Oral Health

How do you choose your toothbrush? Perhaps you have a steady fave bought out of habit, or maybe you’re always on the lookout for a sale, jumping from toothbrush to toothbrush when the price is right. Or you choose according to aesthetics, considering the handle’s colour before any other attributes. All of these strategies will get you a toothbrush, but none gets you the best … [Read more...] about Dos and Don’ts of Choosing the Right Toothbrush

What are wisdom teeth? You have three molars on each side of your upper and lower jaws, for a total of 12. The wisdom teeth are third in line, right at the back. You may not have all four wisdom teeth; according to Curtis Gregoire, assistant professor in the faculty of dentistry at the University of Dalhousie, about 30 percent of people are missing one or more. Why might I … [Read more...] about Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Maintaining oral health is essential to averting trouble down the road: the prospect of icky-looking gums, losing teeth in midlife, chronic bad breath or even worse health conditions is not a pretty picture. Just as you talk and share health concerns with your doctor, it’s important to maintain a dialogue with your dentist. After all, dentists are doctors, too. “They’re … [Read more...] about 5 Questions to Always Ask Your Dentist

With regular dentist visits, we all should be able to keep on top of any problems that might affect our mouths. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be aware of those symptoms that warrant a quicker appointment—especially for those of us who leave more time than we should between visits. “It’s not that hard for people to look in their mouths when cleaning their teeth to see if … [Read more...] about 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Do you or a family member grind your teeth? In severe cases, bruxism—grinding, gnashing or clenching your—can lead to problems. “It does a lot of damage,” says dentist Ron Smith. “If someone is doing it on a regular basis, they should get help.” About 10 percent of adults grind or clench their teeth. Here are six things to know if you’re affected by bruxism: 1. It hurts … [Read more...] about 6 Things You Should Know About Teeth Grinding

You may have heard of root canal treatment, but do you know what it is and why you might need it? This dental treatment becomes necessary when the soft pulp of your tooth, the tissue at the core that contains the nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected. It sounds nasty, but the good news is that most root canal treatments save the tooth and last a lifetime. How does the … [Read more...] about Root Canal Treatment: Your Questions Answered

A sticky, pasty mouth is anything but comfortable. “People with dry mouth will tell you it really decreases their quality of life,” says Anthony Iacopino, dean of the University of Manitoba’s faculty of dentistry. Dry mouth (xerostomia) gives you bad breath, a sore throat, burning tongue and constant thirst. Another complication? “Without saliva, you’re more prone to tooth … [Read more...] about Yuck, Dry Mouth! How to Make It Go Away

Brushing your teeth is something you probably do two or three times a day. But does that make you an oral hygiene hotshot? Could you be making brushing mistakes without even realizing it? Check out these five common brushing boo-boos, and find out if you’re doing what it takes to look after your teeth and gums. 1. Not brushing long enough Ask the experts about the single … [Read more...] about 5 Mistakes You Make While Brushing Your Teeth

Are you worried your friends and colleagues may be getting bowled over by your breath? Bad breath affects over half of us. It can be caused by a bunch of factors, including plaque, inflammation of the gums and decay in the mouth, smoking or even medication. It’s also often caused by something we’ve eaten. “We all know that garlic makes it worse,” says dental hygienist says … [Read more...] about 5 Foods You Wouldn’t Expect to Fight Bad Breath

Sugar “It doesn’t matter whether it’s refined white sugar, brown sugar or honey, sugar is sugar,” says dentist Alastair Nicoll. “It’s not the amount, but how often you eat it.” Sugar creates an acidic environment in your mouth, which persists for about two hours after it’s consumed. If you eat or drink a little bit of sugar every few hours, your teeth will be continuously … [Read more...] about 4 Foods That Your Teeth Pretty Much Hate

1. Going rogue with whitening Don’t start bleaching your teeth until you’ve seen your dentist. She can determine if you’re a good candidate for whitening, and prep your mouth for the process. “The best time to bleach is right after a dental cleaning because the tooth’s surface is clean,” says prosthodontist Francine Albert. A follow-up appointment a few weeks later will allow … [Read more...] about 9 Teeth Whitening Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Smile

The dangers of gum disease When you want to highlight your smile, perhaps you whiten your teeth or choose a flattering shade of lipstick. But what about the health of your gums? After all, inflammation of gum tissue is far from attractive. Even in the early stages of gum disease—which is caused by plaque deposits that aren’t removed with proper oral hygiene—you may have bad … [Read more...] about Are You at Risk for Gum Disease? Hidden Signs You Might Be Ignoring

Eating can help with your oral hygiene The food we need to nourish our bodies can often do a number on our teeth. Sticky or sugary food particles help the bacteria in our mouths to produce acids, leading to tooth decay. That’s why it’s so important to keep our teeth clean between meals. “Nothing is as effective as a brush and a floss twenty minutes after you’ve eaten,” … [Read more...] about 6 Foods You Eat That Can Wildly Improve Your Dental Health

Habits that harm your oral health It’s common knowledge that smoking, teeth grinding, and sloppy dental hygiene can negatively impact the health of your mouth, but they’re not the only behaviours that can spell trouble for your teeth and gums. Do you have other habits prompting cavities, oral infections and costly dental repairs? Here are seven things that can ruin your teeth. … [Read more...] about 7 Things You Do That You Don’t Realize Can Ruin Your Teeth

1. Oral health and cardiovascular health Gum inflammation has been shown in several studies to raise your risk of heart disease and stroke. This is thought to be because gum disease increases the inflammation throughout your body, which is known to lead to cardiovascular disease. Studies link oral inflammatory disease and elevated heart disease risk. People with periodontal … [Read more...] about 7 Ways Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Health

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, there’s pain lurking around every corner. Hot cups of coffee, a platter of crudités or even breathing in cold air can be excruciating. So why does it happen? “Tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures is most often due to an exposed root surface,” says Euan Swan, manager of dental programs at the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). Below … [Read more...] about 6 Ways to Soothe Sensitive Teeth

Drinking red wine through a straw to keep your teeth white has become a mini trend–there’s at least one company making “wine straws” out of thick clear plastic. (What next?!) But can drinking pop or sugary drinks through a straw actually protect your teeth from cavities and stains? “It will minimize contact with your teeth,” says Euan Swan, manager of dental programs at the … [Read more...] about Will Using a Straw Save Your Teeth From Stains and Cavities?

