Sleeping Soundly: How to Get Through the First Night After Tooth Extraction

Getting a tooth extracted can be a painful and uncomfortable experience, but with the proper care and precautions, you can make the recovery process smoother and more comfortable. One of the biggest challenges after a tooth extraction is sleeping soundly on the first night. Here’s some information on how to get through the first night after tooth extraction and sleep soundly.

Pain Management: What to Do Before Bed After Tooth Extraction

Here are some things you can do before bed to manage pain and promote a peaceful night’s sleep after tooth extraction.

Keep your head elevated: Elevating your head with pillows can help reduce swelling and bleeding after the extraction. This can also help you breathe more easily and comfortably while sleeping. Try to sleep on your back to keep your head elevated.

Take pain medication: Your dentist or oral surgeon may prescribe pain medication to manage discomfort after the extraction. Take the medication as directed, and do not exceed the recommended dose. Taking the medication before the pain becomes severe is essential, so you should take it about an hour before bed.

Use a saltwater rinse: Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution to help reduce pain and promote healing. Mix one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth gently for 30 seconds, then spit the solution out. Do this several times a day, including before bed.

Avoid eating or drinking before bed: Eating or drinking before bed can increase the risk of bleeding or swelling. Avoiding food and drink for a few hours before bed is best.

How to Get Through the First Night After Tooth Extraction

Some of the tips to help you get through the first night after a tooth extraction include:

Bite down on gauze: Your dentist may provide you with gauze to bite down on to help control bleeding. Change the gauze every 30-45 minutes or as needed.

Follow your dentist’s instructions: Your dentist in Calgary will provide specific instructions on how to care for the extraction site and manage any discomfort or pain. Follow these instructions carefully to promote healing and prevent complications.

If you experience severe pain, bleeding, or other complications, contact your dentist near you immediately for further guidance.

Foods to Eat and Avoid on The First Night after Tooth Extraction

Here are some foods to take and avoid after tooth extraction in NW Calgary:

Foods to Eat:

Soft foods: On the first night, stick to soft foods that require minimal chewing, such as yogurt, applesauce, or mashed potatoes.

Soups: Soups that are not hot or spicy can be a good option. Choose broth-based soups or pureed soups.

Smoothies: Cold smoothies can be a refreshing and nutritious option. Avoid adding seeds or nuts that can irritate the extraction site.

Scrambled eggs: Scrambled eggs are easy to chew and are a good source of protein.

Pudding or gelatin: These can be a soothing and easy-to-eat dessert option.

Foods to Avoid:

Chewy foods: Stay away from foods that are chewy or sticky, such as gum, taffy, or caramel.

Spicy foods: Spicy foods can irritate the extraction site and cause discomfort.

Hot foods or drinks: Avoid hot foods or beverages that can increase blood flow to the extraction site and cause bleeding.

Tips for Getting A Good Night’s Sleep After Tooth Extraction

Our dentist in Toothworks advises you to try these things to have a good night’s sleep after the extraction: Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol: These can interfere with the healing process and may cause bleeding.

Stick to soft foods: Avoid hard or crunchy foods that can irritate the extraction site.

Rinse your mouth with salt water: Gently rinse the mouth with warm salt water several times a day to promote healing and reduce bacteria.

Rest: Give your body the rest it needs to recover by avoiding strenuous activities and getting plenty of sleep.

Keep the area clean: Brush and floss your teeth carefully, taking care not to disturb the extraction site.

Remember to follow your dentist’s instructions carefully to ensure a speedy and healthy recovery. If you experience excessive bleeding or pain, contact your dentist right away.

Fueling Your Recovery: The Ideal Food for After-Dental Implant Surgery

Have you been scheduled for dental implant surgery to replace your missing tooth? Aside from the excitement of finally having all your teeth intact, take time to learn more about the implantation surgery. You will be more cautious once you learn that recovery can take up to six months.

What are Dental Implants?

They are oral devices that dentists use to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are unique in that they replace tooth roots fast before restoring the exterior of teeth.

A dental implant in Calgary features a small screw-like metal post made of titanium. Titanium is incredible for permanent tooth replacement as it is biocompatible, integrating easily with natural bone tissue.

What is the Procedure for Getting Dental Implants?

The only way to install a dental implant in your jawbone is by way of surgery. Therefore, a dental implant procedure is invasive and rather painful. It is the reason dentists begin your treatment by numbing your mouth with local anesthesia. Further, the dentist will employ sedation dentistry to calm and relax your brain and body throughout your treatment.

