twcal_admin

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.

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.