Our Dental Blog Archives for Articles: Page 4

Your children’s oral health is important, and keeping teeth and gums healthy is crucial on so many levels. Recently, experts have discovered that children’s teeth might be able to help treat Parkinson’s disease and diabetes because of stem cells located in the pulp chambers of the teeth. Clearly, your child’s teeth are vitally important and the dental team at ValleyFair Dental in Maple Ridge want to make sure your children’s oral health care is top notch.

Practicing proper oral health care

If you’re wondering when the right time is to start brushing your baby’s teeth, we have some tips for you. Regular dental cleanings should be done after your baby has their teeth. After you have breastfed or bottle-fed your baby, take a damp washcloth and softly rub your baby’s gums. To make cleaning easier, you can wrap the cloth around one of your fingers to remove all those food scraps from your baby’s mouth.

As soon as your baby’s first tooth comes, a baby toothbrush will be needed. You can easily find special children’s oral health care toothbrushes at your local drugstore. These brushes are gentle and have only a few bristles. You don’t have to worry about buying toothpaste, you’ll only need water to clean your child’s teeth.

Children’s oral health care experts have determined that when more teeth start to come in, that’s when toothpaste becomes necessary. You will only need a very small amount and be sure that there is no fluoride in the toothpaste for the first few years. A great exercise is to have your child pretend to spit out toothpaste after brushing – then they will have already formed good habits when it comes time to use fluoride toothpaste which is hazardous when swallowed.

Here’s a great informational video about baby teeth:

For more questions or concerns about proper children’s oral health or your baby’s teeth, call or visit us at ValleyFair Dental in Maple Ridge.

If you’re pregnant and wondering what effect your oral health might have on your unborn baby, the dental health experts at our dental practice want patients to know the facts about how oral health can impact pregnancy.

There has been evidence that shows a correlation between gum disease and premature babies. Researchers have revealed that pregnant woman who have gum disease are more likely than other pregnant women to have a premature birth.

There needs to be more research on this subject, but it does seem that gum disease is detrimental to fluids that induce labour. If gum disease worsens during pregnancy, the risk will be greater of having a baby born too early or too small.

The dental health team at ValleyFair Dental encourages pregnant women to visit our Maple Ridge dental practice for regular dental appointments so that oral health issues can be treated before they have an impact on pregnancy.

While you are pregnant, the team at our Maple Ridge dental practice will pay close attention to your teeth and gums. In order to keep your mouth healthy, brush and floss on a regular basis and make sure your diet is nutritious. Ensure that you visit ValleyFair Dental for your regular checkups and to prevent dental issues.

Aside from gum disease, another issue that women may develop during pregnancy is gingivitis. This occurs when plaque is stored in the teeth, causing gums to be irritated. Symptoms of this dental problem are red, swollen and bloody gums, and inflammation.

Gingivitis is a major concern for pregnant women who visit our Maple Ridge dental practice because the high level of hormones make the way gums respond to plaque much worse. It should be noted that plaque is the major cause of pregnancy gingivitis, not hormones.

If you are diligent about keeping your teeth clean, this will reduce your chances of gingivitis. Make sure to pay special attention to the gumline, as it attracts plaque and bacteria the most.

Let the ValleyFair team at Maple Ridge know about your pregnancy when you make your appointment.

It is common for parents to wonder whether it is bad for kids to be sucking their thumbs or fingers. Lots of households have at least one “thumb-sucker” and we at ValleyFair Dental Centre in Maple Ridge are here to set the record straight about the problems that arise from thumb sucking.

The big question is, should you worry about your child if they are sucking their thumb? For the most part, there is nothing to worry about. Thumb sucking is completely natural for most children, making them feel secure and content and even being quite relaxing for them. This habit is something that most kids can easily grow out of when they hit the ages of two to four.

However, thumb sucking does become a problem when your child continues to suck their thumb after they’ve received their permanent teeth (usually around the ages of four to six). This habit can become quite problematic at this point, causing pressure inside their mouth and preventing teeth from growing or aligning properly.

