Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical found in water. It is very useful in increasing the mineralization of teeth when applied topically; creating a stronger enamel layer that is resistant to decay. It is added to water in some communities as a public health measure to prevent decay for those who may not be exposed to other sources such as toothpaste or mouth-rinses that contain fluoride. Currently the City of Waterloo adds fluoride to their water to maintain the levels at the recommended 0.5-0.8 ppm level, or the level where a dental benefit can be observed. The city of Cambridge and the city of Kitchener do NOT have fluoridated water supplies. The level of fluoride in Kitchener and Cambridge and most other surrounding communities is at a background naturally occurring level of 0.1 ppm which is too low to have a protective effect on teeth. People living in these communities still obtain some fluoride benefits when they consume products such as foods and beverages manufactured using fluoridated water supplies. It is usually not necessary to supplement fluoride in these communities as long as fluoridated toothpaste is being used regularly. There is some concern over dental fluorosis associated with water fluoridation. The amount of fluoride in municipal water supplies is rarely enough to cause dental fluorsosis – most fluorosis is caused by the swallowing of fluoridated toothpaste while the adult teeth are developing (ie. before the age of 6-7). It is important to carefully monitor your young child’s exposure to fluoridated toothpastes, especially until the age where the first permanent teeth start to erupt, usually about age 6-7. Fluoridated toothpastes are not recommended until the child can reliably spit out all of the paste. If your child is at risk, or has a history of caries (tooth decay) the topical application of fluoride may be recommended at your dental visit. Drops and supplements are reserved for children with extensive decay or who cannot brush their own teeth due to a systemic illness.

During your new patient exam we do an extensive screen for suspicious lesions in the mouth and on your radiographs. Although oral cancer is rare, your dentist is a key player in identifying problems early so that treatment can be initiated immediately if there is a concern. Your recall examination also includes an oral cancer screening and the doctors are constantly looking for any changes in your mouth. If you have a specific area of concern, please discuss this with your dentist.

Cleanings that include periodontal scaling of teeth are different than a recall examination. Most insurance allows a number of “scaling units” measured by units of time, to allow for more frequent cleanings spaced throughout the year. A recall exam is when your teeth will be polished, and you will see the dentist for a check-up. This may be at the same time as the scaling is completed, or not. We can send a predetermination form to your insurance company to let you know how many scaling units the company will cover so you can plan accordingly.

Most insurance companies are recognizing root canal therapy as a successful way to save teeth and treat infection and pain. A predetermination can be sent to your insurance company before the procedure, or you can refer to your insurance booklet for more information. It may be listed as endodontic therapy in your information package.

Most insurance companies recognize that white fillings have been in use for many years and have shown great clinical success. Some companies are lagging behind in covering white fillings on molars. They will cover the amount up to the cost of a metal amalgam filling, and the difference will have to be covered by the patient. We can let you know what the difference will be in advance of the procedure.

Not to worry. As dental professionals we recognize that sometimes life gets in the way of taking care of your mouth. We will provide a judgement-free environment where we can take stock of what needs to be done to get your mouth back to health. Leaving it longer does not make it any easier so let us help you get back on track. If you want to talk privately with the dentist about your concerns there are lots of opportunities to do so during a new patient exam.

Absolutely. Laurentian Dental Centre offers some options for those who are extremely apprehensive about any aspect of dental care. We offer Nitrous Oxide sedation, which is an inhaled gas that offers a calming feeling. Nitrous oxide is not addictive, it is not a narcotic, and you will not feel groggy after the procedure. The main side effect is dizziness or nausea, but this is usually only during the procedure and the dose can be scaled back for your comfort. We also can prescribe a sedative for you to take before appointments if it is medically advisable and appropriate for managing your anxiety about dentistry. We strive to make Laurentian Dental Centre as stress-free as possible. Please feel free to talk to us about options to make the process more comfortable for you.

We normally like to start seeing little ones at about age 3, unless obvious signs of tooth decay or other dental problems are noticed earlier. Please see our 'Just 4 Kids' section for more information about dentistry for kids, and for a printable page about preparing your child for his or her first dental visit.

If you would like to make an appointment, simply contact us at (519) 742-2084.

Yes. Laurentian Dental Centre is not a closed practice. We welcome new patients and look forward to getting to know you.  If you would like to make an appointment, simply contact us at (519) 742-2084.

There are many reasons why a patient might change dentists. If you are new to the area or ready for a change, we can help make the transition easier. We can contact your previous dentist on your behalf to get any recent radiographs or pertinent records. This involves you signing a release form which allows us to request the information. If there are no up-to-date x-rays (about 6 months in most cases) we will update them at your new patient exam but the previous x-rays can still be helpful in identifying progression of problems if applicable.

This depends on how big the chip is and if there is any pain. A chipped tooth as the result of trauma is an emergency if there is blood from the gums around the tooth, if there is blood from the inside of the tooth coming from the chipped area, or if there is movement of the traumatized tooth. This may require immediate care to stabilize the tooth and/or treat the exposed pulp. Our emergency on call service is available to our existing patients through our main telephone line. If the tooth is simply chipped, it can likely wait until the next business day. If part of a molar is lost around an old filling, the same rules apply. If there is bleeding from the tooth, or pain beyond hot/cold sensitivity, you may require immediate care. If not, we will get you in as soon as possible the next business day for examination and to begin treatment.

If the tooth is a baby tooth don’t panic. We do not replace lost baby teeth, though a space maintainer might be appropriate to hold the space. We do want to see the child to make sure there is no damage to the surrounding developing adult teeth, and to make sure the bone around the tooth is not broken. We will take a radiograph and do an oral examination, and help clean the wound for better healing.

The most important factor for replanting the lost tooth is time. The cells that coat the tooth and allow attachment to the bone die quickly outside of the mouth.

• Ideally the tooth should be rinsed gently with clean water or saline (salty water) and placed back into the socket without too much force. The patient should be seen immediately. Certainly this might be difficult for a parent or bystander to achieve without some experience.
• If it is not possible to replant the tooth immediately, the tooth should be stored in a medium that will keep it alive. Ideally the tooth should be placed in a Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS), but we recognize that not too many people have access to this. In lieu of a balanced salt solution, milk is a great solution.
• Placing the tooth in a glass of milk can keep the important cells alive for up to 3 hours until the patient can get to a dentist for replanting of the tooth.
• If that is not available, the patient’s saliva can provide a home for the tooth until milk is available. The patient can spit into a cup or similar and then place the tooth in the saliva to avoid the chance for aspirating or swallowing the tooth.

We want to see you as fast as possible. The chance that replanting the tooth will work depends on how fast we can get your child into the office.

There is lots of possible follow up treatment options that we can discuss if this happens. The patients will probably have to wear a splint (orthodontic wire) to hold the tooth in place for a while, and will need antibiotics and a tetanus shot after replanting the tooth and will probably need a root canal for the avulsed tooth.