Oral health

Swollen Gums?

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Categories: General Dentistry, Gum Disease, Oral health

If Your Gums Are Swollen And Sore, Call Love Your Smile - Dr. Stephen Malfair

If you are worried about swollen gums or an aching tooth, you’re are not alone. You should have your symptoms checked out right away, because they could be a sign of gum disease, a serious but treatable condition at Love Your Smile in Kelowna.

Gum disease is progressive. Before it reaches the advanced stage it is called gingivitis, which is inflammation in the gums. An early sign of gingivitis is bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth.

Gingivitis develops when plaque is not adequately removed from your teeth. You remove it by brushing and flossing. The good news is that gingivitis is easily reversible. If you’re diagnosed with it, you need to step up your brushing and flossing, and get a professional cleaning by a dental hygienist.

Advanced gum disease develops when gingivitis is not treated. Toxins build up in the plaque on your teeth and invade gum tissue. Not only that, it gets into the bone and ligaments that support the teeth. The teeth can actually become loose.

Severe cases may require surgery, but first is a non-surgical treatment called scaling and root planing, or SRP. We scrape plaque and tartar off the surfaces of your teeth and root surfaces. From there, any roughness on the roots is smoothed to prevent bacteria from accumulating there.

It usually takes more than one appointment to complete SRP. But once it’s over, the gums will heal and reattach to the teeth. After a few weeks we’ll evaluate the procedure to determine whether additional treatment is necessary.

Gum disease can be prevented with proper dental care. Like we always say, brush and floss twice a day to maintain good dental health. People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 have sought gum disease treatment at Love Your Smile in Kelowna. We also offer complete general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and more. Schedule an appointment with 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 3782

Why Visit The Dentist?

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Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral health

Why Visit The Dentist?

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we like to see each one of our patients for a cleaning and checkup twice a year. Most of the time we try to schedule your next appointment even as you leave the office from your latest one. There are some very good reasons for that.

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

Most appointments begin with a cleaning from the hygienist. We’ll scrape any tartar from your teeth. Tartar 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 strong 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, head, and neck. We’re checking for swelling or redness, or any signs of cancer.

Why should you visit the dentist? Your dental health is important to your overall health! At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we’ll take good care of your dental health. Satisfied patients from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 come to us for general and restorative dentistry. Request 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

 

ArticleID 7774

Is Cosmetic Dentistry For You?

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Oral health

Kelowna smile makeover

Many of the patients who visit Love Your Smile in Kelowna have questions about cosmetic dentistry. There is some reliable information online, but there are many questions that only a dentist can answer.

New improvements in cosmetic dentistry have made it safe, affordable, and worth your consideration if you want to improve your smile and look younger.

Cosmetic dentistry is all about making positive changes to the appearance of your teeth and smile, while at the same time complementing the integrity of your dental health. We use it to improve the colour of your teeth, fix any flaws, and even replace missing teeth.

The procedures we offer do more than just improve the appearance of your smile. Many of the available treatments can address specific issues, like an improper bite.

Cosmetic dentistry from Love Your Smile in Kelowna can transform your smile! Patients throughout Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 also come to our practice for restorative and general dentistry. Request 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

 

ArticleID 34

Pregnancy And Oral Health

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Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral health

Pregnancy And Oral Health In Kelowna

Pregnancy is a happy time for most women. But even as you anticipate bringing new life into the world, it’s important to be aware that pregnancy can bring certain dental health risks. We can help you with them at Love Your Smile in Kelowna.

Before you press the alarm button, let us clarify: being pregnant does not automatically mean your dental health will be at risk. But more than ever, you should brush and floss your teeth without fail, and see us for a checkup.

There is a link between gum disease in pregnant women, and babies being born prematurely with a low birth rate. Premature birth puts babies at risk for many conditions, including cerebral palsy and poor eyesight.

The good news? You are less likely to experience these issues if you enter pregnancy already having good dental health.

  • Brush your teeth twice a day
  • Use toothpaste with fluoride
  • Floss thoroughly
  • Have regular dental checkups

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, be sure to tell us at your next appointment. We may want to take certain precautions, like delaying your next round of x-rays.

