Reflections Dental Health Blog

Tooth Sensitivity

Dr. Ken Hamin — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:49:43 +0000

Porous tissuse called dentin is protected by your gums and by your teeths hard enamle outer layer. Dentin can b explosed due to receding gums, fractured or chipped tooth, or erosion. Microscopic holes in the dentin, called tublues, are connected to the nerve, triggering pain when irritated by certain foods or beveraged.

When treating gum sensitivity your dental provider will suggest that you use a soft bristle toothbrush or a power brush with a desensitizing tooth paste.

Oral Cancer

Dr. Ken Hamin — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:04:34 +0000

Oral Cancer: Cancer of the mouth

Oral cancer can start off as a white plaque or an ulcer in the mouth.

Oral cancer involves the lips or the tonuge, it may also involve other parts of the oral cavity such as:

- cheek lining

- floor of the mouth

- gums

- roof of the mouth

Some factors that may increase the risk for oral cancer include:

- Chronic irritation

- Human pappilloma virus

- Poor dental and Oral hygiene

Contact your health provider and find out more information on oral cancer.

Your Dental and Overall Health

Dr. Ken Hamin — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:10:05 +0000

Your dental helth dose not olnly effect your appearance and sense of well being; it effects your overall health. Gum diease and cavitites are contributing factors towards many serious health conditions diabetes and respiratory diseases.

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums, this can also effect the bone that is supporting the tooth. This is caused by the hardening and constant build up of plaque. If this plaque is not removed then the plauqe can travel from the mouth to the lungs causing infection or aggrivating any existing lung problems.

Some ways of minimizing your risk:

- Brush and floss daily

- visit your dentist regularly

- try to maintain a health diet.

Powerbrushes: Electric and Sonic

Dr. Ken Hamin — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:24:54 +0000

There are two main types of powerbrushes:

Electric brushes: with 3000 to 7500 rotating brushes a minute electric toothbrushes are powered to replicate the motion of your hand doing the muscle work for you. The bristes on the electric toothbrush rotate or move back and forth, this is to help accomplish the removal of plaque and reduce gingivitis.

Sonic toothbrushes: Offering 30, 000 to 40, 000 stroke per minute sonic toothbrushes rotate in a back and forth vibrating motion.

Defend Your Smile

Dr. Ken Hamin — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:40:33 +0000

Did you know….

- Mouthgaurds prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries among every year.

- It is estimated that athletes participating in sports who do not wear a mouthguard are 60 times more likely to sustain an injury to their teeth.

- Mouthguards improve the confidence of players.

- Millions of teeth are lost annually across North America to athletes while paticipating in sporting activities.

Take Your Whitening Home!

Dr. Ken Hamin — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:18:19 +0000

NiteWhite is a formula that delivers radiant results in a matter of days. This take home whitening formula can be worn overnight in trays that are custom fitted for your mouth. This is so the fast acting formula whitens your entire smile to ensure superior results. NiteWhite contains potassium nitrate and amorphous calcium phosphate. These two components are what provide a more comfortable whitening tratment. The amorphous calcium phosphate is a chemical compound that is similar to the natural minerals that make up teeth. The amorphous calcium creates a micro-coating over the original tooth surface, this makes the teeth stronger and shinier.

The whitening gel is placed in custom-fitted trays that fit over your teeth. As the peroxide in the gel breaks down, hydroxyradicals enter the tooth to naturally whiten the stains. Unlike strips this process whitens all your teeth and provides maximum confort with less sensitivity. The results vary depending on your age, starting shade, and the condition of your teeth. Other factors may be the type of take home you choose to go with and how long it is worn for.

Teeth whitening is an established procedure in cosmetic dentistry. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, the active whitening ingredients, have been used safely for many years. If there are any other questions regarding whitening give us a call at our offices!

Reflections Dental Health Centre

717 Harrow Street

Winnipeg, Manitoba

R3M 3Y7

1204-777-6453

Campus Dental Centre

Room 100 University Centre

Winnipeg, Manitoba

R3T 2N2

1204-474-7373

Soft Tissue Management

Dr. Ken Hamin — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:26:26 +0000

Did you know….. that dental diseases such as cavitites and gum disease are the most common diseases affecting people. Gum disease is due to a bacterial infection and your body response to that infection. 75% of the population have some form of peridontal disease but the majority of the population do not realize that they even have one. However early detection to these diseases are a key component in successful treatment. Your dental professional will routinely perform a gum disease screening exam. The results of ths exam will determine your peridontal status. If there has been peridontal disease detected, our dental professionals will create a personalized teatment plan!

Information provided by:

Pro-Dentec (Professional Dental Technologies)

Dental Care- A commodity or a service…

Dr. Ken Hamin — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:33:15 +0000

I often get asked about the field of dentistry by my students at the U of M. Being a professor for over 18 years and attending thousands of hours of advanced education, I have heard many great educators in the fields of dental care. When it comes to a crown or a restoration, an Implant or a Gum Disease Treatment, or whether with sedation dentistry or just local freezing , the delivery of care to our clients comes down to a few things. First, educating the individuals on their choices is important. Secondly and more critical is finding out their risk through a proper assessment as well as determining the best treatment and analyzing the survival of what you are recommending. People are living longer and you want to do the best job possible and do it right the first time. People are not paying for the “filling” or the “cap,”… they are investing in your Knowledge and trusting you have the experience and education to give the best recommendation and care. They trust you will use the best material and judgement in treating them. You probably wouldnt want to look for the best bargain for Open Heart Surgery, would you? You would want the best trained and competent doing your surgery or a loved ones because you want it done right the first time because there may not be any second chances depending on the risk. When I was in dental school there are many things that cant be taught due to time but also due to lack of core knowledge. Without that knowledge and experience , there are some things that just would never be understood. ….. Overall, dental care is a service whose value is determined by many criteria. It isnt a Costco or Walmart commodity that can be picked up off the shelf!

KOIS Dental

Dr. Ken Hamin — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:08:44 +0000

I just finished my Dr John Kois dental Advanced training in Seattle, It took over three years of intense training with 12 hour days and over 8 sessions. The educational experience is unsurpassed in the world and the last session brught 25 dentists from all over the world to his teaching center. This last week was on Dental Implants and fixed Crowns and Bridges as well as Implant retained and assisted Dentures. Dentists came from Poland, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Spain , Italy, as well as the US and Canada to attend this last week. I graduated with great pride as the journey was intense but I could not have asked for a better value in education. These courses are always sold out and often booked up 12-18 months in advance sometimes within days of becoming available! Thanks Dr. Kois and his great organized team of Mentors and dental personnel. You truly are the best and my patients thankyou as well, as they are the real winners in quality care and excellence. Keep up the great work and look forward to teaching at the centre!!! sincerely, Dr Ken Hamin. DMD BSc PGAD

Oral Cancer

Dr. Hamin and Team:) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:32:47 +0000

Become more aware of the life style choices that you make, it is what effects your overall health in the long run. Some risk factors that you are in control of can lead to or increase your chances of oral cancer are:

- The use of tobacco

- Excessive alcohol consumption

- Excessive unprotected exposure to the sun

- Low intake of fruits and vegetables

- Use of betel nuts and bedis

Some factors that our control is limited:

- Our age

- Contracting HPV16 viral infection

- Race, ethnicity, and economics

-Reoccurence

- Gender

Talk to your doctor or dental provider for more information on this topic.