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Welcome back to the Trillium Dental blog! If you read part one of this blog series, you already know how regular dental cleanings can greatly reduce your risk of developing cavities, gingivitis, and moderate- to late-stage periodontal disease due to tartar buildup along the gum line. As it turns out, there are many other benefits of professional teeth cleanings, which we will continue to discuss throughout this post. Here are a couple more reasons why teeth cleanings are critical for good oral health.

EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT

During a professional dental cleaning, your dental hygienist will scope out your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissue for underlying issues that may not have been brought to your attention yet. The early signs of many oral health conditions, like developing cavities or mildly receding gums, tend to go unnoticed until your dentist takes a closer look during a hygiene visit. Other, more serious oral health conditions, such as jaw bone deterioration, are detected via X-rays, and it’s tools like these that allow dentists to discover the warning signs early-on.

As mentioned in our previous post, gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease, can be treated and even reversed if it is caught early enough by a dentist or dental hygienist. Given that gingivitis begins when something is irritating your gums (like plaque and tartar), the severity of gum disease is highly contingent on your oral hygiene habits and how often you visit the dentist for professional teeth cleanings. The same goes for cavities, bone deterioration, broken fillings, or any other oral health issue; early detection and treatment of these conditions greatly increases your chances of effectively remedying, or even reversing, the damage done to your gums and teeth.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

In addition to detecting oral health issues early on and providing the appropriate treatment, your dental hygienist will also take preventative measures to protect your teeth and gums. One of the most common preventative methods used today is the application of dental fluoride, which helps protect your teeth from cavities for the first few months between professional teeth cleanings. Here in Ottawa, this mineral is found in our water and food, which also gives us a small boost of oral protection. However, this is not nearly enough to rely on, and it is still highly recommended to have fluoride applied to your teeth by a dental hygienist during a hygiene visit.

Much like an annual doctor’s appointment, regular dental appointments also provide the opportunity for you to get professional advice about how to improve your oral hygiene habits moving forward. Whether this means adjusting to a more frequent flossing schedule or switching to a brand of toothpaste that better suits your needs, our dentists and dental hygienists at Trillium Dental are always happy to provide our insight and guidance.

We understand that prevention is far easier and less expensive than most treatments for oral health conditions, so feel free to ask us how you can better protect and care for your teeth and gums at home. Our dentists and dental hygienists are always available to help you and address any concerns you might have, as this could mean the difference between a dangerous, worsening oral health condition and early detection and treatment by a dentist you trust.

HAVE YOUR TEETH CLEANED AT TRILLIUM DENTAL

All things said and done, regular dental appointments are one of the best ways to protect your teeth in the long run. From removing tartar and reducing your risk of developing gum disease to providing preventative measures, early detection, and treatment for oral health conditions, there are many reasons why professional teeth cleanings are critical for good oral health. It all comes down to prioritizing the health of your mouth and entire body, and taking the steps necessary to ensure that you are receiving the proper dental care.

If it’s been a while since your last hygiene visit, or you think you may be experiencing issues with your teeth or gums, schedule an appointment with Trillium Dental in Ottawa today! Our dentists and dental hygienists would be happy to clean your teeth and provide you with all the resources you need to maintain your oral health.

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At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we strongly advocate for the importance of routine dental cleanings at your local dental office. Professional dental care is a major component of good oral health. We recommend that our patients visit us at least twice per year for a thorough teeth cleaning as well as staying up-to-date with dental X-rays. Our dentists and dental hygienists care about the oral health of our patients, so we put together a list of reasons why dental cleanings are important for your overall health in high hopes that you will continue with regular maintenance visits at one of our convenient locations. Here’s how it works!

PLAQUE AND TARTAR REMOVAL

Plaque is a sticky, bacteria-filled deposit that naturally builds up along your gum line as you eat, drink, and go about your daily life. Plaque and tartar have the potential to eat away at your tooth enamel and create cavities if it isn’t removed via regular brushing and flossing. Given that plaque is nearly invisible, even those with impeccable oral hygiene habits have a hard time eliminating all of it when they brush and floss their teeth. Over time, this plaque buildup turns to tartar — a calcified version that requires professional removal with the appropriate dental tools and techniques. This is where teeth cleanings at your dental office come in.

During a professional teeth cleaning, your dental hygienist will perform tooth scaling or use the Cavitron® to clean beneath your gums before moving on to polishing, flossing, and taking dental X-rays (if necessary). Tooth scaling is the process of using instruments (scalers) to gently scrape the plaque and tartar buildup from along your gum line. Since tartar removal requires the work of an experienced hygienist, it is critical that you schedule a dental cleaning at your dental office at least twice per year. This way there is a far less risk of developing cavities and suffering from other painful consequences of poor oral health.

