Drugs and Your Dentist

You know its important to update your doctor on your health and medication status, but what about your dentist? Good communication with your dentist about your overall health is vital, says Dr. Lynn Tomkins, a clinical instructor in the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Medicine at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Dentistry and a Past President of the ODA. "What happens in your mouth affects your body, and what happens in your body affects your mouth."

If you are on blood thinner mediations, it is important that your dentist be made aware of the type and dosage you are taking. These medications act to reduce the body's natural clotting mechanisms. Since it is not uncommon for minor amounts of bleeding to occur during even simple dental procedures such as tooth cleaning and scaling, it is very important to let your dentist know at least several days PRIOR to any treatment that you are taking blood thinner medications. Your dentist may wish to consult with your family doctor about the advisability of discontinuing this particular medication for a day or so prior to your dental appointment.

Fighting the "Ouch" Factor - Tooth Sensitivity

Here's how to help prevent tooth sensitivity:

•  Keep your teeth clean: plaque forms bacteria that irritates your gums and may make them recede.
• Use desensitizing toothpaste and fluoridated dental products.
• Use a soft toothbrush that won't scratch tooth enamel or wear away gums tissue and brush gently using a circular motion.
• Use warm water when brushing your teeth to soften your toothbrush's bristles.
• Avoid tobacco in any form. In addition to its carcinogenic effects, smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco may cause gums to recede.
• Reduce your intake of acidic foods and sugary snacks and drinks.

Referral Program

iPad mini lucky draw

For any new patient referral, both you and your referral will receive a raffle ticket ( on the appointment day) for the draw of a iPad mini ( value at $350)

Contest date : May 1st  - August 30th, 2013
Draw Date : August 30th, 2013

Winner will be announced on ScarboroughSmiles.com and will be contacted by the office via phone / email

GOOD LUCK to everyone! 

Please visit Scarborough Smiles and Like Us in Facebook to view our current activities, updates and Dental Facts. See you there!

Spit, Chew, Smokeless

• Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). It is a known cause of human cancer.
• Smokeless tobacco use can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence.
• Adolescents who use smokeless tobacco are more likely to become cigarette smokers.


70% of people who use spit tobacco get mouth sores. But it gets a lot more serious than this. The consequences of chewing and spitting tobacco include:
• cracking and bleeding lips and gums
• receding gums, which can eventually make your teeth fall out
• increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats, all leading to a greater risk of heart attacks and brain damage (from a stroke)
• cancer - including oral cancer which can happen in the lips, the tongue, the floor or roof of the mouth, the cheeks or gums. Cancer can also get into the lining of your stomach, your esophagus and into your bladder.




Quitting Time!

These not so fun facts may trigger the urge to quit!
• One can of snuff gives you as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes.
• Nicotine gives you the "buzz" but is highly addictive.
• 75% of cancers in the mouth, lips, tongue, throat, nose and larynx are due to tobacco use.
• Long-term users have a 50% greater risk of developing oral cancers than non-users.
• Smokeless tobacco is harder to quit than cigarettes

How Music Relaxes you during Dental Treatments

The American Dental Association recommends playing music during dental treatments as a form of distraction. It has been noted that listening to music tends to have lower levels of stress-related hormones. 
Dr. Cumandra has bought a Bose radio to give you great sound for long appointments.

Snacking vs Sweet

Did you know that too often and the habit of " day snacking" is causing more dental disease than the sugar content of the food being eaten. This is according ti Dr Warren Karp, who is also a licensed dietician and director of the Nutrition Consult Service at the Medical College of Georgia Dental School.

Too Much Wine Erodes Teeth

Are you a wine drinker? According to a study at Guys Hospital in London, the acid in wine was shown to erode the enamel on teeth. Any individual who tastes wine or drinks wine often should clean his or her mouth at least twice a day. Typically, red wine causes the worst stains on teeth.