Having a toothache doesn’t only derail your good mood, it can drive migraines and keep you from functioning during your day. Besides interfering with your life, toothaches and gum throbbing is a sign something is wrong. The best thing to do when experiencing that kind of pain is to see a dentist as soon as you can, but if you’re unable to get an appointment asap there are some home remedies to help ease the discomfort while waiting to see your dentist. 

These home remedies for a toothache are safe to do at home and shouldn’t interfere with any approaches your dentist may make. Be sure to tell them the actions you’ve taken to help ease the pain so they can determine whether it’s ok to continue after they’ve addressed the issue.

Salt Water Rinse

Toothache pain can rear its head in a sudden onset, not always giving you the opportunity to get into the dentist’s chair as soon as you’d like. If that’s the case, sometimes a saltwater rinse can provide temporary relief. It helps by drawing out infected fluid and cleans the area, essentially reducing inflammation and clearing away bacteria.

• Add about a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water, 6 to 8 ounces will do.
• Stir up the salt to help it dissolve
• Swish the saltwater in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds, but DO NOT SWALLOW IT. Drinking salt water is very bad for your body.
• Spit it out and repeat another time or two.

Use a Sensitive Toothpaste

Brushing your teeth while having a toothache can be painful, but it’s essential you keep brushing to help ensure the underlying problem doesn’t grow worse. This can help to ease the pain right away if the discomfort is caused by dental plaque bacteria or food debris. After brushing, consider applying special toothpaste made for sensitive teeth to the area with the toothache. Do this twice a day to help cut down on the discomfort until you see a dentist.

Hot and Cold Packs

Both heat and cold packs help ease the pain of a toothache, but the cold pack specifically will help with any inflammation. Whenever you need relief or if the pain is growing unbearable, you can use either to help temporarily relieve the toothache.

Over the Counter Pain Relievers

If you’re looking for longer pain relief, although still temporary, any over-the-counter pain reliever will help you feel less of the toothache. Be sure to read and follow the pill bottle’s directions carefully to make sure that it doesn’t interact with any other medications you are taking. Also, remember that pain relievers don’t fix your toothache, it only offers temporary relief.

Possible Toothache Causes

Any pain is a red flag that something is wrong. Now that we know how to address the pain from toothaches, it’s important to know some of the possible causes.

• Cavity: We all get them from time to time and a toothache could mean a cavity is growing into a bigger problem.
• Gum disease: This is an infection of the gum tissues around your teeth, likely causing inflammation and pain felt as a toothache.
• Impacted tooth: This is a tooth that is lodged inside your gum and cannot break through. While some of the home remedies above can help with this pain relief, a dentist must still be seen as soon as possible.
• Damaged tooth: Tooth pain can be caused by cracked, chipped or broken teeth, and is usually a good reason to see schedule an appointment right away.
• Abscess: This is an infection in your tooth caused by decay, damage, or gum disease. As with an impacted or otherwise damaged tooth, you should see a dentist straight away.

When to See a Dentist ASAP

Some oral health issues we let go on for too long, whether due to a fear of the dentist or because we don’t notice them until they develop into a toothache. If you have any of the following symptoms, it’s important to call your dentist straight away, as a serious problem could be brewing. 

• Swelling
• Pus
• Pain that is ongoing or gets worse
• Fever
• Bleeding gums
• Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold
• Foul taste in your mouth
• Cluster headaches associated with toothaches

 The best thing to help prevent a toothache from growing into a serious oral health problem is to see a dentist as soon as you can. The home remedies for toothaches listed above don’t solve the problem, they only offer temporary relief. Whatever the underlying issue must still be addressed.

 If you are in need of a dental check-up or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, Dr. Li is available to help you regain your oral health. We have numerous payment options available and if you have dental benefits, we will submit your claims on your behalf. We also welcome cash, Visa, MasterCard, and e-Transfer payment methods to help make the dentist visit as pain-free as possible.

 If you have any questions or concerns about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 587-801-1939 or contact us here.

It might start with a bit of sensitivity in your teeth or gums… Then it becomes a bit of an annoying ache or throbbing sensation in your mouth. 

Yep, it’s a toothache! And it’s one of the most common signs that you probably have a bacterial infection somewhere in your teeth or gums.  

Now, don’t stress too much yet. Most dental infections, like cavities, are easily treatable with common dental procedures. 

