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Dental Cleanings – Are They Necessary? Teeth cleaning and regular checkup visits to your dentist are invaluable for a number of reasons. Not only can you get a thorough cleaning of your teeth that is difficult to accomplish at home, but dental checkups help for preemptive care. Dentists can spot things like cavities and gum disease, TMJ issues, wear and tear of teeth and oral cancer screening. If diagnosed in early stages, this saves you time and money and protects your oral health from future problems. We need teeth cleanings for two reasons: Your mouth is like the gateway to the rest of your body. Having healthy gums reduces the odds of diseases developing heart disease and controlling diabetes. To prevent tooth loss. It’s natural to have a little anxiety about visiting a dentist. At Floss Dental in Surrey, we make every patient experience as comfortable as possible to help ensure that your dental cleaning and checkups go off without a hitch. Many people who are thinking about visiting the dentist for the first time in a while don’t know what to expect for their teeth cleaning, so we’re here to help. Teeth Cleaning at the Dentist: What to Expect BEFORE VISITING THE DENTIST First, double check your medical history to inform your dentist of any important information. Secondly, enquire with your general practitioner or family doctor if you might require antibiotics. Some dental treatments result in small amounts of bacteria from your mouth entering your bloodstream, known as bacteremia. This is completely normal and safe for fully healthy people, but be prepared just in case. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE AT THE DENTIST Our friendly receptionists will happily greet you and see you to your dental hygienist. Your teeth cleaning will include the following: Removal of plaque, which is sticky colourless colony of bacteria and food. Removal of calculus, which is calcified plaque that is hard and stuck to the teeth firmly. Calculus can be removed with special ultrasonic or special hand instruments. Checking gum pocket depth. Teeth polishing – removal of any stains. Fluoride application. Your Surrey dentist will then conduct a more thorough dental exam after your teeth cleaning. Complete dental exam X-rays Oral cancer screening Cavities and teeth cracks that might indicate grinding and jaw alignment After this, your Surrey dentist will have a complete understanding of your full oral health needs and can make proper recommendations or prescriptions. AFTER YOUR DENTAL CLEANING IN SURREY AT FLOSS DENTAL After you’ve finished visiting the dentist, be sure to schedule your next appointment for within six months. Your dentist might recommend a sooner appointment within three months if there are any concerns about possible gum disease. In the meantime, always be sure to brush twice daily and floss daily, and follow any recommendations from your dentist and hygienist. Dental Checkups at Floss Dental in Surrey If you are overdue for a teeth cleaning and a dental checkup, talk to the dental professionals at Floss Dental in Surrey. We’ll go over all your options with you and help make your visit to the dentist office as comfortable as possible. Call us at 778-565-3368 or request an appointment online now.

Posted by Floss Dental

Stress happens in everyone's life, and it can often cause side effects like teeth grinding, heart problems, and other issues. Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, can cause severe issues including the loss of teeth, over time. However, it's possible to avoid teeth grinding and its consequences if you're mindful of the problem and seek help promptly. Read on to learn more about teeth grinding and to get a few tips to help you avoid it. The Signs of Teeth Grinding Many people don't even realize that they grind their teeth because they assume symptoms are caused by other medical issues. The signs of teeth grinding include: Damage to the teeth: This can include worn enamel, cracked teeth, and chipped teeth Chronic headaches: Sudden headaches that tend to happen daily or near-daily Chronic earaches: Sudden earaches that tend to happen daily or near-daily Sore jaw: Persistent jaw pain Teeth sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages, pain while biting down, or pain while chewing Teeth Grinding Triggers -- And Their Solutions Trying to determine the triggers of teeth grinding is important. In many situations, finding the reason behind the teeth grinding allows for efficient resolution. Here are some common triggers and their solutions. Stress Reduction: Stress is the most common cause of teeth grinding. There are a variety of effective solutions for stress. These can include exercise, special relaxation techniques, and medication. Reduce Stimulant and Depressant Intake: Reducing both stimulants and depressants like caffeine and alcohol can help you avoid teeth grinding. Alleviate Tension: Tension in the jaw can result in teeth grinding during the night. Before bed, apply a warm compress to the jaw just in front of the ears. Add in a gentle jaw massage for even better results. Custom Mouthguard: The Clayburn Dental dentists can create custom mouthguards for teeth grinding patients. The mouthguard can hold the teeth in place, allowing cushioning and protection to prevent grinding during the night. Mouthguards are comfortable and easy to wear. They fit perfectly because they're made based upon a custom mold of your mouth. Effective Teeth Grinding Solutions at Clayburn Dental in Abbotsford At Clayburn Dental in Abbotsford, BC, our dentists have the experience and skills that can help you beat teeth grinding. Contact the Clayburn Dental office at 604-852-8487 or request an appointment online anytime to find out whether a custom mouthguard is the right solution for you.

