twcal_admin

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.

CALL US NOW – 587.351.7735

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!

Dental Care Tips for Kids

Good dental care starts at a young age. The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends that children start visiting the pediatric dentist as early as before their first birthday and return every six months for a dental cleaning, but many parents don’t truly understand the importance of their children’s dental health. Here are a few things to know about dental care for kids that can help you keep your children’s teeth healthy and strong.

Dental Care Tips

It’s important to be vigilant about your kids’ dental hygiene while they’re young. Even after they’ve learned to brush and floss for themselves, you should try to check on their technique to make sure they’re reaching every area of the mouth.

Try to make oral hygiene fun by turning it into a game for your kids. If they’re eager to brush their teeth every night, they’re less likely to forget to do it. You might also want to invest in a color-changing toothpaste that helps identify where plaque is in the mouth, so your kids know where to brush.

Dental Checkups and Cleanings

Going to the dentist is vital while your children’s teeth are still growing and developing. Regular checkups can help make sure the teeth are coming in properly and that your child does not have any underlying oral health issues, such as periodontal disease. Aim for a dental check up every six months to keep your kids’ teeth healthy.

Your kids might be a little afraid of the dentist, which is normal. Try to use positive language when talking to your children about going to the dentist, both for their appointments and yours, as well. If kids learn early on that the dentist is a normal and necessary place to be, they’ll be much less likely to be afraid.

At Toothworks Calgary, we know kids’ dentistry. Our friendly staff knows exactly how to make your child’s dental experience friendly and fun. To make an appointment for your child, give our office a call at 587-351-7735 today!

How Much Do You Really Know About Your Teeth?

Until our dental health is compromised, most of us don’t give our teeth a second thought. Teeth play an important role in our daily lives; we need them to chew properly, digest food, and to speak clearly. When you keep your mouth healthy, you are protecting your overall well-being. A useful way to improve your oral health is to acquire more dental knowledge. Here are a few things you might not have known about your teeth!

Teeth Composition

Enamel: The hard, outer coating of a tooth is the strongest compound in the human body. Composed mainly of calcium phosphate, it is one of the hardest substances in existence, second only to diamonds.
Dentin: The thick layer just beneath tooth enamel. This sheet of live cells surrounds the inner pulp.
Pulp: The soft, center structure of a tooth. This inner chamber houses nerves, blood vessels, and the root canal.
Cementum: The connective tissue that firmly binds tooth roots to gums and jawbone.

Tooth Types

The secondary (permanent) teeth emerge between ages 6 and 12. Each tooth type has unique parts and serves a different function.

Incisors: Usually the first teeth to erupt, there are eight incisors, four upper front teeth and four on the lower jaw. Incisors are used to bite through food.
Canines: The next in line of teeth development are the four canines. This is your sharpest set of teeth, designed to rip and tear food apart. The upper two typically erupt just before the bottom canines.
Premolars: The two upper and two lower premolars are used to chew and grind food. The four teeth are located on both sides of the mouth. The first set appears around age 10, and the second duo follows about a year later.
Molars: The first set of molars that erupt between 12-15 months of age are used to chew and grind food. These primary molars are later replaced by both sets of permanent premolars.
Wisdom Teeth: The third molars (wisdom teeth) are the last to develop and don’t show up until the late teen years or early twenties. Some people don’t have third molars, while others often need to have theirs extracted due to the common problems wisdom teeth cause.

Why is Your Tooth Hurting?

No matter how good an oral health care routine you have, no one is exempt from occasional tooth pain. If you experience any pain to your teeth, here are some possible causes.

Tooth Sensitivity – If you’re experiencing discomfort when eating or drinking hot or cold foods, you may have sensitive teeth. This could be caused by receding gums or from a thinning of the tooth enamel. You should see your dentist to find the cause of the sensitivity, but it may help to lessen the discomfort if you switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush or try using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.
Sinus Infection – If the only teeth that are hurting are your upper teeth on both sides of your face, the cause may be a sinus infection. This cause is much less common than others, but it is usually accompanied or preceded by nasal congestion and tenderness around the sinuses. If this is the case, a visit to your doctor is in order.
Cavity or Cracked Tooth – If the pain can be described as sharp and stabbing and occurs when you bite down on your food, it could be due to a cavity or cracked tooth. Cavities are caused by the acids in plaque (formed by the combination of bacteria, food debris, saliva, and acid in your mouth) dissolving the enamel on your teeth and creating small holes.
Abscessed Tooth – Unlike with a cracked tooth, the pain that accompanies an abscessed tooth is more throbbing or incessant. An abscessed tooth is caused by an infection located either at the root of the tooth or between the tooth and gum. The infection is usually a result of severe tooth decay, though it could also be due to trauma to the tooth, such as when it’s chipped or broken, or gum disease or gingivitis.

If your toothache lasts for longer than one or two days, is severe, or is accompanied by fever, earache, or pain when opening your mouth wide, it’s important to visit the dentist to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

When is it Time for a Tooth Extraction?

Even though our permanent teeth are meant to last our entire life, occasionally situations arise where a tooth extraction may be the safest, best dental treatment option. At Toothworks Calgary, we try our hardest to avoid extractions of teeth, opting for less invasive dental treatment options when possible. So what exactly are the situations that require a tooth extraction?

Infection Risk

Certain patients at Toothworks Calgary must avoid infections of any kind, such as those with suppressed immune systems or those receiving chemotherapy treatment. Due to the suppression of the immune system in these patients, an infection can be life threatening. In these situations we may opt for a tooth extraction to avoid any further complications of an infection.

Tooth Infection

In situations where the neglecting of teeth and oral health have lead to an infection or abscess, a tooth extraction may be the only option to keep the rest of your oral health in check. In certain cases a root canal may be able to remove the infection and bacteria; however, if it is not successful or possible, a tooth extraction may be necessary.

Teeth Crowding

Certain patients at Toothworks Calgary do not have the space for all of their teeth, leading to the crowding of teeth, alignment issues, and occasionally no full eruption of teeth. In these situations, the extraction of teeth may be the best option for functionality and appearance of your smile.

Wisdom Teeth

Having wisdom teeth removed is an extremely common dental procedure, most often the teeth become impacted, can’t erupt, or lead to infection. In these situations, your dentist will recommend having your wisdom teeth extracted.

Gum Disease

Periodontal gum disease an extremely common oral condition that leads to infection of the tissue and bones that support your teeth. This can lead to loosening and shifting of teeth. Occasionally the best course of treatment is to extract the affected teeth to avoid any further complications.