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Five Ways to Beat your Bad Teeth Genes

As much as we want to blame our poor oral health on our parents and their genes, according to the American Dental Association many common periodontal diseases are not resulted from a single genetic defect, but rather from gene-environment interactions. Research has not yet found a gene that poses significant risks to periodontal health, there are however many environmental factors that can make or break your smile.
Not to worry though, we have you covered. We understand that the dental office is not everyone’s favourite Friday night plan, so we are here to offer you with five simple ways to improve your oral health, the appearance of your smile, and those so called bad genes:

1. On top of flossing and brushing your teeth every night, try to do it throughout the day too. Brushing your teeth after breakfast is also crucial as night time, when your immune system is at rest the bacteria throw a party in your mouth. Make it a habit to brush after breakfast!
2. Visit your dentist or hygienist a least every six months for a professional dental cleaning. Everyday life results in a build up of tartar, plaque, and bacterial bio-films that have to be professionally removed. Plus, visiting your dentist regularly ensures you are constantly on top of your oral health which is the most important prevention method.
3. Keep smoking at bay. This is an obvious one. Smoking is the leading cause of gum disease in the United States, as it aids in the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth. It also discolours your teeth.
4. Drink acidic drinks with a straw to avoid contact with your teeth. These include carbonated drinks, coffee, and alcohol. Constant exposure to acidic foods and drinks results in the wearing down of your enamel over time.
5. Keep an eye on your sugar intake, because bacteria love those sugars as much as you do! Ensure you brush your teeth following the consumption foods and drinks high in sugar.

Here is what one of our clients had to say about her experience with cosmetic veneers:IMG_9547

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The idea of having a tooth pulled can be frightening for some people, but tooth extraction is actually a fairly common dental procedure which can leave you with a healthier mouth in the long run.

Reasons why you might need a tooth extraction

There are a number of reasons why your dentist might recommend an extraction including trauma, alleviation of crowding, to make room for dentures or because of periodontal disease. The most common reason however is severe dental decay or cavities.

When a cavity is large enough, the tooth can become weak and eventually crack or break. Often, you dentist will be able to save the tooth with a root canal and crown, however when the problem is too severe he or she may recommend a tooth extraction.

What to expect when you have a tooth pulled

Depending on the condition of your tooth, your dentist may recommend that you take an antibiotic prior to the procedure. In this case, he or she will write you a prescription that you should pick up before the day of your tooth extraction and take as recommended.

During the procedure itself, your dentist will numb the surrounding area so that you will not feel any pain. Using forceps, the dentist will loosen the tooth by gently rocking it back and forth until it is loose enough to pull out. In the case of an impacted wisdom tooth, they will also have to remove some of the surrounding gum tissue.

Oftentimes the dentist will finish the procedure by using self-dissolving stitches to close the gum and sometime they will perform a bone graft. A bone graft is usually only done when they are planning for a dental implant, denture or partial denture.

Recovery after a tooth extraction

Recovering from a tooth extraction usually takes no more than a few days but it is still important to take the proper precautions. While your dentist will provide you with specific instructions for your situation, some general guidelines are:

• Controlling swelling with an ice pack on the outside of the moth
• Avoiding sports and vigorous activity until the socket has healed
• Keeping mouth clean and brushing gently around the socket
• Eating soft foods until the mouth has healed
• Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of fluids

Regardless of why might need a tooth extraction, the team at Sunlight Dental Clinic can help make the process as easy as possible and help you restore a healthy smile. Call us today at 905-889-0819