Latest News at Soho Dental

Jul 30 Comments Off

Ancient Briton Diet Proven to be Carb Heavy

Researchers trying to figure out what our ancestors ate have discovered that ancient Britons, like us, loved their carbs.

Plaque preserved on the teeth of people dead for centuries can be used to reveal what their favorite foods were, an international team of researchers found. This dental calculus shows a diet heavy on carbohydrates, including oats, peas and cabbage, from the eighth century right up to modern times.

And people from the year 700 through modern times all appear to have depended heavily on milk for their protein.

Archeologist Jessica Hendy of Germany’s Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and colleagues are trying to find the best ways to use ancient teeth to figure out what ancient people ate.

Researchers struck it lucky when the frozen, mummified body of a 5,000-year-old man, later named Ötzi, was found in the Alps in 1991. His stomach contents were well preserved by the dry cold — revealing a last meal of goat meat, venison and wheat.

Example of dental calculus analyzed in this study
Jessica Hendy et al. / Proceedings of the Royal Society B

But often, all that is left of people long dead are bones and teeth. Hendy’s team is looking at ways to optimize the study of dental plaque, which, they wrote, “entombs and preserves” molecules of food.

“Traces of foodstuffs can be sourced directly from the human mouth, uniquely revealing precise evidence of particular foods consumed,” they wrote in their report, published Tuesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

They used a high-tech approach called proteomics, which analyzes specific proteins in a sample, to re-examine the data collected from 38 samples dating back to England’s Iron Age and the Roman occupation of the island. They used a new protein extraction method to analyze samples from the teeth of people who died in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as people living now or who recently died.

“A total of 100 archaeological samples of dental calculus were analyzed,” they wrote.

One challenge is to separate human proteins from food proteins. The only meat sample they could distinguish was a single incidence of venison. It’s not clear whether that is because meat was rarely eaten, or because it’s too difficult to use current methods to tell animal proteins from the human proteins that would naturally be found in the mouth of a human being.

Hendy’s team found proteins they could identify as coming from oats, peas and plants from the cabbage family in the ancient samples. In modern samples, potatoes, soybeans and peanuts were common.

“Interestingly, we observe that milk proteins are consistently detected throughout all time periods within this study and are detected in 20 percent of individuals overall in ancient and modern individuals,” Hendy’s team wrote.

Northern Europeans commonly carry a genetic mutation that allows them to drink and tolerate milk well into adulthood. Scientists believe that the ability to drink milk gave people a survival advantage.

Understanding what people ate and how diets have changed help paint a clearer picture of long-gone cultures. People can analyze the residue left in ceramic cookware and offerings at gravesites. They can also analyze hair and bones to find chemical signatures of certain classes of food.

But analyzing the hardened plaque on teeth gives a unique picture of what actually went into people’s mouths, Hendy’s team noted

Author: Maggie Fox

Article Originally Appeared at: http://www.nbcnews.com

Jul 15 Comments Off

What is a Dental Articulator?

Posted by Dr. Feisel Haji

A Dental Articulator is a mechanical device that Is used to simulate the ways the jaws move relative to the temporomandibular joints, or “TMJ’s”. The upper and lower models of your teeth are fixed to the device to accurately reproduce their relationship to each other and to your TMJs.

As a result of my training at the Dawson Academy. it has become an essential tool in treatment planning for patients who require more extensive dental care.

Once the models of your teeth are ﬁxed to an articulator and the precise jaw movements are analyzed, the reason for many dental problems become apparent – especially those related to the bite, grinding and tooth wear.

If you have any questions related to tooth wear, grinding or clenching – please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you find your perfect smile for life!

Jun 29 Comments Off

Is Vaping Safe?

Posted by Dr. Feisel Haji

Whether you use sticks, pens, mods, or any other kind of vaporizer, it is likely a good idea to try and break the habit. Whilst more long-term research is still needed, particularly on how e-cigarettes affect dental health, recent research does not appear favorable for vaping.

New research is showing that vaping devices can release a variety of chemicals and metal particles, which could then be inhaled by users. The levels of these toxic chemicals and metals may be lower than those found in tobacco smoke, however, some of these chemicals are known to be poisonous, and others even cancer-causing.

Some of the toxic chemicals that can be inhaled when vaping include:

propylene glycol,
glycerine
formaldehyde
acetaldehyde
acrolein
toluene
nitrosamines
nickel
cadmium
aluminum
silicon
lead

There was a time when vaping was thought to be a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking, however, as time passes, more and more studies are suggesting that this is not the case.

