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Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health problems worldwide. Every time you eat, the sugars in the food you consume feed the bacteria that live in your mouth. When these bacteria eat these sugars, they secrete acid that damages your teeth and promotes decay.

Regular brushing and flossing help keep these bacteria at bay, but these habits may not be enough to fully prevent decay. To do this, you will need to better understand the mechanisms behind tooth decay. The following facts will help you get started.

8 Important Things to Know About Tooth Decay

1. Tooth Discolouration May Be the First Sign of Decay

Tooth stains are a common problem and are usually harmless. However, some stains are actually signs of decay. Advanced decay can look like yellow, brown, or black spots on the teeth. Stains that appear in the pits and fissures of your teeth are particularly likely to be decay. You should also be on the lookout for patches of white that were not present before, as these may be early indicators of enamel breakdown.

2. Saliva Is Key

Your saliva is your body’s best defence against tooth decay. Not only does it help to regulate the pH levels in your mouth, but the calcium and phosphate it contains can also help rebuild damaged enamel. You can take advantage of these natural mechanisms by stimulating your salivary glands with sugarless gum.

3. Timing and Dietary Choices Both Contribute

You know that certain foods are more likely to cause tooth decay. However, many people do not realize that food timing and frequency matter just as much as food choices when it comes to preventing decay. The more frequently you eat during the day, the harder it is for your saliva to keep up with the acid the bacteria in your mouth will produce. Similarly, eating before bed without brushing your teeth afterwards allows bacteria to feast on the leftover food particles all night, swiftly accelerating decay.

4. Dental Plaque Buildup Can Cause Bone Loss

Dental plaque that is not cleaned off your teeth can seep into your gums and cause gum disease. If this condition goes untreated, it will eventually develop into periodontitis and spread into your jawbone as well. Your bone will then begin to break down. As more and more of your bone wears away, your teeth may start to wiggle, shift, and even fall out.

5. There May Be Even More Consequences Than You Expected

Tooth decay is usually treated with dental fillings, but this is not the only way to treat this problem. Highly advanced decay might require a dental crown, a root canal, or even an extraction. When these treatments are called for, you may need additional work done to restore your smile. Cosmetic options like bridges can be used to replace a missing tooth. Front teeth veneers can also disguise some of the aesthetic problems created by decay.

6. Children and Teenagers Have the Highest Risk of Cavities

Children’s tooth enamel is very thin compared to that of adults, so decay can break through it more quickly. Teenagers usually have all their permanent teeth in place, but they also tend to consume lots of sugary drinks and snacks that contribute to decay. Both children and teens also tend to have poor oral hygiene compared to adults.

7. Having No Pain Does Not Mean You Have No Decay

Many people think that they do not need to worry about tooth decay unless they are experiencing pain. This is a common misconception. In reality, it’s usually only advanced decay that results in pain. This is because, by that point, the decay may be getting close to the tooth’s nerve. Teeth in this condition cannot always be saved, and when they can, it usually takes a root canal to do so. Visiting your dentist regularly allows them to catch developing decay before it becomes severe, giving you a much better chance of keeping your teeth intact.

8. Untreated Cavities Only Get Worse

While very early decay can sometimes be reversed, cavities are rarely discovered at this early stage. By the time they can be detected, they require treatment. Delaying that treatment only gives the decay a chance to grow and destroy more of your tooth structure. If your dentist identifies a cavity at one of your routine dental visits, it is important to get it filled as soon as possible.

Get Your Tooth Decay Treated by Mississauga’s Top Dental Team

Tooth decay is a fact of life for most people, but you can manage it easily with the right dental team on your side. Whether you need a few dental fillings or are interested in veneers to disguise damage from decay, the team at Trillium Smile Dentistry can help. Contact us at 905-828-9894 or book an appointment online to get professional help for your tooth decay today.

Have you ever thought about an aspect of your smile that you would like to fix? Perhaps you chipped a tooth in your childhood and never got it fixed. Maybe you were born with porous, easily stained enamel that never responded to whitening treatments as you hoped. You may even have teeth that are too small or oddly shaped for your liking.

