We Hope Your Teeth Have a Great Vacation!

It’s thankfully that time of year. The bags are packed and the car is full of gas and ready to go. The dog is at the kennel and your email has an autoreply message saying: I’m on vacation! We hope you enjoy any adventures that you have planned. Life is short so have some fun.

Of course, being away from the city means you’re going to be away from your dentist (don’t be to upset). We thought we would give you some helpful hints to keep your teeth healthy and prepared just in case your teeth misbehave while you’re not in Montreal.

Pack this stuff in your toiletry bag just in case...

For pain relief: Ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin) is a great pain killer for dental pain and is safe to take for most people.

In case you lose a piece of a filling, or a crown pops off: Use Dentemp. It’s available at most pharmacies and is great to temporarily fill a hole or recement a crown.

If you lose a tooth: It’s good to know what to do if a tooth gets accidentally knocked out. Obviously, its essential to find a dentist ASAP. In the meantime however, the best way to increase the chance of successfully replanting  the tooth is to do the following: Do not touch the root of the tooth. Place it in an empty medication vial with cold milk or Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (Its a liquid specifically meant for this and is available at the pharmacy). Then go to a dentist within an hour.

If you get food stuck between your teeth: We all know the feeling after a yummy steak dinner. This one’s obvious-floss!

For cut gums/lips/tissue around the mouth: Apply clean gauze and wound disinfectant like peroxide. For minor bleeding in the mouth, applying pressure is the best way to get the situation under control. Afterwards, rinsing with warm salt water is a great way to help the wound heal.

That concludes your very own dental emergency kit. Simple, small and handy. When you get back call us and we will be happy to help in any way.

For those of you hanging around this summer, Retter Dental Care is open all summer long during our regular hours should you need us or have any concerns. Have a wonderful season and don’t forget to brush, floss and smile!

The Retter Dental Care team

Snow, Romance…And Your Teeth

As the snow continues to fall and prolong our winter, it’s interesting to note that with all the snow that the northeast has gotten this year, experts are predicting that birth rates will be higher than normal for the fall of 2011. With all the excitement going on inside while the white stuff continues to come down outside, the question, “is it safe to have dental treatment during pregnancy” is being asked more than usual.

A recent study in The Journal of the American Dental Association has shown that routine dental treatment, including the use of dental anesthetics, is totally safe during pregnancy. So don’t put off having your dental visits and cleanings due to the fact that you’re brushing for two.

Here’s something really amazing. Another recent study, reported in The British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, reports that women who are free from gum disease have a much lower chance of having premature and low birth weight babies.

The irony of this is that the hormonal changes which occur during pregnancy actually can heighten the chances of having gum disease. . So not only is it safe to maintain a regimen of brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist and dental hygienist when you’re expecting, it can actually contribute to the health of your baby.

At Retter Dental Care, our goal is to keep every single one of our patients in excellent dental health, including having beautiful gums which are free from bleeding and inflammation. If you have any questions or are overdue for your routine dental appointment, please call 514-488-9579 so that we can get you taken care of as soon as possible.

Tired Of New Year’s Resolutions? Read This!!

We all know what its like to plan our new years resolutions. Too often they are forgotten by the time February comes along.

 

That is why we are glad to present to you a list of a different kind – our top ten “2011 New Year’s Denta-Lutions!” They are fun, important, and will help you to have a happy and healthy year!

• Get Rid Of That Ugly Thing!

No, not your spouse - they are beautiful! We are talking about your toothbrush. Most people keep toothbrushes around way too long. Not only do they become loaded with bacteria and other junk, the bristles simply wear out and do not do an effective job of cleaning your teeth. The Canadian Dental Association recommends a new toothbrush at least every three months, and we agree! If the bristles begin to fray or splay before that…..well, more on that later!

• Get Wet!!!

One of the best things you can do for your mouth and body is to drink more water – lots of it! Drinking helps to flush away particles from between your teeth and remove sticky plaque. Most Canadians do not drink nearly enough water and are constantly dehydrated. Plus - this is a great time to get sodas, sports drinks, fancy coffee drinks and all of that other junk out of your life. Switching to water will help not just your dental health but your overall health as well!

