It’s a fact that surprises many, but the status of your oral health is often indicative of many diseases and underlying issues. On a social front, healthy gums, good breath, shiny teeth and a clean tongue are considered both hygienic and aesthetically appealing.

We’ve heard about the importance of maintaining your oral and dental hygiene since we were kids. But what are the steps you can take to ensure your smile remains as pristine as possible? What should you be doing, and what should you not do? In today’s article, we’ll take you through 8 examples of bad oral habits that you should avoid for the health of your mouth and teeth.

Habit 1: Eating Ice Often

Ever crunched on the ice at the bottom of your drink? Well, you’re not alone. Loads of people enjoy sucking on ice cubes to feel cool and refreshed. But doing this regularly, especially chewing, can cause many problems. Chewing too frequently can result in damaged tooth enamel, further causing chipped or broken teeth.

Pagophagia is the medical term for the compulsive consumption of ice. It’s most commonly seen in children and pregnant women but can happen to people not falling in these categories as well. It’s listed as an indicator of mental issues, iron-deficient anemia and other nutritional problems.

Habit 2: Biting Your Fingernails

Nail-biting is a habit we see in many children, but one that usually wanes by adolescence. In adults, compulsively chewing your fingernails is usually a tell-tale sign of stress or nervousness. Not only is nail biting bad for your fingers, but it’s also not great for your teeth. Continued nail biting can damage teeth and gums. Yup, your nails might seem weaker than your teeth but can just as easily wear them out through erosion, chipping and cracking of enamel. It can also cause tooth movement leading to malocclusion and gaps. But worst of all, it can result in root resorption, a condition in which the jaw bone reabsorbs the roots, weakening them and potentially causing them to fall out. Dirt from the nails can worsen gingivitis, and regular biting could grow into a bad bruxism habit.

Habit 3: Tongue and Lip Piercings

This one is pretty simple to explain. Most oral piercings are metal, and biting down on one of them by accident may damage the tooth. Additionally, infections from the piercing may cause serious issues like dangerous swelling of the tongue. A badly done piercing could also result in nerve damage that can permanently or temporarily affect the way the mouth moves.

Habit 4: Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard

Who would have thought brushing your teeth too much would be bad for your oral health?! Many people assume that brushing your teeth hard makes for good dental care practices, but this is actually far from the truth. Despite enamel being the hardest substance in the human body, overbrushing or brushing too hard can cause premature wear and tear. Sadly, enamel can’t repair itself which may result in you experiencing heightened dental sensitivity and a bigger risk of cavities.

Brushing your teeth too hard also creates problems like gum recession, a dental issue in which your gum tissue shrinks back. This can cause the root of your teeth to become exposed, resulting in decay and oversensitivity since it is not protected by enamel. Gum recession can also change the way your smile looks.

Habit 5: Chewing or Smoking Tobacco

At the very outset, tobacco in all forms is terrible for your body. Be it your lungs, your heart, your appetite or your stamina, it’s also super bad for your teeth.

Aesthetically speaking, both smoking and chewing tobacco stain your teeth and your lips. Long-term smokers often have greyish lips and yellow coloured teeth. These habits also affect the way your mouth smells and might leave you with lingering ashy breath. They can also cause gum disease which, if unchecked, can make your teeth fall out. They also cause overall decay of the enamel, weakening the tooth. Nicotine habits can affect the jaw bone and salivary glands, and also cause tartar and plaque build-up. Cavities are a common side effect of a nicotine habit, and in some cases, chewing tobacco can even alter the sense of taste. To make matters worse, tobacco can delay the healing process following extraction, periodontal treatments, or oral surgeries and lower the success rate of implant procedures.

Most dangerously, smoking and chewing tobacco are one of the leading causes of mouth and tongue cancers. It increases the risk of leukoplakia, which is a precancerous lesion of the soft tissue in the mouth. This can result in cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.

Habit 6: Eating High Levels of Sugar

To keep that smile sweet, stay away from sugary treats! Sugar lures in bad bacteria which has an effect on the pH levels of your mouth. Your mouth needs a balanced pH level to function normally. An overly acidic pH level might eat away at the enamel of your teeth causing cavities. That’s why dentists the world over recommend moderation when you consume sugary foods and beverages.

Habit 7: Gummies and Hard Chocolates

Who doesn’t like chomping on gummy bears, stick jaw and gobstoppers? But are they good for your teeth? Aside from being bad for the sugary reasons mentioned above, these delicious goodies bring their own oral health risks.

Gummies tend to stick to the surface of your tooth, creating a block between the tooth and saliva. This is bad because saliva helps neutralise the acid that builds in the mouth on account of the sugars. A more acidic pH is likely to cause more tooth erosion.

