Due to an increase of sugar in the diet through fast food, soda pop and candy, children are now much more susceptible to bacteria which causes cavities or tooth decay to harm their teeth.

In fact, the U.S. Center for Disease Control cites a study that says there has been a 15.2 percent increase in tooth decay during the last 10 years for children under six.

Various things cause tooth decay for younger dental patients at Kerridale Cosmetic and General Dentistry, most notably sugar intake, severe stress, contents in baby bottles and infant feeding habits.

Children’s oral health worsens when they are sent to school. At school, there is more chance of them getting a soda from vending machines. Our culture is shifting so that there is minimal parental supervision and convenience foods are way too readily available, and this is all having a severe effect on oral health.

There are many things parents can do to stop their kids from getting cavities. Daily oral care is essential, and can be achieved at minimal cost.

Here are some additional healthy dental habits for kids:

Making sure your child gets the proper oral care. Pregnant women who eat a balanced and nutritious diet are already helping their children and leading them on the right path when it comes to oral health. Preventive care is ideal after the baby’s first feeding and should continue on as the child gets older. Children are not able to remove plaque themselves until they are eight, so a parent needs to help them brush and floss twice a day.

Sugar is hurting your child’s teeth. Kids can get cavities as early as nine months of age. Their upper front teeth are first affected and this can quickly spread to the other teeth if a child is feeding on a bottle containing sugar. If food surface is not removed from the teeth, your child’s teeth will start to decay quickly.

Bring your child to the dentist before they turn 1. Before a child turns one is the ideal time to take them for their first dental visit. This is a good idea for you too, parents – this appointment can help educate you on what you can do to make sure your child’s oral health is the best it can be.  We can also help you identify signs of early problems while they are still in a stage that is easy to treat.

Dental checkups for your child at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver are essential, so contact us and make an appointment today.

Simply brushing your teeth is not an effective solution for preventing tooth decay and erosion. The general dentistry team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver recommends dental sealants, which give teeth solid protection against the bacteria that infiltrates your mouth and causes cavities.

What are dental sealants?

Sealants are made of durable, stain-resistant plastic and are bonded to the grooves of your teeth. After a dentist at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre seals the tooth, the grooves are smoothed down and make it hard for plaque to build. Sealants make brushing teeth easy and efficient.

Dental sealants are safe for children and are a great way to prevent tooth decay after their permanent teeth have erupted. Sealants, however, can only be placed on healthy teeth. Sealing permanent teeth is much more common that sealing baby teeth; however, each person has different needs and your local Vancouver dentist at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre can tell you if dental sealants are a good option for you or not.

Sealants last for a few years, although it is common for adults to have older sealants that are still functional. A dental sealant is only effective when it is in good shape, so if your sealant falls out, let your dentist know and book an appointment so we can reseal your teeth.

To learn more about dental sealants, or to book an appointment with your local Vancouver dentist at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre to reseal your teeth, contact us today.

No matter how cool and trendy you think tongue rings are, these piercings are dangerous and potentially fatal. Piercing your tongue can result in chipped teeth, recessed gums and nerve damage. What some people don’t know is that getting a piercing in the mouth can result in a fatal condition, like Ludwig’s angina or endocarditis.

Ludwig’s angina is an infection in the bottom of the mouth caused by bacteria, and occurs after your tooth has been infected, an injury to the mouth, an oral procedure or an unnecessary hazard to your health. When you get an oral piercing, the mouth develops an open wound for bacteria to travel through your blood. Bacteria has the power to make the bottom of the mouth swell quickly which blocks the airway or stops you from swallowing your saliva.

Endocarditis comes from bacteria traveling in the blood through the hole that has been pierced. This can be an infection in the heart, and people who have a history of heart problems are at risk for this disorder.

Most professionals will not recommend piercings, but if you do get a piercing, be sure to take good care of it. Unclean piercing equipment can cause other infections, like hepatitis. Make an appointment at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre to ensure that you are getting the follow-up care you need.

Did you know: February is National Children’s Dental Health Month?

