How can we help you?
At Toronto Lakeshore Dental, we want to ensure that you understand the treatment you need or the procedure you’re having, and for this reason we welcome any and all of your questions.
Dr. Joo, Dr. Moore, and our entire team are here to answer any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to ask us!
Here are some of the questions we frequently hear. If yours is not answered here, please feel free to contact us.
Preventive Dental Care
For most patients who are in good oral health, we recommend two visits per year (every six months). Attending your regular dental appointments ensures that we can screen you for conditions such as tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Being proactive about your oral health gives you the best chance of treating these conditions with the least invasive and most inexpensive treatment possible.
Advanced Dental Care in Toronto
For those patients who struggle with periodontal (gum) disease, we recommend three visits per year (every four months) so we can help you maintain your oral health. If left untreated, advanced cases of gum disease can eventually lead to bone and tooth loss. Unfortunately, there is no cure for gum disease; however, we can help you combat the effects of gum disease and maintain your oral health through improved home care and additional cleanings and check-ups.
Contact Our Etobicoke Dental Clinic
Dr. Joo offers advanced gum therapy for patients with severe gum disease. With the help of his skill and extensive training, you'll be able to reclaim your oral health. At Toronto Lakeshore Dental, we strive to meet all your needs so you'll never have to go elsewhere for your care. Contact us today to learn more about our preventative services.
Flossing should be integral to your preventive dental care and home routine. It is a quick and easy way to protect your teeth from problems like gum disease and tooth decay.
We're often asked why flossing your teeth is important, and it's because you're removing the plaque and bacteria that can cause tooth decay and cavities from between your teeth.
Yes! You can actually get cavities in between your teeth.
Flossing Is Important to Oral Health
Removing this bacteria also strengthens the gums and helps to prevent gum disease, which is an infection of the soft tissues and the bone that support your teeth.
Flossing is a simple quick habit to develop, and you should strive to do it at least once daily.
Correct Flossing Techniques
Proper flossing techniques start with about 18 inches of floss that you'll wrap around one finger from each hand. You'll pull floss gently between each tooth, moving up the side of the tooth in a C-shaped motion. Be sure to use a clean piece of floss in between each tooth so you don't spread the bacteria.
Book a Dental Cleaning in Etobicoke
Preventive dentistry in Etobicoke protects your smile. Be sure to contact your team at Toronto Lakeshore Dental if it's time to book your next dental appointment.
Your routine preventive appointments are your teeth cleanings and checkups that take place every six months for most patients. People who are managing gum disease may have teeth cleanings every three to four months. Your Etobicoke dentist will also take x-rays once a year to monitor your internal dental health.
During your bi-annual examinations, your dentist will screen you for concerns like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. It is best to treat all of these issues as early as possible, which saves you time, stress, money, and could save your life in the case of oral cancer.
Thorough Dental Cleanings
Your hygienist performs a teeth cleaning to remove any excess plaque and bacteria that you might've missed at home. When you don't remove it daily, plaque buildup turns into tartar, which can irritate your gums and cause gum disease. Plaque buildup is also a contributor to tooth decay and cavities.
The good news is that your dental insurance typically covers most, if not all, of the cost of these critical appointments. Being consistent with your preventative appointments helps you avoid having more significant problems in the future.
Contact Our Etobicoke Dental Practice
If you're in the Etobicoke area searching for a dentist near me, we invite you to contact Toronto Lakeshore Dental to schedule your next preventive teeth cleaning and checkup.
Tooth decay is a common dental problem that leads to cavities. When tooth decay goes undetected, it progresses further into the tooth and can ultimately result in a painful tooth infection.
So, it's essential to understand how tooth decay works and what causes it.
Tooth Decay 101
Many people think that tooth decay is caused by sugar, and while that's partially true, there's a lot more to it.
