General Dentistry

When you do an Internet search for a dentist, you may comes across the terms “family dentist” and “general dentist.” You mean there’s a difference? At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we’re going to explain.

There is indeed a difference, but it’s a subtle one. The main differenced is in the age of patients. A family dentist, as the term makes plain, can treat everyone in your family, from children to parents, and on through their parents.

General and Family dentists are both concerned with the dental health of their patients. That means treating issues involving the teeth and gums. There is a strong emphasis on good oral hygiene.

A family dental practice is a one-stop practice. That saves parents from having to take your ten-year-old to one dentist, and your sixteen-year old (and yourself) to another.

Above all, family dentists are able to focus on the unique dental needs of children. Not only does a family dentist understand how young teeth change as children grow; they also respect the fact that a lot of kids are afraid of going to the dentist, and take that into account – not only with the approach to young patients, but to the very appearance of the office.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we offer complete general dentistry. People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 also come to our practice for children’s dentistry. Call our office to schedule an 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

 

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, the dental health of our patients is our number one priority each and every day. We hope that goes without saying!

How do you measure dental success? A check-up with no cavities? A perfect smile? A crown that looks as natural as the surrounding teeth?

It could mean all those things and many more.

For a child, dental success could be defined as a childhood free of cavities, learning daily dental hygiene practices, and gaining an understanding of why it’s so important.

For a young adult woman with stained but otherwise healthy teeth, dental success may be as simple as in-office teeth whitening.

For a middle-aged man who always neglected his teeth, dental success could be defined as restorative dentistry that stabilizes his condition and improves his oral health.

What about someone with several missing teeth who can only eat soft foods? Dental success might mean dental implants that make it possible to eat whatever he wants.

What are the goals for your smile? At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, our goal is your dental health. We’ve improved the smiles of people in Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6, who come to our practice for general and restorative dentistry, and so much more. Call to schedule an appointment and find out what we can do for your smile!

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

 

Along with daily brushing and flossing, six-month cleanings and checkups at Love Your Smile in Kelowna are the best way to ensure you have good dental health. That means clean teeth with no cavities, and pink healthy gums.

Most dental appointments begin with a cleaning from the hygienist, but not always. During the cleaning we’ll scrape any calculus (tartar) from your teeth. Calculus is hardened plaque, and you can’t get it off with a toothbrush and floss. That’s one of the reasons brushing twice a day is so important! Scraping tartar off of your teeth is known as scaling.

Once your teeth are scaled, we’ll polish them with a gritty toothpaste. This is pretty harsh stuff, and it removes any surface stains on your teeth. Sometimes patients wonder if they can get something like it for use at home. The trouble with that is that it’s just too abrasive to use every day.

After scaling and brushing, the last step is flossing. Then, it’s the dentist’s turn.

During the checkup we look for any new cavities that may have appeared since your last visit. We might take X-rays, although this is not done at every visit. We’ll examine your gums, too, for any signs of gum disease.

Finally, we’ll look at your tongue, throat, face and and head, and your neck. We’re checking for swelling or redness, or any signs of cancer.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we work hard to keep your teeth free of plaque, tartar, and cavities. We want you to have great dental health! People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 come to us for general and preventative dentistry. Call us to 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

 

One of the essential habits of good oral health is daily tooth brushing with an effective toothpaste. There is a wide variety of toothpaste on the market. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we recommend using one with fluoride.

It doesn’t matter whether you prefer a mint or a gel, fresh mint or bubblegum flavor, or something else. Fluoride will help make your tooth enamel stronger, thus helping to prevent cavities.

Toothpaste as we know it has only been in existence since the late 1800s. Fluoride was added in 1914. The earliest evidence of toothpaste or dental cream dates back to 3000-5000 BC. The Ancient Egyptians pulverized oxen hooves, egg shells, pumice, myrrh, and water creating one of the earliest forms of toothpaste.

The Greeks and Romans began adding crushed bones and bark to the mix. The taste most likely was hard to take. During this same time people in China and India were using a similar paste, but adding flavorings, like Ginseng and herbal mints making it a bit more palatable.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we would be happy to recommend a toothpaste that is best for you. Patients come to us from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 for general and restorative dentistry, and much more. Schedule your next checkup 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

 

Tooth enamel is one of the strongest substances in the body, but it is neither indestructable nor renewable. It’s important to brush and floss daily, and have regualr checkups at Love Your Smile in Kelowna.

We recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Use it after every meal to gently clean away food particles. It is best to brush right after eating. The sooner you remove food debris from your teeth, the better.

Flossing regularly is also essential to keep gums healthy. Whether the food is on tooth surfaces or hidden in between, it is not doing your enamel any good.

As for checkups, an average of about two per year is best. In some cases we’ll want to see a patient more often.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we want each patient to enjoy excellent dental health. Patients from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 come to our office for complete general dentistry. Call our office to schedule your next checkup 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

 

Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is one of the best things you can do for your dental health. You’ve probably heard us say that more than once, at Love Your Smile in Kelowna.

Not many patients like to admit it, but studies show that some people have a hard time working regular brushing into their daily schedule. If that sounds like you, please keep reading. We’ve got five tips to help turn brushing into a habit.

1. In Plain Sight. Leaving your toothbrush where you’re sure to see it will remind you. In a cup on the bathroom counter, or in a holder just by it, are tried-and-true techniques.
2. Find a toothbrush you like. Leaving it in plain sight is part one. Part two? A toothbrush you like! A brush with a comfortable handle can be a pleasure to use.
3. Toothpaste, too. There’s a wide selection of toothpaste out there. You may want something specific, like a sensitive-teeth paste, or one that whitens. Just make sure you like the flavor, and that it contains fluoride. Read the label!
4. Make it fun! Making it enjoyable is a great motivator. You like your toothbrush and toothpaste. Now, how about listening to your favorite music when you brush? Or brushing while you watch TV or listen to a podcast?
5. Put it on your to-do list. A lot of us are motivated by lists. Having a to-do list of daily activities might encourage you to pick up the brush and clean those teeth. It can be satisfying to check off another item on your list.

That’s five. We have more! Set an alarm. Brush in the shower. Right after breakfast. Right before bed.

Whatever works! At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we stress preventative dentistry, and want all our patients to have clean teeth and healthy gums. People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 see us for regular checkups, smile design, and much more. Call for an 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