Posted by Clayburn Dental

If you have ever been a ‘new patient’ at the dental office then you already know that it is prudent to arrive a few minutes early because of the paperwork you have to fill out. At the dentist you would expect to answer questions about your teeth and your possible anxiety level but they also want to know about your health history, medications and even social habits. It is important to understand that this information is critical to the proper understanding and care of your mouth, teeth and gums. If the dentist knows about your concerns from the beginning then he can address them and if there are areas that you want enhanced then the staff can start formulating a treatment plan to present to you for consideration. So why is health history necessary? After all, you have a regular doctor for these issues but you might be surprised to find out that some physical conditions can negatively affect the oral region of the mouth or vice versa. For example, if you have been having a lot of headaches and overall discomfort in your mouth then you might have TMJ and the treatment for this helps not only your teeth but also the other affected areas. If you note that you are waking up with soreness but don’t understand why then the dentist is going to ask deeper questions and focus the physical exam for signs of grinding that can happen when you sleep. Medications can work against each other so if you have to take a drug for a dental procedure the dentist needs to know what you are currently on so he can be sure to prescribe the right med for your situation and avoid unnecessary problems. Social habits can help identify what the dentist is seeing in your mouth when it comes to stains, reduced enamel and other features so having this information upfront allows them to look for these signs and speak with the patient about the effects of certain habits. When you go to a family dentistry in Chandler that you trust, you can be sure that all the private information you provide to them will be kept confidential and used for your benefit and to the benefit of other members of your house. This is why choosing the best practice from the beginning is important so that you can stay at one place and not have to start over because of a bad experience. The family dentistry in Chandler is employed by friendly staff members who work hard to achieve a high customer satisfaction rating based on their usable website, affordable pricing and reasonable payment plans that are customized to each patient. The forms you complete help them to get to know who you are and make you more than just a number but it also provides them with information so they can create a beautiful smile that is healthy and exactly what you want to show off to your friends and family members.

Posted by Value Dental

 We’re so glad Bunker Hill was featured this May. Pick up a copy to see his spotlight and other Houston “Top Dentists”.

