Archive

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Here at Trillium Dental, we’ve already covered many of the best foods for your teeth, but to help those who want a better understanding of those foods, today’s blog covers the nutrition your teeth and their supporting periodontal structures need to thrive, and why they help your dental health. For cutting-edge, professional dental care, we offer a range of services from teeth whitening to teeth cleaning, Invisalign®, and a range of other general, restorative, and cosmetic dental services.

FLUORIDE, CALCIUM, AND PHOSPHOROUS

Unlike much of your body, your bones and teeth are made of minerals, and need mineral deposition to stay strong. In particular, teeth require fluoride, calcium, and phosphorus. Since your bone and tooth enamel is the hardest part of your body and in constant use, it needs to be rebuilt constantly to remain strong. Chemically, the structures these minerals form in your teeth can be damaged or weakened by contact with high-acid foods and drinks. Providing a consistent amount of enamel reinforcement is very key to allowing the structures to be rebuilt.

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is key to helping your body absorb Calcium and function when used. Without it, the calcium you take would be essentially useless and simply pass through your body and would not be able to bind to your bones. This is why dentists advocate exposure to sunlight and certain foods to maintain the ability to grow bone density and healthy, strong enamel.

VITAMIN C

This vitamin is important in helping strengthen the walls of blood vessels, and helps reduce inflammation. Reducing inflammation can help to protect gums while healthy blood vessels are key for transporting nutrition and blood effectively, which promotes healthy infection-fighting and bodily maintenance. In addition, vitamin C is necessary for your body to produce collagen, an important protein for fighting periodontal diseases. Even seemingly benign periodontal infections can have long-lasting and widespread consequences for your health.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants refer to a category of substances that inhibit the chemical process called oxidation. In the body, oxidation produces free radicals that can cause chain reactions that damage cells. The most popular antioxidants are vitamins A, C, E, and catechins. Some free radicals are ok and are even produced by the body viruses and bacteria. In excess, they can contribute to cancers and heart disease. Antioxidants help to fight bacteria that cause inflammation and periodontal disease, as well as contribute to the prevention of oral cancer.

PROBIOTICS

These are essentially bacteria that can take up a similar niche as bacteria that are more associated with harm to your dental and oral health. Intaking foods with healthy probiotics has a range of bodily health benefits. According to a study in the European Journal of Dentistry, there is a range of benefits for your oral health from ingesting regular probiotics such as reducing plaque adhesion, increased periodontal disease resistance, and reduction of inflammation and tissue damage.

ANTHOCYANINS

Most people haven’t heard of this nutrient, as it’s a bit different than most. These make up the pigmentation in blueberries, raspberries, black rice, and a range of other red, purple, blue, and black fruits and vegetables. Evidence from research done by Ohio State University, suggests that these nutrients can reduce the risk of oral cancers and the attachment of plaque to teeth.

L-ARGININE

According to a study from Albert Ludwigs University, this amino acid inhibits bacteria growth, actually changes the metabolism of bacteria that cause cavities, and disrupts the formation of plaque on enamel. In addition, it’s one of the essential amino acids for humans and contributes heavily to recovery from burns and certain other types of tissue and organ damage.

POLYPHENOLS

Technically these are a structural class of molecules that in the human body. The polyphenols found in tea, berries, flaxseed, and cocoa disrupt bacterial growth which can help prevent plaque, periodontal disease, cavities, and bad breath.

IRON

Although it’s relatively rare for iron deficiencies to can cause sores and inflammation in the mouth that can increase the risk of periodontal infections. However, be careful when supplementing iron as most people have healthy levels and too much iron can heal to heart issues especially for young men. Consult a doctor if you think you may have an iron deficiency.

We hope that this guide to nutrition and dental health helps you build a basic understanding of better dental health habits and why a complete and balanced diet is important. For more information check out our blog on oral health-friendly foods. If you are in the Ottawa area, Trillium Dental offers professional dental services in our relaxed yet cutting-edge dental offices. We offer Invisalign®, teeth whitening, general check-ups and more for our patients, and include periodontal and oral cancer checks with each visit. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

As we alluded to in our last blog, there is a range of foods that you can eat to give yourself a boost in dental health.  Not only are many of these foods good for your teeth, but also simply good for you. Here at Trillium Dental, we provide excellent dental services and professional care for Ottawa with a number of dental clinics throughout the city. In today’s blog, we want to introduce you to a number of foods that can actually help strengthen your teeth.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Many dairy products are good for you due to the high amount of calcium in them. Calcium is an essential building block for strong teeth and healthy enamel. Pairing calcium with enough vitamin D is another way of reinforcing your teeth and can come in certain fortified milks and dairy products. Cheese has also been shown to be beneficial, as a 2012 issue of General Dentistry from our American neighbors reported that cheese raises the pH in your mouth which helps protect your enamel and reduces the chances of tooth decay. Yogurt is another great benefactor for your teeth, not only does it have the same beneficial properties for teeth as other dairy products, but it also contains healthy probiotics which help crowd out other harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay.

