Willow Dental Care

Author: Toothbrush Confidential

8 Tips for a Healthy Smile This Summer!

You’re all over the sunscreen and sun shades to keep your skin and eyes healthy. Now what about your oral health?

We’ve brought you our top tips to keep you and your family’s health and safety in check this summer.

1) Water. It’s the number one health tip (water battles are up with sunscreen for top billing each summer) but it can’t be stressed enough. The human body is made up of approximately 70-percent water. A 2008 study concluded that muscular power decreased by up to 19% at a dehydration level of 3% . Not only does it keep your tissues hydrated and healthy but drinking water after a less than healthy snack can help to wash away unwanted sugar bugs and food debris that cause cavities.

2) Fruit. Packed with water, not only does it help with hydration but certain fruits are summer’s super friends. Watermelon increases the natural SPF in your skin. With a high water content and low sugar content, watermelon makes a wonderful summer snack or blended as a drink! Did you know that apples contain malic acid, which is a component in teeth whitening products to dissolve stains? There is a benefit to every fruit. Isn’t it great that when there is hot sun, it is also the season with the most access to local fruit!

3) Keep your friends close..like a handy travel sized oral health kit. It is great as the days go long and you don’t make it home before your next event. Two minutes with your travel toothbrush and nothing will stop your fun.

4) Keep it clean. You probably brush your teeth after washing your face in the morning and at night. But if you’re brushing your teeth on the go, remember wash your hands first. A bit of hot water and soap will go miles to keep out unwanted bacteria you’ve picked up at the beach or hot banisters.

5) A dry brush is a happy brush. Whether you are travelling through Europe or brushing your teeth after cotton candy at the beach, it’s good to remember that a wet toothbrush is where bacteria can grow. Dry it as best you can with a paper towel before putting it back in it’s case. When you get back to your residence, even if for the night, rinse it in hot water and set it out to dry. If you’re driving, set it out in your cup holder for a while to let it dry before packing it away.

6) School is out! Summer is the best time to book your kids dental appointments. We know they are busy with summer camps and family vacations, but it’s always better to get their teeth checked and have any extra work done when they don’t have to miss school.

7) Swimmer’s Calculus. Sounds gross? It is. If you or your child spend more than 6 hours swimming in a pool there is a chance that yellowish/brown stain can appear on your teeth. This happens when the chemically treated pool water’s pH is higher than saliva. Most of us don’t spend this amount of time in a pool but if you have a kid who thinks they are a merperson it does happen. Luckily the stains can be removed by your hygienist.

8) When travelling in foreign countries with doubtful water quality, try to rinse your toothbrush and mouth with purchased water or hot tea.

Now get outside and enjoy that sun! Vitamin D helps to create strong bones and teeth. You don’t want to miss out on that kind of fun!

October 19, 2014
Are you Prepared for the Season of Dating?

Whether it’s mother nature’s inspired summer fever or the simple fact that the sun is out, summer tends to be The Season of Dating. What Toothbrush Confidential wants to empower you with is:

1) Is your mouth Kiss ready?
2) The Dangers of Kissing

First off bad breath is going to kill your game no matter how delightfully funny and attractive you are. If you haven’t seen your dentist in six months, make an appointment for a cleaning and a check up, this way bleeding gums and bad breath shouldn’t be in your way. Of course you’ve been brushing and flossing daily, have you also been scraping your tongue? Check out this article from Toothbrush Confidential about the magic of tongue scraping.

Also check out willowdentaloffers.com to read about the $99 cleaning and check up special just for this 2014 summer.

Drink water. Not only will it help keep you hydrated in the heat, but it helps washing away food particles and bacteria that may cause bad breath. In the same breath, (pun not intended) try harder to brush more than once a day. Any movement over your teeth will dislodge the bacteria. If left untouched bacteria doubles in 24 hours.

Eat only date friendly foods. Avoid things like garlic, coffee, onions and pretty much anything you wouldn’t want to smell on someone’s breath.

Chewing fresh mint or sugar-free gum will help to keep your mouth fresh if you can’t reach for a toothbrush and will help wash away food particles.
“I like your yellow teeth.” Said no one ever.
Teeth yellow as you age. It happens. We drink coffee and wine and sometimes we need to take action to return to our natural bright white smiles. Toothbrush Confidential has broken down all the options when it comes to whitening here.

