Smile Blog

These days, it's nothing new that most people take extra care of their oral health more than ever. This means there is a growing number of people who continuously take better steps to improve the appearance of their teeth. Dental implants are one of the most popular, effective and permanent teeth-related procedures that are available today. Here are five things you should know about dental implants: 

These days, it's nothing new that most people take extra care of their oral health more than ever. This means there is a growing number of people who continuously take better steps to improve the appearance of their teeth. Dental implants are one of the most popular, effective and permanent teeth-related procedures that are available today. Here are five things you should know about dental implants: 

The overall appeal of a smile has more to do with perception and aesthetics. There are many times when people seek cosmetic dentistry treatments because they are not happy with their smiles. The chances are they do have a legitimate issue. Some people feel their gum tissue shows more than their teeth, and when they smile it's more prominent.  

It can be difficult to maintain your regular routines over the holidays. Parties, travelling out of town to visit family and a less structured schedule can make it challenging to care for your teeth the way you normally would. When you add holiday dinners, drinks and sweets to the mix, your teeth may suffer more than usual. Here are a few simple tips to keep up good oral hygiene this holiday season. 

Here it is—the ultimate flossing guide! While everyone is aware of how important it is to floss their teeth daily, few know the right way to do it. Waterloo Smiles has created a step-by-step guide so that you do it properly. The correct technique is vital to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. 

Fluoride is present in most oral care products, from toothpastes to mouth rinses. However, there are plenty of misconceptions about fluoride, especially when it comes to using fluoride supplements or adding it to drinking water. Many Canadians are worried about fluoride use and concerned that it could make them sick. Here is some light on the subject.

Reasons Fluoride is Good and Safe

Fluoride, whether added to water or in oral care products, is considered safe. Just some reasons it is good for adults and children include:

It Prevents Tooth Decay - Fluoride is one of the more effective ways to prevent tooth decay, especially in children. 

With Invisalign braces, you can have a beautiful, healthy smile without anyone knowing your secret. Our staff explains how these virtually invisible braces help gently and discretely move your teeth into the right spaces.  

Would you like to know the secret to maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile? Here are 5 simple tips that will definitely help.  

How Can I Prevent TMD?

Temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as temporomandibular disorder or TMD) causes pain in your jaw which can result in you clenching or grinding your teeth. It also affects the way you chew, swallow, speak and yawn. To learn more or determine if you have TMD, visit your Waterloo dentist. What is Temporomandibular Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint is located just in front of your ears, on either side of your head. It connects your jawbone (mandible) to your skull (temporal bone). Considered to be one of the most complex joints in the human body, it can rotate and move forward, backward and from side-to-side. It works in combination with other muscles and ligaments to perform several functions such as chewing, swallowing, speaking and yawning.

Problems with the muscle, bone or other tissue in and around the joint can be diagnosed as a temporomandibular joint disorder.

Do I Have TMD?

In many cases, TMD is caused by a combination of factors such as jaw injuries or jaw disease and arthritis, disc erosion or misalignment.

Signs or symptoms of TMD include: 

Attend to Impacted Wisdom Teeth Before Complications Arise 

When is a Good Time to See a Pediatric Dentist? 

Digital radiography is gaining popularity among dentists. Some of the most important reasons revolve around improved diagnosis, patient comfort and image processing time.  Many patients today are concerned about exposure to radiation. Dental radiographs demonstrate the practitioner’s concern for a patient’s well-being. Ask an established Waterloo dentist to explain how this newer technology works to your advantage. We have also listed some of the key benefits below. 

What You Should Know About Dental Fillings 

Dental fillings serve important functions, including providing support to a cracked tooth, repairing broken or worn out teeth, and treating a cavity. Your Waterloo dentist will examine your teeth during your check-up to see if you need any fillings and repair. This will help protect your teeth from further decay or structural problems that could cause you to lose them. 

Important Dental Health Tips to Keep in Mind 

Important Dental Health Tips to Keep in Mind 

Dental insurance makes your dental care affordable enabling regular checkups. Most dental insurance plans cover a large part of the cost of preventative and rehabilitative treatments (e.g. preventative cleaning and polishing, routine examinations and X-rays, fillings and extractions, etc.) allowing you to improve your oral health and overall quality of life.

