Archive

Lots of people think that flossing once per day is enough to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease. However, how you floss matters just as much as how often you floss. At Trillium Dental, our dentists and dental hygienists want to make sure that our patients are prioritizing their gum health, and we’re here to teach you how to floss correctly.

FLOSS BEFORE YOU BRUSH

As family dentists, we often get asked whether it’s better to floss before or after you brush your teeth. While there is no set rule, our dentists recommend flossing before you brush your teeth. This allows you to remove any food particles that have gotten lodged between your teeth before you brush, in addition to any plaque buildup between the teeth and along the gum line. Then, when you brush your teeth, the toothpaste can find its way into these crevices more easily, helping to remove any remaining plaque and bacteria.

FLOSS FROM SIDE TO SIDE, NOT UP AND DOWN

Often, people think of flossing as a quick up-and-down movement, when in reality, they should be flossing with a side-to-side motion as they slide the floss between their teeth. In order to effectively get rid of the food particles and bacteria wedged between your teeth, you’ll need to work the floss around the base of each tooth. To start, gently move the floss back and forth to slide it between two teeth, then use a side-to-side motion to work the floss around the gumline. Then, move the floss back up using the same side-to-side motion, leaving the space clear of food and plaque.

USE CLEAN SECTIONS OF FLOSS

It’s important to start with a fresh section of floss when you move between the teeth so you aren’t shoving more food and plaque in each crevice. An easy way to do this is by wrapping the floss around one finger on each hand, then unraveling new sections as you floss. You’ll likely end up using a foot or more of floss to do a thorough job, so there’s no need to skimp!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE OF FLOSS

There are many types of floss to choose from these days, including unwaxed floss, woven floss, shred-resistant floss, and electric flossers. All of these options work just fine; however, they all come with pros and cons. Unwaxed and woven floss are great at removing plaque, but they are more prone to tearing than shred-resistant floss. Electric flossers are by far the most effective at removing plaque, and they’re more fun to use, making it easier for you to make flossing part of your daily oral hygiene routine. If you’re the type of person that always forgets to floss, or your gums bleed when you do, you might want to consider an electric flosser (like a water flosser) so flossing isn’t as much of a chore.

BOOK YOUR NEXT TEETH CLEANING WITH TRILLIUM DENTAL

At Trillium Dental, we believe that proper flossing is one of the best ways to avoid developing symptoms of gum disease. If you have swollen gums, or your gums bleed when you floss, this may be a sign of gingivitis. But don’t worry — we can help! Schedule an appointment at one of our Ottawa dental clinics today to have your teeth professionally cleaned. Our dentists would be happy to discuss our gum disease treatments with you.

[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=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Many people suffer from a condition called TMJ disorder, which causes popping, stiffness, and/or pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints. TMJ disorder, or TMD, can be a real nuisance, making it difficult to open and close your mouth, speak, and chew. If you are experiencing jaw pain or have a popping jaw, our dentists highly recommend trying TMJ therapy to set things straight.

There are many causes of TMJ dysfunction, including facial injuries, jawbone deterioration, arthritis, tooth grinding, tooth clenching, stress, muscle tension, and dentures, as well as nervous habits, like chewing your cheeks, biting your lips, or biting your nails. Most often, TMJ disorders are temporary, and they can usually be corrected if the disks that connect the temporomandibular joints to the jawbone have not slipped to the point of deterioration.

At Trillium Dental, we offer TMJ treatments for patients who are suffering from jaw pain or a popping, clicking jaw as the result of a TMD. Our dentists have years of experience treating TMJ disorders, and we are confident that we can provide relief and help realign your jaw into its proper position. Here’s what you need to know about our TMJ treatments:

PROVIDES PAIN RELIEF

Our TMJ treatments use a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator) unit, which relaxes the jaw to provide relief for painful symptoms. Often, people with TMJ disorders endure painful symptoms, like jaw pain, headaches, and jaw popping and cracking. When you visit our local dental clinic for your TMJ treatment, we’ll relax your jaw to relieve these symptoms and drain the lactic acid from the facial muscles. Then, we’ll be able to determine the condition, disease, or temporary issue that is causing your jaw to pop or become stiff and painful, so we can form a plan to address it.

REALIGNS THE JAW

When your jaw is relaxed, our dentists will be able to determine your correct jaw position and create a custom orthotic to adjust your jaw into its ideal alignment. We’ll take measurements of your mouth with our Myotronics K7 system, which will help us determine what specific corrections need to be made. Once we’ve created your mouth guard, you can begin retraining your jaw in accordance with the ideal bite (occlusion) and correct your misaligned jaw over time.