Veneers are the perfect solution to all these problems and more. These cosmetic prostheses allow you to hide your natural teeth behind shells of synthetic material that are shaped to your exact specifications. Our guide will explain this popular cosmetic treatment, including how veneers work, why you might want them, and how to care for them once you get them.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin slivers of synthetic material that are placed on top of the front portion of a tooth. They are created using impressions of your teeth and high-tech laboratory equipment and are shaped according to your treatment plan.

Veneers are a popular option because they allow you to camouflage stained, misaligned, or misshapen teeth. Dental veneers for the front teeth are much more common than ones made for back teeth.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Veneers?

To be a good candidate for veneers, you must:

If your teeth or gums are not healthy enough for the procedure, your cosmetic dentist will guide you on how to prepare for get your veneers.

There are also a few potential drawbacks to getting veneers.

It is important that you are prepared to accept these drawbacks if you want to proceed with getting veneers.

Types of Veneers

Two types of veneers are typically used in most procedures:

Top Benefits of Getting Dental Veneers

There are many reasons to choose veneers for your next cosmetic dental enhancement.

Front Teeth Dental Veneers Procedure

When you show interest in veneers, your dentist will set up an initial appointment to discuss the procedure with you.

During this visit, they will examine your teeth and discuss your expectations for treatment. It is important that you understand what veneers can and cannot accomplish before proceeding with treatment. Your dentist will also discuss the cost of your veneers so you can determine how to fit the expense into your budget.

Once you have decided to get veneers, your dentist will make a second appointment to begin the procedure. Your dentist will remove some enamel from your teeth to prepare them for the veneers. They will then take an impression of your teeth to get a perfect representation of their shape. These will then be sent to a lab where the veneers will be fabricated.

When your finished veneers arrive, your dentist will schedule an appointment with you to install them. During this appointment, you will see what the veneers will look like in your mouth. Your dentist can then adjust the shape and colour of the veneers as needed to meet your expectations.

When you are happy with the result, the veneers are bonded to your teeth using dental cement. This process is permanent, so be sure that you are truly satisfied with your veneers before proceeding to this final step.

How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?

Most dental veneers last between 5 to 7 years, and some can last 10 years or more. If you want yours to last as long as possible, be sure to take excellent care of them as soon as they are installed.

How Do You Care for Veneers?

Veneers are a relatively low-maintenance cosmetic dental treatment. Follow the tips below to keep yours clean, intact, and firmly in place.

Visit the Best Dentist for Porcelain Veneers in Mississauga

Ready to create the smile you have always dreamed of? Trillium Smile Dentistry makes it easy to get stunning dental veneers in Mississauga. Our staff will walk you through the entire procedure from start to finish to ensure that you receive results you are happy with. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or through our online form to book your initial appointment and discuss your needs with one of the best cosmetic dentists in the GTA.

Also Read:

Top Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry to Bring Back Your Smile

Taking children to the dentist is rarely an easy task. Between scheduling issues, unique dental concerns, and managing your child’s anxiety, you may find that these appointments are far more challenging than your own.

Visiting a good children’s dentist (also known as a pediatric dentist) can make this process significantly easier. These professionals are trained in treating young patients and can employ strategies that will make each trip to the dentist less stressful. Here are ten ways a children’s dentist can improve this experience for both you and your child.

10 Ways a Children’s Dentist Can Help with Your Kid’s Dental Needs

1. Be Patient with Your Child

Many children experience a lot of anxiety around dental appointments, especially when they are very young. The experience of visiting the dentist is new to your child, and they may resist going or exhibit challenging behaviours while at the office.

Children’s dentists offer gentle reassurance to get your child to relax inside the clinic. They know this may take extra time, and many will schedule slightly longer appointments for child patients to account for this.

2. Treat Tongue-Tie in Babies

Tongue-tie is a common problem in children. It is caused by a frenulum (the tissue that anchors the tongue to the bottom of the mouth) that is too short, restricting the movement of the tongue. This may make it difficult to breastfeed, swallow, or speak.