Now you’ve got fresh breath, a shiny white smile and you’re ready to get out there and get your date on… is kissing actually dangerous?

We hate to tell you yes. Each kiss with a frog or a prince may add 500 different types of germs and viruses most of which we have built up some immunity.

Cold or Flu Virus
———-
Colds or Flu Virus are probably the most obvious danger in the saliva exchange. So if you hear your date mention that they are not feeling great, you may want to postpone this kiss until you’re both feeling great.

Cold Sores
———-
If your date has any tiny, clear, fluid-filled blisters around their mouth and lips, they are most likely cold sores. Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus and are highly contagious when they are in this state or leaking fluid. Once scabbed over they may still be contagious. Beef up on your vitamin C and also try to use mouthwash more often which can cut curing time down. There is also evidence that cold sores can come from stress so add a Vitamin B to your daily vitamin regime.

A wound near the lips is most likely herpes, so it’s best to avoid kissing anyone with visible sores near their mouth.
Mononucleosis
———-
Although Mononucleosis’ nickname is Kissing Disease, this virus can be shared through sharing food, utensils, glasses or straws. The can knock you out of commission for months so know your kissing partner before you lock lips.
Oral Cancer
———-
This one is probably the most shocking. Studies show that Oral Cancer may spread through human papillomavirus which may be transmitted through kissing. The good news though? Your dentist can scan you for oral cancer with a Velscope before any symptoms appear. A yearly scan is good practice.

Your health is very important to us. We hope you feel empowered on your search for love.

October 19, 2014
Wedding Bells are Ringing

It’s all so exciting isn’t it? Weddings..the love, the celebration of life and commitment and all those photos. And the cold hard truth is, those photos will be viewed and shared for years to come.

Are you photo ready?

Whether you are a member of the wedding party, the bride or the groom, you’d like to present your best but more importantly feel your best on this day of love that you share with friends. family and the professional photographer.

First up, when you smile into the mirror, is the smile staring back the best it could be? If you have a cleaning twice a year as recommended by dentists your teeth are probably feeling clean and pretty white. If they are still naturally yellower than you like, then there are opportunities to bring back the pearly in your whites.

Toothbrush Confidential has a great breakdown of the pros and cons of each of whitening options. See Toothbrush Confidential’s post: That Whole Whitening Process – and What Does it Mean?

Do you need to close a space between teeth or brighten your teeth, even straighten out of line teeth?

Cosmetic boding may be the answer to your needs. This painless and fast treatment can:
• To repair decayed teeth (composite resins are used to fill cavities)
• To repair chipped or cracked teeth
• To improve the appearance of discoloured teeth
• To close spaces between teeth
• To make teeth look longer
• To change the shape of teeth
• As a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings
• To protect a portion of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede.

What’s the Procedure for Having a Tooth Bonded?
• Preparation. Little preparation is needed for dental bonding. Anesthesia is often not necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth. Your dentist will use a shade guide to select a composite resin color that will closely match the color of your teeth.
• The bonding process. Next, the surface of the tooth will be roughened and a conditioning liquid applied. These procedures help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The tooth-colored, putty-like resin is then applied, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. An high intensity light is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, your dentist will further trim and shape it, and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.
• Time-to-completion. Dental bonding takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Bonding?
• Advantages: Dental bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental procedures. Unlike veneers and crowns, which are customized tooth coverings that must be manufactured in a lab, bonding usually can be done in one office visit unless several teeth are involved. Another advantage, compared with veneers and crowns, is that the least amount of tooth enamel is removed. Also, unless dental bonding is being performed to fill a cavity, anesthesia is usually not required.

• Disadvantages: Although the material used in dental bonding is somewhat stain resistant, it does not resist stains as well as crowns. Another disadvantage is that the bonding materials do not last as long nor are as strong as other restorative procedures, such as crowns, veneers, or fillings. Additionally, bonding materials can chip and break off the tooth.
Because of some of the limitations of dental bonding, some dentists view it as best suited for small cosmetic changes, for temporary correction of cosmetic defects, and for correction of teeth in areas of very low bite pressure (for example, front teeth). Consult with your dentist about the best cosmetic approach for your particular problem.
Did you go through years of braces? Did you forget to wear your retainer? Have things shifted just enough to annoy you? Do you know that some minor crowding or spacing can be easily corrected?
Here is the answer for you!

