The best time to start your child’s visits to the dentist is with the emergence of her first tooth. A quick check-up will reveal whether there are any systemic issues or abnormalities in the baby teeth. Also starting the visits early helps create a trusting relationship so your child feels confident and comfortable with his dentist as well as helps establish good early oral hygiene habits. The child’s parents will also receive information about caring for their child’s teeth such as proper brushing technique or how to avoid cavities, for example, by not letting their toddler go to sleep with a bottle containing milk or juice, which is one of the primary causes of dental caries in young children.

Nowadays, dental offices include as part of a routine complete dental exam a primary screening of oral cancer and pharyngeal cancer (head and neck cancer). According to the American Dental Association (www.ada.org), oral cancer occurs two times more commonly in men than it does in women. In the U.S., about eight thousand people die of this cancer each year with the median age of diagnosis at 65 years old. Around 90% of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas <www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/index.htm>.

The chief difficulty in identifying oral cancer is no signs or symptoms appear in the early stages, which makes it nearly impossible for a person to detect the developing cancer on her own. The earliest signs of oral cancer start as a small area of cells that are white, red, or a mixture of white and red; they are either flat or raised; and they can be completely painless or erupt as painful ulcerative tissues. What’s more, the cells are typically located far back behind the ear or under tongue. In some advanced cases, difficulty swallowing, mouth sores and tongue movement problems may occur.

According to Wikipedia, oral oncogenes (genes with the potential to cause cancer) are triggered by a mutation or change of the DNA. Risk factors that make an individual more susceptible to oral cancer are poor oral hygiene, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_cancer>

However, dentists are specifically trained to spot the earliest signs of oral cancer in their patients. When diagnosed early, treatment is extremely efficient and effective. <http://implantperiocenter.com/periodontal-services/oral-cancer-exam>.

As we age, our bodies change. Some changes are more noticeable, such as a reduced ability to dash up the stairs, feeling creaky after sitting a long while, or even just having less agility or energy generally. Our skin, our joints, and even our teeth reflect our age as well. Older teeth are flatter than younger teeth, having been worn down over the years. Teeth also produce more dentin as we age, so they can appear darker. Recession and root exposure can also occur either from brushing or simple erosion. And commonly in our later years, we are prescribed medications that often have the side effect of causing a reduction in saliva, which causes us to have a “cottony” or dry mouth. Cavities tend to occur more easily in teeth without the cleansing action of saliva or when roots are exposed. Even arthritis in the hands can compromise our ability to brush and floss effectively.

Because our mouths change as we age, regular dental exams are key to monitoring any issues that may arise in the teeth, gums, nerves and other organs connected to the mouth. Because our nerves shrink as we get older, any issues that arise, such as cavities or other problems, might not be as noticeable. Regular dental visits will insure our mouths are looked after, our teeth are given a thorough and deep cleaning, and any problems are diagnosed before they develop into larger issues requiring much more invasive care.

A popular misconception that we are destined to lose our teeth in our elder years might prevent some from caring for their teeth efficiently. This, however, is false. With both regular care at home and routine visits to the dentist, our teeth are designed to last a lifetime.

At Dental Care for You, our goal is to help you feel well, stay healthy, and continue to flash a pearly smile every day of your life.

Wisdom teeth, which are classified as molars, typically appear in our late teens or early 20s. They’re so named because they’re the last of our teeth to grow. Their position as the last teeth in the jaw helps us chew solid foods. Interestingly, they’ve also been found to have an additional functionality; a study at the University of Adelaide determined the stem cells inside wisdom teeth can be used in brain cells <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140430192527.htm.>.

Yet wisdom teeth can be a problem for the modern jaw, which is smaller than our predecessors’. When they finally do emerge, there often isn’t enough room for them, and they can crowd the existing teeth or become misaligned. This is where a series of issues can begin: misaligned teeth are firstly difficult or even impossible to clean by brushing and flossing, and bacteria grows as a result, which can damage the gums or cause tooth decay or other types of oral disease. Secondly, misalignment can damage the jawbone, nerves or the neighboring teeth.

These issues sound serious, but they are completely avoidable. If the dentist determines you don’t have enough space to accommodate the wisdom teeth, she will often recommend they be extracted early on, before they have a chance to cause any problems.

A simple exam will determine the state of your wisdom teeth. Some people’s wisdom teeth emerge and cause no issue and others grow beneath the surface of the gum and can become impacted. In such a case, it is best they be removed. At Dental Care for You, we recommend patients between the ages of 16-25 be examined to see whether any action needs to be taken. Dr. Fadavi has extensive experience in wisdom teeth extraction, and her priority is ensuring the procedure is safe, easy and effective.

