Dental Research

If you are looking for information as to certain dental practices you might want to look at the website: ebd.ada.org

Say for example you'd like to know  “How effective is fluoride varnish?” 

You can find the answer on ebd.ada.org in three simple steps:

1. Go to ebd.ada.org
2. Enter your search term. In this case perhaps you'd try “fluoride varnish”
3. Review your results!

The query returns 24 systematic reviews related to fluoride varnish and six of those include 
a critical summary. With more than 500 clinical trials per dental specialty published every year, ebd.ada.org can give you a quick look at the latest available evidence.

ebd.ada.org provides evidence-based clinical recommendations that are intended to provide dentists and other health professionals with a review of the latest scientific evidence on particular topics and are not considered a standard of care. 

Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) is an approach to dental practice—an approach to making
clinical decisions—and scientific evidence is just one tool informed dentists use to arrive
at the best treatment decisions.

EBD integrates three important aspects of clinical dental practice:
1. A dentist’s clinical skill and judgment
2. A patient’s needs and preferences
3. The best available scientific evidence

Every year there is a large volume of published studies. So how does one easily find the latest evidence and keep up with new information?

That's where ebd.ada.org comes in!

A quick search on ebd.ada.org will yield systematic reviews from several resources and critical summaries for some of the reviews.

A systematic review identifies and evaluates all of the evidence to answer a specific, narrowly-focused clinical question, while a critical summary is a one- to two-page summary and discussion of a systematic review.

~ Information provided by the Oregon Dental Association

Teeth Cleaning Services Need Not Be Expensive

This is a reprint of a letter to the editor of EMC Quinte News.  

Teeth cleaning services need not be expensive

Belleville News

In reply to the very honest and realistic Letter to the Editor by Mr. Garry Herschberg of Havelock published in your July 4 issue, we agree wholeheartedly that the cost of dentistry in this province has become "obscene." Mr. Herschberg addresses the fact that in other parts of the world reasonable charges abound; the USA, Mexico and Costa Rica are a few such places that we can confirm his statement. Procedures are a fraction of the cost charged by some greedy Ontario dentists who charge much more than the fee schedule for their profession. We suggest anyone who wants to do something about this and revolt against the establishment and the high costs we are paying to make an appointment with a Dental Hygiene Clinic (there are numerous such clinics in and around Trenton and Belleville). There you can have your teeth cleaned and checked by highly skilled RDH professionals who charge considerably less for those who need regular teeth cleaning. Their expertise also includes mobile services to residences, retirement homes or nursing homes. They also are experienced with mouth guard services and clinics for children; some even have a denturist on staff. They can and will refer you to a dentist if you require procedures not within their areas of expertise.

It's a good way to start to keep some of your hard-earned money in your own pocket!

C. M. Collier,

Carrying Place

When to Floss?

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As you probably already know, regular oral hygiene is essential in order to keep your teeth in tip top shape. As I have mentioned in previous articles, you want your teeth to last a very, very long time. One might optimistically hope for 70 years or more! And that's not going to happen without regular maintenance on your part and checkups with your dental professional (hopefully twice a year professional teeth cleaning by your registered independent dental hygienist). But one question that comes up now and then is 'When is the best time to floss?'

Flossing, of course, is a process of cleaning between the teeth to remove debris and food particles in areas that are simply too hard to reach with a toothbrush.  If this debris/food combination is allowed to remain between the teeth, it provides a breeding ground for the growth of bacteria which leads to plaque build up and eventually periodontal disease.

Floss Before or After Brushing Your Teeth?

I believe it's better to floss first and then brush your teeth.  The flossing will remove or at least loosen the existing bacteria, debris and food particles which can then be completely removed with brushing and rinsing of your mouth.

You should always use a fresh strand of dental floss every time and carefully run the floss between and around all of your teeth.  Be careful not to perform a sawing action especially too close to the gum line as you risk cutting into your gum tissue.  You should never miss out on flossing simply because you think your teeth look good or that they feel clean enough, or that simply brushing is enough.

