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Oral Care Accessories to Enhance Your Smile At Home | Ottawa Dentist

woman brushing teeth

In the ever-evolving technological age, there are a number of ways you can enhance the hygiene and aesthetic of your smile. There are also a number of gadgets on the market specifically designed to fill whatever gaps you feel are present as you strive to enhance your smile. These means essentially fall into two categories; hygienic and aesthetic. Of course, a well-rounded oral care routine is the first step towards attaining the smile you want, but if your hygiene is quite good, and you still aren’t seeing the results you want, these care additions may do the trick.

Hygienic

Electric Toothbrushes: Do you even complete your two-minute scrub and think “my teeth don’t feel very clean”? It may be because the traditional toothbrush just isn’t cutting it anymore. Electric toothbrushes have gained popularity because they are designed to provide brush strokes that work to give you a better clean in the same amount of time. It can go a long way to providing the basic care your teeth need.

Flossers: There are so many ways to floss available for your choosing. Traditional waxed or unwaxed threads are no longer the only option. Water flossers and plush threads are great alternatives (if not better alternatives) to the floss we commonly associate with.

Tongue Scraper: While there is no definitive rule that these need to be employed in your care routine, the benefit of incorporating one is the added removal of potentially harmful bacteria. Tongue scraping removes the same bacteria that feed on the sugars left between the teeth after a meal from the surface of the tongue, improving overall hygiene.

Aesthetic

At-Home Aligners: At-home aligners are an easy, effective means of straightening out your teeth for an enhanced aesthetic. While they aren’t meant for everyone, and you should speak with your dentist prior to incorporating at-home aligners into your oral care practices, they can gently move your teeth into their proper position and enhance your smile.

Whitening Trays: These work similarly to the teeth aligners mentioned above. Instead of working to straighten your teeth however, you simply mold the trey to your teeth, brush on the included whitening solution to the inside of the tray and allow it to rest on your teeth for the prescribed amount of time. Kits are easily accessible and when done properly can make your smile up to a few shades whiter.

UV Light: This is another means of enhancing the color and brightness of your teeth. Typically, when you employ a UV light, you first brush on the whitening solution and allow the light to rest on that set of teeth for a number of minutes. The solution and the light combination works to enhance your smile and can potentially do so up to a few shades whiter.

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.

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Do You Have Xerostomia? | Ottawa Dentist

Have you ever heard of the medical condition xerostomia? Dry mouth is a condition that may be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. But this isn’t the only symptom. It can also cause bad breath. Below are five easy ways to keep your breath fresh all day:

Stay hydrated. If you can’t brush your teeth after a meal, drinking a lot of water can help speed up the process of cleaning harmful bacteria and debris from between your teeth, by rinsing your mouth out as well. Drinking milk can even help deodorize some offensive breath odors.

Keep drinking a cup of joe to a minimum. It may be tasty, but coffee is a tough smell to get off the back of your tongue. If you feel like you can’t function without it, don’t quit completely. Instead, keep the intake to a minimum and have a toothbrush or sugar-free gum handy for afterwards.

Stave off tobacco products. Cigarettes, pipes, and snuff can not only make you more susceptible to health issues, but smoking gives people horrible breath. Keeping them out of your life will have multiple benefits.

Cut back on alcohol. Alcohol can lead to a dry mouth. Too much beer, wine, and hard liquor can make your breath smell less than fresh for up to eight to 10 hours after you finish drinking.

Chew sugarless gum. Wait for a good half hour after a meal before popping in a piece of sugarless gum. It can help with saliva flow, cleaning cavity-forming bacteria from your mouth before they can do any damage. Gum that’s 100% xylitol-sweetened can help reduce cavities, so feel free to indulge in this sweet treat after a good meal.

For more information about xerostomia, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Taking Care of Your Toothbrush | Ottawa Dentist

As important as it is to keep your teeth brushed and cared for, did you know that it is equally as important to keep your toothbrush well-maintained? The oral cavity is home to a multitude of microorganisms, which can most definitely be transferred onto your toothbrush as you brush your teeth. Here are some tips to make sure your toothbrush remains effective:

Refrain from sharing your toothbrush with anyone. Sharing a toothbrush could result in the exchange of body fluids and or microorganisms between users, ultimately leaving teeth more prone to infections of some sort.

Rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. This is to remove any toothpaste and debris in order to keep your toothbrush clean. Afterwards, store your toothbrush upright and allow it to air dry before you use it again.

Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. The bristles become frayed upon frequent use and therefore it’s overall effectiveness in cleaning your teeth decrease. If you catch a cold, replace your toothbrush once you’re back on your feet. Keeping a toothbrush after a cold could possibly cause that cold to return.