The mouth seems like such a small part of the human body, but in fact, our oral health greatly affects our overall health. The mouth is interconnected with the body’s organs, and shares in the blood, nerve and muscle systems. Inflammation, disease, decay or other problems in the mouth can actually contribute to greater instance of heart disease, increase opportunity for lung infections, and over time, degrade our body’s ability to function properly. In fact, according to the NYU College of Dentistry, in 2010, after 20 years of reviewing data, researchers from New York University found that there is a significant link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease [1].

With proper oral care, we can increase our quality of life, and our total health. This video made by the Department of Dentistry at Mount Sinai Hospital, shows how our mouth health leads to better overall health: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdngmVA9xsI.

Further, our emotional health gets a terrific boost from having a clean, bright smile to share with the world. The Canadian Dental Association states, “Good oral health contributes positively to your physical, mental and social well-being and to the enjoyment of life’s possibilities, by allowing you to speak, eat and socialize unhindered by pain, discomfort or embarrassment.”

Brushing and flossing are fundamental for maintaining good oral health, but regular visits to the dentist insures that our teeth and gums stay healthy. Our mouths have many nooks and corners we can’t reach on our own at home where bacteria can grow or disease may be present. Regular dental appointments help to reduce bacteria and maintain healthy gums and your total oral health. Additionally, dentists are trained to identify any problems or diagnose disease, for example, by performing oral cancer screenings, and can take action or refer you to the appropriate resources.

1. <http://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2010/08/03/new-evidence-supports-link-between-gum-inflammation-and-alzheimers.html>

If you’d like to have teeth as straight, white and bright as a Hollywood star’s, veneers could be the answer.

Veneers are custom-made thin tooth-colored shells or layers that cover the front of one’s natural teeth.

At Dental Care For You we often recommend veneers if teeth are stained, crooked, decayed or chipped.

The procedure is quite simple. After an initial exam, the dentist makes a model of your teeth. The model is sent to a dental lab, where the personalized veneers are built. While veneers are commonly made of both composite resin and porcelain, the Canadian Dental Association recommends porcelain as the better alternative as it has the most natural appearance and superior stain resistance.

Veneers are not for everyone. Those with decay or gum disease will need to treat those issues prior to getting veneers. Also if a tooth has been significantly damaged or chipped, a crown may be the better option.

Most people, however, are able to safely and easily accept veneers to better their smiles, and their overall quality of life.

A beautiful bright smile shows the world you’re confident, happy, and healthy. For special occasions such as weddings, reunions, and holidays, or just to look great every day, if you know your teeth sparkle, you feel your best.

Even with regular home hygiene, yellowing, dullness or surface staining can occur. These can be due to numerous factors: drinking tea, coffee or wine, smoking, illness or even age.

Many different methods for tooth whitening are available, from low-strength options one can do at home, to more lasting and effective options conducted by the dentist.

For gentle, natural lifting of surface stains, The American Dental Association suggests eating fruit that contains malic acid, such as apples and strawberries. One can also use over-the- counter toothpastes, adhesive strips, mouthwashes or even gum.

However these at-home methods only subtly and temporarily alleviate mild surface staining. For a deeper and longer lasting whitening that offers immediate visible results, you should visit your dentist. A dentist will assess your teeth prior to undertaking any treatment to ensure she uses the best whitening option for you.

There are a variety of safe, tested methods that allow your dentist to easily and painlessly remove years of stains and restore or create a stunning smile.

Bleaching is the most common dentist-recommended treatment as it safely and quickly treats both surface and deeper tooth staining. A popular treatment is customized bleaching trays. The dentist custom fits a tray to your teeth, which increases the exposure and contact of the bleach to each tooth and allows the patient to whiten his teeth gradually at home. Zoom whitening or other light-dependent treatments is another very effective whitening method performed by the dentist. Unlike at-home bleaching that produces gentle results over time, this treatment incorporates bleaching with an advanced power lamp, which accelerates the whitening effect and leaves patients with dazzling smiles after just one visit.

With any whitening treatment, whether at home or in-office, the most typical side effect is some temporary mild tooth sensitivity, more or less noticeable depending on the frequency and strength of the treatment. The most significant sensitivity, however, comes when there are pre-existing cavities, decay or gum recession. This is why it is so important to visit the dentist for a consultation prior to applying any whitening treatment. At Dental Care For You, Dr. Fadavi will examine your teeth and discuss the various whitening options with you depending on your particular needs. She may also recommend a cleaning prior to treatment if calculus or plaque are present as these act as a barrier over the enamel and prevent any whitening treatment from being effective.

