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Vancouver Island Motorcar Weekend & Concours d’Elegance a great way to support local fundraising events

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Vancouver Island Motorcar Weekend (Formerly Motorcar) and Dr. Tatra have raised $180,000 for Charity, helping kids on Vancouver Island

Dr. Tatra is a well-known fan of the Motorcar weekend fundraiser, participating each year to help raise awareness and funds for children and families on Vancouver Island to support families with medical related expenses that are not covered by, or as, a medical expense.

If you are interested in helping to support Vancouver Island families in need, while also enjoying a great weekend of cars read more the about the David Foster Foundation & The Concours d’Elegance

Your continued dedication to the Vancouver Island Motorcar Weekend (formerly the Motor Gathering), has allowed us to raise over $1,200,000 in the past eight years. This was only possible because of you. This year, with your, help we successfully raised $180,000 for charity, making a huge difference in the lives of children and families here on Vancouver Island.

Click here to read the full Letter of Appreciation from the Motorcar Weekend

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Gummy Bear Vitamins: Are They Healthy for Your Teeth?

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Gummy bears are a popular candy among children but often restricted by parents. However, gummy bear vitamins have made its way to healthcare section and become a favourite for children.

Children can be picky-eaters and most of the time it’s hard for them to take a whole tablet or liquid vitamin. Thus, the evolution of gummy bear vitamins. And because gummy bear vitamins are chewy and toothsome, it’s a smart way to give your children a dose of their vitamins.

As a parent, you often restrict your kid’s consumption of sweet stuff – especially if it’s this sticky, sugary food. But how about if this sweet, chewy gummy bear contains vitamins? Is it really healthy? Is it something parents should be happy about?

Pros

  • Gummy bear vitamins, which looks like a regular sweet treat for kids, are the easiest way to have your child take their daily dose of vitamins rather than the regular tablet or pill.
  • It’s easier for them to swallow gummy bear vitamins ­compared to hard tablets– which is why even adults enjoy these sweet vitamin treats.
  • There are several flavours of gummy bear vitamins to accommodate childrens’ preferences.

Cons

  • Children often tend to take more than the required dosage since it appears like a regular sweet treat for them. Make sure to keep it in storage away from children’s reach.
  • The gummy and sticky structure of gummy bears can be damaging to your child’s teeth. It is best to let your child drink a lot of water and brush their teeth after consuming their daily dose of gummy bear vitamins.
  • Gummy bear vitamins usually have lower percentages of nutrients compared to non-gummy bear pills. Reading the labels will help you decide which form of vitamins you will give to your child.

Gummy bear vitamins contain more sugar content than regular tablets. Bacteria found in the mouth takes its nutrition by digesting sugar from the food you eat and produces tooth-destructive acid as its by-product.

Therefore, parents should encourage their child drink water and brush their teeth after consuming gummy bear vitamins. After brushing, make certain that there are no sticky bits left in between teeth. This reminder is not only for kids, but to adults who also enjoy gummy bear vitamins!

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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What are Early Childhood Caries?

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As a parent, seeing your child happy is one of the best feelings in the world. However, we see kids that are suffering daily with dental pain which makes it hard for them to eat or sleep well. Little do we know that dental pain in children can easily be prevented.

Dental pain in children is called Early Childhood Caries (ECC) which is also called as baby bottle feeding decay, baby bottle caries, or nursing caries. Early Childhood Caries is one of the most prevalent disease in children younger than 6 years old who have two or more decayed teeth.

According to Canadian Dental Association, Early Childhood Caries account for about one-third of all day surgeries performed on Canadian children between ages 1 and 5. Children affected with Early Childhood Caries often have problems in speaking and eating properly.

What causes Early Childhood Caries?

There are several risk factors in the development of Early Childhood Caries.

  • Increased bacterial count of Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans is the normal bacteria found in the mouth. Its main nourishment comes from metabolizing carbohydrates which then produces acid as its by-product. The acid produced softens the teeth making it easier for the bacteria to invade the teeth, thus producing decay.