If you think that thumb sucking is becoming a problem for your child, contact the dental team at ValleyFair Dental Centre in Maple Ridge and we can evaluate what’s happening and give you some helpful tips on how your child can stop this habit.

Watch this helpful video about thumb sucking and what you can do to discourage it.

Dr. Chherawala and the team at ValleyFair Dental Clinic recently attended the Toothfairy Gala and BC Dental Association Awards held on Saturday March 10, 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The evening was organized to celebrate the best and brightest in the dental community, while simultaneously raising proceeds for the BC Cancer Agency and AboutFace. Both beneficiaries have partnered together to help adult survivors of childhood cancers who have struggled with dentofacial abnormalities.

The 123Dentist.com Community Dentist Network, of which ValleyFair Dental is a proud member, gave a generous donation in support of both charities. Dr. Chherawala is pictured below with his wife and fellow dentist, Dr. R. Chherawala.

For more photos of the Toothfairy Gala, visit the 123Dentist.com Community Dentist Network Page on Facebook.

Bad breath can scare away a variety of people, whether it be your boss, family, or a potential new love interest. The team at ValleyFair Dental in Maple Ridge are always available to share the latest tips and tricks on how to freshen bad breath.

At ValleyFair Dental, we know that many patients are worried about how their breath smells. However, while some cases of bad breath are persistent and chronic, bad breath can typically be kept at bay.

The following video thoroughly explains the causes of bad breath and how it can be prevented. Most of the time, bad breath can be stopped if you brush your teeth twice a day after eating and floss regularly. The video focuses on morning breath and how this can be controlled, providing tips such as brushing inside the cheek and tongue where most of the bacteria accumulates. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water to encourage saliva production.

To learn more about proper oral health, feel free to contact ValleyFair Dental in Maple Ridge.

Along with maintaining proper oral health, fitness is essential for people to improve their lifestyle. We here at ValleyFair Dental in Maple Ridge want our patients to get active by exercising or playing sports. However, when participating in contact sports, it is incredibly important to wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth and jaw bone.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human services suggest people exercise one hour each day, engaging in moderate physical activities, for example: a brisk walk or playing sports. People should also spend 1 hour and 15 minutes doing high intensity exercise like going for a run or dancing.

Staying in shape is vital for feeling great and looking great too. With daily exercise and a stunning smile from ValleyFair Dental, you will be able to make any of your lifestyle or work goals a reality.

Stay safe while exercising and make sure you are living the proper lifestyle with a healthy, beautiful smile so you can be the best version of yourself.

Contact ValleyFair Dental in Maple Ridge if you have any questions or if you would like to book an appointment.

A happy young boy brushes his teeth

We all know that maintaining oral health is important, especially when it comes to children. Experts suggest that parents should start taking care of their children’s oral health at age 1 or as soon as their first teeth come in. However, a report from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital indicates that the majority of children from ages 1-2 have not even begun seeing a dentist.

At ValleyFair Dental, we want to encourage our Maple Ridge patients to bring their children to our dental office as soon as they turn 1 or as soon as their first teeth come in. We will give your child the proper oral care they need, so they can lead healthy lives with a lifetime of smiles.

The reason that children may not be getting the proper oral care is because parents may be oblivious when it comes to early dental care. At ValleyFair Dental we can discuss your child’s proper oral care and what steps you need to take to ensure your child is getting the dental care they need.

For more information about proper oral care at ValleyFair Dental or to book an appointment, please click here.

Knowing how to brush your teeth properly is important so you can avoid conditions such as gingivitis and tooth decay.

Bad brushing technique can lead to tooth abrasion, which wears away the surface of the tooth. Because gum tissue is so delicate, it can be damaged from the bristles on your toothbrush and lead to tooth sensitivity.