The initial step for dental implant surgery entails cutting open the gums to expose the jaw bone. The dentist then begins to drill the jawbone, creating a hole to accommodate a dental implant. The dentist will then take a dental implant machine the size of the drilled hole, then erect it in the jawbone. The next step entails suturing the gums to hold the implant and initiate healing.

Your dentist will install a dental crown over the tooth implant on a separate dental visit. The dentist may opt for a dental bridge or a denture instead of a crown for multiple tooth replacements.

What Happens After Dental Implant Surgery?

One of the areas that your dentist in NW Calgary will prepare you for after dental implant surgery is the long recovery. It takes between 3 and 6 months to heal well after a tooth implant. During this time, you must be intentional about taking care of your mouth, especially in light of the following side effects:

  1. Sore and tender gums

  2. Dental pain and discomfort

  3. Swollen gums and cheeks

  4. Bad breath

How to Enjoy Your Recovery After Dental Implant Surgery

Frankly, it will feel overwhelming to be in recovery for about three months. If you are not prepared for such a long recovery, you may have a hard time adjusting your life to support speedy and smooth healing. Some of the tips and tricks to help you enjoy your time in recovery after dental implant surgery are:

  1. Take the prescribed medication – your dentist at Toothworks will prescribe some medicine to help manage the pain and swelling.

  2. Rest well – resting is significant in how quickly your body heals. Resting allows your body to concentrate on healing the wound instead of focusing on all other matters.

  3. Eat right – you cannot starve yourself simply because you have undergone surgery. Instead, learn different ways you can eat right after dental implant surgery.

What to Eat After Dental Implant Surgery

The rule of thumb regarding what to eat after dental implant surgery is to stick to soft and bland foods. Soft foods are easier to consume. Bland foods are helpful to prevent aggravating the wound with spices or salt. If you can stick to this rule, you will not have a hard time picking the best foods to eat after your dental implant surgery. Some incredible suggestions include:

  1. Mashed potatoes

  2. Smoothies

  3. Bananas

  4. Eggs

  5. Creamy soups

  6. Yogurt

  7. Oatmeal and milk

  8. Meal replacement shakes

​Foods to Avoid After Dental Implant Surgery

Some of the foods you should avoid soon after your dental implant surgery are:

  1. Hard and crunchy food – place unnecessary pressure on your teeth as you try to break down the food particles.

  2. Hot foods and drinks – can easily burn and irritate your gums, which will be sensitive and tender after surgery.

  3. Spicy and heavily salted foods – aggravate your wound, causing pain and inflammation.

  4. Sugary foods – sugars in food attract acids in bacteria in your mouth that are responsible for oral infections. Since the last thing you want is to suffer an infection on your implant wound, avoid sugary foods.

From Toothaches to Trauma: The Role of an Emergency Pediatric Dentist

Your child’s teeth are prone to damage, decay, and other oral diseases. Some of the oral problems are classified as dental emergencies, while others can wait until you take your child for the next dental appointment at the dental clinic in Calgary. So, what are some common dental emergencies in children, and what is the importance of taking your child to the emergency pediatric dentist immediately? This article will help answer these questions and more concerning dental emergencies in children. So, let’s get into it.

Common Dental Emergencies in Children

Knocked Out Tooth
Children love playing; during this period, your child can injure their tooth, which calls for immediate dental care. However, if it is a knocked-out baby tooth, there’s no need to panic, as another tooth will grow in its place. On the other hand, if your child knocks out their permanent tooth, you need to locate the tooth. If you can find it, hold it by the crown and avoid touching the tooth’s root. You will have to dip the tooth into a glass of milk to keep the tooth moist. Bring the knocked-out tooth to the emergency dentist near you so that they can try to put the tooth back in its place,
Tooth Ache
Your child can begin to complain that their tooth is aching. The pain might be caused by food stuck between teeth or even a decaying tooth. If it’s the former, instruct your kid to gaggle some water to see if it will help dislodge the food particle. However, it is advisable to contact the pediatric dentist in Calgary so that they can advise you on what to do before you reach the dental office. Toothache can also be caused by tooth decay and taking your child to the dental clinic as soon as possible can save your child’s tooth. The dentist can treat the decay before the bacteria spreads deep into your child’s tooth roots.
Broken Or Chipped Tooth
Playing sports, bad luck or accident, and biting on hard foods are reasons your child has a chipped tooth. When this happens, you will notice that a small part of your kid’s tooth is missing. On the other hand, identifying a cracked tooth can be pretty challenging as it can look okay at first glance.

