Great dental article in Vancouver Sun

Check this great article out!

Good Oral Hygiene Habits for All Ages

Have a great one!
Nathan

Some great dental articles!

Happy Sunday to all. I received a few great dental articles in my inbox today and I thought I would share!

No Pepsi or Coke in US Schools!

I totally agree with this article about no pop in schools. Pop is like battery acid for the teeth and also very bad for overall health. This study that recently came out about pop is even one more reason to avoid it.

Drinking pop linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer

We had another great Child and Toddler Day at the Dentist yesterday! Many amazing little children came out to have their first experience at the dentist and what a fantastic day it was! We counted and cleaned many little teeth, snacked on teeth-healthy snacks and explored the dental world of  Mr. Slurpy, Mr. Ticklebrush, Mr.Mirror and Mr.Toothcounter. Overall we were able to examine all of the children's teeth and provide a positive first experience at the dentist! Thank you for everyone who came out to participate and my amazing dental team who I couldn't do this without!

Our next Child and Toddler Day at the Dentist is Saturday April 24, 2010 and Saturday June 26th which are close to fully booked.

As well, we will be offering a free program for all adults in the Toronto area May 8, 2010. Our brand new Oral Cancer Screening Program which is sponsered by Zila, Zila-Vizilite-Oral Cancer Detection. This program will strive to educate the public on the prevalence of oral cancer in the population. Oral cancer is showing up in all age groups, not just those who smoke or drink. It is imperative that all age groups be screened for oral lesions and oral cancer because early detection is the key to positive outcomes. Give us a call to book your free oral cancer screening and detection appointment at Stonebrook Dental at (416)636-4227.

Have a great day!
Nathan

As a I dentist I always loved green tea and now the proof!

I drink green tea everyday for overall health benefits, I knew tea in itself helps prevent cavities but I didn't know until now that it has an effect on periodontal health. This is a great article about green tea and periodontal disease I wanted to share with you.

I always thought green tea was great!

Drink up to keep your periodontium (bone around teeth, gums and mouth healthy!)

Have a great Wednesday,

Nathan

Stress and Grinding of your Teeth

Hello all,

It has been awhile since I have wrote, good excuse though, the office moved! We are really proud of our new dental space and really settling in. We really love the light in our new space, as well we are able to look out at the beautiful Earl Bales park and skyline of Toronto. Walks during lunch break have taken on a whole new meaning when you are able to do it in the park.

As you may or may not know our new dental space is at 4256 Bathurst Street, Suite 405 which is the Bathurst Medical Centre. We are currently welcoming new patients during our grand opening days in March and April.

This article popped onto my screen the other day, I thought I would share it with you. Grinding and stress, click below to read it!
Stress and grinding of one's teeth.

Check out our website, http://www.drnathanhaas.com/ for more info about my Family, Laser, Cosmetic and Implant dental practice in Toronto.

Have a great day!
Nathan

Canada wins first Olympic Gold!

I am sure many of you have been watching the Olympics as I have. Yesterday was such an amazing moment when Alex Bilodeau won the Olympic Gold for Canada in the moguls.
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/

My kids are also enjoying the Olympic games as well! My son Ethan who is 2 loved watching the mogels and laughed as they 'bumped' back and forth down the hill. Ella who is 4 enjoyed watching the skating and asked me when she could start skating like that. I guess this is how it all starts for many children, viewing a sport whether on TV or live and then wanting to try it. Though I don't promote a lot of TV watching in our house, the Olympics are an exception.

Our family today will entail taking it easy, book reading, toy playing, cooking and of course, Olympic viewing.

Have a great family day!
Nathan

Are we Canadians weird?

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/760654--so-we-drink-milk-out-of-bags-does-that-make-us-weird?bn=1
I got a real chuckle out of this article from the Toronto. Supposedly we in Eastern Canada are the only ones in Canada drinking milk out of bags. Believe it or not those 4L bags of milk you buy at the grocery store are not sold in Western Canada (past the Ontario border)and definitely not sold in the US where these use good old one gallon jugs. Check it out,

A great site for Toronto parents!

This website is great for Toronto parents, it has news, things to do and reviews for things to do with your kids in Toronto. I have used this site and have always been able to find tons of child related info.

Parenting News, Reviews and Things to do in the Toronto Area!
We connect with families and write about what matters to you. Looking for fun and interesting things to do in the GTA? Need parenting resources and advice? We can help. Interesting links, stories and tips for all parents. Sign up for our e-newsletter and win prizes.

http://www.gtaparent.com/

I am very happy that Bill Gates foundation is getting so involved in funding for vaccines in the world's poorest countries. 10 million dollars is a lot of money and will go a long way towards preventing disease and keeping children healthy. What a great cause!

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100129/gates_vaccine_100129/20100129?hub+health

Today being a lazy Sunday, myself and the kids are going to the movies. They have tried talking me into seeing Alvin and the Chipmunks for the second time, but I think we have a consensus we will go and see The Princess and the Frog. I hope it is a good one!

By the way, Ethan is not longer wearing diapers! He took him all of one week to get the hang of it, now he is asking for no diapers at night which I personally think is pushing it a bit. I mean, he is in bed for 12+ hours at night, he is still in a crib and I am not so sure how a bathroom run every 1-2 hours all night would work for both myself, my wife and Ethan. We would be pooped in the morning, so I have told him for now we will keep diapers at night for "just in case" until he is a little older and out of his crib (he loves his crib and does not want to sleep in a bed like his 'big' sister). Let's hope today at the movies with all the drinks and popcorn goes okay diaperless ;)

Have a great Sunday!
Nathan

A much needed Saturday!

