Smile ….Halloween is near!

Halloween, like other holidays, is a time that we like to indulge in extra candy and sweets! Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria in dental plaque produces acids: when this bacterial acid remains on the teeth for long periods of time .. “ the sugar bugs” as we often call them can damage the tooth enamel and lead to damage to the tooth or a cavity. Thus, the more snacking we do or allow or children to do, the more prone we are to cavities and to damaging our teeth .

At Maple Mews Dental we suggest :

• Choose snacks wisely — all the time not just at Halloween
• Remember that sticky snacks are usually not a good choice for your teeth
• Eat sugary snacks and drinks at one time … instead of snacking continually
• At Halloween choose to keep only a few items and donate the rest
• Immediately after indulging on the few treats , rinse with water, brush and floss
• Replace the sticky sweet snacks with better ones for your overall health and oral health. Choose snacks like yogurt, vegetables and dip, chocolate milk or cheese!
• Brush 3 times a day for 2 minutes
• Parents help your children with brushing and flossing
• Visit your dental regularly

At Maple Mews Dental we LOVE Halloween too! We love your smile and want to help you to make the best choices to keep you smiling! If you have any questions about good snacks to keep a healthy smile , contact us today or talk to us at your next dental visit!

Happy Halloween from the Maple Mews Dental Team!

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Rethink your Drink!

Have you just been to the dentist , have cavities and wonder why?  At Maple Mews Dental, it is a priority for us to partner with you , for optimal Oral Health and overall health.   Being thorough is so important to our entire team, your smile is important to you , so it’s important to us too!

Sugary and Acidic drinks are often the cause of tooth decay and acid wear erosion of the teeth.  Do you really know how much sugar you drink each day ?  Did you ever consider that your Tim’s Double Double or your energy drinks have a lot ( way too much) sugar?  Do you read the label on your drinks ?  Have you ever calculated how many teaspoons of sugar it would actually be ? YIKES … is what we say to the this … many drinks have just way too much sugar and are causing way too much damage to too many smiles!

There are a lot of drinks that contain LOTS of sugar !   Some drinks like sodas are meant to be rare treats , they are very acidic and can do a lot of damage to your teeth ! Our team , will discuss your diet with you, it is important that you have all the information you can to make the best choices for you !

Our team at Maple Mews Dental loves this chart!   Check out the Red light/ Green Light for some great guidelines and Rethink your Drink!

Maple Mews Dental Team

Back to School ! Keep the Snacks Healthy!

The summer is nearing the end and yah!!! Its’s time for school !!!  Some kids are saying yah … lots of parents are saying yah!! The arrival of September is anticipated by all !

For our team at Maple Mews Dental , we have been encouraging good food, drink and snack choices for every day, but we are especially focussed on school lunches as our patients and own children prepare for the school year to start .

Sticky foods and sugared drinks can cause havoc on eveyone’s teeth … we always say to the kids that the “ sugar bugs” like to have a party on your teeth to the kids!! It is so important to do all we can to work together to educate you, our patients that are students and parents so that the right choices can be made for a healthy smile and healthy you!

Some great snacks for school lunches are:

• Cheese
• Popcorn
• Crackers
• Veggies and Dip
• Pretzels and Hummus
• Rice Cakes
• Yogurt
• Fresh Fruit
• Pepperoni Sticks
• And to drink Water or Milk

Remember that drinks contain LOTS of sugar !   Some drinks like sodas are meant to be rare treats , they are very acidic and can do a lot of damage to your teeth !  Especially at school , our team recommends milk , water or spring water !  NO Juice Boxes !

Of course regular dental visits are top priority !  If you haven’t booked your back to school dental visit … do it now!   And your oral hygiene at home is so so important… don’t skip it!  Brush for 2 minutes at least twice a day and floss daily !! And parents , help your little ones … they really do need help – they can not do it properly all alone!  Let them have a turn and then you have a turn after !  Everyone will benefit !

Happy Back to School from the Maple Mews Dental Team !

Oral Cancer : Early Diagnosis Can save your life!

 

At Maple Mews Dental , Oral Cancer Screening /Examinations are completed at every comprehensive examination with the dentist, and at every dental hygiene appointment.  The oral cancer examination is completed as part of your oral health examination , and includes checking your mouth, gums, tongue, lips and throat.

Oral Cancer is surprisingly common. Hundreds of thousands of people are treated yearly for the various types of oral cancer. Oral cancer can be successfully treated if caught at an early stage.
Types of Oral Cancer Include:

Tongue Cancer:  The tongue is a common spot for oral cancer to develop. If you, your dentist or dental hygienist notice a change in your tongue appearance, swollen areas or bumps or lumps on your tongue, there may be a concern. White or red patches could also indicate an area to be checked. Lumps or bumps under the tongue are also a concern and could include your salivary glands. Be sure to call your dentist at the first sign of concern , for an examination and oral cancer check.  A referral to a dental specialist such as an oral pathologist may be necessary.

