Preventative

Routine examinations and cleanings

Regular examinations and cleanings can keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime. They can help prevent periodontal disease, prevent problems or can stop small problems from getting worse. We advise our patients to schedule a routine examination at least once per year to check for cavities, oral diseases and any potential problems. Six to nine months is the usual interval for cleanings although your hygienist may suggest you book more frequent cleanings depending on certain factors such as risk for gum disease, poor oral hygiene, medical conditions and tobacco use.

Children

It is particularly important to start your children on a healthy oral health routine. We encourage parents to bring their children for their first visit when they have all their baby teeth, usually when they are two or three years old. Being seen by a dentist at an early age ensures that the cleaning you are doing at home is working and to identify any early dental issues to prevent them from getting worse.

Contact us today and book a cleaning and check up appointment for you and your family!

Mouthguards

If you or your children are involved in a contact type sport such as hockey, a mouth guard should be an important part of your sports equipment. Mouth guards come in a variety of forms and work well if they are comfortable to wear, which is an important consideration in protection. Store bought (boil and bite) mouth guards do not provide comfort or a good fit and thus are not able to provide adequate protection.

A custom mouth guard is designed to cushion the teeth and spread the force of impact, this prevents tooth fracture, damage to the tongue and lips and more importantly, lowers the risk of concussion. Our custom mouth guards come in a variety of colours and are inexpensive. We recommend a custom mouthguard for all sports including hockey, lacrosse, football, and martial arts. Most minor sports have now made mouthguards mandatory.

Bruxism Appliances (Night guards)

Bruxism is a habit that involves grinding and or clenching of your teeth. Most people are unaware that they grind their teeth as it mostly occurs during sleep. If diagnosed early, bruxism can be treated before damage to the teeth occurs. Severe bruxism can cause chipped teeth, increased sensitivity to temperature, enamel wear, jaw pain and headaches.

The most common cause of bruxism is stress but it can also be caused by misaligned teeth, a response to pain or a result of a sleep disorder. Alcohol and caffeine can aggravate the condition. Bruxism is common in children but most outgrow it when they reach adolescence.

When bruxism causes jaw and or facial pain or there is damage to the teeth we will suggest you wear a custom bruxism appliance, commonly known as a night guard. This appliance is worn during sleep and is designed to prevent grinding and help alleviate headaches and jaw pain. They are custom made in a dental laboratory and are easy and comfortable to wear.

If you suffer from morning headaches, increased tooth sensitivity and have been told by family members that you grind or clench, please let us know.