Smile like you have never before

Smile like you have never before

Create the perfect smile you've been waiting for.

Make an appointment today,

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Quality compassionate care

Quality compassionate care

We provide a caring and comfortable experience to our patients, this is our top priority.

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Dental Care for the entire family

Dental Care for the entire family

Dentistry made fun.

We offer gentle, fun care for even the most anxious child, making our little patients feel confident.

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Meet the team

Meet the team

Consisting of a well rounded team that offer services in a friendly setting.

We want our patients to feel at home and comfortable while receiving the best care possible

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Blog

Busting Dental Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction for Your Family’s Smile!

Hey, everyone! 👋 Let’s talk teeth! We’re diving into a topic that’s often shrouded in misconceptions: dental myths! 🦷 It’s time to separate fact from fiction and empower your family with the truth about oral health. Here are some common myths debunked:

🚫 Myth #1: Sugar Is the Only Culprit for Cavities 🔍 Reality: While sugar plays a role, cavities aren’t just caused by indulging in sweets. Starchy foods like chips and crackers can also contribute, as can frequent snacking. It’s not just about what you eat, but how often you eat it!

🚫 Myth #2: Baby Teeth Don’t Matter Because They’ll Fall Out Anyway 🔍 Reality: Baby teeth serve as placeholders for permanent teeth and play a crucial role in speech development and proper chewing. Neglecting them can lead to issues with alignment and speech later on.

🚫 Myth #3: Brushing Harder Means Cleaner Teeth 🔍 Reality: Scrubbing your teeth like you’re cleaning a tile floor can actually do more harm than good! Gentle, circular motions with a soft-bristled brush are the way to go. Too much pressure can damage enamel and irritate gums.

🚫 Myth #4: You Don’t Need to See a Dentist Unless Something Hurts 🔍 Reality: By the time something hurts, it may be a sign that the issue has progressed. Regular dental check-ups are essential for catching problems early when they’re easier (and cheaper) to treat.

🚫 Myth #5: Fluoride Is Harmful and Should Be Avoided 🔍 Reality: Fluoride is actually a superhero for your teeth! It strengthens enamel and helps prevent cavities. When used in the right amounts, fluoride is safe and beneficial for dental health.

🚫 Myth #6: If Your Gums Bleed, You Should Stop Flossing 🔍 Reality: Bleeding gums are often a sign of gum disease, which can worsen if you stop flossing. Gentle, regular flossing can actually help reverse gingivitis and keep gums healthy.

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your family’s oral health! By busting these common myths, we hope you feel more empowered to take charge of your dental care routine. Have more questions or myths to debunk? Drop them in the comments below! Let’s keep those smiles shining bright! ✨ #DentalMythBusters #HealthySmiles

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The Psychological Impact of Dental Health

Dental health is not merely confined to physical well-being; it also holds significant psychological implications. The state of our teeth and gums can influence our self-esteem, social interactions, and overall mental health. This topic delves into the psychological impact of dental health, highlighting the various ways in which oral health can affect our emotional well-being.

Dental Anxiety: Dental anxiety, or fear of visiting the dentist, is a common psychological issue that affects many individuals. The fear can stem from various factors such as previous traumatic dental experiences, fear of pain, or a general feeling of vulnerability while sitting in the dental chair. Dental anxiety can lead to avoidance of dental visits, resulting in neglect of oral health and exacerbation of dental problems. Understanding and addressing dental anxiety is crucial in ensuring individuals receive the necessary dental care they need.

Self-esteem and Dental Appearance: The appearance of one’s teeth plays a vital role in self-esteem and confidence. Crooked, stained, or missing teeth can cause individuals to feel self-conscious and hesitant to smile or engage in social interactions. This self-consciousness can impact relationships, career opportunities, and overall quality of life. Cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic treatments can significantly improve the appearance of teeth, positively impacting self-esteem and psychological well-being.

Chronic Dental Conditions and Mental Health: Chronic dental conditions, such as periodontal disease or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), can have a profound impact on mental health. Persistent pain, discomfort, or difficulty in chewing can lead to frustration, irritability, and even depression. Chronic dental conditions can disrupt sleep patterns, affect daily activities, and reduce overall quality of life. Comprehensive treatment of these conditions, along with addressing their psychological effects, is crucial for improving mental well-being.

