Cosmetic Dentistry in Victoria, BC

April is oral health month!

National dental health week started in 1957, as part of a commitment by dental professionals to promote good oral health among Canadians. The idea was to plan events during this week, which was originally in February, to educate children and the public about what they could do to make sure they maintained healthy teeth for life. In the 1970's, dental health week became dental health month to allow more time for national, provincial and local educational programs and activities centered around healthy teeth and gums. In 1977, April replaced February as national oral health month. Now every year in April, events are planned by dental professional to help educate the public and promote optimal oral health.  As they say, "An ounce of prevention..."

Cosmetic dentistry starts with a healthy mouth.

Flossing is essential to maintain healthy gums and teeth and should be part of your daily oral hygiene. Ideally, you should brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. Flossing around the sides of the teeth is important because it reaches areas that your toothbrush cannot and removes food particles stuck between the teeth. It should only take a minute or two to floss before you brush prior to going to bed. Getting into the habit of doing this every night will surely benefit your dental health. Here are some hints on how to floss most effectively from your cosmetic dentist in Victoria:

Another video from the Canadian Dental Association.

"When you don't know what to look for. It can be easy to miss"

Talk to your dentist about gum disease.

Over the past ten years, evidence has been mounting that supports a relationship between poor oral health and risk of heart disease.

One study that examined 125 individuals who had experienced a heart attack and 125 healthy individuals. The researchers found that the individuals who had experienced a heart attack had significantly poorer oral health compared to the healthy group (1). Specifically, these individuals had a higher number of missing teeth, a higher number of lesions on the teeth detected as by dental X-rays, and less teeth that had undergone successful root canal fillings. Overall, this study suggested that individuals who had experienced a heart attack also showed an unfavorable state of dental health compared to healthy patients.

Another study examined 80 patients with coronary artery disease (2). The research group collected data regarding how often the individuals went to the dentist, how often they brushed and flossed their teeth, their tobacco use, as well as their additional medical history. In addition, the health of the gums of each patient was examined. After adjusting the results to exclude factors such as age and gender, the research group showed that there was a association between early gum disease and coronary artery disease. The authors concluded that inflammation of the gums may be a risk factor for coronary artery disease.

You may have heard the term ‘acid erosion’, but what is it?

Acid erosion is damage to the teeth that occurs when acid dissolves away the outer protective layer of the teeth, the enamel. The severity of the damage can range from minor to extreme, with the result being severe wear, discoloration, cracks in the teeth and tooth sensitivity (to hot or cold food and drinks, sweet foods or other triggers), potentially requiring extensive dental work to repair. Erosion differs from normal tooth decay because it is specifically the acid that is degrading the tooth structure, whereas during tooth decay, the mouth bacteria present feed on sugars in the mouth, and produce acid as a bi-product, which can break down the enamel over time, forming a cavity. When your dentist in Victoria talk about acid erosion, the acid source is from foods and drinks in the diet or stomach acid, and no bacteria are involved in the erosion process.

Halloween is fast approaching, and with it will come a bag of sweets, chocolate and candy for many children. The sugar in all these treats can wreak havoc on your child’s teeth, or on yours, if you like to indulge in the seasonal sweets as well. Read on to find tips from your Victoria dentist on how you can reduce the chance that your child will end up with a mouthful of Halloween candy-induced cavities…

We are all susceptible to periodontal disease, especially as we age. Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial destruction and infection of the gums and the bone that support the teeth. When left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to swelling of the gums, redness, bleeding and tooth loss. People with diabetes are especially prone to developing gum disease, so it is particularly important that diabetics brush and floss daily and make regular dental check-ups with their Victoria dentist as part of their health care regiment.

As part of your health care team, your dentist can provide care that is vital to maintaining optimal dental health during your pregnancy. Advise your dentist right away if you visit at any time during your pregnancy, or suspect that you are pregnant. The dentist can ensure that special care is taken and attention is paid to certain aspects of your oral health that are particularly important during your pregnancy. In particular, pregnancy gingivitis can be a problem for some mothers-to-be, and visiting your dentist can help to reduce or treat any gum problems that develop. Click on the link below to find out more dental information from your Victoria dentist regarding dentistry while you are pregnant.

Bad Breath – Yuck!

Once in a while we all get that not-so-fresh mouth feeling. Often it can be solved by a through brushing and use of a mouth wash. But what if it’s persistent, returning again and again? It could be having a negative impact on your personal relationships or in your working life. Read on to learn more about the causes of bad breath and how you can prevent it…

Thank you to Dr. C. Ross Crapo and his team for inviting Dr. Ngan Huynh to participate in their annual "Dentistry from the Heart" event in Victoria BC. Dentistry from the heart is a non-profit organization that over the past ten years has spread across the United States and Canada to now include over 200 free dental events annually.

Starting at 8:30am on Saturday, September the 17th the doors were opened at Dr. Crapo's dental office. Supported by an entire team at the clinic, three dentists were able to quickly examine, diagnose and treat dental problems for patients in need. Three hygienists spent time discussing oral hygiene while the patients waited for their treatment. The team focused on minimizing pain and oral disease by treating with fillings, extractions, and even a pulpotomy (partial root canal treatment) on a child.

By the end of the day, the patients had left happy and we were tired but elated that we were able to help so many people. Thank again to all those who were involved. Contact the Dentistry from the Heart organization if you want to host your own event in future. It would not have been possible to spread the word regarding the event without the help of community and media partners.

Story in the Victoria Times Colonist

Video Coverage from CHEK News