Hard candy creates opportunities for tooth breakage and chipping.

Habit 8: Using Your Tooth as a Tool

It’s everyone’s favourite party trick to open a beer bottle using their teeth when the opener is impossible to find. But as cool as this looks, it’s one of the easiest ways to chip or break your tooth. Using your teeth as a pair of scissors to tear things open is also not the greatest idea considering you can cut your gums. As for holding things like pens in your mouth, you’d be surprised to know that they can crack your tooth, aside from being a big choking hazard.

Conclusion

Taking care of your oral health makes you look good and feel good! Avoid these bad habits, brush, floss and visit your dentist regularly, and you’ll be smiling happily every day!

Everyone has either lost at least one tooth or is worried about tooth loss at some point in their lives. And rightly so, your smile is one of your best features and you would not want to let the quality of your smile get impacted.

So what are dental implants and how can they help you with a missing tooth or two? Dental implants are a great way to replace missing or broken teeth. The procedure for this is very fast and convenient, and the solution is a permanent one. However, with every surgical procedure, there may be many questions and concerns that arise in one’s mind when considering treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

In this post, we answer the most important questions asked by patients considering dental implants in Canada and what you should know before the procedure, so you can decide if this is the right option for you.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial replacements that provide a solution for missing or broken teeth. In this process, a dentist places a titanium screw into your jaw, replacing the root of your tooth. Then, they will place a covering over the implant and add a restoration element like a dental crown. This ensures that you have a permanent, secure replacement to your tooth that holds up in appearance and functionality.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Implants?

Dental implants are ideal for adults whose jawbones cannot grow after surgery, people with healthy mouth tissue, and individuals who do not have issues with their jawbones and have good overall health, oral and otherwise. You may not be the ideal candidate for dental implants if you have certain conditions, are pregnant, are undergoing radiation treatment, are a smoker, or are a heavy alcohol user.

Can You Replace Any Tooth With Implants?

Yes, you can replace any tooth with implants, if you fit the requisites mentioned above. You can also opt for full-mouth dental implants if you need to replace your entire set of teeth. These tend to be much more effective in terms of comfort and function. Full arch implants only need as few as four implants to replace your entire lower jaw teeth. Even this procedure can be performed in a day.

Can Implants Enhance My Appearance?

Implants are often opted for cosmetic reasons as well, and not only for functionality. They can provide a significant improvement in a person’s appearance when dealing with tooth loss. Most patients are completely satisfied with their smile and appearance after they get the implants. When you compare it to dentures, they do provide a more natural look and are more sturdy as well allowing a person to speak without stuttering. Unlike dentures, they’re permanent and fixed, so you don’t have to worry about your teeth falling out again in public.

Is the Procedure for Dental Implants Painful?

The procedure will not be painful as the dentist will use local anesthesia during your surgery. You may feel some pressure or minor discomfort, which you may feel once the anesthesia wears off as well. You will however be prescribed pain medication to deal with any discomfort until your implants have fully healed. You can also ask your doctor if they offer sedation for patients who experience anxiety.

What Is The Duration of Recovery?

Like most surgeries, your implants will take at least three weeks to heal, but you can resume eating solid foods within two weeks. If you have a condition that prolongs your healing time, your recovery duration might be as long as a month or two for it to fully heal. Once they have healed, your dentist will attach the tooth cap.

Will Implants Benefit Overall Oral Health?

Dental Implants do have many benefits for your overall oral health as well. Broken or missing teeth are uncomfortable and can be risky to your health. They allow bacteria to infect your gums and enter the bloodstream, leaving you open to inflammation and infection. Removing these risks with implants can help you also prevent oral bone loss. The bone around a missing tooth can be damaged when chewing or applying pressure to other teeth. This can cause the bone to recede over time, but replacing the missing tooth helps you avoid this and ensures your bone stays strong and healthy. This also helps maintain the shape of your face.

Are Dental Implants Expensive?

The cost of dental implants varies depending on various factors like how many you’ll need, where the missing tooth is located, how much pre-surgery work you may need, and more.

It also depends on how much your insurance covers, and which country you’re located in.

How Long Do They Last?

Dental implants, as we mentioned, are pretty permanent. They can last a very long time, depending on how well you take care of them. You can take care of them just like a normal tooth with brushing twice a day, flossing, regular dental exams, and cleanings to rid the tooth of plaque, and so on.

Is Any Dentist Qualified To Place Implants?

