The Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening in Aurora, ON

Is your smile lacking that pearly white lustre that you see all over magazine ads and TV? If it is, chances are that you have considered purchasing one of the whitening products lining the shelves of your local drug store. While toothpastes, gels, strips, and trays all seem like a convenient do-it-yourself approach to teeth whitening, most people are dissatisfied with the results.

If you want a smile that really sparkles and shines, professional teeth whitening services from your Aurora, ON area dentist is the way to go. Over the counter solutions are one-size-fits-all which can leave consumers with results that are uneven and unimpressive. If you want results that you can trust, our team would like to share the advantages of choosing teeth whitening services from a professional.

• Customized Treatment - Every patient that is interested in teeth whitening begins with a consultation. We take a look at what caused the tooth discoloration and will let you know which issues are responsive to teeth whitening. We'll work with you to determine the level of whitening you desire, and come up with a formula and duration of treatment that will meet your needs.
• Decreased risk of sensitivity - Over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions are notorious for leaving patients with highly sensitive teeth. The whitening gel is powerful and if it is not applied correctly or worn for appropriate amounts of time, it can leave teeth and gums sensitive. By whitening under the guidance of a professional, you can ensure that you will be taught how to properly apply the gel and how long to wear it. In addition, your whitening tray is custom-fitted to your mouth to ensure even and appropriate application.

Are you ready to see results that have a real wow factor? Visit our Aurora Tooth Dental website to learn more!

Patients in Aurora Benefit from Multi-Generational Family Dental Care

The Canadian Dental Association recognizes nine specialties ranging from pediatric dentistry (treatment of children only) to prosthodontics (tooth replacement alternatives). Yet all general dentists have training in those areas. Also, dentists are required to take at least 90 hours of continuing education for each three-year licensing period. Some of this ongoing training is general in nature, such as dental practice management. The majority, though, is in areas directly related to clinical patient care and treatment. Through this training and daily experience, general dentists have well-rounded knowledge. Dr. Harry Weingarten is a good example. At his practice, an Aurora family can enjoy the convenience of dental care at one location, as well as these additional benefits.

Watchful eye

By treating multiple members of the family, Dr. Weingarten develops an in-depth understanding of medical history and genetic predispositions that may influence dental health. He monitors the oral development of young patients, vigilant for signs of crowding or other malocclusions that might require correction with orthodontics. Periodontal disease runs in families. As your family dentist, Dr. Weingarten can provide nutritional counselling and hygiene tips to keep your gums healthy. Heredity is also a risk factor for diabetes, which has a big impact on oral wellness.

Familiarity

Going to the dentist isn't a favourite activity for most people. A warm, welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff who do everything in their power to make patients feel comfortable go a long way toward relieving dental anxiety. Children learn from seeing that parents and older siblings aren't fearful and form good attitudes toward dental visits. The team at Dr. Harry Weingarten & Associates knows patients by name. They remember personal details and are genuinely glad to see patients walk through the door.

Care for all stages of life

Dr. Weingarten treats patients of all ages, from baby's first tooth to the most senior members of the family. A child who receives care from a specialized pediatric dentist will have to switch to a general dentistry provider at the age of adolescence. This can be a vulnerable time for oral wellness, as the youth assumes responsibility for his or her own self-care. Maintaining regular professional examinations and sharing a good rapport with the dentist is critical.

Mature patients have unique oral healthcare needs, as well. Medical conditions and medications can contribute to chronic dry mouth and periodontal disease. As the body ages, dental restorations may need to be adjusted or repaired. Dentures could become an option.

At Dr. Harry Weingarten & Associates in Aurora, you get the convenience of family dental care, with the added benefit of our breadth of experience. Call 905-727-1917 to schedule your family for check-ups.

Click here to learn more about family dental care at Aurora Tooth Dental.

Get Well-Rounded Oral Care in Aurora with General Dentistry Services

A fast-paced lifestyle filled with jobs, school, sports, and social events has become common for most families. Access to multiple services with one healthcare provider can be a real timesaver. For many in the Aurora area, general dentistry services provide that convenience, in a familiar setting with the staff they know.

What is a General Dentist?
Rather than specializing in just one area of practice, a general dentist is educated, trained, and experienced in a broad range of dental procedures. As a general dentist, Dr. Harry Weingarten diagnoses and treats the most common oral conditions. He will also provide referrals and coordinate care if a patient needs a specialized dental procedure.

By developing a personal bond through a long-term relationship, Dr. Weingarten gains a thorough understanding of the patient's dental and medical background, and lifestyle. Because he treats multiple generations of families, he is likely to be aware of inherited traits that may influence oral development and health.