Invisalign Express offers the same clear removable Invisalign. Every case is different but there is a possibility that for patients that qualify it can be as fast as five to ten months and less expensive than the full Invisalign experience.

We hope you feel empowered to be your best self during this wedding season and through out the rest of the year. Remember a healthy smile is always in style.

October 17, 2014
Meet Dr. Eslami!

Dr. Eslami

Dr. Eslami has chosen to live and practice dentistry in Chilliwack, Willow Dental Care Chilliwack specifically.

Born in Iran, Dr. Eslami moved to BC when he was in Grade 11. He completed a degree in engineering before finding his way into dentistry. A double degree dentist!

Below is an interview with Dr. Eslami.

What factor influenced you to becoming a dentist?

As I was completing my undergraduate degree, I realized that engineering did not have much people involvement. I knew that I was really more of a people person and when I had an opportunity to shadow a cousin who is a dentist, I really knew that it was for me. I applied to Dentistry and never looked back. In fact, a good day for me now is a day when I am able to make my patients happier by meeting their dental needs.

Where would you like to be in 5 years?

I want to be able to offer quality dental care to my patients in every level of dentistry. I hope to have a big family one day.

To get a close up of what Dr Eslami really is like, here are a few points of interest to discuss when you meet him:

Favorite writer – Mary Higgins Clark and would recommend the book Silent Night.

Favorite actor – Anthony Hopkins and his favorite movie is Inception.

March 17, 2014
First Visit Free
*Update – This offer is no longer valid.

When do you bring your baby in for their first dental visit? What should you expect?

Willow Dental Care offers parents a positive experience for your child’s first dental visit: A First Free Visit for every child between 1 year and 18 months.

Every child should have the opportunity to visit the dentist for their first check up by 18 months. At this time children have probably seen their parents in the dental chair and are ready to experience it for themselves.

The first visit is very important to see if their teeth are coming in correctly. Answer questions such as: Has any dental decay started and are there practices that might be slightly adjusted to help your child’s dental health (milk or juice at night, soothers?) Are there tips from the dental assistant to help brush the baby’s teeth? When do you introduce flossing? What about electric toothbrushes at this age?

What you can expect your child to experience (based on their level of cooperation):
- A walk through the clinic to meet everyone and the location of the treasure box
- A ride in the dental chair with or without the parent
- Meet and experience Mr. Thirsty (the saliva sucker)
- Meet and experience the Whistle Brush, the wind machine and the water squirter
- Meet the dental team (assistant, doctor, receptionist)
- Have their teeth counted by the dentist while he is doing a visual exam.
- Learn that going to the dentist is nothing to fear and maybe even fun
- Leave feeling very important and grown up for being such a great patient.
- Earn their very own brand new toothbrush and a toy!
Why would you want to take advantage of this opportunity? We find that a child empowered to learn about their own dental health will be proud of it. They are much more likely to take an active part in caring for their oral health as they grow up.

Call today to make your child’s first appointment! www.willowdentalcare.com
March 17, 2014
Flossing for Two

Flossing for Two

Babies! Oh those tiny little bundles of joy are such a promise of joy and delight. But as you’ve probably read, being pregnant, although truly a miracle, can be rather tough on your body. Toothbrush Confidential has done the digging and below we’ve provided you a step by step oral health plan that will take you throughout your pregnancy.

It’s Baby Making Time! Off to… the dentist?

You’ve decided now is the time to start your family. Things are working themselves out and you know now is the time. Before you get pregnant, is the perfect time to see your dentist for a good cleaning and to check for any decay. Have x-rays taken now to check between teeth and under old fillings. Hormonal changes while pregnant can increase the risk of gum disease and there is correlation between gum disease and low birth weight.

If you have cosmetic dental work that you would like to have, prior to pregnancy is a good idea or set that as a goal for your post delivery treat to yourself. There is nothing like a great smile makeover to prevent postpartum blues. But plan it out now. Work with your dentist to create a plan of action based on what you want. Insurance approvals for major work is generally valid for one year so the dental team can pre-authorize all the treatment and be ready for you when the baby is born.

Congratulations you’re Pregnant!