LEAFY GREENS

Just like your mother said, eat your greens. Not only are these delicious foods a brilliant addition to your diet, with high amounts of fiber, micronutrients, and vitamins. Greens like kale and spinach are high in calcium and have folic acid, which is thought to be beneficial to treating gum disease in pregnant women. Leafy greens should be a part of your daily diet. Try to stick to eating them without cooking them or adding them to smoothies to maximize the healthy effects of the greens.

APPLES

Apples are one of the only sweeter things that are actually beneficial for your teeth. While the sugar in them might be detrimental, they toute high amounts of fiber and water. The high fiber and tooth-sinking bite needed to eat an apple help to stimulate the gums while the water and the saliva you produce while eating this dental treat helps to wash particles and other bacteria out.

FISH

While fish has other dietary considerations such as mercury, a fish every once in a while is healthy and helps you strengthen your teeth with an infusion of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your overall health including your immune system and helps your teeth absorb calcium better. In fact, 30% of Canadians are deficient in their vitamin D input. So eat up, and get some sunshine.

RED PEPPERS

Not only do red peppers help add a bit of color to nearly any salad, they also have some of the highest amounts of vitamin C out of any food that people regularly consume. They can be sliced, diced, pickled, roasted, and can fit in a variety of food dishes. The high amounts of vitamin C in red peppers help to reduce inflammation, strengthen blood vessels, and is a key ingredient of collagen, which is a key protein in fighting periodontal disease. Anything that helps prevent periodontal disease and its effects are good by us.  

NUTS

Almonds, cashews, walnuts, and more all carry arginine, a powerful amino acid that helps prevent plaque formation and reduces the chances of cavities. Almonds, also help provide calcium and fiber, while remaining low in sugar. When planning your next snack, a handful of nuts can be a great option. 

Remember that in addition to these foods, it’s important to drink healthy beverages and as a rule of thumb, avoid sugar as much as possible. Your teeth will thank you. Here at Trillium Dental, we hope that our blog has helped you make sure you’re eating right. A healthy diet is a key element to preventing tooth decay, and other dental and periodontal issues. If you are in Ottawa, and looking for high-quality dental services in a relaxed yet professional setting, contact our dental office today.

Here at Trillium Dental, we love seeing our clients often for regular check-ups and oral maintenance, but we don’t like seeing them too often. There are a number of people that do not practice good oral hygiene and every good dentist strives to prevent dental issues through effective care and education. In today’s blog, we hope to continue that tradition with a range of tips to help you keep your teeth healthy as can be!

Trillium Dental offers teeth whitening, Invisalign, periodontics, restorative and cosmetic dental services and more for Ottawa, Stittsville, Orleans, Kanata, and Nepean in Ontario. Call us or contact us today to learn more!

BRUSH YOUR TEETH CORRECTLY

Yes, there is a correct way to brush your teeth. Without getting too detailed, it’s encouraged that everyone brush their teeth with soft-bristled brushes. Brushing with heavier brushes can do undue damage to your teeth. Despite their rugged nature, teeth can be brushed through and, after you get through the enamel, you end up with sensitive teeth that can cause discomfort when you drink or eat cold products or touch metal. In addition, brush twice a day with gentle strokes while changing the pattern and get behind the teeth as well using ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste.

… AND BRUSH YOUR MOUTH.

Not a lot of people know this, but the rest of the inside of your mouth requires dental hygiene as well. Brushing the rest of the inside of your mouth from your tongue to the top of your mouth is important for both preventing the build-up of potentially harmful bacteria, and for helping your breath smell better for longer. Brushing your entire mouth can feel funny at first, but after a few times, it’ll feel absolutely normal. This is a great pro tip for those of you on the dating scene.

FLOSS REGULARLY

Flossing once a day removes the food debris that gets stuck between teeth. Even if your teeth look clean, they oftentimes have a range of debris that is stuck between them. Removing this debris removes a food source for bacteria to feast on and proliferate. This prevents both decay of your teeth and a build-up of odor-causing bacteria. Maybe we’ll call that pro-dating tip number two.

