Posted on

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.

Posted on

Keeping Your Smile as Bright as Possible Between Whitening Treatments | Ottawa Dentist

Do you find that your teeth continue to yellow, despite all of your daily hygienic efforts? You are not alone. There are millions of people suffering from the same problem. And it has nothing to do with your dental habits. This happens because the outer layers of your teeth get stained over the years by consumption of beverages with caffeine, soda, wine and smoking. When these outside sources of staining are left to sit on the teeth all day until your next brushing, the dentin on your teeth becomes yellowish or darkened. The best way to help your stained discolored teeth is professional tooth whitening.

There are some of the various ways our teeth begin to get a yellow tinge. If you find that yours are caused by medications, address this with your physician. But many lifestyle habits we have are causes to stain our teeth over time:

  • Caffeine
  • Discoloration due to a health condition
  • Excessive exposure to fluoride as a child
  • Internal bleeding due to trauma
  • Natural aging- as time goes by enamel gets thinner and thinner and will get a yellowish hue
  • Smoking
  • Soda
  • Tetracycline based antibiotics used before the age of 8 years old
  • Wine

It is best to consult your dental professional for advice on keeping your teeth white, especially after a professional whitening treatment. After all, you want your bright smile to last as long as possible. Here are some simple rules to live by to try and slow the yellowing process:

  • Visit your dentist regularly for teeth cleanings
  • Rinse your mouth out with water several times throughout the day
  • Use toothpaste with whitening agents

For more information about teeth whitening, 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.

Posted on

What You Need to Know About Dental Sedation | Ottawa Dentist

When a patient is nervous about a dental procedure to the point that it becomes impossible to proceed, there are steps that can be taken to not only relax the patient, but to make it as painless as possible. Not only do many dental offices provide a more relaxing environment for the patient, including spa-like amenities like weighted blankets and lavender facemasks. Sedation dentistry is also an innovative field of dentistry that is extremely useful for those who fear the dentist, hate needles, have sensitive teeth, or are immune to the numbing effects of anesthesia. Although sedation dentistry may not be right for everyone, Dr. Konstantin Pliev encourages patients who are undergoing periodontal treatment to consider sedation dentistry to ease discomfort and paranoia. Sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry“, although that’s not entirely accurate. Patients are usually awake with the exception of those who are under general anesthesia.

The levels of sedation used include:

  • Minimal. Awake but relaxed.
  • Moderate (formerly called “conscious sedation”). The patient may slur your words when speaking and not remember much of the procedure.
  • Deep. Patient is on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.
  • General anesthesia. The patient is completely unconscious.

And if you are worried about sedation dentistry being safe, rest assured that integrating sedation dentistry into your procedure is absolutely comfortable and safe. Patients agree that sedation dentistry was the best option for their procedure because it allows your dental professionals to work thoroughly for maximum results. If you are interested in a way to make your dental experience as pain-free as possible, talk to your dentist during your next dental checkup. They will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.

For more information about sedation dentistry, 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.

Posted on

Help for Your Bruxism Is on Its Way | Ottawa Dentist

If you find yourself constantly waking up with a dull headache, tooth pain or a sore jaw, you may want to go to your dentist to see if you’re suffering from bruxism. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a dental condition that affects as many as 1 out of 10 adults. Common symptoms of bruxism include neck pain, jaw pain, headache, and tooth pain. Because it generally happens while we sleep, the most common means of alleviating the pain that comes with bruxism is by wearing a dental appliance known as a night guard. If you feel that the night guard isn’t making enough of a difference, there are other alternative treatment options that you can inquire to your dentist about, such as:

Teeth straightening. Maloclussions, or teeth that are out of alignment causing an overbite or underbite has been known to contribute to bruxism. Wearing braces can help in such cases.

Proper stress management. Bruxism is also likely to be caused by anxiety, so you may want to try out certain methods of relaxation such as meditation. Professional counselling, in severe cases, may also be necessary and useful.

Dietary changes. Stimulants, such as caffeine, have been known to cause teeth grinding, so your dentist might recommend avoiding such beverages. You may also be asked to stay off antidepressants, as they may make bruxism symptoms worse.

While wearing night guards have been proven to help with bruxism, it’s wise to ask for help from a licensed dental professional.

