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Let’s Talk About Root Canals With You

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A root canal? You most likely don’t want to think about this dental procedure because of the association with pain that usually comes along with it. Contrary to what many people might believe, most patients experience little to no discomfort during root canal therapy. When people talk about the pain associated with root canals, they are most likely talking about the pain caused by the inflammation from the infection inside the tooth. After all is said and done, once the infected tissue is removed, patients have much relief to look forward to.

Root canals are a conservative treatment option for restoring the health and function of an infected tooth that may prevent the need for an extraction. The main goal of this dental procedure is to remove the infected pulp from the tooth while maintaining the tooth’s structure.

When is root canal therapy needed? A few symptoms that mean you might need a root canal include:

  • Severe pain while chewing or biting
  • Pimples on the gums
  • A chipped or cracked tooth
  • Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been removed
  • Swollen or tender gums
  • Deep decay or darkening of the gums

If tooth pulp becomes acutely inflamed or infected because of decay or injury, the tissue will need to be removed in order to save the tooth and stop the infection from spreading. 

Saving the tooth can prevent other troubles from occurring later on, which could include bite problems from teeth shifting position, difficulty eating and loss of jawbone volume and density.

What happens during the procedure? Infected pulp is removed and then we carefully clean and shape the inside of the root canal. We will fill and seal the space with a biocompatible material. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. 

At Pine Seven Dental Centre in Woodbridge Vaughan , we will always aim to preserve your natural smile as much as possible for the long-term stability of your bite and overall oral health.

Give us a call immediately if you think you may need root canal therapy.

Tongue Scraping To Eliminate Toxins

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Have you heard of the ancient practice of tongue scraping? It’s been used as an Ayurvedic technique for more than 5000 years and is a practice that is highly recommended by our dentistry in Woodbridge as a holistic remedy to maintain a healthy mouth.

From the food we eat, beverages we consume and environment we’re exposed to, our bodies are continuously being exposed to toxicity. The accumulation of toxins in our body can compromise our immunity and vitality if they aren’t properly eliminated.

A list of signs that your body may be experiencing toxicity include having a white coating on the tongue, bad breath/ body odor, brain fog or confusion, a feeling of weakness, body aches, lessened appetite, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue and bloating. If you experience any of the above, you may have some level of toxicity in your body.

Tongue scraping is one way to help our bodies get rid of these unwanted toxins. It clears out bad bacteria and dead cells that accumulate in your mouth while you sleep and prevents them from being reabsorbed into the body. Benefits of tongue scraping also include enhancing your taste, gently stimulating your internal organs for digestion, reducing your risk for periodontal disease and preventing bad breath.

Tongue scrapers are relatively affordable and can also be found in local drugstores and online. After a thorough clean with a toothbrush and floss, apply the tongue scraper to the back of your tongue and drag it forward. Then, rinse and repeat. Make sure to get the sides of your tongue as well. No need to press too hard!

If you’ve never tried tongue scraping before, we definitely think you should give it a try! Making it a part of your daily oral care regimen will guarantee the best results from this ancient Ayurvedic practice.

At Pine Seven Dental Centre, we love seeing you live your best life by understanding the connection between the health of your mouth to the rest of your body. To learn more, book an appointment with our dental clinic in Woodbridge today!

Pregnancy and Oral Health

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At Pine Seven Dental Centre, we understand the concern of pregnant women when it comes to the health and safety of themselves and their baby. Many women wonder whether visiting the dentist is safe during their pregnancy. The bottom line is that dental care is extremely crucial, especially during this time. 

During pregnancy, hormone changes increase the risk of periodontal disease and dry mouth. On top of this, morning sickness vomiting can cause acid erosion of the teeth. An at home oral care regimen of brushing and flossing twice a day must be a top priority during this time.

Did you know that the health of your gums can affect the health of your baby? Research shows that a pregnant woman with gum disease has a better risk of having a baby that is born too small. We recommend going to the dentist for a checkup during your pregnancy to make sure your oral health is in tip top shape. 

Must Read: Why You Need Dental Implants in Woodbridge?

Waiting until after delivery for elective dental procedures is recommended, but if it’s a procedure needed for a serious health concern, consider it necessary. 

For dental procedures, local anesthetics such as bupivacaine, lidocaine, and mepivacaine are generally safe during pregnancy. A special garment to shield your abdomen from exposure if X-Rays are needed will be used, so it’s important to inform the dental staff of your pregnancy.

