We truly appreciate it when one of our patients pays us the ultimate compliment by referring a family member, friend or co-worker to us.

Refer a new patient and get an entry into a draw for a new iPAD!*

*Promotion runs to December 31^st, 2011.

The Flexcare+ brush can improve gum health and overall health after just 2 weeks of use by helping reduce gum inflammation and bleeding.  It’s patented dynamic cleaning action removes plaque along the gumline and deep between teeth.  It has 2 care modes, one for 3 minutes for overall cleaning, and one for 1 minute which is the perfect refresher between cleanings.  This brush also comes with a UV Brush Head Sanitizer to keep the brush head free of bacteria.  The Flexcare+ is $169.95 .

The EasyClean brush also uses Sonicare’s dynamic cleaning action to gently and effectively reach deep between the teeth and along the gumline.  It has one-mode simplicity and a slim handle for comfort and maneuverability.  The EasyClean is $79.95.

We believe electric toothbrushes significantly remove more plaque than manual ones and they will improve your home brushing experience and oral health.  Ask to see our demo models at your next appointment.  Until December 31, 2011 Sonicare is providing a $10 mail-in rebate.

Dr. Tully practiced dentistry in Vancouver for 59 years.  Dr. Baird took over Dr. Tully’s practice in January of 2001 upon his retirement.  We will remember Dr. Tully fondly as will many of his patients who are still part of our practice today.

A memorial service will be held in his honour at Knox United Church, 5600 Balaclava St. in Vancouver on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Society or to Knox United Church.

MI Paste is the only product for professional use containing the active ingredient RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP) a special milk-derived phosphopeptide that binds calcium and phosphate to tooth surfaces, plaque and surrounding soft tissue. MI Paste is a water-based, sugar-free créme that is applied directly to the tooth surface or oral cavity. MI Paste with RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP) restores the oral mineral imbalances that cause demineralization by replacing minerals while improving saliva flow and fluoride uptake as well as soothing sensitive surfaces – making it an ideal treatment for:

• Reversing tooth sensitivity and restoring enamel gloss after whitening procedures
• Relieving dry mouth caused by certain medications
• Reducing high oral acid levels from excessive soft drink consumption
• Reversing tooth sensitivity before and after professional cleaning
• Reducing high oral acid levels – sometimes a consequence of pregnancy
• Buffering acids produced by bacteria and plaque
• Regular conditioning during orthodontics, during and after bands or brackets have been removed, to prevent and reverse white spot lesions
• Providing a topical coating for patients suffering from erosion, caries and conditions arising from xerostomia

Read more at: http://www.mi-paste.com/about.php.   Ask our hygienist about this great product the next time you visit our office.

Veneers may solve most or even all of your cosmetic dental issues, including:

• Worn enamel
• Dull or discoloured teeth
• Wear and tear
• Abnormal spacing
• Uneven teeth

Veneers are custom-made by a dental laboratory to ensure they complement the shape and colour of your surrounding teeth and overall smile. They are made out of high quality, durable porcelain and, if properly cared for, will last a long time.

As well as being aesthetically pleasing, dental veneers can also serve a functional purpose by protecting the surface of a damaged tooth. In some cases, veneers may replace the need for a dental crown, eliminating the need for more invasive tooth preparation.

If you feel self-conscious about your smile, now is the time to do something about it.  Veneers may be your solution.  Give us a call or send us an e-mail.  We provide complimentary cosmetic consultations.

• Dark drinks and food– such as coffee, tea, red wine, fruit juice, pop and pigmented foods such as cherries, cranberries, carrots, soy sauce and beets
• Hot drinks – constant temperature change can cause small fractures on the tooth surface allowing stains to penetrate
• Cigarettes – can cause yellowish to orange stains

• Poor oral hygiene – plaque that is not removed can turn yellow
• Medicine – some antibiotics and over-the-counter medications – eg. Tetracycline, some antihistamines
• Age – enamel can break down over time allowing the underlying dentin, which has a natural yellow or brown colour, to show through
• Genetics – some people naturally have brighter or thicker enamel then others
• Trauma – if the tooth pulp (nerve) is damaged or dies
• Excessive fluoride – high doses of fluoride may result in white spots

Here are some recommended prevention techniques and solutions:

• Swish your mouth with water after consuming dark drinks
• Use a straw if possible with dark drinks which may protect the front teeth
• Brush teeth immediately after eating foods that can stain (except with acidic foods, then simply swish with water)
• Engage in proper oral healthcare at home:
  • Brushing and flossing at least twice a day
  • Brushing for one to three minutes
  • Use an appropriate amount of toothpaste
• Visit the hygienist regularly – many stains can be removed with a effective cleaning and polishing
• Talk to your dentist and doctor about alternatives to stain-producing medication
• Bleaching – take-home and in-office treatments are highly effective in whitening your teeth*
• Bonding – a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied and hardened with a special light, which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth
• Veneers – thin shells of porcelain that are custom fit over your natural teeth

Growing research and evidence is supporting what dental professionals have long suspected: Infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body.