The Importance of Seeking Immediate Dental Care for Children’s Dental Emergencies

Alleviating Pain
As mentioned above, there are different dental emergencies, most of which can cause immense pain that does not subside with painkillers. So, you need to take your child to the emergency dentist once faced with a dental emergency. The dentist will identify the source of pain and treat it to reduce toothache.
Prevent Permanent Damage
The faster you take your kid to the emergency dentist, the higher the chances of the pediatric dentist salvaging your kid’s tooth.
Reduce Infection
An emergency dentist can clean any open wound caused by tooth trauma and disinfect the area to prevent the risk of infection.
How An Emergency Pediatric Dentist Can Help with Toothaches and Other Dental Pain
Most toothaches in kids are caused by tooth trauma, decay, and stuck food. You might think giving your child painkillers will alleviate the pain, but they can be counterproductive. Painkillers can mask the cause of pain, which is why taking your child for immediate dental care is essential. So, when you take your child to the dentist, they will perform an oral exam and identify the cause of the pain. If it’s decay, the dentist will recommend tooth filling or a root canal, depending on the extent of the decay. On the other hand, if it’s stuck food, the dentist will remove the food and advise you to apply a cold compress.
Handling Dental Trauma In Children: What To Do And When To Seek Help
If your child has damaged their tooth and there are no signs of cracks, you can apply a cold compress on the injured side and see how your child will respond to the treatment. On the other hand, if you see a crack or a missing part of your child’s tooth, apply a cold compress and take your child to Toothworks for immediate dental care. The dentist will be able to determine the most suitable treatment. If there’s significant damage, a tooth crown will be recommended to provide support.

The Truth about Teeth Whitening and Fluorosis

Fluorosis causes white or brown spots on your teeth from overexposure to provide in the early years when the permanent teeth are developing. Fluorosis isn’t harmful to your teeth or general health and is merely a cosmetic concern. However, treatments to hide fluorosis stains are available from dentists.

What Is Fluorosis?

A cosmetic dental condition, fluorosis has characteristics of leaving white or brown stains on your teeth. The colours can remain as tiny white specks indistinguishable on your teeth or large brown spots that are noticeable. Dental fluorosis might affect you if you were overexposed to fluoride before your permanent teeth developed. The risk of developing fluorosis is higher among children 18 years or younger. However, teeth that have already erupted don’t get affected by this condition. Mild fluorosis affects one in four Canadians between six and 49. However, moderate to severe fluorosis is not a concern. Fluorosis does not impact oral or general health. In reality, fluorosis makes people’s teeth more resistant to cavities. However, it doesn’t mean you should be proud of fluorosis stains if you have them on your teeth. If you have noticeable fluorosis stains, you can benefit from teeth whitening for fluorosis to hide the stains from view.

Doesn’t Fluorosis Disappear by Itself?

Unfortunately, fluorosis stains don’t disappear by brushing and flossing. The optimal way to get rid of the staining is to seek treatment from a dentist in Calgary providing fluorosis teeth whitening, dental bonding, veneers or crowns. Therefore if your teeth have stains from excessive fluoride during childhood, you require treatments from the Calgary dentist to hide the stains from view.

The Link between Teeth Whitening Fluorosis

The condition of fluorosis develops during your early years by ingesting too much fluoridated water and swallowing fluoride toothpaste instead of spitting it. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure provided by dentists to whiten discoloured and stained teeth. However, fluorosis affects your teeth, and whitening remedies help remove the stains. Therefore if fluorosis impacts your teeth to make them look ungainly whitening teeth is a remedy for the condition that works as a temporary cure. Besides the above, there is no other association between fluorosis and teeth whitening.

