Mouthguards – Saving Your Smile

Posted on May 29, 2012 by admin

Dental tips provided by Burnaby Dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group

The arrival of spring means that many of us will be getting more active, spending more time outdoors, and for some, participating in more organized sports. In light of this, a recent study conducted by the American Dental Association in regard to sporting injuries to the mouth may be of interest, not just to active adults, but also to parents whose children are involved in various sporting programs and activities.

Mouthguards - Burnaby Dentist

The ADA study examined the effectiveness of mouthguards in reducing injuries, and concluded that the overall injury risk was much higher in those who did not protect their mouth with a properly fitted mouthguard. Another study of collegiate basketball teams found that athletes wearing custom-made mouthguards sustained significantly fewer dental injuries than those who did not.

But surely such risks apply only to those participating in professional-level, fast-paced, high-contact sports? Not so. It has been shown that mouthguards are important for anyone participating in a sport that involves falls, body contact or flying equipment. This includes football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, gymnastics, marital arts, wrestling, or mountain biking — any activity that might result in an injury to the mouth. In sports like hockey or boxing where concussions happen frequently at all levels, from youth to professional, reports suggest that mouthguards may actually help to decrease the risk of concussion by reducing the force transmitted by a blow to the jaw. Mouthguards have also been shown to reduce the severity of concussions when they are sustained. More than just protecting your teeth, a mouthguard acts as a barrier that may protect you from multiple risks, as a hit to the mouth or jaw area may cause neck injury or shock. In short, they are an effective way to reduce some of the risks without changing the game.

But what exactly is a mouthguard, and how can you go about getting one that will work best for you? Sports guards, mouth guards and mouth protectors are different names for the same thing: a device worn over your teeth that protects them from blows to the face and head. Mouthguards typically cover the upper teeth, and are designed to protect against broken teeth, cut lips and other damage to your mouth. If you wear braces or other fixed dental appliances (such as a bridge) on your lower jaw, your dentist may suggest a mouth protector for these teeth as well.

It is essential though, that you have a mouthguard that fits properly, otherwise it may not be of any benefit at all. The dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group are able to custom fit a mouthguard for you, ensuring that you have optimum protection — and it does not cost a fortune. If you have been using a drugstore variety mouthguard, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but why not bring it in with you to your next dental appointment to have your dentist ensure that it fits well, is of the proper thickness, and provides adequate protection in critical areas, based on the sporting activity. It won’t take long, but it might save you your smile, as well as prevent a host of other injuries.

Additional articles are available from Burnaby Dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group.

Posted in Burnaby Dentist, Dental Treatments, Finding a Dentist in Burnaby | Tagged , ,

Burnaby Heights

Posted on May 25, 2012 by admin

Burnaby Heights Logo

When you’re at your next Burnaby Dentist appointment, why not take advantage of all that the Burnaby Heights area has to offer?

A uniquely community-oriented area rich in culture and diversity, the Heights feature an eclectic mix of businesses with friendly owners who are deeply tied to the community.

Offering everything from specialty delis, acupuncture clinics, tailors, hair salons and barbers, to nearly every imaginable ethnicity of food in more than 350 one-of-a-kind shops, services, and restaurants, you are certain to find everything you might ever need and more.

The Heights merchants have a reputation for welcoming their customers as family and for going the extra mile, which ensures that your shopping or dining experience (or whatever else it is that you seek to do here) is an enjoyable one.

On June 2nd, the Heights will be hosting its annual “Hats Off Day,” a day where the local merchants “take their hats off” to the local community. The biggest event of the year for the Heights, this one-day celebration has been voted “Burnaby’s Best Festival” by Burnaby Now readers every year since 2005. Featuring a parade and huge street party with music, food, kids activities and more, this event is an opportunity for the local merchants to acknowledge their patrons and also for the community to come together in celebration. The parade will start at 9 a.m. and run along Hastings Street from Beta Avenue to Boundary Road, and then the street festival will follow, kicking off at 11 a.m.

Come and see for yourself that the Burnaby Heights offer so much more than just a great dentist! We can’t wait to see you here.

Posted in Burnaby Dentist, Burnaby Events, Burnaby Heights, Finding a Dentist in Burnaby | Tagged , , ,

Victoria Day Week-end Hours

Posted on May 18, 2012 by admin

Victoria DayWe are closed Saturday, Sunday, Monday and re-open Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:00 am.

If you have a dental emergency during this time, please call our office 604-291-6696 for the emergency number.

Have a happy and safe holiday!

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Burnaby Events

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

The 15th Annual European Festival is taking place Saturday, May 26th at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C.  The event will showcase cultures from more than 30 countries!

European Festival - BurnabyFor more information about this event and upcoming events in Burnaby, B.C., visit Tourism Burnaby.

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The Oral Effects of Nail Biting

Posted on May 10, 2012 by admin

Dental tips provided by Burnaby Dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group.

