April 25, 2013 · 7:56 pm

Three Steps to a Healthy Tongue

Healthy Tongue

Your tongue is quite an interesting muscle. It’s flexible, allowing you to speak and create sounds. It co-ordinates with your teeth and jaws, enabling you to chew food. It also has sensors, sensitive to heat, pain, touch, and taste.

Here are three steps to help keep your tongue in tip-top shape:

Step 1 – Avoid Adding Bling
Since there are billions of bacteria in your mouth, a tongue piercing can be a breading ground for bacteria. Oral piercings can also damage tongue nerves, alter tastebuds, chip/break teeth, and cause receding gums.

Step 2 – Clean Your Tongue
Make gently brushing your tongue a part of your daily brushing and flossing routine. A clean tongue keeps your breath fresher and your mouth healthier.

Step 3 – Self Tongue Exam
Oral cancer doesn’t always have uncomfortable side effects, that’s why regular tongue exams are so important. To do this, stick out your tongue, examine the top, bottom, and sides in a mirror. If there are any cuts, red, or white patches that don’t go away in a couple weeks, contact your dentist.

Inspecting your tongue and checking for signs of oral cancer are always a part of routine dental appointments. If it’s been a while since you’ve visited the dentist, book an appointment today.  You can reach us at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that affect your dental health and wellness.

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March 28, 2013 · 7:43 pm

Sugar and Your Teeth

Easter Sweets

With Easter right around the corner and chocolate bunnies and eggs piling high in your home, we wanted to remind you that eating too many sugary foods and drinks can lead to tooth decay.

When you eat sugary foods, your mouth’s natural bacteria work with sugar to multiply itself. Over time this turns into plaque, which can eat away at your tooth’s enamel causing cavities. If left untreated, these cavities will continue to grow and can lead to more severe dental problems.

Our modern diets include several types of sugar:
> Fructose: Naturally found in fruit and often added to processed food.
> Glucose: Found in starchy, carbohydrate rich foods.
> Lactose: Found in milk products and it is the least acidic of the sugars.
> Sucrose: Commonly known as table sugar.
> Maltose: Also known as malt sugar, created from barely and used to brew beer.

A great alternative to sugary foods and drinks is xylitol sweetened gum. It is chemically similar to sugar, but will not cause decay. In fact, it can reduce and even control existing tooth decay.

Have a very happy and healthy Easter long weekend, just remember to enjoy all the delicious sugar foods in moderation. If you have any questions or concerns about sugar and your oral health, please contact our office at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that affect your dental health and wellness.

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February 28, 2013 · 10:26 am

Protect Your Child From Cavities

children's cavities

Children’s teeth are softer and more prone to cavities and decay than adult teeth. Here are some simple steps to help your child maintain a healthy smile:

Step 1: Establish a daily toothbrushing routine
Start brushing your child’s teeth once the first tooth erupts. When your child is able to brush his/her own teeth, monitor this routine to ensure that it is done correctly.

Step 2: Make flossing a daily habit
Once the teeth are touching, begin flossing daily. Regular flossing can make a big difference in cavity prevention. Like brushing, flossing is another oral health activity that should be monitored when your child can do it on his/her own.

Step 3: Have sealants applied to your child’s teeth
Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are added to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.  Sealants help protect your child’s teeth from decay and cavities.

Step 4: Maintain regular dental appointments
We understand that people are busy, but it is important to prioritize regular dental appointments. Your dentist can screen for potential problems, manage existing ones, and help your family maintain a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Step 5: Fix crooked teeth
Crooked or misaligned teeth are more prone to gum disease (periodontal disease) or premature wearing of the teeth.  Straight teeth are healthier, easier to clean, and can prevent greater problems down the road.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s teeth, please contact our office at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that affect your dental health and wellness.

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January 29, 2013 · 10:27 am

Dental Health During the Cold and Flu Season

Cold and Flu Season

You were excited for the new year, you made your resolutions, but starting the year with a cold or flu was never the plan. The common cold can include coughing, runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat, with symptoms that can last for up to two weeks. The flu can include all of the symptoms of a common cold with an aching fever too.

We understand that no one enjoys getting sick, that is why at Centre Dentaire LaSalle your health and comfort are our top priority. We always sanitize and sterilize each and every piece of dental equipment to ensure the health and safety of all of our patients.

If you do become sick this season, we recommend changing your toothbrush. Bacteria can live on your toothbrush for hours, even days. Even if you’re lucky enough to avoid getting sick this season, remember to keep your toothbrush healthy by rinsing it off with hot water after use and storing it upright, so it can dry.

If you have any questions or concerns about your dental health, please contact our office at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that may affect your dental health and wellness.

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December 30, 2012 · 6:10 pm

New Year’s Dental Resolution

Happy New Year - 2013

With 2013 just around the corner, you may have already started thinking about some resolutions for the coming year. Maybe you want to eat healthier, learn a foreign language, or spend more time with the family.

This year, let’s shake things up a bit and try a dental resolution. Here are some of our favourites:

> Floss Daily
Flossing is so beneficial. It helps prevent gum disease, cavities, and helps keep the rest of your body healthy too.

> Stop Smoking
Smoking can be damaging to your oral and overall health. It can increase your risk of gum disease, discolour your teeth, and can lead to cancer, heart disease, and emphysema.

> Avoid Using Your Teeth as Tools
Using your teeth to open packages, bottles, or anything else can cause your teeth to weaken, chip, and even break. Protect your teeth and use the correct tool instead.

> Wear a Seat Belt
Seat belts not only save lives, they protect your mouth from minor accidents, including chipped, broken, and dislodged teeth.

> Don’t Put off the Dentist
This year make dental health a top priority.  Visit your dentist regularly and your mouth will reward you.

If you have any questions or concerns about your dental health, please contact our office at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that affect your dental health and wellness.

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November 29, 2012 · 9:01 pm

Oral Health for Women

woman and daughter, oral health for women

Did you know that there is a connection between women’s hormones, gum disease, and issues that impact women’s health?

From puberty to pregnancy and finally menopause, women undergo various hormonal changes. Fluctuating hormone levels can affect a woman’s oral health, making her mouth a breeding ground for bacteria. When there is more bacteria in the mouth, there is an increased chance that the bacteria will enter the blood stream and negatively impact her overall health.

Oral bacteria has been linked to breast cancer, pre-term births, low birth weight babies, and bone loss. While women tend to take better care of their oral health, it is essential for them to pay extra special attention to their oral health to protect their overall health.

Along with daily brushing and flossing, we recommend that women (and their families) visit the dentist regularly. These appointments help prevent gum disease and are essential steps to maintaining a lifetime of good oral and overall health.

If you have any questions or concerns about oral health for women and their families, please contact our office at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that affect your dental health and wellness.

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October 30, 2012 · 5:04 pm

Green Tea and Your Teeth

woman drinking green tea

The weather is getting colder and now is the perfect time to warm up with a cup of tea. Tea is not only good for your body, drinking green tea daily can actually improve your oral health.

Studies have shown that substances in green tea help to kill and even inhibit the growth of bacteria. This helps to reduce your chances of tooth decay, gum disease, and even bad breath.

In green tea, the substance is called catechins, an antimicrobial molecule that is particularly beneficial when enjoyed without a sweetener. Adding sugar to your green tea may prevent it from protecting your teeth since sugar creates a breeding ground for bacteria.

Drinking one cup of green tea daily is a simple way to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Have a non-sweetened cup today. Your mouth will thank you.

Contact our office at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that affect your dental health and wellness.

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September 30, 2012 · 8:02 pm

How To Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

baby bottle tooth decay

Does your child have a bottle before bedtime? If it is filled with milk, formula, fruit juice, or sugary drinks, it can cause baby bottle tooth decay. Your child’s oral bacteria feeds on the bottle’s sugary liquid. When the liquid pools in the mouth, the bacteria can multiply, become acidic, and eat away at the tooth’s enamel, causing tiny holes (cavities).

The more frequently your child consumes these sugary beverages at night, the more likely he/she will develop baby bottle tooth decay. While the front teeth are the most susceptible, it can happen to all baby teeth.

Tooth decay can also occur if the baby falls asleep while drinking breast milk. If you want to prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Here are the three steps to follow:

1. Avoid the Bedtime Bottle
Give your child the day’s last bottle before the bedtime routine. If your child needs a late night bottle, only fill it with water.
2. Brush Every Day
For babies younger than 18 months, clean the gums with a wet cloth or infant toothbrush. Once the teeth begin to erupt, brush them twice a day.
3. Avoid Sugar Covered Pacifiers
If your child uses a pacifier, only use clean ones. Don’t dip them in anything sweet, even honey.

Baby bottle tooth decay is not just a problem for your child’s baby teeth. It can have a lasting effect on their adult ones, making them more susceptible to cavities and gum disease.

If your child’s teeth become sensitive or begin to develop white spots, contact our office at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website.  These are signs that your child may have baby bottle tooth decay. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that affect your dental health and wellness.

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August 26, 2012 · 8:35 pm

Home Remedies for Toothache Relief

woman with a toothache

If your mouth is in pain in the middle of the night and your dentist’s office won’t be open for hours, what can you do? We understand that minutes can feel like hours and the pain can leave you sleepless.

Before you visit the dentist in the morning, here are some home remedies that may temporarily ease your pain, allowing you to fall
asleep:

> Pain Reliever
An anti-inflammatory pain reliever, such as Advil, is best for a toothache. It can reduce swelling and lessen pain.
> Cold Compress
A cold compress also helps to reduce swelling and ease pain. Apply it to the affected area for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Make sure to avoid using heat at this time, it can accelerate infection and increase discomfort.
> Salt Water
Gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can reduce infection and offer some relief.

Toothache pain can be triggered from consuming hot/cold drinks or food and it can range from slight to severe. If you experience oral pain, contact your dentist. We can diagnose the source of the pain, treat it, and allow you to heal properly, leaving you with a pain-free smile.

If you have any questions or concerns about toothache relief, please contact our office at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that affects your dental health and wellness.

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July 13, 2012 · 1:44 pm

Do You Have Sensitive Teeth?

sensitive teeth

At some point, you may experience sensitivity to hot/cold food and drinks. This discomfort can range from mild to severe and it can affect your daily life and eating habits. Here are some ways to help you avoid sensitive teeth:

> Choose the Right Brush
Always use a soft bristled toothbrush. It can safely clean your teeth without causing additional gum recession.
> Brush Your Teeth Daily
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy helps reduce the risk of exposing the nerves in your mouth to irritations.
> Avoid Acidic Foods
Consuming foods/drinks that are highly acidic can dissolve tooth enamel, causing them to become more sensitive.
> Use Sensitivity Toothpaste
Regularly using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help decrease discomfort.
> Protect Your Teeth
Clenching or grinding your teeth at night can wear away tooth enamel.  Protect your teeth at night, wear a custom night guard.

If you commonly experience tooth sensitivity, talk to your dentist.  We can recommend a solution, specifically catered to your needs, to help you eat/drink more comfortably.

Contact our office at (514) 364-3366 or click here to visit our website. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page to keep up with information that affects your dental health and wellness.

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