Dr. C is a board-certified Pediatric Dentist in Toronto providing information to families on all things dental!
Please subscribe or reach out if you want to learn more!
-
What is bad breath? Bad breath (aka halitosis or oral malodor) describes foul-smelling breath from the mouth. No surprises there. Oral cause of bad breath is caused by bacteria (gram-negative anaerobes). These bacteria break down sulphur-containing amino acids and produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs). These bad-smelling compounds include hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide.…
-
Teeth grinding is a common habit noted in children. It can happen when awake or asleep. Parents can hear the grinding sounds while their child is sleeping. Most kids don’t have any pain or concerns from grinding alone. What is teeth grinding (aka bruxism)? Teeth grinding (aka bruxism) is an involuntary and repetitive jaw muscle…
-
What are canker sores? Canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers) are small, shallow ulcers that develop on the soft tissues in your mouth. They are white or yellow sores with a red border. They occur inside the mouth and the location varies based on the specific type of sore. Finally, canker sores are NOT contagious!…
-
Mouth breathing is a hot topic discussed on social media and among parenting groups. Parents should be aware that there is a lot of misinformation and weak research evidence in this area (especially for children). That being said, there is some support for mouth breathing having an impact on your child’s teeth so lets get…
-
Why is brushing so important to reduce cavities? Cavities are mainly caused by 2 factors: 1) Sugar and 2) Bacteria (plaque). The bacteria eat sugar from our food and release acid on our teeth. This acid causes our teeth to breakdown into cavities over time. Brushing prevents cavities by mechanically removing bacteria, sugar and acid.…
-
What is teething pain? Teething pain is discomfort from gum irritation around erupting teeth. It is normal and common in kids. That being said, many children go through teething with little to no trouble. Teething can lead to temporary pain, irritability, drooling and low-grade fever. Your child could even resist eating. Babies often chew their…
-
Fluoride has been getting a lot of attention over the last few years. It is being taken out of water, then being put back in, then taken out again! Parents are always asking if fluoride is safe and how much is too much–so lets break it down! First off, what is fluoride? Fluoride is a…
-
Hey parents, did you know that pacifiers can affect the development of your child’s mouth? Pacifiers can cause 2 major growth changes to your child’s smile. Anterior open bites are due to the pacifier preventing the front incisors from overlapping. This causes the upper teeth to splay outward and have greater spacing between them. The…