There are various types of toothpaste available on the market: pastes that guard against tooth decay, or gels that protect teeth from acid attack, other designed specifically for sensitive teeth, but which toothpaste should you choose? Which toothpaste preserve the tooth enamel? Which ones actually clean well? Here to shed light on the subject is a new evaluation method.

A perfect set of teeth can symbolize health and youthfulness, or even influence career prospects, so it’s no wonder that everyone wants to have beautiful teeth.  So one thing everyone should be concerned about when it comes to thorough oral hygiene, is how well or badly does their toothpaste clean? How effective is it and preserving that shine on their teeth or the strength of the enamel? These are the questions all manufacturers of dental hygiene products want answered.

Those answers are being delivered by the researches from Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM, in Halle. Teaming up in a tight knit collaboration with the Microtribology Centre µTC in Karlsruhe, they’ve developed a way to compare and evaluate toothpastes in their lab by testing for the abrasive effect of any given toothpaste.

The abrasive effect of toothpastes is what helps your teeth stay clean. The effect for every toothpaste is designed to remove dental plaque, but too much of a good thing is never good, as too much abrasiveness can damage the tooth enamel, which does to repair by itself.

If it’s time for you next dental appointment, give Kerrisdale General and Cosmetic Dentistry a call, and we’ll be happy to advise you on how best to care for your teeth.

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!