Dental Hygiene in Nanaimo: Call 250-754-3885

I would like to whiten my teeth.

Whitening is a harmless, quick, simple and cost effective way to brighten your smile. A brighter smile can emanate a feeling of confidence, improved self-esteem and make your oral health a higher priority. This is beneficial to your general well-being.

The procedure is an at home process that usually takes 1-2 weeks. At Harbour City Dental Hygiene we manufacture a custom tray to apply the whitening gel. This tray fits snugly to your teeth and will help prevent the risk of hypersensitivity to the teeth and gums, and reduce excess product waste. The dental hygienists at our office can also recommend appropriate measures to ensure your whitening process is a positive experience.

What is the impact of smoking on my oral health?

Tobacco use, either from smoking or spit tobacco, is the leading cause of gum disease. It also contributes to the following oral conditions among others: Oral Cancer, Leukoplakia, Smoker’s Palate, Impaired Blood Circulation, Receding Gums, Halitosis, Dental Staining and Excess Dental Calculus. The good news is that within hours of quitting the body begins to repair itself. Recent studies have shown that success rates increase with the use of stop-smoking medication and help from a health professional. Dental hygienists are ideally situated to provide smoking cessation techniques through education, motivation, offering assistance and providing follow-up visits at regular intervals. We are always ready to assist anyone who is considering quitting smoking. (BC Cancer Agency, 2004)

When should my child have their first dental hygiene visit?

It is recommended that your child has their first visit to the dental clinic around his or her first birthday, but it could be sooner if you notice anything that concerns you. When the first dental visit happens at a young age it usually means that it will be a fun experience for your child. Good dental habits start when you are young and your dental hygienist is perfectly situated to talk about tooth brushing, flossing, eating habits and fluoride. At Harbour City Dental Hygiene we encourage parents to bring their children with them for a comfortable, fun orientation prior to their routine cleaning appointment.

Are all snacks bad for my childs’ teeth?… No.

 Not all snacks are bad for your child’s teeth. In fact, snacks are an important part of a child’s daily food intake not just a “treat” between meals. Here are some suggestions on healthy snacks for hungry and thirsty children: applesauce, raw vegetables, raw fruits, fruit juices, vegetable juices, milk, cheese, cottage cheese, ice milk, milk puddings, yogurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, seeds, bagels, cereals, crackers, muffins, pita breads, yogurt drinks. Of course the healthiest thirst quencher is water and you should encourage your child to drink water throughout the day.

What causes tooth decay in children?

Tooth decay may happen if your child’s teeth are frequently exposed, for long periods of time to ‘sticky’ foods or liquids that contain sugars. Sugar exposure is detrimental to teeth. It provides food for the bacteria that cause cavities and increases the acid levels in your mouth. An increase in acidity of the mouth leads to tooth decay. As it is unavoidable for children and adults to indulge in Halloween treats, a crucial thing to remember is the length of time and frequency that your teeth are exposed to sugar. It is best to eat sugary foods like a dessert immediately after a meal and to finish the Halloween candy within a short amount of time instead of saving it for weeks. This limits the number of sugary acid attacks your teeth are exposed to. Also, remember to brush and floss and drink lots of water to clear the sugars from your mouth.

Can tooth decay bacteria be passed onto my baby from other family members?

Teeth are at risk for tooth decay from the first day they appear in the mouth. The bacteria found in your baby’s mouth play a role in tooth decay. Therefore, if family members have a healthy mouth they will have less of the decay causing bacteria to pass on to their baby. In addition, the foods they eat and drink will play a role.

I don’t have any cavities, and I don’t get food caught between my teeth. Why should I floss?

New generations have not experienced the same dental problems as their parents and think that brushing is all that is needed to maintain a healthy mouth. Research experts say “these people may be at the highest risk for tooth loss 10 or 20 years from now” – not from poor teeth but from poor gum tissue health (Dr. Ruth Freeman, Partners in Prevention 2003).

Although many people believe the purpose of flossing is to remove food from between the teeth it is primarily to remove plaque. When thousands of bacteria in plaque are left undisturbed it leads to gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease). Gingivitis is nearly a universal finding among children and 75% of the adult population has gum disease to some degree (Academy or Periodontology).

It can take less than 5 minutes twice a day to brush and floss and it is never too early or too late to learn good habits. Your dental hygienist can assist you in developing new habits and monitor your progress at your dental hygiene recall appointment.

I don’t have any cavities, why do my teeth hurt when I eat or drink cold or sweet things?

You may be suffering from dentin hypersensitivity which is pain transmitted to the nerve of the tooth due to exposed dentin (root surface). It was thought that gum recession from toothbrush abrasion was the most significant cause of sensitivity. Evidence suggests erosion, caused mainly from dietary acids, is the most significant factor in the loss of tooth enamel and a key predisposition for the development of dentin hypersensitivity (Canadian Advisory Board on Dentin Hypersensitivity 2003).

Citrus fruits and juices, wines and carbonated beverages, among others, are risk factors and play a critical role in “softening” enamel that then becomes more susceptible to the stresses of abrasion, attrition (grinding), or abfraction (clenching) causing dentin exposure.
First-line treatment should be non-invasive and reversible and should include behaviour modification to control or remove risk factors. Your registered dental hygienist can help you evaluate risk factors, make alterations, monitor the progression and provide non-invasive therapy for treatment and prevention of dentin hypersensitivity.

I’m confused about all the options for cleaning my teeth. Which is the best way to remove plaque?

We generally recommend oral hygiene routines on an individual basis, though most times it is mechanical removal of plaque (brushing and flossing) over chemical removal of plaque (mouth rinse) that is the best option. Although there are several options for mechanical plaque removal including dental aides such as power brushes, floss, dental picks, or stimulators some individuals can not achieve control. In these cases it is an option to use antibacterial mouth rinses or toothpastes to achieve more complete control.

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