Southeast Dental - Dentist in Markham, ON

Address : 70 Karachi Dr, Markham ON L3S 0B5
  Call Us : 905-471-2002

All Posts Tagged: dentist

Healthy Snacks for Kids’ Dental Health

Most kids don’t love their daily dental health routines – brushing and flossing their teeth is more like a chore than something beneficial for them. Luckily there are some ways that they’ll enjoy making their teeth healthier. Through healthy (yet tasty!) snacks, they can strengthen and clean their teeth… without even knowing they’re doing it.

Fruits:

Crunchy fruits like apples, pears, and even some strawberries are abrasive, and help to clean your teeth while you chew. Of all the crunchy fruits, apples are the best choice due to the vitamins and minerals they provide, and also because they stimulate the gums, increase saliva and fight plaque. An apple a day just might keep the cavities away!

Vegetables:

Just like the crunchy fruits, vegetable like carrots and celery are abrasive and help to clean teeth and gums. Another dental health bonus? They crate even more saliva due to extra chewing, and that helps to neutralize the acids in your mouth caused by bacteria.

Cheeses:

You may not think of cheese as being a great snack for teeth, but it is full of tooth-friendly vitamins, like calcium and phosphate. These not only help keep enamel strong, they also assist in the production of saliva, to kill cavity-causing bacteria.

Proteins:

Lean proteins contain a mineral called phosphorous, which balances the pH levels in the mouth, helps strengthen tooth enamel, and prevent bad bacteria from growing in the mouth. Chicken, eggs, and lean beef are all great options!

Even if your child is a picky eater, there are many different snacks to choose from on this list and many different ways to prepare them to make them more fun. If you have any questions about what foods would most benefit your child’s specific needs, our team at Southeast Dental in Markham would be happy to discuss options with you. Give us a call at 905-471-2002 or book an appointment online.

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Haven’t Had a Dental Visit in Awhile? Here’s What to Expect

While it is recommended that you visit the dentist regularly, there are also many reasons why some people don’t – lack of dental coverage, a busy schedule, and even fear of the dentist can all play a part. But if you’ve made the decision to make a dental visit after a very long dental hiatus, it can be a bit of a process. Here are some things you can expect on your first visit back.

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Caring for Your Teeth on Summer Vacation

For Canadians, one common summer pastime is going to a cottage or campsite to relax in the sun, sit around bonfires, and swim in the lake.While on relaxing summer vacations, it can be easy to forget to stick with daily dental care, but it’s important to make sure that you are prepared in advance and don’t neglect your teeth.

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Your Dental Health Checklist During Pregnancy

Pregnancy affects all different facets of a woman’s body – and her mouth is no exception. In fact, dental health becomes even more important during those nine months of pregnancy. To make sure that your oral health needs are being met, we’ve put together a helpful checklist:

  • Keep Brushing & Flossing – It’s more important than ever to keep brushing and flossing as you normally would. Though tiredness and generally feeling uncomfortable may make you want to forgo the routine once in awhile, keeping your mouth clean will help prevent problems.
  • …Really, Always Floss! – Gingivitis becomes more prevalent during pregnancy; in fact, there is a very specific type of gingivitis that is specific to expecting women. Flossing daily will help to prevent this.
  • Pay Attention to Changes – If you notice any changes to your mouth, gums, tongue, or teeth, be sure to let the dentist know as soon as possible. Some things are common, such as tastebuds changing or excess saliva. But other changes may need to be further explored.
  • Take Supplements – Calcium, vitamin D, C, A, phosphorous, and protein are all important during pregnancy, not only for your dental health but also the baby’s. Their teeth begin to develop at 3 to 6 months of pregnancy, and supplements will play a key role in keeping them healthy.
  • Keep Up Visits to Southeast Dental – It may be a good idea to have more frequent dental visits during your pregnancy, to ensure that any changes are looked at and potential problems are prevented. Call Southeast Dental at 905-471-2002, or book online at your convenience. We’ll make sure that your dental health is well taken care of while you’re pregnant.
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How Crooked Teeth Can Cause Oral Health Problems

Crooked teeth are very common, especially in children as their adult teeth start to come in. While they’re often seen as an aesthetic issue that some may correct with braces, there are actually other oral health issues that can occur due to crooked teeth that go far beyond just appearance.

