The Dental Team

You can minimize your risk of dental disease by establishing a daily mouth care routine including brushing and flossing. This removes food debris from the mouth and prevents the buildup of plaque.

Brushing

Plaque build-up, caused by bacteria left in the mouth, can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Daily mouth care is one of the simplest steps you can take to maintain healthy teeth and gums at any age—starting with brushing at least twice a day.

Whether using an electric or a manual toothbrush ensure you have the proper brushing technique.

• Brush longer, not harder. Brushing too hard can damage your enamel. Brush for at least two minutes.
• Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps to strengthen the tooth’s enamel. You only need a small amount (about the size of a pea).
• Brush after breakfast in the morning and especially before bed. Your salivary flow decreases while you sleep putting you at greater risk for decay.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months, after a cold or illness, or when the bristles lose shape.
• Brush all surfaces of your teeth and don’t forget to clean your tongue.
• Don’t share your toothbrush. Bacteria can transfer from one mouth to another.
• Avoid brushing immediately after eating acidic foods or drinks. The acid can remain on the enamel and you end up brushing away the enamel.
• Ask your dentist how well you’re brushing and for more tips for better dental health.
• Don’t forget to floss.

Resource: Brushing and Flossing Tips PDF (Arabic)

Flossing

Brushing alone only cleans about two-thirds of your teeth. Daily flossing removes food debris and plaque between the teeth as well as prevents plaque from forming at the gum line. If plaque is left on the teeth it will eventually harden into tartar. Tartar can only be removed through a professional cleaning. Plaque and tartar build up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

• Floss at least once a day. Find a time that works for you and that you can maintain as part of your daily routine.
• Your gums may bleed when you first start to floss. It may take a few days but with regular flossing, this should stop. If bleeding persists after a week or two, speak to your dentist.
• Be gentle. Gently move the floss between and around your teeth to avoid damaging your gums.
• Ask your dentist or dental hygienist for flossing tips. They can provide alternative flossing options such as a floss holders, dental tape, or water flossers.

It is important to have regular examinations, even if you are not experiencing any pain as dental conditions will not show symptoms or cause pain in the early stages. Through regular dental exams, your dentist can:

• Identify changes in your mouth
• Diagnose and address minor issues before they become larger problems
• Answer any questions and concerns you may have about your dental health
• Treat any condition that may arise, or refer you to the necessary dental specialist
• plays a significant role in the early detection of oral cancer

Catching small problems early can provide you with more treatment options and lead to better health outcomes.

Your dentist will discuss your treatment plan and get informed consent from you before performing any procedures.

Patient Resource: The Dental Exam: More than a Checkup (PDF) – (Farsi) (Punjabi) (Tagalog) (Traditional Chinese

X-rays

X-rays help your dentist see all that is going on in your mouth, such as:

• Early stages of decay
• Infections in the bone
• Decay below the gum line
• Loss of bone due to gum disease or
• The formation of baby teeth in children

By catching these issues early your dentist can treat any problems and reduce the likelihood of more complex and costly treatment later. 

Sedation in conjunction with local anesthetic medications is used to relieve pain or to relax and calm a patient in preparation for a dental procedure.

Various levels of sedation may be used for dental procedures. The level of sedation ranges from mild sedation to general anesthesia (which affects the whole body to varying degrees).

• Minimal sedation: Generally, you feel more relaxed but are able to walk, talk and breathe normally depending on the dose. You are not asleep.
• Moderate sedation: You can still talk, hear and respond but feel drowsy and sleepy, though you are not asleep. You should be able to breathe on your own and you will still require local anesthetic. 
• Deep sedation: You are asleep and can still breathe on your own but can’t remember anything about the procedure afterwards. Even with deep sedation, local anesthetic needs to be administered because your pain reflexes, though significantly dulled, are still intact.
• General anesthesia: The deepest level; you are unconscious and cannot feel pain; your reflexes are absent and you need assistance in breathing. You will feel as if you are asleep.

What should I know/ask before agreeing to any level of sedation?

• Confirm that your dentist is registered with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals to provide the level of sedation recommended for your dental procedure in their dental office.
• Confirm who will be present for your dental procedure, and their experience and training regarding the level of sedation you will be receiving.
• If you are having moderate to deep sedation or general anesthesia in the dental office, ensure the facility is registered for that level of sedation. Check with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals.
• Ask what measures are in place if a medical emergency occurs.
• Confirm any pre- or post-treatment requirements to ensure that you are properly prepared for your treatment and that you have a safe recovery. Go over any requirements with the dental office staff to ensure you understand the details of the directions. It is important to follow all directions accurately.
• Ask what you can expect to feel during your dental treatment. Will you feel anything like pressure or numbness? Will you be alert?
• Ask what you can expect after your treatment. Will there be any side effects? Do you require any medication?
• Ask how long the dental procedure will take and what, if any, recovery time there will be.
• You will need a responsible adult to accompany and drive you home.

Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the functionality) of teeth, gums and/or bite. Two of the most popular types of cosmetic dentistry include Dental Veneers and Whitening.

Dental Veneers

A veneer is a thin cover that is bonded to the outside portion of the tooth. A veneer may be recommended to treat damaged, chipped, discoloured or misaligned teeth. 

Veneers are constructed using porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain veneers are strong, highly stain resistant and generally last longer than resin. Porcelain veneers can last roughly 10 – 15 years while resin veneers generally last about half as long before requiring repair or replacement. 

Work with your dentist to discuss all available treatment options to determine the right treatment options for you.

Whitening

Teeth undergo natural changes in colour and your smile doesn’t have to be bright white to be healthy. Certain foods and beverages may stain your teeth; smoking, some medications and trauma to the teeth can also cause discolouration.

Talk to your dentist about your expectations as well as the pros and cons of tooth whitening options to determine what’s right for your teeth.

• Most whitening products use some form of peroxide that can cause increased tooth sensitivity (especially in younger patients). If you have any oral infections or gum disease you should talk to your dentist before using a tooth whitener.
• Bleaching will only whiten natural tooth enamel, not crowns, veneers, fillings or dentures.

To keep your teeth looking as white as possible try the following:

• Brush soon after consuming stain-causing foods such as coffee, tea, red wine and blueberries.
• Add dairy or soy milk to your tea or coffee rather than taking it black.
• Quit smoking and chewing tobacco: stains from tobacco are almost impossible to remove.
• Brush, floss and have regular dental cleanings to remove plaque.

Stress is a common cause of health problems, and your oral health is no exception. Stress may contribute to several oral health conditions and may also impact your oral health routine and diet—increasing your risk of tooth decay.

Related Oral Health Conditions

• Teeth Grinding: Teeth grinding can cause damage to your teeth and enamel as well as headaches and soreness in the jaw. As grinding often occurs during the night you may not be aware you are doing it. Your dentist may recommend a night guard to protect your teeth from damage.
• Gum Disease: Stress can lower your immune system and increase your risk for infection in the mouth, including gum disease.
• Dry Mouth: Dry mouth is both a side effect of stress as well as the medicines used to treat stress and depression. The mouth’s first line of defense against bacteria is saliva, and without it there is an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease and infection.
• Canker Sores: Canker sores (white spots found on the soft tissue of the mouth) are harmless but can be painful. They will usually go away on their own within 1-2 weeks or your dentist may prescribe a topical treatment or rinse.
• Tooth Decay: A neglected oral health routine, unhealthy lifestyle choices and conditions such as dry mouth increase your risk of tooth decay.

Sports-related dental injuries ranging from tooth loss to lacerated gums to jaw fractures are common among children and adults and can have long-term consequences. Mouthguards protect against trauma to the teeth, gums, soft tissues and supporting bones.

Mouthguards are necessary in any sport where there might be a strong chance of contact with other participants or hard surfaces and are also a good idea for recreational activities such as skateboarding, in-line skating and cycling.

Types of Mouthguards

• Custom-Made: A dentist makes an impression of the patient’s mouth and then creates an exact-fitting mouthguard from a cast model of the teeth impression using vacuum- or pressure-formed thermoplastic material. As they are customized, these mouthguards provide the best fit, protection and comfort; they are also the most durable.
• Boil-And-Bite: This mouthguard, generally made of thermoplastic material, must be warmed in very hot water to soften it, so the user can bite into it to create an impression. When moulded within the mouth (or “bitten”), the plastic takes on the shape of the wearer’s mouth; however, the fit is not as precise as that of custom-made mouthguards—and it may be somewhat bulkier. Boil-and-bites come in three sizes: small, medium and large, and are also sized by age.
• Ready-Made: Made of rubber or polyvinyl, these mouthguards are held in place by clenching teeth together. As a result, they offer the least amount of comfort, protection and durability, and are often bulky and loose.

Caring for Mouthguards

• Rinse your mouthguard under cold water after every use and air it dry. Like anything else that goes into the mouth, a mouthguard will attract bacteria and should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• Occasionally clean it with an antiseptic mouthwash. You can also clean it with a toothbrush and toothpaste or cleaning tablets.
• Store your mouthguard in a firm, perforated plastic container and away from extreme heat, as heat can distort it.
• Check your mouthguard regularly for tears or holes (these can irritate the mouth and weaken the mouthguard). If you notice any, replace it immediately.

The BCDA supports community water fluoridation as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay. Approximately 45% of Canadians benefit from water fluoridation.

The safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation has been frequently studied and continues to be supported by current science. Canadian and international studies agree that water that was fluoridated at optimum levels does not cause adverse health effects.

Water fluoridation ensures that all members of the community, regardless of age, education, and social-economic status, are protected against tooth decay. It is particularly beneficial to children, seniors and other vulnerable individuals who may not have access to other preventive measures, such as regular dental care or even other fluoride products.

Read more about water fluoridation.