Professional dental whitening treatments remove existing stains and help your teeth look white and luminous again. Most patients notice that their teeth look significantly better after just one whitening treatment from our dentist. Once you achieve white teeth, you want to do your best to maintain them—but how? Here are some tips from our Abbotsford teeth whitening dentists!

Don’t skimp on dental hygiene

So you get home, and you’re enjoying your bright new smile. As you’re getting ready for bed you pull your toothbrush out and momentarily think, “hm, should I floss first?” The answer is yes! The first step to maintaining your white smile is cleaning your teeth and gums thoroughly. This means brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash if necessary. And remember, you need to have professional dental cleanings on a semi-annual basis to get rid of dirty-looking plaque and tartar.

Be aware of what you’re eating and drinking

Certain substances stain teeth more than others. If you drink coffee or tea every morning, you will probably start to notice some environmental stains. If you frequently drink soda or red wine, you may start to see some discoloration on your enamel.

If you want to minimize environmental stains (and who doesn’t?), you should…

1. Limit the number of staining substances that you consume

2. Attempt to get the staining substance off of your teeth as soon as possible. Try brushing right after eating or drinking, or rinsing your mouth with water if you are unable to brush.

3. Consider how long your teeth are being exposed to these staining substances. If you drink a coffee and then brush your teeth right after, this is less damaging than sipping a coffee throughout the day.

Our Abbotsford dentist is here to help you maximize the results of your cosmetic treatment. Give us a call to get started today!

Many patients know how to spot whether they have a cavity—they look for dark spots on their teeth, and stay alert for any signs of dental pain when they eat and drink. Far fewer patients, however, can recognize the symptoms and problems associated with gum disease. Our Abbotsford dentist office has put together this explanation of gum disease in order to help you better understand this harmful condition.

So what is gum disease?

Gum disease occurs when oral bacteria from plaque and tartar are able to infiltrate the gum tissue in your mouth. Over time this infection will grow and spread, eventually damaging your entire mouth. If gum disease is left untreated you could suffer from…

· Receding gums

· Tooth loss

· Bone tissue deterioration

How do I know if I am suffering from gum disease?

The best way for you to know whether you require gum disease treatment is to see your dentist for a professional cleaning. Your dentist will be able to spot any calling cards of gum disease. Furthermore, if you notice any of these problems, you should ask your dentist about gum disease…

· Chronic, hard-to-treat bad breath

· Red and/or swollen gum tissue

· Teeth that feel “loose” or are shifting around

· Bleeding oral tissues

It is so important that you receive prompt and effective treatment for this condition, as delayed treatment may lead to serious health problems. Patients suffering from gum disease are actually at a greater risk of suffering from…

· Heart disease

· Stroke

· Diabetes

· Elevated blood pressure

So if you think that you may have gum disease, do not wait to get the dental care that you need. Our Abbotsford dentist office is here to provide you with the high-quality dental care you need to stay well—give us a call to get started!

Patients who suffer from tooth loss often experience anxiety about the appearance of their smiles. Additionally, missing teeth put patients at risk for further tooth loss and jawbone deterioration. In this situation, finding a replacement tooth option that works for you is critical. The sooner you replace your tooth, the better your long-term prognosis.

One increasingly popular tooth loss treatment in our Abbotsford dentist office is the dental implant. A dental implant is essentially a stand-alone replacement tooth that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once the dental implant is in place and functional, you will be able to treat and care for it as you would a natural tooth.

Every dental implant is actually comprised of three distinct pieces. These parts of the dental implant are attached in two different phases of treatment.

In the first phase of treatment, our dentist surgically implants a titanium implant root into your jawbone. The titanium root will be the foundation of your implant—holding your implant in place, and helping to keep the surrounding bone tissue healthy.

After the implant root has been inserted, our dental team will wait for it to heal, and then embark on the second phase of treatment. In the second phase, we attach a connector piece to the top of the titanium root—this is called the abutment. Then, the abutment is topped with a natural-looking dental restoration in the shape of a tooth—this is the only part of your implant that is visible in your mouth.

All of these pieces work together to give you a healthy and attractive smile. Ready to learn more? Our Abbotsford dental implant dentist is here to help you evaluate this exciting treatment, and ultimately make the right decision for you. We look forward to working with you to achieve your dream smile.

When you undergo restorative dental treatment, you want to make sure that your smile looks better after treatment than it did before! Traditional amalgam fillings leave a lot to be desired aesthetically—although they can restore the functionality of your tooth, they can actually make your smile look worse. The good news is that our Abbotsford dentist office offers a modern alternative to amalgam fillings.

Fillings are designed to restore teeth after a dentist has removed decayed dental material. Patients who have had cavities in the past may already have amalgam fillings, and thus may have already experienced some of the drawbacks of metallic fillings.

