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

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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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

04
AprEaster Egg Hunt

Some egg-citing ideas

With the kids being home so much these days, constant snacking is turning up to be a bigger issue than before the COVID lockdown or school at home. Today's kids are definitely not treat deprived. Easter seems to be so much about chocolate and candy that it is almost not a treat anymore. Instead, we should consider filling big plastic eggs with things that are not candy.  Here are some great ideas I have heard of from my patients over the past few weeks.

• Eggs filled with notes for a special outing or walks with Mom or Dad, ie: some one-on-one time
• Eggs filled with jewellery, lip balms, nail stickers, toy cars,
• Eggs filled with sugarless gum
• Puzzle piece scavenger hunts
• Eggs filled with money
• Eggs filled with glow in the dark stars to decorate kids rooms
• Nail polish or certificates for a home spa day
• COCO Floss , coloured floss sticks or travel size toothpaste ( had to put in a dental suggestion..lol)
• gift cards  like Roblox or Vbucks
• Air pods...that's right Air pods

Hope everyone enjoys their long weekend and stays safe. The weather is beautiful to get outdoors.

Happy Easter from your friends at Innovation Drive Dental in Woodbridge.

11
JanTik Tok trends to "NOT" try at home

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08
OctHow Do I Select the Best Dentist Near Me

How do I choose a dentist near me? There is a dentist office in every plaza. Which one do I choose? Studies have shown that most people google business or product before deciding if it is right for them. Reviews have a lot of merit. As a business owner, we take these reviews very seriously. It is one of the best compliments for someone to write an unsolicited review. But, as much as reading reviews are important, word of mouth referrals are also a great way to find a dentist. Speak to your neighbours or the other parents at school drop off or pick up, or at the other local businesses you attend. Furthermore, you can post a question on the local social

22
SepWhy do I need to tell my dentist that I have lip or cheek fillers?

Dr. Shulman and the whole team at Innovation Dental in Vaughan feel that it is very important for dental treatment to be individualized to the patient's needs.  We spend our first appointment with you getting to know you and finding out what exactly your needs are. This is why we have a very detailed new patient form and ask a lot of questions and discuss many aspects of your oral and medical health at our New Patient exam. One of the questions we may ask is if you have or have had any dermal fillers in your lips or cheeks, or around your nose. Please know that we are not trying to reveal any secrets or question your choices. There are very important medical reasons for that question. Canadians are embracing this noninvasive method of turning back the clock on youth. It is a highly sought-after procedure and very successful.  Thus, as dentists, we are seeing more and more of our patients that have had this done or are planning on doing so in the near future.

Many dental procedures involve pulling or retracting the lips and cheeks for visual access to treatment sites as well as protection of the tissues from dental instruments. Most dermatologists or certified injectors will recommend delaying your dental appointment for at least 2 weeks after having dermal fillers placed to reduce the risk of moving the fillers from the site of injection. Of course, this is only for elective dental treatment. An emergency dental issue should not be delayed but be

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

13
AugHow Dental Professionals feel about mask- wearing

What do Dentists and Dental Professionals think about mask-wearing?

For as long as I can remember Dentists and Dental Hygienists have been wearing masks to work on patients. It is our normal. What is new for us is the type (or level) of masks we are now wearing. As well, we used to remove the mask after each patient and only wear a mask during the treatment, not in the office common area. With the new Covid-19 Pandemic currently going on now we wear a mask at all times while in the office and change the second layer of mask between patients. Some days we work a 12 hour day wearing a mask. We are getting used to this… it is what is. But the public seems to be having an issue with mask-wearing, even for a 20-minute shopping experience.  Here are our 2 cents on this as it pertains to dentistry.

1. Unless you have a LEGITIMATE health condition that prohibits you from wearing a mask for a 10 minute trip to Walmart or the one-minute walk to the dental chair from their car…Just wear it!  It is the policy at Innovation Drive Dental in Woodbridge and everywhere else! Do your part, otherwise, stay home.
2. Studies have shown that 50% of people brush their teeth better and more often since wearing a mask as it forces you to smell your own breath….ewe
3. We have had less cosmetic dental emergencies since we reopened as patients state they can just “cover up their broken front tooth with their
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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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