“Why should I floss?” is a frequent question asked by many patients at Academy Dental in Victoria. In fact, flossing is one of the most important habits in any good oral health routine. Dental floss helps remove any food particles trapped between the teeth and lowers your chances of plaque build-up.
Despite the fact that most patients understand the answer to “Why Should I Floss”, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the proper techniques on how to floss.
It is important to carry out flossing as a part of your regular oral hygiene routine; brushing alone is not enough to remove all the food particles and regular flossing ensures that there is no buildup of plaque on the teeth. Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease, gingivitis or periodontitis. Dental floss can be flavoured or unflavoured, waxed or unwaxed. Talk to a hygienist at Academy Dental if you’re not sure which dental floss is right for you.
If you are not sure of the right way to use dental floss or if you are still wondering “Why Should I Floss?”, then contact Academy Dental or come for a consultation to learn how to floss correctly. Here are a few starter tips:
1. Floss must be held taut and guided between each tooth and also under the gums to ensure that all food particles and plaque are removed. However, be sure the floss doesn’t scrape too much on the gums or it could cause gum bleeding. It is also important to change the strip of floss for each tooth to ensure that bacteria are not transmitted from one to the other.
2. It is important to buy dental floss that’s the right thickness. Floss that’s too thick or thin won’t give you the best cleaning.
3. Use dental floss every day after brushing, preferably before bedtime, as an effective precaution against gum disease, halitosis and dental cavities. Dental floss also helps to reduce the incidence of harmful bacteria in the mouth and hence lessens the risk of associated heart disease.
4. If you generally consume a lot of meat, you’ll want to floss at least once a day to remove the fibres that can get stuck between your teeth and cause cavities and gum disease.
You might notice bleeding the very first time after using dental floss, but this is normal and stops after the first few times. Regular bleeding, on the other hand, isn’t a good sign and you should consult an oral health professional at Academy Dental in Victoria to ensure that you are using dental floss correctly.
The video below, courtesy of Colgate, explains how to floss properly:
We’re excited to announce our new modern and patient-focused Academy Dental Sooke clinic! View more information and photos about our new Sooke dental clinic here.
You are Invited to the Academy Dental Sooke Open House on Thursday, May 31 from 5pm – 7pm.
Enjoy delicious appies from Mai Mai’s Bistro and have the chance to win:
Free Zoom! Whitening Treatment
$100 Gift Certificate to THE EDGE Restaurant
$100 Gift Certificate to Mai Mai’s Bistro
R.S.V.P by calling (778) 425-4140 now.
Academy Dental Sooke | www.academydentalsooke.com
6689B Sooke Road, in the heart of Sooke on the corner of Sooke Road and Otter Point Road.
Dentists generally have a bad reputation. Expressions such as “It’s like pulling teeth” and “I’d rather get a root canal” are proof that doing something painful and hard is often compared to going to the dentist. In fact, going to the dentist is shown as something to be endured, not enjoyed.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way at all – and we at Academy Dental in Victoria certainly don’t believe going to the dentist is a terrifying ordeal for any of our patients. But don’t just take our word for it! Check out some of our testimonials.
Our oral health care experts do their very best to make your every experience at the dentist a memorable one – in a good way! We know why people dislike going to the dentist and we’ve worked to make our office, our staff and our technology into a perfect combination of excellent patient-focused care and excellent oral health care.
If you’re afraid of going to the dentist, we offer you several dental treatment options such as sedation dentistry and we believe in honest, open communication between you, the patient and us, the oral health care professionals. Let us know when you’re uncomfortable and we’ll do everything we can to make you comfortable and relaxed.
If you’re afraid of pain, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that current dental technology has made going to the dentist a virtually pain-free experience. Extractions, root canals and even routine cleanings are now the most efficient and stress-free possible.
If you’re worried you’ll be judged for your oral health care regime, we promise you’ll only get a better understanding of oral health care, not a scolding! We’re thrilled you’ve chosen our dental clinic as your partner in your quest for a healthy, happy smile.