Increased bacterial count of Streptococcus mutans may be caused by intimate contact (i.e. adult kissing child at the lips), sharing of utensils, and poor oral hygiene of the primary caregiver.

  • Feeding habits

Most common cause of Early Childhood caries is leaving baby bottle in their mouth overnight and poor diet. Bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans in their mouth eat sugar found in infant formula milk making baby teeth more susceptible to decay formation. In addition, frequent snacking of kids with sugar-y food and beverages makes the mouth pH level acidic for a longer period.

  • Not cleaning teeth before sleeping

Wiping off the gums or brushing the teeth of your children at least twice a day is important, especially before bedtime. As food particles left in between teeth or gums removed, development of tooth decay is prevented.

  • Not visiting dentists

It is recommended for children to visit dentist at age 1. Absence of professional cleaning and early preventive treatments can speed up development of Early Childhood Caries.

How to prevent Early Childhood Caries?

  • Bring your child to a dentist by the age of 6 months or as the first baby tooth erupt
  • Do not let baby bottle sit overnight in your child’s mouth
  • Let your child drink water after drinking milk
  • Train your child to drink with cup instead of baby bottle
  • Wipe off the gums of infants after giving milk
  • Supervise proper toothbrushing even if the kid can brush his/her own teeth already

The earlier oral health promotion starts, the better the outcomes.

In our dental office, professional dental cleaning, fluoride treatment, and sealants are often recommended to children for prevention of Early Childhood Caries. Remember, the earlier oral health promotion starts ­– the better the outcome. Visit our dental clinic and we would be happy to further discuss the best treatment plan for your little one!

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Do You Really Know Your Own Teeth?

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Do you really know what’s inside your mouth? Do you know that your teeth have names and parts? Do you know that your teeth have layers inside? This post will help you understand your teeth and how they work together.

Our mouth, or oral cavity, is an opening in our head which allows us to taste, chew, and swallow food and liquids.

The most noticeable part of the mouth is the teeth. We have 20 primary teeth and 32 permanent teeth. Teeth have two main parts: the crown and the root. The crown is the visible part of the tooth while the root is found below the gums and anchor the tooth.

Our teeth are classified into four types: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

  • Incisors are the teeth in front. There are four upper incisors and four lower incisors. They are called incisors because they are used to incise or tear food.
  • Canine teeth, also known as cuspids, are sharp-pointed teeth used in ripping food. We have 4 canines (upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right).
  • Premolars, also known as bicuspids, are the ones next to the canines. They are used to chew food. We have 4 first premolars and 4 second premolars.
  • Molars are found at the farthermost part of the mouth. They are important in keeping the bite height or relationship, and also used in chewing food. Three types of molars are found on each quadrant of the mouth: first molar, second molar, and third molar (also known as wisdom teeth).

The tooth itself is an organ with 3 layers: enamel, dentin, and pulp.

  • Enamel is the outer white layer of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the human body.
  • Dentin is the middle layer of the tooth. It gives the tooth its yellowish color.
  • Pulp is the inner layer of the tooth which contains blood vessels and nerve fibers.

Even if the enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it can be softened by acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and cause tooth decay. The dentin is porous making it easier for bacteria to reach the pulp in no time. Remember, the decay becomes irreversible when it has reached the pulp, so prevention is the key to keeping your teeth health (and intact!).

With all of this new knowledge, go ahead and check your teeth in the mirror – try to identify the four types of teeth!

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Effects of Thumbsucking and Pacifier Use on Children

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Like any other parents, you may be concerned about your child’s thumb sucking or pacifier use. You may be wondering when it should be stopped and what will happen if it isn’t addressed. Aside from bacteria, thumb sucking and pacifier can cause problems with the children’s teeth. However, thumb sucking and pacifier has its pro and cons.

According to the American Dental Association, children start to suck on their thumbs while in the womb of their mother as an innate reflex that makes them feel happy or secure. Since thumb sucking is calming, it may also help induce sleep. For this reason, kids may suck their thumbs in the evening or at other times when they are tired.