To find out exactly what is covered for you and your family members, talk to your local Waterloo dentist. The most important thing to remember about your dental coverage is that if you don’t use it, you will lose it.

Many individuals and families do not make full use of their dental benefits because they do not understand how these insurance plans work. Here are some important things you need to know. 

Electric toothbrushes are everywhere, even at your dentist, so are they good for you? Many people are wondering about the benefits of power brushing vs. manual brushing. Some are sceptical of the small head and bristles while others say they are sensitive to the motion.

Considerable research has gone into the design of bristles and powerhead of electric toothbrushes for easier and more effective cleaning of teeth and gums. As a result, they have demonstrated far-reaching benefits in the removal of plaque and prevention of cavities and gum disease over the years. In fact, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association highlights the Cochrane review which found that the electric powered toothbrush removed plaque (7%) and gingivitis (17%) more than a manual toothbrush. If you are looking to make the switch, here are some important points to guide your decision. 

Make This A Summer To Smile About 

Want to straighten your teeth quickly without the pain and embarrassment of metal braces? Consider Invisalign—these are virtually invisible braces offering a discreet way to address common dental issues and enhance your smile in a shorter span of time. An experienced Waterloo dentist can explain the process and help you decide if it is right for you. Invisalign has helped more than 900,000 patients all over the world smile confidently again.  

Thank you everyone,

Waterloo Smiles grand opening event was a huge success!! A lovely turn out of friends, family, colleagues and our wonderful patients.

I'm so very proud to have hosted such a phenomenal event. We were welcomed by the city of Waterloo and the uptown Waterloo BIA for having chosen this amazing location to build our future.

Many thanks to Robins Goldsmithing for putting on the party with us and to Mambella’s Café for catering the event.

I’d like to acknowledge my exceptional team for stepping up and hosting all of our guests through the space. We are excited to be in our new clinic at 188 King Street South in Waterloo. We’d also like to thank Henry Schein in helping us create a warm and modern dental clinic that we all can be proud to work in. All the state-of-the-art technology and dental equipment makes for an amazing environment to practice in and will certainly bring a feeling of trust and confidence for our patience.

To all our patients, current and new, as a Dentist in Waterloo we are committed to providing world class service. Thank you for choosing us to take care of your oral health needs and we look forward to the future by serving you!! If you haven’y yet had a chance to visit us, please come and check us out!

By Dr. Fawzia Husain  

Did you know that having a “dry mouth” can lead to many dental issues including bad breath, plaque build-up, gingivitis and an increased risk of cavities? One of the reasons for dry mouth is acidic saliva. Drinking more water is only part of the solution. Consult an experienced Waterloo dentist to determine your saliva pH levels and the cause of ‘mouth acidity’. Dr. Husain will explain the oral science of dry mouth and advise you on the right treatment. 

Waterloo Dentist Lists Common Medications That Can Affect Dental Health 

Cosmetic dentistry enables you to erase many dental flaws. Crooked teeth, unsightly gaps, yellowish stains, etc. can easily be replaced by a whiter, brighter smile. To know exactly which one treatment is right for you, consult an experienced Waterloo dentist.

Many people are embarrassed by their misaligned, misshapen and discoloured teeth. Cosmetic dentistry makes it possible to correct these dental problems quickly and discreetly. While no one will know your secret, they will certainly notice your beautiful smile.  

Important Dental Health Tips to Keep in Mind 

We're please to announce a new Dentist in Waterloo. Dr. Shaun Filonowicz  is the newest addition to the Waterloo Smiles team. He has come to us as we prepare to expand our dental healthcare footprint in Waterloo to serve you even better. Waterloo Smiles Dentistry will be opening a second clinic at 188 King Street South across from the Bauer Lofts. This modern office is a street level space that offers 2000 square feet of state-of-the-art dental care.  Ac cents of acrylic, glass and reclaimed wood welcomes you as you enter from the underground heated parking, backdoor access into our reception area.  With the open concept, exposed ceiling design, you’re going to feel right at home and a little pampered too. 

