Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with some form of oral cancer. While certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking or excessive alcohol use can increase a person’s odds of developing oral cancer, unfortunately anyone can be diagnosed with oral cancer. The good news is that, when caught in its early stages, there is a good chance that oral cancer can be treated. For this reason, at every cleaning and exam appointment our dentist...

You may heard that it’s important to visit your dentist about twice a year, or once every six years, to maintain good oral health. Some dentists will advocate for more or less frequent visits, depending on your current dental health. Perhaps you’ve been tempted to skip a visit or two, either due to financial or time constraints. But just how harmful is it to miss those cleanings? We would like to encourage all of our patients to maintain...

If you are missing one or more teeth, it can affect your smile in more than an aesthetic way. The remaining healthy teeth can shift out of place in the absence of the lost tooth/ teeth. The jaw can permanently shrink. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to replace lost teeth. If only one tooth is missing, your dentist will likely suggest a dental implant. A dental implant consists of a tiny titanium screw which is anchored...

If you’ve ever suffered from TMJ pain, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, you have probably experienced anything ranging from a dull ache to sharp pain in your jaw joints. Other symptoms of TMJ disorder include headaches and ear pain. The pain may cause a patient to have difficulty sleeping or concentrating during the day. For temporary relief, over the counter pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol may be helpful. There are other...

Patients may require a root canal for a variety of reasons. If a tooth is badly decayed, that decay can spread to the root and pulp of the tooth. Also, dental traumas such as a broken tooth can expose the tooth root, leaving it vulnerable to infection. An infection in the root and pulp of the tooth can cause the patient a great deal of discomfort and inflammation. It is important to treat the infection promptly before it causes health...

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems are rising due to high stress levels in the world today. While clenching and grinding of teeth induced by stress or tension can cause discomfort in the TMJ area, stress is by no means the only cause of TMJ dysfunction. Impacted wisdom teeth as well as malalignment of the jaw or teeth can also be contributing factors. Dr. Oliveros has much experience in successfully treating patients who suffer from TMJ...