Dr. Samuel Dutil

Improving Your Oral Health by Preventing HPV

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Preventing HPV can indeed contribute to better oral health. Consult your dentist at Academy Dental in Downtown Edmonton for personalized advice and vaccination options.

Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Understanding Oral HPV:

    • Oral HPV is a subtype of the human papillomavirus (HPV). It can affect your mouth, throat, and genitals.
    • Most people with oral HPV don’t experience symptoms, which means they can unknowingly spread the virus.
    • While oral HPV itself isn’t cancer, certain types (especially HPV-16) can potentially lead to oropharyngeal cancer, although this is rare.

  2. Prevention Strategies:

    • Vaccination: The best prevention method is HPV vaccination. Research shows that getting vaccinated significantly reduces oral HPV infections.
    • Oral Hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups contribute to overall oral health.
    • Avoiding Tobacco and Alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of oral cancers, including those related to HPV.

  3. Signs to Watch For:

    • While most oral HPV infections are asymptomatic, be aware of signs that may indicate HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer:
      • Difficulty swallowing.
      • Coughing up blood.
      • Lumps in the neck or cheek.
      • Persistent hoarseness.
      • Swollen lymph nodes.
      • Sore throat.
      • Earaches.
      • White or red patches on the tonsils.
      • Jaw pain or swelling.
      • Unexplained weight loss.

Remember, vaccination is a powerful tool in preventing HPV-related health issues, including oral HPV. Consult your dentist at Academy Dental for personalized advice and vaccination options in Downtown Edmonton!

Can you prevent Dry Socket?

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What is a Dry Socket?

A dry socket is a painful dental condition that can occur after a tooth extraction. In some cases, the blood clot doesn’t form properly, gets dislodged, or dissolves too soon. When this happens, it results in a dry socket. Also known as alveolar osteitis, a dry socket leaves the nerves and bone in your gums exposed. We will discussed dry sockets and how Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) therapy may help you.

How do I  know if I have a Dry Socket?

You should call you dentist if you notice this symptoms after an extraction so he may diagnose any complication.

In general dry sockets with cause:

  • Pain in the jaw or mouth that radiates to the ear, eye, temple, or neck.
  • Bad breath and an unpleasant smell.
  • Visible bone in the socket.
  • Partial or total loss of the blood clot at the tooth extraction site.

How Can I prevent Dry Socket?

  • Avoid smoking cigars and tobacco products for a day or so after surgery.
  • Avoid spitting for the first 24 hours
  • Talk to our dentist about Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) solution.

What is Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) ?

Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) therapy is a valuable technique that can aid in preventing dry sockets after tooth extractions. PRF therapy utilizes the patient’s own blood to enhance the healing process. Before the extraction, oud dentists will take small blood which will be spun in a centrifuge to create a fibrin mesh rich in platelets and natural growth factors. The dentist will then placed it at the extraction site, this PRF mesh boosts the body’s natural healing ability, leading to a faster and more comfortable recovery.

  1. Naturally Accelerates Healing:

    • When placed at the extraction site, this PRF mesh boosts the body’s natural healing ability, leading to a faster and more comfortable recovery.
    • Since it’s derived from the patient’s own blood, there’s minimal risk of allergic reactions or rejection.

  2. Prevents Bone Loss:

    • After tooth extraction, there’s a risk of bone loss.
    • PRF contains essential growth factors that help regenerate bone tissue.
    • It preserves the natural contours of the jaw, which is crucial if you plan to replace the extracted tooth with a dental implant.

  3. Reduces Complications:

    • Dry socket is a common complication after tooth extraction.
    • PRF therapy shields the extraction site, promoting clot formation, fighting infection, and aiding natural healing.

  4. Improves Recovery:

    • Recovering from tooth extraction can be uncomfortable.
    • PRF forms a protective barrier over the open wound, reducing the risk of painful complications.
    • It also helps alleviate inflammation and swelling, enhancing patient comfort during and after the procedure.

In summary, PRF therapy is a safe and effective way to enhance healing, prevent complications, and improve recovery after tooth extractions. 

If you had an history of dry socket or if you are concern ask our Dentists at Academy Dental before your extraction to know if PRF is a good option for you.

Cleaning Your Child’s Teeth

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Until the age of about 8 years old, children must be helped by parents to clean their teeth properly. The dexterity needed to brush their teeth is about the same as the ability to write or print their name properly.

Even before your child has teeth you may want to clean their mouth and gums with a damp washcloth. This will get you and the child use to the routine. Don’t use toothpaste until the child has teeth.

To brush your babies teeth and gums, lie your baby in a comfortable position like on your lap so that you can see into their mouth.

Brushing Teeth

Point the bristles to where the gums and teeth meet

Children of about 3 years of age will generally become more cooperative with the brushing routine . Your child may want to be doing it themselves. Parents should be participating by completing the brushing process.

Use a small kids toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid hurting your child’s teeth and gums. You may use a toothpaste that has fluoride, only use a pea size amount and get your child to spit after brushing.

Use gentle circles motion to brush every surface of the teeth and part of the gum. You can hurt the gums by brushing too hard so it is important to remain patient and gentle.

Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth.


As the child develop contact between their teeth, parents should start to floss between the contact points. The use of floss picks will be easier to use.

You may brush your child teeth twice a day. To brush before bedtime is very important as the germs and bacteria that use sugar to make cavities will be active all night.