expert type icon EXPERT

Hussein Shivji

Dentist

Dr. Hussein Shivji is a Dentist practicing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dr. Shivji specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
Hussein Shivji
  • New Westminster, BC
  • University of Manitoba
  • Accepting new patients

When should I consider getting dental implants?

The best time to get consider an implant is soon after you lose the tooth. The longer you wait, the more bone you will lose, making implant placement more difficult and/or more READ MORE
The best time to get consider an implant is soon after you lose the tooth. The longer you wait, the more bone you will lose, making implant placement more difficult and/or more expensive if bone grafting is needed.

Dr. Hussein Shivji

How can I stop my husband from grinding his teeth in his sleep?

He needs to be fitted with a bruxism appliance or night guard. He can get this from the dentist.

Dr. Hussein Shivji

Cosmetic Dentistry Dentist G4 implants

Without knowing details of your case, it is very difficult to answer your question. Generally speaking, implants help to preserve bone. People that have had teeth removed gradually READ MORE
Without knowing details of your case, it is very difficult to answer your question. Generally speaking, implants help to preserve bone. People that have had teeth removed gradually lose the bone surrounding the tooth. With implants, you are also able to chew better and your teeth that are supported by implants feel more secure than dentures. Hopefully that helps. You should ask your dentist for more specifics.

What is the course of treatment for periodontitis?

Usually need frequent deep cleanings. May need some surgery in certain cases.

What causes swelling in the gums?

Could be due to an infection or trauma. Try flossing and rinsing with salt water. If the swelling doesn't go away in a day or two, you should get this checked out by a dentist. READ MORE
Could be due to an infection or trauma. Try flossing and rinsing with salt water. If the swelling doesn't go away in a day or two, you should get this checked out by a dentist.

Are OTC products recommended for teeth whitening?

There is a lot of hype surrounding OTC products that you need to be aware of. Typically if the product contains dioxides (usually titanium), it will work by polishing off the READ MORE
There is a lot of hype surrounding OTC products that you need to be aware of. Typically if the product contains dioxides (usually titanium), it will work by polishing off the stain in the teeth by rubbing it off. We don't recommend these products because it can also wear away enamel while rubbing off the stain. Use products that have peroxide as an ingredient. Best option would be to get your dentist to safely whiten your teeth.

What is the right age for kids to brush their teeth on their own?

I always say that until your child is old enough to tie their shoe laces on their own, they will not have the dexterity to brush properly. I would let your child brush first and READ MORE
I always say that until your child is old enough to tie their shoe laces on their own, they will not have the dexterity to brush properly. I would let your child brush first and then you have a go at it after to make sure nothing was left behind.

Will frequent teeth cleanings remove spots from my teeth?

The brown spots on your teeth seem like they may be due to fluorosis. If that is the case, you might be able to lighten them a bit with whitening. I don't think just cleaning READ MORE
The brown spots on your teeth seem like they may be due to fluorosis. If that is the case, you might be able to lighten them a bit with whitening. I don't think just cleaning the teeth will get rid of these spots. Incidentally the spots could also be other things including tooth decay that would need to be addressed by a dentist. Ask your dentist next time you get your teeth cleaned.

Are cavities possible in baby teeth?

Baby teeth have a thinner protective layer of enamel and are more prone to getting cavities. These would be treated the same as cavities in adult teeth - with fillings and in READ MORE
Baby teeth have a thinner protective layer of enamel and are more prone to getting cavities. These would be treated the same as cavities in adult teeth - with fillings and in extreme cases with tooth removal.

Does brushing with salt help remove yellow stains from the teeth?

Unfortunately no. Salt will be great for your gums to allow them to tighten up as well as killing a lot of bacteria in your mouth. However, I don't think your teeth will whiten. READ MORE
Unfortunately no. Salt will be great for your gums to allow them to tighten up as well as killing a lot of bacteria in your mouth. However, I don't think your teeth will whiten.

My front tooth got chipped at the bottom. What can be done about it?