· Amalgam fillings look dark and metallic—they can actually make your tooth appear grey.

· As amalgam fillings age, they may leach into your surrounding tooth.

· Amalgam fillings often contain mercury.

· Amalgam fillings can compromise your tooth structure over time, because they expand and contract in your tooth due to hot and cold temperature.

Modern white composite fillings, on the other hand, can restore your tooth without the hassles of amalgam fillings. These fillings are made of composite dental resin, which means they can be shaded to suit your individual tooth shade. Post treatment you won’t be able to tell where your natural tooth ends and your dental filling begins.

Composite resin fillings have the additional advantage of being durable. You will be able to eat and drink your favorite foods with composite fillings, and care for them as you care for your natural teeth. With proper care your resin fillings will last for years and years before they need to be repaired or replaced.

Do you have more questions about restorative dental treatments? If so, feel free to call our Abbotsford dentist office to get started today! Our dentist can help you achieve the healthy and stunning smile that you deserve.

When a tooth becomes severely damaged or infected, many patients will require root canal therapy to restore their healthy smiles. If you want to know how this treatment works to restore damaged teeth, read on for more information from our Abbotsford root canal dentist. We have put together this brief explanation to help you understand the process of root canal treatment.

The first thing to know is that every tooth is made up of several different layers.

· The dental enamel is the white, hard, shiny outer layer of your tooth

· Below the dental enamel is a layer of dentin—dentin is more porous than dental enamel, but it still a hard protective layer of your tooth

· Both the dental enamel and the dentin protect the inner core of your tooth, which is comprised of nerves, blood vessels, and tissue

So basically, when the first two layers of your tooth—enamel and dentin—are damaged, the inner core of your tooth is exposed. This can be very painful for the patient, and it can leave the rest of your mouth and jawbone susceptible to infection.

Root canal therapy is designed to restore your tooth after it has been damaged.

· The first goal of root canal therapy is to remove all of the damaged and infected tissue. Our dentist will clear away your dental pulp and dental roots in order to sterilize the inside of your tooth.

· After your tooth is cleaned out, we will reseal your tooth. After root canal treatment you will be able to eat and drink normally, and your tooth will still look natural and healthy.

Do you want to learn more about how root canal therapy works? Call our Abbotsford root canal dentist office to get more information or to schedule your own appointment with our dental team!

When a patient loses a tooth due to infection or accident, he or she is susceptible to a number of dental health problems and complications. Consequently, all patients suffering from tooth loss should seek prompt restorative treatment from a dentist. Today our Abbotsford dentist office has put together this explanation of one dental option that we use to treat tooth loss—dental implant treatment. Read on to learn more!

Whatever replacement tooth treatment you ultimately choose, you want to make sure that your replacement tooth meets all of your needs.

· Your treatment should restore the appearance of your smile, so that you can smile confidently again. Thanks to the wonders of modern dentistry, many replacement teeth can now be customized to match the appearance of your natural enamel.

· The replacement tooth you choose should also promote dental health. Tooth loss can destabilize your remaining teeth, and even lead to gum disease and bone tissue deterioration.

Dental implants can help you achieve your dental goals!

· The dental restoration portion of your dental implant will be shaped, sized, and colored to enhance your smile and blend with your existing enamel. You never have to worry about your dental implant looking dull or fake.

· Dental implants are unique because they are surgically implanted into the jawbone. Your dental restoration will be grounded with a small titanium screw that serves as your tooth root. This implant root keeps your remaining teeth from shifting along your gum line, and it promotes healthy jawbone density.

As you can see, dental implants can improve the appearance and the health of your smile after unexpected tooth loss. Our Abbotsford cosmetic dentist office is here to walk you through the implantation process, so give us a call for more information! Get the dental treatment you need to stay healthy and happy!

It used to be that patients who wanted to correct multiple cosmetic dental problems had to go through multiple treatment processes to get results. They had to straighten their teeth with orthodontic treatment, whiten enamel with dental whitening, and correct cracks and chips with dental bonding. Now, however, you can achieve a perfected smile with just one cosmetic treatment—dental veneers.

Veneers are thin layers of porcelain that cover teeth to improve their appearance. Dental veneers are crafted to suit each individual patient, and then attached to existing teeth with dental adhesive. Let’s learn more about what kinds of cosmetic dental issues our Abbotsford veneers dentist corrects with dental veneers!

If you want to correct any of these problems, dental veneers may be right for you…

· Misaligned teeth—crooked teeth can be made to look straighter with dental veneers. Veneers can be built up slightly to make your teeth appear better aligned.

· Gaps in your smile—dental veneers can be crafted to be slightly wider than your natural teeth in order to cover spaces in your smile.

· Damaged dental enamel—if you have cracks and chips in your teeth, veneers will completely cover these imperfections, and make your enamel appear smooth.