However, if left untreated, infections could cause more severe problems in the future like pulpitis or dental abscesses, or potentially even spread to other parts of your body. That’s why it’s very important to seek out a dentist, like Dr. Li and her team at Ellerslie 66, as soon as you start experiencing any symptoms of a potential issue. Only then can they treat your oral health issues before they become a major problem.

To help you identify tooth infection symptoms and understand what to do if you’re experiencing them, we’ve put together this handy guide with all you need to know.

What is a tooth infection?

A dental infection is generally caused by bacteria in your mouth getting where it should not be.  While we all have bacteria throughout the surfaces of our mouth, problems begin to occur when the bacteria gets to the insides of your teeth, gums, or other mouth tissue. This is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, but can also happen when there are chips, cracks, or other injuries to your teeth as well.

Essentially, what happens over time is an excess of bacteria in your mouth will combine with acids, sugary and starchy foods, and saliva to create plaque and tartar buildup. Too much plaque can lead to issues such as tooth decay, and gum disease which allow the bacteria inside your teeth and gums. 

Once bacteria has gotten inside your tooth or gum tissue it can cause three main types of tooth infections. These are:

• Cavities: Small holes in your teeth created where plaque has dissolved your tooth enamel. 
• Pulpitis: A condition where bacteria has gotten into the pulp of your tooth and can cause nerve damage or dead teeth.
• Abscess: An infection where bacteria in your mouth forms a pocket of pus that causes moderate to severe pain, and can turn into a serious, life-threatening condition if left untreated. Depending on where the condition is located there are different types of abscess, including: periapical abscess, or tooth abscess at the root of your tooth; periodontal abscess, in the gums or tissue next to the root or bone; and gingival abscess in your gums.

While regularly brushing your teeth and flossing can help prevent plaque buildup, and ultimately dental infections, having routine dental exams twice a year is also very important. Plaque itself cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone so your dentist should regularly remove any that has built up and take other necessary steps to protect your teeth.

Tooth Infection Symptoms

Now that you know what a tooth infection is and how it is caused, it’s time to learn what signs to look out for.  The following are some of the most common symptoms that might suggest that you have a tooth infection, or another problem that may lead to one:

• Consistent or throbbing tooth pain
• Throbbing pain in the jaw, ear or neck
• Increased pain when lying down
• Sensitivity to pressure in the mouth
• Sensitivity to hot or cold food & drink
• Swelling of your cheeks, jaw, mouth, or face
• Tender or swollen lymph nodes
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Unpleasant taste in mouth

If you’re experiencing the above symptoms, especially a combination of any, you should seek out emergency dental services from a dental provider near you. While there’s potential that it could be nothing serious, you’ll have solace in knowing that if you do have an infection that it can be caught and treated before the infection has spread to other parts of your body.

Symptoms An Infection Has Spread

While it’s best to take care of a tooth infection before it spreads, it’s also important to know when it has. It’s easy to let tooth infection carry on, especially if nervous about a dentist appointment. If you have any of these symptoms though, it’s best to seek dental care as soon as possible:

• headache
• dizziness
• fatigue
• sweating
• chills
• skin flushed
• swelling to the point of difficulty opening your mouth
• swelling that impedes swallowing and breathing
• darker urine
• diarrhea
• vomiting

Of course, these symptoms extend from many different kinds of ailments, but if they’re following symptoms of tooth infection and you’re experiencing several of the symptoms at once then you know it’s likely that the infection has spread.

How Are Tooth Infections Treated?

Depending on the severity of the tooth infection, there is a range of treatment options to quell the problem in your teeth or gums and restore your oral health. Some common treatments for a tooth infection include:

• Root canal
• draining abscess
• Administering antibiotics
• anti-inflammatory drugs
• removal of tooth

The path your dentist takes to restore good oral health very much depends on if the tooth infection has spread as well as the severity. Keep in mind that the longer you wait after experiencing any symptoms listed above, the more involved the treatment is likely to be. 

Preventing Tooth Infections

The best way to catch tooth infections before they spread is by regular visits to your dentist and scheduling an appointment when you notice tooth infection symptoms appearing. Teeth that see the dentist often are healthy teeth. 

If you are in need of a dental check-up or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, Dr. Li is available to help you regain your oral health. We have numerous payment options available and if you have dental benefits, we will submit your claims on your behalf. We also welcome cash, Visa, MasterCard, and e-Transfer payment methods to help make the dentist visit as pain-free as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 587-801-1939 or contact us here.

Taking care of your child’s oral care is important from a very early age. Starting good oral hygiene practices with your child as soon as their baby teeth come in will help prevent dental problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities later in life.

