Tips for Oral Health

overcoming dental anxiety, dentists in coquitlam

Tips For Overcoming Dental Anxiety

For many people, just the thought of visiting the dentist can trigger feelings of fear and anxiety.

Dental anxiety is super common, and unfortunately, is the reason many patients don’t come in for regular check-ups. The lack of consistent oral care will lead to build-up and prevent your dentist from catching problems before they become severe, making your eventual necessary trip to the dentist potentially far more uncomfortable. 

Overcoming dental anxiety and committing to regular check-ups will make your experience at the dentist far more comfortable and enjoyable. Here are some tips to overcome your dental anxiety and refamiliarize yourself with visits to the dentist: 

Communicate With Your Dentists to Overcome Dental Anxiety

Don’t be afraid to speak up! Communicate openly with your dentist about your fears and concerns so they can tailor their approach to accommodate your needs. The right dentist will be compassionate and understanding, taking the time to listen to you and address your anxieties surrounding visits to the dentist. 

Practice Relaxation Techniques

Practicing mindfulness and breathing techniques before and during your visit may help to overcome dental anxiety because they will calm your nerves and reduce feelings of stress. 

Before your check-up/procedure is underway, agree upon a signal with your dentist that lets your dentist know you need to take a break. Should you begin to feel your stress levels rising during the appointment, simply signal to your dentist and apply your preferred relaxation technique to regulate your breathing, bring down your heart rate, or simply take a break. 

Try Gradual Exposure

If you find your dental anxiety is more severe and it has been a long time since your last visit, it is completely fine to begin refamiliarizing yourself with the dentist by taking baby steps. You could begin with a consultation or a short, non-invasive appointment, and gradually work your way up to more complex treatments as you begin to feel more comfortable. 

Remember, you’re not alone in experiencing dental anxiety, and there are resources and support available to help you overcome it. Our team at Austin Station Dental is here to help you. We are committed to accommodating your needs and helping you feel as comfortable as possible during your visits to the dentist. 

It’s never too late to start your oral care journey. Call us to set up a visit so the team at Austin Station Dental in Coquitlam, BC, can help you overcome your dental anxiety.

Posted by LaraSpence  |  0 Comment  |  in Tips for Oral Health
why you should have regular dental checkups

Why You Should Have Regular Dental Check Ups

As our day-to-day lives become busier and busier, it’s easy to let regular check-ups at the dentist fall at the bottom of our list of priorities. That said, maintaining good oral health is essential to our well-being.

Committing to regular dental check-ups is the easiest way to keep your smile healthy and prevent serious damage down the road. Here are just a few reasons you should have regular dental check ups.

Early Detection of Dental Issues

Regular checkups allow your dentist to identify and address potential problems early on. Issues such as cavities, gum disease, or oral infections can be detected and treated before they become severe. Early treatment of these issues not only prevents further complications, but saves you time, discomfort, and possible expenses in the long run.

Prevention of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

During check-ups, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if left untreated for too long. Regular cleanings help prevent these issues and avoids the need for more invasive treatments later on.

Improve Confidence and Well-Being

Maintaining a healthy smile is an easy way to boost your confidence and improve your quality of life. Regular check-ups help to ensure your smile is bright and beautiful, giving you the confidence to show it off.

Don’t wait to prioritize your oral health! Our team at Austin Street Dental is here to help you maintain a healthy, radiant smile. Call 604-931-6111 or visit our website to make a booking request.

Posted by Iqbal Kathrada  |  0 Comment  |  in Tips for Oral Health
look for in toothbrush, dentist coquitlam, dentists coquitlam

What to Look for in a Toothbrush

Everyone knows we should brush our teeth a few times a day, and yet we often forget to
consider what we are using to get the job done. There are specific toothbrush characteristics
that are critical to maintain healthy teeth and gums, ensuring we do more good than harm.
Here are a few things to look for when shopping for your next toothbrush:

  1. Soft Bristles: Dentists often recommend toothbrushes with soft bristles to prevent gum
    irritation and enamel damage. Soft bristles effectively remove plaque and debris
    without causing harm to the teeth and gums.
  2. Small Head Size: A toothbrush with a small head size is preferable as it allows for better
    maneuverability and access to hard-to-reach areas, such as the back molars.
  3. Comfortable Handle: Look for a toothbrush with a comfortable grip or handle that fits
    well in your hand. This makes it easier to control the brush and maintain proper
    brushing technique. Children’s toothbrushes with smaller
    handles can be important here!
  4. Canadian Dental Association Seal of Acceptance: The Canadian Dental Association evaluates toothbrushes and awards its Seal to those that meet their safety and efficacy
    standards. Choosing a toothbrush or product with this seal is a good idea. See list on CDA website>>
  5. Manual or Electric: Both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective, and electric
    toothbrushes often offer additional benefits. They may have built-in timers to
    encourage brushing for the recommended two minutes, and some models feature
    oscillating or rotating brush heads that can enhance plaque removal.
  6. Replaceable Heads (for electric toothbrushes): If you opt for an electric toothbrush,
    consider choosing one with replaceable brush heads. This allows you to replace only the
    bristle portion instead of the entire toothbrush, making it more cost-effective and
    environmentally friendly.
    Remember, it’s important to consult with your dentist for personalized recommendations
    based on your specific oral health needs. Talk to us today at our Coquitlam dental office – we are here to help provide you an exceptional dental experience.
Posted by Iqbal Kathrada  |  0 Comment  |  in Pediatric Dentistry, Tips for Oral Health

COVID-19 Health Plan

To our Valued Patients,

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health.

