Maintaining good oral hygiene goes beyond just brushing your teeth twice a day. While brushing is essential, it primarily cleans the surfaces of your teeth, leaving the spaces between them — the interproximal areas — less attended to. These spaces are particularly vulnerable to plaque buildup, food debris, and ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Dry mouth, or *xerostomia*, is more than just an uncomfortable feeling. It can have profound effects on your oral health, affecting
everything from your teeth to your gums, and even your overall well-being. If left untreated, dry mouth can lead to serious dental
issues. In t...
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Our overall health is significantly influenced by what we eat, but many people overlook how nutrition impacts the health of our oral cavity—the mouth, teeth, gums, and related structures.
Good nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and a balanced diet can help prevent many o...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
During pregnancy, hormonal changes, particularly increased levels of estrogen and progesterone, can affect oral health. These hormonal shifts may lead to various dental issues. One common concern is an increased risk of gingivitis, characterized by inflammation and bleeding of the gums. T...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Introduction:
A bright, confident smile is often considered a universal symbol of health and happiness. For those seeking to enhance the appearance of their teeth, aesthetic tooth bonding emerges as a popular and accessible solution. In this article, we delve into the world of esthetic toot...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
A chipped or fractured front tooth can be an unsettling and distressing experience, affecting both your smile and self-confidence. Whether it occurred due to an accident, sports injury, or simply biting into something hard, knowing the appropriate steps to treat a chipped front tooth is cruc...
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Fluoride treatments are common in dental offices.
Although fluoride has largely been accepted as a dental treatment, there are still some people who are uncertain about what fluoride actually does in the body. Fluoride's primary application is in the support of healthy teeth.
1. Protects Your Enamel
One of t...
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What is it and how to remove it from your teeth?
A colourless film of bacteria called dental plaque is constantly forming on our teeth. If you don't brush your teeth soon enough or frequently enough after eating or drinking, bacteria in the mouth mix with sugary foods to produce acids that can destroy tooth enamel and...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Do you wake up tired after a full night’s rest? Do you snore loudly at night? If you experience these problems and feel extreme fatigue the morning after, you might be suffering from sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a medical disorder in which your breathing r...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Are you afraid of visiting the dentist?
A big percentage of Canadians worry before their dental appointment, and many of them avoid regular dental check-ups due to extreme fear. Unlike some phobias that don’t need addressing, routine dental appointments are too vital to your hea...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Since dental crowns are one of the more common restorations that people need on their teeth, most dentists are regularly asked the question, “Do I really need a crown?” It is a completely fair question because even with insurance, crowns may cost you hundreds of dollars at a time.
...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Wisdom teeth are the third molars that are known to cause dental problems by growing abnormally or against other teeth below the gums. They appear much later than the other teeth in persons between the ages of 17 and 25 years. They are the last set of teeth to grow and can be found growi...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Whether you woke up this morning with a throbbing pain in your tooth or you have experienced a dull ache in a molar for days, it feels terrible. Having a toothache can cause an enormous amount of pain. You would want to find relief as quickly as possible. We get a lot from patients who com...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
5 Things You Need to Know About Discoloured/Stained Teeth
Your teeth don’t always look as bright or white as they should. Your teeth may darken, turn from white to different colors especially yellow, or develop white or dark spots in places.
Common Causes for Discoloured or Stain...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
For a variety of reasons you may have had a tooth extracted or are missing a tooth. Some people may not see the importance of replacing the tooth or may not see the value in spending more time and money on an artificial replacement. However, for your dental health and to preserve the funct...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
1. Wearing aligners is a full-time commitment.
For Invisalign to do its job, you have to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20-22 hours a day as prescribed by your dentist, every day. You should only ever take them out to eat, or to brush and floss.It can be tempting to remove these al...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Haven’t been to the dentist in years?
Don’t worry, it’s actually not that uncommon. There are a lot of adults who have somehow missed their regular dental visits. There are so many reasons why people skip regular visits to the dentist. Some people experience anxiety or fear going to the...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
What is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile (Excessive Gingival Display) occurs when a larger than proportionate amount of gum tissue shows above the upper teeth when smiling. The perception of a gummy smile can be determined visually, but has also been described as occurring when there is more th...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Most Canadians have had a yeast infection at some point in their lives, but not everyone has had it in their mouths. Oral thrush is a type of candidiasis (yeast) that develops in the mouth tissues, and it’s most common in infants and toddlers. Discover what to look out for and wh...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
There are so many dental terms and conditions that it can easily be confusing to know the difference. Periodontal or gum diseases are a good example because there are several different categories. Each has pretty distinctive signs and symptoms, however. Here’s how to recognize gi...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Snoring is when the air is unable to flow freely through your nose and throat while you’re sleeping, because the airway is blocked in some way. Often, this is caused by having too much tissue in the throat or nasal passage, or by your tongue getting in the way of your b...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
A dental abscess is one of the most painful conditions you can develop, not to mention the inconvenience and the risk to your health. As with so many things in life, prevention beats curing an abscess hands down, however, which is why regular dental checkups are so important....
