What’s On Your Dental Wish List?

What Is On Your Dental Wish List?

Would you like to improve your smile? At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we use cosmetic dentistry procedures to improve smiles every day. If you’re not satisfied with your smile, rest assured there is a procedure for you.

Here is a sampling of what we can do to improve your smile:

  • Teeth Whitening: Is there anyone who doesn’t want whiter teeth? The results from professional teeth whitening are superior to those of any product you can buy at the store. You’ll have gleaming teeth and a fabulous smile!
  • Porcelain Veneers: Medical-grade porcelain shells are custom-fit to your teeth. They cover chips, cracks, gaps, and other imperfections. They aren’t permanent, but when properly cared for will last about ten to fifteen years.
  • Dental Implants: These marvels of modern dentistry are titanium posts inserted into your jaw, where they fuse with the bone. An artificial tooth is mounted onto the post. Implants look and function like natural teeth.
  • Dental Crowns: Crowns are often placed on top of a decayed tooth, or after a root canal or other procedure. They protect and stabilize what is left of the original tooth. They too look and function like a natural tooth.

These and other procedures can restore the appearance and functionality of your teeth. So what’s on your dental wish list? At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry procedures, and have improved the smiles of people from all over Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6. We also offer restorative dentistry. Contact us 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

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Why Is Dry Mouth Risky For Your Teeth?

Why Is Dry Mouth Dangerous For Kelowna Dental Patients?

A condition known as dry mouth is fairly common, and has some common causes. It can be really uncomfortable, and can also pose a threat to your dental health. Here is some information from Love Your Smile in Kelowna.

The medical term for dry mouth is xerostomia, which is pronounced zero-STO-me-ah. Some of its causes include:

  • Medications: It’s a common side effect of some drugs, which is a really good reason to read the labels.
  • Lifestyle Choices: Physical exertion coupled with improper hydration can result in dry mouth. So can smoking or chewing tobacco, and alcohol. That includes alcohol-based mouthwash; another good reason to read labels.
  • Aging: Estrogen, for example, drops in women after menopause, which may be linked to dry mouth.
  • Asthma: Inhalers can result in dry mouth. So can mouth breathing, which is often seen in people with asthma.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: Dry mouth is, in fact, a symptom of diabetes.

Dry Mouth and Dental Health

One of the key functions of saliva is washing food debris from the mouth, and fighting the bacteria that cause cavities. A reduced saliva flow leaves you vulnerable to tooth decay, as well as gum disease, difficulty with swallowing, and a condition called burning mouth syndrome.

The most obvious solution to dry mouth is to drink more water. That often does the trick, but not always.

You can also avoid salty foods, beverages with caffeine and/or alcohol, and smoking.

Another good idea is to try artificial saliva. You can find it in most drug stores, and it comes in several forms, including an oral spray, swabs, dissolving tablets, and gel.

Above all, be sure to tell us about it at Love Your Smile in Kelowna. We can make a recommendation that is best for you. People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 trust us with their dental health, and come to our office for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us 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

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The Unsung Heroes Of Dentistry

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At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we know that the dentist is the first person that comes to mind when thinking of dentistry. However, our team is made up of several crucial members, all of whom work in tandem to make your experience as comfortable and successful as possible.

So, while we are proud to be led by the innovative Dr. Malfair, this post will focus on the unsung heroes of our profession.

Front Desk Staff

Our patient service professionals are the first people you see when you come to our office. We know coming to the dentist can be a stressful experience.

This is why our front desk staff is trained to communicate directly and empathetically. The last thing you need when visiting the dentist is the added stress of an uncooperative staff member.

Dental Assistants

The dental assistant is the office professional that assists our dentist during dentistry procedures. They also have a role in preventive education, make temporary crowns, and remove sutures, to name a few of their integral roles.

Dental Hygienists

These professionals are responsible for the preventive portion of patient treatment. This includes, but is not limited to, oral prophylaxis, oral cancer screening, periodontal screening, and oral hygiene education. Our dental hygienists will give you any and all care information that you need, leading up to or following a procedure.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we would not be able to work our dentistry magic without these important team members. Our team is ready to add you to our list of satisfied clients. Patients from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 come to us for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us 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

ArticleID 7357

No Cavities? Thank Your Parents

how to prevent cavities Kelowna

At Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla CA, we stay on top of new discoveries in the exciting field of dentistry and occasionally share interesting facts with our patients. Today’s post focuses on new findings in a compelling field of research: genetic dentistry.

