Pearly Whites Plus
We understand that trying to find a nearby dentist you can trust is difficult, that is why we make it easy for you to work with us.
(705) 531-7587
61 Rea Street South, Timmins
smile@pearlywhitesplus.com
(705) 531-7587
Preventive Services
Dental Sealants
When it comes to cavity prevention, dental sealants are the way to go. The treatment itself has evolved over the years to become simple and painless for patients of all ages. And while dental sealants were mainly used on adults, we have seen an influx of patients who are pre-teens, teens, and young adults receiving them. This is because a dental sealant helps prevent tooth decay from occurring by placing a tooth-colored resin over the hard-to-reach areas of your teeth. This resin acts as a barrier between your teeth and any acids that may try to break down their enamel. So, while adults tend to remember to floss and brush their teeth on a regular basis, children and teens do not always remember to build it into their daily routine. Typically, sealants are placed on permanent molars, but have been placed on front teeth as well, this will depend on the state of your teeth and health of your mouth. Once a dental sealant has been placed though, it can last anywhere from 5-10 years, but may last much longer depending on proper oral care.
Tooth Desensitization and Fluoride Treatment
If a taste of ice cream or a sip of hot coffee is sometimes a painful experience for you, then you most likely suffer from sensitive teeth. Dental sensitivity is very common amongst adults and there are many reasons why teeth become sensitive. Most often, it is due to root exposure. We offer treatment to decrease that sensitivity with minimal to no discomfort by applying a fluoride gel or other desensitizing agents to your teeth. This process is simple and can have long lasting affects on the strength of your enamel and the transmission of painful sensations to the nerves of your teeth. Usually, tooth sensitivity occurs because of bone Loss, vigorous brushing, clenching/grinding of teeth, acid wear on teeth, smoking, periodontal surgery, cancer treatment, and dry mouth.
Fluoride is used to help prevent tooth decay and is usually recommended for children up to 18-years old but is determined by your oral health. Fluoride treatment helps if you have a history of tooth-decay or sensitivity around your teeth and gums, and also helps by strengthening the enamel on your teeth.
Custom Mouth Guards
A mouth guard is a piece of material that fits in your mouth to help prevent damage to the lips, teeth, and gums. In instances when a patient regularly takes part in physical activity or grinds or clenches their teeth, it is crucial to wear a mouth guard as it creates a barrier between your teeth and any objects or force to ensure no permanent damage occurs. Mouth guards also help prevent damage to the jaw, chips or cracks to teeth, and even tooth loss.
There are boil and bite mouth guards usually purchased in pharmacies and sports stores. This type of guard can be molded at home using boiling water, which helps soften the material, and then placed in your mouth to help form the plastic to your teeth. This is a less expensive mouth guard; however, it will not supply you with the best comfort or protection.
A stock mouth guard is also sold in a sports store and is pre-formed already. This form of mouth guard provides the least amount of protection and comfort, which could result in extensive damage to the lips, teeth, or jaw. This is because these types of mouth guards take the approach of “one size fits all”. There is also the chance that stock mouth guards could interfere with swallowing and breathing, which is why they are not recommended.
What is the difference between store-bought and custom-fit mouth guards?
There are a variety of options available to patients who are looking to protect their teeth during sleep or physical activity. However, patients are left wondering what the difference is between store-bought and custom fit mouth guards. Store-bought mouth guards are mass-produced, which means that a generic form is taken to ensure it can fit a multitude of shapes. Although these mouth guards come ready to use, they may not fit every patient the same due to the different sizes and shapes of our mouths. Wearing an improperly fitted mouth guard could potentially cause more damage than not wearing one at all as the store-bought mouth guards are made from soft plastic, which is thin.
Thin plastic prevents the mouth guards from staying in the same shape for long periods of time. Typically, these store-bought mouth guards need to be replaced every 90-days or after 40-uses. Custom-fit mouth guards are made by a dental professional through impressions and measurements to ensure accuracy. They are made from thermoplastic which is far more durable than store bought plastic. Since they are custom-fit pieces, they will fit much more comfortably. These custom mouth guards also last 3-4 times longer than the store-bought kind.
Sports Guards
If you take part in any contact sport or physical activity, you should always wear a sports guard to prevent injury to your face, teeth, and jaw. Oral injuries can occur at any age and as a result, it is crucial to stay protected when involved in contact sports.
Usually, we recommend acquiring a sport guard if you play sports like football, rugby, hockey, or basketball, however, other sports like baseball, cricket, and soccer have also been noted for patients to use a sports guard. You should also consider a sports guard if you take part in recreational activities like skateboarding, cycling, or even track and field.
Sports mouth guards are beneficial because they help protect your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues from any trauma that could occur during the activities. They can also help reduce the pressure that could occur from a forceful hit to the chin.
When acquiring a sports guard, be sure that the material is comfortable but secure, allows for normal breathing, provides full protection, and does not have an odor.
Night Guards
Many patients have found they suffer from headaches, TMJ, sensitive teeth, or even eroded, chipped, or cracked teeth due to undiagnosed bruxism. This condition typically happens during the night, which is why many patients do not know if they have it. Although bruxism may not prompt any real concerns, in the long-term, it can lead to broken teeth, loss of tooth enamel, and potential tooth loss. However, once it is diagnosed, you can start wearing a night guard to help prevent further damage and pain. So, if you do grind or clench your teeth, a night guard will help protect your teeth and relieve tension that may occur.
There are a few different night guards that a patient can purchase, such as a custom night guard, a boil and bite, and a one-size-fits-all. A custom night guard is made by a professional and is custom fit for your mouth using a dental impression. The boil and bite night guards are an over-the-counter guard which requires you to boil the piece of plastic to soften the material in order make your impression. This night guard may not give you the maximum protection or comfort you are looking for but it is a quick fix (just not a long-term solution). A one-size-fits-all night guard is another over-the-counter guard which is not custom or form fitting. These guards may work for a brief period but are not suggested for the long term as they may only help with occasional grinding.