DECEMBER HOLIDAY HOURS

December is fast approaching. Our Holiday hours are as follows:

Regular Hours: December 1 – 20
Monday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Holiday Hours: December 21 – January 2
December 21 7:30 am – 1:00 pm
December 22 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Dec. 23 – Jan. 2 CLOSED

TOOTHACHE TIPS

A TOOTHACHE is never fun for anyone!

If you have a toothache or a you are concerned about a tooth, NOW is the time to call 604-277-1131 or email info@stevestonsmiles.com to make an appointment and have it checked.

This time of year the schedule books up quickly and we want to make sure to address your concerns before the office closes for the holidays.

DENTAL EMERGENCIES & URGENCIES

Dental emergencies happen and when they do, it is important to be prepared. A dental emergency is defined as potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate management which includes: bleeding that won’t stop, trauma to the face and teeth, uncontrolled infection and pain that cannot be controlled by pain medication. THESE ARE NOT COMMON and require immediate attention or emergent care.

Dental urgencies such as broken fillings, lost crowns and broken teeth don’t require emergent care but it is important to contact the office and book the next available appointment so we can assess your concern. Until your scheduled appointment here are some tips.

Lost or Broken Filling: A piece of orthodontic wax or sugarless gum can be placed into the area as a temporary measure if it is sharp or sensitive.
TIP: If the tooth is sensitive at first, it will decrease as your saliva remineralizes the area. Using sensitivity toothpaste can also help. You can rub the toothpaste on the area and leave it there.

Crown, Cap or Bridge Off: If your tooth is sensitive or sharp you can try to place the crown back in place gently using Vaseline, toothpaste, or denture adhesive as a temporary solution. DO NOT USE SUPER GLUE. If your tooth is not sensitive or sharp, the crown can left off until your appointment. Store it somewhere safe until then.

Something Caught Between Your Teeth: First try using dental floss, a tooth pick or a soft pik to gently remove the object, If you can’t get it out, call us to have a look. NEVER use a sharp object to try and get what’s caught out, you can damage your gums and teeth.

Loose Braces or Broken Wires: Use orthodontic wax or sugarless chewing gum to cover the bracket or wire until you can get into see us. If anything has come off completely then save it until you can get in to see us.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR INSURANCE

In your insurance booklet it lists your recall date; It could be 6-months, 9-months or 12- months. The recall date indicates how often they will cover the fee for the dentist to do a routine dental exam as well as polishing and fluoride.

The recall date DOES NOT indicate how often you can have your teeth cleaned. Each dental plan has an allotted number of scaling and root planing units per year. Scaling and root planing is dental speak for a cleaning. A single cleaning appointment can vary from 2-4 units of time and for example, your dental plan may cover 12 units per year.

The math means that you can have your teeth cleaned by the hygienist more often than your recall date. LOVE that clean feeling after you leave your dental cleaning? Check your plan details for the number of scaling and root planing units available.

DO I NEED TO WEAR MY RETAINER?

YES! To maintain your teeth straight after your orthodontic treatment it is a must to wear your retainer!

We see patients often who have stopped wearing their retainers and had to go through orthodontic treatment a 2nd time. We know you don’t want that! That’s why we are here to remind your to wear your retainers! if your retainer doesn’t fit give us a call right away, don’t procrastinate. The sooner we address any fit issues, the easier it is to fix. It doesn’t take long for your teeth to shift!