A LASTING SOLUTION

Part of what differentiates our TMJ treatments from those offered by other family dental clinics in Ottawa is that we offer a lasting solution to your painful, popping jaw. Rather than simply massaging the area and giving you advice about how to nurse your jaw back to health at home, we do the work for you by relaxing your jaw and taking steps to correct your TMJ disorder. Many patients have been able to overcome their TMDs with our TENS unit and custom mouth guards, and you can, too.

TRY OUR TMJ TREATMENTS IN OTTAWA

At this point, you might be wondering if TMJ therapy is right for you. Unfortunately, we won’t know for sure until you visit one of our dental offices in Ottawa for a consultation with one of our family dentists. Though we won’t be able to correct every TMJ disorder (slipped disks and extreme jaw deterioration are a different story), we would be more than happy to assess your situation and determine whether or not you’d be a good candidate for TMJ treatment.

At Trillium Dental, we have found the most success treating TMJ disorders in patients with misaligned jaws. If you are wondering whether or not TMJ therapy is right for you, consider these signs of a misaligned jaw:

• Headaches and/or migraines
• Pain in the jaw, neck, and/or face
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• Difficulty chewing and/or speaking
• Facial spasms
• Toothaches
• Lockjaw and/or jaw popping
• Ringing ears and/and earaches
• Numb, tingling fingertips

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s worth visiting your local dentist and inquiring about different TMJ treatments. In the meantime, you can relieve any painful symptoms by taking an anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, and massaging the area. Warm and cold compresses are also beneficial, as alternating warm and cold packs helps to increase blood flow to the area. Also try to refrain from overextending when you open your mouth, as this can result in lockjaw.

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

[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″]

If you break a sweat at the thought of having your teeth cleaned, you certainly aren’t alone. Many people struggle with dental fears and phobias, and oftentimes, the anxiety people experience when they think about the dentist is enough to keep them from receiving the dental care they need. If this sounds like you, don’t worry — there are many options available to help ease your anxiety when you go to the dentist.

At Trillium Dental, we pride ourselves on maintaining eight comfortable dental clinics throughout Ottawa, including dental offices in Downtown Ottawa, Alta Vista, Kanata, Orleans, Stittsville, Stittsville West, and at the Bayshore and Westgate Malls. Our dentists and dental hygienists understand that having dental work done isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and we are pleased to offer several sedation dentistry options to make your dental appointment more relaxing. Contact us today to learn about our sleep dentistry options, or continue reading to learn how dental sedation can ease your anxiety in the dentist’s chair.

TAKES THE EDGE OFF

Dental sedation is great for patients with anxiety and dental phobias because it takes the edge off, allowing patients to relax through their teeth cleaning, root canal, or other dental treatment. If you can barely get yourself in the door of your local dental clinic without having a panic attack, you’ll be happy to know that we can help ease your nerves via IV sedation, oral sedation, or nitrous oxide.

Both IV sedation and oral sedation allow patients to slip into a deeply sedated state so that they do not feel any pain or anxiety during their dental appointment. Commonly referred to as “sleep dentistry,” these forms of dental sedation are great for patients who have severe dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or a very low pain tolerance. Though patients are not unconscious, they will be unable to drive home from their appointment, so be sure to arrange for a ride to and from our family dental clinic if you opt for either of these dental sedation options.

On the other hand, nitrous oxide is a light sedative that helps patients relax without rendering them unable to drive. Also known as “laughing gas,” this type of dental sedation is inhaled through the nose, providing instant relief for nerves, fear, and anxiety. Many patients can benefit from nitrous oxide during their dental appointments, even if they have a mild fear of the dentist. Our goal is to provide you with an enjoyable dental checkup, and if nitrous oxide would make you feel more comfortable during your teeth cleaning, just let us know.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

MAKES THE APPOINTMENT EASIER

In addition to taking the edge off, dental sedation also makes teeth cleaning and other dental treatments easier. With less fear and resistance from patients, our dentists and dental hygienists are able to do their jobs more efficiently, so you can get in and out of our dental office as quickly as possible. We’re here to provide the best dental care possible, and often, dental sedation allows us to get through teeth cleanings, dental x-rays, and oral cancer screenings with minimal hang-ups.

