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6450 120 St. #6, Surrey, BC V3W 3M5
604-593-8201
Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry

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3 Ways to Help Kids Overcome the Fear of Going to the Dentist

People often equate fear with going to the dentist, no matter how old they are. It is important as a parent to try to prevent or at least minimize this fear as best as possible.

How can you do this?

Talk positively about going to the dentist. Even if you aren’t speaking directly to your child about the dentist in a less than favorable way, they pick up on things. This also doesn’t mean that you should oversell it as if it is like going to the carnival. Less is more when it comes to details.If they see you are fearful, they will also be fearful…often before they even get to have the experience themselves. The key is to make them feel relaxed and comfortable, as if they are just going to a trip to the grocery store. No big deal.

Stay away from using negative words like “pain” or “hurt”. Focus instead on using words that will make them feel like they are going to be healthier and stronger after their dental visit. The key is to keep the vocabulary positive and light.

Get them excited that they will get a treat and/or toothbrush as a gift from the dentist. This will boost their confidence and make them look forward to future visits. That said, don’t promise them a treat after leaving the dentist office if they don’t cause a fuss and are on good behavior. This can actually work against you because it can actually make them wonder “What is going to happen at the dentist that my mom is thinking I may cause a fuss?!”

Are you looking for a kids dentist in Surrey who goes the extra mile to put your child at ease? Call us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry! We do our best to give children a very positive and happy experience.

Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry Has Re-Opened

We are as relieved as all of you that the curve has been able to flatten in our province, thanks to social distancing and stay-at-home efforts. As you may have heard, the BC Government has said that dental work can now resume.

The BC Dentist Association’s back-to-work task force put a plan together as to how this could be done as safely as possible. Part of this includes patients wearing their own masks to the clinic, which are only to be removed during  procedures.

Patients can expect pre-appointment telephone screening regarding Covid-19 symptoms. If anyone is feeling unwell or displaying symptoms, they will be kindly asked to wait until they are healthy, as not to put any staff or other patients at potential risk.

Patients who need urgent treatment will be prioritized.  As you can imagine, there will be somewhat of a backlog, due to having been closed for the past couple of months.

We are also staggering appointments to have minimal people at the dental clinic at any given time, as well as to keep the waiting rooms as sparse as possible. Magazines and children’s are no longer  available to reduce the spread of germs and assist in physical distancing.

Plexiglass shields have been placed as a barrier between administrative staff and patients for checking-in and payments. We have also made the payment process easy through the plexiglass and sanitize between each patient.

Our team is working hard to ensure that we continue to exceed industry standards in health and safety.

Please call us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry with any questions you may have or to pre-book your appointment at 604-593-8201.

We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Social Distancing’s Impact on Dentistry

It is impossible to treat a dental patient while practicing social distancing, which is why there was no choice but to have dental clinics to temporarily shut down. It is a time when people feel helpless because everyone’s hands are tied. That said, it was imperative to do so to be able to keep people safe. Keeping people protected and healthy is absolutely the number one priority at this time.

Even if someone has a dental emergency, the situation is still high risk, especially because scientists and medical staff are still learning about this virus. We do know, however, that the virus can spread through mucus, saliva, and respiratory droplets. In the dental community, dealing with the public right now is just too close for comfort, on both sides. We are in a time where we literally have to assume that anyone we come in contact with could have COVID-19.

The best thing that people can do at home right now is make their own personal dental care a priority. It’s easy to slack off when you are always at home and lounging around, but you really need to stay on top of it. Plus, when you don’t take care of your dental health, it can affect the rest of your body.

And for those of you who say you don’t have time to floss…you have all of the time in the world now.

Being proactive and focusing on prevention is key. We need to keep ourselves in optimal health everyday…and especially at a fragile time like this.

Stay safe everyone. Wash you hands often. Practice social distancing.

We will get through this.

The Staff at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry

 

Clinic Closure Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Patients, Friends, and Family,

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry will be closed until further notice. We appreciate your patience during these difficult times and encourage everyone to follow the advice of Health Canada and your local health authorities.

The health and safety of our patients will always be our number one priority.

However, If you are a patient of record and have a dental emergency please contact us at: 778-820-1080.