A children’s dentist can quickly cut the frenulum on a tongue-tied baby using a small handheld laser. This procedure is painless and involves minimal bleeding, allowing you to easily correct this anatomical problem while your child is still young.

3. Promote Good Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is just as important for children as it is for adults. In fact, it is even more crucial. Good habits established in childhood will often continue into adult life.

Your child’s dentist will take the time to educate them on topics such as tooth decay, hygiene habits, and healthy eating. The more your child knows about why oral health and dental care are so important, the more likely they are to take care of their teeth and gums in the future. The dentist will also provide more gentle dental cleanings and may allow your child to take breaks during the procedure when needed, making it less stressful for them to have the tartar cleaned from their teeth.

4. Prevent Cavities

When your child’s oral hygiene is good, they will develop fewer cavities. With regular dental visits, any decay that develops will also be caught and treated early.

A children’s dentist will care for your child’s oral health throughout their development and teach them to do the same. They will diagnose and treat any cavities your child has, then offer advice on how to prevent these problems in the future. They can also administer preventive treatments like fluoride varnish and sealant application to strengthen your child’s teeth and make them more resistant to decay in the future.

5. Guide Your Kids Through the Teething Process

Teething can be a difficult time, especially for first-time parents. It is devastating to see your child in pain when you feel powerless to help them.

A children’s dentist can guide you through the teething stage. They can answer all your questions about topics like when your child will begin teething, how long it will last, which teeth will erupt first, and how best to manage your child’s pain. Not only does this give you actionable information you can use to navigate this situation, but it may also relieve some of your own anxiety surrounding this process.

6. Help Break Your Child’s Bad Dental Habits

Oral habits like thumb-sucking and pacifier use are developmentally appropriate at a certain age, but they cannot go on forever. If your child does not stop these habits around age 2, the alignment of their teeth may be affected.

Dentists know how important it is to break those habits early and keep your child from continuing them as their permanent teeth begin to erupt. They can guide you through different strategies meant to help you wean your child off this behaviour, giving you the best chance of curbing it before it can take a toll on your child’s teeth.

7. Screen Your Child’s Orthodontic Needs

By the time your child is around 7 years old, many of their adult teeth will have erupted. Their dentist can examine these permanent teeth to predict the final alignment of your child’s bite and let you know how likely it is that they will need braces. Many parents find this advanced warning very helpful.

8. Help with Dental Emergencies

Active children are prone to dental injuries from falls, rough contact during sports, and other physical impacts. Because of this, it is not unlikely that your child will need emergency dental care at some point before they grow up.

Most children’s dentists also serve as emergency dentists with options to book urgent appointments when needed. You will know exactly where to take your child when a dental emergency happens, ensuring timely treatment and giving you valuable peace of mind.

9. Encourage Lifelong Oral Care

Early experiences are an extremely important part of your child’s development. If your child’s first few dental visits are stressful and frightening, that impression may stick with them for life and make it hard for them to access the dental care they need.

A child-friendly dentist can give your child a positive outlook on dental care that will set them up for good oral health for life. These professionals create a fun, comfortable atmosphere for your child’s dental care, giving them that all-important positive foundation.

10. Engage Your Kids in Their Own Dental Health

Most children are fearful of unknown experiences, but they are also curious by nature. A children’s dentist knows how to harness that curiosity to make dental appointments more engaging and less scary.

They might let your child touch and hold their tools before the dentist uses them in your child’s mouth. If they are particularly anxious, it may help for them to see the tools used on a parent first to show that they are safe and effective. This gives your child the chance to learn more about how dentistry works and why it is never a scary experience with the best dentists.

Visit Top Children’s Dentists at the Best Dental Clinic in Mississauga

You take your children’s dental care seriously, and so do we. At Trillium Smile Dentistry, our children’s dentists do everything they can to provide a superior experience for their young patients. We also offer direct billing, so you can easily use your dental insurance to cover your children’s eligible dental expenses. Call us at 905-828-9894 or contact us online today to book an appointment for your child and set them up for better oral health for life.

