Gratitude for Healthy Smiles

As we approach the season of giving and gratitude, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the often overlooked but invaluable gift that many of us possess—our healthy smiles. The ability to smile confidently, eat without discomfort, and maintain good oral health is something I am very grateful for.

The Gift of Oral Health

Smiles are a key part of our overall health and well-being. A healthy set of teeth and gums, or a good set of prosthetics like dentures, not only enhances our appearance but plays a crucial role in our ability to eat, speak, and otherwise express ourselves. As we gather with loved ones during the holidays, it’s the perfect time to recognize the significance of our oral health and express gratitude for the gift of healthy smiles.

healthy smile officeThe Role of Preventative Care

Behind every healthy smile is a commitment to prevention. Regular dental check-ups, cleanings, a balanced diet, and adopting good oral hygiene practices are the foundations of maintaining a healthy mouth. This proactive approach not only prevents common dental issues such as cavities or gum disease, but also positively contributes to our overall health, something your body will be very grateful for.

thank youShowing Gratitude for Dental Professionals

In our journey to maintaining healthy smiles, oral health care professionals play a vital role. Including the friendly admin team who help schedule your visits and send reminders, the caring dental hygienists who ensure your teeth sparkle after a cleaning, the kind dental assistants who keep the office running, and finally the skilled dentists who address your concerns and provide necessary treatments. Expressing gratitude for their expertise, dedication, and hard-work makes an unbelievable impact on our lives.

happy smilePractising Gratitude for Your Smile

  1. Daily Oral Care Rituals: Use these moments as a daily practice in gratitude – Take a moment each day to appreciate your oral care routine. Whether it’s the refreshing feeling after brushing, the privilege of having an electric toothbrush, or the relief of flossing turkey from between your teeth, these simple acts contribute to the longevity of your healthy smile.
  2. Expressing Thanks: Consider expressing gratitude to your dental care team. A thank-you note or a kind word will make a significant impact. And leaving a Google Review or commenting on a social media post is such a wonderful compliment for any small business.
  3. Spreading the Smile: Share the importance of oral health with your friends and family. Express your gratitude for their smiles, encourage them to prioritize their oral health care, and remind them to use up any remaining dental or other health benefits before the end of year!

As we count our blessings during this season of gratitude, let’s not forget to include our healthy smiles on the list. Embracing a spirit of appreciation for our oral health sets the foundation for a lifetime of confident smiles and overall well-being. Our team at Horizon Dental would be happy to help you elebrate the gift of healthy smiles with joy and gratitude. Schedule your next dental visit by clicking here or calling our office directly at 778-765-3928.

Root Canal Treatment – Good or Bad?

In case you haven’t heard, there’s a new “documentary” on Netflix called “Root Cause.” This film follows one person’s experience with root canal treatment. While getting a root canal can be a scary thought, I think it’s important to review the science and make an informed decision before you choose an alternative treatment.

What is a Root Canal?

I like to think of a root canal as a “big filling” that extends from the tip of the tooth (or apex) all the way through the root to the top (or crown). Root canals are needed whenever the pulp or soft tissue inside the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. Inflammation or infection can be caused by several things, such as:

– Deep cavities

– Repeated or large procedures such as fillings or crowns

– Injury or a cracked tooth

– And sometimes there is NO reason that we can find

Common Myths about Root Canals

 

1. Root canal treatment is painful.

Modern technology and proper anesthetic can render your root canal as pain-free as having a cavity filled. While it can be tricky to get a “hot tooth” to calm down for treatment, it’s not impossible. Sometimes an active infection will need to be treated with antibiotics first, so that the anesthetic will work properly and can be prescribed ahead of time to prevent complications.

2. Root canal treatment causes illness.

This false claim has been around much longer than “Root Cause” and is based on research done in 1900! This was before modern medicine understood how certain diseases work. In fact, a study in 2013 actually found that patients with multiple root canals had a 45% REDUCED risk of cancer! And The Canadian Cancer Society reports there is no connection between root canals and cancer.

3. It’s better to pull a tooth than have root canal treatment.

Saving your natural teeth whenever possible is always the best option. Nothing artificial can replace what your body made! Root canals have a very high success rate and replacing a tooth with a fixed bridge, partial denture, or implant may not give you the best outcome.

 

When in Doubt – Talk to the Root Canal Experts

We are very lucky in Kamloops to have access to many talented dentists, and also dentists who specialize in root canal treatment! Seeing an endodontist may be helpful when your tooth has a complicated shape, a blockage, or large infection.

And our team at Horizon Dental would be happy to help you achieve optimal oral health and we are happily accepting new patients. You can call us at (778) 765-3928 or click here for more information.

Living with Diabetes – Considerations for Teeth and Gums

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and there are over 11 million Canadians living with diabetes or pre-diabetes today. Diabetes can lead to a wide variety of health problems, but were you aware that it can also put you at risk for dental issues? High blood sugar affects every part of the body, including the teeth and gums.

When it comes to diabetes and your oral health, here are some problems to look out for:

1) Gum Disease

Gum disease can take two forms: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a less serious inflammation of the gingiva that can be painful and leave you with swollen, bleeding gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which eats away at the tissue and bone support around your teeth.

Once that bone is gone, it’s almost impossible to get back. Eventually, the teeth will loosen and could ultimately require extraction. Because of the bacteria hiding in those deep gum pockets, you may experience bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth. For more information, check out my video on Gum Disease here!

Diabetes is a major risk factor for gum disease due to reduced blood supply to the gums, slow wound healing, and increased risk of bacterial infection. To further complicate matters, untreated gum disease will raise the blood sugar levels, making diabetes more difficult to manage.

2) Dry Mouth

If you have diabetes, you’ll be familiar with feeling constantly thirsty or having a “cotton mouth”. Saliva is very important for washing away plaque from the teeth. The more plaque means a higher risk of gum disease and dental decay. Other symptoms include dry or cracked lips and difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Dry mouth associated with diabetes is worsened by caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as spicy and salty foods.

Follow these tips to enhance your oral health while living with diabetes:

1) Practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice and flossing once daily. Consider investing in an electric toothbrush, such as the Sonicare which has special settings for patients with gum disease, or a Waterpik to help flush those deep pockets and clear food debris.

2) Manage your diet and experiment with diabetes-friendly recipes found at www.diabetesfoodhub.org. Also, be sure to stay hydrated and stick to water.

3) Schedule regular dental visits. While you may only need to see the dentist twice per year for check-ups, we recommend patients with diabetes see their dental hygienist for regular cleanings every 3 months. The reason is to disrupt the bacteria and inflammation so that we can stop the disease from getting worse. This will also help keep your blood sugar in-check.

4) See a Periodontist, a dentist that specializes in gum disease, if your dental team recommends their help in combating the disease.

 

Our team at Horizon Dental would be happy to help you achieve good dental health while managing your diabetes. You can contact us by clicking here! Or you can email me directly at drcindy@horizondental.clinic.

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