Whether it is something you do only occasionally during moments of stress or anxiety, or whether you are a compulsive nail biter who constantly nibbles and gnaws without even being aware of it, you may want to give more attention to your nail biting.

Nail Biting - Burnaby Dentist

While it is commonly acknowledged that nail biting is an unsanitary habit, did you know that it can also have detrimental effects on your oral health? Nails are hard, so when you bite down on them you are causing excess stress to your teeth. Over time this weakens them and can eventually result in your teeth chipping, breaking, and wearing down. Eventually, it may even affect your bite; this being the arrangement and appearance of your teeth. Therefore, aside from having unsightly hands or fingernail infections and ugly fingernails, you might end up having cracked, broken, misaligned teeth.

Nail biting also causes stress to your gums, and there is an added risk of bitten nails tearing into the gum tissue. In the long run, this can result in gum disease, which will eventually cause loose teeth, missing teeth and other related medical ailments. Another consideration is that the bacteria in the nails can spread in the mouth and the bacteria in the mouth can spread to the nail bed and consequently into the blood stream, resulting in other health complications.

People with braces are affected to a even greater extent by nail biting. This is because the pressure exerted by nail biting in adds negatively to the already existing massive pressure by the orthodontic brace. This added pressure can damaging the roots of your teeth, even to the point of making them loose, not to mention hindering the success of your orthodontic treatment.

Other forms of health problems related to nail biting include infections of the nails and surrounding tissue, oral herpes and unpleasant mouth infections such as thrush.

The effects of nail biting can be much more far reaching than it might initially appear. While not really an expensive habit, it might end up costing you thousands in dental bills.

There are solutions, however. Foul tasting clear nail coating is available at drug stores which can hinder your tendency to nibble, and mouth guards can also be a viable solution to breaking the habit.

If you bite, please don’t hesitate to ask your dentist at North Burnaby Dental for input on what might be the best approach for you.

Posted in Burnaby Dentist, Dental Treatments, Oral Hygiene | Tagged , , ,

Burnaby Dentists

Posted on May 1, 2012 by admin

Dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group strive to provide valuable tools and resources both on and offline for healthy oral care.   Twice a month, we post articles that contain some of the latest information on dental health topics, tips, prevention and solutions.

Some recent articles:

How to Pack a Health Smile While Travelling

How to Find a Dentist in Burnaby

What is Gum Disease and How it Affects Your Health

Teeth Whitening Services in Burnaby

What are Dental Implants?

Cavity Prevention for Children in School

If you have a specific dental need or have an inquiry, please feel free to contact our Dentists and team at North Burnaby Dental Group.

Also find us on facebook and twitter.

Posted in Bad Breath Treatments, Burnaby Dentist, Cavity Prevention, Cavity Prevention for Children, Children's Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, Dental Treatments, Finding a Dentist in Burnaby, Gum Disease, Oral Hygiene | Tagged , , , , , , ,

Poor Oral Care – Its Effects On Your Overall Health

Posted on April 27, 2012 by admin

Dental tips provided by Burnaby Dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group.

From childhood on we all hear repeated reminders that proper care for our oral health helps to protect us against cavities and gingivitis — but did you also know that a healthy mouth actually contributes to your overall health?

Poor Oral Care - Burnaby DentistsWhile it goes without saying that good oral health is important to your appearance and sense of well-being, recent studies have also shown links between poor oral health and many other serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes, respiratory diseases, sleeping problems, pregnancy complications, as well as behavioural and developmental problems in children. How is all this possible?

In part, when your mouth is not properly cared for harmful bacteria may begin to run rampant within it, and these bacteria can enter your bloodstream, attaching to fatty plaques in your heart’s blood vessels and contributing to clot formation. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly,  which leads to heart attacks. These bacteria once in the bloodstream can also be responsible for spreading inflammation throughout the body, resulting in a wide variety of problems, some of them very serious. Poor oral health also affects your ability to chew and digest food properly, thus impacting your ability to properly absorb nutrients from what you eat. Yes, proper care for your mouth may have a tremendous impact on a lot more than just how you look.

To maintain good oral health and contribute to the prevention of other health complications, you should take the following steps:

  • Brush and floss your teeth daily.
  • Visit your dental professional regularly to have your mouth examined. See your dental professional immediately if you notice any problems.
  • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
  • Do not smoke, as it leads to gum disease and loss of teeth, among countless other oral and health complications. If you do smoke, make sure to visit your dental professional regularly.
  • Replace your toothbrush every three months as they become worn out and are not as effective as they once were. If you have gum disease, you should change your toothbrush every four to six weeks because bacteria can harbour in the bristles. You should always rinse your toothbrush out with hot water after every use and replace it after you have been sick.
  • Brush your children’s teeth for them until they are coordinated enough to do it for themselves (say, when they are able to tie their own shoelaces or write their own name).  At that point though do not leave them to their own devices; properly supervise them to ensure that they are brushing properly.