• There’s Blood Coming Out Of My WHAT?

If your eyes were bleeding or blood was coming out of your backside, you would certainly see a doctor immediately. Well, the same is true with your gums. Brushing or flossing should not cause your gums to bleed at all. If your gums do bleed or if you see pink or red when you rinse, your gums are infected. Don’t put it off – call us right away!

• Quiet. Quiet! QUIET!!!!!

Many of us suffer with spouses or other bedmates that snore. Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a potentially fatal condition where the brain does not receive enough oxygen at night. Let us know – we may be able to either fabricate a dental appliance to curtail snoring or make a referral to a specialist who can help.

• Don’t Stand So Close To Me!

Maybe you have bad breath and are too embarrassed to do anything about it. Or maybe you find yourself constantly reaching for mints and gum because people seem to be always backing off when you speak. Don’t be ashamed – we are here to help! Bad breath frequently has dental causes – many of them long term conditions that are very dangerous to your health (as well as your friendships). Please don’t be embarrassed – talk to us! We are here to help!

• What Is That Stuff?

It comes in a small plastic box, it’s very thin, and sometimes it’s used to hang pictures. Yes – it’s called dental floss, and we know that chances are you don’t use it on a regular basis. But flossing is the best way to remove plaque, bacteria and particles from between your teeth as well as cleaning areas of your gums that can’t otherwise be reached. The fact is, if you aren’t flossing every day, there is gross stuff growing in your mouth.  If you would like some instruction on proper flossing technique (it’s easy once you know how!) and some encouragement, just let us know.

• Brush correctly

Most people stick a little toothpaste on a brush and smear it around their teeth, but don’t do an effective job of combating gum disease and tooth decay. One of the most important things you can do while brushing is to angle the bristles of the brush so that they clean the space where your teeth and gums meet. Be thorough yet gentle, and take your time. We will be glad to show you how to brush correctly! And if your toothbrush has bristles which are splayed, frayed or deformed, you are probably brushing way too hard!!

• Get Off Your Butt

As if you didn’t need another reason to quit smoking – tobacco products are a leading cause of oral cancer, a deadly disease which kills roughly one person per hour, twenty four hours per day. Make 2011 the year you finally kick this smelly, dirty, disgusting and deadly habit. Your loved ones will thank you to no end!!

• Stop By To Say Hello

Okay – stop by to do even more than say hello! Keeping up with your regular three, four or six month visit is the key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, getting screened for oral cancer, and preventing problems before they get too big (and costly!!) If your busy lifestyle has caused you to get off schedule, please give us a call right away so that we can get you back on track!

• Tell Your Friends!

At Retter Dental Care, we are fortunate to have a busy practice and enjoy providing our patients with the best quality dental care possible. But we will always make room for your family, friends, co-workers or anyone else who would like to experience the great things we have to offer. Even though we are busy we will always make room for more people like you! Please have them give us a call at 514-488-9579. You’ll be giving them the best gift of all – the gift of health!

 

We hope that this list of New Year’s “Denta-Lutions” was helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a line at info@retterdentalcare.com or call us at 514-499-9579. May 2011 be your best year yet!! 

Our 2011 pledge

Thank you all for the overwhelmingly positive comments that were provided. We are continuously striving to provide our patients with the highest quality of care in the field of dentistry. We were touched to see how many people value the services we provide and appreciate our hard work.

Of course we appreciate you as well! That’s why in addition to the Ipad, we decided to draw two free whitenings as an additional thank you. Congratulations to Wendy S., our Ipad winner and Simon W.  and Ana R. for winning the whitenings. We are always looking for ways to improve our services so your comments and feedback are welcome at any time. This brings us to our pledge for 2011.

In 2011 we will be more committed than ever to ensuring that our patients receive the most advanced treatment in dentistry. There are many changes planned for 2011 that will further advance the quality of care offered to you. We are able to achieve this for several reasons. The most important being that we are committed to continuously seeking out the best continuing education programs in North America so that we learn from the best. By regularly following the best lecturers and most advanced topics we can provide you with treatment that we know will be efficient, and as pain-free as possible while using materials that are proven to last the longest in the industry.  We also reinvest a significant amount of revenue into Retter Dental Care so that the things we learn are rapidly implemented in the office.

