“Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring…”

Vending machines are quick, easy and cheap. Put in some of your extra pocket cash and instantly enjoy a chocolate bar, chip bag, or even a can of pop. That’s not the only thing you’re getting for cheap, vending machines are not only giving out sugar-filled treats; they are also giving out cavities!

When you choose to satisfy your hunger with a chocolate bar or bag of candy, the bacteria in your mouth starts digesting sugar, quickly turning it into acid. This harmful chemical stays on your teeth and begins to eat away at the natural enamel (the material that protects your smile from tooth decay). When enamel gets eaten, you get a cavity!

So what are some helpful ways to prevent cavities from occurring? Always remember to brush your teeth after eating any sugar-filled treat. If you don’t have a chance to brush, don’t even think about treating yourself!

Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring:

• Bread
• Sliced meat
• Milk
• Raw veggies and fruit
• Nuts and seeds

Subscribe to our blog for more helpful ways to prevent cavities, or contact the friendly team at Lonsdale Dental Centre to learn more about what causes cavities.

Quality of sleep factors greatly into how you perform in your waking hours, whether at work or at home. If you are resting well, you are feeling well and needless to say the reverse is true as well. There are several ways dental professionals diagnose and treat bruxism. As with any other health problem, early detection is the key to treating this particular sleep disorder. There are various ways to test the frequency and duration of your grinding throughout the night. Most importantly, there are treatment methods available such as dental guards and splints which are typically worn on a long-term basis during each and every night’s sleep.

Over the counter mouth guards sold at drug stores, while inexpensive, are considered by dental professionals to be ineffective in preventing tooth erosion and further decay. A good nights rest is imperative to maintaining a healthy quality of life for you and your family. If you or your children experience bruxism, consult your Lonsdale Dental Centre expert for treatment options as your oral health depends upon it.

Contact our North Vancouver dental clinic to find out how we can help you get the rest you need.

“Patients who visit the dentist regularly are much less likely to need major procedures such as root canals, gum grafts and tooth extraction.”

1. Avoid Painful Procedures: Patients who visit the dentist regularly are much less likely to need major procedures such as root canals, gum grafts and tooth extraction. This means that patients are saving money, avoiding painful dental procedures and staying healthy!

2. Beautiful Smiles: A good looking smile starts with healthy teeth, and regular checkups and cleanings at Lonsdale Dental Centre will keep you looking your best. A professional cleaning can also help remove stains on your teeth, giving them a healthy shine that will impress everyone you meet.

3. Detect oral cancer early: One of the deadliest cancers, but easiest to diagnose, is oral cancer. At our North Vancouver dental clinic, we have invested in the VELscope exam system, which works to detect cancer at the earliest stages.

4. Good example for your kids: If you have children who look up to you, make sure you practice good oral hygiene habits. Make dental checkups a priority in life, allowing for a future full of healthy smiles.

5. Reduce gum disease: Many adults will eventually get some type of periodontal disease, a leading cause of tooth loss. Luckily, gum disease can easily be treated or reversed, but only if your oral health is checked closely by the team at Lonsdale Dental Centre.

For more information on maintaining good oral health, or to book a dental cleaning and checkup, contact us today!

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, typically show up in people between the ages of 16 to 25 years old. In the past, wisdom teeth were useful for our diet of harder foods and meats. Nowadays, with softer diets and orthodontic treatment, wisdom teeth are left with little room to erupt.

Some people are unaffected by wisdom teeth, while others experience painful situations that require immediate removal. It’s a good idea to ask a dentist at Lonsdale Dental Centre for more information on your wisdom teeth development.

Why are wisdom teeth extracted?

Wisdom teeth removal is necessary because:

• They are trapped below the gum line, due to lack of space
• An infection has developed from plaque and bacteria
• The teeth are erupting at an abnormal position
• The wisdom tooth has lacked proper oral hygiene care

How are wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth removal is typically pain-free due to oral or IV sedation. The procedure will begin by:

• Numbing the wisdom teeth and tissues in the mouth with a local anesthetic
• Tissue and bone covering the tooth is removed
• The tooth is loosened from any connecting tissue in the socket
• The wisdom tooth is removed with dental forceps

After the procedure, dental stitches are typically utilized to aid in the healing process. There is likely to be swelling or bruising, but a cold compress and medication should aid in a faster recovery.

For more information on wisdom teeth removal in Vancouver, or to book an appointment, contact Lonsdale Dental today.

Gum disease is a tissue infection surrounding the teeth. Periodontal disease attacks an area within the mouth called the sulcus. The sulcus is located between the gums and the teeth and when the tissue is damaged, a pocket is formed in the sulcus. There are two stages that occur when this form of disease develops. They are known as periodontitis and gingivitis. Gingivitis can be reversed as it is a milder form of gum disease, but if left untreated it can turn into severe periodontitis.

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease can go undetected for quite some time.  Gum disease can be prevented with regular dental checkups and routine cleanings.

Ask yourself the following questions.

1. When you brush your teeth, do your gums bleed? Do your gums bleed for no apparent reason?
2. Do you find that some of your permanent teeth are loose? Do you see gaps forming?
3. Have you noticed that your gums are protruding outwards from your teeth?
4. Do people complain that you have bad breath? Do you constantly have a bad taste in your mouth?
5. If you wear dentures, have you noticed a change in the way they are fitting within your mouth?
6. Is your bite different? Do you feel it isn’t the same bite as you previously had?
7. Have you lost teeth recently without cause?
8. Do your gums appear red, feel tender or look swollen?

If you answered yes to more than one of these questions, contact us today to book a consultation visit.

What should I do?

