What to Do about a ‘Gummy’ Smile?

The overall appeal of a smile has more to do with perception and aesthetics. There are many times when people seek cosmetic dentistry treatments because they are not happy with their smiles. The chances are they do have a legitimate issue. Some people feel their gum tissue shows more than their teeth, and when they smile it’s more prominent.

Tips for Oral Hygiene over the Holidays

It can be difficult to maintain your regular routines over the holidays. Parties, travelling out of town to visit family and a less structured schedule can make it challenging to care for your teeth the way you normally would. When you add holiday dinners, drinks and sweets to the mix, your teeth may suffer more than usual. Here are a few simple tips to keep up good oral hygiene this holiday season.

The Ultimate Flossing Guide

Here it is—the ultimate flossing guide! While everyone is aware of how important it is to floss their teeth daily, few know the right way to do it. Waterloo Smiles has created a step-by-step guide so that you do it properly. The correct technique is vital to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Is Fluoride Good for Me? Will It Make Me Sick?

Fluoride is present in most oral care products, from toothpastes to mouth rinses. However, there are plenty of misconceptions about fluoride, especially when it comes to using fluoride supplements or adding it to drinking water. Many Canadians are worried about fluoride use and concerned that it could make them sick. Here is some light on the subject.

Reasons Fluoride is Good and Safe

Fluoride, whether added to water or in oral care products, is considered safe. Just some reasons it is good for adults and children include:

It Prevents Tooth Decay – Fluoride is one of the more effective ways to prevent tooth decay, especially in children.

What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

How Can I Prevent TMD?

Temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as temporomandibular disorder or TMD) causes pain in your jaw which can result in you clenching or grinding your teeth. It also affects the way you chew, swallow, speak and yawn. To learn more or determine if you have TMD, visit your Waterloo dentist. What is Temporomandibular Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint is located just in front of your ears, on either side of your head. It connects your jawbone (mandible) to your skull (temporal bone). Considered to be one of the most complex joints in the human body, it can rotate and move forward, backward and from side-to-side. It works in combination with other muscles and ligaments to perform several functions such as chewing, swallowing, speaking and yawning.

Problems with the muscle, bone or other tissue in and around the joint can be diagnosed as a temporomandibular joint disorder.

Do I Have TMD?

In many cases, TMD is caused by a combination of factors such as jaw injuries or jaw disease and arthritis, disc erosion or misalignment.

Signs or symptoms of TMD include:

Dental X-Rays vs. Digital Radiography What Are the Benefits?

Digital radiography is gaining popularity among dentists. Some of the most important reasons revolve around improved diagnosis, patient comfort and image processing time. Many patients today are concerned about exposure to radiation. Dental radiographs demonstrate the practitioner’s concern for a patient’s well-being. Ask an established Waterloo dentist to explain how this newer technology works to your advantage. We have also listed some of the key benefits below.