If you're one of the millions of North Americans who suffer from diabetes, you need to pay special attention to your dental care, as you are especially susceptible to periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss.

Some people's first indication of diabetes may come from a regular dental care appointment, where the dental hygienist notices some sign of the disease, whether it be dry mouth, sore or loose teeth, burning mouth or tongue, chronic bad breath, gingivitis or gum disease. Bacteria thrive in the mouths of diabetics when there are high glucose levels present, and this increased level of bacteria, in conjunction with a patient's reduced ability to resist infection, can lead to an increased risk of gum disease.

As a diabetic, you need to be vigilant with your dental hygiene, ensuring that you floss daily, brush a minimum of twice a day with a soft toothbrush and visit the dentist for a professional examination and cleaning at least every four or six months. When you do come in for a recare appointment, remember to eat beforehand in order to ensure your blood sugar is in the normal range. If you take insulin, your best choice for a dental appointment might be in the morning after eating a normal breakfast.

If is vitally important for you to advise us if you are already aware that you have diabetes before embarking on any dental work, especially if you are scheduled for dental surgery.

Referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations are our number one source of new patients. In fact, one of the best compliments we can receive from our clients is the referral of one of your friends, colleagues or family members. When you give us a good references, we will ensure that the person you refer receives special attention and the finest service possible.

Our extensive dental training and experience allows us to understand and treat a wide range of oral health needs. From preventing dental disease to patient education and treatment using modern dental techniques and technology, we're your qualified smile provider!

Whether you're looking to maintain your healthy smile or to brighten it up with cosmetic options, we will be happy to give you all the information you need in order to make informed and confident decisions.

Thank you for your confidence in our services, and for sending your friends, family and colleagues our way!

Aspen Dental Team

Today, we're better informed about dental hygiene, and the importance of visiting the dentist regularly in order to maintain our oral health. Are you aware of the many other smile improvements available in our office?

Your teeth may be cavity-free, but they may not be as white or even as you would like. And that's where we can help.

Our practice is about good oral hygiene, preventive procedure and so much more. In addition to the health of your teeth and gums, one of our goals is to enhance a patient's smile by creating the proper shape, color and harmony of all the teeth together.

Some of our services include: invisilign, teeth whitening, bonding, crowns, contouring and reshaping and replacement of missing teeth.

As us about our many other in-office smile options too. We're concerned with "the whole package" when it comes to oral care, and that means good dental health and an attractive smile, to make you look, and feel better about yourself.

As your dental professional, we're full of good reasons why you should visit the dentist on a regular basis. Preventing decay, maintaining good oral health and making sure your smile is as attractive as possible are all good incentives to visit us at least twice a year, but you probably don't give much thought to another serious reason to have your mouth checked regularly: oral cancer screenings.

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer - which includes mouth cancer, tongue cancer and throat cancer - is a serious worldwide concern. You can lower your risk of oral cancer by refraining from tobacco products in any form, avoiding alcohol or drinking only in monderation, and using a lip balm that contains sunscreen to protect you lips from harmful UV rays. Awareness of the telltale signs of the disease is also important. Oral cancers have an 80 to 90 percent cure rate if the cancer is found early.

It's easy to dismiss a small lump or irritation in the mouth as a cold sore or a bite to the inside of your cheek. However, knowing now how critical early diagnosis is to long-term survival, if you have any doubts about suspicious spots or sores on your lips, tongue or anywhere in your mouth, please make sure that you call us for an appointment so we can examine you closely.

A toothbrush with firm bristles, coupled with vigorous brushing action, is ideal for scrubbing away the gunk around your bathroom sink faucets. When it comes to brushing your teeth, however, we respectfully suggest taking a lighter-handed approach.

The enamel that protects the outside of your teeth needs to be cleaned thoroughly, but gently. While enamel is a hard substance, it can only withand so much abuse, and heavy-handed brushing is one way that some patients have actually worn down their tooth erosion, bacteria have the means to invade your tooth structure and cause some real damage through dental decay.

If you're not sure which toothbrush is right for you, simply ask us for a recommendation. There are some excellent toothbrushes on the market these days that combine the soft bristles your gums and enamel will appreciate, with the type of tapered tips that work best to remove plaque from on and around your teeth. Electronic toothbrushes can be another effective option. Give us a call - we'd be happy to explain the differences between them and which option would suit your needs best.