​Long-term care (LTC) facility residents often face challenges accessing adequate dental care. Nursing home residents are typically more incapacitated, and their dental care is often only marginally available. Nonetheless, medical professionals can improve access.

The American Dental Association (ADA) has recognized the problem of caring for this segment of the senior citizen population and has published a resource for dentists desiring to treat patients in LTC.

Young dentists can build relationships with LTC facilities and provide dental care for residents, which could help them grow their practice. Next, dental professionals can explore providing transportation to their dental offices and investing in portable and mobile dental equipment.

Lastly, dental professionals providing services to LTC residents must establish a legal relationship with the nursing home. For example, they may serve as employees or independent contractors. Additional considerations include obtaining informed consent from the patient’s guardian or family, ensuring infection control, and managing any adjustments needed for restorations or prostheses placed by a previous dentist.

​Non-invasive dentistry refers to a wide range of dental procedures or restoration techniques that preserve the original state of the teeth without requiring painful shots or procedures that require removing parts of the teeth. So, unlike invasive dental procedures, non-invasive dental procedures are far less painful, allowing patients to recover almost immediately.

Some of the most common non-invasive dental treatments are Invisalign and teeth whitening. Invisalign is a non-invasive option compared to traditional braces. Most people are uncomfortable with wearing metal brackets and wires around their teeth. Invisalign is made up of invisible aligners that are worn over the teeth. This allows patients to correct defects in their teeth without other people barely knowing.

On the other hand, one can adopt several non-invasive teeth whitening options. Some options might require the patient to brush regularly with a specific paste type.

Also, veneers are a common non-invasive dental procedure. If a patient’s tooth is smaller than the other, they might be required to undergo invasive procedures like having an implant or getting it pulled out. However, with veneers, the area can be filled so that the dental defect is unnoticeable.

​Every day, people eat acidic foods and drinks that adversely affect the teeth and cause the enamel to wear away if proper measures are not taken. Acidic foods have a pH level of seven. The pH scale usually ranges from 0 to 14, so any food or drink below seven is considered acidic. Even human saliva is acidic; however, it does not erode the enamel because it ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 pH. Common acidic foods include tomatoes, citrus fruits, apples, soda, and fruit juice.

Tooth erosion caused by constant exposure to acidic food is often permanent. It might cause constant pain and sensitivity while eating hot and cold food. Tooth erosion might also result in a yellowish discoloration of the teeth, causing the enamel to become thinner and exposing the dentin under it.

Also, tooth erosion can result in the teeth having sanded and softer edges or dents on the teeth’s chewing surface. Furthermore, tiny sharpness or cracks might be along the teeth’s edges.

​Lake Ontario offers exceptional fishing for species such as trout, steelhead, smallmouth bass, and salmon. While May through September are the prime months for angling success, winter also offers viable options. The lake, spanning 7,340 square miles, reaches depths of up to 800 feet and does not freeze during winter.

As the waters of Lake Ontario grow progressively colder, salmon and the resident brown, coho, rainbow, and lake trout tend to swim to warmer water close to the shore. This puts the fish, often of impressive size, within casting distance of lakeside docks, piers, and beaches.

Typically, winter fishing involves using longer rods combined with spinning tackle. Many anglers select spoons as lures, as they cast well and flash in the water when hit by the sun, attracting attention. Minnows with weights can also be cast a good distance from the shore or pier.

In late afternoon and evening, a float on the surface, rigged with a night crawler hanging four feet below, is a proven method. Because trout tend to avoid hooks and sinkers, pair the smallest possible sinker with a small hook. Be prepared to patiently reel the trout in, as they have soft mouths that the small hooks can tear out of if the line is yanked.

​A dentist in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Dr. James Frizzell graduated with a DDS from the University of Toronto. He holds membership with several professional organizations, including the Canadian Dental Association and the Ontario Dental Association. Also Forensic Dentistry McGill University 2019.
Leveraging his DDS and professional background, Dr. James Frizzell operates his private practice and sees patients throughout Canada, including children.

The Canadian government introduced legislation in 2022 that is poised to provide dental benefits, housing benefits, and GST tax credits. The estimated budget for the early stage of the program is $4.5 billion, and roughly $1 billion of this budget will cover dental care.

Beginning in the final quarter of 2022, children under 12 from households with an annual income of less than $70,000 will become eligible for dental coverage of $650 annually until 2025. Children under 12 from families that earn between $70,000 and $79,000 per year will qualify for $390 per child. Children in the same age category from households that earn between $80,000 and $89,000 will qualify for $260 per child.

