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Good Dental Hygiene Impacts Overall Health

Regardless of how often and how thoroughly you brush and floss your teeth, your mouth is abounding with naturally occurring bacteria. Although you need some level of good bacteria for your health, harmful bacteria can lead to severe illnesses. It is essential for your general health to practice good dental hygiene. Our dentists at Toothworks are always available for frequent examinations and helpful tips. Read on to learn how our oral hygiene impacts our overall general health.

Maintaining Oral Health Throughout History

Oral hygiene has been an important issue since the start of humanity. Some historical methods of maintaining oral health include using herbs to treat infected gums. Another civilization used beer to numb tooth pain. The natural bacteria found in beer are similar to those in the antibiotic tetracycline. From the very beginning, we knew dental hygiene had an impact on our health.

Dental Hygiene and Gum Disease

Today’s biggest dental hygiene challenge is gum disease. Gum disease affects 47.2 percent of Americans. Why such a high number? Simply put, people ignore the bleeding and inflammation in their mouths. Imagine, however, if any other part of your body was suffering from the same symptoms. You would immediately find a solution. Why should it be any different for your mouth? The longer you ignore your gum disease, the more serious the consequences are. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. Untreated gum disease can lead to heart attacks, arthritis, and even cancer. We can’t stress the importance of taking care of your oral health enough. This means quit all your bad dental hygiene habits now! It will save you money and pain in the not-so-distant future. Toothworks in Calgary suggests biannual appointments with your dentist to maintain good oral health. Call us today to schedule your next appointment!

Fluorosis Stains – Will Dental Veneers or Teeth Whitening Help?

It is no secret that most of just want a beautiful, straight and white smile! Unfortunately, not all of us have this naturally. There are many options out in the dental world that allows us to get us as close to our ideal smile as possible – between races, teeth whitening and even veneers. What about the select few of us that have something called fluorosis stains? What exactly is this kind of stain? What is the best option for me to move forward with to get my smile and white and bright as possible? Keep reading to find out!

Fluorosis Stains

Fluorosis stains occur in those that have an excess of fluoride consumption during early childhood when tooth development is at its most active. These stains manifest themselves on the surface of your tooth by discolored, usually brown, stains. Unfortunately, these kinds of stains are intrinsic and virtually impossible to remove by means of teeth whitening. The best method of treatment is done by a cosmetic dentist that carefully analyzes and assess your best options. Ahead are some viable options for getting your tooth color streamlined and uniform.

Dental Bonding for Limited Stains

Depending on the extent of the staining on your teeth, dental bonding may be all you need to make the color on your teeth monochromatic. This bonding, put on by an experienced cosmetic dentist, will cover the stains, but still, maintain the translucence of a natural tooth. No one would be able to tell that your teeth were even stained in the first place

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Dental Veneers for Extensive Stains

If the staining on the surface of your tooth covers most it, then your best option might be porcelain veneers. Veneers cover the entire surface of the tooth, essentially giving you an entirely new tooth. While a bit costly, this is your best option for severe stains. It is important to keep in mind that to get any of these procedures done requires a careful selection of an experienced and trusted cosmetic dentist to ensure you are left with a natural looking tooth giving you newfound confidence.

Advancements in Dental Care Over the Years

There is no doubt that dentistry has (more or less) quickly evolved from a stone-age practice, to something on par with the most technologically advanced medical procedures. You might be surprised to find that for thousands of years, although general doctors and physicians existed in human culture, a real dental practice didn’t come into play until less than 175 years ago. The Father of Modern Dentistry, Pierre Fauchard, started the first dental college in 1840. He was the first person to publish work suggesting that there was a correlation between sugar and cavities. Before this time, any dental work in the western world was generally performed by your family doctor or even your barber! Dental care was little more than extracting troublesome teeth with no real thought put into cause or care.