However, as all parents know, trying to teach a young child good habits of any kind and getting them to pay attention for more than 30 seconds at a time is much easier said than done. That’s why the pediatric dental experts at Ellerslie 66 Dental are here to give you some tips that can help make tooth brushing and flossing fun and easy for you and your child.

Show Them How

Before letting your child be involved in the process of brushing and flossing, take the time to show them how you do it yourself.  Since you should be brushing your own teeth twice a day for two minutes anyway, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to show your children how you take care of your own pearly whites. 

Sit together in front of the mirror and let them get a good look in your mouth to see how you reach every surface of your teeth, gums, and tongue. Make sure to emphasize that it’s important to spit the excess toothpaste out and rinse afterward. Then take the time to show them how you wrap the floss around your fingers and get into the spaces between all of your teeth.  

Showing your child how you do this on yourself can not only give them a visual aid for what they should be doing, but it can also help relieve anxiety by showing them that if mommy or daddy can do it there’s nothing to be worried about. 

Let Them Practice on You

One you’ve shown them how you brush and floss on yourself, give your child the chance to practice on you.  Let them brush and even practice flossing on a few of your teeth. Even if they don’t get it right the first time, you have the ability to go back and do it yourself again later!

Giving them the chance to practice on you lets your child feel like you are their equal in the process, rather than just the person telling them what they have to do.  If it’s important for you to take care of your teeth, it must be important for them as well!

Let Them Try On Their Own (Supervised)

Once your child has had an opportunity to watch and practice on you, give them some independence and let them try brushing and flossing their own teeth. Give them the freedom to put their own pea size amount of children’s fluoride toothpaste on their brush, wrap the floss around their fingers, and do the work themselves.  

Allowing them to brush and floss on their own while you guide them can give them a feeling of responsibility and being in control.

Let Them Choose

One of the easiest ways to help your child feel in control of their own oral health is to simply let them pick their own toothbrush and toothpaste flavor. 

Next time you’re at the store, let them make the choice.  Since they won’t necessarily know the difference between a child’s brush or toothpaste and a grownup’s, you can narrow it down for them, and give them some options to choose from. 

If they don’t end up liking the flavors they choose, try something else the next time, or have a couple different options in the house to give them variety.

Brush to music

From Raffi, to Sesame Street and the Wiggles, there are several children’s musicians who have written songs about brushing teeth.  Putting on one of these songs from their favorite characters can make brushing teeth a fun game, rather than a tedious activity.  In addition, most of these songs are conveniently about 2 minutes long, so your child will get in the habit of knowing the proper amount of brushing time.

Give Them Rewards

Incentivising your children to brush and floss regularly by giving them rewards is another way to make oral care fun and help your child feel like they are doing something important.  This could be something as simple as giving them a sticker or putting coins in a jar to save for a fun prize. 

To reward different levels of completion you could give a gold star or a quarter if they brush for the whole two minutes and floss, and maybe a silver star or a dime if they brush and floss, but don’t fully complete the process.

Be Patient!

Last but not least, be patient!  The process of getting your children to practice good brushing and flossing habits will take time and there will be bumps along the way.  However, if your children see you get frustrated, they’ll get frustrated and lose interest as well. 

Be there to answer their questions, and help them when they need it.  

And if you ever have questions yourself, or would like to schedule your child for their regular dental checkup and teeth cleaning, the team at Ellerslie 66 Dental is here for you.  Feel free to contact us or call us at (780) 705-9866 and we’ll be happy to help!

Your child’s oral health is just as important as your own.  From the time they are babies, all the way until they get their permanent teeth, it’s important to make sure that your child practices good dental home care to help ensure that they grow up with healthy, happy smiles. 

However, at Ellerslie 66 Dental, we know it can be difficult for your child to learn how to practice good dental hygiene habits, especially at an early age.  If your child is too young to take care of their own teeth, or if they need some help acquiring some good habits, we’re here to offer a few suggestions to help make your children’s dental care easy. 

Advice for Your Children’s Dental Care:

To help ensure your child’s dental health, they should begin to brush and floss on their own as soon as they are old enough to do so. In most cases children should be able to do this with supervision around the age of 4 or 5.  However, each child is different, so make sure to consult with your dentist to make sure they think your child is able to practice good oral hygiene on their own.

Helping your child practice good dental hygiene early on can help them engage in good hygiene habits after their adult teeth come in. 