Dr. Jason Retter has just returned from the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry in Arizona where he studied for 10 days.  He took three consecutive courses related to advanced CEREC design, diagnosis and treatment of jaw joint and muscle pain among other topics. It is important to Retter Dental Care and our patient’s that we stay at the forefront of an ever changing technique and technology in dentistry. We believe that everyone deserves the best treatment available. Your oral health and smile are integral parts of leading a healthy and happy life. At Retter Dental Care, we take our role in this effort very seriously and that is our inspiration, to bring you the best quality treatments available in North America.

If you have family, friends or colleagues who are in need of treatment or information or anything related to their oral health and appearance we would be honored to meet them. You can always rest assured that they will be treated in the most advanced office and in the most professional manner.

Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season. See you in 2011

Would You Prefer Cabernet Or Merlot?

For many years now scientists have linked the beneficial positive effects of moderate amounts of red wine consumption with prevention of heart disease and cancer.  But now they have also discovered that drinking the fruit of the vine could help with the prevention of gum disease!

The heroes here are compounds called polyphenols (found in grape seeds and red wine) which appear to have very strong anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing inflammation, it is theorized that polyphenols may limit the amount of inflammation in the gum tissue, helping to prevent the common disease known as gingivitis.

"Our findings demonstrate that red wine polyphenols have potent antioxidant properties," concluded the study authors from the Université Laval in Quebec City who presented the study at a meeting of the American Association for Dental Research.

Eighty percent of Canadians have some type of gum disease, and it is estimated that 15 percent of Canadians between the age of 21 and 50 suffer from an advanced form of gum disease known as periodontitis. After age 50, 65 percent of Canadians will suffer from this chronic gum disease and the risk is higher in smokers, diabetics and people who take steroids and oral contraceptives.

The author of the study, Dr. Fatiha Chandad, stated that more investigation is needed to determine exactly how effective the beverage will be in fighting gum disease. "Consumption of any fruits or vegetables rich in polyphenols could have beneficial effects on the maintenance of good oral health," she adds.

So should you drink up now and not worry about proper brushing, flossing, and visits with your dental hygienist? We sure don’t think so! But it is nice to know that red wine enjoyed in moderation could have a positive effect on your dental health.

At Retter Dental Care we take your oral health very seriously and want to make sure that gum disease does not rob you of your teeth as it has done to millions of Canadians. We check for this condition every single time we do an examination. If you are due to see us or have any questions about gum disease or any other condition, please give us a call right away at 514-488-9579. We’re here for you!

And remember – along with the possible positive effects of red wine, it can really stain your teeth!! Brush and floss often and don’t forget your professional cleanings!!

What Causes Bad Breath?