MAKE SURE YOUR DIET IS TEETH-HEALTHY

Your diet is one of those great secret weapons against dental decay that not many people know enough about. We all know that candy and soda are to be avoided when it comes to dental health, but keep in mind that grains, carbohydrates, and certain fruit can add to this as well. It’s a known anthropological fact that our ancestors’ dental health was reduced when they domesticated grains — this applies here as well. On your next visit to the dentist, ask what they would suggest for a change in diet. When we dentists are in your mouth looking around, we can see dietary signs in your teeth that tell us about what you eat and can tell you if you eat too much sugar, not enough vitamin C, calcium, and more. In addition, there are a number of foods that simply cause better dental health from their makeup and dietary benefit. For more information on teeth friendly diet and nutrition check out our Oral Health Friendly Foods article here!

LET FLUORIDE SIT ON YOUR TEETH

Only about 47% of Canadians drink water containing fluoride. Fluoride is an excellent enamel strengthener and regular application of it can help your teeth avoid cavities. One uncommon trick is to add a thin layer of fluoride-containing toothpaste to your teeth after rinsing your mouth out before you go to bed. Not only is your breath a bit more minty-fresh, but a regular treatment of this will have big dental-health benefits.

GET REGULAR CHECK-UPS

We know that everyone gets busy, but, regardless of your schedule, getting your teeth inspected at least once or twice a year is suggested to simply double-check, and to save you undue damage from a problem that might not hurt, but is noticeable to a trained dental professional. In the long run, this will save you and your insurance company lots of money. Issues that compound in seriousness can go from something we can handle with advice, a cleaning, or a cheap operation, to one that can run through your dental insurance premium in no time and cost you more afterward.

Here at Trillium Dental in or around Ottawa, Canada, we urge you to follow good dental hygiene and let us provide high-quality, professional care for your teeth wherever you are. We have a range of high-quality and professional dental offices that put their patient’s first and offer everything from teeth whitening to Invisalign, veneers, and restorative dentistry. We accept most insurances and look forward to hearing from you. Call us at 613-695-0544 or contact us online to learn more.

Tooth erosion is when the outer layers of enamel diminish. This is caused by acids contained in certain foods that we may eat. The enamel is the hard outer coating of the teeth. It protects the underlying dentine.

When the enamel deteriorates, it can expose the dentine and cause both sensitivity and pain. Drink liquids high in acid content can cause the tooth enamel to weaken by softening through the loss of mineral content that keeps the enamel hardening. The body’s defence mechanism against this is the saliva.

Under perfect conditions, the saliva negates any progress that an acid may take thereby maintaining a balanced environment inside the mouth. If an excessive amount of acidic liquids and foods are eaten then the action of the saliva can become overwhelmed and not have the ability to maintain the proper balance for the tooth enamel to remain hard enough to protect the dentine. When this happens the enamel may get removed through the act of brushing the teeth and result in extreme sensitivity to hot and cold, which can become painful.

This condition is understood as halitosis, among the medical community of dental professionals. The typical major causes for this are one of two issues. The first being poor dental hygiene with the second cause being poor health overall. A person’s health is directly relatable to their eating habits and their lifestyle.

Dental Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene can result in consistent bad breath or a constant bad taste in the mouth, which is a possible indication of periodontal, (gum), disease. The root cause of this condition is plaque buildup on the teeth. Plaque is a result of bacterial growth that can cause gum irritation. Left untreated, this condition can lead to severe damage to the gums and jawbone.

Along with the buildup of plaque from poor oral hygiene is the manifestation of cavities, (dental caries). This adds to having bad breath along with yeast infections, and mal-fitting dental plates. Dental bridges, or braces, that do not fit correctly, can trap food particles in hard to clean spaces between the teeth and gums.

Lifestyle

A person’s lifestyle can affect their breath by the type of foods that they eat. This includes foods with high acid, fat, or spicy content. Additionally, not getting the correct amount of vitamins and minerals in their diet will cause nutritional issues, which will affect their breath and body odour.

KANATA, ONTARIO- Have you spent much of 2013 being embarrassed about your smile? Trillium Dental’s cosmetic dentistry services can help you ring in the New Year with confidence.

Located in Ottawa, Stittsville, Nepean, Orleans and Kanata, our cosmetic dentists are just around the corner and capable of transforming your smile through advanced techniques and remarkable expertise. With such viable solutions available, achieving a dazzling smile is an easy New Year’s resolution to fulfill.