Where We Are Today

It wasn’t until recent years that dental practices have moved from traditional film-based x-rays into the modern age of high-tech digital x-rays. Digital x-rays are now widely available and make life much easier for dentists and patients alike. A digital image is much more reliable, easier, and faster to develop than traditional film. Not only can these x-rays be used to show the alignment of teeth, but also to look for cavities. Another way that dentists are able to search for cavities and decay is the laser. Lasers are now being widely used in modern medicine. Dentists can now probe your mouth with a high-tech laser to search for decay and cavities before they become too much of a problem. Beyond these two simple advancements, there has been extensive advancements all over dentistry including sedation dentistry. Sedation, and the subsequent procedures have been made easier by the use of lasers in place of scalpels as well. You are in better hands today when it comes to dental care than ever before!

Why You Should Visit a Kid-Friendly Dentist

To prepare your child for a lifetime of fear-free dental visits, it is important to start with a kid-friendly dentist. We all understand the importance of good oral health, but have you considered the impact of your child’s dental visits? If the first encounters are not positive, kids can quickly develop dental anxiety. A negative association with dental visits can last into adulthood. Most dentists are equipped to treat young patients, but not all have the skills to build comfort and a good rapport with kids. Countless adults avoid seeking necessary oral care due to dental anxiety. We want your child’s dental visits to be positive experiences that help pave the way for a lifetime of good oral health.

Tips for a Good Appointment with a Kids Dentist

There are ways to prepare for your child’s dental visits before heading to our office. This will help him or her to know what to expect each time, and to feel more at ease. Start by borrowing some library books focused on good oral health and dentist visits. Try to find reading material that features familiar characters or your child’s favorite animals or cartoons. You can also view PBS programs or educational kid’s shows where a likable character goes to the dentist. This will help your child visualize what the experience will be like. Kid friendly dental staff will always welcome parents to come in and tour the treatment facility before the scheduled appointment. Since kids are more comfortable in a familiar environment, the first dentist experience is very important. Proactive parents who check out the dental clinic first get to meet the team ahead of time, so the actual appointment is not with strangers. The dental staff can show kids where the toys and books are located, what the exam room looks like, and how to get to the bathroom. Follow up with your child when you get home and address any lingering concerns or questions that are yet unanswered. You can also encourage your child to role play with dolls or stuffed animals, and give the toys a mock dental exam.

Maintaining Good Oral Health

As a family-oriented dental office, we are serious about kid-friendly dentistry. Children deserve to have access to excellent dental care for optimal oral health for years and years. We highly recommend twice yearly teeth cleanings and oral health exams, and professional fluoride treatments for added cavity protection. We also offer dental sealants that serve as a barrier on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Sealants prevent bacteria, leftover food debris, and plaque from building up in the hard to reach deep crevices and causing cavities. As a kid-friendly dentist office, we are here to provide whatever your child needs for good oral health in a welcoming atmosphere.

What’s Wrong with My Gums?

If you have sore, swollen, or even bleeding gums, you may just be dealing with it and waiting for it pass. However, gum issues may indicate an oral health issue and, in some cases, gum disease. Periodontal disease refers to conditions that affect the gums, bone, and surrounding structures of the teeth, and are actually among the most common diseases that affect humans. The most common type of periodontal disease is gingivitis, which results in bleeding and reddening of the gums, and periodontitis, which damages the bone and connective tissues that support the teeth.

Preventing and Avoiding Gum Discomfort

Brushing, as you probably already know, plays a big part in oral health. How you’re brushing can affect the health of your gums. Using a soft bristle toothbrush to brush your gums can help avoid damaging the delicate tissue. Use gentle, circular motions to clean both your teeth and the gums, above and below. Flossing is beneficial not just because it removes debris from in between your teeth that lead to cavities and plaque, but it also helps maintain healthy gums. The motion of sliding the floss carefully in between teeth can help avoid swelling and damage. Eating balanced meals regularly and drinking plenty of water also promotes gum health and decreases your risk for periodontal diseases. Finally, regular visits to the dentist will keep your gum and general oral health in check.

