Spotlight on Oakville 1: Delicious Healthy Food in Oakville

All of the talk on this blog about teeth and keeping them healthy has gotten us here at Oakville Place Dental Office thinking about what teeth are really for, and that's eating! Eating healthy food is important to maintaining a good quality of life (and, of course, to protect your teeth as well), and there are many great places right here in Oakville ready to satisfy any healthy appetite

.

One type of food that is always satisfying AND healthy is sushi (as long as you avoid the tempura!), and our favorite sushi place in Oakville is definitely Crazy Sushi. At first, the name might make you think that the sushi might be fired out of some sort of cannon, sliced in the air by a kamikaze sushi chef, and then caught in the mouth of the customer (or some other "crazy" scenario), but the only thing crazy about this place is how crazy we are about it! They always use the freshest ingredients, never have any MSG in their food and they even have a teppanyaki room (that's the style of cooking where the chef grills the food right in front of you and then puts it right on your plate; can't get any fresher than that!).

One of the first things one usually orders at a Japanese restaurant is miso soup, and right from the start Crazy Sushi will impress. We recommend trying the spicy salmon miso noodle soup (no fried noodles) or the spicy chicken miso noodle soup, which are both as good as they sound. But, alas, what would a place with a name like Crazy Sushi be without something unusual? For that we favor the highly original concept of the sushi pizza! That's right, sushi pizza features a delicious crisp rice patty for the crust, topped with fresh salmon sashimi & sweet roasted garlic aioli. For more appetizing selections, check them out on the web at http://www.crazysushioakville.ca/ . Bonzai!

When it comes to eating out, sometimes you just have to find a place that really goes the extra mile in the dining experience, and for us that equals a visit to the Twisted Fork (http://www.twistedfork.ca/). Fresh, high quality and often organic cuisine is served in an atmosphere that is sophisticated, yet casual at the same time. When it comes to Italian fusion cuisine, these guys do it all, from fresh seafood linguine to something we love called "basa cantalan," which is fish slow-cooked with capers and a delicious sauce served over basmati rice. And, best of all, they specialize in catering to any healthy eating plan that you may have.

Of course, sometimes you have to just go all out, and Twisted Fork is there for the occasion. They also provide catered food for special events, and are going to be putting something extra-special together for your next holiday meal: turducken! That's right; a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken, with stuffing all throughout! How's that for going all out?!

So, why not go out right now and treat yourself to some great, healthy food made right here in Oakville. All this talk about food has gotten us hungry, so we're going to go eat!

Bon appetit!

Cure Your Odontophobia Today!

Nervous about your next trip to the dentist? Keep cool in the dental chair during your next visit by heeding the following advice:

1. Find a Dentist you are Comfortable with.

Now, if you are one of those people that have developed a fear of the dentist (officially known as "odontophobia"), you definitely need to have a dentist that you are comfortable with in the first place. Your dentist should have a good bedside manor and make you at ease as much as possible, and if you fear the dentist more than most, you should communicate with them about this issue. Alternatively, if you do not like your dentist's style and way of treating patients, then find another dentist! I know that this may seem obvious, but you would be surprised by how many people don't take matters into their own hands when it comes to this.

2. This Ain't the Wild West!

An additional fact to keep in mind is that much of our fear of the dentist probably springs from the past, from times before the existence of the high-tech, vastly more advanced methods for dental procedures and of pain relief that thankfully exist today. Relax, we've come a long way from Doc Holiday with his nasty pliers and only his bottle of Jack Daniels to help you get through the dental experience! You can take comfort in the fact that dentists use the latest technology to make dental work as safe and as efficient for the patient as possible.

3. The Power of Positive Thinking.

Finally, an important aspect of overcoming fear of the dentist is the power of realistic, positive thinking. After all: you are actually going to the dentist to AVOID pain, because if dental problems go undiagnosed and untreated, the person afflicted will almost certainly suffer as a result. The dentist is there to fix your teeth so that they are pain-free, as well as to make them more beautiful to both the world and, most importantly, to you. In fact, skipping dental appointments is what should scare us!

