Your teeth are important. You only get two sets and you’ve allocated time to make them better everyday for most of your life. They can be the first thing people notice and your oral health is linked to your overall health.

So if you’re planning to have some form of procedure done on your teeth you shouldn’t be afraid to ask your dentist questions. Anything that costs money and has a large influence in life of your teeth should be questioned.

You can of course ask anything you want, but if you want to know what you should keep an eye out for we’ll give you some topics to bring up and also the reason they are important.

How long have you practised dentistry?    
A dentist with a large amount of experience is normally good. But this does not mean you should turn away all dentists as it’s not an indicator of their work, it just serves as a means of seeing that they do have experience and they have been in the business for a long time.

Are you board certified and licensed?
Dentists should be licensed by your province, or city. This proves that they have passed the national exam.

What type of dentistry do you specialize in?
Although not all dentists specialize in something, some do take an additional two years of training to become so. If needs be you can refine your dentist search to those who are specialized in what you are looking for.

Which procedure would be best for me?
There’s never a problem that only has a specific fix, usually there’s multiple-each with different pros and cons. If this is your first time meeting, this question is a great gateway into your preferences and oral health. Including any issues you may have like sensitivity or nervousness. The dentist should also consider your price range and how long the desired effects will last for.

What are the pros and cons to each procedure that can be taken?
It’s important to have as much information on any procedure that can be taken to fix your problem,  you should be looking at for the price, risks, how long it takes and how many treatments/visits would be needed.

What are the potential risks or complications?
Any decent medical professional will tell you about any potential problem that could occur. It’s not only a good judge of character but vital information.

How will pain be handled in this procedure if there is any?
Mosts dentists have multiple ways of dealing with pain, so it’s essential that you know ahead of time what you’ll be administered as well as the effects.  This question should also be followed with what kind of pain might there be post procedure and how it will be treated.

What will happen in the case of an emergency?
Although it’s highly unlikely that an emergency will occur, it’s a good question to see how well the dentist is trained in that type of situation, as well as his staff.

How is the payment handled?

Depending on the treatment as well as your insurance, the procedure could cost a fair bit. You are entitled to know all of your options when it comes to paying for it. You should ask about any incentives they might have for paying up front, or how to keep costs on the minimal.

We always recommend having a chat with your dentist before proceeding with anything. It helps you stay in the know, be confident about what’s being done and helps you make the right choice about your dentist.

Call Kerrisdale General and Cosmetic Dentistry to book  your appointment.

Your diet and your oral health are directly and strongly correlated. Your teeth need several kinds of important minerals and vitamins, and the only way they can get them is through your diet. Foods that keep your muscles and bones healthy are also great for your gums and teeth.

There are several things you may have to add or remove from your diet to ensure good oral health.  Here’s a short list of the best things to add to your diet.

Vegetables
-Green leafy veggies, contain Vitamin A and Vitamin B, both of which are vital nutrients that keep your gums healthy, as well a preventing diseases like overgrown gums or bleedings gums..

Whole Cereals
Whole Cereals give you another boost of Vitamin B, which prevent chapped and dry lips and cue mouth and gum ulcers.

Fruits
Fruit, especially citrus fruits, are a good source of Vitamin C, which boosts your immune systems, keeping your gums and teeth healthy.

Calcium Rich Foods
Calcium is one of the most required minerals for your teeth, it’s pretty much beneficial for good oral health.  Good levels of calcium in the body ensure that your tooth enamel is healthy and strong

Meats
Meat and eggs maintain the required levels of magnesium and zinc in your body. Certain types of meat like poultry and fish proved protein that is essential for gum development. Strong gums are the foundations of a healthy body.

To learn more about oral health and maintaining a good healthy mouth, book a dental appointment today with Kerrisdale General and Cosmetic Dentistry!

Each year, the number of people suffering from oral cancer is growing all over the world. Even with the latest medical advancements in dental health and dentists constantly improving their knowledge about oral health, a lot of people are still in great risk of developing it because they do not see their dentist as often as they should. The significant growth in the number of people suffering from it cannot be denied and there are two basic reasons why it needs to be stopped if not prevented:

– Oral cancer is discovered late that it has already full blown into oral cancer. Early detection could have been possible if regular visits to the dentist were made.

