Dental Problems

• Jaw massage – Use your fingers to slowly massage your jaw joints with a circular motion. • Side-to-side stretch – With a closed mouth, slowly move your jaw to one side and then the other without moving your head or neck. • Resisted opening – Slowly open your mouth while placing a thumb under your chin and pushing gently to resist the movement. • Tongue-to-roof – Touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth while slowly opening and closing your mouth.

With the right preventive approach, small early cavities can be prevented and sometimes even heal on their own using medicated fluoride toothpaste. Left untreated, the cavity will spread. More advanced tooth decay must be treated with a filling, crown, or root canal.

Without careful monitoring and active steps to limit the spread of a cavity, you could ultimately lose your tooth. This is because the cavity causes a break in the protectice enamel and dentin layers, bacteria can reach the nerve of your tooth, leading to infection.

• Avoid sugary foods/drinks (soda, juice, candy) • Eat a healthy diet with plenty of leafy green veggies • Avoid tobacco products • Brush 2x daily and floss every day • Visit your dentist twice a year for a dental exam and cleaning • Consider a fluoride treatment or tooth sealant treatment • Wear a night guard if you suffer from tooth grinding

Gum recession is a gradual process. Many people don’t realize they have it until it’s progressed and possibly caused severe damage. Signs of gum recession can vary, but you may experience the following: • Swollen gums • Bleeding when brushing & flossing • Bad breath • Teeth that appear to be growing While the signs and symptoms can vary, the most common underlying cause is gum disease. Other common causes of gum recession include clenching/grinding, poor oral care, and tobacco usage

• Use an electric toothbrush. Modern electric tooth brushes have a pressure sensor which prevents you applying too much pressure while brushing • Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2-3 minutes • Floss and use interdental brushes every day ( as recommended by your dental professional) • Avoid smoking, vaping, and tobacco • Get your teeth professionally cleaned at least 2x a year

• Non-Surgical Treatment: A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is often a good first step and can cure your recession! This treatment stops bacteria and encourages your gums to heal. If the cause of the recession is excessive clinching/grinding, a nightguard may be recommended to prevent further gum recession. • Surgical Treatment: In some cases, a gum graft or other high-tech surgical treatment may be necessary to address the lost gum tissue and protect your teeth.

Can I leave a chipped or cracked tooth without treatment? There is no such thing as a cracked or chipped tooth that gets better on its own — they will stay that way until fixed. That said, small chips and cracks are very common and mostly a cosmetic issue. Big chips and cracks however do need to be treated to prevent decay, infection, or bigger chips from developing. Even small cracks can be problematic if they are caused by an underlying problem

Depending on the cause of your broken tooth and the severity of the damage, we’ll offer different cracked and chipped tooth repair treatments to help you look and feel like your best self. Most treatments will be focussed with the aim of either smoothing the tooth, covering any exposed root, or when damage is severe, completely replacing your tooth. In any case, with the help of our team, you can stop the problem from getting worse and reverse the issue entirely. Common treatments include: • Veneers • Dental bonding • Dental crowns • Implants • Fillings • Mouthguards