Do I Floss in the morning or at night?

To start with you really only need to floss once a day (unlike brushing which should be done more often, after meals).  You could floss either in the morning or at night but I believe flossing at night has the advantage of preventing food and debris buildup from remaining in between the teeth crevices overnight.  This should also prevent the build-up of plaque (which as we know is a cause of tooth decay).

Flossing Help

If you have questions about flossing or your flossing technique or other questions such as what type of floss is best, contact me at Quinte Dental Health Clinic and I will be more than happy to help you out!

Affiliations

Graduate of College of Dental Hygienists

Member of Canadian Dental Hygienist Association

Member of Ontario Dental Hygienist Association

Ontario Dental Hygienists' Association Fee Guide

Which Toothbrush and How To Brush Your Teeth

A common question that comes my way is which toothbrush should I use. Like toothpaste, there are many choices and options which of course leads to buyer confusion! And of course, there are some good teeth brushing techniques and some not so good ones.

Manual versus Electric Toothbrushes

A key consideration these days is whether of not you go with a manual toothbrush or use a more expensive electric toothbrush. Some research suggests that manual and electric toothbrushes can be equally effective if used right. However, the key part of that statement is 'if used right'.  Proper use of a manual toothbrush is different from proper use of an electric toothbrush and improper use of each will lead to a different set of issues. Personally I think it's easier to do a good job of brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush than a manual one simply because of how fast the electric toothbrushes vibrate.

Here's a link to a good article that explains how to brush your teeth correctly with a manual toothbrush.  You can also watch this video which is offers good instruction. Finally this video explains how to brush your teeth in four simple steps and highlights the fact that it is the posterior (rear) teeth that are most often ignored in teeth brushing.

Some common issues related to brushing with a manual toothbrush  include:
- not brushing long enough (you should brush for two minutes)
- brushing too aggressively 
- ignoring your back teeth
- not cleaning the difficult to clean teeth first
- improper brush strokes

This video from askthedentist.com covers brushing with an electric toothbrush.  It makes the point that the big issue with using an electric toothbrush is over-brushing. Especially with an electric toothbrush do NOT brush or scrub back and forth! This wears the teeth down. As the video says, this will literally SAW into the tooth via the nylon bristles!

This second video covering electric toothbrushing shows you in more detail the proper way to brush with an electric toothbrush. The video by PeriodontalHealth recommends Sonicare's electric toothbrushes which also happens to be my favourite as well. One of my very best friends though swears by his Oral B toothbrush! While there are other electric toothbrush manufacturer 'out there' including Braun, Panasonic and some more obscure ones, the two leading manufacturers are, in my mind, Phillips (which makes Sonicare) and Proctor and Gamble (which makes Oral B). After that it really comes down to selecting a model that is right for you. 

Electric toothbrushes have a variety of features (bells and whistles). Some have programs e.g. power increasing gently over the first few times the brush is used, timers to help you keep track of how long you should brush, different cleaning modes (power clean, sensitive, refresh, massage, gum care...) and so on.

Some factors you should consider when buying an electric toothbrush include:
 - the initial price of the device
 - the cost of replacement toothbrush heads (these can be quite expensive!)
 - the variety of replacement heads - shape, size, functionality
 - features that are important to you e.g. perhaps you value a two-minute timer to track how long you brush

So what about the manual toothbrush? My advice is to go electric and save the manual for power outages and perhaps roughing it style camping trips!

What Toothpaste Should I Use, Elaine?

When it comes to toothpaste there is a bewildering array of choices!  There are two broad categories of toothpaste - those that are marketed as 'pastes' and those that are marketed as 'gels'. Some companies market under the name 'toothgel'. 

In addition to the choice of paste or gel, there are a number of other elements involved with toothpaste. These include:

- a variety of abrasive agents used in toothpaste

- the question of fluoride or no fluoride (and if you go for a fluoride based toothpaste, what type of fluoride)

- surfactants

- antibacterial agents

- flavorants

- remineralizers

- other miscellaneous ingredients

The main ingredients in toothpaste are water (typically 20 to 40%) and some kind of abrasive component which may constitute half or more of the typical toothpaste. Let's take a look at these various items.

