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Does your child need braces?

Braces are applied to teeth for various reasons, including poorly-aligned jaws, crooked, crowded and missing teeth, or a bad bite. Teeth can become crooked or jaws misaligned for a variety of reasons, including thumb-sucking or a traumatic injury, while some conditions are inherited.

Orthodontics is a field of dentistry correcting jaw and tooth alignment. Children between age 7 and 14 are common candidates for braces because their facial structures are still developing. Adult braces entail additional procedures because adult faces have already fully developed.
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Signs of Gum Disease

Early gum disease (Gingivitis) can be caused by long-term exposure to plaque, the sticky colourless film on youth teeth that forms after eating or sleeping.

Gum disease originates in your gums, where infections form from harmful bacteria and materials left behind from eating. Early warning signs include chronic bad breath, tender or painful swollen gums and minor bleeding after brushing or flossing. Gingivitis often goes unnoticed and the infections can eventually cause gums to separate from teeth, creating even greater risk for infection and decay.
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How to Relieve Toothaches

Relieving Toothaches

Simple toothaches can usually be relieved by rinsing your mouth to clear it of debris. A toothache is often caused or aggravated by a piece of debris lodged between your tooth and another tooth. It’s best to avoid placing Ibuprofen between your tooth and gum to relieve pain as the dissolving capsule can actually harm your gum tissue.
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Cavities and Tooth Decay

What Is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay and cavities are caused by long-term destructive forces acting on tooth structures including enamel of the outer tooth surface and the tooth’s inner dentin material.

Frequent exposure to foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates including soda, candy, ice cream and milk can cause tooth decay and cavities. When these materials are left inside your mouth due to non-brushing and flossing, bacteria build into a harmful, colourless and sticky substance known as plaque. Plaque, combined with leftover food particles in your mouth, forms harmful acids destroying enamel and other tooth structures. If cavities aren’t treated early, they can lead to more serious problems requiring treatments such as root canal therapy.
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What causes bad breath?

Bad Breath

Bad breath is typically caused by food remaining in the mouth collecting bacteria on your teeth, tongue, gums and other structures. Dead and dying bacterial cells release a sulfur compound giving your breath an unpleasant odour. Certain foods, including garlic and onions also contribute to breath odour. Once the food is absorbed into your bloodstream, it is then transferred to your lungs, where it is exhaled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash only mask this odour.

Mouthwashing is generally ineffective for bad breath. If your bad breath persists despite good oral hygiene, there are special products our dentist may prescribe.

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Oral health tips for children

Infants

Infants should be seen by our dental team after the first 6 months of age or at least by your child’s first birthday. By this time, your baby’s first teeth or primary teeth are beginning to erupt, therefore it is a critical time to spot any problems before they escalate.

Conditions like gum irritation and thumb-sucking can create future problems. Babies who suck their thumbs may be setting the stage for malformed teeth and bite relationships.

Baby bottle tooth decay is another problem that can be spotted early, which is caused by sugary substances in breast milk and some juices combining with saliva to form pools inside your baby’s mouth. If left untreated, this can lead to premature decay of your baby’s future primary teeth, which can then hamper proper formation of permanent teeth.
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Why Flossing Your Teeth is Important

Why is flossing important?

Flossing involves a very thin piece of synthetic cord you insert and move up and down between the sides of two adjoining teeth. This method is used to remove bacteria and other debris that cannot be reached by your toothbrush.

Why is flossing important?

Daily flossing can be the single most important weapon against plaque as it is an excellent and proven method for complementing your brushing routine and helping to prevent cavities, gum disease and dental problems later in life. Flossing also increases blood circulation in your gums while removing plaque and debris stuck to your teeth and gums.
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Are you brushing your teeth properly?

Brushing

Brushing is the most effective method for removing harmful plaque from your teeth and gums. Removing debris from your teeth and gums in a timely manner prevents cavity causing acids from bacteria in your food.

Brushing three times a day is the recommended minimum. If you use a fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before bed at night, you can get away without using toothpaste during the middle of the day. A simple brushing with water or rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds after lunch is generally sufficient.

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How fluoride prevents tooth decay

Fluoride

Fluoride is an important mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. The Canadian Dental Association supports the appropriate use of fluorides in dentistry as one of the most successful preventive health measures in the history of health care. More than 50 years of extensive research throughout the world consistently demonstrates safety and effectiveness of fluorides in the prevention of dental caries.
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