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Though thin and partially translucent, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body and has the critical job of safeguarding teeth from constant use and the continual assault of chemicals in food and drink. Enamel also safeguards tooth nerves from hot and cold food and beverages. That’s why enamel loss often causes tooth sensitivity.

Cuts heal. Bruises fade. Broken bones mend. The body’s ability to heal itself is truly incredible. But tooth enamel is different. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

The team at Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair encourages our patients to protect their tooth enamel for a lifetime of dental health.

This may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes it is better NOT to brush immediately after eating. Specifically, after eating acidic items. The acid weakens the enamel which can be further weakened by brushing. Waiting 60 minutes will allow the acid to dilute. Rinsing immediately after eating acidic foods is useful, however, because it washes away some food particles and speeds up the dilution of the acid.

Some people don’t realize that dry mouth can cause or exacerbate enamel erosion. The calcium and phosphate in saliva protect your enamel. When there is little saliva, the enamel is left unprotected. Chewing stimulates saliva production but constant snacking is not the answer for dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum and sipping water periodically can stimulate saliva production between meals without increasing the risk of or upping your calorie intake.

Furthermore, tooth grinding wears enamel away. If you are one of the many Kelowna residents who grind their teeth at night, it’s critical to get a mouthguard right away. People who grind their teeth are at high risk for enamel erosion and the cavities that can follow. Athletes should also safeguard their teeth on the playing field with a mouthguard. For more specifics, talk to Dr. Stephen Malfair at Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair about custom mouthguards.

If you sip soda, tea, or coffee all day, we suggest you switch to water to halt any enamel erosion that has already transpired. It may be a hard change to make – but if you are successful – your teeth will thank you for it.

Using teeth as tools can hurt enamel, as well. Take a moment to fetch scissors before tearing a package or ripping duct tape with your teeth. Do you really want to take a chance on chipping a tooth just to open a package of lunchmeat?

Chewing ice and hard candy can also hurt enamel. If you simply must have sugar, soft candy is best as long as it is not left to sit on teeth for long periods of time. If your molars are packed with gummy candy, it can lead to cavities that erode enamel just as efficiently as chipping it with hard candy. Many of the old-school hard candies we enjoyed as kids now come in soft versions. Enjoy them sparingly because constant sugar is bad for teeth. Period.

If you have already experienced enamel erosion or other dental problems, Dr. Stephen Malfair can help you protect what is left. To schedule an extensive examination, contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair in Kelowna at 250-860-8900!

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

At Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair, Dr. Stephen Malfair is often asked how to select the most basic tool of oral hygiene, the toothbrush. Picking a toothbrush can be as difficult as choosing a paint color, and there seem to be just as many choices.

If you have visited the dental section of your local grocery store or drugstore lately, you know what I am talking about. There are brushes with bristles of varying lengths, brushes that massage your gums, and brushes that change color when they are used up. (If I had to rate them purely on their fun factor, I would choose the Spiderman brush.)

Some toothbrush manufacturers claim their brushes freshen your breath or remove stains from your teeth. How do you pick the best one?

One vital factor is the firmness of the bristles. Hard bristles may be more effective for cleaning burnt steak off a grill or hard water deposits off a shower floor. However, this does not hold true for your teeth. Medium and firm brushes can break your gums. Soft and extra-soft bristles are plenty stiff enough to wash plaque, food particles, and surface stains from your teeth. Soft bristles also serve you with more flexibility for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.

After having dental work or oral surgery, especially anything involving soft tissue grafts, make sure that you use an extra-soft brush and be careful!

When selecting a toothbrush for a child, make sure the brush feels comfortable in his or her hand. If the size and angle feel awkward, the child will be less likely to use it long enough to clean all areas of the mouth. Children do not necessarily need a child-sized toothbrush. Some kids can handle an adult-size brush better than a short, narrow child-size brush. If you are unsure, ask your dentist.

What about the electric types and water shooters? Some men and women like the feeling of pulsing bristles or a mini-squirt gun squirting away at the plaque. People with arthritis or other movement-inhibiting conditions can benefit from powered brushes which take some strain off hands and arm muscles.

Is your toothbrush doing the job? Schedule an exam at Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair.

At Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair, our caring dental hygienists instruct our patients and on proper brushing and flossing. If you haven’t experienced a dental deep cleaning at Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair, you don’t know how clean your teeth and gums can feel.

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

Even if you value a healthy smile, it’s easy to become somewhat lax about smile-friendly lifestyle choices. In today’s post, our goal is for you to analyze where you stand and consider whether you could step it up a notch. Committing to oral health best practices can prevent future problems and improve your quality of life.

Brushing

Good: Brush teeth once a day.
Better: Brush teeth effectively after each meal.
Best: Brush after each meal and floss effectively before bed.

Dental Checkups

Good: See your dentist if you get a toothache.
Better: See Dr. Malfair once a year even if you don’t notice any dental problems.
Best: Twice yearly, have a thorough dental exam and professional dental cleaning at Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair.

A White Smile

Good: Use whitening toothpaste.
Better: Use a tooth whitening system at home.
Best: Schedule an in-office tooth bleaching procedure.

Missing Tooth

Good enough for some people: Ignore it. (We don’t recommend this.)
Better: Get a quality dental bridge.
Best: Restore your smile with a beautiful, sturdy, and natural-functioning dental implant. (Consult with Dr. Malfair to find out if you are a good candidate for an implant.)

Smile-Friendly Nutrition

Good: Eat a nutritious diet.
Better: Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary snacks and beverages.
Best: Eat a sensible diet, limit between-meal snacking, eat lots of calcium-rich foods, minimize sugar-filled foods, abstain from energy drinks and soda, and sip water throughout the day to keep acid at bay.

For Young Smiles

Good: Never put your baby to bed with a bottle. When your toddler starts drinking from sippy cup, don’t let them sip juice or milk all day.
Better: Follow the previous guidance and schedule his/her first dental checkup before the first birthday.
Best: In addition, communicate with Dr. Malfair about dental sealants when your child is young. When your little athlete starts participating in sports, make sure he/she wears a protective mouthguard. Set a good example of daily dental hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices.

Hello, I am Dr. Stephen Malfair. At Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair, we are dedicated to the best in dentistry. We invite you to call 250-860-8900 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you.

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

Whether you are one of those who goes willingly to the dentist or are hesitant about getting work done, the team at Love Your Smile in Kelowna wants you to make and keep regular appointments for cleanings and checkups.

Regular dental appointments are important because they help keep your teeth and gums healthy. For most patients, we recommend a visit to our office every six months. We occasionally need to see a patient more often.

Appointments, Parts 1 & 2

There are two parts to a typical dental appointment: a cleaning and a checkup.

During a cleaning, one of our dental hygienists inspects your teeth and gums, and uses special tools to remove any plaque and tartar that have built up. It also includes polishing your teeth, which removes any surface stains. The last step is flossing.

During a checkup, the dentist checks your overall dental health. If there are any issues, like a cavity or signs of gum disease, we’ll usually schedule a follow-up appointment. It will be planned for your convenience, of course, but sooner is better.

What you do between your six-month visits is really important. Plaque is contantly forming on the teeth, so we recommend – and we cannot say it strongly enough! – that you brush and floss your teeth every day. Ideally, you’ll do it twice.

You have a lot of toothpaste choices. The flavor is up to you, but be sure to choose one with fluoride.

By seeing Love Your Smile in Kelowna twice a year and maintaining a good dental health regimen at home, you can have confidence that your teeth and gums are in great shape. Patients from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 from to us for restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. If you haven’t already, schedule your next appointment today!

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7