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Patient Education

Your Healthy, Beautiful Smile Is Our Priority

Your healthy, beautiful smile is our priority. An educated patient will not only understand suggested treatments but will also be able to make an informed decision concerning the course of their current and future dental care.

At Westboro Family Dentistry, we believe that education is the key to a productive and successful patient/dental office relationship. Our professional team is available to assist you with any questions or concerns. Listed below, for your reference, is a list of frequently asked questions:

“A: We recommend that patients visit our office regularly to ensure their optimal oral health and to help avoid serious and costly future problems. In addition to cleaning and polishing all the visible and hidden surfaces of your teeth, we also check for many potential problems. Tooth decay, oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease are just a few examples of problems that can have serious consequences if left undetected. In certain cases, we may even recommend 3 or 4 visits per year in order to properly treat conditions that require more regular attention.

Maintaining a regular appointment schedule with your dentist isn’t just good for your teeth, it’s an important part of your overall health. ”

“A: Experts and your local Health Unit agree that a child should have his or her first dental visit when the first tooth erupts or before they reach their first birthday. Along with taking our first look at your child’s mouth, this first appointment is also largely focused on the parents and helping them to establish a good oral hygiene program and diet for the child. Recent studies have shown that by the age of three, a child is already at risk of having cavities which can be caused by something as innocent as putting a baby to sleep with a bottle of juice or milk. Bringing your child to the dentist by the age of 1 will hopefully eliminate that need for dental treatment at a young age which usually involves sedation or even a general anesthetic.

It is a little known fact that a child's primary teeth are vital to the long-term health of their permanent adult teeth. The premature loss of primary teeth as a result of accidents or decay can cause serious problems, including poorly spaced and crooked adult teeth. As a result, it is just as important to care for a child's baby teeth as it is for the adult teeth that follow. ”

“A: According to recent studies, almost half the population of adults in North America suffers, at least occasionally, from bad breath (halitosis). The most common cause of bad breath is bacteria in the mouth and on the back of the tongue. These bacteria produce a volatile sulfur compound, which in turn produces a smell similar to 'rotten eggs'. Other causes of halitosis include certain foods, smoking, alcohol, hormonal changes or simply being hungry.

Depending upon the type of bad breath, the treatment usually begins with ensuring meticulous oral hygiene. Your dentist or dental hygienist will check for gum disease and, if necessary, prepare a detailed treatment plan. Tongue scraping should also become an important part of daily home care and part of your regular tooth brushing routine. ”

“A: While brushing is very effective at removing plaque and food debris from your teeth, a toothbrush simply cannot effectively clean all of the surfaces of your teeth. In particular, the spaces between your teeth are difficult, if not impossible to clean properly by brushing alone. If you don't floss, you will miss cleaning 35% of you tooth surfaces. This can mean that people who brush regularly are still very susceptible to cavities and gum infections in these areas.

The use of dental floss or tape once a day can clean these difficult to reach surfaces and provide you with a truly clean and healthy mouth. It takes just a few minutes per day, and the payback is a cleaner and healthier mouth. Please contact our office if you have any questions about the proper care of your teeth and gums. Any one of our staff members will be happy to answer your questions. ”

“A: Tooth grinding or bruxism, is a serious issue that can result in damage to your teeth, poor sleep patterns and soreness in the muscles of the face and neck, not to mention an unhappy spouse. In addition to this, the longevity of any dental work can be significantly affected. Fortunately, this problem can normally be corrected with the use of a dental nightguard.

Nightguards look much like a sports mouthguard, but are specially designed to prevent muscle tension and withstand the intense pressure exerted by tooth grinders. Only your dental office can provide a custom-made nightguard that will fit you perfectly.

Ask us about dental nightguards or other treatments available to relieve tension and discomfort in the jaw and neck. ”

“A: We’ve all heard, “You are what you eat,” and this is particularly true when dealing with our dental health. It is especially important to keep an eye on your midday snacks, and to take regular care of your dental needs throughout the day.

Many of us enjoy little snacks between meals; the problem is that these snacks, often starchy and/or high in sugar content, can leave the teeth and gums exposed to the decay-causing elements left behind by the snack. When snacking, try nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables instead of sugary and salty items such as chocolate, chips, and pretzels. Also, if you drink coffee, try drinking more water to cut down on stain issues.

To maintain a regular cleaning routine, try keeping a toothbrush with you for brushing after lunch each day in addition to brushing and flossing in the morning and evening. Also, be sure to maintain a regular appointment schedule with your dentist. ”

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