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STITTSVILLE AND OTTAWA, ONTARIO – The Stittsville dentistry team at Trillium Dental knows how important it is to treat signs of gum disease early. Gum disease is detrimental to your tooth and gum health, and it can cost you permanent teeth if left untreated. At every regular teeth cleaning, our Stittsville and Ottawa dental teams screen patients for gum disease. In its early stages, it can be eradicated.

Here are the top 10 reasons to treat gum disease:

1. To Avoid Tooth Loss

Gum disease is the main cause of adult tooth loss. Tooth loss is harmful to your bite, your bone health and your self-esteem. If you treat gum disease early enough, you can thwart tooth loss and protect your smile.

2. To Avoid Gum Recession

Gum disease often causes your gums to pull away from your teeth. The recession forms pockets where bacteria gathers and grows. Treat gum disease and keep your gums healthy, strong and prominent.

3. To Reduce Hospital Visits

Gum disease, especially in advanced stages, can cause severe pain, which may lead you to visit the emergency room more often. Studies show that treating gum disease lowers your ER visits and medical costs.

4. To Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Gum disease has been linked to respiratory disease, diabetes and even some types of cancer. It has also been heavily linked to heart disease. Untreated gum disease can heighten your risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.

5. To Avoid Bone Deterioration

Severe gum disease causes tooth loss, and tooth loss causes the jawbone to deteriorate. The bone will weaken when the tooth it supports is lost. The deterioration can spread out and weaken other parts of your jaw.

6. To Preserve Your Bite

Losing one or more teeth to gum disease can be avoided. When you lose a tooth, your bite changes. Your teeth may fit together differently, and you may have trouble chewing food. You could even experience migraines or TMJ problems from a destabilized bite.

7. To Keep Your Gums Healthy

Your gums are the foundation of your smile. Healthy teeth come from healthy gums, and strong gums will hold your teeth firmly in place. Healthy gums don’t bleed, don’t recede and don’t cause you pain.

8. To Control the Infection

Gum disease is simply an infection. Bacteria and plaque have caused gum recession and maybe even tooth loss. The infection, if left untreated, could even spread to your bloodstream. You should treat gum disease to control and remove the infection from your body.

9. To Avoid Loosened Teeth

Before a tooth is lost completely, it will grow loose. A loose permanent tooth will feel much like a loose baby tooth, except this is a tooth you’re supposed to keep forever. Treating gum disease will strengthen your gums and strengthen their bonds with your teeth.

10. To Reduce Associated Pain and Discomfort

Gum disease often causes bleeding, tender gums. You may not brush and floss regularly because of the pain, or you may avoid eating when the pain is intense. Treating gum disease will reduce your pain and restore your gums to their previous good health.

Among the most desired facial aesthetics is a dazzling white smile, but obtaining a glowing grin is trickier than some may think. As coffee guzzlers know well, the regular consumption of almost every dark colored beverage and select foods can easily stain teeth. Aging also plays a factor, as the protective layers of the enamel wear away with time. The most effective way to oust noticeable staining is to undergo professional whitening treatments, but surprisingly simple methods exist to maintain a pearly smile in between in-office touch ups. Even better, many of these whitening tips include indulging in your favorite snacks.

Lemons

When life gives you lemons, make lemon mouthwash. As many blondes know, the supposed brightening powers of lemons are legitimate. This juicy remedy for lightening hair also works for whitening teeth! Harnessing the natural acidic bleaching power of lemons is an excellent way to improve a yellowing smile. Mix lemon juice with water and rinse, but don’t do this more than twice a week. Too much acidity can harm teeth and gums.

Apples & Carrots

As far-fetched as it may seem, the saliva producing agents in apples and carrots help to wash away bacteria and plaque that stain teeth and negatively impact oral hygiene. Because these foods are loaded with nutrients, they also give teeth and gums a healthy dose of fortifying vitamin C.

Dairy

Just as many fruits and vegetables benefit the overall health of the smile, dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt provide a similar effect. The lactic acid and calcium found in dairy strengthens the enamel, which shields against staining and the accumulation of decay inducing bacteria.