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Toothache Symptoms & Causes
Earaches are often caused by fluids in the eardrum, inflammation or cold and flu, whereas toothaches may be caused by bacteria, cavities, gum disease or tooth injuries. Ear infection symptoms can vary depending on where the infection is located. You might suffer from an earache an...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
A dental cavity is when the hard surface of a tooth develops tiny openings or holes. These are also called dental caries or tooth decay, and they are caused by several factors, including:
The growth of bacteria in your mouth
Eating snacks or...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
It’s almost Halloween, and in spite of Covid-19 still affecting our lives, thousands of Ontarians are planning to enjoy the event in the safety of their own homes and family circles. Since Halloween inevitably includes candy, you have even more reason than usual this year to try and ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Invisalign® is an innovative orthodontic correction system that utilizes transparent aligners rather than traditional metal braces. Developed by Align Technology, it uses highly accurate scans of natural teeth to guide the corrective process with incremental changes.
More than six ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
If you have stained, worn, chipped, misshapen, or misaligned teeth, cosmetic dentistry might suit you. This technique focuses on enhancing the appearance of your teeth, mouth, and smile. While a cosmetic dentistry procedure is typically elective instead of essential, some treatment cases a...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Any kind of dental emergency can be a frightening experience, and in most cases it’s important to get the right medical attention as soon as possible. In most instances, however, there are some things you can do to reduce the immediate discomfort and minimize your risk of c...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
The past few months have been a rollercoaster for patients as dental practices across Canada closed their doors in an effort to help flatten the curve. Since June 8, we’ve opened up again and are seeing patients for all regular services. That doesn’t mean the risks of the pandemic are ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Wisdom teeth are the last of your permanent or adult teeth to come into your mouth. Most people get four wisdom teeth at the back of their mouths, which include two teeth on the top row and two on the bottom. They’re essentially the remnants of third molars, which our human ancestors nee...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Have you been told by your partner that you grind your teeth at night? This is often thought to be amusing, but in fact bruxism, as it’s called officially, is no joke. It’s important to find out if you grind your teeth often and what the reason for this could be, and to get medical att...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
It’s very easy to get confused between getting your teeth whitened and getting them cleaned. Even though most people realize there’s a difference, when it comes to booking your appointment it’s something we always have to confirm to make sure you’re booked for the right procedure. ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Everyone wants an attractive smile, but few adults are prepared to go through orthodontic treatment that involves headgear and metal braces. Fortunately, there’s another
solution called Invisalign, which requires you to wear clear retainers to straighten out minor tooth misalign...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Lauren Hutton might have become a celebrity on the strength of her gap-toothed smile, but for most people, having a space between the front teeth is not something to celebrate. The condition is actually called diastema, and it affects both adults and children. Gaps can develo...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Bleeding gums are usually one of the first signs of gum disease. If you experience this as a once-off situation, you might be able to write it off to brushing and flossing too hard. If it occurs again, it’s best to get checked out at your earliest opportunity, because it can be a symptom...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Are you experiencing painful twinges when you brush your teeth, or getting toothache every time you eat hot or cold foods? You might have some exposed tooth roots, which can cause oral sensitivity and even trigger serious dental problems. That’s because the roots of your teeth contain nerv...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Cracking a tooth can happen for a number of reasons, but whatever the cause, it can result in the development of
various dental problems.