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.

Posted on

How Did I Develop TMJ Disorder? | Ottawa Dentist

Have you noticed that you’ve had a lot of jaw pain lately but can’t figure out why? Nothing has happened physically, but you can’t shake this dull headache, and life hasn’t changed enough for there to be a cause for this pain. Unfortunately, it may be time for a trip to the dentist because you may have TMJ disorder.

TMJ disorders are problems with the jaw joint. A problem with the muscles or joints in your jaw can lead to headaches, dizziness, ear pain, bite problems, jaw pain and much more. There are several conditions that can end up causing TMJ:

Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching. Sufferers of bruxism often wake up with jaw or ear pain. This is due to wear on the cartilage lining of the temporomandibular joint.

Gum chewing or nail biting. Using your teeth as tools is going to eventually damage your teeth, but when it begins to affect your TMJ, it may be time to break this terrible habit.

Malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Some people find it hard to chew on a certain side of their teeth due to misalignment, so they habitually chew on the other side causing excess stress on that side of the jaw.

Previous jaw fractures or injury. There are times that pain take longer to present themselves, especially when the injury happens from an accident and we are left in shock. Take the time to make mental notes of changes after a trauma.

If you feel like you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and think you may have a TMJ disorder, contact your dental professional so they may evaluate your symptoms and help alleviate your pain.

For more information about TMJ disorder, 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.

Posted on

The ABCs of Dental Emergencies | Ottawa Dentist

We all need to visit the dentist twice a year, but oftentimes your teeth don’t want to wait that long. These are what we call dental emergencies. Some require immediate treatment – others can wait for a scheduled appointment. Here’s some guidelines to help you know the difference:

If a tooth is knocked out completely, immediate care is required to save it. It’s possible that the tooth can be re-implanted if you get to the dentist within an hour or so. Rinse the tooth with water, and don’t touch the root. 

If you chip or break a tooth, call your dentist – they’ll likely ask you to visit the office in the coming days for inspection. It’s difficult to know the extent of the damage without x-rays and proper checkup, so even if you feel it’s minor, be sure to call your dentist for advice.

If the tooth is pushed inward or outward, GENTLY try to straighten it but do not try to force it into its socket, and call your dentist. If possible, stabilize the tooth with gauze or tissue on your way to the dentist.

If you’re experiencing a severe toothache, brush your teeth, and then rinse with warm salt water. If you’re experiencing swelling, you may have relief with a cold compress, and a pain reliever. It’s likely not an emergency, but you should have the tooth checked as soon as possible.

We can’t always avoid physical injury, but your dentist can help treat injuries as they happen. Try to stay calm, then call the dentist – they’ll provide the best possible care.

For more information about dental emergencies, 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.

Posted on

DIY Health Tips Using Essential Oils | Ottawa Dentist

While we are still struggling through this pandemic, it is important to have a good night’s sleep. It’s also nice to have a few natural remedies for ailments on hand while waiting for doctor appointments. One of the latest trends is essential oils. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it is important that you seek medical advice, but here are the various ways you can use essential oils to relieve your sleep apnea symptoms:

  • Rubbing the oil into the heels of the feet
  • Rubbing the oil into your chest, neck or under your nostrils
  • Diluting the oil in a glass of water as a gargle mixture
  • Diluting the oil in a spray mixture
  • Using a diffuser near your bed—if you own a diffuser this a great solution as you can inhale the oil over longer periods.

There are a multitude of natural remedies that individuals who suffer from snoring or sleep apnea can use. In most mild cases, these following techniques can help or relieve this sleep disorder:

Valerian root. An herb used for calming and sedating properties, valerian is shown to be useful for insomnia and chronic sleep disorders.

Melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted from the brain’s pineal gland. The gland regulates a person’s biological clock, particularly day and night cycles.

Kampo extract. Kampo is a concoction consisting of five medicinal herbs: Pinella, Hoelen, Magnolia bark, Perilla, and Ginger.

Vervain. Vervain is oftentimes used to relieve anxiety and depression. It has been shown to improve mild sleep apnea symptoms.

If you’re snoring or your sleep apnea gets worse and starts effecting your daily life, it’s time to make a dental appointment to evaluate your case.