​Based in Niagara Falls, Ontario, James Frizzell DDS has operated Frizzell Dentistry since 1993. Working with an experienced team of four dental hygienists, Dr. James Frizzell DDS performs general and restorative dentistry and cosmetic services such as Zoom teeth whitening.

One of the most frequently requested cosmetic services, tooth whitening treatments, removes tartar and debris from each tooth’s surface. Zoom teeth whitening utilizes advanced technology and specialized UV lights to clean and whiten teeth in just an hour. Unlike other whitening procedures, Zoom treatment uses teeth molds to create customized whitening trays that fit perfectly. The dentist then applies a high-quality bleaching solution to the teeth, curing with UV lights.

The minimally invasive treatment can result in teeth up to eight shades whiter. To maintain results, dentists typically recommend after-care, such as using a straw for drinking tooth-staining liquids like coffee and tea and maintaining a daily routine of brushing and flossing. Patients can also keep their bright smile by seeing their dentist every six months for a cleaning.

​Niagara Falls, Ontario dentist James Frizzell, DDS, has nearly three decades of experience in preventive dentistry and the treatment of dental trauma. From his private Niagara Falls practice, Dr. James Frizzell also offers practical advice on dealing with issues such as dry mouth.

Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth can cause uncomfortable symptoms besides thirst, including cracked lips, mouth sores, bad breath, and dry nasal passages. While the condition usually results from medications, medical procedures, or disease, lifestyle can also exacerbate dry mouth by practices that decrease saliva production. To combat dry mouth, individuals should stay hydrated with roughly 64 ounces of water a day and limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine, which are diuretics.

Because most brands of mouthwash contain alcohol, they can increase dry mouth symptoms. Chewing on mint or parsley and snacking on water-rich vegetables can naturally freshen breath and stimulate saliva glands. Focusing on nose breathing during the day will train the body to do the same at night. Mouth breathing at night is a key factor in dry mouth. Finally, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily can help maintain a healthy oral environment.

​When you visit the dentist, the first step is often a visual examination of your oral health. However, this initial inspection can't reveal the complete picture. This is where dental X-rays come into play, serving as a crucial tool for both diagnosing and ensuring the safety of your oral health.

Dental X-rays, also known as radiographs, provide an unparalleled view inside your teeth, revealing hidden issues that might go unnoticed during a standard visual examination. These images are instrumental for early detection and treatment of dental problems, ultimately preventing small problems from progressing into more serious conditions.

Safety is a paramount concern when it comes to any form of radiography. Dental X-rays, however, are relatively safe. The level of radiation exposure in dental X-rays is typically minimal, and the benefits of early diagnosis far outweigh the risks associated with this low radiation.

Furthermore, modern advancements in dental technology have led to the development of digital dental X-rays, which further enhance safety. These digital X-rays require significantly less radiation, reducing the patient's exposure by 80 to 90 percent, compared to traditional film-based X-rays.

​The Ontario Dental Association (ODA), the leading association of dental professionals in Ontario since 1867, currently represents 90 percent of dentists who practice in this Canadian province. As a fundamental source of oral health information in Ontario, Canada, the ODA maintains a strong presence online and in print to educate dental professionals and the public.

In 2022, the ODA launched a new digital publication to aid in its education efforts. Titled Smile, this online magazine targets individuals and families who want to learn more about oral health. Published twice per year, Smile offers straightforward, easy-to-understand articles and tips. The first edition of Smile, covering fall 2022 and winter 2023, featured a number of pieces indicative of these efforts. Its articles included “Smart Snacks for Hungry Kids,” “Orthodontics: A Guide to Aligners, Braces, Retainers, and Space Maintainers,” and “Expecting a Baby? What You Need to Know About Your Oral Health Care.”

​While Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes, it holds enormous potential for people who like to fish. Each of the other four Great Lakes ultimately flows into Lake Ontario, causing large numbers of diverse fish species to pass through its waters. Fishing authority Fishing Booker calls Lake Ontario “something of an ecological wonder.”

The wide array of wildlife in Lake Ontario includes many large and desirable game fish and trophy fish. Common species in these waters include Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, bass, steelhead, pike, walleye, lake trout, and brown trout.

The abundance of large fish in Lake Ontario has made it a popular location for fishing tournaments, which take place all year. One of the best-known tournaments is the LOC (Lake Ontario Counties) Derby. Sponsoring three seasonal events, the LOC Derby offers cash prizes as high as $25,000. In 2023, the LOC offered more than $150,000 in awards.