Teeth Whitening for Fluoride Stains

Teeth whitening Calgary provides cosmetic dental therapies to hide your teeth’ discolouration from stains from foods and beverages, aging, medications, infections, injuries, et cetera. The treatment utilizes concentrated hydrogen peroxide to bleach teeth in a therapy lasting just over an hour. Hydrogen peroxide also helps eliminate fluoride stains on your teeth when the Calgary dentist applies the bleaching gel to your teeth at four fifteen-minute intervals during your appointment to lighten the stains from fluorosis. In addition, hydrogen peroxide gel lightens your tooth enamel to enable the shade to blend with fluorosis. Teeth whitening is excellent for fluorosis if you have mild stains on your teeth. Unfortunately, if you are affected by severe staining, you might need to seek other cosmetic dentistry treatments from the Calgary provider. If you have a severe condition of fluorosis, the dentist might suggest alternative treatments like dental bonding, enamel micro-abrasion, dental veneers or crowns to hide the stains from view. Unfortunately, alternative treatments are more expensive than teeth whitening to deal with a harmless condition. However, if you think fluorosis detracts from the appearance of your smile, you can consider one of the above to make your smile appear beautiful instead of stained. Teeth whitening, in most cases, helps eliminate extrinsic and intrinsic stains on your teeth developing from the foods and drinks consumed, enamel erosion due to aging, injuries, and infections. However, the colours tend to develop with time if you don’t care for your teeth, as suggested by the dentist. Fluorosis stains never develop during adulthood and will likely remain invisible even after the teeth whitening treatment fades off to need additional treatments. If you want an alternative remedy to teeth whitening to cover fluorosis stains, you might find dental bonding beneficial because the dentist can alter the colour of a specific tooth or two in a non-invasive procedure needing just over an hour and costing a similar figure as teeth whitening. If you feel embarrassed showing off your fluorosis stains, please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with Toothworks providing different remedies to cover the staining. You can seek the readily available whitening treatment for fluorosis or consider alternatives that help hide the stains for ten years to two decades, depending on your needs.

Dental Practices for Patients with Anxiety: How to Find the Right One

Dental Anxiety: What Is It and How Does It Affect Patients?

It is a phobia and great discomfort associated with visiting dentists and undergoing dental procedures. Dental anxiety is one of the many problems that hold people back from seeking dental care, even when they really need it. Like any other phobia, this anxiety can be crippling enough that patients would rather endure pain than visit a dentist. Some of the typical symptoms of dental anxiety are:
  1. Palpitations or tachycardia – racing heartbeat
  2. Sweating
  3. Syncope – possible fainting due to low blood pressure
  4. Panic attacks that may cause difficulty breathing
  5. Crying and other signs of visible distress
All these signs become evident when the patient with dental anxiety enters a dental clinic. Ideally, even without needles or any dental protocol, the patient may still feel overwhelmed with anxiety about being in the presence of a dentist.

Dental Practices That Cater to Patients with Anxiety

Finding a dental practice that can cater to your oral needs despite dental anxiety is crucial. The priority of your dentist should be to calm your nerves and administer your treatment in the most painless means possible. Further, the dentist for anxiety patients near you must lay measures to prevent worsening the anxiety. It means preventing the creation of new bad memories related to dental work. If you are unsure where to find the best dental practice that caters to patients with anxiety, visit us at Toothworks. Aside from a stellar dental facility, we have several experienced, trained, and skilled dental experts. They can handle all your oral needs while accounting for your dental anxiety.

Overcoming Dental Anxiety in Dentistry

Over the years, dentists have identified two major approaches for managing dental anxiety during treatments. They are:
  1. Local anesthesia – numbs your mouth before dental work, making all treatments painless. Therefore, you will not experience pain regardless of the procedure’s invasiveness.
  2. Sedation dentistry – is the ultimate treatment for dental anxiety. Sedation dentistry in Calgary concerns medication that calms your nerves to keep you relaxed during procedures. Dentists in Northwest Calgary use different sedatives administered through inhaling, injection, or swallowing a pill.
Some other ways of relieving dental anxiety when you visit a dentist near you are:
  1. Bring a friend or family member – having a familiar face around you goes a long way.
  2. Learn about your treatment beforehand – the more you know, the less anxious you are likely to be.
  3. Inform your dentist about your anxiety – so (s)he can take the necessary measures to calm your anxiety.

How Does Sedation Dentistry Ease Dental Anxiety?

Some of the ways that sedation dentistry impacts you are:
  1. Anterograde amnesia – sedation dentistry ensures you have little or no recollection of the events of your treatment. Therefore, your brain will not form new memories that may translate to trauma that can worsen your dental anxiety.
  2. Sleep dentistry – sometimes sedation dentistry is called sleep dentistry because you can be asleep due to the medication. Deep sedation, like general anesthesia, can make you unconscious during treatment.
  3. Calming your nerves – your mind and body can relax during our treatment due to the sedating medication.

How to Find the Right Dental Practice for You

Although many dental practices offer the services you need for oral health, finding the right one is key to a satisfactory experience. Various factors should impact your decision on the best dental practice for your oral needs. Some crucial ones include:
  1. Equipment – a fully-equipped dental practice puts you at ease, and the dental experts can handle all your oral needs.
  2. Proximity – find a dental practice near your home or work area for convenience and familiarity.
  3. Reviews and referrals – do not underestimate good customer service, especially regarding dental care. Find a dental practice with incredible reviews and referrals from patients. Chances are, you will enjoy an equally great experience.
  4. Experience with dental anxiety – there is nothing wrong with inquiring whether your dentist has experience dealing with patients with phobias. Consider family dentists who can handle all types of patients, including those with underlying conditions like autism spectrum disorders.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Veneers: Which Is Right For You?

