Category: general dentistry

Achieving a beautiful smile can allow an individual to feel good about themselves. At Toothworks, our dental staff is dedicated to finding treatments that work with each patient’s unique needs to give them a desired look. Having a fresh smile can greatly boost your self-confidence, and we offer a wide range of services to achieve just that. One cosmetic tool is known as Digital Smile Design that helps in improving the look of your smile for a brand-new makeover. Continue reading on to learn how Digital Smile Design from Toothworks can benefit your smile. Our dental staff takes the time to fully understand what you are looking to get from a cosmetic treatment. This allows them to come up with a customized treatment plan just for you. They can also provide you with several models so you can better visualize what your new smile will look and feel like. Digital Smile Design does just that! With careful preparation, you can see your smile transform before your eyes. Some of the benefits include the following:

• High satisfaction with your new smile
• Truly customized results – no two smile designs are exactly alike
• A natural look that complements overall appearance
• Increased confidence throughout the treatment process
• Multidisciplinary approach preserves health and hygiene

After your dentist shows you the Digital Smile Design, you can agree on the final end goal and begin a personal treatment plan with our dental staff. Cosmetic treatments can involve several different methods. Therefore, contact your Toothworks dentist for more information regarding treatment options to improve your smile. You deserve to have the smile of your dreams!

Migraine pain makes it very hard to ignore. The accompanying throbbing headaches can last for hours or days in severe cases. While millions of Americans are affected, the cause is still relatively unknown.

What Is a Migraine?

A migraine is much different than a normal headache. A headache can cause pain and pressure on both sides of the head similar to the feeling of a belt are around your head and being squeezed. Uncomfortable, but most people can work through them. Common types of headaches include sinus, cluster and tension headaches with tension being the most common. Adversely, a migraine is recurrent and throbbing head pain that focuses on one side of the head. Sufferers will experience pain behind the eyes and/or ears and can additionally lead to nausea and vomiting, vision difficulties and sensitivity to both light and sound. While it is unclear what causes them, there are certain factors that trigger them. Family history is often a big factor, but a person’s sensitivities to other triggers can be very different. Additional triggers often include poor sleep, age, alcohol, sex, food, and hormonal changes.

Migraines and Light Sensitivity

Increased sensitivity to light is one of the most common symptoms of a migraine. Many prefer total darkness to rest and deal with the pain. A recent study tried to gather more information about light sensitivity and migraines and found that green lights were much less harsh when compared to red, blue and amber lights. While the green light did not cure the headache, it is a significant discovery and will lead to further testing.

How Do We Treat Migraine Headaches Now?

While hopefully a green light therapy program can be created in the future, for the time being, many rely on medications to treat the symptoms. At Toothworks Calgary Dentist, we offer injection therapy to help with jaw pain that often leads to migraines. However, understanding your triggers and avoiding them can be the best medicine possible.

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!

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!

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.

Did you know that dentistry is one of the oldest medical professions on Earth? The earliest evidence of dentistry in ancient times dates back to 7000 B.C, teeth were found in a Neolithic graveyard located in Pakistan. The teeth have evidence of holes made from primitive dental drills. The first recorded mention of dentistry was all the way back in 5,000 B.C! A Sumerian text described that dental decay was caused by something known as a “tooth worm.” Sadly, this wasn’t proven false until the 1700s. The first “dentist” was an Egyptian named Hesy-Re, his tomb was inscribed with “the greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians,” and is the first known documented “dental practitioner.” During the times of ancient Greece, both Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry and the treatment of decayed teeth. However, the first book that was devoted entirely to dentistry, known as The Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Disease and Infirmities of Teeth” wasn’t published until 1530. In the 1700s, dentistry finally became a more defined profession. In 1723, Pierre Fauchard credited as “the Father of Modern Dentistry,” published The Surgeon Dentist, a Treatise on Teeth which defined a system for caring for and treating teeth affected by decay and disease. Fauchard also introduced the idea that sugar led to dental decay, dental fillings, and even the use of prosthesis in dental practice. In 1840, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery (the first dental college) was opened. In 1841, Alabama enacted the first dental practice act, and almost 20 years later, The American Dental Association was born. In 1873, Colgate began mass producing toothpaste, with mass-produced toothbrushes to follow a few years later. Each day, advancements are made in the Dentistry field, with laser dentistry, dental implants, and even one-hour teeth whitening. What may be next? Let us know what you think!

