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 Academy Dental in Victoria, BC 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 Academy Dental in Victoria, BC and we can evaluate what’s happening and give you some helpful tips on how your child can stop this habit.
Along with maintaining proper oral health, fitness is essential for people to improve their lifestyle. We here at Academy Dental in Victoria 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 Academy Dental, you will be able to make any of your lifestyle or work goals a reality. At Academy Dental, we create custom mouth guards for your unique smile. Safer, stronger and more durable than store-bought mouth guards, our customized mouth guards will work to protect your most valuable asset.
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.
If you have any questions or if you would like to book an appointment at Academy Dental, please click here.
Bad breath can scare away a variety of people, whether it be your boss, family, or a potential new love interest. The team at Academy Dental in Victoria are always available to share the latest tips and tricks on how to freshen bad breath.
At Academy 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.
Watch the video below for more tips on how to get rid of bad breath.
To learn more about proper oral health, feel free to contact Academy Dental in Victoria if you have any questions.
Suffering from excessive snoring? Headaches? Fatigue during the day? You or someone you know may be suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a medical issue that is detrimental to your health. The dental team at Academy Dental in Victoria wants you to know the facts so you can better understand sleep apnea and discover a treatment.
Snoring isn’t always sleep apnea – there is a distinct difference between the two. Snoring is common for many people – in fact, about 30% to 50% of the North American population have been known to snore at some point.
OSA, on the other hand, is a disorder where you stop breathing for a short time while you are sleeping. This kind of sleep disorder can drastically affect your life when it comes to your memory and learning.
Why is Sleep Apnea bad?
Oxygen decreases when you have sleep apnea, and this can increase you blood pressure and put stress on your cardiovascular system. Approximately 50% of people with sleep apnea have hypertension and are are high risk for stroke and heart disease. If a person has more than 20 occurrences of sleep apnea every hour they are asleep, they could die from heart palpitations, stroke, or a heart attack. If you have a history of heart disease, it can result in immediate death.
Sleep apnea gets worse as we get older. Our age and body mass index can contribute to sleep apnea, and is more common with men than women.
So what can you do to treat sleep apnea?
The sleep apnea experts at Academy Dental in Victoria can talk to you about your sleep routine. You must let us know in great detail all your sleep habits and when you snore. If you’re not sure, ask the person you share a bed with. They’ll be able to give you an idea if you pause while you’re snoring.
If your dentist diagnoses you with sleep apnea, the following can help:
Losing at least 10 pounds
Changing your position while you sleep
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine near the time you go to sleep, and avoid consuming heavy meals near bedtime
Do not take sedatives because they can loosen up your throat muscles which makes snoring worse
If your sleep apnea is severe and you need medical treatment, the dental team at Academy Dental in Victoria will let you know what your best options are. Some options your dentist may consider are RF, LAUP, Behavior Modification, oral appliances, C-PAP, Bi-PAP, or surgery options such as UPPP, Hyoid Suspension, GGA, or MMA. For more information about these treatments, book a consultation at our dental clinic today.
At Academy Dental in Victoria, our sleep apnea experts can determine which one of these procedures would be right for you, so be sure to contact us at Academy Dental in Victoria today so we can diagnose your sleep apnea problem and direct you towards the proper treatment.
If you suffer from Bell’s Palsy and have difficulty controlling your facial muscles and opening/closing your eyes or mouth, you’ll be thrilled to know it may be possible to alleviate your symptoms and restore your smile through Neuromuscular Dentistry.
Previously, steroid injections were the only treatment possible for Bell’s Palsy patients. Academy Dental is pleased to offer you drug-free Neuromuscular Dentistry treatments to improve your facial control and give you back your smile. Patients who suffer from TMD/TMJ can also benefit from Neuromuscular Dentistry treatments.
If you want to achieve a perfect smile, dental veneers are a great solution.
Dental Veneers are amongst the most popular cosmetic dental treatments that Academy Dental in Victoria offers. Dental veneers are very popular because they are permanent, custom made, and give a natural-looking result.
What are dental veneers?
Very simply put, porcelain veneers are a layer of tooth-colored material that we attach to the tooth in order to cover it completely. At Academy Dental in Victoria, our cosmetic dentistry experts can offer you dental veneer treatment for a variety of dental problems. These can include:
chipped or crooked teeth
discolored and stained teeth
Wide Spaces between teeth
Crooked, uneven smile
Porcelain veneers look extremely natural and it is very difficult to distinguish them from real teeth. The additional advantage of these veneers is that they are extremely durable and resilient.
There are three main types of veneers
The most common type is made of porcelain. Also known as dental porcelain laminates, which are made of pure porcelain. They are reasonably durable, being able to last for at least 15 years if you look after them well. These laminates are preferred by most people because they are extremely stain resistant. Porcelain laminates are wafer thin, but gain their strength once bonded to the tooth. Porcelain has the ability to reflect light in the same manner as teeth. This means that your porcelain laminates will look just like real teeth and people will just assume that you have an unusually well maintained and even looking set of teeth.
A second type of dental veneers is resin composite veneers. These are made out of a tooth-colored filling material that is placed on top of your tooth in order to cover it completely. These dental veneers can be placed on your teeth in one sitting only and the other is that these veneers can be repaired easily. There is no difficult manufacturing process involved. In fact, the cosmetic dentistry experts at Academy Dental in Victoria will fix it in your mouth directly and in one sitting only, thereby making the entire process very trouble free.