Brushing:

Engaging in good brushing habits removes plaque from your child’s teeth, and helps prevent cavities and tooth decay.  Children should start brushing using toothbrushes with soft bristles. 

You can help your child learn proper brushing technique by first showing them how to place their toothbrush against their front teeth at a 45 degree angle.  Have them start brushing in a circular motion along their gums. After they have brushed all of their front teeth have them move to the top and inside surfaces as well. Finally, help your child get in the habit of brushing their gums to remove bacteria and help keep their breath fresh.   

Many cities, like Edmonton, have fluoride in the water to help strengthen and repair tooth enamel.  However, using a small amount of  fluoride toothpaste is recommended to help maintain the health of your child’s teeth 

Flossing: 

Your child should start flossing as soon as they have teeth that touch together. Often this will occur before your child is old enough to floss on their own so you should help them until they are capable of flossing themselves.  

To practice proper flossing technique, you or your child should wrap a string of floss between the thumb and forefinger. Place the floss between each set of teeth in a C shape and gently move the floss back and forth. You don’t have to floss too hard, stop when you feel resistance on the gums or teeth.  And don’t forget to get all of your child’s teeth, including the four in the back.

Visiting the Dentist:

An important part of your child’s dental care, is to make sure that they receive regular dental services from a pediatric dentist.

Visiting a dentist within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth is recommended in Canada by the The Canadian Dental Association (CDA). As we emphasize in Preventative Dentistry, the purpose is to take preventative measures before problems occur or get more serious. 

Regular dental appointments for kids can teach them good oral habits and learn the importance of oral health from their childhood. Dentists can also offer other preventative measures, like dental sealants, that you can’t get at home. They can also help identify and mitigate possible dental health issues before they happen. A dental exam every six months is recommended if a child has had cavities before, otherwise every twelve months.

Dr. Li and the care team at Ellerslie 66 Dental Clinic know the importance of children’s dental health. We will provide your child with compassionate and comfortable care, and help them to understand the benefits of good dental health. 

If you have questions about our pediatric dentistry services, or would like to make an appointment for your child, contact our team of dental professionals or give us a call at (780) 705-9866.

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures because it can help restore confidence in your smile. Some patients might feel embarrassed about wanting to undergo a teeth whitening procedure, and we hope we can help you understand that teeth whitening is very common, and many people do it!

We assure you that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Teeth whitening is a great way to remove stubborn stains that most people will encounter over the course of their lives.

Discoloration in your teeth may be caused by:

• Tobacco use
• Aging
• Side effects from certain medication
• Consumption of coffee, tea, wine and other deeply pigmented food and drink
• Poor dental hygiene due to lack of preventative dental care
• Many other reasons that may be beyond your control

It’s important to understand that not all teeth can be whitened, and there are many health factors that will determine if tooth whitening is right for you. In cases where teeth whitening will not be effective, dental veneers might be a suitable alternative for brightening your smile.

How to Whiten Teeth

Teeth whitening can be performed in several ways, and a qualified teeth whitening dentist can help you make a decision based on your health history and whitening goals. The three most common ways to whiten teeth are:

In-Office with the help of Dr. Li and our friendly team

Teeth whitening can be performed in the office and is the fastest method of whitening teeth. In-office teeth whitening is performed through the use of high concentrations of bleaching gel in precise applications. This form of teeth whitening is not permanent, and patients may need to book follow up appointments to keep their teeth white over time.

Custom made trays that contain teeth whitening gel

Teeth whitening trays work by gradually whitening teeth over time through the use of teeth whitening gel applied to a tray that is custom-fit to a patient’s mouth. The whitening gel used in our take home trays is professional strength and more powerful than teeth whitening products you find at a store.

Over the counter teeth whitening kits

There are many teeth whitening kits and strips available over the counter at pharmacies and other retail outlets. Because there are so many brands available, it can be difficult to know which teeth whitening kit is best for you. We suggest that you speak with Dr. Li and our care team to understand your options and which teeth whitening method will be most effective for you.

Find Out the Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth

When you meet with Dr. Li and our friendly care team, we will review your dental health history and fully examine your teeth to determine if you are a candidate for teeth whitening. Dr. Li will explain which teeth whitening method might be most effective for you, and will take the time to answer all of your questions.

We understand that going to the dentist can sometimes be stressful, and we’re committed to making you feel comfortable and relaxed. 

To book a teeth whitening consultation, fill out our convenient online form, or call us at 780-705-9866.