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Autumn’s Seasonal Hero Can Help Your Smile | Ottawa Dentist

Tonight, little humans all over Canada will set out around their neighborhoods looking for a bag full of sweet treats in exchange for a pledge not to trick. It’s a fair trade for most of these tiny ghosts and goblins. As parents, we need to take this time to not only instill good dental habits, but to teach moderation when it comes to things like Halloween candy.

We all know that not all candy is the same. Some are chewy, others crunchy – some have a fruit flavor while others are made of chocolate. It doesn’t matter the preference, candy is a certain treat that needs to be handled in moderation, or it will lead to cavities and other health issues.

One way to do this is by introducing another staple of the autumn season – apples. We bob for them at Halloween parties, snack on them covered in caramel and indulge in pies filled with them. But more than that, apples are really good for our smiles.

It’s true – this crispy fruit is fantastic for producing saliva, which is our natural way of keeping our mouths clean and bacteria free. Additionally, the fibers within the apple play an added role in cleaning our teeth in a way similar to a toothbrush. Now, it’s not a substitute… Apples are a healthy snack but shouldn’t replace your daily dental hygiene routine. These are just natural ways that you can improve your smile while enjoying a tasty treat.

So, while you are teaching your little ones about brushing their teeth after snacking on Halloween candy, why not switch up the seasonal snack with an apple from time to time?

For more information about smile-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween, 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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When It’s Time for a Dental Visit | Ottawa Dentist

We all know that regular dental visits are necessary in order to keep our smiles as healthy as possible. It’s important that we keep up with our daily dental hygiene routines to keep our smiles healthy, but a dental professional can detect future dental issues we can’t see. But what exactly should one expect from a dental checkup? Let’s give you a quick breakdown:

The first thing most dentists will do when for a patient’s first visit is conduct x-rays. The x-rays not only provide a current glimpse at the state of the patient’s oral health, but they offer a glimpse at the patient’s dental history. Fillings, crowns, bridges and implants will be plainly visible, as well as any existing problems such as untreated decay.

As the dentist reviews the x-rays, it’s likely that the dentist will discuss your dental history – what problems has the patient had? What prompted the visit? What concerns does the patient have?

Based on the result of the x-rays, it’s likely that the dentist will determine certain teeth need attention (perhaps a cavity needs to be filled), or that a general professional cleaning is needed, or perhaps that the patient is generally in good oral health. Depending on the time allotted for the visit, the dentist may be able to address his recommendations at that time or ask that the patient make a follow-up appointment.

And that’s it – simple procedures in order to get your smile the healthiest it can be. If you’re still unsure, or if you have any questions, call the dentist’s office – they’ll be more than happy to walk you through the plans, and give you more details about what to expect on your first visit.

For more information about dental checkups, 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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Wrapping Up the Summer with a Healthy Snack | Ottawa Dentist

Now that we are wrapping up the warm summer months, we need to begin to swap out our frozen snacks for a warmer one. The kiddies are back to school; you send them with an apple for the teacher. The leaves change from bright, vivid greens to more rust-like, “apple-y” colorations. It going to get chilly so it’s time to break out the cinnamon sticks for our apple cider.

Apples aren’t only a fruit used to sweet talk the teachers or keep away the doctors. They also help keep our smiles strong and bright. Apples are naturally full of vitamins A and C, key to keeping our gums nice and healthy. There is also a small amount of acid in the apple that acts as an astringent on your teeth when you bite into it. Just make sure to keep the peel on the apple. It needs the crunchiness of the skin to help clean your teeth. And that is why they are also known as nature’s toothbrush.

If you feel like snacking but don’t want an apple, you are just bored. An apple is an ideal snack. The fiber makes me fuller than something bad and will have less sugar (and calories) than some typical junk food.