According to Mary L. Marazita, director of the Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, “About 60% of the risk for tooth decay appears to be due to genetic factors.”

Whoa! Did she say 60%? That’s huge. You might be thinking: “That’s why I brush and floss but still get cavities.” Or, better yet, you might be thinking, “No wonder I have never had a cavity but eat candy often and occasionally go to bed without brushing.”

A recent article on CNN.com highlights tooth decay risk factors that have a genetic link:

  1. Enamel Strength: Your genes play an important role in the composition of your tooth enamel. Soft enamel is more cavity prone.
  2. Sugar Cravings: Whether or not you love sugar has a genetic basis. Now you can blame your parents if you pop M&Ms all day. But it still isn’t good for your teeth!
  3. Chemical Composition of Saliva: Your saliva can protect against cavities – if it properly metabolizes critical minerals and vitamins like calcium, potassium, iron, and Vitamin C. Your genes influence your saliva’s power to prevent decay.
  4. Immune Response to Bacteria: We don’t like to think about the detrimental bacteria in our mouth but, hopefully, our immune system is ever-vigilant at fighting their constant attempts to cause decay and gum disease. The durability of your immune system is determined, in part, by genetics.

In the next few decades, scientists in the emerging specialty of genetic dentistry may play a critical role in the development of new cavity prevention techniques.

So thank your parents if you have good dental health, and maintain it with regular brushing, flossing, and visits to Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla CA. Patients from Solano Beach, Del Mar, and Claremont come to us for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us 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

ArticleID 6970

Professional Teeth Whitening In Kelowna

Professional Teeth Whitening at Love Your Smile - Dr. Stephen Malfair

A beautiful smile leaves a lasting impression. Professional teeth whitening from Love Your Smile in Kelowna can dramatically improve your overall appearance and give you a boost in self-confidence.

Our teeth often turn yellow or gray as we age. The things we eat and drink continually such as coloured sodas, coffee and red wine can make that discolouration even worse.

There are a lot of over-the-counter whitening products at the store, and most of them do a pretty good job whitening your teeth. But none of them are as effective as professional teeth whitening.

We use the Zoom!® whitening system, which has two options: in-office whitening and at-home. Our in-office whitening can be done in a single appointment, and leaves you with a brilliant, dazzling smile. The at-home whitening also delivers fantastic results, but lets you proceed at your own pace.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, teeth whitening is just one of the cosmetic dentistry procedures we use to improve smiles every day. We’ve whitened the smiles of people from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6. Contact us 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

 

ArticleID 592

Into The Thick Of It, The Skinny On Toothpaste

V1W 3C6 cosmetic dental and tooth implants

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we urge all of our patients to brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day. This very good habit is the single most important thing you can do to maintain your dental health.

What kind of toothpaste should you use? There is no one-size-fits-all product on the market. One patient might be interested in whitening toothpaste, and another may need something for sensitive teeth.

There’s a huge selection of toothpastes in any grocery store, from those aimed at children to so-called natural toothpastes. You want to make the best choice for your teeth, but it isn’t always easy to make up your mind.

Different types of toothpastes have specific active ingredients that make them work. Fluoride is by far the most important thing to look for. But there are many other ingredients; what follows is a rundown of the more common ones.

  • Detergents: Sodium lauryl sulfate is nearly ubiquitous, not only in toothpaste, but in other personal care products like shampoo. Sometimes it’s called Sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl ether sulfate. It’s the stuff that makes products foamy. Some people are sensitive to it, and some consumer advocacy groups say it can be hazardous. There are toothpastes that don’t have it.
  • Whiteners: The most common toothpaste whitener is hydrogen peroxide, but there are others, like polyphosphates. While they do a modest job whitening teeth, many experts agree that the whitening agents aren’t strong enough, or in contact with the teeth long enough, to do a really good job. To get really white teeth, try professional whitening from a dentist.
  • Desensitizers: Some people’s teeth are more sensitive to hot and cold foods than others. And some are more tactile-sensitive. Used on a regular basis, desensitizing toothpastes can be very effective, but it’s a good idea to get a dentist’s recommendation first.
  • Plaque Fighters: A toothpaste ingredient called triclosan is believed to fight plaque and gum inflammation. While it seemed promising at first, more recent studies indicate triclosan may contribute to antibiotic resistance, and disrupt hormones and the immune system.

Always read the label, and make sure the toothpaste you’re considering has the American Dental Association seal. If you see it, it means the ADA considers it safe and effective. Whatever you choose, brush and floss twice each day!

