We all know that maintaining oral health is important, especially when it comes to children. Experts suggest that parents should start taking care of their children’s oral health at age 1 or as soon as their first teeth come in. However, a report from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital indicates that the majority of children from ages 1-2 have not even begun seeing a dentist.

At Thunderbird Dental Group, we want to encourage our Langley patients to bring their children to our dental office as soon as they turn 1 or as soon as their first teeth come in. We will give your child the proper oral care they need, so they can lead healthy lives with a lifetime of smiles.

The reason that children may not be getting the proper oral care is because parents may be oblivious when it comes to early dental care. At Thunderbird Dental Group, we can discuss your child’s proper oral care and what steps you need to take to ensure your child is getting the dental care they need.

For more information about proper oral care at Thunderbird Dental Group in Langley or to book an appointment, please click here. 

Knowing how to brush your teeth properly is important so you can avoid conditions such as gingivitis and tooth decay.

Bad brushing technique can lead to tooth abrasion, which wears away the surface of the tooth. Because gum tissue is so delicate, it can be damaged from the bristles on your toothbrush and lead to tooth sensitivity.

These instructions will help you brush your teeth the right way:

1. Put a thin layer of toothpaste on your already-moist toothbrush.
2. Brush your back teeth first, especially focusing on the front of the teeth.
3. Hold the toothbrush alongside your teeth, and point the bristles where the tissue is located. Your bristles need to be applied near the gum line.
4. Brush using a round motion for about 10 seconds.
5. When you’re done this step, sweep the bristles away from the gum line.
6. Continue these steps until the top and bottom teeth are clean.
7. Clean the inside surfaces of your teeth, and repeat steps 2 to 5 on your upper and lower molars.
8. Brush your front teeth by moving the tip of the toothbrush from the gum line down. Repeat twice or three times.
9. Do step 8 for the lower front teeth, but be sure to guide away from the gum line. Repeat twice or three times.
10. Brush towards the back of your tooth so you reach the biting surface.
11. You can softly brush your tongue and cheeks if you wish.
12. Rinse with either water or mouthwash.

Brushing at least two times a day is key- we recommend you do this in the morning and before bed. If your bristles look worn out, be sure to replace your toothbrush. You should also get a new toothbrush every 3 months. If you get the cold or flu or any kind of sickness, be sure to get a new toothbrush.

These tips should help you with brushing your teeth properly, but if you find yourself having any teeth issues, book an appointment at Thunderbird Dental in Langley and we’ll be happy to take care of you.

If you constantly have bad breath and think there’s nothing you can do about it, think again. These helpful tips can assist in keeping bad breath at bay.

Halitosis, or bad breath, can be seriously humiliating. You don’t have to live with it forever! Simply by brushing and flossing at least two times a day, particularly after you’ve eaten, can help. The tongue collects a lot of bacteria and gunk so be sure to brush it – you can even use a tongue scraper. If you rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after, that will do you wonders.

Another great tip would be to visit Thunderbird Dental Group in Langley, BC for your regular checkups. We can examine your mouth and give you the cleaning you need. If you have other dental problems that may be contributing to your bad breath, we can likely take care of it for you.

One thing you may not know that is a great way to keep bad breath at bay is to chew a piece of parsley after you’re done eating. The reason this works is because parsley has chlorophyll in it and this has been a proven way to freshen breath. You can also drop some tea tree oil or peppermint oil on your tongue, or you can put these oils on your toothbrush in conjunction with your toothpaste. It might also help to choose a toothpaste or mouthwash containing natural oils which can battle the bacteria causing your bad breath.

If you’re a smoker, this is undoubtedly a contributor to your bad breath. Smoking is bad for your health in many ways and you may want to consider finding a method so you can quit. Quitting smoking will also prevent you from getting gum disease.

There are certain foods that trigger bad breath and these can be things like garlic, specific spices, and coffee. Dry mouth can also lead to bad breath so make sure you stay hydrated during the day. If you’re finding your mouth is really dry, try some sugar-free gum, products or candy to trigger saliva production.

