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When you have a family to care for, high on your list of priorities is finding the right family dental provider.  A great family dentist family dental nanaimocan treat your whole family and make it convenient for you and your family to come in for regular dental check-ups and any treatments that may be needed.

A family dentist will coordinate all of your family’s dental care and refer you out to dental specialists whenever needed. Given how important your family dentist is to you and your family, here are some things to look for when choosing a family dentist.

  • Education and Professional Development:

You have the right to ask a prospective family dentist a few questions about their credentials before establishing a relationship with her.  Ask where they graduated from dental school and when, and ask about ongoing professional development.

All dentists are required to do a certain amount of professional development each year, but some dentists go well beyond the requirements.  This is a good sign that your dentist is passionate about dentistry and means that you will be benefiting from the latest news and advances in dentistry.

You can also ask about the dental clinic’s equipment.  Has the clinic invested in modern dental equipment such as digital x-rays and other equipment that can make your visits to the dental clinic more comfortable and safe?

  • Experience:

Your prospective dentist’s experience can also be a factor in your choice, but more years of experience is not necessarily better.  Ask your dentist about years of experience, but also ask for testimonials or reviews from patients.

You can also ask the dentist which treatments they provide most often, which they enjoy and which treatments they prefer to refer out to other dentists or dental specialists.  A good dental care provider will put your care above trying to handle all types of treatment under one roof.

Even though a dentist may have been around for several years, it’s still a good idea to do a quick check online for any complaints or news articles about the dentist.

  • Services provided:

It’s very convenient for your family to have one dentist coordinate all of your family’s dental care needs – even though at times your dentist will refer you out for specialized treatment. If you place your trust in your family dentist it will save you time and energy and all your dental records will be kept in a single dental office.

  • The environment of the dental clinic:

When it comes to dental care, you should look for a clinic which is pleasant and gives you a positive feeling about being there. The environment of the clinic and the approach of the dental support team is important, especially for children visiting the dentist for the first time. Once children feel comfortable and secure going to the dentist, it will make it easier for the whole family to get the regular dental care needed.

  • The dentist:

Your choice of a family dentist also depends on the personality of the dentist. You and your family should feel that the dentist is patient and listens to your concerns. You should also look for strong communication from your dentist, explaining your treatment options in a simple way and not pressuring you to make decisions.

Contact Us

If you are looking for a family dentist in Nanaimo, get started by contacting Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group to book an appointment.  We strive to meet the needs of families and look forward to taking care of you and your family.  Read more about the Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group team.

 

 

The Canadian and American Associations of Orthodontists recommend all children have an orthodontic evaluation invisalign no more braces nanaimoby age 7. Treatment does not necessarily begin at that time, but knowing which specific problems a child may be developing can prompt early attention and correct the problem before it starts impacting the child or teen’s health.

The case of a Nanaimo teen treated by Dr. Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is a good example of early intervention heading off a host of serious consequences.  The Nanaimo teen’s case started with his adult teeth coming in crooked and tilted and his lower jaw in a receded position.   Since the adult teeth no longer formed a smooth chewing surface after the adult teeth came in, the child began to experience the early signs of TMD, a jaw disorder characterized by clicking of the jaw, soreness in the jaw from chewing, jaw tension and headaches.  In this case, the child could not even chew gum without complaining of jaw soreness and headaches.

Teen orthodontic before and after photos :

teen_ortho

“This was a more complicated case, “ says Dr. Mahara, “as the goal was to fix the jaw position, by moving the lower jaw forward, and straighten the crooked teeth.”

The teen recalls the time when his teeth needed straightening and his jaw was in pain.  “I was very aware of my crooked teeth and tried to hide my smile or not smile at all,” he says.  “I remember having a sore jaw and  headaches almost everyday,” he adds.

Dr. Mahara began the teen’s orthodontic and TMD treatment by correcting the jaw position with a fixed appliance that almost immediately eliminated the jaw pain and tightness which were the early symptoms of TMD.  Two years later the lower jaw had moved back into a normal position and then at age 15 the teen began the second phase of his TMD and orthodontic  treatment using traditional braces to straighten his teeth.

By age 16, the Nanaimo teen had completed his TMD and orthodontic treatment and couldn’t be happier with his nearly perfect straight teeth and a normal, pain-free bite.

If your child has crooked adult teeth or complains of jaw soreness and discomfort from chewing, talk to your dentist.  As with the Nanaimo teen treated at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group, a positive ending to this story is possible with early intervention and a sound treatment plan.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.

In North America, it is estimated that 90 million people snore or have a more serious breathing condition dental sleep appliance for sleep apneaknown as sleep apnea. In sleep apnea cases, an individual stops breathing for ten seconds or more hundreds of times each night. Sleep apnea can lead to many serious health problems and produce symptoms like sleepiness during the day and loss of ability to concentrate.

What are the causes of snoring and what can be done to correct it?

Snoring can be related to excessive weight, to sleeping on one’s back, consuming alcohol within several hours of going to bed or a genetic predisposition. A constriction of the airway occurs during sleep, which allows the vibrations that we hear as “snoring”.

Dental sleep appliances

There are a number of new dental sleep appliances that help to open the airway and reduce snoring. Dental sleep appliances can be quite tolerable and much less bulky than the earlier dental anti-snoring devices. Dental sleep appliances no longer lock the jaw into one position, leaving you free to yawn, talk and even sip water while wearing them.

Is a sleep appliance right for you?

A consultation with your dentist will let you know whether a dental sleep appliance is appropriate for you.

Your dentist will establish that you do not have sleep apnea or refer you to a physician to have this evaluated. Even when sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician, dental sleep appliances can be a very effective treatment method.

What is the cost of dental sleep appliances?

The cost of these appliances is roughly equal to a weekend away for a couple and the benefits are significant. If you have dental insurance these appliances may even be partially covered.

Alternative ways to reduce snoring

Other ways to reduce snoring include reducing weight to an ideal level, sewing a tennis ball into the back of a pajama top to help the sleeper avoid lying on their back, and reducing alcohol consumption before bed.

If you have a snoring problem and would like to stop snoring now, book a consultation today to see if a dental sleep appliance would benefit you and help you achieve your goals.  Read more about sleep apnea on the Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group website.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.