Abrasives

Abrasives are insoluble particles and as such they help remove plaque from the teeth. There are number of possible abrasives that can be found in toothpaste products inducing aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydrogen phosphate (and there are a number of variations of this), various silicas, zeolites and hydroxyapatite. The links take you to Wikipedia where these substances are further explained if you are so interested.

What you want to be aware of is that abrasives cause a small amount of enamel erosion, called polishing action.

Surfactants

Some toothpastes but not all contain surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or other related surfactants, also known as detergents.  SLS is very commonly found in many personal care products such as shampoos.  The purpose of the surfactant is to act as a foaming agent primarily which enables more even distribution of the toothpaste and thereby improves its cleansing properties.

Antibacterial Agents

In the U.K, but less so in North American, you find triclosan added to toothpastes.  Triclosan is an antibacterial and anti fungal agent. The chemical name for it is polychloro phenix phenol which is why I prefer to use the term Triclosan!  Triclosan is currently being evaluated by the U.S. FDA and by Health Canada.   It does appear to have an anti-gingivitis effect and studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have found Triclosan to be an effective antibacterial.  There are a number of health concerns being raised with Triclosan so the use of this antibacterial agent should be carefully be considered

Flavourants

Toothpaste, of course, comes in a wide range of colors and flavours which are primarily intended to encourage the use of the product.  There common flavourants are:

- Peppermint

- Spearmint

- Wintergreen

There are many, many other flavors of course including anise, bubblegum, cinnamon, lavender, ginger, vanilla and lemon. There are even some more 'exotic' flavors such as peanut butter, iced tea and whiskey!   And of course you can purchase unflavoured toothpastes.

Remineralizers

Some toothpastes contain remineralizers to help build back teeth enamel. Typically these are hydroxyapatite or calcium phosphate.

Other Miscellaneous Ingredients

Some toothpastes include ingredients to help suppress the tendency of the toothpaste to dry out.  Sugar alcohols such as glycerol, sorbitol or xyilitol are used for this purpose. There are others.  Some toothpastes include ingredients to reduce tooth sensitivity. Strontium chloride and potassium nitrate are common ingredients for this.   Finally some toothpaste include ingredients to minimize the formation of tartar, typically sodium polyphosphate.

Fluoride

No discussion of toothpaste would be complete without talking about fluoride!  It is still a somewhat contentious topic.  

It should be noted that taken in large quantities, fluoride-containing toothpaste can be very toxic. However the risk of using fluoride is generally considered low enough that the use of fluoride containing toothpaste (1350 to 1500 ppm fluoride) is advised for all ages. For younger children a smaller volume of toothpaste is recommended and for very young children (less than three) just a tiny amount need be used.  A valid concern for young children is the ingestion of toothpaste containing fluoride which can lead to dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis is a discoloration of the enamel. In mild forms it presents itself as unnoticeable tiny white streaks or specks in the enamel. In more severe forms, the appearance of the tooth will be marred by discoloration or brown markings. Also the enamel may get pitted, rough and hard to clean. These spots and stains left by fluorosis are permanent and may darken over time.

Another thing to keep in mind with respect to fluoride is that you are exposed to it in a wide variety of ways. Fluoride is added to municipal water supplies, routinely added to mouthwashes, even soft drinks and canned goods. 

Fluoride is, of course, added to toothpaste as the active ingredient to prevent cavities. Fluoride in toothpaste is viewed as being beneficial on the formation of dental enamel and bones.  

There are a number of types of fluoride that can be found in toothpastes, the most common of which is sodium fluoride.  There are  others though such as stannous fluoride, olaflur (which is an organic salt of fluoride) and sodium monoflurophosphate.  Some studies have shown stannous fluorides to be more effective than sodium fluoride in reducing the incidence of dental cavities and controlling gingivitis.