There’s a lot to learn about when you’re expecting, and that includes protecting your dental health with preventative dentistry! At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we we have helped women in Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6. Services include children’s dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with 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 4245

6 Good Reasons To Visit Your Dentist More Often

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Categories: Dental health, Oral health

6 Good Reasons To Visit Your Dentist More Often

Most people visit the dentist about once each year. Some go as long as five years between visits. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we recommend a checkup every six months.

Here are six great reasons to visit us more frequently.

1. Oral Cancer Detection

That’s right: cancer detection. Not many people think about the risk of getting cancer in their mouth or throat. Patients with oral cancer have a far better prognosis when it’s detected early. Note that tobacco users have a substantially higher risk of developing oral cancer.

2. Cavity Damage

Unfortunately, almost everyone gets cavities. If cavities are caught when they are small, they aren’t difficult (or pricey) to fix.

The problem comes when they aren’t discovered early and the damage requires a serious fix. Cavities are one of the reasons many people avoid the dentist. Getting a tooth filled used to be painful. Not anymore.

3. Gum Disease

Gum health is a part of an overall dental health. We will check your gums and treat gum disease, if need be.

4. Bad Habits

Bad habits can have a negative influence on your oral health. Smoking, poor diet, biting nails and clenching teeth are among the more common. It helps to have an experienced professional to help you deal with habits so they don’t become destructive.

5. Deeper Problems

X-ray technology allows us to detect potential problems before they become visible. Many issues can be fixed before damage occurs.

6. More Than Just Teeth

We are concerned about more than your teeth. We care about your overall physical health, and are trained in the anatomy around your mouth, including your neck, throat, lymph nodes and head. We always check for signs of trouble.

But we never lose sight of your dental healt at Love Your Smile in Kelowna. Our patients come to us from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 for restorative and children’s dentistry, and much more. Schedule your next checkup with 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 7785

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

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Categories: Emergency Dental Care, Dental health, Oral health
What constitutes a dental emergency? The dictionary says an emergency is an unforeseen crisis requiring immediate action. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we think that’s about as good a definition as you’re going to find. Here’s a quick summary of five common dental emergencies:
  • A broken or chipped tooth. This certainly meets the standard of an emergency. Whether it’s the result of an injury, or because of brittle teeth, a broken or chipped tooth could lead to unwanted consequences if it is not treated promptly.
  • Jaw injuries. If you’ve broken your jaw then a trip to the emergency room is probably in order. But a dentist should also be in the loop. He or she will evaluate your oral cavity and teeth to see whether they have also sustained damage.
  • Severe toothache. The sooner treatment for a severe toothache begins, the better. A bad toothache could indicate tooth decay, and there could be infection that threatens the tooth. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of saving the tooth.
  • Bleeding gums. This may indicate gum disease. As with a toothache, prompt treatment is best. When it is caught and treated in its earliest stages, gum disease is curable. If is also preventable with brushing and flossing twice a day.
  • Knocked out tooth. If you have a tooth knocked out, time is of the essence. Make a beeline for the nearest urgent dental care. If it is treated within an hour there is an excellent chance the tooth can be saved.
At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, emergency dentistry is an important part of what we do. People come to our office from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 for complete restorative dentistry services, and much more. Call for an appointment with 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

Take Care Of Your Toothbrush!

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Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry, Oral health

Kelowna Dental Patients Take Care Of Your Toothbrush!

The common household toothbrush. Every home has at least one, and at Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we hope our patients are all brushing their teeth after each meal. Regular brushing and flossing are still the most important things you can do for your dental health.

It has been said that each toothbrush can contain millions of bacteria. But when you’ve got a healthy immune system, they pose no threat.

That said, a few common-sense tips might keep any unnecessary germs from affecting your toothbrushes.

  • Be sure to store your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible, and close the toilet lid before flushing. Each flush of the toilet releases a spray of bacteria into the air, so it’s best to just eliminate the spray.
  • Bacteria like a moist environment, so store your toothbrush upright so it can dry completely between uses.
  • Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.