A common question we get in our dental office is – “What causes bad breath?” Many times the complaint is not from the offender but from a long suffering spouse or family member. There are many causes of bad breath (which we call “halitosis”) – some serious and some not. And while many people have decided to just hold their nose and live with it, the good news is diagnosing and treating bad breath is something that can easily be done. Here is a list, in no particular order, of the reasons people may be slowly backing up during conversations: · Foods Containing Pungent Oils Yes – garlic and onions are very healthy, but they also contain oils which may cause an unhealthy reaction to those around you. These odors come from the lungs, last up to 72 hours and can be tough to cover up. Mints, gum and rinses are your best bet – or make sure everyone around you has had the same yummy food as well! · Routine Illnesses Colds, sore throats, coughs and sinus infections all cause yucky smelling mucus (or snot, depending on your age), to get trapped in our mouths, throats and noses, which causes foul breath until the illness is taken care of. Of course, if you have one of these highly contagious problems you shouldn’t be that close to someone anyway! If a sinus infection, sore throat, cough or cold doesn’t clear up in a few days to a week, you should probably see your physician to make sure things aren’t of a serious nature. · Dry Mouth A dry mouth lets dead cells accumulate on your gums, tongue and cheeks. And while morning breath is a perfectly normal phenomenon due to lowered salivary activity at night – it shouldn’t last all day. Those who snore, mouth-breath or take certain medications are prone to a dry mouth. · Tonsil Stones Clinically they are called tonsiloliths. They are hardened and mineralized mucus stones and they smell pretty bad. They form and get stuck in the folds of our tonsils. The real problem isn't that they are there but that they are almost impossible to get rid of on your own. You can't brush your tonsils. · Smoking Smoking dries out your mouth (see above) and also, tobacco just plain stinks. If lung cancer and heart disease aren’t reason enough to give up the habit, maybe a constant foul mouth will help you make that life-saving decision. · Chronic Diseases or Conditions Many serious diseases such as lung infections, kidney failure, diabetes, cancer, GERD, anorexia, bulimia and others can cause very specific types of halitosis. The good news is that these are on the rare side, but if anything along these lines is suspected, a referral to the appropriate practitioner is in order. · Poor Dental Hygiene and Gum Disease Ahhh… this is our favorite! Not because we like people to have poor dental hygiene and gum disease, but because these are very common causes of bad breath and we can usually treat them quite easily. But please don’t wait too long! Gum disease, which usually starts with poor brushing and flossing habits as well as a lack of routine dental visits, can do much more than make your mouth stinky.In just a short period of time, gum disease can advance and eat away at the gums and bone which hold your teeth in place. The result? Loose, unstable teeth that will eventually be lost if not treated. Catching gum disease early is great as treatment is typically conservative. Wait too long and it gets much more difficult and extensive. Bad breath is not normal! Seeing your dentist and dental hygienist on a routine basis is your best bet for making sure your teeth and gums stay healthy, your smile stays bright, and your breath doesn’t cause others to run in the opposite direction. If you have any questions about this or any other topic concerning you or someone you care about, please feel free to give us a call at 514-488-9579. Our fantastic team at Retter Dental Care is here to help you! Retter Dental Care Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Website: www.RetterDentalCare.com Facebook: Retter Dental Care Twitter: @MontrealDental

Hey – Why Are My Teeth So Yellow?

Legend has it that comedian Rodney Dangerfield once asked his dentist for advice. “Doc – my teeth are yellow. What should I do?” To which his dentist replied: “Wear a brown tie!” Fortunately, these days we can give much better advice than that. Most of us begin life with beautiful sparkly white teeth, but just as the years bring wrinkles, sags, bags and more – the age fairy can make our teeth much more yellow or brown than they used to be. Why does nature add this cruelty to her bag of tricks? Here is a brief primer on yellowing teeth. The outer coating of our teeth is made of enamel – a beautifully smooth and sparkling white surface. On the inside is a material called dentin, a darker material which makes up the core of our teeth. Normal activities such as chewing and exposure to acids in foods cause microscopic cracks in our enamel, allowing the yellow dentin to show through. As most of us know, certain foods and drinks can also stain our teeth, contributing to a darker appearance. Smoking makes things much worse! Basically there are two types of tooth stains – extrinsic stains (those that form on the outside of the teeth) and intrinsic stains (those that come from within). Simple extrinsic stains can be removed by a good professional tooth cleaning and polishing. As these become more complex, tooth bleaching – either professional or over-the-counter, will be required. Intrinsic stains, those that come from the inside of your teeth, are more difficult to remove and typically involve treatment from a dental professional. A question that we are often asked at Retter Dental Care is “Do those whitening kits I can buy at the drug store actually work?” The answer is: Maybe! For easy to remove light staining, in some cases they can do the trick. Best of all, it certainly won’t hurt to try them! However, we find that most of our patients achieve much better results with professionally supervised whitening. Not only are the materials stronger, but in many cases we fabricate a custom application tray which fits your teeth perfectly, allowing the whitening materials to work at their maximum. The good news is, you no longer have to put up with yellow unsightly teeth! Modern tooth whitening techniques are one of the greatest, easiest to use, most predictable and economically comfortable advances we have seen in dentistry in a long time! At Retter Dental Care we would be happy to discuss your teeth whitening options with you. Give us a call at 514-488-9579 and we’ll happily bring you in for a free whitening consultation. Our goal is to give the you biggest happiest smile possible!