We thank you for your patience and understanding with our limited ability to provide dental services during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the start of Phase 2, British Columbia and our regulatory bodies have approved us to resume non-emergency dental services.

As such, as of May 25th, our office has started to provide limited dental services with a gradual return to “dental normalcy”.

Although our office has always utilized the highest standards exceeding both BCCDC and CDSBC guidelines, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are implementing the following additional protocols/instructions to enhance your safety:

  1. Pre-screening prior to appointments and again at the entrance to the office, on the day of your appointment.
  2. Please notify us upon your arrival to the building but stay in your vehicle and a staff member will then give you further instructions on how to proceed.
  3. Temperature checks at the beginning of your appointment.
  4. Maintain appropriate physical distancing (6 feet or 2 meters) and limit accompanying personnel (caregivers / parents / guardians) to a maximum of 1 person (only if needed). They should wait for you in their car or outside the building. If your accompaniment needs to join you at your appointment, they will also need to answer the pre-appointment screening questions.
  5. We have installed plexiglass barriers in the reception area and have also removed all non-essential items (i.e. magazines).
  6. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the office.
  7. You will be provided with an oral rinse before each appointment and asked to wash hands, prior to being seated.
  8. All staff are required to hand-wash or hand-sanitize before and after all appointments.
  9. All staff will undergo daily screening for COVID, along with twice daily temperature checks.
  10. We have installed enhanced air purification devices and aerosol capturing and decontaminating devices.
  11. We have implemented enhanced disinfection/decontamination protocols with specialized equipment.
  12. Enhanced personal protective equipment (this may include surgical gowns, face shields, scrub caps, and of course masks and gloves) are worn by our staff during all procedures.
  13. Increased “Tap” limits for all Visa/Interac payments to allow “contactless” exit from the office.
  14. An Interac eDeposit option has been added for convenient bill payment by email to info@mycoquitlamdentist.com

Some of these measures may change as we understand more about the novel coronavirus, but in the meantime, these protocols are based on the most current available information/guidelines from the College of Dental Surgeons of BC, BC Centre for Disease Control, Office of the Provincial Health Officer and WorkSafe BC.

Again, we thank you for patience with us, during this time and we look forward to seeing you again or meeting you for the first time as we implement the aforementioned strategies to help keep everyone safe.

Sincerely,

Austin Station Dental Team.

Posted by LaraSpence  |  0 Comment  |  in News, Tips for Oral Health
Advantages of Flossing Every Day - Coquitlam Dentist

Advantages of Flossing Every Day

Did you know that the inventor of dental floss believed that flossing is the most important part of oral care? It’s true. Dental floss was invented in 1851 by a New Orleans dentist named Levi Parmly.

The theory is that the matter between the teeth is the actual source of dental disease. Flossing will clean the area between the teeth, thus preventing plaque buildup that can possible lead to cavities and gum disease. Importantly, it is recommended that teeth are flossed prior to tooth brushing, because then the fluoride from the toothpaste can access the area between the teeth.

Of course, flossing provides obvious benefit of having a nice clean smile and fresh breath! The self-confidence a clean and health smile can bring is priceless. As well, good oral care habits will help to prevent costly dental procedures down the road.

Read more of our posts on Tips for Oral Health. Or, to learn more about the advantages of flossing every day come on in and see us at our dentist office in Coquitlam, BC! We offer flexible hours we even have evening and weekend dental appointments available.

Posted by Iqbal Kathrada  |  0 Comment  |  in Tips for Oral Health
Getting Your Teeth Cleaned Every 6 Months, Teeth Cleaning Importance - Coquitlam Dentist

Getting Your Teeth Cleaned Every 6 Months

Health and beauty are often closely tied together. In the case of regular teeth cleaning, both can be improved by getting your teeth cleaned.

Getting Your Teeth Cleaned:

Even for those of us that do floss daily, and many don’t, a cleaning at the dentist office every 6 months is recommended because it will remove the remaining, difficult to remove plaque and tartar buildup. The goal of these cleanings is to prevent dental diseases and cavities. Also, the cleaning will result in teeth that both look and feel nice and smooth and clean!

