Dental implants are a great alternative treatment for replacing missing teeth. Compared to conventional restorations, they also offer the best return on investment. But when is the right time to consider them, and are there ever situations when getting a dental implant isn’t appropriate? At What Age? Implants are only for patients whose mouths are fully developed and matured, so most individuals will need to be at least 18 years old or so before considering this permanent restoration. It’s not that it isn’t safe, but it’s important to wait until their facial features are fully formed. How Many Teeth Need … Continue reading “When are Dental Implants Appropriate?”

“Do I have a cavity?” It’s a question we hear a lot at Wyndham Dental, and for those of us who tend to get cavities fairly frequently, it’s not a surprise. But if it’s been years since you’ve had — or you’ve been lucky enough to never have — a cavity, it’s a logical thing to ask.   Signs to Look For Aside from need a clinical exam and digital X-rays to thoroughly screen for smaller cavities, here are a few symptoms to keep your eye out for:   Discoloration or darkening. Not all cavities are dark holes on your … Continue reading “Common Symptoms of Tooth Decay”

Many people don’t know how to floss properly.  The dental therapists and hygienists at Wyndham Dental can show you some tips that will help you improve your technique. When to Floss: Flossing should be a part of your daily routine.  Preferably you would floss after each meal, but we know this is not always realistic.  Your goal should be to at least floss once per day.  A great time to do this is at night, before bed, and after you’ve brushed your teeth. Tips to Help with Better Flossing:  There is more to flossing than just sliding a string between … Continue reading “Flossing: How to do it Right”

Are you interested in taking steps to improve the appearance of your smile? Are you overwhelmed by the cosmetic treatment options available to choose from? When choosing which way to go, it is important that you have a good relationship with your dentist and that their team is willing to work with you, to help meet your goals. At Wyndham Dental, we’ve been providing customized smile makeovers for more than 30 years, so we know a thing or two about them and take great pride in our services! When you come to our office for your aesthetic consultation, we will … Continue reading “How to Plan a Smile Makeover”

Sometimes a toothache can hit us at the worst possible time.  What should you do if it is the weekend and there is not a single dentist office open? Dental pain is usually due to inflammation, so over the counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen may be helpful in decreasing the pain. Warm salty water rinses can sometimes help soothe the area.  This can be done three times daily. Over the counter topical numbing medications usually contain benzocaine which can temporarily subside the pain.  However, overuse of this medication can further irritate the area, so use it only in moderation. If you … Continue reading “What to do During a Dental Emergency”

A crown is a cap or a cover, made from a variety of very strong materials.  It goes over a tooth to protect it. These are custom fit and shaded to match the colour of your other natural teeth. Metal crowns also exist, the most popular being gold or stainless steel. Our Wyndham dentist will determine which type of material is best to use in your case. If you have a preference on the appearance of your crown (tooth colored or metal), be sure you express this us during your exam, and we will work with you to ensure you … Continue reading “Do I Really Need a Crown?”

A lot of Invisalign consultations start out with questions like: “Am I too old for Invisalign?” and “Can I get Invisalign but only use it to straighten my front teeth?” The truth is, to find out if Invisalign is right for you (or you’re right for clear aligners,) you need to start with a consultation with a preferred Invisalign provider that has experience treating other patients like you. Advantages of Wearing Invisalign Braces Adults make great Invisalign patients, because they’re committed to treatment and energetic about the results. But some of the benefits of choosing removable braces include things such … Continue reading “Am I a Candidate for Clear Orthodontics?”

Not all toothaches are created equal. Some may be less harmful, while others require immediate attention of our Wyndham emergency dentist. Here are some of the most common types of dental pain that we see in our practice and what you should do for each. Sharp Pain — Not all cavities hurt, but if you’re experiencing sudden pain out of the blue or when you’re eating, it could be due to tooth decay. See our Wyndham dentist early, before the cavity has a chance to spread and become more problematic (especially if there’s an abscess.) Pain When You Bite Down … Continue reading “Types of Toothaches and How to Treat Them”

Dry mouth, also called as xerostomia, is a condition that is characterised by chapped lips, difficulty in swallowing food, feeling of dryness or burning sensation in the mouth. Listed below are few important causes of dry mouth- Dehydration – Low water intake can dehydrate your body and cause dryness in mouth. Hence, try to keep yourself hydrated by wetting your mouth or drinking plenty of water. Tobacco consumption – Tobacco, in any form, when consumed frequently can result in reduced salivary flow. Due to the dip in salivary flow there is a hike in the tendency to develop dental cavities. … Continue reading “Facts You Should Know About Dry Mouth”

Cavities take quite a long time to develop, in fact, with regular visits, your dentist can often detect changes in your tooth enamel long before a hole develops. Holes in teeth begin when bacteria that are fueled by sugars in your saliva start eroding the good minerals in your teeth and break down tooth enamel. As the enamel wears away, cavities start to develop. Eating or drinking sugary or starchy foods feeds the bad bacteria that attack tooth enamel and causes an ‘acid attack’. If you eat sugary or starchy foods often, and you don’t clean your teeth after eating … Continue reading “How to prevent tooth decay”