February is the month to raise awareness about the significance of your oral health. With National Children’s Dental Health month beginning in Cleveland in 1941 and extending to a month-long program since 1981, it is especially important to take care of your child’s oral health. The dental team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre support National Children’s Dental Health Month and encourage you to follow up with regular checkups and proper oral care.

In February, 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre and other dentists around the world are concerned with preventative oral care, especially when it comes to children. It is important to remember that having good oral health habits when you’re young and having periodic dental appointments will get your children on the right track to keep those teeth and gums healthy.

If your child hasn’t been to 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in the last six months, be sure to contact us and make an appointment.

Tooth sensitivity is a nerve irritation that occurs after your enamel has worn down or if your gums are receding, exposing the surfaces of your teeth. Pain normally stems from consuming hot or cold foods and beverages that touch your teeth, bringing them in contact with cold air. If you’re having tooth sensitivity, 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver can help.

The most popular complaint from dental patients is that tooth sensitivity causes so much pain that your eating habits change – even a spoonful of ice cream can be an excruciating experience for people with sensitive teeth.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

There are a variety of reasons that your teeth may be extra sensitive. One factor that may lead to tooth sensitivity is eating or drinking large quantities of foods with acid, especially citrus juices. Avoiding these foods and drinks can help alleviate the problem.

How can I prevent tooth sensitivity?

Another great way to prevent tooth sensitivity is by using the proper toothpaste. Toothpastes that have abrasive ingredients like the ones in whitening toothpastes will be hard on people with sensitive teeth. A desensitizing toothpaste is a better choice, and having your dentist apply sealants or fluoride will help.

Brushing your teeth too hard can also cause tooth sensitivity, so it is a good idea to use a soft toothbrush. Brushing too hard can start breaking down the tooth and expose the more sensitive underside. A good test to see if you are brushing too aggressively is by looking carefully at the bristles on your toothbrush. If the bristles point in several directions, then you are brushing too hard. 

The dental team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre have a number of regiments that can help you manage tooth sensitivity. One treatment solution is to apply a desensitizing agent or protective coating that will alleviate any discomfort you might have. 

Contact 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver today to learn more about managing tooth sensitivity.

Below you’ll find an informational video from Colgate on tooth sensitivity:

Hollywood stars certainly have a lot to smile about.

If you take a look at any of the talk shows, or flip through any of your favorite gossip magazines, you can see your favorite stars flashing their beautifully healthy smiles. Many of these celebrities owe their dazzling pearly whites to a good dentist. These days, every Hollywood celebrity considers their cosmetic dentist to be their fairy godmother.

Decades ago, getting one of these dental treatments would be considered to be a dream reserved only for those born with a silver spoon in their mouths.  These days, thanks to the advancement and improvement in dental procedures, anyone can get a beautiful smile.

Having a smile makeover can indeed boost one’s confidence. It is shown that people who have confidence have a better and happier outlook in life. Once you have invested in getting that famous celebrity smile, you could let your smile speak volumes. It would indeed be one of the best investments that you could make, so contact 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre for a consultation on how dentistry can improve your life, one smile at a time.

Bad breath can scare away a variety of people, whether it be your boss, family, or a potential new love interest. The team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver are always available to share the latest tips and tricks on how to freshen bad breath.

At 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre, we know that many patients are worried about how their breath smells. However, while some cases of bad breath are persistent and chronic, bad breath can typically be kept at bay.

The following video thoroughly explains the causes of bad breath and how it can be prevented. Most of the time, bad breath can be stopped if you brush your teeth twice a day after eating and floss regularly. The video focuses on morning breath and how this can be controlled, providing tips such as brushing inside the cheek and tongue where most of the bacteria accumulates. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water to encourage saliva production.

Watch the video below for more tips on how to get rid of bad breath.

To learn more about proper oral health, feel free to contact 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre.

Sadly, as we age, our teeth are prone to tooth discoloration. Teeth tend to darken as a result of age, and undergo wear and tear. Add to that bad habits like smoking and eating foods that are high in sugars, which can lead your teeth to discolour and give your smile that yellow colour. Fret not, because you can still achieve that picture-perfect smile. In this day and age, you can have the pearly whites that you desire, even right in the comfort of your own home. Tooth whitening is not impossible. You just have to ask yourself, tooth whitening: in-office or at-home?

