Using dental floss properly is essential to your oral health because it eliminates plaque and gets rid of food bits in hard to reach places that a toothbrush can’t locate. These areas are in between the teeth and underneath the gum-line. Here are some great oral health tips on clean teeth and dental floss from the dental team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver.

“Why is dental plaque so bad for me?”

When dental plaque builds up, it can cause tooth decay and gum disease, which is why the dental team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver recommends that you use dental floss regularly, every day.

“How do I floss properly?”

Here are some strategies on using dental floss most effectively:

– Give yourself about 18 inches of floss and wrap it around both of your middle fingers. Leave an inch or so of dental floss that you can maneuver.

– Hold the dental floss in a flexible way and keep it between your thumbs and index fingers. Be gentle when sliding it up and down between your teeth.

– Take the dental floss and put it around the base of each tooth so you get into the gumline. Do not be forceful with the floss because it can harm gum tissue.

– When you move between teeth, be sure to use the clean section of the floss.

-Removing the floss from your mouth is easy: use a similar back-and-forth motion so you can move the floss up and away from your teeth.

The two kinds of floss you can use are Nylon floss or PTFE. With nylon floss, you can choose between waxed and unwaxed, and there are many different flavors. The problem with nylon floss is that it can sometimes tear easily, but this won’t happen with PTFE floss. PTFE floss is more expensive but worth it because it maneuvers easily between teeth and won’t shred. However, both kinds of floss are efficient in eliminating plaque.

For any questions about dental floss and clean teeth, contact us at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver and we can give you all the information you need.

So, do you have the answer to “How do I floss properly” yet? If not, check out this informative video from Colgate:

Restorative Dentistry’s primary goal is to preserve and restore all the dental tissues that have been affected by dental problems such as tooth decay, traumatized teeth, missing teeth and other functional problems. One most frequently used procedure in this field is Dental Crown and Bridgework. This procedure can also be done when you have missing tooth or teeth. This involves replacing your missing tooth with a natural-looking prosthetic which is held together by the teeth on either side of the missing one. These prosthetics can be made of semi-precious or precious metals, porcelain, or a fused combination.

What are the indications for using this type of Restorative Dentistry procedure? Usually, a patient undergoes dental crown and bridgework if they already have teeth which are severely broken down because of decay or fracture; depending on the circumstances, it is possible to restore the damage or missing teeth, and restore your smile to its proper appearance and function whether by crown restoration alone, bridge work or a combination of both.

Crowns cover the tooth completely. Most crowns have a tooth-colored porcelain exterior fused to a high metal base so that the shade can be customized to match your other teeth. After which, your crown will look just like a natural tooth. On the other hand, Bridgework works more like a series of connected crowns. This is to replace the missing teeth by bridging the gap and using the surrounding teeth as dental abutment. Our team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre have extensive experience in restorative dentistry and can help you with your missing teeth or teeth gaps. Give us a call today!

We all know that nail biting is a bad habit, but do you know why? The dental team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver want to clarify why this habit is so detrimental to your overall oral health.

Nail biting is a common habit within certain age groups, including children, teens and young adults. Stress often triggers nail biting, and can diminish as you get older. However, nail biting should be stopped at a young age because it is unclean and unhealthy.

Biting your nails can be detrimental to your oral health for a variety of reasons:

It’s unsanitary. Nails are filled with dirt and they’re even filthier than your fingers. If you bite into your nails, germs will easily get into your mouth and help the spread of bacteria.

Chewing objects is bad for your teeth – When you bite your nails, your teeth will be chewing constantly. The motion of chewing wears down teeth quite fast and puts stress on your teeth which can cause them to misalign.

They harm braces – If you have braces, you know how much pressure is placed on your teeth. If you want to add to this pressure, biting your nails is a great idea! This will stress your teeth out and weaken them, harming your orthodontic treatment and your overall bite.

It can end up costing you –  You wouldn’t think that nail biting would be an expensive habit, but it can end up costing you up to $4,000 in extra dental bills during your life!

So what can you do about your problem? Just knowing the facts and how damaging nail biting can be should help you take action and kick that habit for good. The dental team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver can answer any questions you might have about nail biting.

Your children’s oral health is important, and keeping teeth and gums healthy is crucial on so many levels. Recently, experts have discovered that children’s teeth might be able to help treat Parkinson’s disease and diabetes because of stem cells located in the pulp chambers of the teeth. Clearly, your child’s teeth are vitally important and the dental team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre want to make sure your children’s oral health care is top notch.

Practicing proper oral health care

If you’re wondering when the right time is to start brushing your baby’s teeth, we have some tips for you.  Regular dental cleanings should be done after your baby has their teeth. After you have breastfed or bottle-fed your baby, take a damp washcloth and softly rub your baby’s gums. To make cleaning easier, you can wrap the cloth around one of your fingers to remove all those food scraps from your baby’s mouth.

