw. Examples are accidents, surgery, developmental defects, peculiar oral habits, many fillings placed over numerous years, naturally occurring malocclusion (poor bite), orthodontics, psychological stress, clenching or bruxing (grinding teeth), and other conditions.


2. What Does an Occlusal Splint Accomplish? This treatment has been used for many years to keep the teeth from contacting during chewing and to allow the lower jaw to return to a comfortable hinge position without interference and guidance from the teeth. When the splint has been worn for a few days the jaw functions freely. Occlusal splints assist in establishing normal jaw function.


3. Types of Splints:

• Full Arch: Some splints fit on your upper or lower jaw and covers all of the teeth on that arch.

• NTI-TSS: These small splints fit only in the front of your mouth and are used on a part-time basis.


4. When Are Splints Worn?

• If you have a Temporomandibular Disorder – (TMD): You will probably receive a full-arch splint. You should wear the splint at all times including while eating, unless directed otherwise. If you remove the splint to eat, your treatment will not be as effective. Many fillings placed in your mouth over the years or other conditions have caused your teeth to meet in a position your jaws cannot tolerate. The splint eliminates tooth-to-tooth contact. Your symptoms will gradually disappear while you are wearing the splint; and your natural teeth, bridges, and/or fillings will be adjusted to the new bite by us. This procedure is called occlusal equilibration. After equilibration, you may be asked to wear your splint only at night. After a period of time, you will not wear the splint at all. The described treatment usually requires a few weeks to several months.

• If You Grind Your Teeth Excessively: You should wear your splint at night when you cannot control your jaw movements or during times of psychological stress. During the daytime, make sure your splint is placed in water to avoid warping.


5. Cleaning the Splint and Teeth: Food accumulates around and under splints. At least one time each day, brush and floss your teeth very thoroughly. Brush and rinse the inside and outside of the splint, and then return it to your mouth. Dental decay will progress in the teeth under the splint in accelerated levels if you are not careful about cleanliness of your mouth and splint. If you have a high dental decay potential, fluoride-containing rinses or gels may be suggested to be placed into your splint once per day.


6. When the Splint Is Out of the Mouth: Your teeth may not meet in harmony. This situation is to be expected because of muscle and jaw relaxation while you were wearing the splint. Occlusal equilibration may be requested to eliminate this improper meeting of the teeth (malocclusion). If the splint is out of your mouth, place it in a container of water to prevent it from warping. You may desire to soak it occasionally in a commercially available denture cleanser. As an alternative, you may soak it in a solution made by adding a few drops of Clorox to a cup of water.  Please call if you have any questions. Thank you.