If you’re thinking about getting teeth straightening in Wyndham — for yourself, your child, or your teen — you probably want to know how long the process takes to complete. When it comes to teeth straightening, the length of the orthodontic process depends on several factors, such as: Age of the patient The type of braces being used How misaligned the teeth are Positioning of the jaws To get the quickest answer on how long you need to wear braces, you’ll want to briefly visit with our Wyndham dentists for a consultation and exam. From there, we’ll evaluate each of … Continue reading “How Quickly Can Braces Straighten My Teeth?”

You think you might have a cavity. But you’ve been holding off seeing our Wyndham dentists until you’re sure that there’s something going on. Right now, your tooth doesn’t really hurt. You only feel a small twinge every now and then. But how can you know — for certain — that you need to go ahead and get a filling?   Cavities Don’t Always Hurt Did you know it was possible to have a large cavity without any symptoms of pain? Some cavities hurt while others do not. Other signs you can look for include rough edges, sensitivity to sweets, … Continue reading “At What Point Do I Need a Filling?”

Primary (baby) teeth are typically brighter and whiter than their future permanent adult replacements. But did you know that the enamel in baby teeth isn’t as strong and resistant to tooth decay? When a primary tooth develops a cavity, the lesion can spread very quickly. Not only will it go deeper into the tooth all the way to the nerve (causing an abscess), it can also spread to adjacent teeth or into the permanent tooth below. As a parent, you may be asking our Wyndham dentists if it’s better to pull the baby tooth or have it filled. Since it … Continue reading “Tooth Decay in Children”

When it comes to protecting your smile, there are a variety of different mouthguards available on the market. The design, size, and shape of each one depends on what the guard is meant for. Not all are created equally. At Wyndham Dental, we might recommend one of the following mouthguards based on your unique smile and lifestyle: Snore Guard — People with sleeping disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, or snoring can get a special mouthguard made that improves their breathing. You may see improvement within the first night! These mouthguards move your jaw in a slightly forward position.   Sports Guard … Continue reading “When to Wear a Mouthguard”

Do you seem to get a new cavity every year or so? Do you refer to yourself as someone with “bad teeth” (or just bad luck?) Fortunately, tooth decay is a preventable infection and there are easy steps you can take to prevent it from recurring or spreading between your dental checkups. In addition to scheduling regular checkups and cleanings with our Wyndham dentists, here are some effective tips to try on your own:   Drink More Water Water is a natural cleanser. When you sip on it throughout the day, it helps lift away bacteria and food debris. Since … Continue reading “Easy Ways to Lower Your Cavity Risk”

If you whitened your teeth earlier this year, you want your smile to stay bright through the months (and holidays) to come. Knowing what to do to maintain your white smile can help you keep teeth looking brighter for well into the future. Touch ups usually only consist of wearing your whitening tray an hour a day for a few days in a row (not the two weeks like the first time you whitened.) Here are some important times our Wyndham dentists recommend touching up your teeth.   After Every Checkup  During your scale and clean, we’ll polish away any … Continue reading “When Should You Touch Up Your Whitening?”

TMJ disorder (TMD) typically presents itself as chronic headaches, popping and clicking noises, limited range of motion, or difficulty eating. Since you rely on your TMJ (jaw joint) thousands of times per day, it’s important that it can function properly. But what you may not have realized is other conditions contributing to TMD, rather than the joint “flaring up” on its own. Here are some of the most common TMJ pain causes you should know about. Crooked Teeth Misaligned teeth and jaws mean that your TMJ has to change the way it moves when it’s time for you to eat. … Continue reading “Common Causes of TMJ Disorder”

If you snore or have sleep apnoea, an oral appliance might be a smart investment. Unlike CPAP machines that force air into your lungs, an oral sleep appliance naturally opens your airway so that you can breathe easier. Our Wyndham dentists can work with your physician or pulmonologist to determine if a mouthpiece could help you sleep more soundly! How Oral Sleep Appliances Work An oral sleep appliance is similar to a mouthguard that fits over your upper and lower teeth. The difference is that it guides your lower jaw forward, so that soft tissues at the back of your … Continue reading “Should I Get an Oral Sleep Appliance?”

A misaligned smile isn’t just an aesthetic concern. While most of us think having straight teeth means wearing the perfect accessory, it goes much deeper than just looking your best when you’re smiling for a photo. There are functional and health side-effects that we often see in our Wyndham patients with crooked teeth.   Fractured Dental Work Your restorative crowns and fillings are durable enough to withstand everyday wear. But irregular biting patterns put heavier amounts of pressure on specific points in your mouth. When that happens, your dental work can fracture when you least expect it.   TMJ Disorder … Continue reading “Side-Effects of Crooked Teeth”

Teeth stains are among the most common dental concerns, affecting many people striving for that bright, confident smile. If you’re considering whitening your teeth or wondering why your smile looks darker than it used to, understanding the causes of tooth stain is a great place to start. Discolouration can occur due to various factors, and while some may be within our control, others are simply a part of life. When you know what makes enamel darken, you can take proactive steps to help your teeth look their best by taking preventive measures or seeking the right treatments to maintain them. … Continue reading “Common Causes of Tooth Stain”