– Oral cancer can be fatal because a person with oral cancer is a high risk of developing other types of cancer. Even if people think they have already cured oral cancer, its ghost will continue to haunt them and usually it only takes five years before the abnormal cancer cells begin to grow back.

Dentists can’t  explain why some people develop oral cancer and while others don’t, the best thing to do is preventative care and regular checkups.  Prevention is better than cure, set you appointment for Oral Cancer Screening today!

Please be advised that effective May 1, 2013 this clinic and all other clinics that are members of the 123Dentist.com Community Dentist Network will no longer be offering Air Miles(tm) reward miles.

If you have any questions, please contact us at your earliest convenience. Thank you!

Dental fillings have many benefits: they stop tooth decay while bringing back your tooth’s durability. After the filling is placed in areas where tooth decay has occurred, this can mean your tooth will no longer go through the stages of building decay and that any senstivity or discomfort caused by a cavity will disappear.

Dental fillings have progressed significantly in comparison to how cavities were treated before. They now go perfectly with your smile, matching the exact colour of your teeth.

Cavities used to be drilled into, and filled with metal. This was quite noticeable and often left people with a shock when a metal spoon or fork came in contact with it – literally a shock as touching metal to a filling creates a battery-like effect, which is very uncomfortable. Recently, however, porcelain fillings have become more popular in use, which can be colored to match your teeth and are hardly noticeable when you smile. In fact, many patients with metal fillings come in to replace them with tooth-colored fillings, for the additional comfort and look of porcelain dental fillings.

Although you might only come in to get a filling done, it’s the perfect opportunity to deal with anything else that might be worrying you, or even something you might not have known about. For instance, you might want to get your teeth whitened just before the filling is placed if you were already thinking about it, since your filling won’t match your teeth if you end up whitening them later on, meaning it would need to be replaced. Porcelain is not only for fillings, it’s also used for veneers, which is something you could think about when coming in for the procedure. Talk to your dentist to work out a plan that would work best to satisfy your needs and give you the smile you want without a lot of issues or appointments.

Contact us today to learn more about dental fillings or how we can help you achieve a great smile.

People not only want straighter teeth, they want whiter teeth as well. Of course, achieving whiter teeth does take some effort on your part. Getting whiter teeth requires more than the regular brushing and flossing that you do everyday. To achieve teeth whitening, you could opt for at-home whitening or making use of those over-the-counter treatments.

Teeth tend to get discolored because of a variety of bad habits, such as smoking and drinking too much caffeine. Brown or yellow colored teeth can be unsightly, and people will think that you are practicing poor dental hygiene. Fortunately, there are solutions that you could do in order to make your teeth whiter. Depending on how white you want your teeth to be, you can choose to do these yourself or consult a specialist.

Since your smile is the first thing that most people would notice, you know that you want to make a good impression. Most over the counter treatments, such as whitening strips and special toothpastes could be bought at your local drugstore or grocery, without a prescription. Most of these whiteners contain bleaching agents and carbamide peroxide gels, so these would be relatively safe to use. There are also natural ways to whiten teeth, such as using the pulp of crushed strawberries. Most would opt for this type of treatment since it is cheaper than choosing to go to a dentist. This type of treatment doesn’t guarantee long term results.

With at-home whitening, the treatment is being carried out in the hands of a professional. Of course, your specialist has to be certified in the field, so make sure your dentist has the necessary credentials first. Depending on the level of whiteness you might want for your teeth, you could choose to have your teeth bleached which means that you would whiten your teeth beyond their natural color, or simply opt for a teeth whitening which would restore your teeth to their natural color.

Your smile is the first thing people notice about. It is always essential to put one’s best foot forward and we can help you achieve whiter teeth with the help of cosmetic dentistry and professional teeth whitening. Contact us today.

Who does not want a perfect smile? While there are some lucky individuals who were born with it, most people aren’t, but thanks to cosmetic dentistry, you can improve your smile and with it, gain points in self-confidence as well.

One Hollywood secret to Hollywood’s mesmerizing beauty is in their smiles. The camera just cannot get enough of them, and with that the adoring public. With cosmetic dentistry, you can achieve perfection in your smile as well. You don’t need to be a celebrity to take advantage of the benefits of cosmetic dentistry.

Now many people turn to cosmetic dentistry for a variety of reasons. In fact, cosmetic dentistry is considered to be sort of like the “facelift” equivalent of the dental world. The self-conscious can surely benefit from the effects of cosmetic dentistry.