If you’re still noticing your bad breath, try combining half hydrogen peroxide and half water into a glass and use it as a mouthwash.

There are a number of breath freshening kits and remedies out there that can help you, but be sure to ask us at Thunderbird Dental Group about it before you try these products.

Contact Thunderbird Dental Group in Langley if you have any questions or want to book an appointment.

Watch the video below for more fresh breath tips:

In fact, the U.S. Center for Disease Control cites a study that says there has been a 15.2 percent increase in tooth decay during the last 10 years for children under six.

Various things cause tooth decay for younger dental patients at Thunderbird Dental, most notably sugar intake, severe stress, contents in baby bottles and infant feeding habits.

Children’s oral health worsens when they are sent to school. At school, there is more chance of them getting a soda from vending machines. Our culture is shifting so that there is minimal parental supervision and convenience foods are way too readily available, and this is all having a severe effect on oral health.

There are many things parents can do to stop their kids from getting cavities. Daily oral care is essential, and can be achieved at minimal cost.

Here are some additional healthy dental habits for kids:

Making sure your child gets the proper oral care. Pregnant women who eat a balanced and nutritious diet are already helping their children and leading them on the right path when it comes to oral health. Preventive care is ideal after the baby’s first feeding and should continue on as the child gets older. Children are not able to remove plaque themselves until they are eight, so a parent needs to help them brush and floss twice a day.

Sugar is hurting your child’s teeth. Kids can get cavities as early as nine months of age. Their upper front teeth are first affected and this can quickly spread to the other teeth if a child is feeding on a bottle containing sugar. If food surface is not removed from the teeth, your child’s teeth will start to decay quickly.

Bring your child to the dentist before they turn 1. Before a child turns one is the ideal time to take them for their first dental visit. This is a good idea for you too, parents – this appointment can help educate you on what you can do to make sure your child’s oral health is the best it can be.  We can also help you identify signs of early problems while they are still in a stage that is easy to treat.

Dental checkups for your child at Thunderbird Dental in Langley, BC are essential, so contact us and make an appointment today.

This 2012, make your smile something special with the help of Thunderbird Dental!

We have a wide range of convenient, one-stop dental services including:

• Mercury-Free Fillings
• Cosmetic Smile Makeovers
• Invisalign Invisible Braces
• Sleep Dentistry
• and much more!

Request an appointment by calling us at (604) 882-6822 or by contacting us online today.

What are dental sealants?

Sealants are made of durable, stain-resistant plastic and are bonded to the grooves of your teeth. After a dentist at Thunderbird Dental seals the tooth, the grooves are smoothed down and make it hard for plaque to build. Sealants make brushing teeth easy and efficient.

Dental sealants are safe for children and are a great way to prevent tooth decay after their permanent teeth have erupted. Sealants, however, can only be placed on healthy teeth. Sealing permanent teeth is much more common that sealing baby teeth; however, each person has different needs and your local Langley dentist at Thunderbird Dental Group can tell you if dental sealants are a good option for you or not.

Sealants last for a few years, although it is common for adults to have older sealants that are still functional. A dental sealant is only effective when it is in good shape, so if your sealant falls out, let your dentist know and book an appointment so we can reseal your teeth.

To learn more about dental sealants, or to book an appointment with your local Langley dentist at  Thunderbird Dental Group to reseal your teeth, contact us today.

Ludwig’s angina is an infection in the bottom of the mouth caused by bacteria, and occurs after your tooth has been infected, an injury to the mouth, an oral procedure or an unnecessary hazard to your health. When you get an oral piercing, the mouth develops an open wound for bacteria to travel through your blood. Bacteria has the power to make the bottom of the mouth swell quickly which blocks the airway or stops you from swallowing your saliva.

Endocarditis comes from bacteria traveling in the blood through the hole that has been pierced. This can be an infection in the heart, and people who have a history of heart problems are at risk for this disorder.