Also Read: 10 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Family Dentist

Do you and your children have a family dentist? If not, you should begin looking for one. Family dentists do much more than just clean and examine your teeth: they are your partner in the journey to improve your family’s oral health. Here are some of the top reasons it is worth your time to establish a relationship with a dentist for your family’s oral health needs.

Top 10 Benefits of Having a Family Dentist

1. Reduce Dental Anxiety

Do you become anxious when thinking of going to the dentist? Many people do, and it may be challenging for them to fight through the feeling for long enough to go to their appointment.

Having a family dentist builds predictability and familiarity in your dental visits. You know you will always see the same familiar faces in the usual office, which reduces some of the stress of the visit. This is especially important for children who are reluctant to go to the dentist. If they never feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair, they will try to avoid visits for as long as possible. This may cause them to miss out on preventive care like routine cleanings and oral exams that could reduce their likelihood of developing dental problems in the future.

2. Your Dentist Knows Your History

If you visit a different dentist every time, the dentist treating you will not know anything about your medical history. Your family dentist, on the other hand, keeps an extensive file on your medical history. They know things like:

This allows them to give you the best possible care and avoid triggering any adverse reactions to the products they use.

3. Convenience and Flexibility

It can be difficult to get every member to see a dentist regularly in today’s busy families. You will need to work around school hours and activities when booking appointments. If you call last-minute, the dentist might not have enough slots left that day to see everyone at once, forcing you to make multiple trips.

Your family dentist will be happy to arrange all of your family’s dental appointments with one phone call. They may even offer to schedule them back-to-back for added convenience, or at the same time if possible, through other dentists in the office. Many are open during evenings and weekends to help you find the best time for your visit.

4. Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is extremely common in Canada, affecting nearly all Canadian adults at some point in their lives. However, it is not inevitable. With good home care and regular visits to your dentist, you can avoid developing cavities in your teeth.

A family dentist is best suited to help you and your children reduce your chances of tooth decay. They can chart any existing or developing cavities, apply fluoride treatments to slow the decay, and offer personalized guidance to help you improve your oral hygiene routine and eating habits.

5. Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease is a serious oral health problem. Bleeding, painful gums are bad enough, but the problems do not end there. If the infection sets into your jawbone and begins to cause bone loss, your teeth may start to shift around and fall out. This is one of the leading causes of tooth loss, especially in older people.

Gum disease is preventable and can even be reversed in its early stages. Seeing your family dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups will help you ward off gum disease and keep your teeth healthy and intact for as long as possible.

6. Consistent Access to Services

If you are not a regular patient at a particular dental office, you might have trouble getting appointments when you need them. This is often seen when attempting to book an appointment several months in the future.

Having a dedicated family dentist eliminated this problem. Not only will they allow you to book ahead of time, but they will often suggest that you do without you even having to ask.

7. Brighter Smiles

Maintaining bright, white teeth is an important part of personal grooming for both children and adults. Teenagers are especially likely to feel self-conscious about stained or yellow teeth. Getting regular dental cleanings at your family dentist’s office will help your whole family maintain brighter smiles all year long.

If you have a special event coming up or just want to achieve an even brighter white, you can also ask your family dentist about professional whitening treatments. Using these, your dentist may be able to make your teeth several shades lighter still.

8. Preventive Care

Preventive dental care plays a significant role in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. People who receive regular dental care are less likely to develop severe problems like advanced tooth decay, periodontitis, or dental abscesses.

Your family dentist will see all your family members on a regular basis. They can spot problems before they develop into severe issues and make the appropriate interventions to keep them from becoming worse. They can also clean any built-up tartar off your teeth and suggest things you can do at home to better care for your oral health.

9. Emergency Dental Services

Most children are extremely accident-prone, and their teeth are often easier to dislodge or break than an adult’s teeth would be. If they were to get hit in the head or jaw, there is a decent chance that some dental damage may be done.

