What Causes a Toothache?

A toothache usually means that the nerve of your tooth is inflammed. In dental terms this is called ‘pulpitis’. The inflammation can be caused by a number of factors: trauma, bacterial ingression from cavities, biting pressure (clenching and grinding) or anything that irritates the nerve of your tooth. There are two types of pulpitis – reversible or irreversible. With reversible pulpitis, the nerve can become healthy again and remain vital. With irreversible pulpitis, the nerve is doomed to die.

Death of The Nerve

So what if the nerve dies, there’s no more feeling? If the nerve dies, it is a great environment for the growth of bacteria. If left alone bacteria can collect at the apex (end of the root) and cause a granuloma or a cyst. This can flare up and cause a toothache that can be more painful than the one felt with the pulpitis while the nerve was still vital.

Treatment

What is the treatment? The treatment for this is a ‘root canal’. A root canal is a procedure in which the entire nerve is removed from the tooth. The canal is cleaned out to remove as much bacteria as possible and then the canal is sealed with a  material. Antibiotics can help calm the infection down but only to a certain extent, eventually the canal must be physically cleaned out. Also the tooth can be extracted to remove the infection, this is usually the option if the tooth is broken and there is not enough structure left to place a crown or filling.

New Studies Show That Vitamin D Deficiency May Cause Compromised Immune Function:

Vitamin D not only plays an important role in helping our bodies absorb calcium for our skeletal system, but it also helps us maintain the health of our immune system.

Our bodies naturally produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, and by absorbing small amounts from certain foods. 

Today it has be estimated that approximately one billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient due to limited exposure to the sunshine.

So if you are unable to enjoy enough sunshine this summer, some food that you can add to your diet for a little more vitamin D include:

• Fish
• Oysters
• Caviar
• Tofu and Soy Milk
• Fortified Dairy Products
• Eggs
• Mushrooms
• Fortified Cereals

For Denture Wearers

Having a Healthy Mouth is Important At Any Age

If you wear a partial or complete dentures, it is especially important to take good care of your gums and any natural teeth, and to keep your dentures clean and properly fitted.

When gums dentures and remaining teeth are not cleaned properly, you are likely to experience a build-up of plaque, a type of bacteria that collects at the gum line and can harden on teeth into deposits called calculus. Too much plaque can lead to bad breath, cavities, gum disease and further tooth loss. 

If you have dentures, or  are about to get them, here's what you need to know to keep your mouth healthy and your smile bright...

About Your Dentures

When properly fitted and cared for, dentures will enhance your appearance and can be worn with confidence as you enjoy your favorite activities. A simple, daily routine of oral care and regular visits to your oral health care professional are all that is needed to keep you on track.

It is important, however, to remember that dentures do not last forever. Even with proper cleaning and care, the average life span of dentures is only about five to seven years. The teeth and base of the dentures will eventually stain, and over time, natural changes will occur to the structure of your face and mouth that will require an adjustment to your dentures.

Like natural teeth, dentures can build up with plaque. Dentures can cause plaque to be pushed further down underneath the gum line, which may make cleaning more difficult and lead to cavities, especially on exposed root surfaces.

Wearing dentures can put extra pressure on the surrounding bone structure and gums, as well as any natural teeth that are used to support partial dentures. If these areas are not kept clean, you may experience sore, irritated gums or additional bone and tissue loss. That is why it is particularly important to see your oral health care professional regularly and follow their advice between visits.

Regular Check-Ups

Your dentures and tissue should be checked every year to prevent or reduce tissue inflammation and to minimize bone or tissue loss.

If you are already a denture wearer, or about to have denture fitted for the first time, you may wish to consult with a denturist. Denturists are denture specialists who design, construct, insert and adjust dentures.  

Sources : College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
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Congratulations Xu Lin! Enjoy the iPad mini and keep on referring! :)

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Preventing And Treating Gum Disease For Overall Health

We all know that prevention is one of the keys to maintaining overall health. We exercise and watch what we eat to help reduce our risk of heart attack, stroke and certain cancers. In much the same way, we should take good care of our (dental) health now to prevent gum disease and tooth loss later.