Here’s a quick overview of our cosmetic dentistry services:

Invisalign: Although not suitable for every patient, Invisalign straightens misaligned teeth through a series of clear plastic aligners. The average treatment time is only one year, and the aligners are virtually invisible.

Gum Contouring: For patients with “gummy” smiles or an uneven gum line, we use gentle lasers to painlessly reshape the gums. A small adjustment to the gum line can make an incredible improvement in your appearance. Better yet, gum contouring only requires one appointment.

Ceramic Restorations: It’s possible to have a mouthful of metal without braces. Many adults have silver restorations, known as amalgam. We remove outdated amalgam fillings and crowns and replace them with tooth colored, ceramic based restorations. They’re virtually indistinguishable from real tooth structure and more effective.

Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers drastically improve facial aesthetics. Thin sheets of porcelain are bonded to teeth to create a bright, beautiful and stain resistant smile. Your dentist will ensure the veneers fit your teeth perfectly and appear completely natural.

Teeth Whitening: Trillium Dental offers the popular Zoom whitening system. Powerful whitening gel and light from a specially designed lamp combine to brighten teeth up to eight shades.

Take steps toward becoming the best version of you possible. Our cosmetic solutions are proven to deliver life-changing smile transformations. All treatments are performed in a relaxing environment by skilled professionals. For your comfort, sedation options are available.

Consistent dry mouth is a problem that can exist for many reasons. However, at the same time, it is a normal condition. If the condition feels persistent, it is advisable to seek medical attention. A Ottawa dentist will check for signs of tooth decay, which causes a reduction in saliva.

Having a dry mouth is not serious, yet it is expedient to see a dentist on a regular basis to ensure the health of your teeth and gums. Having a lack of saliva can enhance the probability of advanced tooth decay and fungal infections within the mouth. Patients who use inhalers often contract a type of fungal infection called oral candidacies.

It is recommended in these scenarios that the person rinse their mouths with water after every use of the inhaler. Additionally, certain medications can cause this condition. Therefore, it is suggested that you inform your dentist about any medications you may be taking. This will help determine the cause for your dry mouth.

If you’ve had dentures for a while, you’ve probably noticed that your smile has undergone changes. Maybe your dentures don’t fit as well as they used to. They’ve become looser and harder to keep in place. Maybe you’ve even had to have them resized.

Why is this happening?

The answer has everything to do with what happened when you had natural teeth removed. In addition to losing your teeth you also lost the roots that held them in place. These roots had an important job to do. In addition to anchoring your teeth, they also kept your jawbone healthy and strong by stimulating the growth of new bone tissue. Without these roots, your jaw will begin to atrophy.

But with implant dentures from Trillium Dental, you can enjoy a smile with restored functionality and strength.

The first step in restoring your smile with implant dentures is confirming that you’re a candidate for dental implants. Once we’ve done this, we can begin the first stage of your implant procedure—placing your implants. Because dental implants are made from biocompatible titanium, your new implants will actually bond with your jaw over time, as the site of your placement heals. It’s this bond that will give your completed implant dentures solid, natural foundation for the rest of your smile.

Let Trillium Dental Restore Your Smile

KANATA AND OTTAWA, ONTARIO – There are many different types of cancer, and the Canadian Cancer Society reports 29 percent of all Canadian deaths in 2009 were due to cancer.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and in an effort to raise awareness about this disease our Ottawa family dentistry team encourages you to pay attention to any changes in your mouth, gums, lips and cheeks.

Our team provides general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry in Kanata. We can help restore missing teeth with dental implants, we thoroughly clean your teeth and gums at every regular appointment and we carefully screen each patient for oral cancer.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, in 2003 about 3,100 Canadians were diagnosed with oral cancer and the disease claimed 1,090 Canadian lives. The five-year survival rate for oral cancer is 63 percent, according to Health Canada. This means that 63 percent of patients diagnosed with oral cancer are still alive five years after their diagnosis. We don’t want you to be next. You are an important part of your oral health, and keeping a close watch over your lips, gums, teeth, cheeks and tongue may even save your life.

Learn the Most Common Oral Cancer Symptoms

If you know the common symptoms of oral cancer you can better protect yourself. When you go through your daily oral hygiene routine, check for the following warning signs: Use your finger to trace your lips, gums and cheeks to check for any swelled lumps. Sores are often signs that something is wrong in your mouth, especially those that last longer than two weeks. Note the color of the sores as well; are they white, red or a combination of the two colors?