Children typically stop thumb sucking around the age of 4. However, if this habit doesn’t stop before the age of 6, it is advisable for parents to intervene and stop them from thumb sucking. It is necessary for parents to encourage their kids to stop thumb sucking before the age of 6 as permanent teeth start to erupt at this stage. With that said, it is advisable to discourage thumbsucking even at an even earlier age to minimize its effect on baby teeth.

Negative effects of thumb sucking on teeth

  • Sucking can impede the proper growth of the teeth, adversely affecting the alignment of teeth.
  • Open bite: It is when both the upper and lower front teeth erupt outwards to an extent that the teeth of the upper and the lower jaw do not touch each other, even when the mouth is closed.

Breaking the habit isn’t always easy since as children won’t always understand the importance of them stopping. Here are a few tips and recommendations for parents who would like their kids to stop thumb sucking and pacifier use:

  • Pacifier use can be restricted to the time when the infant is falling asleep
  • Pacifier can be dipped into vinegar or anything that they don’t like the taste of to deter them from using it
  • Praise children for being able to control thumb sucking or for stopping pacifier use instead of scolding them.

These are just a few of the tips you can explore to help your child outgrow thumbsucking and pacifier use. Don’t hesitate to talk to us, or your dentists, if you’re concerned about your child’s habit. We will help you come up with a strategy to safeguard your child’s healthy dental development!

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Halitosis: Cause and Management

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Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is an embarrassing condition that can significantly lower your self-esteem. More often, people with bad breath don’t even know it unless someone told him/her about it.

There are several factors and causes of bad breath and occasionally, even healthy people experience bad breath. Here are some common causes of bad breath:

  • Food: Certain food such as garlic, onion, spices (e.g. curry), some cheese, and coffee can cause short-lived halitosis. Also, food may get stuck in the teeth which promotes bacterial growth and in turn causes bad breath.
  • Tobacco/Cigarette products: Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco leaves a very unpleasant odor. In addition, smoking can cause gum disease which produces bad breath.
  • Poor oral hygiene: Failure to brush teeth and floss significantly causes bad breath due to non-removal of food particles trapped in between teeth. Moreover, dentures should also be cleaned daily to remove bacteria attached to the prosthesis.
  • Dry mouth: Saliva helps to clean the oral cavity by flushing away bacteria and food particles. If there is insufficient amount of saliva, the oral cavity became an ideal area for bacterial growth which causes bad breath. Certain medications and medical problems can cause dry mouth or medically known as xerostomia.
  • Infections in the mouth: Bad breath can be experienced after an oral surgery such as tooth removal. Other infections in the mouth such as gum disease, cavities, and mouth sores can cause bad breath.
  • Diseases and Medications: Diseases, such as cancer, and certain medications can cause bad breath. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is also associated with bad breath.
  • “Morning Breath”: It is very common to experience bad breath every time we wake up in the morning. During sleep, amount of saliva decreases allowing odor-causing bacteria to grow and cause bad breath.

Management of Halitosis

  • Brush and floss teeth regularly; especially the tongue.
  • See your dentist regularly to ensure the proper fit of your dentures and braces
  • If you have periodontal disease, you may see a periodontist – someone who specializes in treating gum disease.
  • If you have braces, your orthodontist might suggest that you use adjunct cleaning equipment such as WaterPik or interdental brush.
  • Quit smoking
  • Chew sugar-less gum to prevent drying of mouth
  • Keep hydrated by drinking a lot of water a day

In most cases, good oral hygiene (proper toothbrushing and flossing) can suffice to avoid having bad breath. If proper oral hygiene does not get rid of bad breath, see a dentist or doctor to further diagnose what may be causing bad breath.

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Anesthesia and Sedation for your Child

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Most parents feel anxious for their children whenever the dentist mentions anesthesia and/or sedation is required for a procedure. If you are one of these parents, you might have a long list of questions to ask your dentist. If it is your child’s first time to undergo dental procedure under anesthesia, continue reading below as we run through important questions that might be on your mind.

What is the difference between Anesthesia and Sedation?

