Keeping Your Gums Healthy

A common misconception, when it comes to our gums, is that it’s normal for them to bleed. We see a lot of new patients in our office, and one of the first questions we ask is if their gums bleed when they brush or floss? Many patients notice that their gums bleed and always have. Bleeding gums are indeed common, but it’s also indicative of an underlying problem: gingivitis or periodontal disease. Your gums, when they are healthy, should not bleed when you brush or floss. So how can you make sure your gums are healthy and free of disease? Start with home care. By far, the most powerful way to keep your gums healthy is to take care of them every day. If they’ve been neglected, your gums will be sore after the first few brushings, but in time they’ll adapt. Be sure to brush twice daily (morning and night), and be thorough but not overly aggressive. Electric tooth brushes are far more effective than manual brushes, so if you can, use an electric tooth brush. Be sure to floss once a day with either normal dental floss or Soft Picks. Finally, be sure to use a mouth wash like Crest Pro Health or Listerine. They’re great for your breath and for killing the bacteria which causes gum disease. If you’re unsure about any aspects of your home care, our hygienists will be happy to help you understand more about any of the above. For some patients, home care alone may not remedy the problem, and a treatment called Active Therapy may be necessary. Active Therapy is used to treat gingivitis and periodontal disease. It’s designed to promote rapid healing of the gums and tooth-supporting tissue. By removing the built-up plaque and tartar around the teeth and under the gums, your body is able to heal and stop the disease. During Active Therapy, local anesthetic is given to allow the treatment to be comfortable, and is usually performed over two appointments. Typically we treat half the mouth at a time. Patients may experience minor soreness for 2-3 days after the treatment, but the pain is easily managed with Tylenol or Advil. A follow-up appointment, approximately 4 weeks after Active Therapy, is the final step to ensure success. At that appointment, your whole mouth will be reassessed and specific oral hygiene instructions will be given for areas that need more healing. Additional build up which was not reached or that recurred, will be removed without the need of local anesthetic. Active Therapy will go a long way toward keeping your teeth and gums healthy and looking great. It will help strengthen your gums and keep your teeth healthy over the long run. Not only will your teeth look and feel great, but keeping your gums in great condition will allow your teeth to remain stable, and allow you to eat all of the foods you love. Your gums will no longer be sore or bleed when you brush or floss. You’ll be able you keep your smile looking great, and you won’t have to worry about your teeth looking “long” or developing space between them. You’ll also improve your overall health, and prevent the bacteria in your gums from spreading to the rest of your body. If your gums are bleeding when you brush and great home care isn’t improving your condition, click here or call Forman Dental at (905) 303-9355.

Sport Guards

Sport guards are designed to protect athletes against trauma to the head. They provide a cushion to absorb shock which is critical to protecting against concussions. These concussions happen when the lower teeth crash into the upper teeth. Some high-end sport guards even have a reinforcing strip behind the upper 6 front teeth to help protect against fractures. Custom sport guards are made by taking an impression of your upper teeth. That impression is sent to the lab where the sport guard is constructed and sent back to us. During a short second appointment, we fit the guard, and make any necessary minor adjustments. Sport guards are made of a soft, cushioning material that fits over your teeth.  With custom made mouth guards, there is very little contact with your palatal tissue, which can cause discomfort.  The appliance is made for the upper arch because it’s better suited to speaking.  Compared to the “boil and bite” type of sport guards, custom fit appliances are much more comfortable and allow for much easier speaking. Fit and comfort are essential for the sport guard to be worn rather than being left in the bag or tucked in a glove. If there’s an athlete in your family, consider protecting them with a custom-fit sport guard. Click here to request an appointment or call (905) 303-9355.

Your Child's First Visit to the Dentist

We’ll often have kids as young as 2 years old come to their parent’s maintenance appointments so that they can begin to experience the dental office in a positive way. We give them a ride in the chair, and help them to be comfortable in the office environment. For more information on younger children and our complimentary appointments for infants, see the article on caring for your baby’s teeth. When a child reaches the age of 3, it’s time for their own visit to the dentist. By then their baby teeth have all come in, and the child is ready for their first check-up. At their first appointment, we do as much or as little as the child is comfortable with. Since this visit will set the tone for years of dental visits to come, our main concern is that they have a positive experience. Typically the hygienist will talk to them about their teeth and even show them a picture of their mouth with our special camera. The hygienist will check their teeth and gums, polish their teeth and take X-rays depending on the level of comfort and cooperation. With those who aren’t ready to have everything done, we make note, and work on building them up at their next visit. Regardless of how far we get, your child has always done a great job and we make sure they know it. They also get to choose some stickers as a reward, and we give them their own toothbrush. This process has helped us to acclimate children to the dentist’s office and to the importance of good oral health. If your child is ready for their first appointment, click here or call Forman Dental at (905) 303-9355.