-DC

Stop Dreaming of a White Christmas and Start Dreaming of Whiter Teeth

Christmas is quickly approaching and this means it's time to start decorating the house and buying gifts for those you love and care about. Indeed, Christmas is a holiday of giving! However, in the hustle and bustle of preparing our gifts and decorating our homes with care, we can forget to give to the one person we could truly never do without: ourselves!

After all, we must remember to care for ourselves in order to be able to be truly giving to others, and we must be especially careful not to forget our own needs during this season of giving. This includes taking time out to relax and de-stress, and treating your body with the respect that it deserves. Exercise, healthy eating and regular trips to the doctor are all important fundamentals to keeping ourselves healthy. These are all gifts we can treat ourselves to year 'round that no one in their right mind could consider selfish. And, don't forget the all-important dentist!

After all, not only is dental care essential to your health, it also can have an immediate effect on your appearance with whitening treatments or just from getting a regular cleaning. Unless you've been especially naughty this year, I think that you would agree that a visit to the dentist for a cleaning and/or whitening could be just the perfect little guilt-free gift to give to yourself this year for Christmas.

Taking care of your smile for the holidays makes a lot of sense when you think about it. During Christmas in particular, we put a ton of effort into decorating our living rooms and homes with lights, wreathes, statues and many different decorations. It seems only natural that you would want to keep your smile in just as much of a splendid condition for the holiday season. Remember, they say that your body is your temple, after all...

So, stop dreaming of a white Christmas and go out and get your smile white instead by making an appointment with the staff at Oakville Place Dental Office! You'll be glad you did, knowing that Santa will be more likely to put you on his "nice" list this year for making sure your teeth stay "as white as the snow"!

Happy Holidays!

The Many Different Types of Dentists

If you tell someone that you are a medical doctor, chances are they will respond to you by asking, "what type of doctor are you?" But, if you were to say that you are a dentist instead (I would only recommend that you do this if you actually are a dentist!), chances are they would probably not inquire as to what area of dentistry that you practice. The simple fact is, most people wrongly assume that all dentists are general dentists. However, besides being accredited as a general dentist, there are a plethora of other areas that dentists often go on to specialize in. Therefore, I would like to shed a little light on some of the many different types of dentists and the areas they specialize in.

Pediatric dentists specialize in caring for children. These dentists are experts at putting young patients at ease. That first trip to the dentist can sometimes be a nerve-wracking experience for a young child, and these folks are studied experts at dealing with these sorts of situations. In addition to their training at dealing with children, pediatric dentists also have special training for dealing with those folks with extreme phobias of the dental chair, as well as those with mental or physical disabilities.

Another dental specialist that many have heard of, and been treated by, is the orthodontist. As you probably know, these are the professionals that deal with the misalignment issues of the teeth and jaws. If you had braces as a child, it was the orthodontist who applied them. However, orthodontists perform more than just the cosmetic task of making a smile better to look at. For example, orthodontists treat misaligned teeth, which can effect a patient's ability to perform such common everyday tasks as eating and talking. Also, sleep apnea, a dangerous and quite common condition in which one temporarily pauses breathing during sleep, can also be the purview of the orthodontist.

Speaking of surgery, the specialists when it comes to dental surgery of all kinds are called oral and maxillofacial surgeons. These folks are responsible for using surgery to treat a wide variety of problems concerning the areas of the teeth and jaw. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (maxillofacial, by the way, means the upper-jaw and face) specialize in everything from difficult tooth extractions to treating TMJ.

Endodontists, with the "endo" being Greek for "inside" and the "dontist" part meaning teeth (don't worry, there will not be a quiz after this blog post!), are dental experts who have special skills when it comes to dealing with the insides of teeth. If you have a problem with the interior of a tooth, these dentists are the specialists who can get to the "root" of the problem (couldn't resist that pun).