Just because the apple is now our favorite go-to snack, please remember that these sweet fruits do have sugar content, so be sure to brush afterwards to make sure you get rid of the loosened plaque left behind by your apple. If you don’t have a toothbrush handy, do a quick rinse with some water. The more your mouth is rinsed, the less chance that plaque can become re-attached to your teeth.

For more information about healthy snack options, 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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Teeth Whitening for Children? | Ottawa Dentist

Are you a new parent? Is your smartphone basically a photo album of your little one? As new parents, we want to capture every second, every little development. After all, we live in a selfie world. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that teeth whitening procedures have skyrocketed over the past few years. Now, while most of those who undergo such cosmetic procedures are adults, there is an increasing number of parents showing interest in having their children’s teeth whitened. This then begs the question, is it safe to do so?

Before making such a decision, parents should know that permanent teeth will usually seem yellower than baby teeth. And this happens because baby teeth are smaller, whiter and brighter. Although, a bit yellower in tint, permanent teeth are not stained or unhealthy, but rather, they’re just naturally that way. So, if your child becomes conscious about the “yellowing” of their teeth soon after all their permanent set of teeth erupts, you’ll want to assure them that this is perfectly normal.

The best thing to do as a parent is to instill good dental hygiene habits and take him or her to the dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleaning. If you want some extra insurance, limit your child’s intake of stain-causing food items and beverages, such as soda and sugary drinks.

If you’re interested in having your child’s teeth whitening, or just made to look better, be sure to contact your child’s dentist and ask for a consultation first. They’ll be glad to give you an honest answer that will help you make the best decision for the well-being of your child.

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.

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Getting 3D Images in the Dentist Chair | Ottawa Dentist

When it’s time to visit the dentist for a checkup, the chances are pretty great that you will be getting some x-rays taken. Not only do they help your dentist find any issues that may be happening but can help to foresee any issues that may arise in the future. Unfortunately, traditional x-rays were very uncomfortable to get. There were stiff pieces placed inside your mouth while an assistant snaps your smile’s photo. They were very basic images, but they helped our dental professionals show us what’s going on inside our mouths.

3D ConeBeam Imaging is considered as such a technology that can help dentists do a lot more than ever before. The technology is fast, simple and completely non-invasive. All the patient has to do is sit in the dental chair. The dentist has a computer-generated view of the patient’s face, teeth and other important details from various perspectives. For dental practitioners, access to accurate and complete information is important in planning treatment, making it beneficial for both dental practitioners and patients alike.

With the 3D ConeBeam Imaging system, dentists have a more complete visual guide to study their patient’s case from just about any angle they can think of. Even better is that the scan data is easy to duplicate for storage purposes and to make it easier to send out to different specialists later on. Thanks to the more accurate, high-quality, detailed visual information produced by the imaging system, dentists have all the information they could possibly need to diagnose and plan out the proper course of action.

For more information about 3D ConeBeam imaging, 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 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.

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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.

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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.

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Pediatric Dental Care for New Parents | 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. To prevent this from happening, the routine is simple – wipe your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth after every feeding. Once your child’s teeth develop and break through the gums, it’s time to start brushing. Do it twice a day. Use a soft children’s toothbrush and minimal to non-fluoride toothpaste. As they reach preschool-age, feel free to start using fluoride toothpaste. But remember – too much fluoride toothpaste can leave permanent stains on the teeth.

We all know kids love sugar – try to keep their favorites as something special, not something expected. But that’s not all; there are other circumstances, like being born with low birth weight or premature, ongoing treatment for any special health care needs, brown areas and white spots on the teeth and infrequent trips to the dentist can all lead to the development of cavities.

To stop this from happening, start teaching your family good dental hygiene habits. Everyone needs to be involved in order to get the habit to stick. Other family members can pass on cavity-causing bacteria to both children and babies, so every family member has to make an effort to take care of their teeth properly.

When it comes to baby’s first dental visit, most dental practitioners agree that parents should take their children in for an appointment as soon as their first tooth pops out, but no longer than the child’s first birthday.

For more information about pediatric dental care, 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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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.