If you’re looking for dental implants, know that not all dentists are qualified to place implants. Look out for dentists who specialize in dental implant care. Treating broken or unsightly teeth requires much more technical knowledge and professional know-how, along with a lot of experience. This is why, ensure that you research your dentist, look at reviews and ask them the right questions, including how many years they have practiced this specific procedure.

Dental implants are a permanent and amazing solution to restore your missing tooth and give you that million-dollar smile. They are highly comfortable to wear as they don’t move around like other replacement options. They will stay anchored to the bone, which means you won’t have to worry about food getting stuck or problems while speaking. Dental implants can seriously improve your daily life!

Now that you’re more informed about what they are, the procedure, and more, feel free to contact us to learn more about this procedure.

Most people only visit the dentist when they have an oral health issue. Studies have shown that 31% of adults have tooth decay and that 66% also have visible plaque. 29% of people have also suffered from toothache at some point in their lives. The issue is that most people ignore their oral health, and simply visit the dentist when it is too late. This reinforces the fact that regular check-ups are so important, and that you should be doing everything you can to keep up with yours. Want to find out more? Keep on reading.

When should you Visit your Dentist?

If you aren’t sure how much you should be visiting your dentist, then booking an initial appointment is always a good idea. Your dentist can then advise you on how often you should go for a check-up. If your teeth are in perfect condition then you may only need to visit once a year, but if you require some work or if your teeth are less than perfect then you may need to visit them twice a year. Visiting your dentist for a check-up is important because they will also perform routine cleans and remove any hard plaque that might have built up over time. This ensures that your teeth stay clean for your next visit. Visiting a dentist is vital if you have kids too, as any potential issues can be sorted before they go on to cause serious issues.

Why are Check-ups Essential?

In the world of dentistry, you have to remember that prevention is everything.  If you ignore the health of your mouth, then you may find that you are not able to detect issues that could have been prevented entirely. Your hygienist can make sure that the health of your gums is maintained while also stopping any potential bone loss around your teeth. Regular check-ups are also great at detecting the earlier stages of tooth decay. This can cause you a lot of pain and you may even find that you can stop extensive fillings. If you visit the dentist, then you may find that you can get as little work done as possible and this can stop any potential infections from spreading. Many people think that by avoiding check-ups, they can save money, but in reality, the cost of treatment is usually far more when compared to just getting your teeth maintained and cleaned. You can also avoid having to get any extensive work done, and this is better for your oral health overall. Take a look below to see how visiting a dentist could benefit your health, and how we can help you in general.

How Visiting a Dentist Could Benefit your Health

Did you know that visiting a dentist isn’t just good for your oral health? It’s actually good for your health in general.

Risk of Stroke and Heart Disease

If you suffer from gum disease then you are twice as likely to experience heart disease. This is because your arteries narrow as the result of the plaque and bacteria that is in your mouth. By getting your teeth repaired and cleaned, you can lower this risk.

Dementia

If you have poor oral health or tooth loss, then this can also increase your risk of suffering from memory loss. If you know that your gums are inflamed, then this can put you at risk of infection. This can then lead to brain inflammation, which causes brain cells to die off.

Respiratory Problems

The same bacteria that causes periodontal disease can easily travel through the bloodstream and it can eventually reach your lungs. If this happens then you may find that you end up experiencing respiratory problems. If you see a dentist, then you may find that you are able to prevent things like this from happening.

So, by getting your teeth cleaned on a regular basis and by getting check-ups done, you can be sure to not only take better care of your teeth, but also make sure that you do not experience some of the many health complications that come with having poor oral health. If you want to start taking better care of your teeth today, then we highly recommend that you book an appointment with our dentist. When you come to us at Sage Dental, we will do everything we can to make sure that we give you an appointment in a timely manner as well as one that suits your schedule. We will then set out a plan of action, if one is required, to make sure that your oral health is put back on track. You can get in touch if you want to find out more.

Do you want to visit the top-rated dentist in Langley? If so, then you have come to the right place. We are proud to say that we have over 150+ 5 star reviews, not to mention that our dental services are yet to be matched. What helps us to stand apart is that we personally care about every single one of our patients. It doesn’t matter whether you are coming in for a routine check-up or whether you are interested in finding out about our dental implants, because we are always here to make sure that you get the best experience possible. Interested in finding out more about our services and why we’re one of the best in the business? Take a look below.

A Huge Range of Services

When you choose us as your dentist, you’ll be glad to know that we offer a huge range of services, and we are always expanding as well. We are dental implant specialists, and our team have years of experience. We only hire the best, and we are confident that this will become evident when you begin using our services. Some of the many offerings we have, are listed below.

