Patient Question: Why the Damon® System?

Something big is happening in the orthodontics world, and it’s no other than Damon braces, which allow your teeth to move more comfortably and easily than traditional braces. With the Damon System, teeth can move faster, with few adjustments and less discomfort. The Smile Zone is a certified Damon System provider. To learn more about the Damon System or your treatment with Drs. Rob and Jerome, please watch this short video, or give us a call!

Patient Question: What’s so bad about nail biting?

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at The Smile Zone found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health.

Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit among various age groups, including primarily children, teens and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, as well as unhealthy for your teeth!

Here’s why:
• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.
• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.
• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.
• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?
Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Drs. Rob and Jerome, or visit the article for tips on how to break a nail biting habit. Good luck!

Take care of your gums! From Drs. Rob and Jerome

Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be difficult to recognize. Many people do not recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to gum disease. This month, a campaign is underway to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we at The Smile Zone wanted to do our part to help spread the word!

Early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as the heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease. These can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible. We can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

What do you love about The Smile Zone?

From your very first visit to The Smile Zone in Edmonton, AB, our doctors and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Rob or Dr. Jerome's work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review here on our Google Places page. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!



Thank you,

The team at The Smile Zone

Summer plans?

With summer 2010 in full force, we thought we'd ask you about your summer plans. After all, summer is a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you're headed to an exotic destination, barbecuing, hitting the open road with family, or just having fun in the sun, we'd like to hear about it! Drop us a comment on our Facebook fan page and tell Drs. Rob & Jerome and staff about your summer adventures! We also encourage you to share any photos on our Facebook wall.

Happy and safe travels everyone,

- The Smile Zone staff

What puts you at ease at The Smilezone?

Drs. Rob and Jerome understand not every person always enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But at The Smilezone, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each of your visits. At The Smilezone we care about our patients. Our doctors and team want to help every patient achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that transcends the boundaries of their expectations and gives them a renewed sense of self-confidence.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about The Smilezone that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Drs. Caouette and Andrew?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call! Enjoy your week!

Ask Drs. Andrew and Caouette: When should my child visit for a check-up?

At The Smile Zone, we think a child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. At The Smile Zone, Drs. Caouette and Andrew, as well as our dedicated staff make a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child's first dental visit and treatment. We want you and your little one to feel at ease from the moment you walk through the door.

Typically, children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. Your child's first tooth erupts between ages 6-12 months and the remainder of their 20 primary or "baby" teeth typically erupt by age 3.

If you have any questions about pediatric dentistry, or about your child's treatment with Drs. Caouette or Andrew, please feel free to give us a call at (780) 989-