These instructions will help you brush your teeth the right way:

1. Put a thin layer of toothpaste on your already-moist toothbrush.
2. Brush your back teeth first, especially focusing on the front of the teeth.
3. Hold the toothbrush alongside your teeth, and point the bristles where the tissue is located. Your bristles need to be applied near the gum line.
4. Brush using a round motion for about 10 seconds.
5. When you’re done this step, sweep the bristles away from the gum line.
6. Continue these steps until the top and bottom teeth are clean.
7. Clean the inside surfaces of your teeth, and repeat steps 2 to 5 on your upper and lower molars.
8. Brush your front teeth by moving the tip of the toothbrush from the gum line down. Repeat twice or three times.
9. Do step 8 for the lower front teeth, but be sure to guide away from the gum line. Repeat twice or three times.
10. Brush towards the back of your tooth so you reach the biting surface.
11. You can softly brush your tongue and cheeks if you wish.
12. Rinse with either water or mouthwash.

Brushing at least two times a day is key- we recommend you do this in the morning and before bed. If your bristles look worn out, be sure to replace your toothbrush. You should also get a new toothbrush every 3 months. If you get the cold or flu or any kind of sickness, be sure to get a new toothbrush.

These tips should help you with brushing your teeth properly, but if you find yourself having any teeth issues, book an appointment at ValleyFair Dental in Maple Ridge and we’ll be happy to take care of you.

ValleyFair Dental Clinic is proud to be a sponsor and participant in events in our community, and we’re proud to support the next generation of community leaders and the future of dentistry. Recently,ValleyFair Dental’s very own Dr. Chherawala attended the Grand Opening of the 123Dentist.com Study/Conference Room donated by the 123Dentist.com Community Dentist Network to the Faculty of Dentistry at the prestigious University of British Columbia. Dr. Chherawala is pictured below with his wife and fellow dentist Dr. R. Chherawala and with Dr. Charles Shuler (far right), the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. 

For more photos of the wonderful event, please visit the 123Dentist.com Facebook page.

If you constantly have bad breath and think there’s nothing you can do about it, think again. These helpful tips can assist in keeping bad breath at bay.Halitosis, or bad breath, can be seriously humiliating. You don’t have to live with it forever! Simply by brushing and flossing at least two times a day, particularly after you’ve eaten, can help. The tongue collects a lot of bacteria and gunk so be sure to brush it – you can even use a tongue scraper. If you rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after, that will do you wonders.

Another great tip would be to visit ValleyFair Dental in Maple Ridge, BC for your regular checkups. We can examine your mouth and give you the cleaning you need. If you have other dental problems that may be contributing to your bad breath, we can likely take care of it for you.

One thing you may not know that is a great way to keep bad breath at bay is to chew a piece of parsley after you’re done eating. The reason this works is because parsley has chlorophyll in it and this has been a proven way to freshen breath. You can also drop some tea tree oil or peppermint oil on your tongue, or you can put these oils on your toothbrush in conjunction with your toothpaste. It might also help to choose a toothpaste or mouthwash containing natural oils which can battle the bacteria causing your bad breath.

If you’re a smoker, this is undoubtedly a contributor to your bad breath. Smoking is bad for your health in many ways and you may want to consider finding a method so you can quit. Quitting smoking will also prevent you from getting gum disease.

There are certain foods that trigger bad breath and these can be things like garlic, specific spices, and coffee. Dry mouth can also lead to bad breath so make sure you stay hydrated during the day. If you’re finding your mouth is really dry, try some sugar-free gum, products or candy to trigger saliva production.

If you’re still noticing your bad breath, try combining half hydrogen peroxide and half water into a glass and use it as a mouthwash.

There are a number of breath freshening kits and remedies out there that can help you, but be sure to ask us at ValleyFair Dental about it before you try these products.

Contact us at  ValleyFair Dental in Maple Ridge, BC  if you have any questions or want to book an appointment.

Watch the video below for more fresh breath tips: