How Mouth-Guards Help Protect Athletes

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Today one of my Athletic patients asked me about mouth guards and how mouth guards can help to protect her teeth.

Our mission as your family dentist is to improve your oral health and, generally speaking, protect your mouth from any unpredictable injuries and parafunctional habits.

A properly fitted mouth guard must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, well fitting, and cause minimal interference to speaking and breathing – a critical aspect of any sport.

Unfortunately, the term “mouth guard” is universal and includes a large range of products from the over-the-counter boil and bite models to the professionally manufactured and custom fit sports mouth guards provided by our practice. GENERIC over-the-counter sports mouth guards DO NOT provide the same protection available from a properly fitted custom made sports mouth guard at our office.

To get a custom fit mouth guard, our patients visit our Coquitlam dental office for two appointments. The first is only 30 minutes long when our assistant takes an impression of your upper and lower teeth using a quick setting polymer gel.  Then at the second appointment, about a week later, we will have you try in the mouth guard and we will adjust any areas of tightness or discomfort.

It’s important to note that all sports mouth guards should be replaced after 24 months or two ‘seasons’ of play because they can wear down over time, making them less effective.

Replacement sports guards are especially important for adolescents because their mouths continue to grow as their teeth develop into adulthood. Many athletes who play different sports order new mouth guards from our dental office every six months as part of their routine dental check-up.

Oral Cancer – Are you at risk?

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While anyone can develop oral cancer, the risk factor is higher in certain demographics. It is typically diagnosed in patients aged 55-64 and occurs more often in men than women. Gender aside, 70% of people diagnosed with oral cancer are heavy drinkers.

Whether you fit into one of these high risk categories or not, knowing the symptoms and checking your mouth routinely can keep you in charge of your oral health.

When oral cancer is found early and treated (before it has time to spread to other areas of the body) the 5-year survival rate nearly doubles.

You know your mouth best – when something feels unusual it’s best to get it looked at by your Dentist. Take special note of the following:

  • a sore or irritation that does not go away within 3 weeks;
  • red or white patches
  • a lump
  • rough spots on normally smooth areas.

If you do notice any of the above symptoms, Dr. Shahriary would be happy to see you and do an examination.

During your regularly scheduled cleanings Dr. Shahriary will check your mouth for abnormalities, however, if you have specific reasons for concern Dr. Shahriary’s office also offers VELscope screenings – a special light which provides enhanced visualization of oral mucosal abnormalities. This screening can be done during your routine check up and only takes about 2 minutes.

Your oral health is our top priority! Call today for your routine check up. (604) 936-1263

 

Your Best Smile – What are the options?

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It’s no secret that being self-conscious about your smile affects the first impression you make – walking into a room with a confident smile does wonders for your self-esteem! Dr. Shahriary offers many different options for improving your oral health and giving you your “best smile”.

Tooth Whitening

If your main concerns lie with the colour of your teeth, rather than the shape or any missing teeth the best option is at-home tooth whitening. Dr. Shahriary’s office makes bleach kits which include custom trays (fit for your mouth only) and a concentrated bleaching gel you can take home and use in your own time! This gel is a higher concentration than what you can purchase at your local drug store and is sold only in dental offices.

Veneers

Veneers are a great option if you’re not satisfied with the overall appearance of your teeth. They provide a more uniform and brighter smile, while still looking like your natural teeth. Thin pieces of ceramic are bonded to the front of your teeth in your preferred shape and shade – covering any discolouration, or superficial chips and cracks that you are unhappy with. Dr. Shahriary has taken additional courses for smile design and has learned the latest techniques to give you a “Hollywood smile.”

Implants

Missing teeth can be the biggest source of embarrassment about your smile, especially if it is a front tooth. In years past the only options for replacing missing teeth were fixed bridgework or partial dentures; options which require special care and consideration when eating, flossing, or brushing.  Dental implants look and function like natural teeth without affecting the health of the surrounding teeth.  With over 13 years experience placing dental implants, Dr. Shahriary can confidently give you a new tooth and refreshed smile using the best current methods of implant dentistry.

Total Smile Overhaul

Unhappy with your entire smile? Using a combination of these techniques, Dr. Shahriary and staff are trained to give you the best options to make you smile again. From treatment planning to payment options and coordinating with your dental insurance company, we would like to help you get back your smile confidence!

Call today to set up a consultation appointment and we can help plan a treatment that works for your needs and budget.

(604) 936-1263

Why 1 in 3 Middle-Aged Americans are Embarrassed by their teeth

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A national poll taken by the University of Michigan on Healthy Aging found that a third of Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 have said the condition of their teeth has caused pain, difficulty eating, missed work, and other health problems.

56% of respondents also say that they only seek dental care for serious dental problems. Lack of adequate dental insurance seems to be the main issue as overall, 28% of respondents reported not having any sort of dental coverage. Looking to the future, over half of the respondents did not know how they would obtain dental insurance once they turned 65.

When you visit a dentist, it is the dentist’s job to make you a treatment plan based on your oral health needs. It’s your right to decide whether or not you want to go ahead with any treatment. If you don’t have a dental plan, Dr.Ross Shahriary and staff can help to give you information about the options available to you.

The good news is that by brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly for dental exams (which are less expensive than fixing serious dental problems) you can avoid costly dental treatment.