Month: November 2017

Braces can be a long, involved process, but gaining a more attractive smile and better oral health is worth it. Sometimes, though, braces can produce unintended short-term consequences.

Brace brackets and wires do the work of moving teeth to better positions. They can, however, hinder the wearer’s hygiene efforts to remove plaque, a thin film of bacteria and food particles, from tooth surfaces. Plaque buildup increases the risk of dental disease and other ill effects.

One such effect while you’re wearing braces is the formation of tiny spots that look pale and chalky on otherwise smooth and polished enamel. These are white spot lesions (WSLs), where acid has remained for too long on the tooth enamel. They occur because acid-producing bacteria escape removal during brushing and flossing due to the braces hardware.

We want to try to prevent WSLs while wearing braces, and not just because they’re unattractive. You’re actually looking at enamel erosion, which could lead to cavity development at those weakened spots.

Although difficult for you as a braces wearer, daily brushing and flossing is crucial to WSL prevention. You’ll need to take more time to be sure you’re reaching all around the wires and brackets. You can improve your effectiveness with special brushes for braces and floss threaders or water irrigators. You can also help keep acid levels low by cutting back on acidic foods and beverages, especially sodas, coffee or spicy foods.

Even if you develop WSLs we can treat them effectively, especially if caught early. One way is by aiding enamel re-mineralization through saliva stimulation (the mouth’s acid neutralizer) or applying fluoride to the teeth to strengthen enamel. We can also use caries infiltration, a technique that injects tooth-colored resin below the surface of the lesion. This strengthens the weakened enamel and gives the area the appearance of translucence like normal enamel.

While you’re wearing braces, focus diligently on keeping your teeth clean of plaque and keep up your regular cleaning visits with us. If you notice any unusual discolorations or abnormalities, see us as soon as possible. Stopping WSLs from developing will help ensure your teeth are healthy and attractive after the braces come off.

If you would like more information on dental care with braces, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “White Spots on Teeth during Orthodontic Treatment.”

Find out how one simple cosmetic restoration could turn your smile around.

Have you ever noticed that the more you smile the happier you feel? Even if you aren’t in the best of moods if you can find a moment to genuinely smile throughout the day this could elevate your mood and provide a host of other benefits. Of course, if you aren’t proud of your smile then you may find yourself hiding it from those around you. Why not let your smile show? Our London, Ontario cosmetic dentists at Northland Dental Centre can help!

What are dental veneers?

Made from very thin but durable layers of porcelain, these shells are custom made to cover the entire front surface of a tooth to improve the shape, color and appearance.

Whether you suffer from severe discolorations, misalignments, cracks and chips, or malformed teeth, dental veneers can help set things straight. In fact, veneers can even help fix minor crookedness and gaps between teeth to give you a straighter smile without ever needing to wear braces. Many aesthetic problems can be addressed with help from porcelain veneers.

How are veneers placed?

If you are getting traditional veneers from our London, ON, dentist, then we’ll first need to evaluate your smile to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy and free of decay or gum disease. We will also make sure that the issues you want to address can be handled with dental veneers.

Some tooth preparation is required prior to getting your veneers. This means that we will shave off a small amount of enamel from the front of your teeth to make room for your veneers.

Since veneers are created based on the shape and exact measurements of your teeth, we will need to take impressions of your teeth. These impressions will provide the lab with the measurements they need to craft the perfect set of veneers.

Once your veneers are ready you will come in for your final fitting where we will bond them to the front of your teeth using a special dental resin and a dental light to harden the resin into place. It’s that simple!

Do you have questions about getting dental veneers in London, Ontario? Are you ready to find out how this cosmetic restoration could enhance your smile? If so, then it’s time to turn to Northland Dental Centre for all your dental cosmetic needs. Call (519) 455-2551 today.

How many actresses have portrayed a neuroscientist on a wildly successful TV comedy while actually holding an advanced degree in neuroscience? As far as we know, exactly one: Mayim Bialik, who plays the lovably geeky Amy Farrah Fowler on CBS’ The Big Bang Theory… and earned her PhD from UCLA.

Acknowledging her nerdy side, Bialik recently told Dear Doctor magazine, “I’m different, and I can’t not be different.” Yet when it comes to her family’s oral health, she wants the same things we all want: good checkups and great-looking smiles. “We’re big on teeth and oral care,” she said. “Flossing is really a pleasure in our house.”

How does she get her two young sons to do it?

Bialik uses convenient pre-loaded floss holders that come complete with floss and a handle. “I just keep them in a little glass right next to the toothbrushes so they’re open, no one has to reach, they’re just right there,” she said. “It’s really become such a routine, I don’t even have to ask them anymore.”

As many parents have discovered, establishing healthy routines is one of the best things you can do to maintain your family’s oral health. Here are some other oral hygiene tips you can try at home:

Brush to the music — Plenty of pop songs are about two minutes long… and that’s the length of time you should brush your teeth. If brushing in silence gets boring, add a soundtrack. When the music’s over — you’re done!

Flossing can be fun — If standard dental floss doesn’t appeal, there are many different styles of floss holders, from functional ones to cartoon characters… even some with a martial-arts theme! Find the one that your kids like best, and encourage them to use it.

The eyes don’t lie — To show your kids how well (or not) they are cleaning their teeth, try using an over-the-counter disclosing solution. This harmless product will temporarily stain any plaque or debris that got left behind after brushing, so they can immediately see where they missed, and how to improve their hygiene technique — which will lead to better health.

Have regular dental exams & cleanings — When kids see you’re enthusiastic about going to the dental office, it helps them feel the same way… and afterward, you can point out how great it feels to have a clean, sparkling smile.

For more information about oral hygiene, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read the interview with Mayim Bialik in the latest issue of Dear Doctor magazine.