General Dentistry

Every checkup at Love Your Smile in Kelowna includes a screening for oral cancer. Oral cancer refers to cancers in the tongue, mouth, lips, jaw, and throat. Oral cancer is about as serious as it gets. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 39,000 people will be diagnosed with it this year.

Consider this sobering news from the Oral Cancer Foundation:

“The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about routinely such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the testes, and endocrine system cancers such as thyroid, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma).”

The main risk factor for oral cancer is tobacco use. This includes all forms, not just cigarettes. Those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol are also at higher-than-average risk, as are those with HPV.

Early detection can make a difference in treatment outcomes. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we understand how important oral cancer screenings can be. Patients 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

Cracked teeth can be painful, unattractive, and costly to repair. In this post from Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we offer an easy-to-follow list of tips to keep your teeth whole and strong.

• Avoid chewing on hard things. Patients should steer clear of ice, hard candies, hard nuts, popcorn, and beef jerky.
• Beware pitted fruits. That peach may be soft, but, if you bite hard into the stone, you could damage a tooth.
• Protect your teeth. It is essential to care for your teeth while engaging in any physical activity where your mouth can be struck. If you enjoy lacrosse, hockey, snowboarding, or any physically strenuous activities, you should be using a well-fitting mouth protector.
• Don’t use your teeth as a tool. Locate a pair of scissors to open a package or cut the price tag off a new piece of clothing. Use a nutcracker for nuts. A quality dental crown can cost hundreds of dollars.
• Avoid grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding not only wears teeth down, it can lead to a cracked tooth. If you know or suspect that you are a tooth grinder, talk to us so we can address the problem.
• Get regular dental check-ups and cleanings. We can alert you to conditions that might predispose you to cracked teeth, such as having an uneven chewing surface or brittle teeth. We may also discover tiny cracks you aren’t aware of. Repair these cracks early, before more damage ensues.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we want all our patients to enjoy good dental health. Patients in Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 come to us for complete general and restorative dentistry services. 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

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

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

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

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

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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