Veneers are a terrific option if you are looking for a way to improve and enhance your smile. They can be used to conceal and rectify a myriad of dental flaws to give your smile a breathtaking makeover.

Dental flaws such as chipped, cracked, unevenly sized, misshaped, severely stained, or discolored teeth can be concealed to give your smile a facelift and transform it into the smile you have been dreaming about.

Making a choice to improve your smile using veneers is a wonderful choice; however, if you go down this road, you will be faced with another decision you will have to make, and that is which material to go with.

This is because veneers are ideally made from two commonly used materials: porcelain and composite resin.

Patients who visit our dentist in Northwest Calgary for veneers have difficulty deciding on their own whether they should opt for composite or porcelain veneers for their smile makeover. The truth is that both porcelain and composite resin veneers can help you achieve the smile you are striving for, but the question is what option will suit your needs best.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Veneers: What’s the Difference?

As much as porcelain and composite veneers can be used to address dental flaws, they differ in quite a number of ways. Let’s take a look at composite veneers vs. porcelain veneers and the striking difference they have:

  • Life Span

Porcelain veneers last longer than composite veneers, particularly if they are well taken care of. They can last for as long as 10- 15 years, while composite veneers will last for up to 4-8 years.

Porcelain is more fragile than composite resin; however, when it is bonded onto a tooth correctly, it is more durable than composite resin.

  • Strength

They are stronger than composite resin veneers. This means that porcelain veneers are more resistant to chipping than the composite veneers

  • Repair

Composite resin veneers can be repaired when they chip due to wear and tear or damage. However, porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are chip resistant, but once they are damaged, they have to be replaced entirely.

  • Aesthetics

Porcelain veneers are aesthetically sounder than composite veneers. This is because porcelain veneers are translucent and tend to look more like our natural teeth than composite veneers do

  • Stain Resistance

Porcelain veneers are stain resistant than composite resin veneers. This means that with porcelain veneers, you can forget about having to whiten your smile every now and then. Composite veneers, on the other hand, tend to get stained as your natural teeth would.

Which One Is Right for You?

You should look at certain factors when deciding whether to opt for porcelain veneers in Calgary or composite resin veneers. Here are some of the factors you can use to narrow down your choice:

  • Cost

You have to work with the choice that you can comfortably afford and maintain in case repairs or replacements need to be made later. You can consult our dentist in Northwest Calgary to find out how much each of these options will cost to help you make an informed decision

  • Durability

Go for the option that has the best durability, as this will be the best value for your hard-earned money

  • Aesthetics

You can compare the two veneers and decide which one is more aesthetically pleasing. Remember what you choose needs to enhance your smile and transform it into a good way

  • Personal Goals and Preferences

Everyone has a certain goal they are after when they opt to undergo a smile makeover. What you desire to achieve after undergoing this procedure will also influence the option you choose

You do not have to get stressed trying to pick out what will work for you. Our dentist will guide you and help you narrow down the choice that will deliver the results you need.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin wafer-like shells that can be contoured and matched to your natural tooth color. These veneers are chip and stain-resistant. Apart from this, they are aesthetically sound and can last 10-15 years when properly cared for.

Composite Veneers

The composite veneers are made from a resin material that can also be shaped and contoured into a desired shape and size. These veneers can also be matched to your natural tooth color; however, they are prone to chipping and are not stain resistant

Contact us today at Toothworks for dental veneers to enhance and transform your smile.

How to Get the Perfect Autumn Smile: A Guide to Cosmetic Dentistry

The vacations and the hot sunny days are coming to an end. But it doesn’t mean that you cannot let your smile shine; as the adage goes, a smile can light up a room. So, this autumn, opt for a Calgary smile makeover or any other cosmetic dental treatment.

Some people may underestimate the power of a stunning smile. If you have a flawless smile, you will walk with your head high since your confidence levels will soar.

Cosmetic dental treatments enhance not only your dental aesthetics but also your oral health. In fact, most cosmetic dental treatments address functional and aesthetic issues.

The Best Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments For Autumn

Cosmetic dentistry employs science and art techniques to give you a breathtaking smile. Here are some treatments that can revamp your smile this autumn:

Teeth Whitening

Cosmetic dentistry is never complete without offering teeth whitening. Almost everyone seeking to revamp their smile will always go for teeth whitening. White teeth look attractive and exude vibrancy.