White teeth represent our total health. If decay, damage, or even mild yellowing is preventing you from smiling the way you dream about, please see a dentist to discuss your options. Whether you crave whiter teeth for a special occasion or just for looking great every day, our goal is to give you the bright confident smile you deserve.

According to Dr. Richard H. Price, spokesman for the American Dental Association, “Ninety percent of mouth odors come from the mouth itself—either from the food you eat or bacteria that’s already there.”

Mouth odour, or halitosis, is one of the chief reasons people pay a visit to their dentist outside of their regular hygiene appointments. Most innocuously and temporary is after eating certain strongly-flavoured foods like onion or garlic, we experience some odour. Also commonly, food particles left behind after eating, if allowed to remain in the mouth long enough, break down and grow bacteria, which give off an odour. Some people whose teeth are close together tend to be more susceptible to this problem as food between meals is more easily trapped in the teeth and against the gumline.

More seriously, mouth odour can be caused by an accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque on the teeth and at the gumline can lead to gum disease, which left untreated can cause damage to the gums and related bone. One of the primary reasons regular visits to the dentist for a cleaning are recommended is to remove the plaque that if left untreated can lead to larger issues.

Cavities could also be responsible for a bad odour in the mouth; in fact, odour is often an early sign of the presence of a cavity.

Another culprit that causes odour is dry mouth, often caused by either unhealthy salivary glands or certain medications. Saliva contains enzymes and antibacterial compounds that kill the dead cells and remove odour-creating substances.

The other ten percent of persistent mouth odours may be caused by diseases such as respiratory tract infection, diabetes, liver problems, chronic acid reflux, chronic sinus infections and kidney problems.

If ever you’ve tasted some blood while brushing and flossing or experienced bright red, sore or puffy gums, a rough tooth surface, blunt papilla between teeth, or a sudden onset of a bad odour in the mouth, it is time to visit your dental professional.

An occasional nick with the dental floss is no cause for alarm, but repeated instances of bleeding in the mouth are a clear sign that something is wrong.

There are many reasons one might experience bleeding in the gums but in all cases the main factor is bacteria.

Gingivitis, or a bacterial infection of the gums, occurs when plaque stays in contact with the gum for more than twenty four hours. Gradually this soft white layer will get calcified and forms calculus, which are hard deposits, stick to the teeth and harbourmore bacteria.  When the bacteria come into contact with the gums, the gums become inflamed and can appear red, loose and puffy. Sharp edges in the calculus can actually cut the gums and cause bleeding. Once the gum is compromised, it can lead to other larger issues throughout the body as the bacteria can then get into the deeper tissue.

Brushing, flossing and regular hygiene appointments can prevent or even reverse the effects of gum disease. The hygienist or dentist uses a special instrument between the gums and teeth to remove the calculus and clean the teeth and root surface of bacteria. In more severe cases the dentist may prescribe a mouth rinse or antibiotics.

Staying on top of your oral hygiene is key for maintaining a healthy mouth and preventing any serious issues from developing. If you experience any bleeding of the gums, it’s crucial to see your dentist before the infection spreads deep in the gum or even the bone, potentially leading to irreparable damage. Such serious issues are entirely avoidable, however, with regular hygiene appointments and good home care.

As adults, we hold memory in our bodies even from early childhood; the sound of a drill, pain, a dentist who didn’t make us feel safe- these memories stay with us and can affect us as adults, causing us to fear or even avoid going to the dentist.

If you’ve ever felt jittery, anxious, or downright afraid before a dental visit, or the feelings are so intense you’ve avoided seeing the dentist altogether, you’re not alone. In fact, anxiety with regard to seeing the dentist is so common, scientists have developed the “Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale,” which doctors use to combat and overcome these anxious feelings to help people get the care they need.

Regular dental care is crucial for maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth. If there is pain or a problem and it isn’t treated by a dentist, it could become far worse and result in longer, more complicated, painful and expensive dental repair.

At Dental Care For You, Dr. Samar Fadavi speaks with every patient who is experiencing anxiety prior to any treatment. She is trained to guide patients through any concerns and can take you step by step through the treatment or procedures you’ll experience.

In certain instances Dr. Fadavi will recommend sedation to help you relax or that you bring a friend or family member for support. Patients can also discuss options to find more comfortable ways to approach treatment: you might wish to spread treatments out over several appointments, adjust the timing of appointments for a less stressful period in your life, and prior to any treatment, you can request a consultation to chat with the dentist and be informed about your options.

Our goal at Dental Care for You is for everyone to receive the care he needs and feel safe and comfortable while getting it.