What did the tooth say to the departing dentist?…….. Fill me in when you get back!! I thought this was a cute little joke. Have a great week!

 Did you know that it takes at least 30 days to make a task a habit?  Try flossing for 30 days in row and see if it becomes a habit!! Good Luck!!!

     Tooth Erosion is classified as the wearing down or thinning of enamel.  Tooth erosion can also be identified by transperancy along the  lower edges of the tooth.  This condition is usually caused by consuming acidic foods & drinks. When too many acidic items are consumed this may result in the  dissolving away of tooth enamel.  Tooth erosion is becoming more common because acidic drinks and snacks have become more popular.

     Minerals found in your saliva do have the ability to help repair the areas of the tooth exposed to acids  if allowed a rest period.  Everytime you consume any foods, acids are created in your mouth. When you consume acidic foods then your teeth are under stronger attack.  For this reason snacking should be avoided between meals. 

     Tooth erosion may also cause teeth to become sensitive to hot and cold items. Teeth suffering from erosion can also become more susceptible to tooth decay (cavities).

Here are some tips to prevent tooth erosion:

• avoid snacking between meals
• try to refrain from consuming sugary snacks
• drink acidic drinks quickly and do not swish them around in the mouth
• use a straw when drinking acidic beverages
• don’t brush your teeth immediately after consuming something acidic
• some fruits are very acidic and should be avoided in large amounts

     If you suspect that you may be suffering from this condition please speak to your dental professional. Your dental professional will be able to properly identify the condition and assist in preventing further damage to occur to your enamel.

We the staff at Ottawa Street Dental sincerely wish everyone a Very Happy Family Day!! Hopefully everyone has a fantastic day planned with lots of love for your wonderful families!!!

The staff at Ottawa Street Dental would like to wish everyone & their families a Very Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Love is in the air. Please show some love to your teeth & gums!!

Here are some fun & interesting facts involving teeth!!

• The hardest substance in your body is enamel.
• Mammals have two sets of teeth, the primary teeth & the permanent teeth
• Your teeth begin to form prior to your birth
• The bristles of the toothbrush were originally made from the hair of hogs & cows
• Sharks have at least 40 sets of teeth in a lifetime
• A Chinese dentist once built a tower made of 28,000 human teeth

 Pretty interesting stuff!!! Have a great week!!!

This short little dental poem is cute and I hope everyone enjoys it.

 My Tooth

My tooth fell out and left a space

So big my tonque can touch my face,

And every time i smile I show

The place where something used to grow.

I miss my tooth as you can guess

But now I have to brush one less.

I found this poem at:

 http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems38.html

 Xerostomia is a condition that affects many people. Dry mouth is usually due to lack of saliva. This condition can cause difficulty speaking & eating. Most usually people who have xerostomia also suffer from halitosis (bad breath) and are at a higher risk of getting cavities. A person’s saliva usually has a protective effect in reminalizing the enamel, when a person suffers from dry mouth this is no longer the case.The oral mucosa and periodontal tissues in the mouth become more susceptible to infection when chronic xerostomia occurs.

Causes:

Sometimes there is an underlying disease exasperatingthis issue such as: Sjogren’s syndrome, poorly controlled diabetes and/or Lambert-Eaton syndrome.

Anxiety

Medications

Smoking

Frequent Alcoholic drinks

Dehydration

Excessive mouth breathing

Trauma to salivary glands

Aging

Radiation therapy

There are also other factors not previously mentioned that can have the ability to cause dry mouth.

Treatment:

If at all possible the best treatment involves correcting the cause or ceasing the irritant. In many cases it is not possible to cure this issue but it is possible to relieve the symtoms. A person shouild focus on very good oral hygiene. Regular brushing & flossing as well as regular dental appointments can assist with preventing cavities and periodontal issues. Antihistamines & decongestants should be avoided if able. Sipping sugarless fluids frequently , chewing xylitol-containing gum and using saliva substitutes can also offer some relief.

If you suffer from xerostomia it is a good idea to speak to your family physician & dental professional about this issue so that they may assist you in the matter.

Hello Everyone!! Time to get back into the swing of things. Let’s all begin 2010 with Positivity & Motivation!!! If you haven’t yet made a resolution I have some ideas for you. How about dedicating yourself to flossing once daily or dedicating more time to your oral health (better brushing, oral rinsing, decrease sugar intake etc.). For those of you that have chosen to improve your diet as a resolution, this will also improve your oral health also!!! Best of luck with all your wonderful resolutions!!!

We at Ottawa Street Dental sincerly hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season! We would also like to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year!!! Hopefully 2010 brings mulitiple blessings to everyone!!! We hope you all enjoy a very safe & fun New Years Eve!!!