Causes of a Cracked Tooth
An accident or injury to your mouth is the most
common cause of a cracked or fractured tooth, in spi...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Bad breath or halitosis can be an embarrassing problem to have and between 25% and 30% of the world population suffers from it, but it’s seldom the patient’s fault and is not always related to oral hygiene. In many people, it originates from seemingly unrelated causes, such as bacteri...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Toothache is any pain in or around one or more of your teeth. It can range from a mild annoyance to agonizing discomfort, depending on the cause and the damage done to the tooth. Your obvious solution is to see a dentist as soon as possible, but that isn’t always realistic when you ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
If you have reasonably good daily oral hygiene habits and a healthy mouth, your dentist or dental hygienist will probably recommend professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year. Most dental insurance policies cover two cleanings ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Both teens and adults these days have embraced body piercing as a form of self-expression, but no matter how “cool” oral piercings might look, they can be dangerous to your health. Tongues contain an enormous amount of bacteria, which have free access to your bloodstream once you...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Sleeping disorders are a common problem among Canadians. Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder affecting more than 18 million people in north America, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Anyone can be affected by this condition, which causes you to moment...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
The number of Canadians living with diabetes is expected to increase from 9.3% in 2015 to 12.1% in 2025, according to statistics from Diabetes Canada. Most of us know being diabetic can affect other aspects of our health, but what many people are unaware of is the impact diabetes has on o...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Most people have some anxiety about visiting the dentist’s office. You never know what your dentist will find, and whether it will require treatment. If you’ve been postponing a dental appointment because you are terrified of undergoing procedures, talk to us about our sedation ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Few patients in this day and age are prepared to walk around with a chipped tooth or a large gap between their front teeth. It’s not necessary, either, since there are now so many ways to improve your smile. Direct resin bonding is one option used extensively on front teeth to resolve...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Accidents happen to everyone, but some types can have longer lasting effects than others. Dental trauma is damage caused by an injury to your teeth, gums, alveolar bone, and the surrounding soft tissues including the lips, tongue and inner cheeks. When you’re involved in a motor vehic...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
The idea of cancer is frightening under any circumstances, but our mouths are so central to every facet of our lives that the idea of oral cancer carries additional weight. With the focus the modern world has on “The Big C” it’s no surprise people wonder about every oral lesi...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
If your dentist recommends any sort of oral surgery, you might hear the term “antibiotic prophylaxis” being used. This refers to the administration of antibiotics before the procedure, and it’s aimed at preventing infection developing from the contamination caused by the...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Those small, painful sores on your tongue or the inside of your cheeks and lips are more than just an inconvenience. They are canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, which are one of the most common types of oral lesions and affect around 20% of Canadians. Women are more likely to get the...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Bone loss can happen for a number of reasons, including misalignment of the jaw, tumours and accidental trauma to the face, but periodontal disease is one of the most common causes. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition ranging from mild gum inflammation to a serious disorder,...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Back in the Hollywood heydays, film stars routinely had their teeth “capped” or crowned to improve their smile and appearance. This procedure was less available to ordinary mortals, but over the years dental science has found ways to make it affordable and accessible for everyo...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Root recession happens when your gum tissue begins to pull away from the base of your teeth to the point that it can expose the tooth roots to your oral environment. It’s a common dental problem that develops slowly, which means patients don’t typically notice it at first. When ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Preserving your natural teeth offers multiple advantages for overall health, so it's a primary goal of modern dentistry. When the pulp tissue deep inside a tooth gets inflamed or infected, your dentist might recommend root canal therapy. This is usually the solution if you've had an injur...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Taking care of your oral hygiene between dentist visits is easier if you have the right tools to use. Most of the time this means a good toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth rinse and dental floss. In the event that you want something a little more specialized to supplement your home dental care...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals is important for both your bones and your oral health. Many people use supplements to ensure they don’t experience a deficiency of essential nutrients, and some products are especially important for their effect on teeth and gums. Just be...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Teaching your children to take care of their oral health is critical to ensure they grow up with confidence and vitality. Ideally, you should start them off with their first dental assessment within six months of their first teeth erupting, according to the Canadian Dental Association. At th...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
One of the most common complaints among dental patients is that they’re suffering from a dry mouth. Not only is this uncomfortable, it can be harmful to your oral health as well as your general physical health. But is it truly a dental issue, or is it rooted in a different problem?
Sym...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Canadian seniors are exceptionally fortunate to have comprehensive free healthcare for most medical conditions, but sadly the provincial programs don’t usually cover any form of senior dental care. The percentage of the population older than 65 is expected to go up to 18% by 2021, accordin...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Dental hygiene can be a confusing topic, with literally hundreds of products available all vying for your attention. Mouth rinse (also called oral rinse or mouthwash) is a liquid solution used either before or after brushing and flossing to reduce the amount and growth of oral bacteria. The ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Losing a permanent tooth can be traumatic, but not replacing it can cause real problems. Tooth loss is a fact of life for many people, either as they get older or as a result of injury, but luckily a number of really good treatment options exist. In the past, choices were limited to removabl...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Everyone talks about the importance of having regular dental checkups, but for many people this gives rise to several questions. These include:
What does “regular” mean – i.e. how often should you have a checkup, does this differ from person to person and if so, why?
What does the ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
It’s easy to understand why consuming lots of sugary food and drinks can affect your teeth, but there’s more to it than that. Your eating and sleeping habits have a direct impact on your oral health, and in exchange this can affect your overall physical wellbeing.
Here are some of the ...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
When you’re stressed out, your dentist can tell! No, there’s no magic or mind-reading involved—simply clear evidence of how stress affects your oral health. While stress can cause minor dental issues such as dry mouth, canker sores and burning mouth syndrome, it can also cause more s...
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By Dr. Michael Handler
Working out, keeping fit and playing sports are all important to help you maintain good health. That’s what we have been taught throughout our lives, and it’s so much a part of our belief system that we spend thousands of dollars on gym memberships, sports participation and equipment, ...
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Do you ever feel nervous about dentist appointments? Rest assured: we cater to nervous and anxious patients in a gentle and considerate manner. Call us now to schedule a free consultation!