Strawberries

Strawberries are full of malic acid, the same ingredient included in many over the counter whitening toothpastes and strips. Additionally, the fiber-rich fruit can do double-time as a delicious snack and natural mouth cleanser. Try mashing the fruit and leaving it on teeth for about a minute.

Hydrogen Peroxide

The oxidizing components of this antiseptic can brighten teeth with just a few swishes a month. Proven to be a major defense on the war against yellowing, hydrogen peroxide prevents the development of stain and bad breathe spawning bacteria. When safely using as a mouth wash, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. For optimal results, let the tingling action after spitting continue for roughly one minute, then rinse with water.

Baking Soda

Well-established as a reliable form of at-home whitening for years, the use of this acid- neutralizing household item is a fantastic way to gently scrub stains and cemented plaque from the enamel. Baking soda’s abrasive properties are perfect to mix with toothpaste every morning for a fresh, clean start.

Commercial Whiteners

Lastly, commercial whitening products such as toothpastes and strips also do a commendable job of removing stains. While techniques administered by dentists such as Zoom! achieve the best results, over the counter products can afford buyers with a mild teeth whitening experience or touch-up. For example, many commercial strips lighten up to three shades, but a handful of professional methods leave patient’s teeth up to 10 shades lighter

OTTAWA, ONTARIO- Need more inspiration to brush and floss regularly? How about this – researchers at the University of Lancashire in the UK have unearthed convincing evidence linking poor oral health to Alzheimer’s disease. The latest study exploring the dramatic health ramifications of dental hygiene adds to a growing body of research suggesting the significance of adequate tooth care.

While examining brain samples from patients who suffered from dementia, researchers stumbled across the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis. This unpleasant bacterium is typically associated with periodontitis and cavities. Brain samples from healthy patients did not show signs of P. gingivalis. When entered into the bloodstream, the bacterium can potentially reach the brain on a frequent basis, inducing common dementia symptoms like confusion and memory loss.

Lengthy titles aside, what do these findings mean for the average dental patient? P. gingivalis can be found in the mouths of patients with gum disease and tooth decay and enters into the bloodstream through daily chewing and eating. However, this research is not suggesting that every kid with a cavity is destined to develop dementia. The study simply implies that the bacteria spawned from years of poor oral health can potentially trigger serious general health issues down the line, including Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Now is the time to take a step toward achieving good dental hygiene. The general and cosmetic dentists at Nepean family dentistry Trillium Dental rely on years of extensive training, experience and advanced technology to give patients a dazzling, healthy smile. Adequate at-home dental care is an important part of oral hygiene, but receiving professional preventative care every three to six months is vital to stop the spread of harmful plaque and bacteria. To learn more about how to schedule regular cleanings, cavity removal, periodontal care and teeth whitening in Ottawa or Trillium’s other nearby locations, give us a call today or visit our website.

NEPEAN, ONTARIO- Odds are you were chastised by your school teacher for smacking gum in the classroom a time or two. Despite years of negative association, chewing gum can provide a few awesome benefits for teeth. The team of professionals at dentistry practice Trillium Dental in Nepean explains how chewing your favorite gum can provide more oral health advantages than minty fresh breath.

Teachers may not approve of gum, but dentists sure do. Perhaps its biggest bonus, sugar-free gum (emphasis on sugar-free) increases saliva flow in the mouth. Studies show that in the first few minutes of chewing, the flow rate increases by 10 times! More spit may not seem like a huge benefit, but saliva is responsible for rinsing away dangerous bacteria, neutralizing lingering acids from food and drink and facilitating the remineralization process. Remineralization is vital to fortifying the tooth’s protective enamel layer and preventing decay.

Saliva production isn’t the only reason why dental professionals recommend chewing gum for 20 minutes after meals. The chewing action helps to loosen sticky plaque that can lead to cavities and staining, in addition to killing the germs that cause unpleasant breath. Gum can also stimulate blood flow in the gums, boosting periodontal health and reducing the chances of gingivitis.

There is one caveat, however. Sugary gums can still supply some dental health perks, but the sugar attack outweighs any benefits. Be sure to stick with sugar-free varieties. A common ingredient in sugar free gums is xylitol. This natural sweetener extracted from fibrous plants helps to keep a neutral pH level in the mouth and inhibits bacteria from sticking to teeth. The extent of xylitol’s impact on dental health is hotly debated, but it is certainly the smarter choice over normal sugar.

