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According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 42% of children aged 2-11 years old have caries (cavities) on their teeth. This is primarily caused by bottle feeding babies and/or toddlers sugary drinks such as juice, milk, formula, and other sugary drinks. Drinks with a high content of sugar have the tendency to stick to the tooth which turns into an acid which creates holes in the tooth. There are several ways to prevent tooth decay earlier:

1. Start diluting the drinks consumed by the baby or toddler. Water should be added to dilute any sugary drinks. Every time your child drinks, add more water until he is eventually only drinking water.
2. If your child is a baby, do not allow them to sleep with their bottle in their mouth, and be sure to wipe their gums after every feeding with either a wash cloth or a finger toothbrush. This is important because when a baby or child goes to sleep, the process of swallowing saliva slows down so the bacteria stays in the mouth for a longer period of time causing tooth decay.
3. Teach your children how to brush their teeth from an early age. Use soft toothbrushes starting from the time they grow their first tooth. As well, start flossing their teeth when
4. Make sure to use a fluoride toothpaste. A popular toothpaste is the Sensodyne Pronamel kids toothpaste which contains fluoride. But for kids that are not able to wash the toothpaste from their teeth, then the X-Pur Caries toothpaste for kids is the best option since it does not contain fluoride. Fluoride is important because the minerals in fluoride strengthens your enamels. It also prevents the growth of harmful bacteria on the tooth.
5. Encourage drinking tap water instead of bottled water. Tap water contains a healthy amount of fluoride which strengthens their teeth.
6. Maintain regular cleanings every 6 months since your dental hygienist is able to remove built up calculus using her professional tools. Maintaining dental checkups are also important since your dentist can detect early tooth decay and can take preventative measures to make sure

Did you know that it is recommended that both children and adults brush their teeth for 2-3 minutes every morning and every night? The next time you brush your teeth, time yourself to see if you are following these guidelines or not. Here are a few ways to ensure that you have properly cleaned your teeth:

1. Brush your teeth for 2-3 minutes. Set a timer for yourself in order to keep track of the time. Keep in mind that brushing too much can lead to the wearing down of your enamel, and brushing under 2 minutes can lead to bacteria build up which causes cavities.
2. Brush your teeth in a circular motion. Contrary to popular belief, brushing back and forth can lead to gum recession which can expose the roots of the teeth making your tooth very sensitive.
3. Brush all of your mouth. This includes your tongue, and the roof of your mouth. Food can get stuck in areas of the mouth which are often neglected by the average person. This can lead to bacterial buildup on the tongue which causes bad breath.
4. Floss your teeth religiously. Although this may be a lengthy process for some, it is just as important as brushing your teeth. When you floss your teeth make sure to form a 'C' shape around your tooth and gently glide the floss in between your teeth and rub the areas between the teeth. Make sure to floss up to the gum line.
5. Use a mouthwash. (Read below on the types of mouthwashes there is in order to select the one that you prefer).
6. See the dentist twice a year. We recommend seeing the dentist for your routine checkup and cleaning every 6 months. Even if you are doing a perfect job at cleaning your teeth, your dental hygienist can remove any calculus around your teeth. They can also see if there are any cavities forming and the Doctor can recommend prompt treatment.

Unsure whether you are brushing and/or flossing properly? Call us at 613-224-6332 to schedule an appointment with Natasha or Victoria for some one on one education on how to care for your teeth. We are also currently accepting new patients, so do not hesitate to call us or email us.

It's a habit many people have and not only can it be annoying to the people around you, it can be detrimental to your dental health. Chewing ice is so common that it even has its own name, pagophagia. We're not talking about a slushy or shaved ice (although those artificially sugary treats should be avoided too!) but more like the hunks of ice rattling around in the bottom of your glass.

Ice chewing can be a sign of emotional problems like stress or obsessive-compulsive disorder, but it can also be a marker for iron deficiency anemia and other physical problems. Then again, some people just like to have something to chew on. For whatever reason you find yourself chewing on it, it's a habit you need to break.

Chewing on ice can cause:

• Chipped and cracked teeth
• Damaged enamel
• Sore jaw muscles
• Damage to dental work such as crowns, fillings, or other appliances

If chewing on ice is becoming a problem in your life, don’t hesitate to speak with Dr. Brar about it. But if you find yourself still wanting to chew on something, here are a few alternatives to ice:

• Baby carrots
• Celery sticks
• Sugar-free (xylitol) gum

We know you need to chill sometimes, but chomping down your entire glass of ice is not the way to do it. If you have any other questions on the topic, feel free to talk with a member of our team. It may be beneficial in solving the issue and helping to remediate any damage to your teeth.

The idea for Earth Day was the brainchild of Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin. He envisioned an Earth Day that would be a kind of environmental teach-in. The first Earth Day celebration took place on April 22, 1970, and a surprising 20 million people participated on that day. Ultimately, it became the largest organized celebration in US history.

Earth Day Over the Years

Over the years, the recognition of the day, and the number of people celebrating it all over the world, turned Earth Day into an international celebration. Because it is celebrated throughout the world, it is not only the largest international environmental observation, but it is also more widely celebrated than any other environmental event in the world. Today, Earth Day is celebrated in 175 countries where over 500 million people participate in celebrations.

The Earth Day Movement

The Earth Day movement is credited with developing the idea that people should “think green”. It encouraged congress to enact laws, including one that resulted in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. It also inspired the passage of the Endangered Species Act.

The Five R's and Their Importance

• Reduce – Reduce by avoiding unnecessary purchases. Reduce your use of materials that wind up in landfills. Reduce the use of chemicals around your house. Reduce your use of disposable bags, plates, cups, eating utensils, and batteries.
• Reuse – Instead of using plastic bags for your groceries or purchases, bring your own reusable bags. When you go to buy coffee at Starbucks, take a travel mug so you don't have to get your coffee in a disposable paper cup. Instead of storing food in disposable refrigerator containers, buy containers that can be washed and reused. Don't use regular batteries. Whenever possible, opt for rechargeable batteries that you can reuse.
• Recycle – Most cities offer a recycling program to collect used bottles, cans, and newspapers. Recycling includes collecting recyclable materials that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials such as fibers and manufacturing raw materials into new products.
• Re-buy – Make an effort to purchase things that are made through recycling. When purchasing furniture, look for items that are made from reclaimed wood. When buying paper for kids school work, computer printer paper, holiday cards, or anything else, make a point of purchasing recycled paper products. Instead of buying clothing at full retail price, shop for second hand clothing. You will save a lot of money by doing so!
• Rethink – Rethink the way you do things so that you do them in an eco-conscious way at all times. Instead of driving to work alone, consider taking the bus or going in a carpool. Walk or ride your bike when you're only going a short distance. Plan your shopping trips and errand runs so that you can do everything on one day, and do it in a way where you can save time and gas.

Other ways to "think green" include growing your own food, composting yard waste and food scraps, or by participating in local recycling programs. Join a group like Freecycle so you can share your unneeded and unwanted possessions with people who can use them. Likewise, you'll be able to get things you need or want for free.

Earth Day teaches people that the planet belongs to everyone, so everyone is equally responsible for protecting it. Although Earth Day is an environmental celebration, our team at Nepean Family Dental wants to remind you that you don't have to wait until then to make changes that will allow you and your family to live a greener life.

Happy Earth Day from the team at Nepean Family Dental.