Body Image and Dental Health: Body image concerns extend beyond weight and physical appearance; dental health also plays a role. Misaligned teeth, oral appliances like braces or retainers, or visible signs of dental work may lead individuals to feel self-conscious about their appearance. This can affect body image perception and influence overall self-confidence. Acknowledging the psychological impact of dental aesthetics and providing appropriate support and interventions can contribute to a healthier body image.

The Role of Dental Professionals: Dental professionals play a crucial role in addressing the psychological impact of dental health. Creating a supportive and empathetic environment in dental clinics, employing effective communication strategies to alleviate patient anxiety, and integrating psychological interventions into dental care can significantly improve patient experiences. Collaboration between dental professionals and mental health providers can ensure comprehensive care for individuals experiencing significant psychological distress related to dental health.

Conclusion: Recognizing the psychological impact of dental health is essential for promoting holistic well-being. By addressing dental anxiety, improving dental aesthetics, treating chronic dental conditions, and fostering a supportive dental environment, we can positively impact individuals’ self-esteem, social interactions, and overall mental health. Integrating psychological considerations into dental care can lead to improved oral health outcomes and a better quality of life for individuals.

At Dietrich Family Dentistry we take pride in helping those with the physiological impact dental anxiety can have on your mental health and help those with severe anxiety by alleviating those high impact feelings to benefit your overall health.

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Salt water rinsing a natural remedy

Salt water rinsing, also known as saline rinsing, involves using a solution of salt and warm water to rinse your mouth. Here are some details on the benefits and usage of salt water rinsing:

  1. How to make a salt water rinse: Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Stir the solution until the salt is dissolved completely. You can adjust the amount of salt based on your preference, but it’s important not to use too much salt as it can cause discomfort.
  2. Reduces inflammation and infection: Salt water rinse creates a saline environment that can help reduce inflammation and fight off infection in the mouth. It can be beneficial for conditions like gingivitis (gum inflammation) and canker sores.
  3. Relieves sore gums: If you’re experiencing gum pain or sensitivity, rinsing with salt water can provide temporary relief. The solution can help soothe and reduce swelling in the gums.
  4. Promotes wound healing: Salt water rinse can aid in the healing process of oral wounds, such as after oral surgery or extractions. The saline solution helps keep the area clean, reduce bacteria, and support the natural healing process.
  5. Alleviates bad breath: Salt water rinse can help neutralize odours and freshen your breath by reducing the number of bacteria in the mouth.
  6. Safe and cost-effective: Salt water rinsing is a safe and natural practice that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals or additives. It’s also an affordable and easily accessible option for maintaining oral health.
  7. Usage frequency: You can use salt water rinse 2-3 times a day or as directed by your dentist. It’s important not to swallow the solution but rather spit it out after rinsing.
  8. Complementary to regular oral care: Salt water rinsing should not replace your regular oral hygiene routine, which includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. It can be used as a supplement to maintain oral health or during specific situations when oral issues arise.

Remember, while salt water rinsing can be beneficial for certain oral health problems, it’s always best to consult with your dentist or healthcare professional if you have persistent or severe symptoms. They can provide personalized advice and recommend appropriate treatments based on your specific needs.

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Mouthwash time……

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. While brushing and flossing are the cornerstone of a good dental hygiene routine, using mouthwash can also be beneficial. Mouthwash can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. It can also reach areas that may be missed by brushing and flossing alone, like the back of the tongue and the roof of the mouth. However, it’s important to choose the right type of mouthwash for your specific needs, as some are designed for freshening breath while others are formulated to treat specific dental problems. Talk to your dentist about which mouthwash is best for you and make it a regular part of your dental hygiene routine.

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How to pick a toothbrush

Toothbrush Recommendations: Manual or Electric?

Both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective at removing plaque if they are used correctly. However, we recommend using an electric toothbrush for its larger handle size, small brush head, and automatic bristle action that takes the guesswork out of getting those bristles into all the nooks and crannies in your mouth.