Our dentist in Calgary will use a peroxide-based gel to bleach your teeth. In-office teeth whitening will last about 15-45 minutes to alter your smile. Even though there are many other teeth whitening treatments, in-office teeth whitening is the fastest and safest way to whiten your smile.

Dental Bonding

At times your teeth may have cracks, chips, or even severe stains, which can taint your smile. However, with dental bonding, our dentist can repair your teeth. Dental or tooth bonding involves using composite resin to revamp your affected teeth.

The composite resin chemically adheres to your teeth, and that’s why it is referred to as dental bonding. Once the resin has bonded to your teeth, they will be as good as new.

Teeth Shaping

Enamel shaping is the procedure where our dentist files or reshapes your tooth’s shape. It is a quick and pain-free solution that can dramatically change your smile.

Dental Veneers

Veneers are not so different from tooth bonding since they are placed on the front surface of the flawed teeth. The major difference between the two treatments is that veneers are fashioned from porcelain. They are ultra-thin shells that our dentist bonds onto the surface of your flawed teeth.

Veneers are quite common since they are versatile and can deal with various cosmetic dental flaws such as chips, cracks, spaces, crooked teeth, severe stains, etc.

Cosmetic Dental Implants

Your smile will not be complete if there are some missing teeth. Your smile might be unsightly, and your facial structure may also be affected. But there’s no better solution than dental implants in the market because they replace the roots and the crown. They are the most functional, durable, and stable option.

Orthodontic Treatments

Crooked or misaligned teeth will also taint your smile. A perfectly aligned smile is attractive and

Even though there are many teeth-straightening alternatives, Invisalign in NW Calgary is an excellent treatment that offers great results. It is discreet, comfortable, and convenient.

How to Find the Perfect Cosmetic Dentist for You

Several methods can be used to find a cosmetic dentist. Some of those ways are:

  • Ask for Referrals

People are a good gauge of the best services in town. So, speaking to relatives, friends, and colleagues could be a fantastic place to start your search. You can also ask other general dentists in your area to point you to a good cosmetic dentist.

These referrals also help sift through the numerous available options and focus on the best dentists in your area.

  • Look for Reviews

Most dental offices have websites where patients can post their reviews or opinions. Checking out the reviews helps you view the experience from another patient’s lens. This will help you size up a cosmetic dentist.

The dental reviews will tell you about the quality of the services offered in a dental practice.

  • Check Out the Website

If the practice has a website, you can check it to see what they are about. You can also learn more about the services and how the office is by checking their website.

In any case, finding an excellent dentist isn’t as hard as it was before. The internet has made life infinitely easier. You can check online for the cosmetic dentist that is near you. You can also contact us at Toothworks to book an appointment with our cosmetic dentist in Calgary.

Smile More This Autumn: Tips to Keep Your Smile Bright

The end of summer and early autumn may mean time by the pool, relaxation of daily routines, and camping tips. Unfortunately, dental hygiene can be affected during these times. Many foods are available during summers, such as cotton candy, cold soda, and fruit juice boxes with sugars that can contribute to tooth decay and the development of cavities. For your child, removing the cavity-causing bacteria from their teeth and gumline may not be possible. This is why you must ensure that they practice good oral hygiene, or you can also take them to their dentist for dental check-ups, including professional cleanings. This article outlines important tips you and your child should practice to keep your smile healthy and bright this autumn.
  1. The Autumn Dental Check-up
A dental check-up involves thoroughly examining your teeth, mouth, and gums to prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. A dental check-up at Toothworks will also detect problems that may happen in the future. Visiting your dentist in Calgary during autumn for dental check-ups is important for the following reasons:
  • There is early detection of problems which is important for maintaining your oral health.
  • It improves your smile and your overall health.
  • It also teaches your child good oral hygiene habits that they will practice as they get older and also prevent them from having dental problems in the future.
  • Dental check-ups also help avoid pain emergencies, unnecessary spending, and time.
  1. At-Home Habits For A Brighter Smile
Some home habits that help to brighten your smile and keep your teeth healthy include:
  • Regular flossing and brushing. Brush your teeth after meals and floss daily.
  • Use a fluoride mouthwash to keep your teeth strong
  • Invest in a water flosser. A Waterpik is important in keeping your smile brighter and your teeth healthier. The water flosser can remove food particles from hard-to-reach areas, thus preventing cavities.
  • Use a whitening toothpaste that has fluoride. This will strengthen your teeth and remove surface stains.
  • Chew sugarless gum after meals. Chewing encourages saliva secretion, which helps to wash away food particles. It also decreases any acids present in food particles that may cause cavities.
  1. What to Eat And Drink For A Healthier Smile
There are different types of food that are good for your teeth that your dentist recommends eating not only during autumn but every time to improve the health of your teeth and smile. These types of foods are good for protecting your teeth. They include foods rich in fiber like vegetables and fruits. These foods rich in fiber help increase saliva flow and may wash away food particles that cause a cavity. Examples are apples, celery, and carrots. Foods rich in calcium are great for strengthening your teeth and protecting the enamel. This includes milk, calcium-fortified juices, soy products, and leafy green veggies. Foods rich in vitamin c like oranges, spinach, sweet potatoes, and carrots also help keep your gums healthy and prevent conditions like gingivitis that can lead to loss of adult teeth and periodontal diseases. It is advisable to opt for tea over coffee to reduce the staining of your teeth. Black or green tea without added sugars contains properties that help prevent gum disease. You should also avoid alcoholic and colored drinks that may cause stains on your teeth. Smoking is another factor that affects your teeth. Quit smoking or keep it at a minimum. Take plenty of water to help wash away any food particles that may have remained in your mouth
  1. Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is another way of keeping your teeth healthy this autumn. If you have stains or discolored teeth from colored foods or beverages, it is important to limit their consumption so that you can have a whiter and brighter smile. Professional teeth whitening is a dental procedure where your dentist lightens the color of your teeth. Your dentist will use different methods such as the use of hydrogen peroxide, which is a bleaching agent, laser teeth whitening, or even zoom teeth whitening. The laser teeth whitening in Calgary involves using bleaching gel and lasers to reduce the discoloration of your teeth.