These days, average consumers can choose to have their teeth whitened right in the comfort of their own home. There are so many teeth whitening products out there which guarantee to whiten teeth to a whole new level. With so many products, such as strips, toothpaste, and gels to choose from, one can find a hard time choosing one that would be effective in whitening their teeth. These over-the-counter treatments are certainly a very cheap and convenient way to whiten teeth. One would purchase these kits and would simply follow the instructions that come with the kit. In most cases, the front teeth are usually the ones that are fully whitened as opposed to the entire smile. On the other hand, patients could choose for an in-house whitening. Here, teeth whitening is done by a professional. You could choose to have your teeth whitened or bleached. Whitening teeth would mean that the dentist would restore the teeth to their natural color, while bleaching would mean that you would have the dentist whiten your teeth beyond their natural colour. Sometimes it is not a question of tooth whitening:in-office or at home.

In should be noted that the results of teeth whitening varies. There are some patients who find themselves fully satisfied with the results, while others are simply disappointed. It is always best to have a talk with your dentist so that you would be oriented on the “realistic” results of the entire procedure, lest you be disappointed yourself. Whether you are choosing between tooth-whitening:in-office or at-home, you can surely reap the benefits of a winning smile.

X-rays are essential to a person’s oral health, and at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver, we want to ensure that people are getting regular X-rays for their teeth.

So what is the big deal about getting X-rays? X-ray exams reveal the state of your teeth, and the composition of the bones in your face. They are also able to spot gum disease and abnormal growths (including cysts and tumors). X-rays can also locate where impacted and unerupted teeth are, and can find cavities or disease that a simple checkup couldn’t.

X-rays for Vancouver dental patients at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre can be vital for maintaining oral health. For most patients, they will receive a full set of mouth X-rays to determine the state of their oral health. Patients may need to follow up so we can analyze the condition of their gums or their odds of tooth decay.

Our patients’ health is important to us, so schedule an appointment at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre today to book your X-ray.

Many dental patients in Vancouver believe they have perfect oral health. However, at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre, we see many patients who are suffering from gingivitis and gum disease without even realizing it. Puffy, red gums that bleed could mean you have gingivitis. If you ignore these symptoms — and many patients do as the swelling, redness and bleeding aren’t typically painful — you may be on your way to early stage periodontal (gum) disease. But, it’s also possible to prevent the disease from occurring by reducing plaque build-up. Daily flossing and brushing, as well as regular dental hygienist cleanings, can keep plaque away.  Regular dental check-ups at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre are crucial in gum disease prevention since any early signs of decay can be caught.

Some of our Vancouver patients are surprised when their previously healthy, pink gums start to turn red and begin to bleed, but an individual’s oral health can change at any time. This is why gum disease prevention must be an ongoing effort on your part.  Without daily flossing and brushing, plus regular checkups and cleanings at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre, you’re likely to be at risk for  periodontal disease. Make sure you brush at least twice a day, as well as floss daily, to avoid plaque build-up. Plaque, a film containing bacteria and acids, ruins tooth enamel as well as causes periodontal disease. Food particles can become trapped in plaque and further the progress of the disease, so it’s important to get regular hygienist cleanings plus gum disease prevention support from your dentist, who may recommend fluoride or other decay-preventive solutions.

Getting tips and checkups at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre is an easy way to prevent gum disease and avoid destroying the structure of your teeth. Without regular professional care, moderate and late stages of gum disease may occur. If the gums aren’t healthy, they can’t adequately support the teeth. In the moderate stage of periodontal disease, gums tend to recede and expose large portions of the upper teeth–negatively affecting the tooth structure. Teeth often become loose at this stage. You’ll need to see your oral health expert to help avoid the advanced stage of gum disease. This stage of periodontal disease is the main cause of adult tooth loss and pain is typically present due to infection being built up deeply within the gums.

Don’t put off the state of your oral health! Contact the team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver to book an appointment for personalized gum disease prevention and treatment.