REDUCED RISK OF GINGIVITIS AND GUM DISEASE

In addition to developing cavities as a result of plaque and tartar buildup, neglecting to have your teeth cleaned at your dental clinic twice per year also puts you at a greater risk of developing gingivitis and moderate- to late-stage gum disease. Persistent tartar buildup along the gum line is one of the main causes of gum disease. As the bacteria binds and hardens to your teeth, the surrounding gums can become inflamed and irritated. This can cause periodontal pockets below the gumline, where bacteria can grow and fester (creating deeper and more extensive pocketing and eventually lead to bone loss).

People with gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease, will notice their gums swelling, bleeding, and receding. Luckily, gingivitis can be preventable with good oral health practices at home and regular dental cleanings. In some cases, gingivitis can be reversed if treated soon enough by your dentist. If left unaddressed, however, gingivitis can evolve into more severe cases of periodontal disease; an oral condition that can lead to bone loss, gum recession and tooth extraction. When significant portions of tooth structure are compromised, decayed, or lost, crowns, dentures and implants are the best option for replacement. People who suffer from gum disease also put themselves at a higher risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and stroke than those who regularly have their teeth cleaned at the dentist, as bacteria can easily enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums.

To avoid developing gingivitis or periodontal disease, simply maintain good oral hygiene habits, like brushing and flossing at least twice per day, refraining from smoking cigarettes, and making sure to visit your dentist on a biannual basis for professional dental cleanings. Trust us — neglecting to schedule teeth cleanings at the dentist just isn’t worth the pain of gum disease or putting your life at risk.

SCHEDULE A TEETH CLEANING WITH TRILLIUM DENTAL

We hope this post has proven helpful for understanding why dental cleanings are important for good oral health, and that you will stay tuned for part two of this blog series in coming weeks. There are many other benefits of having your teeth professionally cleaned at the dentist, which we are eager to share with you. At Trillium Dental, your oral health is our highest priority, and we look forward to seeing you at our dental office for a routine teeth cleaning. If your pearly whites are in need of a professional cleaning, schedule an appointment with us today!

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Whether you are getting ready for an operation or trying to figure out why they are called wisdom teeth, today’s blog is here to help you explore what wisdom teeth are and how they can impact your life. Here at Trillium Dental, we offer a range of dental services for our clients, ranging from wisdom tooth removal (you’ll see what we mean below) to general check-ups, Invisalign treatment, teeth whitening, and more in general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry.

WHY ARE WISDOM TEETH CALLED WISDOM TEETH?

Sadly, the wisdom teeth don’t automatically increase your wisdom. The real answer to why this third set of molars is called wisdom teeth has been cracked by linguists. The name comes from the late appearance of these teeth in a person’s life. This third set of molars usually show up during a person’s late teenage years or early twenties. Since this is about the same time that a person reaches adulthood, they seem to mark the point of maturity when people are “wiser”.

MANY PEOPLE DON’T HAVE WISDOM TEETH

This might become a point of jealousy at some point, but wisdom tooth development is a genetic matter and not everyone carries the genes for them. For instance, indigenous Mexican peoples have a 100% rate of not having wisdom teeth, while almost all European or African peoples develop wisdom teeth. Scientists have identified the gene PAX9 plays a big role in the development of wisdom teeth.

WISDOM TEETH ARE KINDA USELESS

Anthropologists theorize that the third set of molars appear because of evolutionary traits from when our ancestors didn’t have fire and ate coarse foods raw like leaves, roots, nuts, and meats. These required another set to spread out the wear on the molars. Today, we have access to fire, good oral hygiene, and proper dental nutrition so we don’t have worry about this. They also have no real impact on your ability to eat, and sometimes don’t even come in right or fit correctly.

WISDOM TEETH CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS

Wisdom teeth can be terribly troublesome and cause a whole gambit of dental and periodontal issues. Even if your wisdom teeth have come in in a healthy manner without complications, it is still common that your emergency dentist will suggest they be removed to prevent later, more expensive issues. Some of the common issues that can occur with the growth of wisdom teeth include:

Pericoronitis: As the tooth erupts (or gets pushed through your gums), it causes discomfort and pain, as well as unpleasant tastes and swelling that can be a bother.

Tooth Decay: Because of how far back they are in your mouth giving them proper hygiene is often times difficult and results in a high rate of cavities, which can lead to Pulpitis where the bacteria from the cavities infect the dental pulp. If untreated, this can cause severe issues in the periodontal structures of the mouth, and limit the livelihood and health of the affected person.

Impaction: Wisdom teeth can become impacted and get stuck resulting in inflammation, pain and discomfort, and potentially dangerous infections. In fact, the impactions can become so severe that some wisdom teeth try to come in sideways where they can damage other teeth and even force them into other positions much like a reverse brace of Invisalign treatment. Even without the risk of infections, this causes severe disruptions to a person’s comfort and livelihood.