For more information about essential oils, 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.

Posted on

Dental Emergency 101: Chipped Tooth Edition | Ottawa Dentist

We all know that accidents can’t be prevented. They spring up out of nowhere and all we have is to pivot in order to avoid any undue pain. But when it comes to our teeth, there is little more frustrating than chipping a tooth. It is just one of those accidents that happen and until it’s fixed, totally bums you out. Perhaps you it was an injury or maybe bit into that hard candy at a weird angle. Regardless of the reason, it’s time to visit the dentist.

When you chip a tooth, it is important to see your dentist right away because you could risk more damage to the tooth or even lose it entirely. A broken tooth will also be exposed to things that can cause more issues, like bacteria.

Luckily, your dentist will generally repair minor chips with a dental bonding. For larger chips, could lead to structure loss in the tooth and a more complicated remedy may be required, such as a root canal or crown.

When a cracked tooth goes unchecked, you’re opening your mouth up to the risk of developing an abscess. What is an abscess? Well, when a break (or cavity) in a tooth exposes a nerve, the nerve then eventually dies and causes the cells inside of the tissue to die and release their contents. This creates a backup of gases and purulent exudate, something you may also know as pus. Left untreated this could lead to the loss of the tooth in its entirety, not to mention severe pain, cost and time off from work.

A chipped or broken tooth may not hurt but it can potentially be a big problem. Always have your dentist inspect a fractured tooth.

For more information about dental emergencies, 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.

Posted on

Straightening Things Out Early | Ottawa Dentist

We all want what’s best for our children, especially when it comes to their health. And having a healthy mouth is how to prevent many health issues from arising, because our mouth is our first line of defense against many of our overall health issues. And as new parents, instilling a proper dental hygiene routine is paramount in order to get our children used to the process of keeping up proper dental hygiene throughout their lives. But what if you could also ensure that orthodontic work won’t be an issue as they loose baby teeth and permanent teeth grow in? Now you can – with the Myobrace® System.

There are four advantages to this pre-orthodontic treatment guaranteed to remedy major habits that children may develop as they grow and these habits can lead to various dental issues, including crooked teeth and jaw issues:

  • Breathe through the nose
  • Correct tongue resting position
  • Swallow correctly
  • Keep the lips together

With the Myobrace® System, you can curtail these bad habits by fixing the issue from the very beginning. We’re talking by the age of three. Yes, this treatment option consists of four intra-oral appliances that need to be worn an hour a day, and while sleeping. This series will benefit a different issue: habit correction, arch development, dental alignment and retention. These appliances will train your child’s mouth to correct poor habits that can not only lead to dental issues, but also sleep issues. And with a proper arch development, permanent teeth will have a clear access to come in straight and without issue.

Being a parent is hard work, why not get a head start on some things, like your child’s dental future?

For more information about the Myobrace® System, 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.

Posted on

It Happens in Threes | Ottawa Dentist

We have all heard the phrase “it happens in threes”, and it’s generally never meant for anything nice. We all want to be healthy and safe so that we aren’t considered in the next unfortunate set of three. And one way to ensure that you aren’t involved in the next bad luck trio is to look after your dental health. Because our oral health is very important to our health overall. You may not be aware but according to the Canadian Dental Association, seven out of ten Canadians will develop some form of gum disease in their lifetimes. 70% will have this issue, but only if they are lax on their daily dental duties.

Knowledge is power and this is no different. Gum disease is caused by bacteria found in plaque, the sticky colorless film that forms on your teeth. If this plaque isn’t removed by proper oral hygiene habits, plaque will build up and the bacteria will infect every aspect of your mouth. There are three stages of gum disease and each affect your mouth differently: gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

Gingivitis. This is the inflammation of your gums and teeth that’s caused by plaque buildup at your gum line. This is the only stage of gum disease that can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue are not yet affected.

Periodontitis. Once periodontitis occurs, the supporting bone and tissues structures are irreversibly damaged. Your gums will start to form pockets below your gum line, which traps plaque and food.

Advanced Periodontitis. This is the final stage of gum disease, where the tissue structures and supporting bones are destroyed, which can cause you teeth to shift and loosen, affecting your bite.

For more information about gum disease prevention, 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.