And there are many more types of dentists including:

Periodontists: Experts when it comes to your gums.
Oral Pathologists: Dentists who deal with diseases of the mouth.
Prosthodontists: Dentists who specialize in creating replacement teeth such as dentures and bridgework.

I could go on and on, but I think that you get my point. Being a dentist does not necessarily mean being a general dentist. So perhaps the next time you are meet a dentist, you can now proudly ask him or her, "what do you specialize in?"

Maintaining Your Smile Between Dental Visits

It is important to keep in mind that your dentist can only do so much to help your smile stay healthy and white. Maintaining your teeth is a tag-team effort between you and your dentist, so let's review the basic fundamentals of keeping your teeth clean and perhaps even learn a few interesting facts along the way!

Brushing

At this point in our history as human beings it is common knowledge that brushing your teeth twice a day is essential for keeping your dental health in good order. However, it is important to keep these tips in mind when doing this twice-daily ritual:

1. Experience the experience

Over the years, one can become so accustomed to the practice of brushing one's teeth that it becomes something we do without thinking about it. And that usually means that we begin to do less and less of a thorough job as the years pass. After all: if something is worth doing, then one should do it right, no? So be sure to focus on the task at hand, doing the best you can each time to clean not just the front of the teeth, but the backs as well and the lower parts of the teeth that are near the gums. Hold the brush at an angle, and try concentrating on one tooth area at a time until you feel that you have covered all of your bases. You will probably experience a more refreshed and clean post-brushed feeling if you keep this in mind.

Another good way to make sure you brush your teeth thoroughly is to time yourself (about 3 minutes is what is recommended), or use an electronic toothbrush that has a timer on it, in order to make sure you don't try to cut any corners.

2. Toothbrushes are not permanent!

You would be surprised how many people keep their toothbrushes around for years upon years. Do you remember the last time you bought a new brush? People are always glad when they do because a new toothbrush not only cleans better but feels better too. It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush at least every three months. Additionally, keep in mind that the fiber in toothbrushes often start wearing out before they show visible signs that it is time for them to be replaced!

Flossing

The daily practice of flossing your teeth is one that is unfortunately quite often overlooked. Most people do not do this daily and if they do, they don't do it thoroughly enough. Perhaps these little tips could help steer you in the right direction if you happen to be one of these people:

1. Find a flossing time that works for you

If you're like me, you do not wish to stand in front of the bathroom mirror for longer than five minutes or so. That is why I floss my teeth each night while watching the evening news. This way I do not rush the process of flossing, like I would if I was standing up in bathroom, and since I watch the news every day it ensures that I keep up with my flossing. So, find a time that works for you and fits into your daily routine, and you may then find flossing to be less of a chore.

2. Keep in mind the importance of flossing

After all, just like the dentist can only do so much to keep you teeth healthy, brushing is only half of the equation when it comes to the daily cleaning of your teeth. Flossing helps clean and stimulate the areas of your teeth and mouth that brushing cannot reach.

3. Take it one tooth at a time

It is important to be patient when flossing, and make sure that you are going in between each pair of teeth. Develop a routine that works for you. If you have trouble getting in between any two of your teeth, use the waxed variety of dental floss.

Diet

Of course, what we eat has a lot to do with the health and appearance of our teeth. So, keep these tips in mind:

1. More than twice a day is okay

We all know that sugary foods are worse for our teeth than non-sugary ones. So, if you've just polished off that berry pie all by yourself, why not give your teeth a break and brush them one extra time? Not only will this help your teeth, it is also a healthier alternative to using mints or gum to freshen your breath. Another easy way to rinse your teeth quickly right after a meal is to just use mouthwash.