As soon as your baby’s first tooth comes, a baby toothbrush will be needed. You can easily find special children’s oral health care toothbrushes at your local drugstore. These brushes are gentle and have only a few bristles. You don’t have to worry about buying toothpaste, you’ll only need water to clean your child’s teeth.

Children’s oral health care experts have determined that when more teeth start to come in, that’s when toothpaste becomes necessary. You will only need a very small amount and be sure that there is no fluoride in the toothpaste for the first few years. A great exercise is to have your child pretend to spit out toothpaste after brushing – then they will have already formed good habits when it comes time to use fluoride toothpaste which is hazardous when swallowed.

For more questions or concerns about proper children’s oral health or your baby’s teeth, call or visit us at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre in Vancouver.

The Academy of General Dentistry has confirmed that historically, on average men are less likely to visit the dentist than women. Studies further revealed that men have been either afraid to go and embarrassed about it, or they just don’t have the time for it.

Interestingly, these days men are getting back into the dental chair as they realize that a dazzling smile is an invaluable asset in the business world. More and more male patients are coming into our office asking for cosmetic dentistry procedures like whitening and veneers!

The truth is, nothing closes the deal like a healthy, handsome smile care of your dental experts at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre. We no longer live in the days were most men worked one job for their entire life, in today’s world a man will go though many interviews and work for a variety of employers.

It’s also now common place for middle aged gentlemen to be in competition with young men in the workplace which has placed greater importance on a man’s appearance.

In today’s world, a winning smile is the key to success in business, but aside from that routine 6-month hygiene visits are imperative to maintaining optimal oral health.

Modern dentistry is safe, relaxing and keeps you feeling energetic and youthful. The days of being afraid of the dentist are over thanks to sedation dentistry. More and more men and realizing the benefits of great oral health extend into helping you achieve your personal and professional goals.

So guys, it’s time you give us a call, and we’ll get you looking and feeling great for your next interview, boardroom meeting or sales call!

Many of our patients have many questions about wisdom teeth and wisdom teeth removal so for your convenience 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre has put together a blog post that covers the facts about wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth are the last to erupt in your mouth and usually this occurs between the late teens and early twenties. This youthful time of life has been referred to as the “Age of Wisdom” hence the name of this particular molar.

Anthropologists speculate that our early ancestors rough diet caused an enormous amount of wear of their teeth. Their teeth then drifted to compensate for the wear, making space for wisdom teeth to come in during adolescence.

In modern times our diet is significantly softer, along with the orthodontic tooth straightening popularity have developed a fuller dental arch, leaving no room for wisdom teeth to come in. This creates problems when the wisdom teeth erupt in the mouth.

Impacted wisdom teeth are very painful and lead to infection, in addition they may damage adjacent teeth and roots. Despite the serious concern with regard to impacted wisdom teeth the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation as well as the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons confirm that wisdom teeth that are impacted are just as prone to disease as wisdom teeth that erupted in the mouth in an upright, normal position.

The question is often asked, “If my wisdom teeth don’t hurt, why must I get them removed?”. The fact is not all problems caused by wisdom teeth are painful or visible. Whether you are aware of it or not, your wisdom teeth can cause serious damage.

The roots of your wisdom teeth become longer as they grow, making the wisdom teeth very complicated to remove. We can’t foresee what problems will occur as you age with your wisdom teeth in tact, however we do know it can be extremely painful, as well as more complicated to treat as you get older.

Our sedation dentistry makes procedures like wisdom teeth removal a comfortable and relaxing experience for all our patients who require it, especially those who suffer from dental anxiety.

Contact our Vancouver office to book your wisdom teeth removal appointment today.

In our continuous series of the best “ways to prevent cavities”, Dr. Tejani from 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre explains why vending machines are causing more and more cavities in children and adults.

“Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring…”

Vending machines are quick, easy and cheap. Put in some of your extra pocket cash and instantly enjoy a chocolate bar, chip bag, or even a can of pop. That’s not the only thing you’re getting for cheap, vending machines are not only giving out sugar-filled treats; they are also giving out cavities!

When you choose to satisfy your hunger with a chocolate bar or bag of candy, the bacteria in your mouth starts digesting sugar, quickly turning it into acid. This harmful chemical stays on your teeth and begins to eat away at the natural enamel (the material that protects your smile from tooth decay). When enamel gets eaten, you get a cavity!

So what are some helpful ways to prevent cavities from occurring? Always remember to brush your teeth after eating any sugar-filled treat. If you don’t have a chance to brush, don’t even think about treating yourself!

Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring:

• Bread
• Sliced meat
• Milk
• Raw veggies and fruit
• Nuts and seeds

Subscribe to our blog for more helpful ways to prevent cavities, or contact the friendly team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre to learn more about what causes cavities.

The winter holidays are swiftly approaching and we at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre want to help you look and feel your best this season! We want to offer you the following tips to keep your holidays happy and healthy this year:

1. Do you want to make a statement about how happy and beautiful your life has been in 2011? There is no better way to make a lasting impression that exudes confidence, joy and success than a gorgeous smile. Come in for your cleaning or book a appointment for whitening and dazzle your friends and family with a healthy stunning smile just in time for seasonal visiting!

2. Carbonated beverages are consumed more frequently during the holidays. Pop is loaded with sugar and acid, which can cause cavities and wear down the natural enamel protecting your teeth. We recommend that you use a straw to drink soda, to reduce contact with your teeth. Rinse your mouth with water after drinking pop, especially before brushing your teeth. Water will help neutralize the acidity as toothpaste combined with pop can do even more damage to your tooth enamel.

3. Candy canes are everywhere this time of year. Your health partners at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre want to encourage you to limit your hard candy consumption this holiday season. Hard candy can damage teeth when chewed and has a tendency to get lodged between your teeth, causing bacteria to collect near the gum line. So if you are eating a lot of hard candy this holiday – please remember the health of your teeth and gums by brushing and flossing daily!

4. With all your party hopping and trips to see family out of town, remember to bring dental floss and your toothbrush. Sneak away to the bathroom after your feast to brush and floss away the bacteria that causes gum disease.

5. Keep 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre contact information handy in case of a dental disaster! There is nothing worse than a cracked, chipped or broken tooth haunting all your family photos throughout the holiday. Check out our holiday hours, and come in to see us right away – we promise to correct the problem, relieve the pain and restore your smile to ensure your holiday is all that it should be!

On behalf of the entire 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre team we want to wish you a happy holiday season!

It is a commonly known fact that smoking leads to health problems such as lung cancer, but did you know that smoking and oral health problems often go hand in hand?

In fact, smoking is the leading cause for almost 75% of gum disease in adults. This percentage includes adults who smoke from pipes and cigars, as well as those enjoying smokeless tobacco.

“As soon as you begin using tobacco products, you are more likely to experience these common problems that are tied with smoking and oral health problems”

As soon as you begin using tobacco products, you are more likely to experience these common problems that are tied with smoking and oral health problems:

• Bad breath
• Stained teeth and tongue
• Gum disease
• Gum recession
• Tooth loss
• Bone loss in the jaw
• Delayed healing process after dental treatment
• Mouth sores
• Decreased sense of taste and smell

At 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre, we are always dedicated to helping you maintain optimal oral health, that is why we strongly recommend patients to quit using any tobacco products.

For the sake of your teeth, gums and oral health, use these steps recommended by the Surgeon General to help make quitting smoking easier.

• Be prepared
• Ask for help from friends/family members/co-workers
• Invest your free time in an interesting activity
• Be prepared for a relapse
• Get medication, if necessary, and use it correctly

The team at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre understand how difficult and time-consuming quitting smoking can be. However, we are dedicated to helping you protect your most valuable asset—your beautiful smile.

Contact our clinic if you  are in need of any support or advice on your journey to understanding smoking and oral health issues.

Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth in your sleep? Perhaps a parent or partner may even try to wake you up while you’re grinding. Unfortunately, most people who grind their teeth in their sleep, don’t even know they’re doing it.  Teeth grinding is one of the most common sleep disorders referred to in the medical profession as Bruxism. The symptoms for which are broad and far reaching, including: jaw stiffness and soreness, anxiety, stress, depression, headaches as well as insomnia. Your health partners at 123 Kerrisdale Dental Centre want to empower you to combat Bruxism, so you wake up feeling rested, pain free and ready for the day!

Quality of sleep factors greatly into how you perform in your waking hours, whether at work or at home. If you are resting well, you are feeling well and needless to say the reverse is true as well. There are several ways dental professionals diagnose and treat bruxism. As with any other health problem, early detection is the key to treating this particular sleep disorder. There are various ways to test the frequency and duration of your grinding throughout the night. Most importantly, there are treatment methods available such as dental guards and splints which are typically worn on a long-term basis during each and every night’s sleep.

Over the counter mouth guards sold at drug stores, while inexpensive, are considered by dental professionals to be ineffective in preventing tooth erosion and further decay. A good night’s rest is imperative to maintaining a healthy quality of life for you and your family. If you or your children experience bruxism, consult your Vancouver Dental expert for treatment options as your oral health depends upon it.

Contact our Vancouver dental clinic to find out how we can help you get the rest you need.