Feel free to ask us for a recommendation, and what might be best for your particular set of teeth. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we offer general and restorative dentistry. People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 also trust their smiles to our cosmetic dentistry. Contact us 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

ArticleID 5591


Which Tooth Whitener Works Best?

Dazzling White Teeth in Kelowna

A beautiful smile can light up a whole room. And since a smile is one of the very first things that other people notice, it can serve you well in any social setting. If your teeth have grown yellow and dull over the years, professional teeth whitening from Love Your Smile in Kelowna can restore the natural beauty of your smile.

Everything from the foods we eat to the drinks we consume leave their mark on the surface of our teeth. Things like blueberries and red wine are especially known for leaving stains. Factor in the accumulation of plaque and tartar, and you might not like the smile you see in the mirror each morning.

Having your teeth whitened professionally can be a huge boost for your self-confidence. You’ll look younger, and find it easier to make a positive impression on other people. This helps to explain why teeth whitening is one of the most in-demand treatments in cosmetic dentistry.

There are lots of whitening products you can pick up at the grocery store. Rest assured, no strips, gels, or toothpastes can match the results you’ll get from professional whitening.

Teeth whitening at Love Your Smile in Kelowna is safe and effective. We’ve whitened the smiles of patients throughout Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6, who also come to us for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us 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

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Tooth Implant Placement: Before, During, After

tooth implants Kelowna

Dental implants are rapidly becoming the tooth replacement option of choice. Millions of Americans have chosen implants, like those available at Love Your Smile in Kelowna. Once the decision is made, patients usually want to know what’s involved every step of the way.

Before the Procedure

It begins with a consultation and preliminary exam. We’ll take X-rays of your teeth and jaw to make sure you have enough healthy bone structure. If you don’t, we may recommend bone grafting.

We’ll also inspect your gums for any signs of gum disease. Healthy gums are essential for a successful implant.

During Implant Surgery

After administering anesthesia, a guide hole is drilled into your jaw and a titanium post – which is the actual implant – is screwed in. The process takes about an hour.

Aftercare

Some patients experience minor pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to control it. An icepack can help, too. Most people can resume their usual activities the same day.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we have placed dental implants in people from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6, who also come to us for our complete general and cosmetic dentistry. Contact us 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

ArticleID 8174

Get Those Teeth In Shape!

Kelownaaffordable cosmetic dentistry

Regular exercise is essential to good health. When you’re physically fit, you look better, and more importantly, you feel better! And as we remind our patients here at Love Your Smile in Kelowna, that goes for keeping your teeth in good shape, too!

If your eyes are the window to your soul, then your mouth may well be the window to your overall health. Research has shown there is a clear link between your dental health and your general health. It is safe to say that good dental health is necessary to your physical well-being throughout your life.

Here’s just one example: bacteria that starts in the mouth can cause infection in other parts of the body, especially if your immune system has been weakened by illness.

When you take good care of your teeth, you’re doing more for your well-being than you may ever have realized. So brush and floss every day, without fail, and see us for regular cleanings and checkups.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we hope you never underestimate the importance of good dental health! People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 come to our office for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us 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

 


Is Your Mouth Sore Something Serious?

Kelowna Dentists And Your Mouth Sores

One of our most important roles at Love Your Smile in Kelowna is to help our patients maintain the best possible dental health. Regular cleanings and checkups are essential.

Some of our patients have problems with mouth sores, which is the topic of this message.

If you have a mouth sore that lasts more than a week or two, it is important to come in for an exam, even if your six-month checkup isn’t due for a while. Mouth sores can be an indicator of disease, and an early assessment aids in preventing more serious issues.

If required, treatment and pain relief can be offered. In extreme cases, we will refer you to a medical professional who specializes in ailments that can cause mouth sores.

There are two types of mouth sores: canker sores and cold sores.

  • Canker sores are small and ulcer-like, with a white or gray base and a red border. They are found on the inside of the mouth, and while they are not contagious, they can be painful. Canker sores usually heal in a week or two. Antimicrobial mouth-rinses, over-the-counter topical anesthetics, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods aids in temporary relief while your sore is healing.
  • Cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that appear around the lips, sometimes appearing under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are contagious and painful, but typically heal in about a week. Some over-the-counter anesthetics furnish relief.

For either condition, we can advise you on the best treatment.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, the dental health of our patients is always our top priority. People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 come to us for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us 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

 

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