Sincerely,

Dr. Chohan & the Healthy Smiles Dental Team

 

6 Types of Dental Floss

If you thought there’s only one type of dental floss, you’re in for a surprise.

What are the different types of dental floss?

Waxed Dental Floss

Waxed floss has a light wax coating, less likely to break. The wax could possibly make it a bit tougher to reach tight spots though.

Unwaxed Dental Floss

Unwaxed floss is a thin nylon floss made up of about 35 strands twisted together. It fits into tight spaces better than waxed floss, but it also has a greater chance of breaking or shredding.

Polytetrafluorethylene Dental Floss

Sounds pretty high-tech, doesn’t it? Polytetrafluorethylene floss is made of the same material found in Gore-Tex fabric. It easily slides between teeth and is less likely to tear or shred.

Dental Tape

Dental tape, like tape, is more flat and broad in shape. It comes waxed or unwaxed. People often find it more comfortable than regular floss.

Super Dental Flosses

Super flosses are made from yarn-like material. It has a stiffer section on each end that can be beneficial for those with braces and bridges.

Flavored Dental Floss

You may be able to find all of the above types of floss in flavored versions. The most common flavor would be mint, which also freshens breath. Kids may especially take a lot more interest in flavored floss. Whatever works, right?

Flavored floss is also perfect to take to school or work to freshen up after lunch and coffee breaks, when most people don’t brush.

Questions about dental floss? Ask your dentist at your next scheduled checkup and cleaning. If you’re located in Surrey, come see us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry! Book your appointment today: 604-593-8201.

 

Waterpik vs. Dental Floss

It goes without saying that flossing isn’t exactly everyone’s favorite thing to do, which is unfortunately why many people don’t floss. However, it goes without saying that if you want a healthy mouth, you have to floss. This is absolutely a non-negotiable.

If I have a waterpik, do I still have to floss?

A waterpik is a very cool device that adds some ease and excitement to your dental care routine. It uses a pulsating of water to expel bacteria from the pockets of your gums. So yes, they are a great addition to your bathroom counter, but can they completely replace dental floss? No. You still need it to clean between the tight spaces of your teeth.

Ideally you will floss to scrape off sticky film, get rid of food particles, loosen debris…and then use a waterpik to flush everything out. In other words, in the ideal world, you would use BOTH floss and a waterpik, but not just a waterpik.

Waterpiks are especially great for:

  • People with sensitive gums
  • People with active gum disease / gingivitis
  • People with diabetes because they are more at risk for gum disease and will experience less bleeding with a waterpik
  • People with braces, dentures, and other dental appliances

For family, cosmetic, and emergency dental in Surrey, please call us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry: 604-593-8201.

 

 

How Cavities Are Formed

There is an ongoing battle inside your mouth between bacteria and sugars on one side and saliva and fluoride on the other.

When you eat or drink something starchy or sugary, the bacteria in your mouth uses those remnants to produce acid. These acids are what begin to eat away at the hard, outer surface of your teeth – your enamel.

When white spots appear where minerals have been lost, this is a red flag that decay has begun. Luckily, tooth decay still has the chance to be stopped and reversed at this point (before things are too far gone) because there are minerals in your saliva, like phosphate and calcium. These are combined with fluoride from your toothpaste and your drinking water. This is what helps your enamel repair itself, as the minerals lost during an “acid attack” are replaced.

This battle between losing minerals and gaining minerals literally goes on all day long.

If the tooth decay goes too far and more minerals are lost, your enamel gets weak and cavities will start to form. When it gets to the point of an actual cavity, a dentist needs to step in and repair this with a tooth filling.

Be sure to get a dental checkup every six months to ensure you don’t have any cavities, yourself. If you do though, no worries! We can fill them for you and get you back in top shape! Call our dental clinic in Surrey BC today: 604-593-8201.

 

 

 

What is Malocclusion?

You may or may not have heard of malocclusion before, but it is commonly used by orthodontists to mean that your teeth are not properly aligned.

Your upper teeth should sit slightly over your lower teeth when you bite together. Your top molars should also fit into the grooves of your bottom molars. In addition to looking good aesthetically, this placement is also needed to prevent dental problems, such as shifting teeth.

When there are problems with your teeth not aligning or fitting together properly, your dentist will refer you to an orthodontist (unless they also provide traditional wire braces and/or Invisalign at their dental clinic).