· Dark or stained teeth—if your teeth have darkened, yellowed, or accumulated stains over time, veneers will cover your enamel and give your smile a bright white appearance again. Many patients who have not been able to whiten their teeth with traditional whitening treatments benefit from veneers.

If you are interested in improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers may be able to help you. When you meet with our dentist, he will be able to help you determine whether veneers meet your dental needs. To get started, and to learn more about this treatment option, call our Abbotsford veneers dentist office!

Professional dental care will keep you keep your smile—both your teeth and your gum tissue—healthy for years to come. Our Abbotsford dentist office is proud to offer the highest quality dental care available to our patients—we work tirelessly to make sure that you maintain the healthy smile that you deserve. What can professional dental care do for you?

1. Help prevent dental decay—cavities and gum disease

Professional dental cleanings help keep your mouth free of the damaging plaque and tartar that develop in your mouth everyday. If left untouched, plaque and tartar lead to bad breath, dental cavities, and gum disease. Most patients should have a cleaning every six months—regular cleanings prevent plaque and tartar from getting out of control.

2. Get you the prompt treatment you need

If you do suffer from existing dental problems, they may not be apparent until they are quite advanced. Gum disease, for example, is often asymptomatic in its earliest stages. This means that for many patients, they don’t realize that they have gum disease until it’s too late to easily reverse it. Your dentist, however, will be able to spot the telltale signs of dental problems long before you can—ensuring that you get the prompt and effective treatment that you need to stay healthy.

3. Screen for oral cancer

Along the same lines, your dentist will perform an oral cancer screening during your appointment. It’s vitally important to catch oral cancers in their earliest stages—a patients’ prognosis improves the earlier the cancer is detected and treated.

If you’ve been putting off professional dental care, now’s the time to reestablish those positive dental health habits! Give our Abbotsford dentist office a call to learn more or schedule your own appointment with our dental team! We look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.

Many patients find that their teeth start to change color and become darker with age. The truth is that this is a natural occurrence of dental aging, and today our Abbotsford cosmetic dentist is going to explain the different causes of this discoloration…

Young teeth have dental enamel (the outer covering of the tooth) that is young and thick. This is why young teeth appear so white and bright! Over time, however, changes to your dental enamel will alter the appearance of your teeth.

Because your teeth go through so much each day—they’re exposed to a variety of substances and chewing can stress your enamel—the dental enamel on your teeth wears down over time. The dental enamel thins all over, and it becomes more susceptible to chipping and cracking. How does this affect the color of your teeth?

1. As your enamel thins, more of the dentin—the tooth layer below the enamel—shows through. Now dentin is naturally a more yellow, darker color than enamel. So as the enamel thins, more of the dentin color shows through to the surface of the tooth, making your smile appear dark.

2. The micro cracks and chips in the enamel accumulate stains easily, and darken the appearance of the enamel. Staining substances like red wine, tea, coffee, and soft drinks will stain enamel more dramatically than they would stain healthy, strong enamel.

While it’s natural that your teeth darken due to environmental factors and wear and tear over time, you don’t have to live the rest of your life with a dulling smile! With professional dental whitening treatments our dentist can rejuvenate darkened enamel and make your smile appear young, fresh, and clean again.

To get more information about professional dental whitening treatments, or to schedule an appointment with our Abbotsford teeth whitening dentist, give us a call!

The most important thing you can do for your smile is to maintain a diligent schedule of dental hygiene care. Unfortunately, many adult patients avoid dental treatment because they feel nervous or scared. The good news is that this common problem is easily overcome with modern sedation dentistry! Our Abbotsford sedation dentist office is proud to offer these treatments to help all kinds of patients get the treatments they need. Does this sound like you?

1. “One time I saw a dentist and it went terribly”

Many patients avoid dental care because at some point in the past, often in childhood, they had a bad experience with a specific dentist or a specific treatment. Calming sedation treatment can help you feel calm before and during your dental treatment.

2. “My teeth are really sensitive, I just don’t want to be in pain!”

We totally understand, nobody wants to feel pain in the dentist’s chair. With sedation dentistry you can get the treatment you need without discomfort. Our dentist will help you determine what kind of sedation treatment is right for your and your treatment, specifically.

3. “I just know that once I get to the dentist’s I’m going to have to have so many different treatments—my mouth is a mess!”

The first thing to keep in mind is that the longer you wait to address your dental issues the worse they will get—so it’s best to bite the bullet and get the treatment you need. Sedation dentistry allows patients to have multiple dental treatments without tensing up and feeling wiped out.

No matter what your concern, our Abbotsford dentist office can help you get the treatment you need without the stress and discomfort you don’t. Give us a call to learn more and schedule your personal consultation—we’re here for you!