Is fluoride bad for you?
Community water fluoridation is perfectly safe, and is a critical means for preventing rampant tooth decay in our children. Tooth decay is the most frequent condition suffered by our children, other than the common cold, and tooth pain is one of the leading reasons for school absences. The scientific evidence is overwhelming in its support for water fluoridation at regulated levels in the prevention of tooth decay. In fact, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) listed water fluoridation as one of the top 10 public health initiatives of the 20th century, a list that included motor vehicle safety, promotion of heart health, recognition of the health risks associated with tobacco, and awareness of a mother's health during pregnancy. And our community has something to be very proud of – in 1945, Brantford was the very first community in all of Canada to have access to fluoridated water!

Excessive amounts of ingested fluoride by children can cause tooth irregularities, including white or brown spots. Young children, especially, often swallow too much toothpaste while brushing. So parents, supervise your young kids while they brush. Kids (and even adults) often use way too much toothpaste (a pea-size drop is plenty). A little goes a long way.

I think I grind my teeth at night. What can I do about this?
Do you wake up with pain in your jaws or a persistent headache? If so, you may be grinding (called bruxing) while you sleep. Persistent bruxing can damage teeth and cause them to get shorter and shorter. It can also damage your temporomandibular (jaw) joints and even affect your hearing. If you suspect that you are a bruxer, ask us about our NTI night-time appliance. It is FDA approved as a drug-free treatment for migraine headaches.

 Dental Crowns Dentist Brantford ON N3S 0C7What’s so bad about losing a tooth?
Teeth can be lost due to an accident or other trauma, but the most common reason people lose a tooth is because of gum disease and/or decay. So, is it a big deal to lose a tooth? I mean you can’t die from it, right? No, you can’t, but losing even a single tooth can cause the other teeth to shift and move around – not good. This can affect chewing and your ability to absorb nutrients from your food. Other bad things can happen; your face will change shape, often looking “sunken.” This can make you look much older than you really are. Your speech can be affected. Because it’s harder to chew with missing teeth, you may find yourself favoring softer foods and more carbohydrates, which can cause you to gain weight. The best way to treat a missing tooth (or missing teeth) is with dental implants. An implant can replace one tooth or many. They can be made to look so natural that even a dentist has to look hard to tell the difference.

Do the doctors check for oral cancer?
Yes, we do. Our dentists and hygienists routinely screen for the early signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer can affect your lips, tongue, gums, salivary glands, and jaw bones. The number of new cancers detected in the mouth are higher than cervical, liver, stomach, brain, and ovarian cancers. The effects can be devastating. In fact, survival rate for oral cancers is much lower than for cervical, melanoma, and prostate cancers. Like many cancers, there are often no symptoms in the early stages. Early detection is key, and regular visits with your dentist and hygienist are your first line of defence.

What causes people to lose their teeth?
Many people assume that tooth loss is due to decay. It’s not. It’s because of gum disease. And it can be completely painless right up until you lose your teeth. Symptoms include bleeding gums when you brush or floss and loose or shifting teeth. If you’ve been told you need gum surgery, you will be glad to know that it’s possible to control gum disease with a variety of non-surgical methods.

I’ve read that gum disease can contribute to heart disease and even stroke. Is this true?
Yes. Recent medical research has caused many doctors to reach a startling conclusion: gum disease, stroke, and heart disease are linked. Since heart disease is usually fatal, it is clear that gum disease is a serious matter. The Canadian Dental Association estimates that 8 out of 10 Canadians have periodontal (gum) disease. If this were any other affliction, such as AIDS or tuberculosis, it would be considered an epidemic! Most dentists think it is just that. They also knew that gum disease would never be labeled epidemic because “no one ever dies from it.” The worst is that you lose your teeth. Not pleasant – but certainly not life threatening. But that’s all changed.

The Canadian Academy of Periodontology reports that studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases. Periodontal disease is characterized by bacterial infection of the gums. These bacteria can travel into the bloodstream – straight to the heart.

Now the Good News
With advanced periodontal disease, the treatment is surgical. Gum surgery is never fun, but it is almost always successful in controlling the condition, and it’s usually covered by common insurance plans. With mild periodontal disease, there are very effective NON-surgical procedures which, coupled with improved dental hygiene, can virtually halt the spread of the disease. This, too, is usually covered under most dental insurance plans.

Why is it important to have regular teeth cleaning?
Did you know “teeth cleaning” does more than just clean your teeth? Removing plaque is absolutely essential if you want to preserve your teeth. It builds up on the tooth surfaces and between the teeth. Brushing and flossing are, of course, vital, but everyone needs their teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Remember – only a dental hygienist can completely clean your teeth.

What is a TMJ disorder?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, your jaw joints. The pain, discomfort, or tenderness in or around the jaw joints is called a TMJ disorder.

Signs that you might have a TMJ disorder are:
• Facial pain or tenderness
• Jaw pain
• Pain in or around the ears
• Neck pain
• Jaw stiffness
• Discomfort while chewing
• Headaches
• Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• Jaw “locking up”
• Jaw makes a clicking sound
• Teeth that don't come together properly when eating or chewing

There are a variety of treatment options for TMJ. Be sure to ask your dentist about these.
My 12-year-old son likes to chew ice. Is this harmful?Teeth Whitening Dentsit Brantford ON N3S 0C7
Tooth enamel is very hard, but that doesn’t mean you can’t break it. Try to avoid eating “hard foods” such as popcorn. Don’t crack nut shells with your teeth or chew on ice. Opening packages with your teeth can also damage the enamel.

Why are soft drinks bad for your teeth?
Sugar and acids are your teeth’s worst enemies. What are we talking about? Soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, and candy. Because of the acid content, Mountain Dew seems to be the worst of the worst. Dentists even have a name for the damage it does – they call it “Dew Mouth.” These soften the tooth enamel, making it highly susceptible to decay. Parents, watch your kid’s consumption of these, because young children’s enamel hasn’t developed fully. This makes these drinks even more damaging for kids. As well as eliminating the above (or at least reducing their consumption), use a sugar-free xylitol chewing gum after meals. Also, rinse your mouth with a high-quality dental mouthwash.

Tongue piercings seem to be a very bad idea. How bad?
Yes, they can look cool, but they can also fracture your teeth as well as make it much easier to get a nasty infection of the tongue and lips. Dentists have estimated that up to 40% of people who have metal rings or other oral piercings have had big problems from tooth fractures and infection.
White Dental Fillings Brantford ON N3S 0C7
Cosmetic Dentistry Brantford ON N3S 0C7
General Dentistry Brantford ON N3S 0C7
1325 Clarence Street South, Unit 1
Brantford, ON N3S 0C7
(519) 756-8080