Have you ever found that after the holidays you are wiped out? This second week back after the Christmas holidays just seems to be so EXHAUSTING! I think this year more than ever because we are building the new office and such, but I didn't realize how much more so than before.

Today being Saturday I am planning a full day of relaxing activities, ie. change Ella's carseat to a booster seat (yes,she has reached 40pds!), removing holiday lights from the house and playing with the kids. I wish today involved sleeping in, but with my children both 4 and under, waking up at 7:30am is the norm. Hey, maybe I will go to bed early tonight, like before 11pm and hopefully I will catch up on some much needed zzzz's.

So off I go for my 'relaxed' Saturday, I hope yours is great!

Have a good one!
Nathan

Check our my new Q&A blog!

www.askatorontodentist.blogspot.com

Neat News about Us!

I must say this is very exciting, we never thought Toddler Day at the Dentist would be such a hit with Toronto residents, see below!

www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/230102--dentist-aims-to-take-the-sting-out-of-visits


Have a great one!
Nathan

Our northern visit and the office move!

I must admit, I have been really behind in my posts lately. We were up north in Sault Ste. Marie for the holiday break and had a great time visiting my inlaws. As a few of you know, Sarah's father had a heart attack at the end of October then he had a quadruple bypass in November. We decided the 8 hour trek would be much easier for us than have my mother and father inlaw come down just 6 weeks shy of surgery.

Sault Ste.Marie is a beautiful city, but man it is COLD and SNOWY! Pretty much everyday were up there it snowed, atleast 1-5 cm a day and was well below zero. I think the coldest day was the day we left, our car showed -23, but to us 'southerners' ;) it felt like -100. To our surprise when we arrived home later that day it was -15, I think we imagined we were going somewhere really south where it would actually be on the plus side. Anyways, we are glad to be home and back in the swing of things.

The construction of our new office is going along as planned. We are looking forward to our new space with many different little extras for everyone. 4256 Bathurst, suite 405 is our new dental home come February/March. Construction pictures soon to come!

Hope to see all of you soon and happy 2010!

Nathan

Happy Chanukah!

Just a quick post to say, Happy Chanukah to all!

Nathan

So I haven't been on a in a few weeks...

I haven't been on for a few weeks because we have had some health problems in Sarah's family. My father in law had a heart attack and then was hospitalized for a quadruple bypass. Thank goodness all is much better for him, he is two weeks out from surgery and seems to be recovering slowly but surely. For many of you who know, my inlaws live in the Sault and they needed to transport my father in law to Sudbury for the actual surgery. The most stressful thing is not being close to my inlaws now while my father in law is recovering, we are all really looking forward to seeing them during the holidays.

I have been meaning to mention our upcoming move to our new location. In early 2010 we will move 5 minutes from where we are now to our new dental home at the Bathurst Health Centre (4256 Bathurst, Suite 405). We are very excited as myself and my team will solely occupy this location! We will be able to offer all the same dental treatments and services but by being in a space with other health care professionals it will benefit you because of the range of services offered. I hope all of you will appreciate the new location in the new year!

Have a great night!
Nathan

Why floss?

I would say about 99.9% of my patients brush, I can't say as much about flossing, I would say it is about 60% floss on a regular basis. Which of the two do you think is more important?

Well both are very important to prevent cavities, periodontal disease, bad breath and an assortment of other oral ailments. I must say though that flossing reigns supreme in below the gumline plaque (bacterial mixed with food) removal.

What forms under the gumline with a lack of flossing is what is called biofilms (layers of different types of bacteria/food debris and byproducts). Now everybody has biofilm, even those who floss, but that biofilm in someone who flosses on a regular basis and in someone who doesn't can be quite different. For someone who flosses a few times a week to daily will have a biofilm that is not so diverse (different types of bacteria and food) because they are using the floss to regularly remove this stuff so it doesn't accumulate. For those of us who floss only occasionally or not at all the biofilm will be very diverse (different types of bacteria/food/byproducts) all mixed together. As well, after this plaque has sat for awhile under the gums it can harden into what is called calculus, ie. tartar.

Biofilm can be anywhere from harmless (benign, non-destructive bacteria) that does not cause disease (ie.gingivitis/periodontal disease) to very harmful and destructive causing the body to start an inflammatory response in order to prevent disease progression. One sign of destructive biofilm/bacteria that may be intiating or causing a disease process to start is bleeding/redness of the gums. If you see one or both this means inflammation is starting. In this circumstance I would recommend flossing the area even more not less. I have come across a few people who have becomed frightened when their gums bleed and for good reason, the body is actually giving you a blatant signal that something is wrong. Gums should not bleed when you floss them, not a lot and not a little. Even a little blood shows us something is up, it is not normal to bleed from your gums, just as it is not normal to bleed from your leg. Unless you physically cut yourself with the floss (please don`t, be gentle!) the gums should not be bleeding.

Flossing technique is very important as well. When flossing the floss itself should be gently glided below the gums and gently polished along the side of the tooth it is cleaning. If you just go above the gumline with the floss it is defeating the purpose of flossing. That biofilm we talked about earlier that has the potential to be harmful lives well below the gumline in the dark, warm area that is called the sulcus. This area is perfect for anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that lives well in the presence of no oxygen). Many anaerobic bacteria have the potential to be destructive so these little guys need to be cleaned up and out with the floss.

Once you get good with flossing it should take you no less than a minute to complete your whole mouth. Remember when going between two teeth you need to clean each tooth and area below the gumline individually. Optimally you only need to floss 1x day, if you do more that is a bonus. As well, it doesn`t matter what time of the day you floss, as long as you do it.

So just remember, floss the teeth you want to keep! I won`t say anymore :)

Have a great night!
Nathan