Going to the dentist while pregnant is not risky or unsafe for mothers and their developing babies. The opposite is true! Oral care and hygiene should be at the highest priority during pregnancy and our dental staff at Pine Seven Dental Centre will ne happy to serve you during this special time. 

 If you’re pregnant and looking for a trusted dental care provider in Woodbridge, give us a call today!

The Benefits of Invisalign

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Pine Seven Dental Centre is your experienced provider of innovative Invisalign treatment in the city of Woodbridge. We help our patients improve the vitality and appearance of their smiles without the need for traditional metal braces.

Invisalign technology digitally maps your mouth to create custom plastic aligners that fit over your teeth, which apply gentle pressure to move them into perfect position.

INVISALIGN in Woodbridge

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of choosing revolutionary Invisalign treatment for your smile transformation!

Appearance: The discretion of Invisalign clear aligners allows for a nearly invisible way to straighten your teeth.

Convenience: Because Invisalign clear aligners are removable, you can eat and drink anything you want during treatment. They can be removed for brief periods of time if necessary and common restrictions of traditional braces are eliminated.

Comfort: Wires and brackets of traditional braces can typically cause soreness and uncomfortability due to chafing. Invisalign aligners are made from medical-grade polyurethane resin, which is comfortable in the mouth.

Better Oral Hygiene: Bacteria love to form around traditional metal braces. Because you can remove your Invisalign aligners during your daily oral care routine, brushing and flossing can be done normally. This makes it much easier to maintain your oral hygiene.

If you’re ready for your smile transformation and want to find out more about the benefits of Invisalign treatment, reach out to our staff at Pine Seven Dental Centre to see if you’re a candidate!

The Importance Of Baby Teeth

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A common myth is that primary or baby teeth are not important because they will fall out. While it is true that we do lose those teeth eventually, they do serve essential functions. Losing baby teeth early can result in negative consequences.

Facts about baby teeth:

  • They begin to come in around six months of age, with the first tooth usually being a lower front tooth.
  • There are 20 teeth in a full primary dentition, and most children will have their full set by age 3.
  • Children begin to lose their primary teeth around age 6. They will have a mixed dentition (a mix of adult and baby teeth) until they lose their last baby tooth, usually around age 12.

Why are baby teeth so important?

  • They are essential for eating and chewing to ensure proper nutrition for a growing child.
  • Primary teeth are essential for normal facial appearance and proper speech development.
  • Primary teeth hold the space for adult teeth to erupt. If primary teeth are lost early, and a space maintainer is not put in place, this may cause the remaining teeth to shift and block the normal eruption of the adult teeth. This can lead to crowding and misplacement of adult teeth.

The main reason for the early loss of baby teeth is decay. As soon as the first tooth erupts in the mouth, it is susceptible to cavities. With proper oral care, cavities are mostly preventable.

primary teeth vaughan on dentist

Caring for baby teeth:

  • The Canadian Dental Association recommends that children have their first dental checkup within six months of the first tooth erupting or by age one.
  • Before teeth erupt, make a habit of cleaning the child’s gums daily with a clean, wet cloth. As soon as the first tooth erupts start daily brushing. Use an age-appropriate soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • Do not put babies to bed with a bottle of milk and do not let milk pool in a sleeping child’s mouth. Milk (including breast milk) contains sugars that can lead to cavities.
  • Brushing will need to be monitored and assisted by parents until the child has the dexterity to brush correctly on their own. This is usually when they can write their name (in cursive writing, not printing).
  • For children less than three years old, swallowing toothpaste may be an issue. A dental professional can assess the child’s risk of decay, and they may recommend the use of a small amount (no larger than a grain of rice) of fluoridated toothpaste to help prevent cavities.
  • For children aged three to six, use a pea-size amount of fluoridated toothpaste when brushing and encourage them to spit out the toothpaste.
  • Floss your child’s teeth daily, especially between the back molars where decay is more likely to start.
  • Limit sugary drinks and foods. Some tooth-friendly snacks are raw fruit and veggies, cheese, nuts, and seeds.

baby milk bottle vaughan on dentist

Signs of decay in baby teeth:

  • White spots or lines forming on the teeth could be an early sign of decay.
  • Dark areas or visible holes.
  • Child complaining of pain in their mouth.

Untreated decay leads to severe pain and infection. If you suspect your child might have a cavity, see your dental professional immediately. Taking good care of their primary set of teeth will help to keep your child healthy and developing properly.

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