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Many people floss less often than they should, whether that be a few times a week or every once in a blue moon. Ideally, you should be flossing your teeth at least once per day as part of your oral hygiene routine for healthy teeth and gums. So, why is this important? Our dentists and dental hygienists at Trillium Dental will explain below.

PREVENTS TARTAR BUILDUP (AND CAVITIES)

Even if you brush your teeth twice per day, bacteria can still collect in the crevices between your teeth where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. If you don’t floss regularly, this bacteria turns into plaque, which then hardens into a substance called tartar. Tartar feeds on tooth enamel, creating cavities between the teeth and causing further tooth decay if it is not removed by your family dentist with a dental scaler. When you floss, you’re removing plaque before it hardens, which is an easy way to prevent dental problems like cavities and gum disease.

PREVENTS GUM DISEASE

When tartar builds up along the gum line, it eats away at the tooth enamel and infects the gum tissue, increasing your risk of developing periodontal disease. If you don’t floss your teeth on a regular basis, you may develop gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease, which is characterized by swollen, tender gums that bleed easily. Fortunately, gingivitis can be reversed with various periodontal treatments like gum lasering and gingivectomies. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry — gum disease is linked to many life-threatening health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

A BEAUTIFUL SMILE

Swollen, infected gums aren’t a pretty sight, especially if the infection has progressed to gingivitis or periodontal disease. Many patients with gum disease have receding gums, which make the teeth appear longer than normal due to the infected gums pulling away from the teeth. It is also not uncommon for people with periodontal disease to have extensive tooth decay, which causes the teeth to turn a grayish color. If you value the appearance of your pearly whites, flossing daily is essential for an attractive smile.

BOOK A DENTAL CHECKUP IN OTTAWA

At Trillium Dental, our dentists and dental hygienists emphasize the importance of flossing to all of our patients. If you are due for a teeth cleaning at your local dental clinic, contact us today or book your appointment online at one of our eight dental offices in Ottawa. We look forward to seeing you!

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Oral cancer is a serious disease that affects many people across the globe, particularly cigarette smokers and people with a family history of cancer. Though there is a genetic factor involved, there are several things you can do to prevent the development of oral cancer, which we will outline in this blog post. Continue reading to find out, and be sure to contact our team at Trillium Dental in Ottawa if anything feels abnormal in your mouth or throat. We gladly perform oral cancer screenings as part of our dental exams.

QUIT SMOKING (OR DON’T START)

Tobacco is one of the largest causes of oral cancer, esophageal cancer, and other cancers of the head, throat, and neck — not to mention lung cancer. This is because today’s tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vape juice, contain carcinogenic chemicals that are linked to the growth of cancer cells. Specifically, these chemicals can cause grayish-white mouth ulcers to develop, which are called leukoplakia.

If left undiagnosed and untreated, these ulcers and mouth sores can become cancerous, requiring oral surgery and/or radiation to remove. And that’s not to say that it won’t come back. That being said, one of the easiest ways to prevent oral cancer from developing is to stay away from tobacco products — yes, even those “harmless” vapes.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

DRINK RESPONSIBLY

Alcohol is another major contributor to oral cancer, as well as esophageal cancer, throat cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and the list goes on. However, your risk of developing cancer as a direct cause of alcohol consumption depends on how much, and how frequently, you drink. Scientifically speaking, alcohol alters the body’s chemistry over time, impairing the body from being able to defend itself against the spread of cancer cells.

To avoid developing cancer, not to mention an addiction, our dentists recommend having less than three drinks per day, if any at all. Overexposure to alcoholic beverages can take a toll on the tissues in your mouth, throat, stomach, and other vital organs, rendering them diseased and defenseless. As with tobacco, it’s best to quit binge drinking and limit yourself to the occasional drink if you’re looking to minimize your risk of oral cancer.

GET AN HPV VACCINATION

Other diseases, like human papillomavirus (HPV), can increase your chances of developing oral cancer — particularly oropharyngeal cancers. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, and many people have it in their mouth without even being aware of it. There is no cure for HPV; however, you may be able to avoid contracting it by getting vaccinated before you become sexually active. Most doctors recommend getting vaccinated between the ages of 11 and their mid-20s.

MAKE REGULAR TRIPS TO YOUR LOCAL DENTAL CLINIC

Prevention is the key to avoiding serious diseases like oral cancer and periodontal disease, which are life-threatening health conditions that can in part be prevented with good oral hygiene and regular trips to your family dental clinic. At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we recommend that patients brush their teeth twice per day and floss daily, in addition to visiting our dental office twice per year for dental checkups. Contact us today to book your next appointment!

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Talking to your child about the dentist, doctor, or any other medical profession isn’t always easy, as children have very vivid imaginations that can develop into fears if concepts are not explained in a way they understand. Because of this, parents often find themselves between a rock and a hard place when it comes time for their child’s first dental exam. After all, they want to tell the truth so their little one knows what to expect, but they also don’t want to instill any irrational fears or phobias.