Other Health Concerns

Toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed. Doing so may cause nausea or diarrhea. SLS, discussed in Surfactants, may increase the frequency of mouth ulcers in some people as it can dry out the protective layer of oral tissues.  There are some concerns about cinnamon containing toothpastes causing plasma cell gingivitis. 

Taste

Toothpastes can alter taste perception. In particular, after using toothpaste, juices such as orange juice will likely have an unpleasant taste if the toothpaste contains stannous fluoride.  This is attributed to a chemical reaction between the stannous fluoride and the acetic acid found in juice.  SLS also alters taste perception generally making food taste more bitter.

Whitening Toothpastes

Many people seek out a toothpaste offering whitening properties and there are numerous manufacturers that make such claims. Many of the toothpastes marketed as whitening toothpastes have peroxide in them. Peroxide is used in many tooth bleaching gels.   However, it is the abrasive in these toothpastes that removes the stains, NOT the peroxide.  A whitening toothpaste will not alter the natural color of teeth or reverse discoloration by penetrating stains or decay. Rather the abrasive in the toothpaste can polish th teeth and additives such as sodium tripolyphosphate can help bread down and dissolve stains. Whitening toothpastes take time to make teeth appear whiter (typically two to four weeks). These toothpastes are generally considered safe for use twice a day but excessive use may damage tooth enamel.

Herbal Toothpastes

Many people are interested in herbal (or 'natural' toothpastes). The brand "Toms of Maine comes to mind as an example. These toothpastes do not contain dyes or artificial flavorings. Many of them do not have fluoride or SLS. Ingredients in these toothpastes may include such things as aloe, baking soda, eucalyptus oil, strawberry extract and/or essential oils.  Some people even make their own toothpaste using similar ingredients. An example recipe is listed below.

It should also be noted that toothpaste is not really essential for brushing one's teeth. Teeth can be cleaned with a wet toothbrush alone.

Natural Toothpaste Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons bentonite clay (find clay here)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 tablespoon dried, finely ground sage leaf (
• 1 tablespoon xylitol (optional, for adding sweetness)
• ½ tablespoon pure sea salt (find various sea salt here)
• 15-20 drops peppermint essential oil (find 100% pure essential oils here)

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly with a non-metal spoon. Drip essential oils into the mixture and stir well to combine. Transfer to a small container or jar with a tight fitting lid.  To brush with tooth powder, simply dip your toothbrush into the powder, or carefully squirt onto a wet toothbrush. Brush teeth as usual. If you dip your toothbrush into the powder you should probably have your own personal jar!

What You Need To Know About Bad Breath

No one likes bad breath! And the first thing you want to know about bad breath is that when it's really bad it's known as halitosis. That's good in a way because halitosis sounds a lot better than "I've got breath so bad it will knock your socks off!"

Everyone has bad breath sometimes. Depending on the cause, getting rid of bad breath can be a relatively simple matter or it can be somewhat more complicated.

Of course you want to practice good daily oral hygiene to minimize plaque build up. Plaque is a nearly invisible bacteria film that, left unchecked, will contribute to bad breath.  A professional cleaning to remove tartar (hardened plaque) build-up should be done typically twice a year for most people. For some the root cause of halitosis may be cavities and/or gum disease which is, of course, more serious.

In some occasions, bad breath may be due to something in the lungs or gastrointestinal tract or some kind of systemic infection. Also, certain health problems such as sinus infections and diabetes can cause halitosis.

Obviously an Italian pasta dish loaded with garlic is going to cause temporary bad breath as well!

So what all should one do to get rid of bad breath?

Brush and Floss

As already mentioned but worth repeating, practicing good daily oral care is the first step and that means brushing and flossing. You should brush two to three times a day and floss once a day, minimum.  Why is this important?  Your mouth contains many, many bacteria! Millions in fact! But not only that, there is a very wide variety of bacteria types in your mouth. It might surprise you to know that over 700 types of bacteria have been identified in the mouth but less than half of these have been well studied by scientists.