Some dental procedures should be avoided during the first trimester. Talk to your dentist about your pregnancy because at this time certain dental work may affect the baby’s development. Do not skip your check up however, hormones can play havoc with gums. Look for increase in bleeding gums when pregnant. Extra bacteria may affect the health of your baby. This is a good reason to increase the frequency of your visits with the hygienist! Flossing for two!

Share all your medicines, prenatal vitamins and dosages with your dental team. Your dentist may need to revise your oral health plan based on your condition. For instance, tetracycline, if taken while pregnant may affect the development of your child’s teeth.

Avoiding X-rays while pregnant is pretty much common sense. If you do have a dental emergency and must have an x-ray, your dentist will take the utmost precaution with lead aprons. If absolutely necessary, the third trimester is the least dangerous time.

It’s not all beautiful – the Ins and Outs of Morning Sickness

Many woman experience morning sickness while pregnant. To combat it we suggest ginger tea to settle your stomach or aroma therapy of peppermint essential oil. Also switching to a mild toothpaste may help avoid nausea. If you do vomit, make certain to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and baking soda. Unfortunately the acid in vomit can weaken the enamel. Baking soda will neutralize the acid.

Oral Health = Overall Health

As you’ve probably heard over and over again, whatever you eat, your baby eats, so choose healthy options. Since your child’s teeth are developing around the third month of your pregnancy, eating calcium rich foods are an excellent idea. Low fat yogurt and cheeses are an excellent source of calcium. For vegetarians, add calcium to your diet through green veggies and nuts. You can get your entire days’ worth of calcium from just a few servings of certain high-calcium greens and nuts such as: soybean (edamame), okra, spinach, almonds, kelp, broccoli, sesame seeds, brazil nuts, celery.

If your sweet cravings are powerful, we suggest brushing your teeth immediately after eating sweets? As mentioned above, gum disease may be accelerated during pregnancy.

Congratulations You’re a Mommy!

Once you have given birth and regained your strength, book an appointment for a checkup. Your dentist will want to review your mouth to make certain those pregnancy hormones haven’t created damage on your oral heath. Oh and bring baby photos, or even bring the baby in to be admired. We always enjoy babies in the office.

February 13, 2014
Thumb Sucking: Adorable or Dangerous?

Thumb Sucking: Adorable or Dangerous?

Children often find comfort in thumb sucking. It’s adorable to witness and ultra sound photos have been taken of babies thumb sucking in the womb. Can something that brings so much relief and is so cute, actually be a problem?

Yes, if it goes on too long. The level of intensity and duration of your child’s sucking, can create damage to their facial growth ie the way their face gets shaped.

Dental Impact Thumb sucking usually results in flaring of upper front teeth and restricts proper growth of the lower jaw. These growth changes create an “Open Bite”. This is when the top teeth do not cover the bottom teeth when the mouth is closed. When swallowing, as the teeth cannot close together, a tongue thrust habit is created. This constant pushing of the tongue on the front teeth makes the open bite even worse. Occasionally this tongue thrust habit creates speech problem like lisping or problems like malformed palate leading to breathing problems/apnea. These are just a few of the dental impact starting from a simple thumb sucking habit.

There are dental appliances that can be used to break the habit. A consultation with the dentist when the child is 2 or 3 years old would allow your dentist to monitor the existing dentition and to assess any possible problems.

To help you encourage your child to give up the thumb Toothbrush Confidential has gathered some excellent tactics and advice. The success of these techniques requires a desire and cooperation from your child.

Real World Results Pushing your child to quit something they find pleasurable usually ensures a child clings to the activity. You can wait until your child is in school and is faced with the judgment of other children. Peer teasing may create the fastest behavioral change but the dental damage might already be done.

Carrot Over Stick Make the behavioral change a game. Reward-based system games got you to the gym so why wouldn’t it work with kids? Stickers on a calendar works well. For each day your child doesn’t suck their thumb they receive a special sticker to commemorate their achievement. At the end of a preset timeline, daily then weekly then monthly, an appropriate prize is delivered.

Make a Job of It This is a lovely sneaky way to turn something that offers relief into a chore. Explain to your child that by only sucking their thumb they aren’t being fair to their other fingers. All fingers require the same amount of sucking. It’s only fair. Your child may grown so tired of all this “work” they might just let the entire thing go. If you don’t suck a thumb, then none of your fingers need to be sucked.