2. Sugar is not the only enemy of you teeth

Acidic foods and ones who's particles have a tendency to stay packed in between teeth can be just as bad as that candy bar. Have you ever noticed how bits of potato chips stay lodged in between your teeth long after they have been eaten? For this reason, foods like this can be just as bad for your teeth as candy, so eat them sparingly. Also, highly acidic foods, which include everything from tomatoes to soda pop, can wear away on the enamel of teeth, so keep this in mind when balancing out your daily meals, especially if you have very sensitive teeth.

Until next time,

-DC

Staff Writer

National Dentist Appreciation Day

There are two professions that I feel get a bad rap in our society: dentists and lawyers. Since this is not a law blog, but one concerned with matters of dentistry, I will of course be lauding one of the great unsung heroes of our society: the dentist.

First off, just imagine going to work every day and having to stare into other people's mouths? I've often thought of this self-consciously while sitting in the dentist's chair. Obviously some people's mouths are going to be a prettier sight than others, but REALLY think about it...

See what I mean? To the dentist this is nothing but another pleasant day at the office, but there has to be a breaking-in period, right? I won't even get into the bad breath angle of this thing...yikes...trying to keep everything in good taste here, but you get the idea.

The truly unfair element (that I'm sure every dentist is forced to confront at some time in their careers) is the fact that many of their patients often unfortunately feel that they are being somehow forced to go to the dentist against their will, instead of realizing how fortunate they are to be able to have the privilege to be treated by a dentist in the first place. After all, in many parts of the world, people don't have the services of dentists at their disposal at all.

As I see it, the expression "don't shoot the messenger," could not apply more aptly to any other profession more than dentistry. After all, most of the time, dental problems, as opposed to other sorts of health issues, are first discovered by the dentist or dental hygienist themselves as opposed to the patient. Most of us are lucky enough to be able to find out that we might have cavities before they turn into tooth-aches, right? Instead of being happy that the cavity was discovered before it became painful, or that we need something like a root canal, we inadvertently blame the experience of "going to the dentist" as having somehow created the problem. Doesn't seem quite fair to me...

So, I say that we need to have a National Dentist Appreciation Day. Perhaps it should be in December when everyone is gobbling up those Christmas cookies. Or around Halloween, perhaps? Regardless if National Dentist Appreciation Day ever happens or not, next time you go to the dentist, give him or her a smile, and remember that keeping your smile bright is what dentists are really all about.

Guest post written by a fan of the team at the Oakville Place Dental Office.

The Top 10 Reasons People Avoid Going to the Dentist

We surveyed 100 people during lunchtime last week in beautiful Oakville, Ontario to find out why some people don't want to go to the dentist. The following ten reasons were listed most often by our survey participants as to why people avoid the dentist:

10. I can't find a dentist
9. Dentists are too expensive
8. My teeth don't need regular checkups
7. I am too busy
6. I haven't been to the dentist in a long time
5. Electric toothbrush works just fine for me
4. My teeth look white enough
3. My teeth feel fine
2. I floss and brush my teeth, that should be enough
1. I am scared of the dentist

Basically, the people we surveyed seem to think that their teeth are in good shape, don't have the resources to get to a dentist, or even have a fear of getting a dental checkup. Though we work at a dentist office, the reasons listed above don't seem strong enough to us to keep someone from getting regular dental checkups.

No matter what the reason is that you may have been avoiding getting a dental checkup, your teeth are too important to leave unchecked by a dentist. The Oakville Place Dental Office offers affordable and convenient dental services in a friendly and professional environment. Visit our website at http://www.dentistoakville.com today to make an appointment, learn about our dental services, and meet our staff.

Welcome to our Blog!

The staff at Oakville Place Dental Office is proud to announce the launch of our new blog!

The Oakville Place Dental Office Blog is designed to provide information on a variety of dental health related topics including:

• Dental industry news
• Dental health tips
• News about our office
• New services being offered at Oakville Place Dental Office

Make sure to bookmark this blog and keep checking back for new content!