The food you eat is the food supply for bacteria!  So you want to keep your mouth clean to minimize the food supply to bacteria.  Flossing and brushing will remove food trapped between your teeth and food that is caught in your gum line.  Left unchecked, this food is a breeding ground for bacteria with bad breath soon to follow.

Clean Your Tongue

There is some bacteria, in particular bacteria that is located on the top of the tongue closest to the throat, that helps fight bad breath. Other bacteria however have a very bad odour.  The type of bacteria more prevalent on your tongue could be the difference between nice breath and bad breath.

Cleaning your tongue can help!  The tongue has a rough surface and that surface provides an ideal home for dead cells, food debris, bacteria and bacterial by-products, all factors that contribute to nasty breath!  

Brushing your tongue after you have brushed your teeth can help.  The most effective tongue cleaning is done with a tongue cleaner though. A tongue cleaner is designed to scrape the surface of the tongue.

Drink Water

You've probably heard the term 'morning breath'?  Why is your breath in the morning worse than other times?  When you sleep you don't produce as much saliva as when you are awake. Saliva contains oxygen which deters the growth of bacteria.

Of course your mouth can become dry during the day too and hence 'morning breath' can persist well beyond the morning! The solution is to have plenty of saliva cleaning your mouth. Saliva is naturally anti-bacterial and it washes food particles away. So the key here is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Smelly Food Choices

Of course what you eat can have a great impact on your breath! Most people know that onions and garlic will result in foul smelling breath.  Some other foods though that you might not suspect can also be the source of bad breath. Meat is a good example of that. The problem with meat is that meat particles often collect in the mouth, between the teeth, at the gum line and sometimes even under fillings or crowns. Meat is especially appealing to bacteria!

A very high protein diet where less than 100 grams of carbohydrates are eaten in a day can result in a condition called ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body starts to burn fat instead of sugar and one of the downsides to this that ketosis is well known for causing very bad breath.

Good Smell Foods

Some foods can make your breath smell good too. Fruits high in vitamin C such as melons, berries and oranges are good for your breath (and bad for bacteria).  Crunchy fruits and vegetables are also good. This would include apples, carrots and celery which are all high in fiber (which helps to remove food stuck in the teeth and stimulates saliva production).

Smelly Drinks Too

Not only can your food choices affect your breath but so can your drink choices. We've already talked about how bacteria love sugar so you've probably already guessed that pop is not a good choice for your breath.  But the other reason for pop being a bad choice is that it is acidic and any acidic drink (which would include coffee and alcoholic beverages) will release compounds into the bloodstream that  in turn release odour in the breath. Acidic drinks lower the pH level in the mouth and bacteria likes lower pH levels.

One thing you can do to counteract this is to rinse your mouth after drinking a high acidic drink with plain water. This will help to rebalance the pH level in your mouth.  This can be done after meals too (although brushing is recommended).

Natural Remedies

Green tea has antibacterial compounds.  Cinnamon has essential oils that fight bad breath. Mint, parsley, basil, cilantro and dill can provide some temporary relief because they have essential oils that are scented. As well they contain high levels of chlorophyll that provides longer term benefits for your breath.  Chlorophyll which is a green pigment found in plants (used to convert energy from light via a process known as photosynthesis) has properties which inhibits odours. Chlorophyll neutralizes internal body odours, hence ingesting concentrated chlorophyll via tablets or sublingual drops (drops that are placed under the tongue and absorbed there).

Temporary Cures

You might be tempted to use a mint to mask bad breath but this is similar to splashing on some cologne after you've been out for a long sweaty jog!  It might work for a short period of time but that's about it. Another thing to realize is that bacteria loves sugar. So if your mint contains sugar, you are only adding fuel to the fire so to speak.

You should also realize that the possible cause of bad breath is medical condition. Mouth odor is often associated with gum disease and tooth decay but also respiratory and sinus infections, bronchitis and diabetes as well as other issues such as kidney and liver problems.