Most professionals will not recommend piercings, but if you do get a piercing, be sure to take good care of it. Unclean piercing equipment can cause other infections, like hepatitis. Make an appointment at Thunderbird Dental in Langley, BC to ensure that you are getting the follow-up care you need.

The most popular complaint from dental patients is that tooth sensitivity that causes so much pain that your eating habits change – even a spoonful of ice cream can be an excruciating experience for people with sensitive teeth.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

There are a variety of reasons that your teeth may be extra sensitive. One factor that may lead to tooth sensitivity is eating or drinking large quantities of foods with acid, especially citrus juices. Avoiding these foods and drinks can help alleviate the problem.

How can I prevent tooth sensitivity?

Another great way to prevent tooth sensitivity is by using the proper toothpaste. Toothpastes that have abrasive ingredients like the ones in whitening toothpastes will be hard on people with sensitive teeth. A desensitizing toothpaste is a better choice, and having your dentist apply sealants or fluoride will help.

Brushing your teeth too hard can also cause tooth sensitivity, so it is a good idea to use a soft toothbrush. Brushing too hard can start breaking down the tooth and expose the more sensitive underside. A good test to see if you are brushing too aggressively is by looking carefully at the bristles on your toothbrush. If the bristles point in several directions, then you are brushing too hard. 

The dental team at Thunderbird Dental Group in Langley have a number of regiments that can help you manage tooth sensitivity. One treatment solution is to apply a desensitizing agent or protective coating that will alleviate any discomfort you might have. 

Contact the Thunderbird Dental Group in Langley today to learn more about managing tooth sensitivity.

Let us break it down for you: sugar that lives in the mouth gets devoured by bacteria which create acids that break down your tooth enamel. This leads not only to decay but to other problems, including gingivitis.

Because we live in such a fast-paced culture, it’s common to neglect a balanced diet in favor of an unhealthy one made up of convenient foods with high-sugar content. It is obvious that this type of lifestyle is detrimental to not only people’s oral health, but to their overall well-being.

Experts say that because we live in such a stressful society, fast food is a quick and easy fix for most people.

So what can you do to prevent tooth decay and lead a healthy lifestyle? Staying away from fast food and foods high in sugar is the obvious answer, but there’s other things you can do as well.

Ways to Keep Tooth Decay At Bay:

• Brush your teeth at least two times per day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. It is better if you brush after eating and before you go to sleep.
• Floss your teeth with dental floss or interdental cleaners.
• Check with a dentist at Thunderbird Dental about using supplemental fluoride, a product which can make your teeth stronger.
• Ask us about dental sealants, so we can stop your teeth from decaying.
• Drinking water is important, and drinking fluoridated water every day will help protect your children’s teeth from decaying.

Be sure to book an appointment with an oral health expert at Thunderbird Dental in Langley for your regular dental check-up.

“Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring…”

Vending machines are quick, easy and cheap. Put in some of your extra pocket cash and instantly enjoy a chocolate bar, chip bag, or even a can of pop. That’s not the only thing you’re getting for cheap, vending machines are not only giving out sugar-filled treats; they are also giving out cavities!

When you choose to satisfy your hunger with a chocolate bar or bag of candy, the bacteria in your mouth starts digesting sugar, quickly turning it into acid. This harmful chemical stays on your teeth and begins to eat away at the natural enamel (the material that protects your smile from tooth decay). When enamel gets eaten, you get a cavity!

So what are some helpful ways to prevent cavities from occurring? Always remember to brush your teeth after eating any sugar-filled treat. If you don’t have a chance to brush, don’t even think about treating yourself!

Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring:

• Bread
• Sliced meat
• Milk
• Raw veggies and fruit
• Nuts and seeds

Subscribe to our blog for more helpful ways to prevent cavities, or contact the friendly team at Thunderbird Dental Group to learn more about what causes cavities.