Contamination The handpiece is a vital piece of equipment in any dental surgery. But, it is one that is heavily contaminated internally with saliva, blood products and tissue. It has been demonstrated that contamination occurs when the treatment procedure is interrupted resulting in re-suction. Incorrectly or poorly maintained Dental Unit Waterlines can also introduce contamination. This is in addition to the contamination which covers the external surfaces following treatment. Despite heavy usage and the potential for internal contamination, the handpiece is a tool with inherent design floors. The complex internal lumen and intricate water and air channels make removing this debris incredibly difficult and pose dental professionals with an issue – How do you clean and disinfect a handpiece? Falling short of Standards The decontamination and maintenance of a handpiece is done in three steps – cleaning, disinfection, then lubrication and sterilization. Due to the complexity of the internal lumens of a handpiece this area is often glossed over and “cleaning” refers to manual brushing/ wiping of the outer surfaces followed by a visual inspection. Often lubrication/cleaning oils are applied to handpieces due to the claims of cleaning activity. The newly published HTM01-01 points out that "The addition of oil-based compounds to the cleaning process is wrong in principle, as they cause contamination over the entire cleaned surface. Only the water-soluble type should be used. Mineral oils have poor biocompatibility and can inhibit the penetration of steam or sterilant gases on terminally sterilized product." This is for acute care but the point remains - you can't sterilise a dirty handpiece and cleaning is not achieved by lubrication. The new legislation for acute care goes further to state that: "Lubrication should only be applied to those areas where it is required during the inspection/packing process after thorough cleaning of the instrument" HTM01-01 Part D Evidence suggests that washer disinfectors with handpiece irrigation systems can significantly reduce the contamination when used. As most practices in the UK are yet to embrace mechanical cleaning fully, this must be compared with the current standard – Manual Cleaning. Manual Cleaning Manual cleaning is not able to remove the internal debris present in a handpiece. The contamination left behind is “baked” onto the surface during sterilization rendering the reprocessed handpiece potentially contaminated with blood product. A dirty handpiece will not be decontaminated by sterilisation, only the application of the full decontamination cycle can render it safe for re use. It is recognised in the HTM01-05 that non-vac autoclaves will have no effect on the sterility of a handpieces and that washer disinfectors can have a positive impact if compatible. "Cleaning and drying of reusable load items before packaging and sterilization is essential, since the efficacy of the process will be reduced if soiling protects microorganisms from exposure to the sterilant. All items should therefore be scrupulously clean." HTM01-01 Part D Practices may well be falling short of the standards expected by not fully cleaning this critical piece of equipment, The Solution So what is the answer? Disposable handpieces ? – well that’s not going to happen, but for practices without washer disinfectors how is this problem being addressed? In order to ensure these expensive tools are maintained and safe to use an internal handpiece cleaning system must be applied in addition to manual cleaning and sterilisation. The risk of “baking on” proteins and cross contamination is removed when the handpiece can be fully decontaminated with a clinically assured and validated cleaning system and then sterilized effectively. From the manufacturers of Alpron, the WL system for handpiece cleaning and disinfection use the same clinical expertise to ensure the internal surfaces of handpieces can be decontaminated as effectively as your DUWL’s. The WL system removes blood product and has excellent microbial efficacy.   The System The system is delivered in pressurized spray cans. The solution is forced through all internal channels flooding the contaminated areas and removing debris and blood product without bonding or damage. CLEAN – WL-Clean removes blood, saliva and debris without bonding or damage DRY – WL-dry removes all chemical residues and prepares the handpiece disinfection. DISINFECT – WL-cid chemically disinfects the internal lumens and surfaces making it safe for sterilisation DRY – WL-dry removes all chemical residues and prepares the handpiece for lubrication and onward sterilisation. Make your handpiece SAFE for use on your patients, PROTECT them against the risk of cross infection and TRUST the WL System as your handpiece decontamination assurance. Don’t just take our word for it – NSK, Sirona and many others approve the WL System for its excellent material compatibility and cleaning efficacy. https://www.qwsonline.co.uk/13-handpiece-water-lines http://blog.qwsonline.co.uk

What questions should you ask your new dentist? Once you have found a dentist you can trust, you need to make sure you get the most from their care. If you're thinking of becoming a new patient, there are a few things you need to know.  ”How healthy is my mouth?” If you don’t know your current dental health status, how can you be expected to improve it? Beyond the health of your teeth, you need to ask your dentist about the condition of your gums, tongue, and the underlying facial or jaw structures that support your mouth. Keeping the entire mouth healthy will do more than ensure the health of your teeth; it will ensure the health of your entire body. For example, bacterial infections which have been linked to heart disease frequently feed on plaque, so keeping your mouth healthy through routine dental checkups will keep your heart at its strongest. ”Could you provide me with a prioritized list of needed treatments and procedures?” If it’s been a while since you’ve visited a dentist, your dentist may recommend several different dental procedures and treatments to restore radiant health to your mouth. Even if it you have always regularly visited the dentist, the bewildering array of options available to improve dental health can quickly become confusing. This is one time when you want to take advantage of your dentist’s professional expertise. Ask her or him for a prioritized list of every recommended procedure or treatment. Then, you will know what appointments you need to make. This is also a good time to find out approximately how much each treatment will cost. Your dentist may not know what the exact cost of your procedure will be, but he or she can give you a good estimate. If you have dental insurance, taking a few minutes to find out how much your policy will cover can save you quite a bit of aggravation and worry later.   ”What are the top three moves I can make to improve my dental health?” Since more than 90% of your time is spent outside of your dentist’s office, you need to know how to keep your teeth healthy at home beyond routine brushing, flossing, and other dental health measures such as eating less sugar or avoiding tobacco products. Make it your mission to ask your dentist the top three things you can do to keep your mouth in top condition. Such recommendations will be specifically tailored to your current dental health needs. Therefore, they often focus on reducing the severity of your recurrent problems or reducing your risk for other dental health issues. "What type of technology and amenities does your practice offer?" From digital photography for more efficient treatment planning, to comfy blankets and nitrous oxide, each practice is unique in the experience they provide. Be sure to ask your dentist to explain what makes their practice different.  While no one likes spending time in the dentist’s chair, taking a few extra minutes to ask your dentist these important questions will inform you of your current dental health status as well as give you a plan for professional office and personal home care to help you achieve your brightest, healthiest smile ever.  