General Dentistry Services
Dr. Harry Weingarten and his team provide three basic categories of general dentistry services:

• Preventive - This includes routine hygiene appointments and examinations, nutritional advice for a healthy mouth, and demonstration of proper brushing and flossing techniques. Dr. Weingarten provides information to parents on caring for children's teeth, and he may recommend dental sealant to reduce the risk of cavities, or a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect the child's teeth during athletic activities.
• Restorative - These are the procedures to reestablish your smile, ability to speak clearly, enjoyment of eating, and confidence, after experiencing a dental problem. Dr. Weingarten provides treatment for gum disease and fills cavities. Root canal therapy, crowns, bridges, dental implants, extractions, and treatment for TMJ disorders also fall into this category of care.
• Cosmetic - Cosmetic treatments are those intended to improve the appearance of your smile. You might opt for teeth whitening; or dental veneers to disguise chips, cracks, deep discoloration, or minor misalignment. Dental bonding material can be used to improve minor enamel and spacing flaws.

There is a good deal of overlap in these groupings. For example, aesthetics (cosmetic appeal) is a consideration in most restorative procedures. Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant or bridge also improves the appearance of your smile.

The team at Dr. Harry Weingarten & Associates Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is here to make sure you and your family get the dental care you need. Call (905) 727-1917 or visit our website to become a patient and begin taking advantage of the conveniences of general dentistry.

Care You Can Count On From a General Dental Practice

Managing multiple health care providers for all of the members of a family can be a daunting task. One of the ways you can reduce this stress is by visiting a general dentist who can address the dental needs of every member of your family.

Dental care for young children
During your child's first few visits to the dentist, we have several goals. The first is for them to feel comfortable in the dental chair. Our staff is warm, friendly, and helps your children be happy during their appointments. The second goal is to teach them good oral hygiene including the importance of brushing and flossing every day. We want to examine their mouths and make sure everything is growing and developing properly. By starting your children off with regular visits, we can ensure that any potential problems are caught early.

Dental care for older children
Cavities are the number one problem for older children. We will continue the education process by helping your child understand how to brush and floss properly. If a cavity is discovered during the check-up, we can treat it.

Dental care for adults
In addition to cavities, gum disease is prevalent among adults, and early detection is key, which is why regular checkups remain very important. We also offer a variety of cosmetic solutions. From teeth whitening to veneers, we can help our patients dramatically improve the appearance of their teeth.

Dental care for older adults
Tooth loss is a common problem faced by older adults. We will work with you to help maintain your natural teeth, but also offer solutions such as bridges and dental implants to address missing teeth.

If you are looking for general dental care you can trust, look no further. Call our Aurora, ON office today for more information.

Cavity Prevention Snack Ideas

If you have been trying to limit or decrease your sugar intake by eating only natural sugars, like those found in fruits and vegetables; but your mouth still waters whenever you're forced to wait in line and stare at the candy selection by the check-out counter...

What do you do?

Aurora dentist, Dr. Weingarten has five different snack ideas that are not only tasty but help prevent cavities too!

1. Seeds/Nuts (especially on top of yogurt or salads)
   • Rich in both calcium and/or phosphorous, yet low in sugar
   • Helps to rebuild and protect tooth enamel
   • Try snacking on nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews, Brazil nuts
   • For those with nut allergies: sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds
2. Kale chips
   • High in calcium to strengthen teeth
   • Contains folate: a B vitamin that helps promote a healthy mouth, both inside and out
   • Other leafy greens include: broccoli, spinach, collard greens, bok choy, okra
3. Celery with hummus, or with peanut butter
   • Chewing this firm vegetable promotes more saliva; saliva neutralizes cavity-causing bacteria
   • An abrasive substance that naturally cleans teeth of plaque and other food particles
   • Also try other crunchy veggies like carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower
4. Apples (raw or dried apples)
   • Contains many beneficial nutrients and vitamins; apples are high in fibre and water
   • Similar characteristics to celery (abrasive and crunchy), and a good alternative if you can't brush and/or floss right after meals
   • Leaving cut apple slices out overnight removes most of the water, but you won't have to worry about any preservatives or added sugar
5. Frozen grapes
   • Rich in antioxidants to fight bacterial growth
   • Low levels of starch prevent bacterial infections (less acidic environment)
   • A good source of vitamin C: a vitamin essential for protecting teeth and gum cells

Evidently, the most ideal foods contain high levels of vitamins, calcium and/or phosphorus. All of these nutrients strengthen your teeth, reduce the potential for tooth decay, and fight against cavity-causing bacteria. Although these snacks help to prevent and minimize cavities, they do not eliminate them; to further avoid cavities, it is crucial to continue practicing good oral hygiene.

Advice on Cavity Prevention

Your mouth is home to hundreds of strains of bacteria. Some are beneficial, but others have the potential to wreak dental havoc. These microscopic living organisms, create a sticky, colourless film called plaque that coats teeth, tongue, and other soft tissues. Plaque traps sugars from the foods you eat and beverages you drink. As bacteria feed on the sugars, they excrete acids. The acids eat holes in the hard layer of enamel that protects the inner structure of teeth. The result is tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities. Aurora, Ontario family dentist, Dr. Harry Weingarten, treats patients of all ages. He shares this practical advice on preventing the discomfort, embarrassment, and expense of cavities.