We're very happy to share the progress on the construction of our second clinic located at 188 King St S in Waterloo. This project began at the start of the year and has been progressing nicely. Every day new things develop and the anticipation of completion grows right along with it. We needed another Waterloo Dentist and figured this is the perfect spot, practically on the border of Kitchener and Waterloo. Convenient for many students, families and seniors!

Stay tuned for updates as they happen.  

At Waterloo Smiles Dentistry, your pearly whites are our top priority - even if they come with some unique oral care and dental hygiene challenges! We understand how much good it can do your self-esteem for you to have a smile that you're not afraid of sharing with the world and we pride ourselves on not only being able to deliver this to you, but also equipping you with the advice, products and services you need to help keep your teeth looking their best long after we've worked on them: 

Imagine your child decides to get her tongue pierced. Then, as if you needed something else to worry about, she starts "playing" with the tiny barbell-shaped stud, by constantly pushing it against her upper front teeth. Then before you know it, she forces a gap between those teeth. Just a fraction of an inch gap that, may likely run you thousands of dollars in orthodontic work to straighten out. 

Tooth decay has become the most prevalent chronic childhood illness. It may surprise you but tooth decay is five times more common than asthma and four times more common than early childhood obesity.  None of us want our children’s teeth to rot and fall out. I’m sure we’ll all agree that it’s not always easy getting them to floss and brush every day- after every meal.  

Festive dental hygiene tips: All I want for Christmas is a healthy, happy smile! 

From the most subtle changes to major overhauls, your dentist can perform an extensive range of cosmetic dentistry procedures that will help to improve your smile. There are so many treatments and techniques to treat teeth that are chipped, discoulored, missing or otherwise damaged and unsightly.

A cosmetic dentist is able to reshape your teeth, restore worn or short teeth and close spaces or even alter the length of your teeth. There are many common cosmetic dentistry procedures, including bonding, bleaching, crowns, reshaping, veneers and contouring, to name only a few.

However, the improvements that come with cosmetic dentistry will not always be only cosmetic. Many dentists that have treated patients in Waterloo have used cosmetic dentistry treatments designed to improve or solve oral problems like an overbite, for example.  

As professional dentists in Waterloo", we disbelievingly read a study released on 30 September that made shocking reports on the state of the oral health 2012 Olympic athletes, with some athletes reportedly having never visited a dentist before. University College London researchers examined the teeth and gums of 302 Olympic athletes who visited a London 2012 Olympic Village dental clinic.

The athletes examined took part in 25 different sports:  

Many new parents think that they don’t need to worry about pediatric dentistry until their children’s teeth are all showing, but that’s just not the case! That’s because pediatric dentistry is about more than just teeth care – it’s about comprehensive oral care right from the early stages of life that sets the standard for your child’s future health.
Many new parents visit dentists very early on in their child’s development so that they can get answers to the many questions they have about development milestones, how to introduce their baby to oral care, what to do and, most importantly, what not to do!
Dentists who have experience in pediatric dentistry can help parents to prevent bad oral habits from forming before their child’s teeth makes an appearance – including thumb-sucking – that, if they are left untreated, can cause major problems down the line. They can also help by advising on the best ways to deal with teething and how to keep those first pearly whites looking bright. 

As a dentist, one of the most frequently talked about topics among my patients is the question of oral care, specifically how to keep their breath fresh all day long. For this and other oral healthcare related issues, I recommend Oracare. This two-part system is the latest advancement in oral health.

One of the reasons Oracare is so effective at helping my patients overcome bad breath is that, unlike many other products, it doesn’t just mask the problem of bad breath. Oracare is designed to address the cause of the problem and subsequently offer a permanent solution. Volatile sulfur compounds usually cause bad breath and Oracare effectively eliminates the VSC bacteria from the mouth. 

Canada Day takes place on July 1st and the reason it’s such a big deal is simple – it’s Canada’s birthday! Thousands of people flock to places like Ottawa, Ontario and other major Canadian cities to get involved in the wide range of celebratory activities and functions that happen on this date each year. In fact, Canada Day is such a big deal that there are even international celebrations in other countries where there’s a Canadian population! 