Smoking

In addition to all of the other well known reasons not to smoke, bad breath is yet another one.  Cigarette smoking releases a wide ranging chemical cocktail into the mouth resulting in smokers having a higher incidence of oral infections and disease.  Smoking tends to dry out the mouth and as already discussed this leads to 'morning breath'.  Smokers tend to get quicker plaque buildup on the teeth and that often leads to bad breath.

Professional Teeth Cleaning

Having a professional cleaning twice a year will help minimize bad breath. Your professional dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar build-up that you will not be able to do with just brushing and flossing alone. If you haven't been to your dentist or hygienist within six months, book an appointment today! 

What You Need To Know About Gingivitis

To make a bit of a play on words, it's fair to say that gingivitis is the plague of plaques! As many as one out of two Canadians have gingivitis that could potentially lead to tooth loss. Are you one of them?

Gingivitis is more than just bad breath. It is an inflammation of the gums caused by a build-up of plaque which can lead to periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease is a serious and chronic bacterial infection that affects gums and the bones that support the teeth.  If left unchecked periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.

The good news though is that gingivitis is completely curable. The bad news is that the damage caused by periodontal disease is not.

What you need to know:

Anyone can get gingivitis.  In fact research indicates that as many as 16 million Canadians both young and old alike have gingivitis. Unfortunately many do not even know it.

The symptoms can be found both in your mouth and in your sink. Signs of gingivitis include red, swollen or tender gums that may bleed when you brush or floss.  If you see blood in your sink after brushing or flossing, consider that you may have gingivitis.

There is an established, scientific link between your oral health and your overall health. Specific associations have been made between the two that includes:

• Heart disease - If you have periodontal disease, your chance of developing heart disease may jump as much as 19 percent!
• Diabetes - If you have diabetes, you may be at greater risk of developing periodontal disease. Dental hygiene and mouth-rinse/antibiotic treatment for periodontal disease may help reduce blood sugar levels n people with diabetes by as much as 11 percent.
• Lung disease - Patients in long term care facilities or hospital intensive care units who are able to practice good oral hygiene care may reduce their risk of developing pneumonia by 58 percent.
• Preterm low birth weight (PLBW) - This accounts for about 80 percent of all infant deaths that occur around the time of birth and may cause long term disabilities for survivors.  Dental hygiene services for pregnant women with periodontal disease (including gingivitis) may reduce the risk of PLBW by 50 percent.

These percentages are significant and hopefully convincing in terms of the importance of dealing with gingivitis and periodontal disease.

You can fight back!

Good oral hygiene can keep gingivitis in check.  The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association recommends a simple, four-step program:

1. Brush your teeth with a power toothbrush that offers rotation/oscillation.
2. Floss between your teeth to remove plaque. You can use floss on its own or in a holder or a flosser, interdental brushes (for bridges and braces), picks or irrigators.
3. Rinse using an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce the accumulation of plaque and to prevent gingivitis.
4. Get regular check-ups. Your biggest weapon of defense in the battle with gingivitis is a regular visit with your dental hygienist.  Book an appointment while you have a fighting chance!

Remember: Brush, floss, rinse and regular check-ups!

How a Dental Hygienist Can Help You

Your dental hygienist can help you by ensuring that you are taking good care of your teeth. Remember that you want your teeth to last you for your lifetime! That requires on-going maintenance on your part and regular professional care.

A dental hygienist's assistance may take many forms in both a clinical setting and in the community. Dental hygienists help in the dental hygiene clinic by:

• Assessing your health history
• Examining your head and neck
• Checking your mouth, gums and teeth
• Screening for oral cancer
• Developing a care plan with you that includes both prevention and treatment therapies to achieve and maintain your best oral health
• Referring you to other health-care providers as required
• Teaching you about proper mouth care

Dental hygienists help in the community by

• Teaching students and/or counseling families about oral health care
• Reviewing dental related literature and conducting research
• Teaching long-term care staff about mouth care for their patients
• Manufacturing mouthguards and working with coaches, school staff and others to prevent sports and playground injuries
• Screening seniors for signs of oral cancer
• Acting as health-care advocates on issues such as tobacco control and other dental related topics

Your dental hygienist is your partner in mouth care AND overall health!