Signs of Gum Issues

Swollen, bleeding, tenderness, or pain in gums
Bright red or purplish gums
Itchy sensation
Receding gums (pull away from teeth)
Loose or shifting teeth, or spaces developing between teeth
Tooth sensitivity
Pus between teeth and gums
Consistent bad breath or bad taste
Change in bite

Treatment

Left without proper treatment, gum disease can result in tooth loss. Additionally, research suggests that the bacteria that cause periodontal diseases can enter the bloodstream, causing other issues throughout the body. Treatments for gum disease include antibiotics, surgery, and scaling to remove tartar and bacteria. Root planing is another treatment which smooths out root surfaces to discourage the further accumulation of tartar and bacteria. Early detection is critical in treating periodontal disease and is a major factor in the success of treatment. Speak with your dentist right away if you begin showing any symptoms of periodontal disease.

Make the Most of Your Dental Visits

Unfortunately, most of us don’t go to the dentist as much as we should. If you are the average person, you only see the dentist twice a year. Some people see their dentist even less than this, so it’s important to make the most of your dental visits. At Toothworks Calgary, we want to make sure that your smile is as healthy as possible. But for that, we need your help!

Make a Checklist of Questions and Concerns

You likely don’t remember every little concern you might have about your oral health throughout the year. By the time it comes for your dental exam, you probably just open wide and let your dentist and hygienist do their thing without ever voicing a single concern. But really think about it: have you ever wondered why your gums are bleeding more than usual, or if you should worry about a tooth pain that seems to come and go, or if there is a wound in your cheek that doesn’t seem to be healing? If you write down in your phone or on a physical notepad your concerns when they arise, you are much more likely to remember to bring up those questions and concerns to the dentist the next time you see them.

Your Oral and Overall Health

Oral health and overall health are strongly connected. This means that your oral health can affect things as important to you as even your heart health. If your teeth are happy, your whole body can feel happy. There is something called the mouth-body connection; this means that your dental health is very important to your overall health. This is why your dentist may ask you about your current health condition when he or she examines you. You should always fill your dentist in when your health condition changes for any reason.

Are Baby Teeth Really That Important?

Your baby’s primary teeth will start to erupt between six and 12 months of age. Never de-value the importance of this first set. Although baby teeth are only in use for a few years, they serve a necessary function and require proper care.

Promote Better Nutrition

Baby teeth show up around the same time as your young child’s nutritional needs begin to change. By six months breastfeeding alone is no longer sufficient, and this is when solid food gets introduced. Around 6-8 months, your youngster will learn to chew. Pureed or strained fruits and vegetables are good options. As more teeth appear and chewing ability progresses through the first year, you can slowly add bread, cereal, tender meats and other solid food to your baby’s balanced diet.

Increase the Life Expectancy of Baby Teeth

Primary teeth will fall out eventually as the adult teeth push through the gums. But in the meantime, your child needs them to eat properly and, to learn how to speak correctly. The first teeth also make way for adult teeth. If baby teeth are damaged, decayed, or fall out before their time, the permanent teeth may grow in crooked.

How to Take Care of Baby Teeth

Protect your infant’s oral health:

Never put your baby down to sleep with a bottle
Wipe your infant’s gums and brush baby teeth twice daily,
Once your child has two erupted teeth that touch, start flossing daily
Visit Toothworks for your baby’s first dental exam when the first tooth appears

All teeth are present in your infant’s mouth at birth, you just can’t seem. Each set of teeth will remain invisible until they break through the gums. But since both primary and permanent teeth are already formed, your baby can develop cavities if you don’t practice good dental care from the start.

Brighten Your Smile with Teeth Whitening!

Do stains and discoloration dull your smile? Wish there was a quick, comfortable and affordable way to brighten and whiten your teeth? At Toothworks Dentist in NW Calgary we are proud to offer Spa Dent teeth whitening treatments. Unlike over-the-counter whitening kits which can take months, our treatment can provide results in as little as one hour and will not leave your teeth and gums sensitive and uncomfortable.