You may also notice ear pain, numbness, tenderness in your face or mouth, frequent oral bleeding, a prolonged sore throat, trouble chewing or swallowing food, changes in the way foods taste, trouble talking or moving your jaw or even extreme weight loss. Has your bite changed? Do you notice a difference in the way your teeth fit together? All of these symptoms could be warning signs of oral cancer. Bring any of these symptoms up to your dentist at your next appointment.

Identify Your Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Tobacco use greatly increases your risk of developing oral cancer. If you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, consider how much healthier you’ll be if you quit. Quitting tobacco will improve your dental health, your skin, your heart health, your lungs and your circulation. You are also approximately six times more likely to develop oral cancer if you drink alcohol to excess.

Too much sun can increase your chances of developing oral cancer. Protect your lips with an SPF fortified lip balm or by wearing a hat that blocks sunlight from your face. If you’ve had oral cancer in the past, or if someone in your family has had oral cancer, you have a higher risk of developing the disease. The presence of HPV has also been linked to increased oral cancer risk.

You can develop oral cancer at any age, though your risk increases dramatically after you hit 45. Your diet may also contribute to developing oral cancer, so be sure to eat a diet full of vegetables and fruits to help prevent cancerous cell growth. Men also get oral cancer more frequently than women.

Understand Prevention and the Importance of Routine Dental Care

There are ways for you to thwart the onset of oral cancer. Limit your consumption of alcohol and protect your face and lips in sunlight. Quit tobacco and eat a balanced diet. Learn the common symptoms of oral cancer and be aware of any changes to your oral health.

You have a better chance of surviving oral cancer the earlier you receive a diagnosis. Dentists are often very important in diagnosing oral cancers in patients, which is one reason why routine dental care is so essential to your total body health. You should visit the dentist at least twice a year to make sure he has adequate time to diagnose oral cancer. If you are at higher risk, your Ottawa dentist may want to see you more often than twice a year. Regular screenings ensure that we catch any cancer faster, which gives you more time for treatment and increases your chances of survival.

KANATA, ONTARIO- Nail biting is a common societal pet peeve, but your teeth are fed up with the habit, too. The frequent practice of nail-biting can inflict serious health and aesthetic issues on teeth and gums, not to mention fingernail mutilation. Dr. Bartos and Dr. Northcott from Orleans family dentistry practice Trillium Dental explain five reasons why it’s best to kick the nail-biting habit for good.

1. Nail biting can damage dental work and promote teeth movement. Your fingertip may appear to be harmless, but constant gnawing has been shown to shift teeth, cause gaps (known medically as Diastemas) and trigger root reabsorption. The curious phenomenon of root reabsorption occurs when a part of the tooth’s root becomes absorbed by the bone securing it. In short, refrain from nail-biting if you’d like to avoid another round of braces.

2. Nail biting can crack and chip teeth. Few things are more painful than a pulsating toothache, but that’s exactly what might happen if your teeth incur a fracture from biting a tough fingernail. Front teeth usually bear the nail biting brunt, but they aren’t engineered to withstand the constant chewing like molars. Because of this, noticeable chips and painful cracks commonly occur.

3. Nail biting puts gum tissue at risk. The mouth and hands are easily the most germ-concentrated areas of the body. When these are combined, it can make for a few nasty consequences, including gum infections. Sharp edges from chipped or pointy fingernails can slash gums, providing a gateway for an army of potentially dangerous bacteria. Be good to your gums – keep fingernails out of the mouth.

4. Nail biting can spike dental bills. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that nail biters pay $4,000 more in dental repairs than patients who don’t bite their nails. Enough said!

5. Nail biting can cause bad breath. Our hands are covered with germs, and nail biting ushers those germs inside the mouth. The assortment of oral bacteria, germs and residue from finger foods combine to brew an unpleasant taste. To ensure your breath stays fresh, brush the teeth and tongue twice daily, use an antibacterial mouthwash regularly and stop biting those nails.

Kicking any habit is tricky, but with a few simple tips and good old-fashioned determination, everyone can achieve their goals. For the ladies, try keeping finger nails polished and pretty. This will help by giving you a stylish reason to cease the destructive biting. Guys can pick up bitter tasting nail care products formulated for this purpose at many drug stores. If it’s the chewing sensation you crave, opt for a sugarless gum and keep it handy for when those urges set in.

Patients who have experienced damage to their teeth or gums as a result of habitual nail biting can rely on Kanata dentists Dr. Bartos and Dr. Northcott, who administer a range of general and cosmetic services at Trillium Dental’s five area locations. Popular services include Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, dental implants and porcelain veneers. Cracks and chips can also be corrected quickly and comfortably.