Dental Hygiene Clinics and Mobile Practices

For people who are unable to travel, are restricted financially or for health reasons require in-home oral healthcare, dental hygienists can work independently. Moreover people in this situation can choose how and where they want to receive their preventative oral care.

As a result, some dental hygienists are willing to take their services to select (meaning properly screened) clients.  As well as improving public access to oral care, the cost for professional services provided by independent dental hygienists may be considerably lower than those same services provided in a traditional dental office.

Dental hygienists are regulated healthcare professionals. They must follow strict standards of practice set by their regulatory college to ensure that the public receives safe and ongoing comprehensive oral care.

If you are in a long term care facility or for other reasons are unable to come into a clinic for dental hygiene services contact me to discuss the potential of home treatment.

I provide dental hygiene care for retirement residences, nursing homes, long term care facilities and group homes.

The Do's and the Don'ts of Mouthguards

A properly fitted mouthguard can protect against a wide range of injuries. It can, for example, prevent broken teeth in both adults and children. But what many people do not realize is that a mouthguard can prevent a whole range of sport-related mouth and facial injuries.

The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association recommends mouthguards be used by athletes and anyone who plays sports both in actual game play and practices, in contact and non-contact games and competitive and non-competitive sports. This would include but is not limited to:
* basketball   * bicycling   * boxing   * field hockey   * football  
* ice hockey * in-line skating   * lacrosse   * martial arts   * rugby   * skiing   * soccer   * softball  * skateboarding   * wrestling

It's clear that a properly used mouthguard can prevent injuries.

Photo courtesy of MartialArtsNomad.com Peter Gordon

The Do's and Don'ts of Mouthguards

Do's

• Use a properly constructed mouthguard fabricated by a dental hygienist
• Consider using a coloured mouthguard as it may prove easier to find than a clear one
• Rinse your mouthguard with cold water or with a mouthwash both before and after use
• To properly clean your mouthguard, use toothpaste and a toothbrush or clean it with cool, soapy water and make sure to rinse thoroughly
• Store and transport your mouthguard in a firm, perforated container to prevent damage and to allow air to circulate
• Remove retainers and other removable dental appliances such as orthodontic retainers, removable bridges or dentures (both partial and complete) before inserting your mouthguard
• Replace your mouthguard every two to three years under normal use. If your mouthguard becomes cracked, torn or split, or if the fit is compromised, if significant wear appears or if there is unsatisfactory retention, replace the mouthguard. If your mouthguard absorbs a strong blow, it may need replacing immediately. 
• Bring your mouthguard to your dental hygienist to have it evaluated every time you have an appointment.

Don'ts

• Don't chew on your mouthguard or use hot water to clean it
• Don't leave it in direct sunlight or alter the mouthguard in any way
• Don't share your mouthguard
• Don't close your mouthguard container until your washed mouthguard is dry

5 Steps to Good Oral Health

Just a few minutes a day will help ensure good oral health.  Here are five things you can do to help ensure healthy gums and teeth.

1. Brush Your Teeth Daily.

If you use a power toothbrush, I suggest that you use one that offers rotation/oscillation action.

2. Floss Between Your Teeth To Remove Dental Plaque Daily.

You can use floss (on its own or in a holder or a flosser), interdental brushes (for bridges and braces) or picks or irrigators.  You should do this at least once a day.

3. Rinse With an Antiseptic Mouthwash.

Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash will also help reduce the accumulation of dental plaque and help with some breath problems.

4. Make Healthy Food Choices.

Sound nutritious food choices that are low in sugar are better for your overall health and your oral health.

5.  Get Regular Professional Dental Hygiene Care.

Perhaps your best weapon in the battle to maintain good oral health is a regular visit to your dental hygienist.  Remember that you have the option to book an appointment with an independent registered Dental Hygienist. 

Did you know that scientific studies show a clear association between periodontal disease and lung disease?