The dentists at Trillium Dental can answer any questions regarding what products are best for teeth and gums. As a trusted provider of general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry in the Ottawa and Kanata area, Trillium can remedy a variety of dental issues and provide proven solutions like Invisalign, dental implants and porcelain veneers. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.

ORLEANS, ONTARIO – Think indulging in sugary candies, smoking and guzzling red wine are the only ways to harm teeth? Think again. While it’s true that teeth are among the toughest structures in the body, they’re also incredibly sensitive to a number of activities we often do daily. Orleans family dentistry practice Trillium Dental lists five surprising ways patients harm their teeth without even knowing.

Swimming.

We often discuss water’s benefits for teeth, but H20 that’s loaded with chlorine and other chemicals fails to receive our approval. Pool chemicals are often linked to enamel damage. Observations from the American Journal of Dentistry and The Journal of the Canadian Dental Association state that swimming in a pool brimming with chlorine for about 2 months triggers rapid enamel erosion and sensitivity. When taking a dip in the pool, only immerse your smile under water when necessary. Be sure to keep your mouth shut tight if doing so.

Whitening Toothpaste. 

So, how could toothpaste possibly be detrimental to teeth? When it’s engineered to scratch at the tooth’s surface. Whitening toothpastes do their job thanks to small particles that scrape stains off the protective enamel layer. Unfortunately, the enamel can fall victim to the abrasiveness. Damaged enamel leaves teeth susceptible to cavities, advanced decay and sensitivity. If you must use whitening toothpaste, opt for a gentle variety and don’t use it every time you brush.

Dried Fruits. 

As healthy of a snack as dried fruit appears to be, the sticky-sweet consistency can wreak havoc on teeth. Dried fruits are the safer choice over gummy, processed fruit snacks, but its sugars still promote bacteria growth, which leads to enamel erosion and decay. If you need a fruity fix, reach for an apple! Apples are rich in tooth-fortifying minerals.

Coffee. 

We all know that coffee stains teeth. What coffee addicts may not realize, however, is that this pick-me-up also transforms a smile into a plaque magnet. Heavy staining makes teeth increasingly sticky, allowing an assortment of bacteria to get a good grip. If you’re a coffee guzzler and would like to avoid the need for porcelain veneers or dental implants in the future, be sure to implement a proper oral hygiene routine of brushing, flossing and mouth rinse to combat the added stickiness.

Brushing. 

Yes, you read correctly. When poorly timed or done aggressively, even brushing teeth can prove harmful to teeth. Emergency Dental professionals typically encourage their patients to brush following a meal, but they leave out one important stipulation. Since acids from consumed foods weaken the enamel, brushing immediately after a meal can scrub away more than just plaque. To achieve a healthy smile while keeping the enamel intact, wait about an hour after eating to brush.

KANATA, ONTARIO- Achieving superb dental health may not be the primary reason patients seek orthodontic treatment but is one major benefit. October is National Orthodontic Health Month in Canada and the United States, and Kanata dentistry practice Trillium Dental is informing patients how orthodontics can improve the health of their smile.

Think of your smile as a net. When teeth are crooked and crowded, food particles easily become trapped. Misaligned teeth that lean in or jut out can also make plaque difficult to spot in the mirror. Because of this, patients in need of orthodontic care often struggle to maintain a clean smile with routine brushing and flossing practices. When teeth are straight and smooth, however, identifying and removing wedged food particles is much easier.

The benefits of orthodontic care don’t end at a simple dental hygiene routine. When the top and bottom rows of teeth are aligned, the bite becomes more natural and comfortable. Teeth that have shifted out of alignment place added strain on the jaw. This can trigger painful consequences, like Bruxism (teeth grinding) and TMJ disorders. Also, patients with a straight smile have a decreased risk of developing gum disease, since there are no gaps that leave tissue susceptible to irritation and gums fits snugly on straight teeth.

