Oral health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, yet it often takes a back seat in our daily healthcare routine. One of the most underestimated risks to our oral health is the threat of oral infections. These infections can silently wreak havoc, causing discomfort, pain, and even long-term damage if left untreated.
Continue reading “Understanding and Preventing Oral Infections | Ottawa Dentist”Diabetes Can Affect Your Smile’s Health | Ottawa Dentist
Diabetes is a disease that affects more and more people every day, but did you know that it affects more than just your blood sugar? It’s true. Diabetes not only needs to be monitored to maintain your overall health but not taking care of your diabetes can also affect your mouth. Let’s explain.
Continue reading “Diabetes Can Affect Your Smile’s Health | Ottawa Dentist”The Comfort of IV Sedation: A Gateway to Anxiety-Free Dental Experiences | Ottawa Dentist
Do you find yourself feeling anxious at the mere thought of visiting the dentist? You’re not alone. Dental anxiety is a common issue that prevents many individuals from seeking necessary oral care. Fortunately, there’s a solution that can make your dental experience more comfortable and stress-free: Intravenous (IV) sedation.
Continue reading “The Comfort of IV Sedation: A Gateway to Anxiety-Free Dental Experiences | Ottawa Dentist”A Review Of Dental Specialties | Ottawa Dentist
Dentistry, like many healthcare fields, allows practitioners to specialize in a given aspect of their craft. It is important to understand these differences and to seek the appropriate care for any concerns you may have regarding your oral health.
Continue reading “A Review Of Dental Specialties | Ottawa Dentist”How To Make the Most of Your Dental Visit | Ottawa Dentist
Visiting the dentist is an essential part of your oral health. Many people are timid about regular cleanings and check-ins, but they help you notice warning signs sooner.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that your dentist is on your team; they are open to answering your questions with knowledge and experience. If you have any concerns about your teeth, gums, or jaw, or are experiencing any pain it is important to share that with your dentist. It’s easy to turn to the internet for answers to these concerns, but lifestyle habits among other things are factors your dentist can consider with you.
Continue reading “How To Make the Most of Your Dental Visit | Ottawa Dentist”The Causes and Symptoms of Dry Mouth | Ottawa Dentist
Dry mouth can be caused by a natural inability of your glands to produce sufficient saliva, medication, aging issues, or as a result of radiation therapy. Dry mouth is a condition in which one’s salivary glands produce an insufficient amount of saliva to keep your mouth wet.
Continue reading “The Causes and Symptoms of Dry Mouth | Ottawa Dentist”Does Your Child Have A Crossbite? | Ottawa Dentist
Crossbites are considered a genetic disposition, yet for children who have been diagnosed with one, the dental community is split on when to begin treatment. Some suggest starting treatment at the time of diagnosis (for a child, this could mean around the age of three), while others want to wait until a child’s molars arrive (commonly around the age of six). No matter when you decide to begin treatment, dentists and orthodontists alike agree a cross bit should not be left untreated
What does it mean to have a crossbite?
Simply put, a crossbite is when your upper and lower jaws do not align properly. The upper jaw may rest to the right or left of your lower jaw, causing an improper alignment. This can cause a variety of issues such as grinding down your teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), inability to chew effectively, facial asymmetry, uneven jaw development, and biting your cheek or tongue frequently.
Treatment options
Depending on the kind of crossbite, and how severe the misalignment is, its likely treatment will involve dental appliances that work to correct the bite pattern. This can be in the form of braces, sagittal expanders, and retainers that all work to correct the alignment over time. These methods are commonly employed when the entire alignment is off. If misalignment is being caused by a single tooth, it is more likely that a dental face mask, clear aligners, or braces are employed.
While crossbites are not very common, they are generally considered a genetic occurrence. In the case of discovering your young child has a crossbite, it should be treated before they sustain permanent damage to their face and jaw. Listen to all the options provided by your dentist, and choose the course of action that best suits your child.