Why men over 40 should care about dental health more | Dental tips for Father’s day 

Since we were kids, dentists have been telling us to brush our teeth three times a day and to floss regularly. Although all of us know how important it is to follow a proper dental hygiene regimen, few of us really follow through with this advice…

According to the 201 Crest and Oral-B Great Canadian Smile Survey, a staggering 68% of people disregard the advice dentists give them. The problem is that poor dental hygiene doesn’t only lead to yellow teeth and bad breath – it can also lead to heart disease. Even more surprisingly, doctors are able to predict heart disease by simply peering into your mouth and checking out your teeth!  

In recognition of these two big events in February, The Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day, we have some interesting questions that were asked in a resent survey about our male and female partners.  

As a parent, you’re tasked with a million things to worry about. Your child’s dental health however, should be high on your priority list from the moment your child’s first tooth appears. Prevent cavities and help them grow strong pearly whites by enforcing good eating habits and daily teeth cleaning regimens. Here are a few easy tips and interesting facts for parents :  

The holiday season is upon us, along with an abundance of delicious holiday desserts. Tasty desserts are a staple at holiday gatherings of friends and families and for people trying to eat healthy, getting through the holiday season can be a difficult task. Not all holiday desserts will derail you from your healthy eating habits; there are little tips and tricks you can use to make your favourite recipes healthier and they’ll still be just as scrumptious as ever!

If cookies are your favourite holiday treat, consider making mini cookies or bite-sized cookies instead of standard sized or jumbo cookies. Smaller cookies contain fewer calories, saturated fat and other things you’re trying to avoid. You can sometimes substitute butter with honey, as honey is a healthier sweetener that provides a rich, sweet taste. If you cannot substitute honey for butter, try and use unsalted butter if possible.

No holiday dessert plate would be complete without delicious chocolate treats. There are several secrets to make your chocolate recipes healthier, including using natural cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate with 70% cacao as an alternative to regular chocolate. These tricks apply to chocolate cake, chocolate cookies, chocolate puddings and any other tasty treats that contain chocolate. Now you can be a chocolate lover and a healthy eater at the same time.

And don’t forget the holiday drinks! Mulled wine is an excellent holiday drink, as red wine is quite healthy for the heart. It’s the perfect drink to keep you and your guests warm and cosy on a cold winter’s night and it’s very simple to prepare. No holiday party would be complete without egg nog; most recipes call for whole milk but you can substitute a low-fat alternative instead. A great cup of egg nog really keeps the cold out. And let’s not forget about great mocktails like an Apple Cinnamon. This simple recipe from the Food & Drink Mag; simply fill a wine goblet with ice. Add 2 oz. cranberry juice (think antioxidants) and 4 oz. chilled apple cider. Stir to mix. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and voilà, a great non alcoholic treat for the party.

Eating healthy during the holidays doesn’t have to be impossible. There are tips and tricks you can use to create delicious, holiday desserts that will allow you to indulge while still focusing on your healthy habits.  

Whether you like a bit of facial hair or not, moustaches are usually everywhere to be seen during November. Here in Canada, as well as the rest of the world, “Movember” is responsible for raising funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer. 

While many people focus on oral hygiene - and rightfully so, they tend to forget about the whiteness of their teeth. Certainly straight, cavity-free teeth are a sight to behold but if they where sparking white as well your smile would be more radiant and noticeable.  Remember that choosing the right solution in teeth whitening is important but managing your expectations before a treatment should not be overlooked. Here is a recent article that uncovers some of these issues to help you become familiar with the options. 

Oral cancer rates are reaching disturbingly high levels. Today, oral cancer is reportedly more common among women than cervical cancer, accounting for three times as many deaths as cervical cancer. Oral cancer is also believed to be responsible for more deaths than stomach, brain and ovary cancers. In the UK alone, oral cancer cases have increased by more than 25% in the last decade, while in Canada, oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in the population. 

Practicing good oral hygiene ensures healthy teeth and gums, without gum problems like Gingivitis, tooth decay, cavities, bad breadth, etc. We all love individuals that have an attractive smile, perfect teeth and confident personality. With good oral hygiene habits, you look great and tend to have higher confidence levels. A recent research revealed that dental plaque and plaque that accumulates in cardiac arteries are similar. This goes on to show the importance of oral hygiene. Let’s take a look at important aspects in oral hygiene.