How Can Dentists Help Relieve Migraine Pain?

If you have migraines, you will undoubtedly find a way to stop them. Different factors can cause migraines. Sometimes you might feel a migraine in your head, which may be caused by a problem in your haw and mouth.

Everyone has two temporomandibular joints connecting your jaw’s sides to your skull. They help ease the opening and closing of your mouth when you eat, talk and yawn. However, the pain that starts in these joints or the muscles around them may travel up to your skull and cause a migraine. That is why a dentist may need to relive your migraine pain.

Here are some things you need to know about migraines, including their causes, symptoms, and how to get relief from migraine pain.

What Is A Migraine?

A migraine is a headache which causes a pulsing sensation or a severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of your head. This is often accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. The migraine attacks can last for hours to days; this pain can be so severe and interfere with daily activities.

What Are The Symptoms of A Migraine?

The main common symptom of migraine is a headache. The pan is sometimes described as throbbing or pounding. This can begin as a dull ache that develops into a pulsing pain that is mild, severe, or moderate.

Some people may also feel pain around their eyes or temple, and sometimes in the faces, sinuses, neck, or jaws.

Other common symptoms of migraine that may accompany the headache include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting and nausea, abdominal pain, and upset stomach
  • Sensitivity to noise, light, and odors
  • Feeling tired
  • Pale skin color
  • Feeling very cold(chills) or warm(sweating)
  • Tender scalp
  • Blurred vision
  • Fever and diarrhea(rare)

What Are The Causes of A Migraine?

The cause of migraines and headaches is complicated and has not yet been fully established. When you have a headache, some specific nerves in your blood vessels send pain signals to your brain. This releases inflammatory substances into the blood vessels and nerves of your head. However, it is unclear why your nerves do so.

Migraine attacks can, however, be triggered by a variety of factors. This includes:

  • Emotional Stress. This is one of the most common triggers of migraine attacks. When you have stressful events, certain chemicals in you are released to combat the situation, known as the fight or flight response. Unfortunately, releasing these chemicals can bring on a migraine. Other emotions such as worry, anxiety, and excitement can also increase your muscle tension and dilate your blood vessels, making your migraine more severe.
  • Missing a meal. Delaying a meal can also contribute to your migraine headache
  • Sensitivity to certain chemicals and preservatives in foods. Some food and beverages such as alcoholic beverages, hot dogs, aged cheese, and food additives such as nitrates found in hot dogs, pepperoni and luncheon meats, and pickled or fermented are responsible for triggering up to 30% of migraines.
  • Daily use of pain-relieving medications. If you often use medicine to relieve headaches, ten can cause a rebound headache.
  • Hormonal changes in women. Migraine in women is also more common around the time they have menstrual periods. This is because the abrupt drop in estrogen that triggers menstruation can also trigger migraines.
  • Fluorescent lights, flashing lights, computers, or light from the tv and sunlight can also trigger migraines

How Can Dentists Help Relieve Migraine Pain?