At Trillium Dental, patients in need of orthodontic care can achieve a healthy, straight smile with Invisalign. This incredible treatment offers an efficient and discreet aligning experience. A series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners is used to accelerate the straightening process. Every two weeks, the aligner is swapped for a new mold that reflects the desired movement in the teeth. Every patient has a unique smile anatomy that requires personalized attention, but the average duration of treatment is only one year!

The primary concern of most young children is when they can get their hands on the next chocolate chip cookie or lollipop. Needless to say, implementing a proper dental hygiene is not on a child’s priority list.

It should be on the parent’s list, however.

A clean smile is essential for people of all ages, including babies and toddlers. The mouth is the ideal environment for bacteria growth. It’s important that a consistent routine of brushing and flossing be performed, especially since the typical kid diet includes an abundance of sugary drinks and sweets. This reality means that children are increasingly susceptible to cavities and more severe forms of decay.

Kids commonly battle their parents after being told to brush their teeth. No matter how difficult the child is, parents must stand firm in their fight to teach children good dental hygiene habits. We understand that this task is easier said than enforced, so we at Trillium Dental have assembled a few helpful tips to make the process easier.

1. Begin early. Prior to the first baby tooth sprouting at six or seven months, softly wipe the gums down with a damp cloth after the baby eats or drinks. However, dental care should start once a tooth is present. Take your baby to visit the dentist and gently brush whatever teeth have grown in. Getting in a good routine early will make things easier once he or she hits the rebellious toddler years.

2. Make brushing entertaining. Kids don’t like boring. Liven up their dental hygiene routine by playing music, including a friend or stuffed animal or composing your very own tooth brushing song. By making dental hygiene fun, kids will be eager to pick up their brush and scrub away.

3. Offer a reward. Parents realize the reward of brushing and flossing is a healthy and beautiful smile, but that prize isn’t going to cut it for a small child. Keep track of every good tooth brushing session with a colorful poster and stickers in your child’s bathroom. Once he or she earns a certain number of stickers, reward them however you’d like. Avoid treating them with sugary candies, though.

4. Let your child pick the supplies. Toddlers are fiercely independent (or so they think), so let them make their own decision when selecting a toothbrush and toothpaste. When a child knows that they made their own decision, it’s exciting. He or she will likely be eager to show you that they can brush on their own.

5. Make it a family affair. Show your child that you’re excited about brushing and flossing by including other family members. Not only does this make things more exciting for the child, but it sets a great example.

6. Don’t give up! Be consistent. Brush your teeth after every meal, and let your child know that you’re doing so. By setting a consistent routine, kids will know what to expect. If he or she fights back, keep trying. Don’t give up on your child or their dental health.

If you’re looking for a family dentist in the Ottawa area, contact Trillium Dental.

You already know that brushing and flossing is important for your smile. But did you also know that what happens to your smile can have a significant impact on the rest of your body as well?

Recent studies have shown that many serious health problems can be tied to gum disease. Among the biggest are:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Preterm and low birth deliveries
• Alzheimer’s Disease

While the specific relationship between gum disease and each of these health problems isn’t entirely understood yet, doctors and scientists do understand the basic relationship. And it all goes back to how gum disease changes your smile.

HOW GUM DISEASE CAN AFFECT YOUR HEALTH

Gum disease is caused by bacteria and plaque, which create pockets between your teeth and gums. These pockets act like doorways, letting bacteria and plaque into your bloodstream, and from there into other parts of your body.

At this point, you could almost think of your bloodstream as something like a mass transit system for trouble. This is particularly the case when it comes to heart disease. Just as bacteria and plaque create pockets in your gums by irritating your soft tissue, so they can also irritate your arterial wall, stimulating the production of protective plaque.

As this plaque builds up, it starts to act like a dam for blood flow. If enough of it accumulates, you just might find yourself on a collision course with a myocardial infarction—better known as a heart attack.

The relationship between gum disease and other health problems like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and preterm birth may be more mysterious, but mounting evidence suggest that a relationship does indeed exists.

Trillium Dental can help, though, and in our next post, we’ll talk about what exactly we’re doing to revitalize smiles and protect our patients’ overall health.

EFFECTIVE OPTIONS FOR TREATING GUM DISEASE

Gum disease can affect more than just your smile. It can also put you at greater risk for a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and preterm and low birth deliveries.