Privatize Thumb sucking Teaching your child that thumb sucking is something not to be done in public may force your child to find other ways to soothe themselves. It might also turn thumb sucking into a negative habit.

Reminder Fluid This tactic has been seen as cruel, but some have found success with it. Dip your child’s thumb into something that tastes awful but is harmless, like vinegar. When the child returns to thumb sucking, it will not be a soothing experience and they’ll find another way to sooth themselves. Please do not use this method as punishment. A simpler version is to keep a glove or mitten on the child’s hand so thumb sucking isn’t an option.

Someday My Prince Will Come Wait. Simply wait for your child to grow out of this habit. This may create some dental issues, or without any pressure your child might give it up on their own earlier than you think. Either way peer pressure will usually force a child to quit by the age of six.

However you decide to deal with thumb sucking, we would love to hear about your experiences. Tell us in the comments below!

January 20, 2014
Making this Year Your Best Year Yet! Resolutions for a Healthy Smile

New Years Resolutions. A horror or an opportunity? Either way this is the article for you! We’ve created a list of positive easy changes you can make that will revolutionize your oral health and probably your overall health as well.

Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water, and a concerted effort to not drink dehydrating liquids like coffee, alcohol, or pop is key to optimum health. Water or herbal teas are considered the cleansing liquids. Water also aids in keeping your mouth chock full of healthy liquid to rinse out bacteria. See how that works? All your cells and organs work better, you may even shed weight easier and your teeth & gums will having a fighting chance to stay healthy.

Fruits & Veggies a Plenty
This isn’t news. Stacking your diet high in fruits and veggies is a standard health practice. But did you know that fruits and veggies are chalk full of water (aid that hydration!) fiber and antioxidants. The fiber in raw fruits and veggies like celery, apples and carrots help to clean your teeth of sticky plaque as you bite into them. Antioxidants help power your body to fight bacteria, bacteria that multiplies on your teeth and creates plaque and gingivitis. Check out new year sales for that popular Nutri Bullet which allows you to drink your fruits and veggies.

It’s Time to Butt Out
We spoke about this last month in our Your Health is Going Up in Smoke post. No one is shocked at the idea that smoking is hard on your health. But did you know how it helps to cut off blood supply to your gums? Therefore the proliferation of gum disease is more likely. We know it’s not an easy task to quit smoking. But if the idea of losing your teeth inspires this action, we and our hygienists are happy to support you!

Keep Your Daily Oral Health Ritual
Recently a friend mentioned he often falls asleep without brushing or flossing. This came up because his last visit to the dentist showed his lack of oral hygiene. We understand you’re busy. We understand your life is sometimes very overwhelming but brush at least twice a day. Floss at least once a day and see your dentist twice a year for a check up and cleaning. Your mouth and future self will thank you. Develop a habit of brushing your teeth when you get into pyjamas or your fun clothes for the evening.

Beauty is Important. But It’s Your Health We Care About
You may feel alright about walking around with crooked or overlapping teeth; or a missing crown or broken teeth. However this type of dental problem makes it harder to clean and therefore may lead to gum disease or cavities. Getting these fixed may do wonders for your confidence and over all health. The true gold of cosmetic dentistry is the long lasting health benefits.

However you approach the new year and it’s resolutions, may you be healthier and happier than the previous year.

December 31, 2013
Ack! Dental Emergency! What Do You Do?

Dental emergencies don’t happen every day, but having a plan when you or your child is in pain can be priceless. Below we’ve listed the most common dental emergencies and a short plan of action. Why not bookmark this emergency action plan for future use?

In case of dental emergency, it is always best to contact your Willow Dental Care office and if it is after hours follow the directions on the voicemail. Email is not a viable communication technique for dental emergencies because emails are not read after hours.

December 12, 2013
Your Oral Health is Going Up in Smoke

Smoking’s detrimental affects to your health are wide spread and well known. But did you know that smoking reeks havoc on your oral health?

You brush and floss daily. You visit your dentist twice a year and you’re even good about keeping your diet fairly sugar free. Your teeth should be in wonderful shape, non? Oh but you smoke. You know smoking causes cancer, heart diseases and ages you prematurely, but it can’t do more than stain your teeth – right?

Gagan K. -Hygienist at Willow Dental Care Chilliwack

December 12, 2013