Studies are continuing but dentists do know that periodontal (gum) disease is a bacterial infection, and all infections are cause for concern. Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research is suggesting that this may:

• Contribute to the development of heart disease.
• Increase the risk of stroke.
• Increase a woman’s risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby.
• Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory diseases, or osteoporosis.

Signs of gum disease include:

• gums that are red around your teeth
• shiny, puffy or sore gums
• gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth
• bad breath that will not go away
• a taste of metal in your mouth
• teeth that are sensitive for no reason
• a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

As well as contributing to the above-mentioned health concerns, gum disease is one of the main reasons why adults lose their teeth. The good news is gum disease can almost always be prevented. If it starts, it can be treated and can even be turned around (or reversed) in its early stages.

What causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by plaque remaining around the gumlines of the teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids and other toxins that can destroy bone and gum tissue over a period of time. Brushing twice a day is not enough to remove plaque from in between the teeth, so it is very important to floss your teeth daily. If plaque is not removed, it will harden into a thick deposit called tartar. If tartar is allowed to remain on the teeth and below the gumline, it can lead to chronic infection and inflammation. The only way to remove tartar is to have your teeth professionally cleaned.

(Information from the American Academy of Periodontology & The Canadian Dental Assn.)

Visit the following links to read more:

Small Bacteria = Big Risk
http://www.perio.org/consumer/perio-systemic.htm

Healthy Mouth = Healthy Heart
http://www.perio.org/consumer/healthy-heart.htm

What is Periodontial/Gum Disease?
http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/complications/diseases/gum_diseases.asp

Assess Your Risk for Gum Disease
http://www.perio.org/consumer/4a.html

About one-half of women experience “pregnancy gingivitis.” Higher progesterone levels during pregnancy cause a greater reaction to dental plaque, resulting in an increased amount of swelling, bleeding and redness of the gums. It is therefore extremely important to remove any plaque build-up from your teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis or gum disease. This is a more serious condition in which the infection goes beyond your gums and into the bone and other tissue that support your teeth. This is of particular importance for pregnant women as research suggests a link between gum disease and premature, low birth weight babies. The bacteria that cause gum infection can enter the gum tissues and then travel via your blood stream to sites far from the mouth, even to the uterus. These bacteria carry substances that can trigger the production of chemicals called “prostaglandins” in the reproductive tract. These prostaglandins are suspected to induce premature labour, resulting in low birth weight babies.

What You Should Do During Pregnancy:

Prevention is the key. Practice good oral hygiene at home and get regular, preventive dental care:

• Brush at least twice every day and after every meal if possible.
• Floss daily.
• Get regular dental care. If you have not seen your dentist recently, schedule a visit for a thorough cleaning and check-up. Your dentist or hygienist may want to see you more than once during your pregnancy and perhaps even more so if you already have gum disease.
• Cavity fillings and crowns should be treated to reduce the chance of infection. As there are conflicting studies regarding the effects of medications for anesthesia during pregnancy it is best to have this dental work done after the first trimester and using as little anesthesia as possible, but enough to make you comfortable. If antibiotics are necessary, there are safe ones to choose from.
• After the 2nd trimester, postpone all non-emergency work until after the birth as lying on your back for extended periods of time should be avoided.
• Avoid routine X-rays until after the birth.
• Whiten your teeth later. There is no clear data and no studies on the safety of whitening treatments during pregnancy.
• Share with your dental professionals:
  • How far along are you?
  • Is yours a high-risk pregnancy?
  • What is your current home care routine?
  • Have you noticed any changes in your oral health?
  • Are you taking any medications?
  • Have you noticed any gum inflammation, swelling, redness or bleeding?
  • Have you noticed any loose teeth or persistent bad breath?
• Schedule an appointment immediately if you have a toothache, if your gums are bleeding frequently and causing you pain or if you notice any other signs of gum disease.

The Georgia Dental Group’s philosophy is that a healthy mouth is fundamental to one’s overall health and well-being. We are passionate about oral healthcare and provide extraordinary care and individual attention.

We are always happy to accept new patients.

Our office is located 530 – 1090 West Georgia Street in Vancouver.

Compiled using information from the following sources: Sonicare and The Journal of Periodontology, The Canadian Dental Association, The American Academy of Periodontology.