If you have any questions regarding vaping or on other alternatives to quit smoking, please do not hesitate to talk to your team at Soho Dental. We are here to help you on your path to good health, and this should mean staying vape and smoke-free!

Jun 03 Comments Off

The Suprising Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease

Posted by Dr. Feisel Haji

Inflammation associated with gum disease is likely to blame, but further research is needed to understand the relationship.

Gum disease increases risk for heart attack by nearly 50%, according to a recent study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.

Known as the PAROKRANK study (Periodontitis and its Relation to Coronary Artery Disease), this study tested the link between gum disease and heart attack risk. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that affects the bone that surrounds and supports the teeth. According to a 2012 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gum disease affects nearly half of American adults over the age of 30.

However, this common condition doesn’t just affect the teeth and gums. Many studies have linked gum disease to heart disease, likely due to its inflammatory properties. Just as gum disease causes inflammation of the gums, heart disease is associated with inflammation of the heart’s arteries, leading many to wonder whether gum inflammation triggers or worsens heart disease, or vice versa.

To further our understanding of gum disease and heart health, the PAROKRANK study compared the gum health of patients with and without a history of heart attack. Among more than 1,600 Swedish adults included in the study, half suffered a heart attack between 2010 and 2014. The other half were otherwise healthy patients part of a national Swedish registry. In addition to collecting information about participants’ health and lifestyle, researchers conducted dental exams on each participant during the study period.

Overall, researchers found that gum disease was significantly more common in heart attack patients than healthy adults. Approximately 43% of heart attack patients had gum disease, while gum disease affected only 33% of healthy adults. After analysis, researchers found that individuals with teeth and gums were 49% more likely to have a heart attack than those without.

As authors explain, these findings strengthen the possibility of a relationship between gum disease and heart disease. Many studies have now linked gum disease to increased risk for heart disease and it’s likely that inflammation is to blame. However, authors point out that findings do not confirm whether gum disease actually causes heart disease. There is a clear link between the two, as this study suggests, but further research is needed to better understand the relationship between gum disease and heart health.

Article originally appeared at: https://www.cardiosmart.org

Jun 03 Comments Off

How to Floss Dental Implants

Posted by Dr. Feisel Haji

Patients with dental implants are often unsure of the proper method of flossing their implants, and thus keeping the surrounding gums clean and healthy. In this video we demonstrate the correct process of flossing dental implants.

Mar 29 Comments Off

Repair of Chipped, Stained & Discoloured Bonding

Posted by Dr. Feisel Haji

At Soho Dental, we have great pride in the care that we offer our patients from all our practitioners.

Our wonderful associate dentist, Dr. Monica Ramirez would like to share a recent treatment that she just completed.

In the before picture, one can see that patient had bonding completed many years ago and it was beginning to fail. The bonding has chipped, stained and discoloured.

Dr. Ramirez replaced all the bonding, which will ensure a pleasing and aesthetic smile for the patient for years to come!

Mar 04 Comments Off

Repairing a Fractured Front Tooth at Soho Dental

Posted by Dr. Feisel Haji

To fracture a front tooth accidentally can be quite a traumatic experience. Fortunately, repairing a fractured front tooth can often be done with one dental visit. The video illustrates how we can restore a fractured tooth, conservatively with dental bonding

Feb 21 Comments Off

How Acidic Foods Affect Teeth And Which To Avoid

Posted by Dr. Feisel Haji

When families gear up to indulge in their favorite foods during the holiday season, tradition often puts numerous acidic foods on the dinner table. If they’re on yours, do you know what they can do to your teeth? There are numerous types of foods that fall into this category.

Foods to Avoid

Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes and similarly common fruit items are as acidic as they are healthy, which is why it’s important to consume them with water to ensure they don’t harm your enamel. However, these products aren’t the only foods out there known for their low pH level. Others include:

Pickles
Cranberries
Tomato products (pasta sauce, ketchup, salsa, hot sauce)
Coffee
Alcohol (wine)

Why They Hurt

When the acids in the foods you eat and drink cause tooth enamel to wear away, teeth can become discolored as a result. And when tooth enamel weakens in this way, demineralization has started to occur – leaving your teeth’s dentin exposed and prone to sensitivity. Brushing after a meal is generally a good idea, but avoid doing so right after consuming acidic foods. Acid softens your enamel, and brushing too soon will only speed up tooth wear before the enamel has time to settle again. Unfortunately, demineralization can lead to tooth decay.