Having a family dentist allows you to rest easy, knowing that if something does happen, you know where to go to get your child’s teeth examined and fixed. Considering that timing is critical to achieving the best results in many cases, this is no small advantage.

10. Access to A Range of Dental Services

Each member of your family needs different types of dental care. From orthodontic screenings and cavity prevention to tooth extraction and implant placement, you will need a dentist that can do it all.

A good family dentist in Mississauga offers services for patients of all ages. Whether you need tips on how to care for your baby’s first few teeth or need to have a crown placed on a severely damaged tooth, you can go to the same dental office you always visit and have all of your family’s dental needs addressed.

Book Your Family Dentist Appointments with the Best Dentist in Mississauga

Having a family dentist can make a significant difference in the oral health of you and your children. Find yours today at Trillium Smile Dentistry. Dr. Tousi and her team are always happy to take on new patients of all ages, and with our sterling reputation, you can be sure that your family will receive the quality dental care they need. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or fill out our online form to set up your first round of appointments today.

Tooth decay is one of the most common afflictions among Canadians. In fact, 96% of the adult population has had at least one cavity in their life. Cavities also become more common the older you get.

The good news is that tooth decay is mostly preventable. With good oral hygiene and a careful diet, you may never develop a new cavity in your lifetime. Our guide can help you better understand the causes of tooth decay and outline the steps you can take to avoid any future cavities.

Types of Tooth Decay

There are three different types of tooth decay:

What Causes Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is the result of a three-step sequence of events.

Once tooth decay occurs, it is difficult to reverse.

Decay will continue to progress until the cavity is drilled and filled. Some dental procedures can disguise the presence of cavities and early decay and improve the look of your teeth. However, these are not considered treatments for this condition. Veneers do offer excellent cosmetic camouflage for areas with large visible fillings, though, so they may still be a good idea after the appropriate treatment has been provided.

Stages of Cavity Development

Human teeth have three distinct layers: the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp. Untreated tooth decay gradually works its way through all the layers over time. If you have a dental cavity, you can expect it to progress through the following stages:

Enamel and Dental Caries

A dental cavity always starts in the outer layer of your tooth: the enamel. This layer is extremely strong and continually rebuilds itself through a process called remineralization, which happens when your mouth is free from food or food residue. If food particles stay in your mouth for long periods, your teeth will not have enough time to re-mineralize themselves and will begin to decay.

Enamel-stage cavities can sometimes be reversed with good diet and oral hygiene. Many dentists will wait until a cavity has progressed into your tooth’s dentin layer to fill it, but not all. Your dentist’s recommended treatment will depend on how quickly the cavity is progressing, how good your diet and oral hygiene are, and your general dental history.

Pulpitis

When a cavity in your tooth’s enamel layer is not treated in time, it will eat through both the enamel and dentin layers of your tooth to reach the pulp layer inside. This layer is directly above your tooth’s nerve, so it is extremely sensitive. A cavity in this layer will probably cause you a lot of pain, and it can only be treated with a root canal and crown.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is not a true stage in the development of tooth decay, but it does often co-occur with advanced decay. This is because if you have not been taking care of your teeth, you have probably also been neglecting your gums. Periodontitis is a serious and irreversible form of gum disease that requires lifelong maintenance to keep it under control.

Tooth Loss

If you still do not treat a tooth that has become severely decayed, that tooth will start to die. When this happens, it can no longer be saved. The only thing your dentist can do is remove it and replace it with a dental prosthetic like an implant or a bridge. You want to avoid this outcome at all costs, so it is important to never delay cavity treatment when your dentist says it is needed.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Preventing tooth decay is easier than you think. If you want to minimize the number of cavities you will need to have filled in the future, be sure to:

Use Fluoride

Fluoride’s re-mineralizing properties can be astoundingly effective in preventing tooth decay. Use a toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride to help strengthen your teeth over time. The more often you expose your teeth to fluoride throughout the day, the stronger its effects will be. Your dentist can also give you a professional fluoride treatment.

Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth regularly goes a long way toward keeping your plaque levels low. The friction of the brush’s bristles against your teeth disrupts the sticky substance and makes it easier to wash it away. Your toothpaste removes even more plaque and delivers fluoride to your teeth to help them defend against plaque in the future.

Floss

Flossing removes plaque from one of the most neglected spaces in your mouth: the spaces between your teeth. This keeps you from developing cavities in those vulnerable areas.

Monitor Your Diet

You probably already know that consuming less sugar will help you reduce your risk of tooth decay, but the type and timing of sugar intake are just as important as how much of it you eat.

Sugary drinks are worse for your teeth than sweet foods because they can easily deposit sugar particles into tight spaces between your teeth and into the fissures on your molars.

Similarly, consuming a little bit of sugar frequently throughout the day is much worse than having a lot of sugar all at once. When you do this, your teeth are under constant attack from plaque bacteria. They never get the chance to rebuild themselves through remineralization, and eventually, they start to decay.

Schedule Regular Teeth Cleanings

Professional teeth cleanings are the only way to reliably remove tartar (hardened plaque) from your teeth. Since tartar can harbour bacteria and cause decay just as easily as plaque, it is important not to let it build up. Visiting your dentist’s office for a cleaning at least once every six months removes this tartar and makes it less likely that your teeth will develop cavities.

Protect Your Teeth with Help from Trillium Smile Dentistry

A cavity-free future is possible, but you will need the right support to achieve it. At Trillium Smile Dentistry, we want to see you reach this goal. We offer a variety of services to help prevent and control cavities, including teeth cleanings, dietary advice, fluoride treatments, and more.

Worried it might be too late to change your ways? We can also help when the damage has already been done. Cosmetic solutions like front teeth veneers can help you restore your smile’s beauty and make you feel proud to start your new cavity prevention routine. Our periodontal maintenance program can also help you fend off the lasting complications of past oral hygiene neglect and set yourself up for better oral health.

Contact us at 905-828-9894 to discuss your dental needs and book an appointment for a cleaning or restoration today.

Good oral hygiene habits will help you avoid most dental problems, but you may still need to undergo oral surgery.

Dental surgery, also often referred to as oral surgery, encompasses any surgical procedure involving the teeth, gums, or jawbone. Many people have their first oral surgery when their wisdom teeth are removed. Some need additional procedures later in life.

Our guide will help you prepare for dental surgery so you can feel more at ease when taking this important step for your oral health.

Many people think dentistry is focused on fixing oral health problems, but the best dentists work to make sure you never have these problems in the first place.

Your dentist in Mississauga can help you improve and maintain your oral health with preventative dentistry services. These procedures can keep your teeth and gums intact, improve your overall health, and even save you money.

Dental crowns, sometimes also called caps, are small, tooth-shaped covers that are placed over a natural tooth. These prosthetics extend to the gum line, covering the affected tooth from top to bottom.

A well-made crown looks just like a natural tooth and allows you to chew food the same way you would with your original dentition. This makes crowns an excellent solution for both aesthetic and functional oral issues. You can learn more about this time-tested dental care option in the guide below.

Tooth loss is a common dental condition seen among patients. Losing a tooth to injury, gum disease, or decay can impact your facial appearance and compromise your ability to speak and chew normally. Many people who have lost a tooth worry about it constantly and become self-conscious, afraid to let anyone see the gap in their smile.

Dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth and correct these problems. Many patients report that getting dental implants has had a significant impact on their quality of life. Some forget that they were ever missing a tooth in the first place. Our guide will teach you everything you need to know about dental implants, including what they do, how they are placed, and why they are the right choice to replace your missing tooth.

Sooner or later, nearly every adult will need to visit their dentist for a dental filling. 96% of Canadian adults have some history of cavities, and most develop more than one in their lifetime.

Dentists typically use one of two options to fill in the spots where a cavity has damaged a tooth: silver or white fillings. This guide will help you learn about each type and give you the information you need to choose the right filling for your dental needs.