Bad breath is not a subject most people like to talk about, right? While not exactly a life-or-death affliction, at the very least, bad breath can be an inhibiting embarrassment in social situations, and at the worst, a sign that there might be something medically wrong with you. Unfortunately, wearing braces may contribute to bad breath. The main cause of bad breath is the presence of bacteria in your mouth – typically when you’ve been lax about brushing your teeth. When food particles remain lodged in your teeth, they decay and, well, create that unpleasant smell. But even when you’re…

The short answer to this question is, yes, you can. What’s more, you can even receive a root canal treatment with your braces already on. Let me explain. First of all, the root canal procedure has gotten what some would call a “bad rep”. Ultimately, a root canal is just a special filling that may take a little longer to do than a regular filling. The purpose of this procedure is to eliminate a tooth’s diseased nerve, clean up and disinfect the area affected by it and fill the space with material that feels somewhat like rubber. This is done…

A cone of delicious ice cream and a frosty drink on a scorching summer day… Sounds like just what the doctor ordered, doesn’t it? Yet, for many people with tooth sensitivity, these treats are definitely not what the doctor ordered. If you cringe with pain every time you dig into a cold or hot food or drink, you are one of these people. How does tooth sensitivity happen? Tooth sensitivity is very common and it usually occurs when there is some damage to the gums and they start to recede, exposing parts of your teeth normally protected by enamel. It…

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops for about 10 seconds about 15 times an hour during sleep. It may be surprising how common this ailment is. The Public Health Agency of Canada’s 2009 Sleep Apnea Rapid Response Questionnaire, conducted by Statistics Canada, found that “over one in four Canadian adults (26 per cent) was at high risk for having obstructive sleep apnea based on the presence of three or more of seven risk factors/symptoms..” What happens when I have sleep apnea? When you’re awake and in control of your body, your throat muscles are kept stiff and…

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) are fairly common, especially among children and adolescents. It is unfortunate that this is also the age bracket that most people receive orthodontic treatment, which increases the risk of patients wearing braces experiencing TMJ before, during, or after their orthodontic treatment. So, how can one keep their braces safe when TMJ occurs during the course of their orthodontic treatment? Relation between TMJ and Orthodontic Treatment Temporomandibular dysfunction comprises multiple subjective symptoms and clinical signs that affect the temporomandibular joint and neighbouring structures. TMJ is considered a major cause of non-dental pain in the orofacial region. The…