Features to Look for in a Toothbrush:

Regardless of whether you choose a manual or electric toothbrush, we always recommend a brush with soft bristles. Soft bristles are gentle on your gums and flexible enough to bend into hard-to-reach places. A comfortable grip is also important. If you have issues with manual dexterity, consider a brush with a wider grip handle.

Sometimes a toothbrush alone isn’t enough. Depending on the arrangement of your teeth, you may benefit from using smaller tools to reach the really tough places. You can find many of these additional brushes in the pharmacy or grocery store toothbrush section.

Remember to Floss! it is important that you don’t forget to floss regularly!

We’ll cover more on that in another post.

When you book and appointment with us we are happy to recommend

what we think will work best for you.

Contact us today. Happy Brushing!

Categories: Dental Dental benefit Dentistry Electric toothbrush Manual Toothbrush Nova Scotia Toothbrush

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Setting Kids Up for Oral Health Care Success

Did you know that the Canadian Dental Association recommends that children have their first dental visit by age 1 or 6 months after their first tooth comes in?  

Yep! That’s right! And we at Dietrich Family Dentistry advocate for this too!

We know what you might be thinking, what could possibly need to be done on a kid that young? Well, we do lots of things in that first visit. We like to think of it as the first chance we get to make a good impression on that young mind and set them up for a lifetime of successful, stress free, dental visits.

In that first visit, we spend a great deal of time chatting and counselling with the child’s caregivers. We cover information regarding diet, oral hygiene, the importance of regular brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste (age and cavity-risk dependent) and daily flossing. We go over what to expect for eruption timing and sequence, use of soothers or advice on what to do if your kid likes their thumb a bit too much.
We try to get in a quick peek at those developing pearly whites, too! We do this easily with the help of the caregiver, in a knee- to-knee exam. We believe that if caregivers are well informed on how to provide the best oral health care at home, the risk of developing tooth decay and other oral issues is greatly reduced.

Many of the preventive oral health care services we provide are covered by the Children’s Oral Health Program through MSI up to age 15.  This program ensures that Nova Scotia families will not have any out-of-pocket expenses for insured services for their children up until the last day of the month they turn 15. 

If you would like to know more or book your child in for their first visit, please give the office a call at 902-644-2957.

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Canadian Dental Benefit

What does this mean for your family?

What is it?

As of December 1, 2022, the Government of Canada has implemented the Canada Dental Benefit, which is designed to eliminate the financial barrier to accessing dental care for Canadian families.

Who is Eligible?

The benefit is targeted for children who are under 12 years of age; families who do not have access to private dental care insurance and have an adjusted family net income under $90 000 per year.

What Dental Care is Covered?

Any dental care provided by a regulated oral health care provider, who is licensed to practice in the placed where care is provided is covered by the Canada Dental Benefit.

How much is the benefit?

The amount of benefit you are eligible for depends on your family’s adjusted net income.

Below $70 000: Canada Dental Benefit up to $650

$70 000 to $79 999: Canada Dental Benefit up to $390

$80 000 to $89 999: Canada Dental Benefit up to $260

How can you apply?

You must have information on the recent or planned oral health care visit and head to your CRA My Account to apply. 

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT Canada.ca/dental or 1-800-715-8836

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Oral Health & Water

We all know that drinking lots of water is good for your overall health. Did you know that it also helps with your oral health? Drinking water helps to rinse away any food debris that is left behind after a meal or snack and it helps neutralize acid that is created by the cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth! As we know acid is what destroys the enamel and causes cavities, so drinking plenty of water helps to reduce your risk of developing cavities!

We recommend to drink water after every meal and to be your only source of hydration in between meals. Sugary drinks introduce more sugar into your mouth, and the cavity-causing bacteria will feed on that sugar and produce more acid. MORE ACID = MORE CAVITIES. So to rinse away left over food debris and neutralize your mouth pH, water is best!

Did you know there are Timer Apps for your phone to help you remember to drink water?! There are literally apps for everything these days! Our best way to remember is to always carry a reusable water bottle around filled with plain ol’ water!

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