Have you been told that you require root canal therapy? It’s important to understand what root canal therapy involves so you don’t feel any unnecessary stress when you come to Academy Dental in Victoria for the actual procedure. Stress can make your experience at the dentist far more difficult than it actually has to be.
What is a Root Canal?
The Root Canal is the name for the space within the root of the tooth, it is a hollow area that contains soft tissues (the pulp and nerves). The number of these hollow canals (one to four) in a tooth depend on the type of tooth and the pulp nourishes and hydrates the tooth.
Why do you need Root Canal Therapy?
However, if your dental pulp is exposed, through a cavity or fracture, or becomes infected (abscessed) for any reason, it will likely require root canal therapy to allow you to actually keep the tooth instead of extracting it. These days, root canal therapy is relatively pain- and stress-free and can be done in as little as one appointment.
If you suffer from dry mouth – especially in the summer – your dentist at Academy Dental in Victoria has some valuable tips on what you can do to relieve your dry mouth symptoms and enjoy yourself, whatever the season!
Offer Yourself a Mint or Two
If you suffer from dry mouth, try a sugar-free mint, preferably one that has a strong and natural flavour such as spearmint. Mints should help encourage saliva production and as a bonus, you get minty-fresh breath!
Find Yourself a Tall Drink of Water
Water is excellent for promoting saliva production and has myriad excellent benefits for your oral and overall health. If you find that your mouth is getting dry, make sure to always carry a water bottle with you and sip accordingly. Drinking plenty of water means that you won’t suffer from dehydration or a dry mouth during the summer.
Give Yourself a Pick-Me-Up with Fruits and Vegetables
If you’re dealing with a dry mouth, snack on fruits and veggies – which are full of water and vitamins – and keep your oral and your overall health in top shape over the summer.
Dry mouth can increase your chances of gum disease, tooth decay and mouth infections so if you find that your dry mouth persists, contact Academy Dental in Victoria as soon as possible.
No matter how cool and trendy you think tongue rings are, these piercings are dangerous and potentially fatal. Piercing your tongue can result in chipped teeth, recessed gums and nerve damage. What some people don’t know is that getting a piercing in the mouth can result in a fatal condition, like Ludwig’s angina or endocarditis.
Ludwig’s angina is an infection in the bottom of the mouth caused by bacteria, and occurs after your tooth has been infected, an injury to the mouth, an oral procedure or an unnecessary hazard to your health. When you get an oral piercing, the mouth develops an open wound for bacteria to travel through your blood. Bacteria has the power to make the bottom of the mouth swell quickly which blocks the airway or stops you from swallowing your saliva.
Endocarditis comes from bacteria traveling in the blood through the hole that has been pierced. This can be an infection in the heart, and people who have a history of heart problems are at risk for this disorder.
Most professionals will not recommend piercings, but if you do get a piercing, be sure to take good care of it. Unclean piercing equipment can cause other infections, like hepatitis. Make an appointment at Academy Dental in Victoria to ensure that you are getting the follow-up care you need.
If you’re suffering from a toothache, contact Academy Dental in Victoria as soon as possible – your tooth may be abscessed and require emergency dental care. Come in to Academy Dental to avoid complications such as surgery or a tooth extraction if you experience any type of toothache.
Applying a cold compress to your jaw should alleviate a toothache. The cold reduces blood flow to the site and therefore reduces swelling and pain. Apply a cold compress as often as necessary until the pain subsides.
Pain Medication
Pain medication can help relieve a toothache but be sure not to exceed the recommended dose. Pain relievers such as aspirin and Advil typically contain anti-inflammatory medicine which can reduce the pain and swelling associated with a toothache.
Warm Salt Water and Baking Soda
Salt and Baking Soda combine to make an excellent anti-bacterial mouth-rise that can help reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and potentially reduce the swelling and pain that stems from a toothache.
