Drs. Lim & Azizi, Vancouver's children's dentists

Let's face it, there are lots of questions when it comes to your child's oral health and well-being. This afternoon, our staff at Abba Dental found a helpful article from Today's Parent that includes some common questions parents have about children's oral health. We encourage you to definitely check it out!

Has your child been in for a visit to Abba Dental in the past 6 months? If not, it's time to schedule an appointment by calling 604-688-7201. We hope you're having a terrific summer!

Handling dental emergencies, from Abba Dental

At Abba Dental, we know all too well about the dental emergencies, which can strike at any time. From a toothache to a chipped tooth to a lost filling, summer brings with it a greater chance of our patients damaging their teeth when they're out and about. Today, Drs. Lim and Azizi thought they'd discuss a few of these instances - and what you should do.

Toothaches: Rinse your mouth with warm water and floss to remove any food lodged in your teeth. A pain reliever such as aspirin may be taken to dull the pain. If swelling appears, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek. If your toothache is severe, or lasts longer than one day, schedule an appointment to see us as soon as possible.

Chipped/Broken Teeth: Save any pieces you can. Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to relieve pain and swelling, and apply gauze to the area for at least ten minutes if there is bleeding. Visit our office as soon as you can.

Objects Stuck in Teeth: Try flossing to carefully and gently remove the object. Never use a sharp or hard item to remove objects in your teeth; you risk injuring your gums and scratching your teeth. If you are unable to remove the object, visit our office.

Lost Filling: Sugarless gum and over-the-counter dental cement can work as temporary fillings, but be sure to make an appointment with us as soon as you can to replace a filling!

Lost Crown: If you cannot make it in to see us right away, apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area of the tooth with a cotton swab. Then slip the crown back on the tooth using dental cement or denture adhesive to hold it in place. Don’t use any kind of glue on your teeth. Be sure to make an appointment to see us to properly fix the crown as soon as possible.

Mouth Injuries: Injuries to the soft-tissue of the mouth such as the cheeks, tongue, and gums often result in bleeding. To stop the bleeding first rinse your mouth with a mild salt water solution. Then use a moistened piece of gauze to apply pressure to the site for 15-20 minutes. Holding a cold compress to the outside of the affected area will help ease pain and control bleeding and swelling. If the bleeding persists see us immediately or visit a hospital emergency room. Continue to apply gauze until you are treated.

Our staff at Abba Dental will always tell you ignoring any dental problem can quickly increase the risk of permanent damage and the need for more treatment in the future. If you have any concerns, and especially if you experience a persistent dental issue, please give us a call so we can assist you and prevent an emergency.

Didn't see a question you'd like an answer to? Please give us a call or ask on our Facebook page! Happy Thursday!

Drs. Lim & Azizi, saving you from halitosis

Today, we thought we'd share a few tips with you to help prevent bad breath, also known as halitosis. Drs. Lim and Azizi know bad breath can be a real downer, but want you to know it can be easily prevented!

Bad breath is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds, making your breath smell. A few months ago, we read an article by Dr. Andrew Weil titled, "3 Ways to Prevent Bad Breath." Dr. Weil recommends the following ways to help prevent bad breath.

1. Brush your tongue: "The tongue, and especially the back of the tongue, is a warm harbor for bacteria," he writes, and recommends spending some time on your tongue during teeth brushing, "moving slowly toward the back so as not to activate your gag reflex."

2. Keep your mouth hydrated: Because a dry mouth typically leads to bad breath, eating oranges or celery, or drinking water, may help.

3. Freshen your mouth: Herbal palate cleansers (parsley, peppermint tea and cardamom seeds may do the trick). If bad breath returns, please give us a call! Dr. Azizi or Lim may diagnose any condition or concerns of the oral cavity that may be causing the problems, such as gum disease.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!

Ask Abba Dental: How can I avoid plaque?

At Abba Dental, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth, thanks to our friends at WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to visit Drs. Lim or Azizi here at Abba Dental is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily - you’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting our office at least twice a year, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and vegetables. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick that candy up this summer, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be. If you have any questions, visit our web site on oral hygiene, or contact Abba Dental at 604-688-7201.