Anesthesia is a way to control pain during a procedure or surgery. It has two types: Local Anesthesia and General Anesthesia.

Local Anesthesia uses an anesthetic agent administered directly to numb a particular area while the patient remains fully conscious.

General Anesthesia is most commonly used for surgical procedures that requires the patient to be unconscious. Administered through a mask or intravenously, children under general anesthesia are completely unaware of their surroundings and are not responsive.

On the other hand, Sedation is considered a “lighter sleep”. During sedation, children is unaware of the surroundings but will respond to stimulation and following directions such as asking them to open their mouth.

When to use Local Anesthesia, General Anesthesia, and Sedation

Whether to use Local Anesthesia, General Anesthesia, or Sedation is based on the type of procedure and the behaviour of your child.

If it’s a minor surgery such as removal of loose baby teeth and your child is highly cooperative, then a local anesthesia will suffice. However, sedation is needed for kids undergoing minor surgery who are fearful and can’t stay seated for a long time.

For major surgical procedures, such as multiple extraction of baby teeth or endodontic treatment, general anesthesia is often given to the child.

How will my child come out of anesthesia?

For local anesthesia, numbness may persist after a few more hours after the dental procedure. The dentist may instruct you to keep your child from talking and eating after a few hours to avoid injury to the lip or tongue.

For general anesthesia and sedation, your child will be groggy or drowsy afterwards. Your child will be monitored until fully awake.

Anesthesia and sedation are safe and effective for children undergoing dental procedures. If you have any questions regarding the anesthesia to be used for your child’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask your dental team. You and your child’s safety and comfort is every dental team’s utmost concern.

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

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Tooth decay in infant and toddlers is also known as “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay” or “Early Childhood Caries”. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth of your child.

Although baby teeth may seem to be temporary, importance should be given to baby teeth.  As previously discussed, baby teeth are important in development of speech and masticatory functions. They also serve as a guide to the position of the erupting permanent teeth.

What causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Failure to take care of the teeth properly may cause tooth decay, especially if children are put to bed with bottle of milk. Milk has sugar content and teeth will remain coated throughout night with it if your child is left with a bottle by its side for the night. Bacteria-eating sugar produces acid that causes teeth to soften, thus resulting in tooth decay.

Parents and caregivers can also transfer bacteria to children by kissing or letting them use an adult’s utensils.

What does Baby Bottle Tooth Decay look like?

  • Brown or black spots on the teeth especially upper front teeth
  • Swollen or reddish gums

How to prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

  • Limit your child’s intake of sugary food and drinks.
  • For infants, let them drink water in a bottle after drinking milk. You may also want to clean their teeth with a warm towel after they have finished drinking milk.
  • Train your child to drink milk in a cup before sleeping, followed by drinking water or brushhing teeth.
  • Avoid sharing utensils with your child. Let them use their own utensils.
  • Do not kiss your child directly on their lips.

If you think your child has Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, it is recommended to bring your child to the dentist as soon as possible. Mild Baby Bottle Tooth Decay can be treated simply with restorations. However, a more severe Baby Bottle Tooth Decay may require a more complex treatment such as apicoectomy (root canal treatment for baby teeth), crown, etc. The earlier it can be diagnosed, the earlier it will be treated with less invasive procedures.

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Part II: Toothpaste Ingredients, Yay or Nay

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We previously discussed the first three ingredients found in toothpastes – here are others that you can also find in your toothpastes.

Humectant System

This system is composed of humectant (ingredients that retains moisture) and binding agents (keeps all ingredients mixed). Without humectant and a binding agent, toothpaste would look dry and stirring will be needed to mix all ingredients prior to use. Sorbitol, Glyerin, and Aqua/Water are the most common humectants.

Thickeners

Thickeners create the “thickness” texture of toothpastes. Carrageenan, Cellulose Gums, and Xanthan Gum are the common thickeners added to toothpastes.

Preservatives

Preservatives are added to prevent growth of microorganisms in the toothpaste. Methylparaben, Propylparaben, and Sodium Benzoate are the common preservatives added to toothpastes.