Ten Reasons to Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned

Many people do not realize just how important good oral hygiene is, not only for one's looks but also for one's overall health and well-being.  Poor oral hygiene can lead to both dental problems such as gum disease and infection and other medical problems such as bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more.

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help to prevent these issues from occurring.  It’s important to realize that even if you have good oral hygiene practices at home, you still need professional teeth cleaning in order to remove plaque build-up that is not removed by brushing alone.

Here are ten important reasons to ensure you have your teeth professionally cleaned:

1. Screening for Oral Cancer

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, a national non-profit public service entity, approximately 42,000 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2013. According to Canadian Cancer Society statistics, approximately 4000 Canadians were diagnosed with oral cancer in Canada (which correlates well with the U.S. numbers as the Canadian population is approximately one tenth that of the U.S.).  When you have a dental cleaning you are also being screened for oral cancer which generally speaking highly curable if caught early.

2. Preventing Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, or ‘gum is usually caused by bacteria from plaque and tartar build-up over time.  There are other factors that can potentially cause gum disease including the use of tobacco, clenching or grinding of the teeth, some medications and genetic factors. 

Gingivitus is the name given to the beginning stage of gum disease and it often goes undetected.  This stage of the disease is, generally speaking, reversible.

Periodontitis is the stage of gum disease that follows gingivitis. There are many levels of periodontitis but a common outcome is chronic inflammatory response, a condition in which the body breaks down bone and tissue in the infected areas of the mouth. This then leads to bone loss and an increased chance of tooth loss.

In addition to professional teeth cleanings bi-annually, regular brushing and flossing are key preventive measures to avoid gum disease.

3. To Keep Your Teeth

As defined above gum disease leads to teeth loss. Of course no one wants to lose their teeth both because of cosmetic reasons and because good teeth are critical for proper eating function and affect speech as well.

4. To Maintain Good Physical Health

Studies in recent years have linked heart attacks and strokes to poor oral hygiene.  A proper dental cleaning every six months along with proper daily brushing and flossing can help to reduce these risk factors.

5.  Early Detection of Dental Issues

Your hygienist can help detect early signs of problems with your gums or your teeth. This can include early detection of cavities, broken fillings and gum disease. Early treatment is the best option for both health and cost reasons.   Untreated dental problems can lead to more complicated treatments such as root canals or gum surgery and removal of the teeth might end up becoming the only option available leading to yet further expensive dental work to replace the missing teeth.

6. To Detect Changes in Your Oral Health

Regular check-ups (bi-annually) will help with early detection of any changes in your oral health by comparing with your previous history.  If you are getting off-track with your oral hygiene the earlier this is identified, the better.

7.  For A Brighter and Whiter Smile

Regular cleaning by your dental hygienist will help ensure a beautiful smile.   Your dental hygienist can remove most coffee, tea and tobacco stains and also polish your teeth to give them a beautiful shine.

8. Preventing Bad Breath

According to Wikipedia bad breath or halitosis is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.^[1] Most often a dental problem is the root cause of halitosis and good oral hygiene is essential to prevent it.  Regular check-ups and teeth cleanings are instrumental in preventing halitosis.

9. Avoid Higher Cost Treatment Later

Regular check-ups can help you avoid more costly treatments later. Proper maintenance, regular check-ups and daily oral hygiene practices will help avoid major dental problems such as cavities or gum disease.

10. Use Your Dental Coverage

Most dental insurance plans in Ontario allow for two dental cleanings per year. Taking advantage of this will save you money in the long run and help ensure you stay in a condition of optimal health.

I provide dental hygiene services including teeth whitening and teeth cleaning in Belleville, Ontario.  I am a fully registered dental hygienist with 20 years of clinical experience and am a member of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario, the Ontario Dental Hygienists Association and the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association. I provide dental hygiene services with a gentle touch in a relaxed and comfortable setting.

To book an appointment call:  

613-967-3600

417 Dundas St E.

Belleville, ON 

K8N 1E7

Or email me by clicking:   quintedentalhygieneservices@yahoo.ca