Lumineers are a third alternative that we may suggest for cosmetic enhancement of the front teeth (such as whitening or tooth lengthening). Lumineers are extremely thin and can be fixed to your tooth without it having to be reshaped. This means that you do not need to lose any of your natural tooth structure.
Contact Academy Dental in Victoria todayto learn more about dental veneers.
Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth in your sleep? Perhaps a parent or partner may even try to wake you up while you’re grinding. Unfortunately, most people who grind their teeth in their sleep, don’t even know they’re doing it. Teeth grinding is one of the most common sleep disorders referred to in the medical profession as Bruxism. The symptoms for which are broad and far reaching, including: jaw stiffness and soreness, anxiety, stress, depression, headaches as well as insomnia. Your health partners at Academy Dental want to empower you to combat Bruxism, so you wake up feeling rested, pain free and ready for the day!
Quality of sleep factors greatly into how you perform in your waking hours, whether at work or at home. If you are resting well, you are feeling well and needless to say the reverse is true as well. There are several ways dental professionals diagnose and treat bruxism. As with any other health problem, early detection is the key to treating this particular sleep disorder. There are various ways to test the frequency and duration of your grinding throughout the night. Most importantly, there are treatment methods available such as dental guards and splints which are typically worn on a long-term basis during each and every night’s sleep.
Over the counter mouth guards sold at drug stores, while inexpensive, are considered by dental professionals to be ineffective in preventing tooth erosion and further decay. A good nights rest is imperative to maintaining a healthy quality of life for you and your family. If you or your children experience bruxism, consult your Victoria Dental expert for treatment options as your oral health depends upon it.
Contact our Victoria dental clinic to find out how we can help you get the rest you need.
Studies reveal that a better smile can be a contributing factor to success in your career. Interacting with colleagues and clients on a day-to-day basis, your appearance greatly influences the way people around you perceive and interact with you. Say for instance, you need a report earlier than you anticipated from your co-worker. You would be surprised how far a brilliant smile can go in getting that report ahead of time!
On a whole, people tend to make subconscious judgements about each person they interact with and encounter. When going in for an interview, meeting with a prospective client, or making business contacts you want to leave a positive impression that lasts. Nothing is more memorable than a fantastic smile. Walk into the boardroom with confidence, smile like you mean it, and you will have the respect and favor of your employers or employees.
Ask us at Academy Dental about what a smile makeover can do for you or contact us to book a consultation today.
Sometimes due to fear, laziness or anxiety, patients tend to “forget” about booking a regular dental cleaning or checkup at their local, friendly dental clinic. In order to encourage you to schedule your next checkup and cleaning at Academy Dental now, here’s a few good reasons why regular dental visits are so important:
“Patients who visit the dentist regularly are much less likely to need major procedures such as root canals, gum grafts and tooth extraction.”
1. Avoid Painful Procedures: Patients who visit the dentist regularly are much less likely to need major procedures such as root canals, gum grafts and tooth extraction. This means that patients are saving money, avoiding painful dental procedures and staying healthy!
2. Beautiful Smiles: A good looking smile starts with healthy teeth, and regular checkups and cleanings at Academy Dental will keep you looking your best. A professional cleaning can also help remove stains on your teeth, giving them a healthy shine that will impress everyone you meet.
3. Detect oral cancer early: One of the deadliest cancers, but easiest to diagnose, is oral cancer. At our Victoria dental clinic, we have invested in the VELscope exam system, which works to detect cancer at the earliest stages.
4. Good example for your kids: If you have children who look up to you, make sure you practice good oral hygiene habits. Make dental checkups a priority in life, allowing for a future full of healthy smiles.
5. Reduce gum disease: Many adults will eventually get some type of periodontal disease, a leading cause of tooth loss. Luckily, gum disease can easily be treated or reversed, but only if your oral health is checked closely by the team at Academy Dental.
For more information on maintaining good oral health, or to book a dental cleaning and checkup, contact us today!
It’s holiday time! For most of us that means we are gearing up for visits, dinners, parties and brunches with our loved ones this holiday season. We all want to look our best this time of year – especially when we are surrounded by our friends and family.
What better way to “wow” your friends and family than by whitening your smile at Academy Dental. Our in-office whitening treatments can dramatically brighten your smile, taking years off your appearance and uncovering your natural radiance.
We understand that time is valuable. Especially during the busy holiday season, so why not treat yourself to an enhanced, brilliant white smile amidst the flurry of shopping and celebration?
Over time our teeth become stained by age, smoking, drinking tea, coffee or red wine. With all the whitening kits available in stores these days, why should you visit Academy Dental to get your teeth whitened?
First, our in-office whitening procedure is fast! We can brighten your smile up to 10 shades whiter in only an hour, as opposed to retail whitening systems, which can require 30 or more treatments to achieve lackluster results.
Second, our whitening treatments are designed for your comfort and convenience! That means no more awkward, uncomfortable strips or trays. We can help you achieve incredible results in as little as one relaxing visit to our office.
Call now to book your holiday whitening treatment, and smile with confidence this season!
We know the importance of reaching out to keep our patients informed with the latest solutions we are adding to our practice. Read our blog or to subscribe to our email newsletters below:
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 Academy Dental in Victoria, BC are here to set the record straight about the problems that arise from thumb sucking.