At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, our dentists and dental hygienists have years of experience in family dental care, and we pride ourselves on providing a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for kids of all ages. For us, it all comes down to creating a fun environment for kids to show their curiosity and learn about their oral health. Book your child’s dental appointment with us today, or continue reading for some tips about how to talk to your child about the dentist!

USE WORDS THEY UNDERSTAND

If your child is about to have their first dental appointment, odds are, they’re just one or two years old. Their vocabulary is already limited, so be sure to talk to them in a manner that they can understand. Start by showing them a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, and explain that every so often, they’ll be treated to a professional teeth cleaning with a little squirt gun and vibrating toothbrush (that sometimes tickles!).

Don’t bring up needles, drills, or dental x-rays, because these are the things that tend to develop into dental phobias. In fact, most children don’t get cavities until their elementary school years, so avoid any talk of needles and cavities until they’re a bit older and can understand the concept of preventative oral hygiene. Until then, break it down using simple, positive language so they know the basics of what to expect when they have their first dental cleaning.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

TELL THE TRUTH

It is also important not to hide information from your child, as this can throw them off when they arrive at your local dental clinic. Tell them that a dentist (or teeth cleaner) will take them back to a chair, where they can relax while their teeth are cleaned. Frame it as a pampering experience that doesn’t hurt, and they’ll be less likely to be afraid when their dental hygienist pulls out the electric toothbrush.

The dentists and dental hygienists at our Ottawa dental clinics are great about explaining what they’re about to do in an easy-to-understand, kid-friendly way, so you can rest assured that your child is in good hands with us. We’ll explain our fancy toothbrush and water sprayer to them, and that if anything, it’ll tickle, not hurt. We’ll also let them pick out a toothpaste flavor and toothbrush color to take home, which they’ll find comfort in and maybe even get excited about.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

If your child is hesitant about their first dental visit, it is incredibly important for parents to lead by example. Let your child watch as you brush and floss your teeth, and show them how to do it at home before a stranger does it for them at the dental office. Talk to them calmly about what to expect, and don’t reveal any nervousness you may have about the dentist. Instead, tell them that they have nothing to worry about, that there are no needles involved in a teeth cleaning, and that they will have fun getting to explore the office.

Ready to schedule your child’s first dental exam? Call Trillium Dental today, or request an appointment online at one of our eight dental clinics in Ottawa. We look forward to meeting your little one!

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Here at Trillium Dental in Ottawa, our family dentists take great pride in providing their patients with exceptional dental services. We understand that not everyone loves going to the dentist, and if this sounds like you, you certainly aren’t alone. Everyone is welcome at Trillium Dental, whether you are switching dental offices or are new to general dentistry altogether, and we will stop at nothing to make you feel right at home in our dentist’s chair.

We want all of our patients to know what to expect during their first dental visit, as this can help ease some of the anxiety you may be feeling as you prepare to have someone new clean your teeth. That being said, here is what an initial general dentistry appointment at our Ottawa dental clinic entails!

PERIODONTAL & ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS

As a family dental clinic, our dentists take all the precautions necessary to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy before moving on to any dental cleaning, flossing, or fluoride application. Upon arriving at Trillium Dental for your first general dentistry appointment, we will conduct a thorough inspection of your oral cavity, which includes an oral cancer screening and a periodontal screening. This allows us to become aware of any underlying issues you may be experiencing so that we can proceed accordingly with gum treatments or an oral cancer treatment referral if need be. More often than not, this is not the case, and we will move on to X-rays.

DENTAL X-RAYS

Dental X-rays allow our dentists to inspect your teeth and gums in a way that is not possible without the most advanced dental tools and technology. We will have you bite a small plastic strip on one side as we snap the photo, then switch over to the other side and repeat the process. While this only takes a few seconds to complete, it is critical for us to identify any tooth or jawbone decay, tumors, abscesses, and other issues that may have gone under the radar during the periodontal and oral cancer screenings.

DENTAL CLEANING

After completing the preliminary dental screenings and X-rays, your dental hygienist will perform a thorough dental cleaning. This includes a tooth scaling treatment, during which your dentist will use a dental scaler to gently scrape away any plaque and tartar that has built up along or below the gum line. If you have a significant amount of tartar buildup under the gumline, we might clear it out using the Cavitron®, a device that uses gentle ultrasonic waves.

Then, they will use a high-tech electric toothbrush to completely clean your teeth from front to back, reaching all the crevices you can’t get to with the standard toothbrush you have at home. Once your pearly whites are clean and shiny, we will floss between each of your teeth, watching for sticky areas that might indicate a cavity. If all is well, we may then apply fluoride to the teeth, let it sit for a minute, rinse it away, and send you off to continue going about your day!

CHOOSE TRILLIUM DENTAL FOR YOUR GENERAL DENTISTRY

We hope this information has given you a good idea of what to expect during your first general dentistry appointment, and that you will choose Trillium Dental in Ottawa as your trusted family dental clinic. We look forward to meeting you and providing you with exceptional dental care, so make an appointment today!

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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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