Without question, as well as helping to maintain a nice smile, paying attention to your oral health may help to prevent much, much more than just a pesky cavity. If you have any questions related to the importance of proper oral health, the dentists at North Burnaby Dental are always happy to help.

Posted in Burnaby Dentist, Cavity Prevention, Dental Treatments, Finding a Dentist in Burnaby, Oral Hygiene | Tagged , , ,

Teeth Grinding – Symptoms, Causes and Relief

Posted on April 18, 2012 by admin

Dental tips provided by Burnaby Dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group.

Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth while you’re asleep? Do you sometimes wake up with pain or tightness in your jaw? Do you seem to suffer all too often with headaches?

Teeth Grinding - Burnaby Dentist

Unfortunately, teeth grinding or “bruxism” is something that most people unconsciously do at some point or other in their lives. Oftentimes we are not even aware of it, as it most commonly happens when we are asleep. For many though, it can lead to extreme tooth wear and related dental problems, as well as jaw and facial muscle pain and headaches. Although people can clench and grind without being aware of it during both the day and night, sleep-related bruxism is often the bigger problem because it is harder to control. There are however, effective forms of treatment and prevention.

Even if you are fortunate enough to not feel pain or discomfort as a result of teeth grinding, it is much more than just an inconvenience or annoyance to your sleeping companion. It is a health  concern that needs to be addressed immediately, if possible. If you ignore teeth grinding, the negative effects on your health are wide and varied, as it can eventually lead to chipping and extreme wearing of your teeth, restricted jaw and facial movement, and gum recession. Even more serious, it can result in temporomandibular joint disorder (more commonly known as TMD). This disorder has a host of symptoms, everything from acute or chronic pain in the face and jaw, biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort, a clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth, earache, headache and migraine, hearing loss, neck and shoulder pain, and dizziness, to name only a few. In short, teeth grinding is something to be taken very seriously.

As it is often caused by stress, there are, fortunately, some things that you are able to do on your own to reduce the likelihood of grinding or to reduce it frequency and intensity. Learning and practising various relaxation techniques may not just help with bruxism, but with your overall health. Simply being aware to repeatedly relax your face and jaw muscles throughout the day can help to make facial relaxation a habit. Massage of the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and face may help not just to relieve pain, but also to relax the muscles and reduce the tendency to grind.

Not to be overlooked also is the role of your dentist. Your dentist is the first line of expert to consult with in cases of bruxism. They will be able to help you to determine if the use of a mouth guard, splint, or any similar protective dental device to be worn at night will be helpful for you. While there are a lot of mouth guards available over-the-counter in drug stores, depending on your mouth they may not fit well and could dislodge when teeth grinding.  Your dentist will be able to offer input as to the suitability of such a device, and if necessary they will be able to customize one for you that will fit comfortably, last longer, and perform better than its drug store counterparts.

Yes, the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies to the grinding of teeth. Rather than having it lead to the need for extensive dental repairs in the form of crowns and implants, or to dealing with chronic pain and other complications, why not speak to your dentist at North Burnaby Dental Group about it today?

 

Posted in Burnaby Dentist, Dental Treatments, Finding a Dentist in Burnaby, Teeth Grinding | Tagged , , , ,

Burnaby Heights Crave Event

Posted on April 18, 2012 by admin

This spring, the Heights is introducing its newest event – Crave – an opportunity to experience the flavours and culinary flare of select restaurants on the Heights, and at special prices. It’s the perfect time to explore a new cuisine or dining establishment.

Crave Burnaby

The Heights is rich in diversity and culture, and nowhere is this more apparent than when it comes to dining. With everything from casual to fine dining and Greek to Continental, there is sure to be something to satisfy even the most discerning of palettes.

Our first-ever dining event will run for three nights, from Tuesday, April 24 to Thursday, April 26 and will feature various restaurants, all offering something tasty and unique.

With a set menu offered each night at $15, $20 and $25 price points, you will have various choices as part of your three-course meal.
Participating Restaurants and Menus:

Baci Ristorante - View $25 Menu | Contact the Restaurant

Chad Thai – View $20 Menu| View $25 Menu | Contact the Restaurant

Gilmore Restaurant - View $15 Menu | Contact the Restaurant

King Mahal Restaurant - View $15 Menu | Contact the Restaurant

Stan’s Pizza Joint & Bar - View $20 Menu #1 | View $20 Menu #2 | Contact the Restaurant

Take Sushi - View $20 Menu | Contact the Restaurant

Reservations are now being accepted.

Posted in Burnaby Events | Tagged , ,

NORTH BURNABY DENTAL GROUP HOLIDAY HOURS

Posted on April 4, 2012 by admin

North Burnaby Dental Group Holiday Hours
We are closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday and re-open Monday at 7:00 am.

If you have a dental emergency during this time, please call our office 604-291-6696 for the emergency number.

Have a happy and safe holiday!

 

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