1. Canker sores Dental hygienist Arlynn Brodie says canker sores are what she sees most often. “They’re often triggered by things like stress and vitamin deficiency,” she notes. Other possible causes of these small mouth ulcers include fatigue, food reactions and, in women, premenstrual hormones. Despite their often tiny size, canker sores can really hurt. But they’re not … [Read more...] about 5 Common Mouth Sores and How to Care for Them

Zahara Hasham, a busy mother of two young children and part-time MRI technologist, knew she ground her teeth. “My husband complained of the noises I made at night,” says Hasham, whose grinding resulted in a broken tooth needing emergency root canal treatment. As a dental hygienist, I have seen many patients who suffer from the side effects of clenching and grinding, a habit … [Read more...] about Why You Need to Stop Grinding Your Teeth

1. Seek cinnamon Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that cinnamon-flavored chewing gum reduces bacteria in the mouth. The reason? The gum contains cinnamic aldehyde (the compound that gives cinnamon it's flavour and colour), a plant essential oil that inhibits the growth of cavity causing bacteria. … [Read more...] about 6 Unusual Ways to Clean Your Teeth

Why are your gums bleeding? The appearance of blood on your toothbrush bristles, or in your sink after a thorough cleaning is not something that you should ignore. According to dentist Peter Doig, occasional oral bleeding can occur if coarse foods scratch your gums, but if blood regularly shows up on your toothbrush or dental floss, a more serious situation may be to blame. … [Read more...] about 6 Reasons Your Gums are Bleeding (And How to Make It Stop)

Get a brighter smile Adults’ teeth are normally pale grey or yellow, not bright white, and often these shades slowly deepen over time as our enamel thins, revealing the less-white layer of dentin beneath it. Plus, the things we eat and drink every day—like coffee, grape juice and even soy sauce—can leave stains behind. A dazzlingly bright smile may not be natural (remember … [Read more...] about 7 Things to Know Before You Whiten Your Teeth

A healthy diet A healthy diet can help keep your smile beautiful for years to come. But feeding that killer smile is about more than simply dodging decay-causing candy or stain-building red wine: it’s about fueling your body so it can fight off infections, heal tissue faster and maintain strong bones and teeth. A poor diet compromises those goals, say the experts. “If your … [Read more...] about Healthy Superfoods for a Healthy Mouth and Teeth

How to Make Oral Care Easier at Work Oral hygiene is important throughout the day, not just in the mornings and evenings. That means paying attention to your teeth and gums even while you’re at work. It may not seem that easy to keep up with your oral care at the office, especially when you’re busy with multiple tasks, or working long hours. But there are many ways to make … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Easier at The Office

Smoking and your oral health After viewing countless anti-smoking signs, pamphlets and commercials—even those graphic warnings printed right on a package of cigarettes—practically everyone knows that smoking is bad for your body. Smoking tobacco can lead to severe health problems, such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease. But did you ever consider the effects smoking has … [Read more...] about 6 Ways Smoking Affects Your Oral Health

1. Not flossing Flossing is one of the most important dental health habits, yet it’s the most likely to be forgotten or skipped, according to dentist Gary MacDonald. While regular brushing does a good job of removing plaque, your toothbrush can only reach about two-thirds of the surface of your teeth, which means that gingivitis-causing plaque or tartar could be building up on … [Read more...] about 5 Bad Oral Health Habits You Need to Break

Green tea may well be a treat for your taste buds. But new research is suggesting that it benefits the rest of your oral cavity as well. Green tea contains compounds that appear to control inflammation and fight bacterial infection. This drink is also rich in antioxidants, which have many health properties. What does that mean for your mouth? Here are five reasons why green … [Read more...] about 5 Ways Green Tea is Good for Your Oral Health

Consider your gums When you think of oral hygiene, do you consider your gums? “In most people’s minds, tooth brushing is focused on teeth and prevention of decay,” says dentist Robert MacGregor of Kentville, Nova Scotia. “But it’s equally important to prevent gum disease,” he says. Gum disease usually happens because of a build-up of plaque in the space between the teeth … [Read more...] about 6 Surprising Reasons You Shouldn’t Overlook Gum Health

You can’t take a vacation from oral hygiene It can be hard to give your oral care the attention it deserves when you’re travelling for business or pleasure. You’re away from home, and you’re out of your routine. But the health of your mouth shouldn’t be compromised. “You can’t take a vacation from oral hygiene,” says Robert MacGregor, a dentist in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Here … [Read more...] about 7 Travel Tips for Good Oral Health

“There is increasing evidence showing a link between oral health and general health," says dentist Susan Filippi. "Your mouth is part of your body, so it just makes sense to take care of your oral health.” Beyond your teeth and gums, here are five surprising reasons why oral care matters for a healthy body. 1. Healthy gums for a healthier heart Studies link oral … [Read more...] about Why Oral Care Matters: 5 Ways Taking Care of Your Teeth Protects Your Whole Body