Proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits are essential for preventing cavities from forming. However, despite a patient’s best efforts, sometimes decay will form. Once decay has formed, it is necessary to treat the cavity before it worsens. If left untreated, the decay will eventually cause extensive damage to the tooth, and potentially cause the root to be infected. The good news is that if the cavity is caught early, your dentist can...

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’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...

Most of us are aware that habits such as drinking coffee, tea, smoking and indulging in red wine can cause staining. What many people might not know is that even ‘healthy’ alternatives such as fruit and vegetables and juices can have a staining effect as well. These foods and drinks contain naturally occurring acids and sugars, which can wear away at the enamel and cause teeth to take on a yellowy tone. Neglecting to brush and floss from time...