Clove Oil and Garlic
Pure clove oil, available in most drugstores, can act as a numbing agent if applied directly to the tooth. Don’t apply to the gums or apply too much as clove oil can be poisonous in too-high quantities. If you don’t want to use clove oil, a clove of garlic is an excellent substitute – simply hold it against the tooth for a few minutes and rinse with warm water afterward.
Teabag Therapy
Teas such as black and green teas are high in tannins, which are known to reduce swelling and help your blood to clot and therefore improve healing. Microwave the teabag in a small dish filled with water for about 30 seconds or until warm, squeeze the excess water and bite down on the teabag, holding it against your tooth/gum.
If you’re worried that your sweet tooth might turn into tooth decay, don’t be! You can enjoy your Easter treats and keep your teeth healthy! Just keep in mind these simple things when hunting for your Easter eggs:
Pick Dark Chocolate - dark chocolate can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Avoid Anything Gooey - candy that sticks to your teeth is more likely to feed the bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities
Water It Down - water can help wash away-cavity causing bacteria, so be sure to keep a glassful close at hand.
Here at Academy Dental, we understand that our Victoria, BC patients may suffer from dental anxiety and therefore can be extremely reluctant to contact us and book an appointment. Research has identified the Top 3 anxiety-causing reasons about dental visits – and here’s what we’re doing to make your every visit to Academy Dental something to look forward to!
Pain
Fear of pain is completely natural and the oral health care experts at Academy Dental understand that anxiety associated with needles and the idea of pain/discomfort in the mouth can convince patients they’re better off suffering from oral health care issues than coming to the dentist. However, we want to set the record straight. Most dental procedures are currently pain-free. If you require sedation and dislike needles, we’ll offer you alternative options or conceal the needle if necessary.
Embarrassment
90% of patients in one recent study reported that embarrassment is the no. 1 reason why they don’t visit the dentist. If you’re worried that you’ve neglected your teeth and your oral health care, come in for an appointment and learn about your oral health care options at Academy Dental. We’re here to help and we promise we won’t lecture you! After all, we’re your oral health care partner and your oral health is just as important to us as it is to you.
Control
If you don’t like feeling like you have no control over what happens in the dentist chair, come to Academy Dental in Victoria for a dental experience like no other. We promise to do our best to communicate with you, both online and offline. We’ll work out a system that allows you to alert us to any trouble or discomfort during a procedure.
At Academy Dental, our goal is to give you the best dental experience possible. Contact us today and find out why we should be your Victoria choice for oral health care.
Tooth sensitivity is a nerve irritation that occurs after your enamel has worn down or if your gums are receding, exposing the surfaces of your teeth. Pain normally stems from consuming hot or cold foods and beverages that touch your teeth, bringing them in contact with cold air. If you’re having tooth sensitivity, Academy Dental in Victoria can help.
The most popular complaint from dental patients is that tooth sensitivity causes so much pain that your eating habits change – even a spoonful of ice cream can be an excruciating experience for people with sensitive teeth.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
There are a variety of reasons that your teeth may be extra sensitive. One factor that may lead to tooth sensitivity is eating or drinking large quantities of foods with acid, especially citrus juices. Avoiding these foods and drinks can help alleviate the problem.
How can I prevent tooth sensitivity?
Another great way to prevent tooth sensitivity is by using the proper toothpaste. Toothpastes that have abrasive ingredients like the ones in whitening toothpastes will be hard on people with sensitive teeth. A desensitizing toothpaste is a better choice, and having your dentist apply sealants or fluoride will help.
Brushing your teeth too hard can also cause tooth sensitivity, so it is a good idea to use a soft toothbrush. Brushing too hard can start breaking down the tooth and expose the more sensitive underside. A good test to see if you are brushing too aggressively is by looking carefully at the bristles on your toothbrush. If the bristles point in several directions, then you are brushing too hard.
The dental team at Academy Dental in Victoria have a number of regiments that can help you manage tooth sensitivity. One treatment solution is to apply a desensitizing agent or protective coating that will alleviate any discomfort you might have.
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