Ask The Expert

We asked Dr Joshua Garcha of McLeod Dental Care....

"I'm scared of seeing the dentist! What is available to make my visit comfortable?


It all starts with keeping our patients well informed through every step of the process.  At McLeod Dental Care, we spend as much time providing thorough explanation as our patient needs to be comfortable.  Our dentists are compassionate, understanding and with gentle touch use the most modern techniques to make your experience comfortable.

Come into our office and let us show you how easy going to the dental office can be

ANOTHER HEART WARMING SUCCESSFUL CARE DAY

On May 3rd, 2014 McLeod Dental Care hosted another successful CARE DAY offering free dentistry to our community.  We have held this event 1 day annually for the past 6 years now and have donated over $ 255,000.00 in total of dentistry.  This year proved to be another heartwarming day and with our dedicated hard working volunteer staff of 5 dentists and over 50 clinical/administrative & hygienists, we were able to see 174 patients for cleanings, fillings and extractions at our two locations.   Special this year, we partnered with Niagara Falls Community Outreach and raised funds through a book and bake sale and were able to present them with a cheque for $700.00.

A great big “Thank You” to all who helped make this day successful and we are already looking forward to next year.  Remember to “smile” it’s free!

MCLEOD DENTAL CARE DAY MAY 3, 2014

Mark your calendars for Saturday May 3rd, 2014 for free dentistry for our community.

This will be our 6th year running this event.  McLeod Dental Care is committed to helping as many people as possible on this day to give back to the community and promote good oral healthcare. 

We offer up free cleanings, fillings and extractions with our dedicated caring staff of 5 Doctors and over 40 clinical/hygienists donating their time.

We are providing this at our two locations, 6015 McLeod Road and 3486 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Registration from 7AM-8AM

Dental Care from 8AM-1PM

Remember to "Smile" it's free!

TOOTHBRUSH CARE & REPLACEMENT

How can I take care of my toothbrush?

To keep your toothbrush and yourself healthy, make sure you let it dry out between uses. Toothbrushes can be breeding grounds for germs, fungus and bacteria, which after a while can build up to significant levels. After using your toothbrush, shake it vigorously under tap water and store it in an upright position so that it can air out.

To prevent cold and flu viruses from being passed between brushes, try to keep your toothbrush from touching others when it is stored. A standard toothbrush holder with slots for several brushes to hang upright is a worthwhile investment in your family's health.

How often should I change my toothbrush?

Most dentists agree you should change your toothbrush every three months. Studies show that after three months of normal wear and tear, toothbrushes are much less effective at removing plaque from teeth and gums compared to new ones. The bristles break down and loose their effectiveness in getting to all those tricky corners around your teeth.

It is also important to change toothbrushes after you've had a cold, the flu, a mouth infection or a sore throat. That's because germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection. Even if you haven't been sick, fungus and bacteria can develop in the bristles of your toothbrush —another reason to change your toothbrush regularly.

How can I protect my toothbrush when travelling?

A plastic toothbrush case will protect toothbrush bristles from becoming squashed or flattened in your travelling kit. After brushing, however, you should let your toothbrush dry in the open air, to help reduce the spread of germs.

McLeod Dental Care always provides you with a new toothbrush & Floss at your regular check up or cleaning visit. Call 905-357-4995 to arrange your appointment 

from Colgate Oral & Dental Health Resource Center

THE CURSE OF THE BLACK TONGUE

If you look in the mirror and notice your tongue is black—don’t panic! Although alarming, a condition called black (or hairy) tongue is a harmless, painless nuisance. The top surface of your tongue is covered by little finger-like projections called papillae (puh-‘pill-i). For reasons unknown, papillae can grow long like fur and might need to be trimmed. The color can range from black, green, orange, and yellow to brown, reacting to the color in foods and chromatic bacteria.

Papillae trap bacteria and yeast creating bad breath and a stale taste in your mouth. This condition can occur at any age; however, we know that, generally, healthy people do not experience black tongue. There are several factors that might cause this condition, including— .

    medications that cause xerostomia (dry mouth).
    using hydrogen peroxide as an oral rinse.
    taking an antibiotic.
    using tobacco products or drinking alcoholic beverages.
    chemotherapy or radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.

You increase your chances of having this condition if you—

    aren’t eating a healthy diet.
    are ill or dehydrated.
    have a compromised immune system.
    have a chronic health issue like uncontrolled diabetes.

The good news is that it is not cancer or anything sinister, and it is easily treated with simple home oral care instructions. It will go away in about two weeks, and there won’t be any complications. However, let us examine your tongue and other oral tissues to rule out harmful conditions.

EXTRACTION VS RESTORATION

When it comes to dealing with a damaged tooth, you have three main options: an extraction, a filling or a crown. There are many considerations available to remedy your situation such as cost, maintenance and location of tooth.

The most cost-effective option is an extraction. However, when a tooth is extracted, it affects all the teeth around it. Unlike losing a primary tooth, there is no new tooth erupting to fill the gap. This can cause the teeth surrounding the extraction to drift and tip into this newly opened space resulting in jaw pain and provide opportunities to damage those newly misaligned teeth. If the damaged tooth is providing support for surrounding teeth, an extraction may end up costing $5500 to $7500* in orthodontic work to repair your bite.

If the damage is minimal, a filling is your best option. A simple filling, a long-lasting metal or composite resin restoration, can rescue your tooth and its surrounding neighbors for under $300*, depending upon the materials and number of surfaces.

If the damage is too extensive to be repaired by a filling, you may be a candidate for a crown, a root canal or a combination of both. A crown is a strong porcelain and metal “tooth” that is mounted onto your existing root system. A crown can be made from basic materials or precious metals and range from $500 to $3000*. A root canal will relieve the damaged pulp while leaving the existing root system intact. It may seem expensive but crown/root canal combination is long-lasting, good-looking and smile-saving option.

Take all of the factors into consideration before deciding on a course of action to save your smile. If cost is your biggest obstacle, contact us about a payment plan to help give you the care that you need at the price that you can afford.

*Prices will vary from location to location. 

NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM messages and materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country.

This year's 2014 NCDHM campaign features the slogan "Join the Super Smile Team!". 
Meet K-9! He’s a frisky pup who cares as much about good oral health as his buddies Flossy and 
Buck McGrinn, and Den and Gen Smiley.
 One day the whole gang decided to play super heroes. They put on capes, made costumes, 
struck super hero poses and became The Super Smile Team! Even K-9 got in on the act!
 Of course, every super hero needs a mission. The Super Smile Team’s quest? To fight for good oral health by following this simple rule, “2min2x.”   That’s code for “brush your teeth two minutes, two times a day.”
 Flossy, Buck, Den, and Gen know the importance of good dental habits to keep their super smiles bright. They brush their teeth when they get up in the morning and again before they go to bed at night. They also floss their teeth once each day. Because Den wears braces, he is especially careful about keeping his teeth healthy so he has a sparkly smile when the braces come off. Being super heroes takes a lot of energy so the McGrinns and Smileys do eat snacks between meals but very few sugary ones. They usually stick to fruit and other healthy foods, and they choose water when they are thirsty instead of soda pop.
 Want to be a part of The Super Smile Team? Join in the fun by playing the games and doing the activities to learn how to take good care of your teeth. 
 And remember the code“2min2x”!
 For a super smile and healthy mouth, brush your teeth two minutes, two times a day.

We at McLeod Dental Care are passionate about your oral health give us a call at 
905-357-4995.

information & "The Super Smile Team" story from www.ada.org