Call us and schedule an appointment for an exam. Many dentists and dental practices including Lonsdale Dental can help stop the progression of the disease with periodontal maintenance. Do your best to maintain good oral health at home and brush, floss and eat healthy foods to maintain optimal immunity. We can help save your teeth from further damage if you get in touch with us today!

Cosmetic dentistry is for anyone who wants to improve their smile. With advanced technology and top-of-the-line equipment, we at Lonsdale Dental can help you turn that frown upside down. Our dedicated and caring team has years of experience in the field of dentistry and cosmetic methods.

Lonsdale Dental wants you to look and feel your best at all times. If you want to boost your self-esteem and create a more natural smile for yourself, then we are here to help with our top-notch cosmetic dentistry services. A beautiful smile is a winning smile and is worn on those that feel confident about themselves.

Do you have a gummy smile? Stained teeth? Or do you have large spaces between your teeth? We can fix it! From tooth whitening and correcting a bite to restoring decayed or chipped teeth, we provide the best cosmetic dentistry services for a brighter, healthier and eye-catching smile.

An attractive smile can do wonders for your self-esteem and can give you the boost you need to feel more confident in your daily activities. Imagine showing off a whiter, brighter and healthier smile to your friend, friendly or possible new love interest. Studies say that a beautiful smile is one of the number one features that people look for in another person. A person that smiles is approachable and friendly, not to mention more attractive. Cosmetic dentistry is the number one cure for a fabulous smile!

Come into our office for a cosmetic dentistry consultation, tell us your needs and we’ll take care of the rest. At Lonsdale Dental Centre, we will work with you to achieve your dental goals. We care about your smile and guarantee that you will walk out of our office a whole new and improved you!

Finding the right dentist used to be hit or miss.  123Dentist.com changes that.  The 123Dentist.com website is a fast and convenient service that helps consumers find an expert dentist in their neighborhood who stands for superior results and who is committed to putting patients first. The 123Dentist.com website search engine is an innovative and easy tool connecting BC residents to a directory of world-class dentists – whether one is looking for a general dentist, a cosmetic dentist, or even for a dentist who provides a particular solution such as Sedation Dentistry, Laser Dentistry, or Invisalign invisible braces – 123Dentist.com provides a list of local dental experts who can be trusted to deliver results.

The 123 Dentist Network also chooses practices that are modern and comfortable in order to create a soothing and relaxing patient experience.

To “make the grade,” a member of 123Dentist.com’s Dentist Network must be more than skilled and certified. He or she must also be 100% committed to excellence, patient care, and professionalism. That way when patients use 123Dentist.com to find the ideal local dentist – they know they’re getting the very best.

Lonsdale Dental Centre were elected and pre-screened, meeting a set of high standards that cover everything from skill to attitude. We were also chosen to be a part of the 123 Dentist Network because we offer the latest solutions in the dental industry and we invest the time it takes to make sure our patients are comfortable, confident, informed and empowered.

Being a part of 123Dentist.com’s Dental Network is an excellent way for Lonsdale Dental to reach out to our North Vancouver, BC community and make our presence known to patients who are new to the neighborhood, seeking the latest in dentistry, or wanting a better dental experience.

Contact us to book an appointment and learn first hand what sets us apart from the rest!

Our experts at Lonsdale Dental Centre share a passion for staying at the forefront of the healthcare field as the industry evolves in knowledge, treatments and technology. New research has confirmed that excellent oral health is integral to the maintenance of excellent whole body health.  Evidently, this link is vital to our patients who are diabetic.

Diabetes and unstable blood glucose levels increase your risk of developing serious gum disease and losing teeth. Furthermore, recent and potentially groundbreaking studies have found that gum disease can contribute to a rise in blood sugar and thus make diabetes harder to control.

If you suffer from a diabetic condition, you can effectively increase your chances of related complications by neglecting to care for your teeth and gums. The most important ways for our diabetic patients to maintain optimal oral health include: 1) Controlling glucose levels, 2) Visiting Lonsdale Dental Centre every six months for your professional cleaning, 3) Keeping us aware of how you are managing your diabetes, 4) Brushing your teeth at least twice daily after meals, flossing daily, and using mouthwash, 5) Quitting smoking, 6) Becoming more aware of warning signs such as receding, tender or bleeding gums, and loose teeth.

Lonsdale Dental is concerned with every aspect of our patients’ health, and would like to partner with you to restore and revitalize your overall heath. If you have diabetes, speak to one of our team members about how we can best protect your oral health.

Nothing will complement your summer fun better than a sparkling smile care of your experts at Lonsdale Dental Centre.  With summer weddings and family reunions on the horizon, you can dazzle your family and friends with a stunning smile that exudes confidence and joy.

Eat and drink whatever you want while soaking up the sun and we’ll do our part in keeping your smile white, bright and beautiful. All we ask in return is that you show it off every chance you get, and let your friends and family know the secret of your brilliant smile.

A gorgeous smile helps create happy memories and will ensure you look fabulous in family photos that will last a lifetime. Visit our North Vancouver dental clinic and tell us about your summer plans. We’ll ensure you have the winning smile to show off at every social opportunity this summer.

Call (604) 988-3222 to speak to one of our team members about how we can help get your smile “summer ready”!

That’s why we created an official Facebook page for our practice!  Our Facebook page makes it easy for you to reach us on the go and stay current with practice information.

We make digital communications and social media a priority because we understand that most of our patients are busy juggling career and family. We believe communication is fundamental to building lifelong relationships with our patients and consider oral health education part of our responsibility as your health partners. Our website, blog and official Facebook page display our commitment to reaching out and keeping you educated about your family’s oral health and smile potential.

At Lonsdale Dental Centre, we will do everything possible to keep you in the loop with regard to dental education, promotions, events, new services, and more.

Please take a moment to go to the Lonsdale Dental page on Facebook to “like” us and feel free to share with your family, friends, and colleagues!