It isn’t difficult to keep your dental tools in tip top shape in order to clean your teeth to the best of its ability. At your next checkup, ask your dentist about other ways to effectively use your toothbrush, as well as for some tips on how to maintain, store, and care for it. After all, they are the experts; they’re going to lead you on the right path to a gorgeous, healthy smile.

For more information about toothbrush maintenance, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Everything You Need to Know About Dental Implants | Ottawa Dentist

When it comes to our teeth, it’s pretty safe to say, we aren’t all that familiar with things. We know to brush and floss daily to avoid cavities, but if something cosmetic is necessary, we are generally in the dark. That’s what dentists are for, right? What is a dental implant is, what does it do? Today, we answer your questions about this very versatile dental option.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are natural-looking and feeling and under proper conditions, such as placement by a diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime.

What do dental implants do?

  • Replace one or more teeth
  • Support a bridge and reduce the need for a partial denture.
  • Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable

There are two types of dental implants available:

Endosteal (in the bone): Most commonly used type of implant includes screws, cylinders or blades surgically placed into the jawbone.

Subperiosteal (on the bone): These are placed on top of the jaw with metal framework.

Esthetically, dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often happen with bridgework and dentures.

Neighboring teeth are not changed to support the implant as with a bridge. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.

Dental implants are secure. You don’t have to worry when speaking or eating, and there’s no messy pastes and glue. You will go about your daily routine with confidence and comfort.

For more information about dental implants, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Is Gum Contouring Right for You? | Ottawa Dentist

We all desire an exceptional smile. In a world where a camera is readily available, we try to look our best at a moment’s notice. That said, having a great smile is key. And when our patients think of a perfect smile, they focus on bright, white, straight teeth. However, many patients realize that there’s another component as well: great looking gums.

Some patients may have gums that are too high, and others have gums that are too low. The causes vary – genetics plays a part, but certain prescription drugs can cause gums that cover more of your teeth than normal, and activities such as smoking can cause gum recession, causing your teeth to look longer than expected.

Gum contouring is typically considered a cosmetic procedure – most insurance plans do not consider it medically necessary and will not cover the costs. However, it is available from many dental and periodontal offices. For severe cases of gum recession, exposed tooth roots can cause gum contouring to be considered a medical necessity, as the receding tissue can contribute to long term problems such as tooth decay and tooth loss.

The procedure can be done with traditional surgical techniques or lasers – ask your dentist to determine which they recommend. In many cases, local anesthesia is sufficient, though general anesthesia may be considered for larger procedures. The recovery is typically straightforward – there is some bleeding and swelling expected, but generally the soreness will subside within a week.

At the end of the procedure, the patient can look forward to a gum line that is both healthy and cosmetically appealing.

For more information about gum contouring, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Do You Have Sensitive Teeth? | Ottawa Dentist

If you’ve been experiencing jarring sharp pain when you eat or drink hot or even cold foods, during your oral care routine, or other times that make zero sense? You know it’s not something to ignore, but what is it? Chances are you’re experiencing sensitive teeth. Luckily this is very treatable. All it takes is a trip to the dentist.

Now for the reasons our teeth have become sensitive, and there are a variety of answers here. As we age, so do our teeth. With age the enamel on your teeth can wear, leaving your tooth roots exposed. This of course can cause those jolting pains with tempered food and drink or even if cold air hits the tooth. This is the most likely case or why you’re experiencing the tooth pain. But there can be other reasons, such as:

  • Over-brushing
  • Cracked or chipped teeth
  • Teeth grinding
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth whitening

Depending on the cause and severity of your sensitivity, you will benefit from professional treatment. There are a variety of treatments from simple solutions to oral surgery. Sensitive teeth solutions include:

  • Desensitizing toothpaste
  • Desensitizing or bonding
  • Surgical gum graft
  • Root canal

See your dentist at the first sign of sensitivity.  Often beginning problems can be easily treated.  If you wait to get treatment, you often end up with a bigger problem that is more difficult to treat.  Oftentimes sensitive teeth can be treated with a good cleaning and use of a special toothpaste. Your dental professional can help you find the ideal solution to prevent sensitive teeth from recurring.

For more information about sensitive teeth, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Back on the Grind with Your Smile | Ottawa Dentist

For many of us, grinding our teeth is a common habit we have during certain times of stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, grinding your teeth can begin to cause issues with your dental health. After all, dental wear on tear is very similar to a car’s tires. They don’t last forever if you don’t look after them. Bruxism is the excessive grinding of the teeth and/or excessive clenching of the jaw, generally while you sleep.