If your migraine symptoms stem from tense muscles in your temple, jaw, cheek area, or TMJ(jaw joint problems), your dentist may help ease your migraine pian in the following ways:

  • Your dentist in NW Calgary will offer you FDA-approved botox injections to relieve your migraine, facial pain, and TMJ. In just a few minutes, a series of these injections will cause the nerves, which cause muscle spasms providing pain relief and deep relaxation.
  • Laser Therapy. Another way of treating migraines in your jaw and face is with laser therapy. The laser treats tense muscles in your jaw, face, and neck with a high-intensity pulsed light, increasing your blood flow to the affected areas and causing your muscles to relax.

You can visit Toothworks if you are looking for a dentist that helps in migraine pain prevention in Calgary.

How to Know If Your Veneers Are the Right Choice for You?

Veneers cover the front tooth surface and prevent them from discoloration, minor misalignment, or damage. Our dentist in NW Calgary recommends veneers over other cosmetic procedures since they restore your appealing dental outlook and safeguard your tooth enamel from chips, cracks, and minor damages. Your dentist examines your teeth and provides you with various veneer types, depending on your cosmetic need and preferences. Veneers transform your overall dental aesthetics and enhance your confidence.

What are Veneers?

Veneers are cosmetic appliances to cover your teeth and prevent chips, cracks, and discoloration. The prosthetics brighten your teeth, cover gaps between teeth, and correct misalignments. Our dentist in NW Calgary uses resin or porcelain material to restore your natural smile and restore your dental structure.

Porcelain material is customized to suit your personalized dental needs. Porcelain material resembles your natural teeth, and the material placement is minimally-invasive. Once you have porcelain veneers in Calgary, all your minor dental flaws are resolved, and the prosthetics can serve you for about ten years. Unlike other cosmetic procedures, veneers provide a vibrant smile without discomfort.

What Are the Various Veneer Types?

How do you determine which veneers are right for you? If you consider having dental veneers, it’s essential to consult your dentist on the ideal for your dental. Veneers reshape and even out your teeth to give you a pearly white smile. The main types of veneers that your dentist may recommend are:

Porcelain Veneers-they are customized with thin ceramic shells bonded to your front teeth. The veneers are durable with the proper oral hygiene regimen. Dental impressions are required to ensure the veneers perfectly fit your dental.

Lumineers-these are thin and robust dental veneer types. The placement of Lumineers on your dental is painless since they do not require grinding.

Palatal Veneers-the veneers are made from gold, composite, or porcelain material. They are designed to prevent tooth wear and are applied to the upper teeth.

Composite Veneers-they are same-day appliances that last for about ten years. They cover the front teeth and are smoothed to appear like your natural teeth. However, they are proven to stain and chip, and they require periodic replacement.

Temporary Veneers-they are viable before the placement of permanent veneers. They are made of resin to provide you with an upfront, confident smile before the permanent veneers are customized.

How Do you Know Whether Veneers Are Right For you?

To ensure you are an eligible candidate for veneers, you need to consult your dentist. It’s also crucial to have the right veneer type. You may be exempted from having veneers if you have the following dental conditions:
  • Missing tooth portion
  • Eroded tooth enamel
  • Habitual teeth clenching
  • Severely decayed tooth or periodontal disease

If you want to have porcelain veneers in Calgary, our specialist examines your dental and determines whether dental veneers are viable for you.

How are Veneers Applied?

The procedure of having veneers is simple and as follows:
  • Having diagnostic tests and digital X-rays to examine the condition of your dental
  • Removal of your affected enamel portions
  • Taking impressions of your dental and customizing the desired veneers for you
  • Placement of a rough texture on your dental to ensure veneers bond with your tooth
  • Hardening of the dental veneers with ultraviolet light

What Are the Benefits of Veneers?

The type of veneers you select depends on your cosmetic goals. Veneers are custom-made to fit the color and shape of your teeth. If you wonder how you’d know if veneers are right for you, your dentist will examine your teeth and determine whether you are an ideal candidate. Once you’re satisfied with your overall dental outlook, your dentist provides you with the best remedy. Using veneers can benefit you if you have the following dental flaws:
  • Uneven teeth
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Small gaps between your teeth
  • Worn out teeth
  • Discolored teeth

Dental veneers are cosmetically applicable, and if your condition is severe, you’re likely to undertake extensive dental procedures. In addition, veneers can achieve a perfect smile if you need to transform your smile. Your dentist will determine the correct type of veneers during your appointment. At Toothworks, we prefer veneers as an ideal alternative to other cosmetic procedures.