For more information about smile makeovers, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit us online at www.ottawadentistryonkent.com
Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serves patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
How to Maintain Your Porcelain Veneers | Ottawa Dentist
The longevity of your porcelain veneers can vary depending on how they are cared for. It’s important that when you make any investment in your oral care and health you understand not only the process you are about to embark on but as well as how to maintain your investment over time. We see a lot of patients making easily avoidable mistakes that should they continue to employ, will do more damage than good for their porcelain veneers. Here are some things to keep in mind if you have veneers that will help you maintain them for years to come.
Avoid Unnecessary Force- Nail biting, chewing ice, and forceful brushing can break or dislodge a veneer; they can also be the reason your dentist recommended veneers to begin with. It’s important to make an effort to avoid these habits for the longevity of your veneers.
Good Oral Hygiene- Maintaining good oral hygiene such as regular brushing, flossing, and incorporating a mouthwash is great for your natural teeth and veneers. Veneers are placed along the gemlike to retain the appearance of being natural, so it’s important to keep your oral hygiene up to avoid a receding gemlike that may expose the veneer.
Limit Staining- Porcelain is a material that resists stains, but the dental cement used to keep them in place unfortunately is not. Coffee, tobacco, wine, and any other food and beverage that may stain your teeth will stain the cement over time. Eventually, if not properly cared for along the way, the cement will become discolored and look odd against your veneers – or even start to make your veneers look discolored by association.
Stop Clenching and Grinding- This bad habit is a great way to chip or break your veneers over time. Bruxism, or the grinding of teeth at night, can be avoided by incorporating a night guard when you sleep. Reducing stress or finding alternative means to clenching your teeth will also go a long way in maintaining your new pearly whites.
For more information about smile makeovers, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit us online at www.ottawadentistryonkent.com
Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serves patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
Nail Biting Impacts Your Teeth, Here’s How | Ottawa Dentist
We only get one set of adult teeth. They should be one of the most important things you work to protect through proper oral care and intended use. Biting your nails may seem harmless, but it can cause serious damage to a beautiful smile. It increases the risk you may chip a tooth, increase the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth and begin to shift your teeth.
Before you chip a tooth or otherwise damage your smile, here are some tips to help yourself keep from biting your nails:
- Identify your triggers
- Keep your nails trimmed
- Get regular manicures
- Apply a clear or bitter-tasting to your nails or the edge of your fingertips
- Replace the nail-biting habit with a good habit
- Try to gradually stop biting your nails, going nail by nail until the habit is kicked
Small steps may be the key to making a bigger change. The sooner you kick your nail-biting habit, the less time you spend unconsciously damaging your teeth.
For more information about smile makeovers, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit us online at www.ottawadentistryonkent.com
Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serves patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
Understanding Dental Implants and Bridges | Ottawa Dentist
Tooth loss can be a result of dental trauma, advanced gum disease, or deterioration of the underlying bone over time. If you have experienced dental trauma, it’s important to see your dentist sooner than later to assess surrounding teeth and gums. Either way, a cosmetic dentist may present two replacement options to consider; a fixed dental bridge or an implant. It’s important to understand what these options entail in order to make the best decision for you.
Implants
Dental implants require a more extensive procedure, but restore the entire tooth structure rather than simply fill in the gap. Simply put implants work by inserting a base into the jawbone into which a post with a crown on top can be placed. Implants provide stability and stimulation to the underlying bone which helps prevent resorption while looking and feeling like a natural tooth.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge can actually be thought of as a bridge. An artificial tooth (or teeth) are fixed to crowns on adjacent teeth on either end that attaches to healthy teeth, acting as the support posts if you will. The caveat to this solution is that if the tooth root is not replaced the bone may not get the stimulation it needs to remain healthy. Missing tooth roots could cause resorption, which causes the bone to lose density and shrink over time. Ultimately, this can cause one’s face to have a prematurely aged appearance.
Your dentist will review these procedures, benefits, and risks with you as you navigate your particular circumstances. While these are typically recommended, your dentist may encourage you towards one or the other option as they see fit. Be sure to ask your dentist any questions or concerns you may have prior to embarking on any given treatment option.
For more information about smile makeovers, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit us online at www.ottawadentistryonkent.com
Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serves patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
