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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18
DecOral Health holiday Gift ideas

Have you made your holiday gift list and checked it twice? If you’re still shopping around for your child, give a gift that promotes oral health for lasting benefits beyond the holiday season.

For toddlers, teens, and children in every stage in between, here are just a few ideas of dentist-approved gifts that reinforce good oral habits:

• For children of any age: Fun flavoured toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, soft picks or other interproximal cleaners, or electric toothbrushes 

• For toddlers: how-to children’s books and DVDs that make dental hygiene fun

• For pre-teens and teens: an electric toothbrush, clear braces, or the hottest trend in floss...a subscription from cocofloss https://cocofloss.com/

• For the child with a sweet tooth: dark chocolate, sugar-free gum and lollipops, trail mix

• For the athletic child: a mouthguard

Helping your child grow

25
AugBack to School Dental Checkup. The New Normal.

Back to School Dental Checkup. The New Normal.

In today's changing world, every experience may be a new one.  Kids need to wear masks to school, half of the kids will not be returning to in-class learning, and school drop off and pick may be a staggering time approach.  Back to school is often our busiest time at Innovation Dental as parents want to send their kids back with a healthy smile and a cavity-free checkup. For those children that have been visiting the dentist regularly, this back to school checkup may look a little different. Due to COVID, we are not using the waiting room, so patients need to check in by phone from their car. Children are then being asked to come in for their appointment without their parents, as we need to minimize the number of people in the office at one time. The Hygienist and Dentist will be dressed in some extra protective equipment, such as a face shield, double masks, hair cover and gown. Temperatures will be checked at the door and hands must be sanitized. Patients and all non-clinical staff will be wearing masks in common areas as well. Aerosol producing procedures such as polishing and use of the electric scalers are being limited at this time. For necessary aerosol producing treatments, we have NEW large suctions arms ( they look like elephant trunks) that sit close to the mouth and collect any off spray additionally to the regular suctions we have. You will see

24
JulTwo rows of teeth

It may surprise you when you suddenly notice your child's adult teeth growing in behind the baby teeth. Furthermore, you would expect the baby teeth to fall out before the adult teeth come in.  But in some, actually many children, this is not the case. In approximately 10% of children, the adult teeth can grow in behind the baby teeth giving the child two rows of teeth. At Innovation Drive Dental in Vaughan we often refer to this as "shark teeth". You can rest assured that this is not an EMERGENCY. In most cases, this does not require any treatment at all, and often we just let nature take its course.

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05
JunReopening June 15th

To all Our Valued Patients

We are finally reopening, and we can’t wait to see all of you.  We are now allowed to resume all services. This means that Dentists can slowly begin seeing more patients for more types of treatment again. While this is Good news, it doesn’t mean it is back to business as usual. There is still a pandemic happening and we are taking extra precautions to ensure everyone’s protection. This takes time. When you come in you will see many changes that we have made in the office. For the next little while, the reception area will be quite bare, and you will see some barriers placed on the front desk. The ventilation system has been upgraded and we have ordered HEPA filters for each treatment room as well as large aerosol collecting equipment. These look like “elephant trunks’ as we call them.  The staff will be dressed in some different gear, sometimes more than other times depending on the treatment provided.

For those of you that know us well know we love to chat and spend time with our patients, and you can always count on a smile from us. But, for now, this smile will be under our mask as the staff and any patients entering the clinic are required to wear a mask at all times. You will be sent a screening questionnaire to be filled out once before the appointment AND again on the day of the appointment.

12
NovWhat Are Tonsil Stones- and How do you get rid of them?

What are Tonsil Stones- and How Do You Get Rid of Them?

Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, are areas of hard yellow-white calcification, located on or within the tonsils. Some people are aware of them but many people don’t even know they have them. They can range in size, and can cause the tonsils to swell or become infected. Patients main concern is that they often give off a bad odor, and cause bad breath.

Your tonsils are made up of crevices, tunnels, and pits called tonsil crypts. Different types of debris, such as dead cells, mucus, saliva, and food, can get trapped in these pockets and build up. Bacteria and fungi feed on this buildup and cause a distinct odor. Overtime the debris hardens. Tonsils stones are more common in patients with poor dental hygiene, large tonsils, chronic sinus issues or tonsillitis. Some symptoms of tonsil stones can include:  bad breath, difficulty swallowing, ear or throat pain, ongoing cough, swollen tonsils, or white or yellow debris on the tonsils. Here at Innovation Drive Dental in Vaughan, we have seen many patients who have tonsil stones and if they are

29
JulWhy do I need Fluoride?

Why do I need Fluoride?

Many patients ask this common question when visiting our office, the short answer is to prevent cavities and reverse early signs of decay. Fluoride works by neutralizing the acidity in your saliva,  in order to minimize  or eliminate attacks the tooth structure after each meal. Fluoride can also help reduce sensitivity in  recessed areas in the mouth where the root of the tooth is exposed.

Which Fluoride is best for me?

There are options of Fluoride treatment in office that include:

• Foam tray application
• Fluoride rinse
• Fluoride paint on varnish

Every application Is  decided on each patients age, needs, and risk assessment. Each method is different and varies in cost but your hygienist will be able to tell you which option best suits your needs.

24
MayCoconut Oil Pulling

The use of coconut oil for nutritional purposes is not a new phenomenon, but a recent wave of interest in coconut oil pulling has reached mainstream popularity. With all the discussion on the web, and added promotion by celebrities, it is easy to see why this topic might be of interest to you!

24
OctCute Halloween Video from Crest/Oral B

02
Aug3 Quick Tips To Improving Your Dental Routine

Daily brushing and flossing your teeth are the two things that most dental professionals recommend at your regular visits and checkups, but did you know there are a few more things you can do to achieve great breath and a healthy smile?