Difficulty Cleaning Teeth – When the teeth are too close together, or even overlapping each other, it can be hard to give them a proper clean. Certain toothbrushes and floss helpers can make it easier in some cases, but if there is too much of the tooth’s surface that can’t be reached, it can cause a number of problems, such as cavities and weakened enamel.

Tooth Wear Due to Crowding – Crowded teeth can also create further wear, since they are out of alignment and may rub against other teeth. This is especially common with crowded bottom teeth, which can rub against the backs of the top teeth.

Potential Injuries – If there are teeth protruding outward, it can make it much easier for injuries to occur. Chips and cracks are more common, especially when an accident happens. And when a tooth has left a significant gap, or is simply sticking out, things can also become caught in it – including your lip. This can become quite painful, since it’s likely that the lip will become caught between the teeth repeatedly.

If crooked teeth are causing you problems – appearance or otherwise – Invisalign is an excellent option, especially for those who don’t want braces to be too noticeable. Southeast Dental is Markham offers Invisalign so our patients can achieve the smile they’ve always wanted, without the injuries and potential problems that come with crooked teeth. If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign, we’re happy to help – give us a call at 905-471-2002 or via one of our other contact options.

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What’s Causing Your Toothache?

Tooth pain can occur for many different reasons. In some cases, it’s just a passing discomfort that will go away on its own in a short period of time. But in other cases, it’s more serious and requires proper care. Here are a few reasons you may be experiencing a toothache:

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Reasons You May Be Experiencing Tooth Pain

There’s no doubt about it, tooth pain can be a terrible experience. From a dull ache to constant throbbing, it’s a pain that can’t be ignored. But do you know what’s causing yours? There are many different reasons for tooth pain, and below we’ve listed the most common causes.

Cavities – Possibly the most obvious cause of tooth pain is from cavities forming in the teeth. This is because the inside of the tooth, which holds the tissues and nerves, has become irritated due to the hole forming.

Receding Gums & Exposed Roots – For some people, gums can recede and cause the sensitive roots to be exposed, creating quite a bit of pain. There are many reasons for gum recession, including brushing too hard, using the wrong toothbrush, and periodontal diseases.

Erosion of Enamel – The protective layer of enamel is an important part of keeping teeth healthy. But acids from food, the stomach, acid reflux, and regular vomiting can wear down that enamel and cause pain as that barrier erodes.

Gum Diseases – Bacteria along the gumline can result in periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis. This can cause inflammation, and when left untreated the infection can affect the root of the tooth and cause further pain.

Bruxism – If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, especially while sleeping, this may be the reason for your pain. We recently posted a blog with some helpful information for those of you who have this problem.

If you’re experiencing tooth pain that isn’t subsiding quickly, it’s best to make a dental appointment to find the cause of the problem and have it dealt with as soon as possible. Our Markham dentistry makes your oral health a priority, and we will work to keep your comfortable while we find the source of your tooth pain. Call Southeast Dental today at 905-471-2002, or book online at your convenience.

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After Halloween: Being Smile-Smart About Candy

It’s a fun time of year for children, with Halloween giving them a chance to dress up in a costume and collect candy from neighbours. But for parents, it can be a bit stressful to monitor sugar intake from all of that Halloween candy while still letting the kids have their treats. We’re here to help you deal with those large bags of candy you now have and the children who want to devour them.

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The Real Negative Effects of Smoking on your Oral Health

It’s common knowledge that cigarette smoking is terrible for your health, and the health of those around you. Its negative impacts are extensive. Lung cancer, pulmonary disease, heart disease, stroke – the list goes on. But those don’t even include the issues that smoking causes for your oral health, and there are a great deal of them.

A recent study has discovered that smoking actually changes the natural bacteria within the mouth, causing a number of problems. Without the naturally occurring oral bacteria, tooth decay and oral diseases become more prevalent. Another potential byproduct of smoking is tooth cancer and other oral cancers – in fact, oral cancer is currently one of the most common forms of cancer in Canada and smoking plays a big part of that.

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