Cysts: While impacted wisdom teeth can have cysts form around them as part of an immune reaction that can cause damage to the nerves in your jaw cysts around the upper set of wisdom teeth can cause sinus issues as it pushes into the cavities, including congestion, pain, and pressure.

NOT EVERYONE NEEDS THEIR WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTED

Sometimes extracting them wouldn’t be the best option even if it’s impacted. Though they are commonly removed, sometimes complications can occur where removal can cause potential nerve damage. In all cases, wisdom teeth are important to have checked out by your dentist to figure out what the best option is. Some cases may be referred to an oral surgeon for proper treatment and removal.

We hope that this blog has helped you understand a little bit about the nature of wisdom teeth and how they can affect your health. Here at Trillium Dental, we want to make sure that your health and wellness comes above all else. If you are in the Ottawa area, we provide high-quality and professional dental care from Invisalign treatment to teeth whitening, general checkups, and much more. Contact us today to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Common Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Wisdom tooth extraction is extremely common, especially for young adults. Most people develop their third molars between ages 17 and 25, and many experience problems like pain, crowding, or impaction that require removal.

Why are wisdom teeth called wisdom teeth?

They are named after the age at which they appear — late teens to early twenties — a time traditionally associated with gaining wisdom.

Does everyone have wisdom teeth?

No. An estimated 5–37% of people are missing at least one wisdom tooth due to genetic factors. Some people have none at all.

Why do wisdom teeth come in so late?

Our jaws don’t fully develop until our late teens, which is around the same time wisdom teeth are genetically programmed to erupt.

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We all want to have pristine teeth and gums. It’s a key to good health and as we at Trillium Dental say, “Your mouth says it all!” As dentists and dental professionals, we know that a healthy mouth is a gateway to confidence, better overall health, and a better relationship with your world. More so, we strive to help you keep your mouth healthy inside and outside of our dental offices. We’ve already talked about what foods are best for your dental health and which nutrients are key for good oral health and why. In today’s blog, we will be talking about the worst types of food for your teeth and why they are detrimental to your oral health.

Trillium Dental offers a range of quality, professional dental services in Ottawa including InvisalignⓇ therapy, teeth whitening, and other general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Contact us today to learn more, or for an appointment.

SUGARY FOODS

We’ve been told since we were little that sugary foods are terrible for our teeth, but never exactly why. In a sterile environment, sugar would hardly affect your dental health. But instead, there is a range of bacteria that feed on sugars and then excrete acids as a by-product. These bacteria are so common and resilient that there really isn’t a good way to manage them besides good oral hygiene and not feeding them. The acids that they excrete dissolve the enamel of your teeth and create cavities.

To help prevent the effects of sugary foods on your dental health, drinking water after eating to flush harmful bacteria out is important. In addition, brushing your teeth even after meals to ensure that you have rid your mouth of leftover sugar is important.

STARCHY FOODS AND SIMPLE CARBOHYDRATES

Not only do carbohydrates cause a range of different health concerns, but they also have a similar effect on dental health as sugars as both sugar and carbohydrates break down into triglycerides that the bacteria process and excrete as an acid. Many of the starchiest of foods can easily get stuck between teeth and in tooth ridges causing prolonged damage to the teeth.

STICKY OR CHEWY FOODS

Although there is certainly crossover between these food types, presenting each of these as a separate food category helps us all remember that even among sugars and carbohydrates some are worse than others. Food that sticks in your tooth ridges or between them is a dentist’s nightmare as they leave pockets of food for bacteria to eat and churn out acids that erode and damage your enamel. If you do eat anything sticky that leaves food stuck between your teeth, make sure that you brush out the major deposits and floss between your teeth to remove hidden pockets.

ABSORBENT FOODS

One of the least known bits of oral health trivia is that your saliva is one of the best defenses against oral health issues and damaging bacteria. Saliva helps to wash away bad bacteria, plaque, and to restore key minerals to your tooth enamel. Saliva also helps prevent food from getting stuck to your teeth and acting as a long-term food source for bacteria. Avoiding dehydrating food and beverages, or practicing proper hydration during and after consumption of dehydrating food and drink is important.

HARD FOODS

Like we pointed out in our previous blog, the enamel is hard. In fact, it’s the hardest part of the human body. However, chewing on excessively hard foods can erode the enamel and expose it to further damage from acid creating bacteria. Some of the more common hard foods that erode teeth are ice, hard candies, and uncooked popcorn seeds.

If your diet doesn’t reinforce your enamel or provide the nutrients needed to rebuild enamel, your teeth can weaken and end up breaking on substances softer than ice or hard candy.

We hope that this blog has helped you take a look at the types of food that are the most damaging to your dental and overall health. Remember that the health of your mouth says a lot about the health of the person. That is why at Trillium Dental, we say, “Your mouth says it all.” If you are looking for high-quality, professional dental care in Ottawa, we have several dental offices throughout the city. Contact us to schedule a checkup, teeth whitening, or any other range of dental practices.