Dental Did You Know: Smoking and Life Expectancy

You lose 3 months of life expectancy for every year of smoking past the age of 40.

Source: Clinical Tobacco Intervention Bulletin, Vol 7, No 1, pg 1, March 2008, http://www.ctica.org

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Smoking and Doses of Nicotine

A person who smokes a pack of cigarettes will inhale approx 70 000 doses of nicotine per year.

Source: Clinical Tobacco Intervention Bulletin, Vol 7, No 1, pg 1, March 2008, http://www.ctica.org

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Smoking and Nicotine

When delivered by smoking, nicotine reaches the brain in 7-10 seconds.

Source: Clinical Tobacco Intervention Bulletin, Vol 7, No 1, pg 1, March 2008, http://www.ctica.org/


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Cosmetic Dentistry: Before and After Pics Part One

I've always wanted to post a few pics of some of the more interesting cases I have done over the years. The first project is a maxillary (upper) reconstruction of a number of broken, decayed, and infected teeth with a combination of root canals, crowns and veneers.

My thanks as always to Krest Labs in Mississauga.

Before:


















After:



















Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

First Nations and Inuit Dental Coverage

We are pleased to offer dental care to our First Nations (Aboriginal) and Inuit patients, paid by the Government of Canada's NIHB program. To be minimally eligible, you must be a member of one of the above groups with a status card (bring this to your first appointment). Other requirements/information may be needed before accessing the full benefits of this program.

To take advantage of your benefits, contact Jodie at our office at 905 273-7100 stating that you are a First Nations/Inuit person wanting NIHB dental care.



Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Relaunched Ontario Dental Association Website

Hi everyone,

the Ontario Dental Association has relaunched and redesigned their website. The new site: youroralhealth.ca emphasizes the new consumer-focus of the ODA's main internet property. Improved graphics, navigation, and interactive areas are just a few of the numerous improvements. I encourage everyone to check it out.

Cheers

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Draft Preview: Tooth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions

Hi everyone, I've been slowly working on this for our website, but I decided to put up a preview. It still needs to be fleshed out a bit and the references need to be put in, but I thought this might be useful as is. I will post a more complete version on the blog and website in the near future.

What is tooth whitening?

It is a process of using oxidizing agents, usually carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide to "bleach" areas in the hard outer areas of the tooth (the enamel) that contain stain deposits. Over a period of time, whitening solutions can also lighten the inner areas of the tooth (the dentin).

What causes dark teeth?

In most people, staining of teeth is due to food and drink consumption, especially items that are known to stain teeth (e.g. coffee/tea/red wine). This stain buildup is also often seen with cigarette smoking. In other rare cases, medications such as tetracycline can cause teeth to get darker.

What is the ideal procedure to whiten my teeth?

Ideally, most people require 7 weeks to get a stable colour change with minimal sensitivity. We recommend to our patients to use a desensitizing toothpaste (like Sensodyne-F) for 2-3 weeks before starting to whiten. At the same time, our office takes two impressions, one each of your upper and lower teeth to fabricate custom trays. We then instruct our patients on the proper usage of each kit, usually inserting the trays with whitening gel into your mouth for a period of a few minutes to overnight depending on the type of bleaching desired. After a couple weeks of usage, the desired effects are usually achieved. However, the final stable colour is arrived at 2 weeks after bleaching due to a slight rebound effect.

Will I have sensitivity?

In most cases, yes...ranging from almost none to substantial (this is despite what most manufacturers say). Most sensitivity can be easily managed or eliminated through the use of desensitizing toothpastes and/or gel. This sensitivity is short term and usually stops shortly after the removal of the bleaching trays. Patients who have receding gums and/or many fillings should be aware that they are at a substantially higher risk of sensitivity.

How long does the whitening last?

Usually between 6-12 months before a touch up is required. The actual time depends on a number of factors including coffee/tea intake, staining food consumption, cigarette smoking, and general daily hygiene to name a few.

Will it whitening my fillings or restorations?

No, it does not change the colour of your fillings, thus it is important (if possible) to bleach and let the colour stabilize before restoring teeth so that colours can be matched more accurately.

Does bleaching affect the strength of my fillings and/or teeth?

In general, bleaching does not affect porcelain/gold restorations. It can slightly affect the strength of tooth coloured and silver fillings. It can also slightly weaken cements. To my knowledge, there is no significant evidence showing any structural or irreversible changes to tooth structure.

You seem to promote/prefer the custom tray option versus the in-office 1 hour whitening, why?

I believe it offers the best combination of performance (best results), value (best cost, since it is usually not covered by insurance) and longevity (touch up gels are sold at our cost and only need to be applied every 6 months or so and the custom trays can last up to 5 years).


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Dental Amalgam

Dental Amalgam is a mix of metal that is composed of mercury, silver, tin, copper and (in certain cases) other metallic elements. It is extremely durable, and is the most widely used and researched material for fillings. It has been in use for over 150 years.


Source: Fact Sheet-Amalgam, What's in a Filling, AGD Impact, March 2008, Vol 36, No 3, pg 52.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Carbamide Peroxide and Hydrogen Peroxide in Whitening Products

I get this question quite often in interpreting the actual strength of whitening products. In general, carbamide peroxide converts to approx. 3 times less hydrogen peroxide. (i.e. 22% carbamide peroxide is generally equivalent to 7.5% hydrogen peroxide). Ask your dentist about the comparative strengths and weaknesses of dentist delivered vs. off-the-shelf whitening products.