That depends on the chip. Minor chipping can be fixed with fillings. Larger portion broken off may need a cap. If the tooth is fractured to the gumline and can't be restored, READ MORE
That depends on the chip. Minor chipping can be fixed with fillings. Larger portion broken off may need a cap. If the tooth is fractured to the gumline and can't be restored, it may need to be extracted.

What if only one tooth is crooked?

Often times straightening out only one tooth is more difficult than when multiple teeth need to be moved. Check with your orthodontist/dentist to see if you would be a candidate READ MORE
Often times straightening out only one tooth is more difficult than when multiple teeth need to be moved. Check with your orthodontist/dentist to see if you would be a candidate for Invisalign so you don't have to wear braces.

Is the fluoride treatment at the dentist really worth it?

I would recommend getting a fluoride treatment after your cleaning. When you get your teeth scaled at a cleaning appointment, the protective enamel layer on the root surface sometimes READ MORE
I would recommend getting a fluoride treatment after your cleaning. When you get your teeth scaled at a cleaning appointment, the protective enamel layer on the root surface sometimes gets disturbed. Applying fluoride right after the cleaning helps to re-harden this layer. The concentration you would get at the dental office would probably be a lot more than what you would get over the counter. I am not sure what ACT has.

How often to use mouth wash?

Usually once a day is fine. If you are very prone to cavities, you may want to consider using a high fluoride toothpaste (eg Prevident) as well.

Can a toothpaste help with tooth sensitivity?

Depending on the cause for the sensitivity in the first place, toothpastes may help. If your sensitivity is due to gum recession and/or root exposure from brushing too hard, toothpastes READ MORE
Depending on the cause for the sensitivity in the first place, toothpastes may help. If your sensitivity is due to gum recession and/or root exposure from brushing too hard, toothpastes such as Sensodyne may be useful after several days of use. If you do find that the toothpaste is helping you with your sensitivity, keep on using that product. If you stop using the toothpaste, your sensitivity may return. In some cases the sensitivity may be due to abraded root surfaces or due to a cavity or tooth fracture. In these cases, sensitivity toothpastes will not be useful. You will need to see a dentist to help deal with these conditions.

Does clove oil really work in easing tooth pain?

Clove oil contains eugenol that can help temporarily numb your tooth. This may help you in the short term but I would recommend seeing a dentist to assess and treat the reason READ MORE
Clove oil contains eugenol that can help temporarily numb your tooth. This may help you in the short term but I would recommend seeing a dentist to assess and treat the reason for the tooth pain in the first place.

What could be the cause of my throbbing tooth pain?

Quite likely the cause may be a cracked tooth. Every time you bite on that tooth, you may be causing the crack to open slightly which can be very painful. The pain could also READ MORE
Quite likely the cause may be a cracked tooth. Every time you bite on that tooth, you may be causing the crack to open slightly which can be very painful. The pain could also be due to an infection (abscess). I would recommend getting a dentist to check this as soon as possible.

Is the yellow tinge on my teeth caused by smoking permanent?

The good news is that the staining on your teeth can usually be removed when you get your teeth polished by a dental hygienist. You may need to get some bleaching done as well READ MORE
The good news is that the staining on your teeth can usually be removed when you get your teeth polished by a dental hygienist. You may need to get some bleaching done as well to help get rid of the stain. I would recommend quitting smoking so that you don't have the staining in the first place.

I have severe pain in my deep cavity filling. What could this be?

Sometimes the nerve in the tooth can get irritated when you get a deep filling done. Often times the irritation is temporary and the nerve settles down after a while. In some READ MORE
Sometimes the nerve in the tooth can get irritated when you get a deep filling done. Often times the irritation is temporary and the nerve settles down after a while. In some cases you may need a root canal if the nerve doesn't settle down. I would recommend checking back with the dentist that did the filling as sometimes all you may need for everything to settle down is a bite adjustment.

What are the ways to close the gap between two frontal teeth?

Depending on the amount of space present, you may be able to get the space closed using restorations placed on these teeth. The restorations can be fillings, veneers or crowns. READ MORE
Depending on the amount of space present, you may be able to get the space closed using restorations placed on these teeth. The restorations can be fillings, veneers or crowns. Of course in most cases, using braces or Invisalign is preferable to restorations. Check with your dentist regarding best options for you.