Braces or Invisalign will:

  • Correct and prevent problems
  • Correct abnormal bites
  • Help with TMJ

Symptoms of malocclusion include:

  • Abnormal wearing of your teeth
  • Problems chewing food
  • Pain in your mouth or jaw
  • Frequently biting the inside of your cheek

What causes malocclusion?

There is no single cause, however, malocclusion is often hereditary. It could also be due to sucking your thumb or using a pacifier at a young age. The shape of your jaw could also affect this, or even a cleft lip or cleft palate.

Other reasons may include:

  • Lost teeth from injuries or accidents
  • Overcrowding of teeth
  • An abnormal bite
  • Impacted teeth
  • Teeth that are abnormally shaped
  • Poor-fitting crowns, braces, retainers, and/or other
  • Tumors in your mouth or jaw

Please call us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry to book a dental appointment in Surrey today at: 604-593-8201.

 

Pros & Cons of Brushing with Baking Soda

Most people have baking soda in their fridge to absorb odors, for baking and cooking, or even for cleaning. You may have noticed that some toothpaste brands are centered around it as well, or even read online that baking soda can be used by itself for teeth whitening to fight stains from tea, coffee, cola, and tobacco. But the question is…is it safe for your teeth?

Well, let’s take a look at the pros first. In addition to brightening your smile, baking soda:

  • Attacks the formation of plaque, preventing tooth decay and even gum disease
  • Helps fight bad breath by balancing out the acidic levels of food particles in your mouth
  • Helps treat sore mouth ulcers

And, now the cons:

  • Using baking soda by itself own can be quite messy (which is why people would prefer to use it as part of a toothpaste in a tube)
  • Baking soda on it’s own is not enough to prevent or fight tooth decay, as it isn’t able to kill bacteria
  • Baking soda can unfortunately wear away your tooth enamel, as it can be quite abrasive (which is why it is able to whiten your teeth)
  • Baking soda can be harsh on your gums
  • Baking soda can soften the adhesiveness of your dental glue, used for things like braces and retainers
  • You may not appreciate the grittiness or aftertaste

After reading this, you may be deterred from using baking soda on your teeth, or even baking soda toothpaste. It is best to discuss this with your dentist at your next visit. That said, if you plan to use it in the meantime, it is advisable to not use it more than two or three times a week. Also, don’t let it stay on your teeth for more than a couple of minutes.

If you are interested in professional teeth whitening in Surrey, BC area, we would love to help you! Call Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry today at 604- 593-8201 to book your appointment.

Natural Remedies to Soothe Your Toothache

It goes without saying that no one wants to get a toothache. They’re painful and can serve as an irritating distraction until you are able to get treatment. If you find yourself in this predicament and unable to see a dentist right away, you may be interested in trying these home remedies to soothe your toothache in the meantime:

Swish with Salt Water

If you dissolve salt in hot water, it can act as a natural antiseptic mouthwash. Let it cool down to a temperature that will not burn your mouth, then swish it for at least 30 seconds before spitting it out. This will help remove debris and food particles, which if left in the mouth, could further infect your tooth. The salt will attack the microbes in your mouth that are causing you pain.

Ice

Place ice cubes in a sealed plastic bag, then wrap a thin cloth around it. Press it against your cheek in the area where your toothache is. This can help with swelling as well.

Cold Food & Drink

Choosing cold food and drink can cool down nerve endings and reduce pain after a tooth extraction.

Cloves

Cloves can help numb the nerves of your tooth, which can ease the pain. This is because the primary chemical compound found in cloves called “Eugenol” acts as a mild anaesthetic. Cloves can be used whole, as clove oil, or in powdered form. You can inquire about usage at your local health store.

Garlic

Known for it’s antibiotic medicinal properties, garlic can provide relief for your toothache. You can either crush it and apply it to your tooth or chew a clove to release it’s oil.

So, hopefully one of more of these remedies can come in handy for you until you get a chance to see your dentist. If your toothache is caused by trauma, please see an emergency dentist asap.

Please call us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry for emergency dental services in Surrey today at: 604-593-8201.

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604-593-8201Monday 10:00am-6:00pm
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Surrey, BC V3W 3M5