You certainly want to sport a broad, pretty smile and that is the pretext to your visiting Chino Dental Offices in CA. Having a strong dental health is also highly essential these days. This is why you and your entire family should access the modern dentistry services that dental clinic in Chino offers. They help you with meeting the broad needs of all family members, be it restorative or cosmetic dental services. Services offered by Chino Dental Clinics General Dentistry – This involves diagnosing, treating and managing the oral healthcare of an individual. This service may include frequent gum cleanings and investigations. Educating individuals about preventive oral care also falls under this category. Ensure that you visit a dental clinic in Chino to get the routine investigations done. Whitening of Teeth – This helps in lightening the teeth color, also assists in removing any stains or discoloration. It’s a cosmetic dental procedure and depending on the status of your teeth, this process should be repeated at designated intervals. Composite Fillings – If you have a fractured teeth, composite fillings will provides robust durability. People, who prefer having their fillings look more natural, use composite fillings. They can be used either on your front teeth or rear teeth as well. Tooth Crowns – If you want to restore the shape, size, strength of your teeth and also enhance its appearance, dental crowns or tooth crowns are the best bait for you. It helps encase the noticeable portion of a tooth above the gum line after being cemented into the teeth. Root Canal – If you have a badly decayed tooth or it is infected, go for a root canal treatment. During this procedure, the nerve and the pulp are eliminated and the portion inside the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. Porcelain Veneers – Customers can get tailor-made porcelain veneers which are mere shells used to cover the frontal portion of the teeth. It also helps enhance the tooth appearance as these shells are made of tooth-colored materials. Dental Implants – If you are seeking to replace the roots of your tooth, dental implants is the best option. Implants will give a strong foundation to your teeth that is at par with your natural teeth. Cosmetic Dentistry – This process is not related to maintaining the oral health but is more directed towards enhancing the dental appearance and improving your smile. It uses advanced technologies but ensures that the smile makeovers are comfortable as well as convenient. Digital X-Rays – Dental radiographs are a essential part of a dental care treatment plan. It precisely helps to diagnose the issues proactively helps dentists detect issues such as cavities, tooth roots, overall oral health such that corrective actions can be adopted. So, it is best to identify which of these services you require and find out the most relevant Chino Dental Offices to get yourself treated. With the state-of-the-art techniques and equipments, assure yourself to get a comfortable experience.

Posted by Value Dental

Dental appointments are designed to keep your teeth in top shape, and preventative care matters! Just brushing and flossing at home aren’t enough to keep signs and symptoms of serious tooth decay from developing eventually. Ignoring your teeth can lead to some extremely serious problems that go far beyond your mouth. We’ve all seen those pictures of people with missing and rotting teeth and gums. It makes us want to cringe and politely look away. If you think that you’re immune to issues that cause this, think again. Teeth are an incredibly precious commodity, and it’s much easier to care for them when they’ve received regular maintenance. It’s much cheaper, too. Caring for your teeth needs to start at a very young age. Even baby teeth deserve special attention. This sets the foundation for your adult teeth, and can stave off the effects of gum disease. A Cosmetic Dentist in Moreno Valley, California can help to correct some of the damage, and can help you to regain your self-confidence. The best plan of action will always be preventative care and regular dental checkups. You’ll agree after looking through some of these common problems caused by neglecting your teeth: Halitosis This is a symptom and a major problem all rolled into one. Halitosis, very simply, means bad breath. If people shy away when you speak, and you have that chronic rotten smell when you breathe heavily, you could have some underlying dental issues. This can indicate everything from serious tooth decay to a sinus infection. Either way, bad breath can be an excellent motivator to seek some professional help! Periodontal Disease Also known as gun disease, this is a very common side effect of poor dental hygiene. It comes in two stages: Gingivitis; and Periodontitis. Gingivitis is a treatable form of this disease that can cause red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If you’re noticing red in the sink after you brush, it’s definitely a good time to call your dentist! If you catch this early, it can be stopped and the effects reversed. Periodontitis is the more advanced stage of this disease. At this point, plaque and bacteria have made their way to the areas underneath your gum line. This causes an autoimmune response from your body, and it will attack the areas around your teeth. Teeth will actually become loose and will eventually fall out. This disease is bad news, and definitely warrants some professional intervention. Sensitive Teeth This is a problem that nearly everyone experiences at one point or another in their lives. That sudden shock of pain that comes when you bite down on something that’s too hot, too cold, or simply too sweet. This happens when you have an area of your tooth that may be exposed to nerves within your teeth. Erosion of enamel gives way to these sensitive spots. This is a treatable problem, and can be remedied with fillings and other methods your dentist can suggest. Tooth Decay Tooth decay happens when areas of our teeth begin to breakdown and erode. This can happen when teeth are not being brushed and flossed properly, and food is left on the surface. Plaque is a tiny bacterium that lives on the surface of your teeth, and plaque’s favorite food just happens to be whatever gets stuck to your teeth. They are particularly partial to sugars. Plaque produce acids as they digest these sugars, and these acids literally eat away at your smile.