Routine Check-ups

Our practice is always investing in the latest technology, not to mention that we can also provide you with a thorough clean. We are proud to say that we use periodontal probing, alongside our iTero Scanner. This helps to evaluate any tissue changes that you have experienced over time. our team are compassionate, and we are very good with children, so if you want to make sure that the whole family has the same dentist, then you will soon find that we can accommodate every smile.

Teeth Whitening

Our staff are trained and experienced when it comes to teeth whitening. We have in-house treatments but if you’d rather have something that you can take home then we can also offer you an option here. Our whitening trays are both safe and effective, not to mention that they will be custom fit according to your needs.

Same-Day Crowns

Our same-day crowns are yet another option when you come to us. We are able to restore any damaged teeth in a single visit. One reason for this is because we offer CEREC software. This helps us to design a crown using ceramic, that is entirely compatible with your surrounding tissue. Your crown will be both made and bonded in a single visit!

Veneers

Veneers are made out of a range of biomaterials and they are both safe and effective without any kind of invasive treatment required. If you have had to live with discoloured teeth, gaps or even chipped teeth for quite some time then we can provide you with amazing solutions that will restore your smile and your confidence.

Sage Dental Only Uses the Latest Technology

Here at Sage Dental, we are also very proud to say that we only use the latest technology when treating our patients. This means that you’ll get any treatment you need done faster and it also means that you can feel confident knowing that it will last for years to come. Want to find out more? Keep reading.

CBCT Scanner

We have a CBCT scanner, and this is a very unique x-ray. It is able to take a 3-dimensional image which gives us the ability to diagnose a huge range of conditions. These conditions might not be visible on a standard 2D scanner. Our scanner is also able to capture nerve pathways, bones and soft tissue.

iTero Digital Scanner

Our iTero digital scanner gives us the chance to get a 3D scan of your bite. We can use this to get a good idea of what bridges, implants, veneers and more you might need. We usually use this when trying to determine the correct course of action. This scanner does not expose you to radiation, and you can forget about the discomfort that comes with gooey impressions from older practices.

Surgical Microscope

We also have a range of surgical microscopes. We believe that this is very important as it gives us the chance to see images, magnified. Things that might be difficult to see with the naked eye can be blown up so we can get a full idea. This helps us to be accurate when finding the canals in a tooth.

If you want to find out more about our dental services or if you want to see how we can help you, then the best thing that you can do is call us at  (604) 373-6156. When you do, you can trust in our team to give you the assistance and support you need.

Historically, the process of getting dental crowns and veneers was long and drawn out. Patients had to schedule multiple appointments at the dentist and, sometimes, wear temporary prosthetics which were uncomfortable and didn’t always match the surrounding teeth. Now, though, Sage Dental has technology that allows us to insert crowns and veneers in a single visit. In short, you can get the smile of your dreams in a single appointment.

How Do Same-Day Dental Crowns And Veneers Work?

Traditionally, the crown installation process went something like this: your dentist would first numb the tooth receiving the crown and then manually shape it. They would then take a putty impression of the remaining stump and send it off to the lab to make your new crown. Naturally, this process took several days to complete, during which time, patients had to make do with temporary fittings. Same-day crowns work differently. Instead of using putty, dentists rely on the Chairside Economic Restorations of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) system. Here, a scanning device calculates the topology of the tooth and then feeds this into a machine that creates a custom crown for you on the spot. The new crown perfectly matches your existing teeth, replicating the color and shape precisely. Moreover, it avoids the need to place putty in the mouth, which can be uncomfortable. The same applies to CEREC same-day veneers. Here, dentists take a 3D image of your teeth and then shape veneers on a computer screen. They then prepare your teeth to receive the veneers before bonding them, all in a single session. As with crowns, this approach is completely different from traditional porcelain veneer insertion. In the past, patients had to make multiple visits to the dentist. Dentists had to make impressions of teeth and send them off to a lab for fabrication, meaning that patients couldn’t get them fitted on the same day. Patients had to wear a temporary veneer between dental visits which were sometimes uncomfortable and didn’t match properly. CEREC crowns and veneers are just as durable and reliable as their lab-created counterparts. After having them inserted, you should continue to practice good oral hygiene and go for regular dental cleaning. Brushing and flossing prevent tooth decay and gum disease – a leading cause of a receding gum line. You should also avoid smoking, as this can discolor your new prosthetics.

Get Same-Day Dental Crowns And Veneers

With Sage Dental, getting same-day dental crowns and veneers is easy. By coming to us for these treatments, you can get your dream smile in a single session, avoiding the need to return for multiple visits. We can fabricate your prosthetics for you on the spot and then fit them for instant results. Book a consultation today to find out more about same-day crowns and veneers and how you could benefit.