Those who are self-conscious, and are hiding their smiles from the rest of the world will surely find cosmetic dentistry to be a big help.One can choose to have their teeth whitened, or choose to have braces in order to have their teeth straightened. The options to enhancing one’s smile are endless!

A smile can indeed boost one’s self-confidence and show to others, one’s warm and friendly personality. With cosmetic dentistry, you can get that winning smile that you have been wanting for so long. Remember, confidence goes a long way. You don’t have to be Hollywood’s Darling to achieve that winning smile. All you need is a quick trip to your cosmetic dentist. Contact us today to achieve your best smile yet with the help of the dentists at Kerrisdale General & Cosmetic Dentistry.

Do you notice stains or chips on your front teeth? Veneers might be the answer you have been searching for! Veneers are made up of thin shells of composite resin material or porcelain. They can be applied to the front teeth with or without anesthesia within our office.

At Kerrisdale General & Cosmetic Dentistry, we understand that stained or cracked teeth may make you want to hide away and we know how it can affect your level of confidence.  With veneers you can feel proud of your sparkling smile and go about your day confidently. Veneers can help cover up stains, cracks and chips on the front teeth, improving your smile dramatically.

If you tend to drink dark-coloured drinks such as coffee, wine or soda, you are susceptible to getting stains on your teeth. Smoking can also add to the discolouration of the front teeth. Veneers can help repair your smile.

Do you have  gaps between your teeth? Veneers can also be a great solution for covering up gaps in your smile and can allow you to feel more positive and more likely to smile. We believe that a smile is worth a thousand words and we are here to help you discover your smile for the first time or all over again. Sometimes people who have undergone root canals or have previously had a tooth injury may have stains on their teeth. Veneers last for numerous years and can be exactly what you have been seeking for a whole new you. With new veneers comes a new outlook on life.

Contact us to learn more about veneers or to book a consultation.

Dental Implants is the right procedure when it comes to teeth loss. It also replaces missing roots which avoids the dislocation of the jaw bone structure. These are directly implanted into the jaw bone, as opposed to dentures, which are removable and have the possibility to lose their proper fit with time.

The dental implant procedure is a surgical process which requires your dentist to cut the gum tissues, and then drill a hole in the jawbone into which the titanium implant will be placed. A dental implant procedure includes a recovery time period before the dental restoration can be attached. Once it has been attached, the dental implant system should be well maintained through a good oral hygiene system.

Minimal discomfort and swelling are expected in the recovery time, as well as minor bruising and bleeding. But don’t worry as this can be only experienced in the early stages and your dentist at Kerrisdale General & Sedation Dentistry will give you painkillers should you need them.

Regular dental appointments are important to guarantee that recovery will proceed as perfectly as  possible, and to see to it that the oral implants are optimally sustained. Contact us if you’re interested in dental implants.

As one advances in age, it is inevitable that one loses a few teeth along the way. Whether one loses these teeth due to an unfortunate accident, or to the ravages of tooth decay, the result will always be the same: an embarrassing gap in your smile. But with the help of dental implants, you can still be confident enough to smile, and say “Hello world!”

There was a time when the only solution to missing teeth was dentures. That was decades ago, and many patients have complained about the discomfort they felt when wearing their dentures. For one thing, dentures make it hard to do daily tasks, such as chewing one’s food. There are even times when the dentures fall off, leading to many embarrassing moments. Patients would also complain that their dentures make a clacking sound, making normal conversations to be rather awkward. Thanks to improving dental procedures, patients now have to option to choose dental implants.

What are dental implants? This a dental procedure in which one’s tooth roots are being replaced with metal roots. The damaged or missing tooth is thereby replaced with an artificial tooth, that would closely match existing teeth and made to function just like the patient’s natural teeth.

Many patients have attested to the advantages of dental implants. For one thing, they no longer have that nagging discomfort while eating. They no longer have to put up with the embarrassing situations where their dentures might fall off. Dental implants are also more durable, and offer the patient that ease of convenience since they wouldn’t have to put up with the awkward task of removing their dentures and making use of dental adhesives.

If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants or if you would like to book a dental implant appointment, contact your Kerrisdale dentist at Kerrisdale General & Cosmetic Dentistry at your earliest convenience. We look forward to helping your smile.