But with regular dental visits to Trillium Dental and a commitment to brushing and flossing, you can help protect your smile and the rest of your body from gum disease and the threat it poses.

If you already have gum disease, though, simply spending more time at the bathroom sink may not be enough. That’s why Trillium Dental offers a range of services to help patients restore and revitalize their smiles.

Our periodontal services include:

• Root planning
• Gingival grafts
• Gingivectomies
• Crown lengthening

And because many of these treatments utilize our soft-tissue laser, they can be done with greater precision and comfort for our patients than ever before, leaving behind a healthier smile and helping to improve your body’s overall health.

You can find out more about any one of our periodontal services such as dental implants and teeth whitening by visiting our website or by scheduling a consultation visit with one of our doctors.

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KANATA AND OTTAWA, ONTARIO-April is National Oral Health Month in Canada and Dr. David Bartos, Dr. Mark Northcott and the Trillium Dental team stress the importance ofs regular screenings in honor of it.

Our dentists provide oral cancer screenings during each regular office visit to ensure your mouth is safe from quiet killers. The American Dental Association suggests two visits to your dentist per year, and these regular checkups are frequent enough to catch potential problems at an early stage.

While many of our patients enjoy teeth whitening, regular teeth cleanings and Invisalign from our Ottawa cosmetic dentists, our greatest concern is making sure that your mouth is healthy and strong. We inspect your teeth, gums and jaw carefully, and we take the time to discuss your oral health plan with you. Our goal is to provide long-term dental health to our patients. Our doctors excel in cosmetic dentistry, restorative, sedation and family dentistry.

More than 36,500 patients are diagnosed with oral cancer annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The five-year survival rate for these cancers is only about 50 percent,” the CDC says, and the earlier the cancer is detected, the higher the survival rate. In Canada, around 3,200 new oral cancer cases spring up, and more than 1,000 sufferers die of oral cancer every year.

U.S. residents can sift through events for April and beyond, including awareness walks, educational seminars, and oral cancer screenings. The Oral Cancer Foundation’s calendar lists events across the country, and you can even add your own event to the list. Americans recognize April as Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

If you’re concerned that you could have early signs of oral cancer, call our friendly Trillium Dental staff to set up an appointment today. Here, our oral cancer screenings aren’t limited to just one month.

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KANATA, ONTARIO- The established repercussions of gum disease are already gruesome, but things just got a bit nastier. According to a recent study, the bacterium found to induce gum disease is also capable of destroying the jaw bone. Interestingly, this bacterium wreaks its havoc not by damaging the jaw bone directly, but rather by enlisting atypically protective protein to do its dirty work.

The research conducted by the University of Michigan also revealed the specific bacterium responsible for gum disease. Dubbed NI1060, this bacterium turns the normally beneficial protein Nod1 traitorous, triggering destructive cells to deteriorate the jawbone. Once weakened, a damaged jaw can alter facial aesthetics and induce tooth loss, among other health conditions. Further studies are needed to explain the phenomenon, but one clear conclusion can be established- the effects of gum disease can prove devastating.

It’s not important for patients of Trillium Dental, cosmetic dentistry in Stittsville, to be well versed in scientific jargon or current with medical advances, but this news means gum disease prevention should be made a priority. Along with jaw bone deterioration, infection, inflammation, and bleeding, periodontitis (gum disease) may also cause more serious cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and even pancreatic cancer. Additionally, links to gum disease and early labor in pregnant woman have been uncovered.

The best defense against periodontal issues is through simple dental care. Destructive bacteria are spawned from accumulated plaque, so thorough brushing and flossing and the consistent use of antibacterial mouth rinse is key to keeping gums healthy and sparkling. Regular professional cleanings are also vital to remove cemented plaque in hard to reach areas of the mouth.

To help shield patient’s smiles from gum disease, Orleans dentists Dr. Bartos and Dr. Northcott offer detailed cleanings such as teeth whitening and advanced periodontal services. Laser treatments are sometimes used to rid the gums of deeply set bacteria, among other cutting-edge treatments. Trillium Dental offers oral and IV sedation to ensure a more pleasant experience when treating gum conditions. Contact Trillium Dental today to learn more about the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.