Are you expecting a new addition to your family and are wondering how it may affect your dental health? Due to the hormone surge women experience when pregnant, certain dental health issues can be more common. There are ways however to prevent oral health issues during your pregnancy. Continue reading to learn more about pregnancy and dental health.

Can Poor Oral Health Affect My Pregnancy?

Recent research on pregnancy and oral health has suggested a link between high dental bacteria and pre-term babies. When you suffer from a gum disease, there is an excessive number of bacteria which can enter your bloodstream via your gums. In certain cases, these bacteria could travel to the uterus and produce prostaglandins, potentially inducing premature labor. If you suffer from gum disease and are expecting a baby, contact Toothworks and we can help get your oral health in check.

Can Pregnancy Cause Any Oral Issues?

When you are pregnant there is a surge of hormones in your body; estrogen and progesterone are two of them. These hormones can actually alter the way dental plaque affects your gums. This is known as pregnancy gingivitis, and symptoms for it can include red, swollen or bleeding gums. To avoid pregnancy gingivitis, we recommend routine brushing and flossing, especially near your gum line. This can reduce and even prevent gingivitis symptoms in some pregnant women. Make sure you eat healthy foods that do not cause excessive plaque and decay. If you are suffering from bleeding, inflamed, red gums, contact Toothworks and schedule an appointment today! Oral pregnancy tumors are something else you may experience during your pregnancy. These are non-cancerous, inflammatory response growths that tend to pop up when gums become irritated. They will typically shrink and go back to normal after the birth. If you have tumor growth that interferes with day to day life, Toothworks may be able to remove it for you. If you have any questions regarding dental treatment and pregnancy, feel free to contact Toothworks Calgary. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment and evaluate your overall oral health!

Being self-conscious of your smile is a thing of the past with constant advancements in both general and cosmetic dentistry. Over the years, your teeth take some wear-and-tear, whether it be chips and cracks or discoloration. Luckily it is not something you have to live with forever. If you find yourself hiding your smile, Toothworks cosmetic dentistry services may be perfect for you.

Wondering how to make your smile stand out?

From general hygiene services to teeth whitening, there are a number of cosmetic dentistry services perfect for giving you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

General Hygiene Services

Although regular at home dental care definitely helps with overall oral health, regular scheduled dental care by a professional dentist is always recommended. When you come to Toothworks Calgary we offer various general hygiene services such as oral examinations, routine cleanings, dental polishing, fluoride treatments, gum disease treatments and even professional breath control treatments. These preventative hygiene services can help you achieve your goal.

Gingival Contouring

If you experience exposed tooth roots, loss of tissue between teeth, a gummy smile or deep gum pockets, Gingival Contouring may be the perfect choice for you. The process is done using a laser which removes extra gum tissue and seals the gum leaving no bleeding. Anesthetic is applied for no pain or discomfort during the procedure.

Invisalign

Wanting to straighten your smile without braces? Invisalign is the perfect option for you. Not only is Invisalign safe and easy, it is also invisible. People won’t even notice you’re wearing them. Skip the painful, unsightly braces and go straight for Invisalign.

Dental Implants

Are you missing teeth due to an accident, gum disease or tooth decay? Dental implants can be a great way to replace missing and/or damaged teeth and are a permanent fixture. The implants are anchored to the jaw, functioning just like a real tooth.

Teeth Whitening

Hiding your smile due to discoloration? Hide no more with teeth whitening! At Toothworks we use SpaDent, which whitens teeth in under an hour. For those who wish to do it in the comfort of their own home, we offer customized teeth whitening options. Molds will be taken and a custom teeth whitening tray will be made. All you have to do is follow the directions!

Veneers

If you suffer from chipped, cracked, misaligned, or stained teeth then porcelain veneers may be the perfect cosmetic dentistry option. Veneers are made from a thin piece of porcelain which is customized to fit your teeth. They are placed directly over your natural tooth. You can select the perfect color to match your smile. Being self-conscious about your smile is a thing of the past with Toothworks Calgary’s cosmetic dentistry services. Whether you need to fix the coloration of your smile or replace entire teeth, we’ve got the cosmetic dentistry solution perfect for you.