Preventing tooth decay

Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in this country, but it is largely preventable with:

• A balanced diet. Fresh produce, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins provide vitamins that sustain your body?s naturally robust defence system. Good nutrition also keeps saliva populated with minerals that are absorbed by the teeth for strong enamel. Dr. Weingarten can suggest dietary supplements that may also be beneficial. Read our blog on Cavity Prevention Snack Ideas.
• Reduction of sugar in the diet. Limit intake of sweet beverages (which may also be quite acidic). This includes wine, and beer, which contain carbohydrates that turn into sugar. Drink plenty of fresh, pure water to flush the mouth. Sticky candy and desserts coat teeth with sugar. If you have a sweet tooth, substitute grapes, apples, or bananas and brush after eating. If you can?t brush right away, swish with water and chew sugar-free gum with xylitol.
• Smoking cessation. Harsh chemicals in smoke and smokeless tobacco break down the mouth?s resistance to tooth decay. If you smoke, please visit Health Canada? Health Concerns? Tobacco-Quit Smoking for tips on quitting.
• Dental treatments. At regular check-up appointments, Dr. Weingarten may recommend fluoride treatment or sealants for cavity protection. Both procedures are brief and painless and are especially effective for children.
• Hygiene. The hygiene team at Dr. Harry Weingarten & Associates Family and Cosmetic Dentistry only see your teeth a few times each year. You have the opportunity every day to fight cavities with thorough (but gentle) brushing, and flossing before bedtime. The hygienist will be happy to demonstrate proper technique, and suggest the most appropriate type of toothbrush and paste for your situation.

When cavities occur

Your healthy nutrition, home hygiene habits, and regular professional cleanings at Dr. Harry Weingarten & Associates Family and Cosmetic Dentistry are powerful weapons in the fight against tooth decay. Yet cavities can still occur. Family genetics, medical conditions, pregnancy, medications, and medical therapies can increase your risk. With early detection at regularly-scheduled examination appointments, cavities can be treated with minimal drilling. Dr. Weingarten uses cosmetic filling materials that blend beautifully with natural tooth structure, so your filling is virtually invisible. He provides root canal therapy to remedy abscessed teeth, and lustrous porcelain crowns to protect teeth that have suffered advanced tooth decay.

Call our Aurora dental office to become a patient at Dr. Harry Weingarten & Associates Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

What To Look For When Choosing a Dentist in Aurora

Are you new to the area, or a long-time resident of Aurora looking for a new partner in maintaining dental health? In either case, choosing a dentist for yourself and the people you love is a big decision that can have a far-reaching impact on oral health, appearance, overall wellness, budget, and busy schedule. Here are some points to consider as you search for a dentist in Aurora.

Family care

Perhaps you are single, and right now, responsible only for your own dental care. However, personal situations can change in a heartbeat. By selecting a dental practice that welcomes patients of all ages, you are well-situated for whatever the future may bring, including children or acting as a caregiver for an older family member.

If you are already part of a family, you know the ease that goes with friendly faces and a calming atmosphere. Familiarity with the dental team is especially comforting for nervous patients of any age, or when settling into the chair for a new procedure.

Range of services

When you choose a dental practice that offers a broad range of services, you can get the preventive, restorative, and cosmetic care you are likely to need, at one location. Among the services available at Dr. Harry Weingarten & Associates Family and Cosmetic Dentistry are:

• Cosmetic fillings
• Dental crowns
• Bridges
• Root canal therapy
• Tooth extractions
• Dental implants
• Teeth whitening
• Bonding
• Veneers
• Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation

No one dental practice can offer in-depth experience in every potential specialty. Your wellbeing is Dr. Weingarten's top priority. After providing a thorough examination and taking the time to fully understand your situation, he will provide a referral to an appropriate specialist in any case in which he believes is in your best interests.

Accessibility

A dentist who is readily available can simplify your life in a number of ways. Is the location easy to find, with ample free parking? Does the practice offer late day or Saturday hours? Can appointments for multiple family members be scheduled on the same day to reduce missed work and travel? Do they allow time in the schedule to see emergencies the same day? Do front desk personnel assist with billing questions and insurance claims? These may seem like trivial points, but they are important considerations in the selection of a dentist.

Training, experience, personality

The credentials of the dentist and the training and experience of the entire team are good indications of the level of care you can expect. When considering a new dentist, don't be afraid to ask about background and years of experience. Inquire about the types of continuing education the dentist and the team have taken. Look for evidence of current technologies and techniques in use. Perhaps most importantly, listen to your gut. Does the staff answer the phone and greet you with genuine warmth? Are you comfortable talking with the dentist? Do you feel that you are treated with courtesy and respect?

New patients are welcome at Dr. Harry Weingarten & Associates Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Call us or stop by to meet the team. We want to be your dentist in Aurora.