Sugar is actually the fuel, or food, for the bacteria in your mouth that cause tooth decay. The bacteria ingest the sugar and produce acid as a byproduct. It is the acid that erodes and eats away at tooth enamel, leaving you with a cavity your dentist will need to fill to restore your tooth to health.
The Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Decay
If your tooth suffers from decay, you may notice these symptoms:
- Darkening or discoloration of the tooth
- Pain or tenderness when you chew
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks
Protect Yourself From Tooth Decay and Cavities in Etobicoke
Your best defence against common dental problems like tooth decay, cavities, or gum disease is your routine preventive teeth cleanings and checkups with your Etobicoke dentist.
Contact your team at Toronto Lakeshore Dental at (416) 503-3335 to book an appointment.
Dry mouth is an uncomfortable condition that can impact your oral health. Determining the cause of your dry mouth can help you identify the most effective remedies to alleviate it.
Minimizing Dry Mouth
Some suggestions on how to minimize or eliminate dry mouth are:
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water throughout your day to help your body stay hydrated.
- Stimulate Saliva: You can increase your saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum.
- Humidifier: Use a humidifier at night while you sleep to help reduce dry mouth.
- Maintain Home Care: Continue to brush and floss your teeth regularly to help keep dry mouth at bay.
- Consult Your Dentist: Your dental team can help to identify the causes of dry mouth so you can choose an effective treatment.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
If you're experiencing dry mouth, several factors may be contributing to your condition.
- Medications: Certain medications may cause dry mouth as a side effect.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking or tobacco use contributes to dry mouth.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, like diabetes or Alzheimer's, can contribute to dry mouth.
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluid throughout the day can cause dry mouth.
Contact Our Etobicoke Dental Clinic
If you or a loved one struggles with dry mouth, contact your Etobicoke dentists at (416) 503-3335 for solutions.
The first thing that you can expect when you visit Toronto Lakeshore Dental is a warm welcome! We are happy that you're here, and we look forward to getting to know you and helping you reach your smile goals.
Online Forms For Your Convenience
If you haven't been able to fill out your initial paperwork online or ahead of time, you may want to arrive a few minutes early to do so in our dental office. You can also download forms from this website to work on at your convenience.
Thorough Dental Exam
Then you will spend some time visiting with our hygienist for x-rays, photos, and an initial examination before one of our dentists comes in to meet you. They will perform a thorough exam and review your information to discuss your goals and any treatment recommendations that may be necessary.
If time allows, healthy patients may be able to complete their teeth cleaning at this appointment.
Patients suffering from gum disease may need deeper or additional teeth cleanings to help manage their condition. Dr. Joo has completed extensive training that allows him to offer the full range of treatment for gum disease here at our Etobicoke dental office, including gum grafting surgery.
Contact Our Etobicoke Dental Clinic
If you're looking for a dentist in Etobicoke or near Long Branch that you can trust to have your best interests in mind, we can't wait to welcome you to Toronto Lakeshore Dental!
Even though you don't feel any pain, you should still be concerned about what may be happening in your mouth!
Unfortunately (or fortunately!), most cavities don't cause any pain, which means you may not be aware that you have tooth decay. When cavities get big enough to reach your nerve, you'll start to notice symptoms such as sensitivity and pain. Once you have symptoms, however, treatment procedures get more complex, take longer, and become more expensive. It’s best to be proactive and take care of tooth decay as soon as possible in order to avoid more invasive treatment.
Importance of Preventive Care
This is why regular dental cleanings and check-ups are important. Did you know that Dr. Joo, Dr. Moore, and Dr. Lee can actually detect tooth decay much earlier than you can? By being proactive with your oral health, you may even be able to reverse some cases of tooth decay.
Schedule a Cleaning at Our Etobicoke Clinic
Don't wait until you have pain! Whether it's been a few months or a few years since your last dental appointment, we're happy to see you. Schedule your regular cleaning and check-up today to get on track with your oral health and take care of any concerns that may arise.