Why is this important? The reasons are much more than cosmetic. While we once believed the worst outcome of gum disease was tooth loss, we now know that oral health matters from head to toe.

Like smoking, elevated cholesterol or obesity, periodontal (gum and bone) disease may be at risk factor for a number of serious health conditions. In recent studies, gum disease has been linked to:

• heart disease and stroke
• pneumonia and other respiratory diseases
• diabetes
• premature, low birth weight deliveries

How is this possible? For those with gum disease, the simple act of brushing the teeth or chewing can injure gum tissue, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream. It is believed that these bacteria may travel to other parts of the body, potentially worsening or causing other types of health problems.

How Gum Disease Develops

Gum disease begins with the formation of hard and soft deposits on the surface of the teeth. Over time, a build-up of bacteria called plaque collects at the gum line, eventually hardening on the teeth into calcium deposits called calculus (tartar). With poor oral care, those bacteria can cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), penetrate the gum line and finally spread into the underlying bone (periodontitis).

Gum Disease and Your Heart

Studies have suggested that bacteria from diseased gums may travel through the bloodstream, potentially contributing to the formation of artery-clogging plaques. It is also believed that gum disease may contribute to infective endocarditis, a condition in which the interior lining of the heart and heart valves become inflammed, possibly due to a bacterial infection. If left untreated, this condition could lead to a fatal infection.

Gum Disease and Your Lungs 

Scientists now believe that gum disease may also be a significant risk factor, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, and potentially worsening the severity of pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Preventing gum disease may help you breathe easier.

Gum Disease and Diabetes

Severe peridontal disease may increase both blood sugar levels and the amount of time the body functions with high blood sugar, putting those with diabetes at increased risk for complications. People with diabetes and gum disease should receive regular treatment from an oral health professional to reduce inflammation of the gums.

Gum Disease and Pregnancy

Research has linked gum disease in women to an increased risk of premature delivery.

What is the connection? Researchers believe that bacteria from diseased gums enter the bloodstream during eating or brushing. These bacteria may then affect the levels of prostaglandins (or PGE2), a biological fluid naturally present in a woman's body. When the level of PGE2 rises significantly, usually in the ninth month of pregnancy, labour begins. But in women with serious gum disease, the level of PGE2 may rise too soon, triggering early labour.

What Can You Do?

Visiting your Dental Hygienist on a regular basis is one of the most important steps you can take to maintain or improve your oral health.

Here are some general guidelines for maintaining good oral health at any age:

Infant Care

• Give the infant plain water instead of milk or sweet juices at naptime.
• Gently clean newly erupted teeth, gums and tongue with gauze or washcloth.

Children

• Familiarize children with oral cleaning habits.
• Parents may wish to clean the child's teeth before bedtime and allow the child to try brushing on his/her own in the morning.
• First visits to the dental hygienist are recommended at about age two.

Teenagers and Adults

• A thorough cleaning of your mouth once or twice a day is sufficient.
• BRUSHING: place your brush at a 45 degree angle to the junction between the tooth and gum, applying gentle pressure as you move the brush away from the gums. Don't forget to brush your tongue (with or without toothpaste), where bacteria build up. You should be spending about three minutes each time you brush (your dental hygienist may also recommend that you use an electric toothbrush) and NEVER forget to FLOSS!

Memories to keep! :)

A 3D hand and foot print casted model. Impression done at our office, polished and trimmed by our laboratory. Carefully packed and presented and ready to give as a gift to our patients who are newly proud parents. If interested, feel free to call our office at 416-296-0400 ext 2 for further questions.

Referral Program 2nd Winner!

Congratulations to Mr El-Hedi Maloufi for winning the iPad Mini for the quarterly Referral Program. The program is on and next raffle draw will be on April 20, 2014. Keep on referring and you might be the next winner!:)