Some people decided to stop using toothpastes and other beauty products with parabens due to studies linking it to cancer. Good thing is, there’s a lot of toothpastes in the market that are Paraben-free already. You just have to read the ingredient list.

Sweeteners

Toothpaste tastes different without sweeteners or flavorings. You often will see natural and artificial flavorings like Sodium Saccharin and Sorbitol.

Coloring Agents

Toothpastes comes in different colors all white or tri-color pastes. Titanium Oxide produces white pigment while artificial dyes are used to create blue, green, red and other colors. Artificial dyes are written alpha-numerically at the ingredients list (e.g. CI 73360, CI 74260).

Vitamins

Certain variants of toothpastes include synthetic vitamins in toothpastes. One example is Colgate Triple Action which has Niacinamide (Vit. B3), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Pyridoxine HCL (Vit. B6) and many other more.

Others/Fillers

Some toothpastes, like Aquafresh, contains Calcium Carbonate (chalk) and Bicarbonate (baking soda). These ingredients are just fillers and doesn’t do anything good in your teeth.

The best toothpaste will depend on your own preference. You might be okay with products that contain SLS or you’re very particular not to take any product with SLS. Some people want their toothpastes to be very minty while others prefer tasteless. It all depends on you and your family’s liking.

Choose a toothpaste that best suits your preference (taste and ingredients). On the other hand, the Canadian Dental Association recommends you the use of toothpastes from Colgate, Crest, and Sensodyne. And don’t forget to check the CDA seal before buying any toothpaste.

Equipped with a new understanding of toothpaste ingredients, you can now read and understand the toothpaste label with confidence!

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Part I: Toothpaste Ingredients, Yay or Nay

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Have you ever had a look at the ingredients list of your toothpaste? We usually check the ingredients of food in our grocery list, but we are forgetting to check one important item – our toothpaste.

Toothpaste is a paste used with a toothbrush to clean our teeth and tongue. Primarily, it is used to maintain good oral hygiene by removing plaque, preventing halitosis or bad breath, and delivers Fluoride which prevents tooth decay.

However, not all toothpastes are made with the same ingredients. Here’s a run-through of what you can find in your toothpaste and what it does.

Abrasives

Toothpaste’s abrasiveness is measured by its Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA). Toothpaste use abrasives like Hydrated Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate, Calcium Carbonate, and Aluminum Hydroxide. Abrasives give toothpaste its cleaning power. Toothpastes with an RDA rating of 0-70 are highly recommended because they are usually low abrasive. Most toothpastes have one abrasive ingredient. Any toothpaste that contains two or more abrasive components should be avoided.

A few Arm & Hammer toothpaste variants have a 48-70 RDA rating, while Colgate, Crest, and Sensodyne variants are found after 70.

Fluorides

Fluoride is the most popular active ingredient of toothpastes. Forms of fluoride like Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride, and Sodium Monofluorophosphate are found in every toothpaste. Sodium Fluoride, the most commonly added type of fluoride, can readily be used during brushing of teeth while Sodium Monofluorophosphate needs saliva or more moisture to be activated. People with dry mouth (i.e. someone under chemotherapy or taking certain medications that can cause dry mouth) are not recommended to use Sodium MFP-based toothpastes.

Surfactant

Surfactant, also known as detergent, is the foaming agent of toothpastes. Just like soap and shampoo, it is the reason why the product lathers or foams. Surfactant like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) gives a more cleaning effect to some people.

At present, SLS is one of the most controversial ingredients found in several beauty products. SLS was said to affect the endocrine system of the body and produce mouth ulcers. There are insufficient research studies to prove the toxicity of SLS in toothpaste, but a lot of people are switching to SLS-free toothpastes which some variants of Colgate, Sensodyne, and Tom’s of Maines have.

Fluoride, abrasives, and surfactant are just a few of the main ingredients found in toothpastes. These three primarily work together in removing plaque and food lodged in the teeth. Aside from these three, there are a few more ingredients you need to be familiarized with. Stay tuned for Part II!

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone our downtown Victoria dental office at 250 590 0166.

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