Christmas Gift Giving

It has been a good year for Scarborough Smiles team and giving back to the community is one way to express our gratitude. Santa and his elves donated toys to the Salvation Army and non-perishable goods with monetary donation to Yonge Street Mission. 

Movember!

Dr Cumandra joined the all time Canadian tradition "Movember" where men grow their moustache for the whole month of November in support for the organization. He was patiently growing them while complaining daily how itchy they were. LOL Here's a picture of Dr Cumandra holding a cheque as donation for the program.

Holiday Giving Program

Please support our Holiday Giving Program were we are supporting the Yonge Street Mission by donating non-perishable goods and items. We also accept monetary contributions and Dr Cumandra will match all donations. You can drop off your non-perishable contributions on our food drive collection bin at the reception area. The all you CAN give food drive has started already and will continue until December 19, 2013. Thank you for all your support. 

Sweet and Sneaky

Chow down on something and the sugar provides food for your mouth's bacteria which then produce acids to attack your teeth. Perhaps you have cut back on candy and pop but there are losts of other sources of sugar. Many processed food contain it.

Cutting down on processed foods helps, but there are other natural-sounding sources of sugar that may surprise you. Anything that is high in carbohydrates can be broken down by plaque bacteria. The byproduct of bacteria is acid, which demineralizes your teeth, leading to tooth sensitivity and cavities.

The key to snacking on naturally sweet foods, such as fruit, is to eat it over a short period of time to reduce the amount of time your teeth are exposed to acid.

Here are some list of the surprisingly Sneaky Sugar prepared products that can be found in the supermarket:

• baked beans
• barbecue sauce
• bread
• breakfast cereal
• cookies
• crackers
• dried fruit
• frozen dinners
• fruit juice
• fruit spreads
• fruit yogurt
• granola and other multigrain cereals
• granola bars
• iced tea
• instant oatmeal
• ketchup
• muffins and muffin mixes
• pasta sauce
• peanut butter
• potato chips
• protein drink
• some reduced-fat products
• salad dressings
• sports drinks

For the best dental health, buy products with the least amount of sugar it will be included toward the end of the ingredient list). When checking labels, you might not always see the word "sugar", but these are all a form of it:

• barley malt
• cane juice
• corn syrup
• dextrose
• fructose
• glucose
• sucrose
• honey
• maltodextrin
• maple syrup
• molasses

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Does your bed partner complain about your snoring? Are you unusually sleepy during the day and don't know why? These are two of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep related breathing disorder that can cause you to stop breathing dozens or even hundreds of times each night.


Only a physician can diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. A dentist do not diagnose OSA. However, a dentist may see patients who they suspect may be at risk and will refer them to their family physicians for further diagnostic followup.

The most effective treatment for mild or moderate sleep apnea, says The Canadian Lung Association, is continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP). With CPAP you wear a special mask attached to a CPAP machine. A steady stream of air is blown through the mask, into your nose and down your throat. The pressure helps keep your airways open so you can breathe properly all night. Other treatments for mild sleep apnea include lifestyle changes such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives and sleeping on your side, not your back.   Your doctor may also recommend that you use a dental (or an oral appliance) that fits over your teeth and prevents your tongue and jaw from blocking your airway. In comparison to CPAP devices, these are sometimes regarded as a convenient, silent and more bed partner-friendly choice says Dr. Alan Lowe, Professor and Chair of the Divison of Orthodontics, University of Bristish Columbia's Faculty of Dentistry.   A cautionary note: Some patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea may be curious about ordering prefabricated devices over the internet. "Think twice!". "You may end up with jaw pain or other problems. That could be a significant and serious."

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.