How to Lessen Dental Erosion

Try eating any acidic foods alongside foods that have a higher pH level, and are therefore low in acidity. Some of these foods include nuts, cheese, oatmeal, mangos, melons, bananas, apples, eggs, vegetables, brown rice and whole grains. Fish and lean meats also have low levels of acid. These foods may actually help protect your tooth enamel, giving you a nice double benefit. They do this by neutralizing acids in otherwise acidic saliva, and by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to put minerals back in the teeth.

Prevention

See your dental professional twice a year for dental cleanings, which play an important role in maintaining your oral health by helping to identify dental erosion in its early stages. If there is a need, they can counsel you on making healthy dietary choices to stop dental erosion if your eating habits are contributing. Outside the dental chair, keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water so saliva can cleanse your mouth of these acids regularly. Use a fluoride toothpaste, which can help to repair tooth enamel and reduce your risk of decay. Keep in mind that according to the American Dental Association (ADA) fluoride furthers the remineralization of the tooth enamel. Swishing with a fluoride mouthwash will also help to lessen the severity of dental erosion. Be sure to floss once a day in your daily oral health routine, too.

Don’t overlook the little things behind your daily routine, either. Chewing sugar-free gum can increase saliva flow, allowing it to neutralize acids and help teeth to stay strong. After all, a healthy mouth will only help you enjoy your favorite cuisine!

Author: Diana Tosuni-O’Neill RDH, BS
Article originally appeared at: http://www.colgate.ca

Jan 30 Comments Off

Repairing a Cavity in a Front Tooth

Posted by Dr. Feisel Haji

Repairing of “Anterior Caries” (also known as a cavities in the front teeth) are one of the procedures we commonly perform at Soho Dental Toronto. While work on your front teeth may sound serious and even scary – this is a very common procedure, and is performed quite easily, and painlessly. Watch this great video of cavities in the front teeth being repaired at Soho Dental, and see for yourself why you shouldn’t let worry or fear prevent you from addressing issues you might have with your most important teeth! Contact us today to book a consultation and let us explain how we can help you get those front teeth shiny and new again!

Jan 09 Comments Off

Custom Fit Mouthguards VS. Off-The-Shelf Mouthguards

Posted by Dr. Feisel Haji

A common question that dentists hear from those who are in the market for a new mouthguard is,

“Do I really need a custom-fit mouthguard, or will an over-the-counter mouthguard work just as well?”

This is a valid question, and the answer depends on what your personal preferences are regarding comfort level, price range, materials, and protection levels. To help clarify which type of mouthguard may be the right one for you, we have laid out everything you need to know about the similarities and differences between custom-fit mouthguards and over-the-counter mouthguards.

Over-the-counter Mouthguards

What are they?

Both sports and over-the-counter mouthguards are made of plastic, but while most sports mouthguards are very thick and brittle, over-the-counter mouthguards are created out of a thinner and more pliable plastic that is meant to be more suitable to a wider range of people.Over-the-counter mouthguards are very similar to many mouthguards used by athletes while playing sports except over-the-counter mouthguards are intended to stop teeth from grinding during the night.

Over-the-counter mouthguards come out of their packaging as a smooth, preformed u-shaped tray and cover the entire top row of teeth in order to prevent upper and lower teeth from gnashing and grinding against each other. The mouthguard has to be fitted to your specific teeth before it is comfortable to wear and work effectively.

How are they fitted?

Generally speaking, the most common over-the-counter mouthguards are formed through a method called “boil and bite”. This means that the mouthguard must be placed in boiling water for a certain amount of time, specified by the instructions included with the mouthguard, in order for the plastic to become very soft and pliable.

After being heated sufficiently, the mouthguard is then taken out of the water and carefully placed in the mouth, over the teeth, and gently bitten down on so that the soft plastic moulds to the shape of the wearer’s teeth. The primary downside to these is that the plastic is thinner, which means that extra precaution should be taken to ensure that when moulding the mouthguard to the teeth, the mouthguard is not bitten through.

After the mouthguard has cooled and is properly formed to your teeth, you can then carefully make any adjustments to the mouthguard with a sharp and sturdy pair of scissors or a razor blade. Over-the-counter mouthguards are meant to be customizable, so if the mouthguard feels too long or is too high and aggravates the gums, it can be modified to suit your comfort level.

How well do they work?