Brushing and flossing are the key to good oral health, and doing both each day will keep your risk for gum disease, cavities, and bad breath low.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, your dental health is our top priority every single day. Services include restorative dentistry and smile design. Schedule your next cleaning and 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

ArticleID 4058

Not Your Mother’s Jewelry: 5 Reasons Tongue Piercings Are Dangerous

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Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral health

lip piercings Kelowna

In this post from Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we’ll get right to the point. While tongue, cheek, and lip piercings are popular and even commonplace, there are lots of reasons to keep piercings where they belong—in your ears. Here are five really good ones:

  1. Excessive drooling—YIKES!
  2. Chipped teeth
  3. Infection (some even in places you wouldn’t think can get infected)
  4. Hypersensitivity to metal
  5. Nerve damage

Drooling

Lip and tongue piercings may make you look cool and edgy. They may express your personality and creativity. But they can cause frequent drooling. That may not be the look you’re going for.

Chipped Teeth

Having any metal in your mouth can chip your teeth. It could  happen while eating, drinking, or sleeping.

Do you already have a tooth that’s weakened? These cracks can then be repaired before further damage or decay occurs.

Infection

Beware of infection. When it comes to oral piercings, you have to really watch the pierced area. Your mouth is teeming with bacteria. Upon piercing anything in your mouth, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream. Neglecting proper brushing habits can lead to infection. So can touching the piercing with dirty hands.

Hypersensitivity or Allergic Reaction to Metal

Many people love body jewelry. But too much of a good thing (like metal) can be bad. Having metal piercings can lead to hypersensitivity to any metal in your mouth, such as silverware. This is problematic for most people.

There is also the risk of an allergic reaction at the piercing site. If you know of a sensitivity to certain metals, you can get your piercing in a metal you aren’t allergic to. But you are still at risk of the other hazards discussed here.

Nerve Damage

Finally, there’s the risk of permanent nerve damage. If the previous dangers don’t convince you, this one should. Experiencing a numb tongue is usually temporary. But in extreme cases, it can be permanent

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we understand the popularity of oral piercings. But fashions change, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Our services include children’s and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with 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 8156

Regular Cleanings And Heart Health

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Categories: Dental health, Oral health, Preventative dentistry

Kelowna Dental News Regular Cleanings And Heart Health

Visiting Love Your Smile in Kelowna for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months may  seem inconvenient sometimes, but you may benefit in ways you’d never imagine.

A recent study showed that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least once every two years were 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who skipped appointments.

Not only that, but brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes may lower your risk of heart disease. The study says that people who brushed less than twice a day, and for less than two minutes, were three times as likely to have heart issues than those who brushed at least twice, and for at least two minutes.

A cardiologist who was not associated with the study said it’s possible that those who are attentive to their dental health may simply be more health conscious overall.

Still, researchers believe it strengthens the notion that there is a clear link between your dental health and your overall health.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we encourage all our patients to brush their teeth for two minutes at least twice a day, and to floss, too. It’s the best way to keep cavities at bay. Our services include restorative dentistry and smile design. Schedule your next cleaning and 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

ArticleID 3698

Ouch! Are Your Teeth Sensitive?

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Categories: Oral health, Dental health

Are Your Teeth Sensitive In Kelowna?

If you feel tooth sensitivity when you sip coffee or bite into ice cream, Love Your Smiles in Kelowna is here for you.

Millions of Americans cope with sensitive teeth. Problems with hot and cold foods and drinks are one of the most common complaints. Tactile issues – biting or chewing hard foods – is another.

Fortunately, many cases of sensitive teeth respond to special sensitivity toothpastes. There is a lot to choose from, and most toothpaste brands include a line for this issue. Lots of people report good results in as little time as a week or two.

Even if you’re in that lucky group, you should have your sensitive teeth checked by a professional. One of the most common causes of sensitive teeth is enamel erosion, which can expose the dentin. Believe it or not, aggressive brushing or using a hard-bristle toothbrush can lead to enamel erosion, which is why we always recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Other causes of sensitive teeth include:

  • Tooth erosion from highly acidic foods and beverages
  • Tooth decay
  • Receding gums
  • Bruxism (tooth grinding)

The most important thing is to talk to us about it at Love Your Smile in Kelowna. We’ll advise you on treatment. Our services include restorative dentistry and smile design. 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

ArticleID 3091