Posted by Value Dental

How to choose a good cosmetic dentist When choosing a cosmetic dentist, it is very important to keep in mind not only your budget, but the results you are looking to achieve. Choosing the right cosmetic dentist will have a crucial impact on your final results, meaning that finding the right dentist for the job is worth the time it takes to research them. All dentists are taught how to perform certain procedures, however some specialize in specific areas, and others have more experience doing certain procedures than other dentists may have. You may be thinking, how can I know which cosmetic dentist is right for me? Fortunately, there are a variety of ways with which you can use to determine which dentist is right for you. List Your Needs and Wants The first step in determining which dentist is right for your smile is first deciding what exactly you are looking to change about it. Do your research about cosmetic dental procedures, and try to determine what may be right for you. List exactly what you would like to see different about your teeth, and consult dentists about what options you may have. There is a fair number of cosmetic dentists in Melbourne, and talking to several about what they can offer you and your smile is important in determining how you can have your needs and wants fulfilled. If you have several chipped teeth in need of repair, or if you are looking to add porcelain veneers to your smile for example, you should put this on your list to help determine which cosmetic dentists can help you. Settle only for a dentist who will fulfill your needs to the fullest, and avoid those who are looking to cut corners. Discuss Your Options Similar to making a list, discussing your options with several cosmetic dentists is very important. Make sure that you communicate exactly what you would like, so that they may use their expertise to determine which procedures can work for you. You should also discuss the practicality of your wants, as many dentists will have the knowledge to tell you whether or not it is feasible, and whether or not they think it will look good in the end. You may think a certain procedure looks great from photos, however a trained cosmetic dentist will be able to tell you with some certainty if the procedure will work for you specifically. It’s important to communicate with the dentist exactly what look you are going for, so that they can discuss with you the best options for your appearance. Examine Past Work and Qualifications This is essentially the most important part of choosing the right cosmetic dentist. With the development of the internet, many dentists choose to show photos of their work online, through blogs and websites. If you simply search “cosmetic dentists in Melbourne,” you will find dozens of results featuring the web pages of many dentists. Visit these web pages to get an idea of the results you will see from them; these photographic accounts will speak for themselves regarding the quality of work you can expect from a specific dentist. If you like the look of the photos, contact the dentist, and learn more about what he or she has to offer. In addition to looking at past photos, it’s also important look at a dentist’s qualification. Learn about where they studied dentistry, and be sure that they are up to date on their dental certifications. Looking for good work from a dentist is important, but making sure that they are qualified is vital to guaranteeing that you will receive the end result you seek. Avoid dentists who are not up-to-date on their qualifications, as well as those with few photos to show you about past procedures. If a dentist does not come across as experienced and qualified when meeting with them, look to avoid that as well. Looking for a well-qualified, confident dentist with significant proof of their results is important, and you should avoid any who cannot fill these requirements. Overall, finding a great cosmetic dentist who can offer services which fit your needs can be a long and difficult process. Luckily, the large number of cosmetic dentists in the Melbourne area will give you a large selection to choose from. Finding the right cosmetic dentist heavily relies on good communication, and good research. By listing what you would like to see changed in your smile, getting referrals from friends and family, as well as being very clear with your requests, you can find a dentist that can fit your needs in little time at all.