Take care

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Toothbrush Review in the Toronto Star

Hi everyone, I just came across this review of the Ultreo ultrasonic toothbrush. Please remind yourself that this review comes from a non-dental professional and may contain biased or not sufficiently independent data from the manufacturer.

Here's the teaser quote:

The automation of personal grooming is upon us.

Not long from now, we will raise a generation of children who will not understand the purpose of a toothbrush that doesn't vibrate, beep and require recharging.

One of our most ancient personal hygiene tools has undergone dramatic technological change.

We've reviewed the Oral-B Sonic Complete and Philips' Sonicare brushes in this space before. But there's a new challenger putting its money where our mouths are.

The Ultreo ($170), the brainchild of scientists at the University of Washington, is the first to use ultrasound waves to break down plaque and attack oral stains.

The Ultreo brush head features, of all things, an "ultrasound transducer." The small orange lump surrounded by bristles is designed to channel ultrasound vibrations through water and saliva to create bubbles. Those bubbles, in turn, pulsate and do the cleaning work.

You can read the rest of the article by clicking the link below:

Source: Cribb R, Cribb Notes, Toronto Star Online: March 17/08, Another Leap Forward for our Pearly Whites

http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/346698

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Saliva Testing

Saliva (spit) can be tested for (among other things): salivary chemistry, oral bacteria counts, quantity, viscosity, pH and buffering capacity. A DNA sample can also be retrieved.

Source (partial): Feldman B, Upfront, OD Editorial: A Different Approach, Ontario Dentist, Vol 85, No 2, pg 6.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Closed today due to bad weather

Hi everyone,

We are closing the practice today due to the bad weather (snow, freezing rain, very tough driving conditions). Jodie will be giving everyone a call to reschedule their appointments to another Saturday or weekday. Please call our practice number if you have an emergency.

Take care and everyone stay safe.

Hans


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Changing Hours on Wednesday.

We will be changing our hours on Wednesday from 8am-12pm to 12-4pm. This is to allow better contact hours for our patients either in person or by phone. Thanks for your feedback! The changes are effective this month and will shortly be reflected on the website and phone messages.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Hair Loss and Dental Infections

Alopecia (a loss of hair of unknown origin) may be linked to infections in teeth according to researchers from the University of Granada in Spain.

Source: FYI Research, AGD Impact, Feb 2008, Vol 36, No 2, pg 20.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Ibucodone

Ibucodone is a new class of narcotic pain killer that combines ibuprofen (200mg) with hydrocodone (7.5mg). Clinical trials have shown a synergistic effect that is greater than the individual components. It has its maximal effect when taken before a procedure.

Source: Kermalli J and Tenenbaum H, Prevention and Management of Acute Orofacial Pain; Treating the Whole Spectrum, Feb 2008, Vol 98, No 2, pg 29-37.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a good pain killer for dental pain, but has minimal to no anti-inflammatory effects. It also has anti-fever properties.

Source: Kermalli J and Tenenbaum H, Prevention and Management of Acute Orofacial Pain; Treating the Whole Spectrum, Feb 2008, Vol 98, No 2, pg 29-37.


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Oral Longevity: A Glaxo and ADA Initiative

GlaxoSmithKline and the American Dental Association (ADA) have partnered together, creating a program called OralLongevity (yes, all one word) which focuses on improving and maintaining good oral health throughout life. The program is offering free information to patients, caregivers and dental professionals with the goal of increasing awareness of the need for better oral health. There is a free DVD online and brochure at:
http://www.orallongevity.ada.org.

Source: FYI Health, AGD Impact, Jan 2008, Vol 36, No 1, pg 22.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: February is National Children's Dental Health Month

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. The American Dental Association (ADA) has a nice web page discussing their recommendations for proper pediatric dental care. Here's the teaser quote:

The ADA recommends regular dental check-ups, including a visit to the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, and no later than the child's first birthday. Preventive care such as cleanings and if necessary, fluoride treatments, provide children with 'smile' insurance. Routine dental exams uncover problems that can be easily treated in the early stages, when damage is minimal.

Read the rest of the article here: February is National Children's Health Month

Source: American Dental Association, Online Media Release, Feb 4, 2008, http://www.ada.org/public/media/releases/0802_release01.asp

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Smoking pot may fuel risk of early gum disease: Study

Found this article in Toronto Star online, here's the teaser quote:

There doesn't seem to be any shortage of reasons cited as to why marijuana is bad for health. Now from the world of dentistry comes another: regular pot-smoking seems to bump up the risk of developing gum disease – and earlier in life than expected.

In a study of more than 900 young adults, researchers found that heavy tokers were 1.6 times more likely to have at least mild periodontal disease, compared to those who had never smoked grass.

You can read the rest of the story here: Smoking pot may fuel risk of early gum disease

Source: Toronto Star Online, Feb 5, 2008 http://www.thestar.com/living/Health/article/300675

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Whole Grain Intake and Periodontitis

Men who had a higher whole grain intake were 23% less likely to develop periodontitis than those who had less intake.

Source: Sevels I, Clincal Abstracts, Ontario Dentist, Jan/Feb, Vol 85, No 1, pg 16-17.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100