When used for either sports or sleeping, the efficacy of over-the-counter mouthguards depends on a few things, such as these:

How intensely you grind, clench, and gnash your teeth together
The amount and type of outside force applied to the face (pucks, sticks, elbows)
The thickness of the mouthguard itself
Whether it was moulded properly after it was boiled
Its ability to stay on the wearer’s teeth, even when the mouth is open
A sleeper’s tendency to unconsciously dislodge the mouthguard

Protecting your teeth from grinding with an over-the-counter mouthguard is absolutely better than not protecting them at all. However, if your jaw moves enough to move or dislodge the mouthguard during sleep the mouthguard will no longer protect your teeth.

If you clench your teeth extremely hard, you may end up biting through the plastic or breaking the mouthguard which, again, would leave your teeth unprotected. If this sounds like your teeth grinding habits, a custom-fit mouthguard is going to be better suited to your needs.

How long do they last?

Because over-the-counter mouthguards are made from a pliable plastic, constant chewing, teeth clenching, and grinding wears down the plastic much quicker than the strong material used to make custom-fit mouthguards.

This means that over the course of a few months, over-the-counter mouthguards can break or become deformed and may no longer provide the same level of protection.

Where can I buy one and how much are they?

Over-the-counter mouth guards can be purchased at most pharmacies, drugstores, and some online retailers. However, if you are a first time buyer it is best to buy your mouth guard in person and speak with the pharmacy professional to ensure that you are getting the one best for you. Generally speaking, these mouth guards cost from $15 to $35.

Pros

Affordable
Easy to buy
Relatively quick to fit

Cons

Not suitable for violent teeth grinders
Do not last very long
Can be ill fitting
Less able to withstand forces during sports

Custom-fit Mouthguards

What are they?

Custom-fit mouthguards are prescribed and created by a dental professional from thermoplastic material and are based on a detailed mould taken of your mouth and teeth.

These devices are highly personalized as your dentist can adjust the thickness of the mouthguard depending on your level of teeth grinding and clenching, and they are designed to fit perfectly in your mouth with no adjustments needed. Custom mouthguards can be made for either sports or for nighttime teeth grinding, and are created differently depending on the intended use.

Most mouthguards are generally only fitted for the upper teeth, but can also be fitted for the bottom set of teeth in certain situations. Unlike over-the-counter mouthguards, no two custom mouthguards are the same, and for that reason they provide the most complete protection for your mouth.

How are they made?

The first step your dentist will take when creating your custom-fit mouthguard will be to take an impression of your teeth. This is generally done using a dental putty that forms to all the crevices of each tooth and creates an exact mould of your smile – unlike regular store-bought mouthguards which just form to the general shape of the tooth line.

This mould is then used in the dental office or, more often, is sent to a lab where the actual mouthguard is created. The structure is made by layering superheated plastic to precise specifications, and is then cooled to create an extremely durable piece of dental wear.

How well do they work?

Because custom mouth guards are so precisely made, they are able to provide you with optimal safety and comfort. This is something that over-the-counter mouthguards cannot ever achieve.

The level of protection afforded by custom-fitted mouthguards is unrivalled by any other mouthguard, and their durability is enhanced by the snug shape, which hugs each tooth closely, eliminating unwanted movement. For those who violently grind, clench, or gnash their teeth at night, custom-fit mouthguards can be made thicker, alleviating and reducing pressure on the jaw.

How long do they last?

Custom-fit mouthguards are very durable and do not lose their shape like store bought mouthguards tend to. The general rule of thumb for custom mouthguards is that every few years they may need replacing, depending on the level of wear and tear, and whether or not there have been any changes in the mouth or to the wearer’s teeth.

Children who are still growing will need their custom mouthguards updated more frequently to accommodate their changing mouths.

However, it is a good idea to bring your custom mouthguard with you to each dental checkup so that your dentist can ensure that it is still fitting properly and is not damaged.

How can I get one and how much do they cost?

Custom-fit mouthguards can only be obtained through your dentist. If you are eligible for one, your dentist will arrange a time when you can be fitted for a dental mould to begin the process of creating your custom mouthguard.

Because these mouthguards require professional attention and are so specific to each mouth, they can cost anywhere from $100 to $700 depending on what you will be using it for, how much material is needed, and other specifications your mouth may need. Be sure to check with your insurance provider whether or not the expense can be covered or partially covered according to your dental plan.

Pros

Best protection available
Extremely durable
Can both protect teeth and alleviate jaw tension

Cons

Can be expensive
Requires a dentist appointment

Talk to Your Dentist

Whether you are considering an over-the-counter mouthguard or think a custom-fit option might be the best for you, be sure to talk to your dentist about your specific needs. Contact us today if you have more questions about mouthguards

Article originally appeared at https://www.123dentist.com

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