Calgary Teeth Whitening Procedure

Rather than risking damage and uncomfortable symptoms caused by over-the-counter whitening kits, you should consider contacting Toothworks Calgary for professional teeth whitening treatment. During your appointment, we will evaluate your teeth and overall oral health and determine if teeth whitening is the right option for you. The teeth whitening process at Toothworks takes just about an hour to complete. First, your gums will be protected from the bleaching gels. Next, the whitening gel will be applied to your teeth, using a specialized light we will activate the product and the whitening will begin.

Maintaining a Whitened Smile

Once your teeth whitening treatment has been completed, our professional dental staff will discuss any measures that may need to be taken to maintain your professionally whitened smile. We provide home whitening kits that can be used as needed to provide additional teeth whitening touch-ups. Certain dietary and lifestyle choices can also be avoided to ensure your whitening continues to last. These may include:

Tobacco Products
Coffee
Tea
Chocolate
Citrus
Berries
Wine
Balsamic Vinegar
Curry Powder
Turmeric

These have been known to cause dental staining and discoloration. If you must partake, be sure to wash it down with water, and if possible brush your teeth afterward. Dark beverages can be drunk through a straw to limit exposure to teeth.

What is Gingival Contouring?

Also known as gum or tissue reshaping and sculpting, gingival contouring is a periodontal procedure that helps people whose gums are too low or too high by sculpting the gums.

Reasons for High and Low Gums

There are many reasons why a person’s gums appear too high or low. A common cause of gums being too high is gum recession, which occurs when the gum tissue pulls back from a tooth and can expose the root of the tooth. While gum contouring procedures are thought of by many as cosmetic dental procedures, many dental problems can actually be resolved through gingival contouring such as decay from the root being exposed.

Who Should Get Gum Contouring Surgery?

Gum contouring is part of many regenerative periodontal procedures. There may even be instances where part of the gum can grow over a crown and must be removed. However, the majority of those electing to have gingival contouring do so for cosmetic reasons. After all, there is no reason to be self-conscious about your smile! If you do not like how your gums look in relation to your teeth, let your dentist know this is a concern.

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Gum Contouring Procedure

The procedure is relatively simple and can often be completed by your dentist in one visit. With the advent of laser technology, the removal of the excess gum tissue is a relatively pain and discomfort free procedure. A simple anesthetic is applied to numb the area, and the laser does the rest. Unlike gum contouring of years past, the lasers also seal the gum, therefore eliminating bleeding during the procedure or the need for stitches afterward. If you are having issues related to your gums, or feel self-conscious about how your gums look when you smile, book an appointment with Toothworks Calgary, and we will be happy to help you!

Your Smile and Your Overall Health

Maintaining good oral hygiene is important if you want a healthy mouth, but did you know that it could help prevent other health problems? Studies have shown that certain dental problems are linked to various diseases and conditions.

Cardiovascular Disease

In simple terms, this means heart disease. If your gums get inflamed, or you develop periodontal (gum) disease, the bacteria that cause those conditions can enter the bloodstream and travel to the arteries in the heart. This can cause a condition called atherosclerosis, where plaque develops on the inner walls of the arteries. This plaque may thicken and thus decrease or block blood flow through the body, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Another condition that may develop is endocarditis, where the inner lining of the heart becomes infected and inflamed.

Dementia

If you develop gingivitis, the bacteria from the disease can enter the brain, either through the bloodstream or nerve channels in the head. This could even lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Respiratory Infections

This connection might not seem obvious, but just as bacteria from infected teeth and gums can get into your bloodstream, it can also get into your lungs, leading to infections that include pneumonia.

Diabetic Complications

Individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to periodontal disease, which in turn can worsen diabetes symptoms and make it harder to control blood sugar. Therefore, dental care is even more important for patients with diabetes. In addition to helping you keep your body healthy, maintaining a healthy smile can make you feel good by boosting your self-confidence. It’s easier to walk around with confidence when you don’t have to worry about your dental health or the appearance of your smile. Ready to improve your oral and overall health? Book an appointment for your next routine dental visit today!