The problem is that many people don’t know they are grinding their teeth because they are sleeping. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw is a telltale symptom of bruxism. But many times, people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night. You dentist can also examine your jaw and abnormalities with your teeth.

So, why grinding your teeth harmful? In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may wear their teeth down to stumps. When these events happen, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be needed.

Not only can severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss, it can also affect your jaws, result in hearing loss, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.

Don’t worry – there are ways to remedy your bruxism. For some, all it takes is a mouth guard while your sleep. For others, it may be fixed with meditation or a new sleep routine. If you have symptoms of bruxism, or if you are told that you grind your teeth while you sleep, contact your dental professional for a consultation.

For more information about bruxism, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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What to Know About a Smile Makeover | Ottawa Dentist

They say that first impressions are most important, and for many of these impressions, it begins with a smile. However, like most people, you’ve likely dreamt of having a better-looking smile – one that is straighter, and preferably, whiter. A smile that brightens a room!

So, how do we get this elusive Hollywood smile? It’s known as a smile makeover.

A smile makeover is a process whose main goal is to improve the appearance of the smile through a combination of various cosmetic dentistry treatments or procedures. The list of treatments includes, but are not limited to, dental veneers, composite bonding, tooth implants and teeth whitening. More than being a cosmetic procedure, though, a smile makeover carries a lot of functional and health benefits as well.

For example, those with malocclusions may find it hard to brush and floss their teeth, making them prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Correcting malocclusions through orthodontics can help solve that problem, as well as the other possible complications that come with malocclusion, such as speech impediments, accidental chipping and so on.

Cosmetic dental treatments alone are expensive enough, which makes it safe to say that a series of such treatments is bound to cost a lot – something that happens in a smile makeover. In fact, it would not come off as a surprise for patients to spend well over thousands of dollars just to get the smile they’ve always wanted.

Yes, a smile makeover is expensive, but as long as you see your smile as something that you’ll own and wear for the rest of your life, it should be easier for you to decide whether it is a worthy investment or not.

For more information about smile makeovers, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Why You Should Get Your Teeth Cleaned Regularly | Ottawa Dentist

Do you visit the dentist twice a year for a checkup and cleaning? Are you dodging the dentist all the time? If you knew just what is going on inside your mouth, keeping your appointments would be a necessity. Sure, we have a great dental hygiene routine, but that isn’t enough. Here are five reasons to reconsider evading the dentist’s chair:

Oral cancer prevention. Or, at the very least, early detection. Just like any form of cancer, your survival rate increases dramatically the sooner it is diagnosed. If you frequently drink alcohol or smoke tobacco, then it’s even more important to have your mouth checked every six months for signs of oral cancer.

Dental infections. Healthy mouths do not and never will bleed when flossing or brushing. Bleeding teeth and gums are one of the earliest signs of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and other complications if not treated early.

No more bad breath. If you find that your breath stinks regularly, sometimes to the point that it affects your sense of taste, that’s a telltale sign of an oral infection, something that only your dentist can treat.

Lowered risk for dental problems. Although dentists recommend paying them a visit every six months to lower one’s risk for dental problems, some people actually need to have their teeth cleaned much more often.

Keeping your teeth white and healthy. The first thing we notice upon meeting someone new is their smile. By visiting the dentist regularly, you can keep your teeth looking shiny and healthy, allowing you to smile freely without being self-conscious, giving your self-esteem, and your day-to-day life, a much-needed boost.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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A New Parent’s Guide to Pediatric Dental Hygiene | Ottawa Dentist

Many parents believe that the best time to establish good dental hygiene habits is right when their child’s first tooth appears. In actuality, the best time to start taking care of your child’s teeth is the moment that your child is born. Because even without teeth, bacteria can and will build up. And as more teeth come in, and fall out to make room for permanent ones, the dental hygiene routine will change. Here is a quick rundown of ways to care for your tiny human’s teeth from birth to the first dental visit:

After each feeding, wipe your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth to remove excess milk and bacteria. Once your child’s teeth develop and break through the gums, it’s time to start brushing twice a day. Very similar to the way we brush our teeth but use a soft children’s toothbrush and baby toothpaste until they reach preschool-age, when the amount of toothpaste increases to the size of a pea. Little humans have a tendency to swallow the toothpaste, instead of spitting it out.

As they begin to eat, realize that they are going to love anything with sugar, so try to keep their favorites to something special. And since good habits start at home, start teaching your family good dental hygiene habits.

When it comes to baby’s first dental visit, parents should take their children as soon as their first tooth pops out, but no longer than the child’s first birthday. Doing this makes it easier for the dentist to look for any early signs and symptoms of problems with the child’s teeth and teach you important information about your child’s diet, the use of the right bottles, brushing, etc.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.