Recent research has shown that chewing gum can be good for your oral health and overall well-being. Improvement in memory, focus, alertness, concentration, stress management, weight management, oral health, and more can be achieved by simply chewing sugar-free gum. However, the surprising results have demonstrated no standard benefits for all gum chewers. Everyone will respond differently.

Chewing Gum for Improved Memory

Tests have shown that people who chewed gum throughout the testing produced superior scores to those participants who did not. Chewing gum appeared to improve memory and cognitive skills. The act of chewing continuously improves memory by stimulating activity in the portion of the brain (hippocampus) that manages memory. Some studies have discovered that insulin receptors located in the hippocampus may play a role in memory processes. Chewing gum raises glucose levels, the fuel for the body and mind. It can also increase the flow of blood to the brain. More blood means a higher heart rate and improved oxygen delivery up to the brain, which may enhance cognitive abilities.

Reduce Stress and Chew Bubble Gum

We have all grown up being told not to chew gum in the classroom, but due to new discoveries, the tide is turning. Instead of making students take the gum out of their mouths and stick it on their noses, teachers are encouraging gum chewing during tests. The modern belief is that chewing gum helps boost concentration and alertness, helps reduce tension, and, the rhythmic motion releases nervous tension and frustration.

Chew Sugar-free Gum to Maintain Your Weight

Some studies have proven that adults who chewed sugar-free gum or bubble gum ingested fewer calories than those who didn’t chew gum. It was found that both sugared and sugarless gum helped participants to eat less, but sugar-free gum has fewer calories and does not promote tooth decay.The act of chewing helps to reduce cravings for high-calorie snack foods. Chewing gum for about an hour will burn 11 calories.

Chewing GumGets the Digestive Juices Flowing

Chewing gum increases saliva flow which naturally promotes more swallowing. It also improves intestinal motility and prevents acid reflux from backing up into the throat.

Chewing Gum is Good for Your Oral Health

Finally, gum chewing is good for your teeth and overall oral health, because it stimulates saliva production. Saliva is the most important protector of your whole oral cavity. Saliva balances a harmful, bacteria-riddled environment with powerful anti-bacterial and mineral components. Stimulated saliva also helps flush away food particles, debris, sugars and other acids that lead to decay. There are numerous dental benefits to chewing sugar-free gum:

• Doesn’t cause tooth decay
• Re-mineralizes tooth enamel
• Antimicrobial effect
• Reduces sugary snack cravings
• Freshens breath
• Whitens teeth
• Reduces and prevents staining
• Reduces plaque

Want to improve your mental, physical, and oral health? Simply chew a piece of sugar-free gum!

You brush your teeth at least two times every day and remember to floss once per day, so you are quite confident your whole mouth is clean, right? Not completely if you haven’t been regularly brushing your tongue.

Why Should You Brush Your Tongue?

You may wonder why it is necessary to brush your tongue if you are diligent about maintaining your oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing just around enough to rid your mouth of harmful bacteria and germs. While both steps are very important, and so is tongue cleaning.

How to Clean Your Tongue

The human tongue is a large organ that hosts most of the bacteria that reside inside of the mouth. Brushing your tongue is a crucial step that should not be skipped. To remove harmful, odor causing build-up, with a small amount of toothpaste, gently brush the tongue surface. Begin at the far back of the tongue and gradually work your way to the tip. Be sure to clean the entire upper surface and thoroughly rinse with water. For the most thorough cleaning, use a scraper for tongue cleaning. This dental device is typically made of a soft, flexible material that gently peels away the thin layer of debris atop the surface of the tongue. Always rinse the scraper with warm water after each use.

Cleaning Your Tongue for Health

In addition, here are three more reasons to make tongue cleaning a part of your daily oral hygiene regime:

1. Remove the harmful plaque and bacteria that lead to gum disease and other illnesses that can spread throughout the body. It can help improve your overall health.
2. Eliminate odor-causing germs that accumulate on the tongue and cause bad breath.
3. It will help improve your quality of life, your food will have more flavor. By brushing your tongue and removing the build-up of plaque film that dulls taste buds, you will be able to enjoy your favorite meals with much greater intensity.

Brush your tongue at least twice per day, once when you clean your teeth in the morning and once again at night. If your mouth is dry or if you experience a sour taste during the day, clean your tongue and rinse with mouthwash to remedy the problem.