31
JulWeekend Fireworks

Have fun this long weekend enjoying the fireworks. As beautiful as they may be, fireworks can be dangerous and scary for many. Never let a young child play with sparklers unattended. The stem gets really hot and the sparks fly off and can burn skin quite severely. Consider a glow stick instead for the very young. Make sure all fireworks are fire marshal-approved, and the person lighting the fireworks should wear fitted clothing, gloves and safety glasses. There should always be a water source nearby, such as a bucket or a hose.

Hearing loss is another common injury from fireworks, second to burns. Earplugs are a wise choice for anyone while watching fireworks. The sound can be very loud for children so ear mufflers are highly recommended. If ringing in your ears or muffled hearing persists more than 24 hours after, have your hearing checked.

The loud bang noises can often trigger a fight or flight effect in our fur babies. They may show signs of anxiety by panting, shaking or hiding. It is best to keep your dog inside, try a calming wrap and try to desensitize them with treats. Plan to take them out for an early potty break so that you don't need to go out during the loud noises in the neighbourhood.

**Please note: The August Civic Holiday is not a designated fireworks day and residents are not permitted to set off fireworks on their property unless they have obtained a permit from Toronto Fire Services. Fireworks are not permitted in

06
JunOptions for teeth whitening

Tip of the Day: Teeth Whitening

1. If you buy the product from a drug store, the percentage of whitening ingredients is no higher than what is allowed by health Canada for over the counter sale.

2. If you order online product through amazon or Instagram, there is no control over what is in the product and whether it is approved by Health Canada.

3. Teeth Whitening products that are controlled are only available to purchase by a dental health care professional, so if the technician is not a dental health care professional please ask where the product is purchased and if is approved by Health Canada.

4. Dental care has one of the highest standards in IPAC and sterilization so be wary of teeth whitening done in a beauty salon or in someone's home. Please ask how everything is cleaned and sterilized.

5. Whitening works best on teeth that are free of plaque and tarter. Please don't waste your money whitening dirty teeth. Please see your dental professional first to make sure the teeth are cleaned and free from any tooth decay.  Whitening teeth with open lesions is a contraindication.

6. Teeth whitening is a luxury service that seems to be very popular. The prices vary depending on the product used and the service provided as well. It is true that is more expensive to get your teeth whitened by your local dentist than by your local lash technician, but what we do know is your dentist is very qualified to do

14
OctFear of Going to the Dentist?

It may not be easy for everyone to simply go to the dentist. Fear is one of the main reasons people keep away. Don’t let your fear of the dentist hold you back from regular checkups and cleanings. Your oral health is an important part of your overall health.

If you are fearful, just know you are not alone. Some common dental fears can include:

• Association with a negative past experience. Some patients had traumatic childhood treatment or treatment in another country that may not be the same as we do here in Canada. Asking some questions about procedures or freezing options may help ease your fear.
• Fear of the noises of the tools either the dentist or hygienist may use. Unfortunately, these tools do make some noise, but bringing noise-cancelling headphones with some music often helps.  We do have tv’s mounted in each treatment room as a good distraction. Choosing a less busy time can minimize the noises in the office.
• Fear of Pain.  With the many advances in dentistry today, many procedures are substantially less painful and often can be done with little to no freezing or just topical anaesthetic.
• Fear of injections or fear that the injection will not work. Needle phobia is a real thing. We will do our very best to make you as comfortable as possible…we are very good at what we do. We will hold your hand. It is true
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09
SepBack to School Covid Style

At the end of the day, every family must do what is best for them. As a Health  Care professional and parent of three children myself, I can tell you what I think about going back to school for the 2021/2022 year. Whatever it will look like, our children need it. Kids require a good EDUCATION, with SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, AND REGULAR ROUTINE. I am sure I am not alone when I say that last year the kids had no sort of routine. Online school lead to very late bedtimes, working in PJ’s while laying in a dark bedroom, and snacking and eating constantly throughout the day. I know my kids did not even get dressed, shower or brush their teeth until late in the day or not at all. And I heard this over and over again from my patients. This was evident in their oral hygiene.

Here are my two cents:

1. Everyone that can get vaccinated should get vaccinated. It is safe and effective. We need to protect ourselves, our loved ones who are too young to get the shot and our community so that schools can remain open.
2. Mental health and social well being are as important if not more important than education. Dealing with a subpar education this year is nothing compared to dealing with a child with mental health issues for the rest of their lives.
3. Routine makes for a well-rounded individual. Children need to learn in person so that they are forced to pay attention, focus, put down their phones,  socialize with others and make friends,
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22
JulIs your Pool water staining your teeth?

Nothing is more refreshing than playing around in a swimming pool on a hot day. Some people visit their local community pool or participate in backyard swim and BBQ afternoons. Many children are involved in camp programs that include daily swimming lessons and open swim. If you are lucky enough to have your own pool, you may plunge in daily when temperatures are at their highest. Unfortunately, there are some downfalls to having regular exposure to swimming pool water. Besides drying out your skin and turning your hair green, you may not be aware; it can actually promote tooth erosion or tooth staining.

“Researchers at New York University (NYU) and The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) have both reported that prolonged exposure to unbalanced pool water can result in tooth stains and the erosion of tooth enamel.  Also, The American Journal of Epidemiology published the results of a survey of close to 750 competitive swimmers, from 1986 to the present. About 39 per cent of them had experienced tooth enamel erosion and stains”.
 

Swimming pools need to be kept at a pH level of about 7.5. If that level increases to more than 7.8 ( pH to high) , the water is in an alkaline state. Studies show that when children and adults swam for more than six hours each week in an alkaline pool, they were at a higher risk for developing stained teeth. Unsightly stains appear as a result of the high pH water combined with