Given that people with dental fears and phobias tend to avoid visiting their local dental clinic for routine teeth cleanings, many of them require more thorough teeth cleanings when they do. Not only does this mean longer dental appointments, but it can also lead to patients being more stressed out during their visit. With the use of sedation, our dentists are able to relax these patients so they can get a thorough teeth cleaning and oral exam when they visit our family dental clinic. This way, we can get you in and out as quickly as possible while still providing a comprehensive dental exam, whether that consists of a basic teeth cleaning, cavity fillings, or a gingivitis treatment.

TRY SLEEP DENTISTRY AT ONE OF OUR DENTAL CLINICS IN OTTAWA

Now that you know how sleep dentistry can ease your anxiety and dental phobias, there is no reason to keep putting off your next dental appointment. Contact our team at Trillium Dental in Ottawa to learn more about our dental sedation options, or book an appointment at one of our Ottawa dental clinics today!

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

For some dental patients, adjusting to Invisalign isn’t easy. After all, you’ve just committed to wearing a set of clear plastic retainers in your mouth 22 hours per day for at least 15 weeks. While Invisalign is largely favored over other teeth straightening methods like traditional braces, the trays can still be uncomfortable for some people. At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, our dentists do everything they can to ensure that our patients have a positive experience with their clear braces. Here are a few tips to help you adjust to Invisalign!

TAKE AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION

Though adjusting to new Invisalign trays usually isn’t as uncomfortable as having your braces tightened, it can still cause discomfort for some patients. When you begin your Invisalign treatment, you’ll receive a set of clear aligner trays to begin with, then you’ll switch to the next set in the progression every two weeks moving forward. This will take a little getting used to; however, most tooth achiness usually occurs within the first 24 hours of switching retainers.

If you experience achiness when you switch out your “invisible braces,” anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), can help. Taking an anti-inflammatory an hour or so before you switch out your Invisalign trays will reduce soreness for the time being, allowing your mouth to adjust to the new Invisalign tray. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle (do not exceed 6 ibuprofen tablets in 24 hours), and make sure you eat something when you take anti-inflammatory medications.

SWITCH YOUR RETAINERS AT NIGHT

Another handy trick to keep in mind is switching your Invisalign® retainers at night, ideally an hour or so after you’ve taken an anti-inflammatory.This gives your teeth a chance to adjust into the tightness of the new retainers while you sleep, so you don’t feel any soreness throughout the night. If you wake up with some discomfort, simply take another anti-inflammatory with your morning breakfast to ease the pain as you start your day.

Switching your retainers at night also allows your body to take a break from the anti-inflammatory medications, which aren’t great for your liver if they are used on a regular basis. When you switch your clear braces during the day, you’ll experience more discomfort than you do when you sleep, so you might be tempted to take anti-inflammatory meds all day long. Instead, wait until your last meal of the day to take an anti-inflammatory, and you might not need to take another one the next day.

WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

In addition to switching your retainers at night and taking anti-inflammatory medications as needed, you might want to watch what you eat for the first 24 hours or so after you put in your new Invisalign trays. Try to avoid hard, crunchy foods if your teeth are sore, and opt for oatmeal, apple sauce, yogurt, pasta, and other soft foods instead. An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but it’s certainly not the best thing for sensitive teeth!

It is important to note that you should never wear your Invisalign retainers when you eat, and that you should brush your teeth thoroughly before putting them back in, if possible. One of the main benefits of “invisible braces” is that you can take them out when you eat, drink, and brush your teeth, rather than having to pick food particles out of the crevices between metal braces. So, be sure to take advantage of these little breaks throughout the day — just don’t forget to put them back in!

USE A COLD COMPRESS

If you’re really uncomfortable after switching out your clear retainers (or you just put in your first set), try a cold compress. Get an ice pack that can mold to your face (gel ice packs work great for this), and place it on your cheek. The cold will numb your jaw and provide relief for your sore teeth, soothing them as they adjust into their new position.

Don’t feel like you need to go to the store or spend money on an expensive ice pack — a bag of frozen peas will work just fine. Wrap it in a thin cloth so the cold isn’t so harsh, and gently hold it on the sore area for 10-20 minutes at a time. Ideally, this will help the pain subside, and you’ll only have to use a cold compress for a day or two after you switch Invisalign trays.

GET INVISALIGN IN OTTAWA AT TRILLIUM DENTAL

Looking for more tips to help you adjust to your new Invisalign trays? Keep your eyes peeled for future blog posts about Invisalign, and feel free to reach out to our dentists at any time for more information. We’d be more than happy to set up an Invisalign consultation and discuss whether this orthodontic treatment would be right for you!