Oral health

Dry Mouth Can Cause Dental Problems

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Categories: Dry mouth, General Dentistry, Oral health

dry mouth treatment Kelowna

A decrease in saliva flow resulting in a dry mouth is a common problem, especially among older individuals. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we can help.

A dry mouth is not only uncomfortable, but it can cause tooth damage and bad breath. Saliva is necessary to keep the mouth lubricated, wash the food from teeth, and neutralize the acids that can cause plaque. Extensive decay can develop without saliva for dental patients with chronic dry mouth.

Symptoms of dry mouth include:

  • Dry, red, or grooved tongue
  • Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
  • Sticky feeling in the mouth
  • Saliva that seems thick and stringy
  • Bad breath
  • Struggles chewing, speaking and swallowing
  • Changes in taste
  • Difficulty wearing dentures (Mayo Clinic)

Contributing factors include medications and treatments, reduction in the body’s capacity to metabolize medication, chronic health issues, and poor nutrition.

For example, chemotherapy medication can lower saliva production, and radiation treatments to the head and neck can damage salivary glands, decreasing saliva production.

Other medical conditions include diabetes, stroke, or yeast infection in the mouth.

Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers (all used extensively in Kelowna) are some of the medications that can lead to dry mouth.

It is common for allergy-prone Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair dental patients to complain of dry mouth when they start taking antihistamines during the hay fever season.

The following can also contribute to dry mouth:

  • Snoring or breathing through the mouth
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Tobacco use (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco)
  • Recreational drugs

If you experience dry mouth, paying special attention to your dental health is important. The first step is to talk to a professional. Call Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stephen Malfair.

CONTACT LOVE YOUR SMILE – DR. STEPHEN MALFAIR:

778-760-2099

LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

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

Is Your Smile In A World Of Hurt?

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Categories: General Dentist, General Dentistry, Oral health

full mouth reconstruction Kelowna

Do you have extreme tooth damage, bone loss, or few or no teeth still intact? This post is for Kelowna area residents whose mouths are in a world of hurt.

First off, we feel for you. We understand how severe dental issues influence you every day of your life.

Whatever the cause of the condition – chemotherapy, recreational drug use, eating disorder, severe mouth injury, disability, inadequate oral hygiene, or simply poor overall health – there is hope.

Full mouth reconstruction can restore your previously healthy, nice smile or give you the remarkable smile you never had. Patients who undergo full mouth reconstruction regain their confidence to smile, eat, and speak normally. How would that impact your life?

Replacing missing teeth and adding bone through grafting restores underlying facial structure, improving or preventing that “sunk-in” look that develops when teeth are gone and the jawbone recedes.

Full mouth reconstruction (sometimes called full mouth restoration) is a term that refers to a combination of dental procedures that restore a smile for people with several damaged or missing teeth. Treatment may include any combination of the following procedures: crowns, inlays/onlays, dental bonding, white filling replacement, tooth implants, porcelain veneers, implant-anchored dentures, gum contouring, soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, and tooth whitening.

Dental implants are often the best tooth replacement for Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair patients with missing teeth. A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. If there is not enough bone to anchor an implant, bone grafting may be carried out to augment existing bone. The post integrates with the bone to provide a sturdy foundation for the abutment and beautiful crown. Dental implants are indistinguishable from initial teeth in both form and function.

If you currently have dentures, speak with us about implant-anchored full or partial dentures. Significant improvements can be made even if you only get two or three tooth implants.

Crowns (sometimes called caps) are used when there is enough viable tooth structure that the tooth doesn’t need to be extracted. A crown adds strength to a tooth that has a large filling or has been injured. A crown can correct a bite misalignment and is usually necessary after a root canal. In a dental implant procedure, attaching the crown to the abutment is the final step.

Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair offers a full menu of cosmetic dental services including total mouth reconstruction. Cosmetic dentistry may be more affordable than you think. Talk to us about financing or a multi-procedure treatment schedule that allows you to pay as you go. Restoring a healthy smile may be the best investment you ever make.

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

Beating Horrible Halitosis

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental health, Oral health

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“My neighbor’s bad breath is scaring me.”

I’m Dr. Malfair with Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair. I’d like to take a few minutes to share with you some insight about halitosis.

Brushing just the teeth may not remove particles of food between the teeth and up in the gums. Bacteria can grow and stink from hidden floss-only locations. Gently brushing the gums, sides of the mouth and the tongue in addition to the teeth may make the difference.

Also, the food you are eating can impact the odor in your mouth. Onions, garlic, and coffee are likely to show up on the breath regardless of consistent brushing.

Illness, infection, and allergies can all cause dry mouth which in turn upset the control of bacteria in the mouth. Diabetes, kidney failure, radiation therapy, liver malfunction, dry mouth, or even a sinus infection can cause an odor. The bacteria balance in the mouth is ever-changing.

Finally, dentures or a removable appliance may also carry bacteria that needs to be cleaned and freshened up on a regular basis.

1. Brush and floss the teeth as well as brush the tongue, gums, and sides of the mouth.
2. Enjoy onions and garlic a little less.
3. Stay on top of health issues.
4. Keep dentures clean.

Again, I’m Dr. Stephen Malfair. Located at 301-1890 Cooper Rd Kelowna, British Columbia. We offer Sedation Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers, Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening, and Dental Implants just to name a few of our services.

We work hard to exceed your expectations.

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

Periodontal Disease Is Linked To Systemic Diseases

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Categories: General Dentist, General Dentistry, Gum Disease, Oral health

gum disease treatment Kelowna

What do your gums do?

The soft tissue in your mouth, like skin, has an essential job. It protects the roots of your teeth. It also provides a barrier for the connective tissues and ligaments that hold your teeth in their sockets. Plus the alveolar bone in which your teeth are anchored.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease starts with inflammation. Gums become swollen and tender. In its early stages, gum disease is called gingivitis. As the disease advances, the gums pull away from the teeth, creating pockets. This is called periodontitis or periodontal disease.

What causes gingivitis?

Bacteria are always present in the oral cavity. When it is left on the teeth and gums, it turns into plaque. Plaque is a thick coating of bacteria on your gums and teeth. Plaque accumulates if it is not removed by rinsing, brushing, and flossing. If plaque builds up in the pockets, the gums can start loosening. When plaque hardens, it is called tartar or calculus. You can’t brush away tartar with your toothbrush. You need to have a professional dental cleaning.

What are signs of gum disease?

  • Inflamed gums
  • Bad breath
  • Detached gums
  • A change in the color of gums
  • Loose or shifting teeth
  • Pain and tenderness
  • Pus between teeth and gums
  • Teeth that appear longer
  • Growing spaces between teeth
  • Changes in your bite

How does gingivitis threaten your health?

Gum disease boosts your risk of:

  • Stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Heart attacks
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Asthma
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Low infant birth weight

Can periodontitis be prevented?

Yes. Proper dental hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and a nutritious diet can keep gums healthy.

For information on treatment for periodontitis, schedule a gum disease exam and consultation by calling 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

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: Dental health, Emergency Dental Care, Oral health
Emergency dental care in Kelowna BCWhat 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