Lip Cancer:  We often forget to cover our lips in the sun!  Sun exposure puts our lips at high risk for cancer ! Signs of lip cancer may include sores on the lips that do not heal, swelling of the lips and / or pain of the lips.  If you have these symptoms, call your dentist for an examination . Often cancer of the lips is treated in the same way as skin cancer and can include surgery and other treatments.

Throat Cancer: Signs of throat cancer can be subtle like a sore throat, hoarseness or problems with swallowing, or may be more obvious like lumps or swelling in the back of the mouth or throat . The dental hygienist or dentist may notice lumps, swelling or redness which are signs of a potential concern.  Throat cancer is diagnosed like the other oral cancers often with biopsy performed by a dental specialist.

See the dentist / dental hygienist regularly for oral cancer screenings and be sure to call at the first sign of concerns about changes in your mouth including lumps, sores and swollen areas .  Early detection for cancer is key to successful treatment.

If you have any questions please give us a call, we are happy to schedule an appointment with one of our dental professionals at our Maple Mews Dental Office.

Maple Mews Dental Team

Your Overall Health is Important to Your Dentist !

 

 

We encourage regular visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing because we care about you, your oral health and your overall health!  We want you to be healthy and happy!

We are asked often , what does brushing and flossing have to do with my overall health .  It is simple; an unhealthy mouth, especially if you have gum disease, including bleeding gums, can increase a person’s risk of health problems such as poorly controlled diabetes, heart attack  and stroke.  Regular visits to the dentist also gives you the opportunity to have a regular oral cancer check – up.  At Maple Mews Dental the dental hygienist checks your mouth , head and neck at each visit.

• Diabetes : If you have diabetes, you are at risk of developing gum disease. If you don’t take care of your teeth and gums, gum disease can make diabetes difficult to control. Our dental hygienists will work along with you to make the necessary changes in your oral health to help best control your risk of gum disease. This may include brushing , flossing and more frequent dental visits to assist with controlling your diabetes by eliminating gum disease.

• Heart Attack & Stroke : Inflammation of your gums and mouth, may cause inflammation in the body, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. The key to reducing inflammation of the gums is to effectively remove the plaque from your teeth several times per day.   Are you using the correct toothbrush and brushing technique, do you need other tools to help remove the plaque, are you visiting the dental hygienist for professional cleaning often enough?  Each individual’s needs are different and your dental hygienist will recommend a schedule best suited to you.

• Oral Cancer: Your dentist and dental hygienist routinely check for signs of Oral Cancer.  Oral Cancer is often detected at a dental examination .  Cancer of the head or neck is often oral cancer, the routine check for oral cancer includes checking the lips, tongue and tissues including salivary glands and throat.

The importance of good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dental hygienist cannot be stressed enough!  Understand the importance of your oral health and its connection to your overall health.

Come on In to Maple Mews Dental …Good Oral Health can lead to Good Overall Health, Good Oral Health can start today!

Maple Mews Dental Team

Teeth Matter !

Is Oral Health a priority for you? Or better yet, do you want to keep your teeth? At Maple Mews Dental we love the saying “You only need to floss the teeth you want to keep”… yes  it seems funny…but really it’s not … It’s simple …If you want to keep your teeth , you need to take care of your teeth and your oral health must be a priority! Regular home care and regular visits to the dentist starting at a young age is imperative to a healthy smile. At Maple Mews Dental , we pride ourselves in partnering with you to develop the best plan for your oral health.

• Brushing CORRECTLY for 2- 3 minutes , 3 times daily is a must
• Flossing regularly is recommended
• A healthy diet is essential to good oral health
• Regular Visits to the Dentist , based on your individual Oral health needs is Important

Teeth can be lost not only to decay or cavities but also to infection. The number one reason for tooth loss in adults is gum disease!  Gum Disease in the early stages can be reversed and Gum Disease can be prevented.  If you have sore gums or bleeding gums when you brush or floss, you may have gum disease.  Keep up the brushing and flossing at home …and visit your dentist and dental hygienist! At Maple Mews Dental , we love all patients and love to help you be the best that you can be! Your oral care is our priority …let us know how we can help you and your smile!
Maple Mews Dental Team

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Christmas Cheer!

Our team at Maple Mews Dental wishes each of you a Merry Christmas!

In the busyness of the holiday season … don’t forget about your smile!  Extra sweets this time of year are in abundance at our work places, at gatherings with family and friends and in our homes as we celebrate this time of year!  We can enjoy these sweet and sometimes sticky treats …but need to remember the importance of taking care of ourselves!  Brushing and flossing is important , don’t skip it … maybe even do little extra of both!

And don’t forget to put the toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste in the stockings Christmas morning!  Or even wrap an electric toothbrush for that someone special!  At Maple Mews Dental we like the Oral B or Philips Sonicare, both are fantastic gifts.

Wherever you are , whatever your Holiday Plans … we wish you a holiday season full of joy and peace!

Happy Holidays from the Maple Mews Team