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning:

During the cleaning, the dentist will check your teeth and gums and may offer services or suggest follow up treatments and offer information. Even minor things like brushing too hard can cause problems like gum irritation; your dentist or hygienist can often catch this and offer instruction on proper brushing. X-rays may be taken, fluoride treatment, discussions around stain removal or teeth whitening or referrals to any specialists needed can all occur during a teeth cleaning. All of these surrounding services are also of great importance.

So, not only does regular teeth cleaning help to keep your teeth beautiful and clean and also aid in disease and cavity prevention, but many more valuable services and information may be offered during the cleaning appointment.

Regular teeth cleaning is important, book your appointment with one of our dentists at the Austin Station Dental office today.

Suite 20-2662 Austin Ave. Coquitlam, BC V3K 6V4 (Austin Station, 3rd floor, above Thrifty Foods) FREE PARKING
Phone: 604 931 6111 Fax: 604 931 2155
E: info@mycoquitlamdentist.com

Posted by Iqbal Kathrada  |  0 Comment  |  in Tips for Oral Health
VELscope Oral Cancer Screening in Coquitlam, dentist in coquitlam

VELscope Oral Cancer Screening in Coquitlam

Austin Station Dental has a screening device called the VELscope  which is the latest in technology for detecting oral diseases including cancer and pre-cancer.

It is safe, non-invasive and takes only a few minutes for the exam, which can be done during your regular dental checkup. The VELscope uses a harmless bright blue light that will cause healthy tissue in the mouth to fluoresce in different patterns than tissue that has disease or trauma.

Early detection for oral cancer is critical of course, with the statistics reflecting a much higher survival rate for early detections as well as less invasive treatment required at that stage.

The VELscope is approved by Health Canada and the World Health Organization and is used in 23 countries around the world.

We are happy to provide this service to new and existing patients. VELscope screening is also available at London Drugs in Coquitlam at 9855 Austin Ave. and at some locations in Vancouver – as specified in The Province, which also mentions that about 500 BC residents are diagnosed each year with oral cancer.

If you’d like to book a VELscope screening with your next appointment, please contact us.

For more info, see our Services page on Oral Cancer Screening in Coquitlam.

Posted by Iqbal Kathrada  |  0 Comment  |  in Dental Office Features, Tips for Oral Health
Coquitlam Teeth whitening at the dentists office, teeth whitening coquitlam

Teeth Whitening at the Dentists Office

Fast Facts: Teeth Whitening at the Dentists Office

Many people notice that teeth may darken over time and wonder how to whiten their teeth. There are several options available that vary in treatment length, treatment location and cost.

Austin Station Dental in Coquitlam, BC offers teeth whitening at the dentists office as well as take-home kits as well as the combination of in-office and take home of Pola Whitening. The dental office procedures usually provide much faster results than in-home whitening products but are, of course, more expensive. After the whitening is completed, the results can last for several months or more. Factors such as coffee and red wine consumption or smoking can hasten discoloration. At-home maintenance can be done to make the results last.

The most inexpensive teeth whitening option is Crest White Strips, which is a completely at-home treatment and can be purchased at most any pharmacy or drug store.

The next option is Pola Whitening which combines an office visit to get the impressions for the custom dental trays and then treatments at home by the patient themselves following our instructions.

We also offer in-office teeth whitening, more expensive but much faster results than the other two options. The in-office treatment costs about $500 and gives instant results.
Teeth will dull again over time and maintenance is usually recommended to be done about every 6 months. With the at home treatment, just use the trays a couple of days in a row every 4-6 months or so.

Tooth whitening products are capable of altering the color of the teeth themselves but people with crowns, root canals, cavities or very dark stains should consult with a dentist to determine if they are a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Contact Austin Station Dental if you are interested in teeth whitening in Coquitlam. Book a consultation specifically for teeth whitening or bring it up at your next dental appointment. We can discuss what options would work best for you and also if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.

For more quick facts on keeping your smile healthy and beautiful, see our posts on The Advantages of Flossing Everyday and Getting Your Teeth Cleaned Every 6 Months.

 

Posted by Iqbal Kathrada  |  0 Comment  |  in Dental Office Features, Tips for Oral Health
Invisalign Before and After - Coquitlam Dentist

What is Invisalign? & Invisalign Before and After

What is Invisalign?

Here it is direct from the Invisalign website. This explanation is clear, concise, and to the point. It also includes information on what the process involves:

Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of nearly invisible, removable aligners that are custom-made specifically for your teeth. As you replace each aligner every two weeks, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week, gradually moving towards the projected final position. Comfortable, clear and removable, Invisalign transforms your smile without disrupting your life. Something that over 3 million people worldwide have already discovered.

Invisalign Before and After Images

Look at this link to see some real life cases of Invisalign before and after photos on the Invisalign site.

If Invisalign interests you, contact us today at 604-931-6111 to book an appointment!

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