Category: Blog

When particles from food and other substances stay in a person’s mouth, it decays and turns into bacteria that slowly eats the tooth and seeps in, causing damage to the root canal. Root canal treatments in Calgary can help a person to get rid of these bacteria.

Root canal treatment helps to save a tooth from being destroyed by the bacteria that are eating the tooth. It also saves other teeth around the infected tooth. In the sense that when a bacteria eats well into one tooth, it begins to spread to another tooth. If you have bacteria in your root canal, find a dentist near you or visit a root canal dentist in Calgary to have the bacteria removed. After the removal of the bacteria, a dentist in Calgary, SW will clean and sanitize the tooth to completely neutralize any bacteria that might be hiding. When this is done, the tooth is filled and sealed. This will ensure that bacteria do not eat into the teeth again. From this, it is apparent that root canal treatments are designed to save your natural tooth.

The number of people who receive root canal treatment each year is over a million. So, if you have a damaged or infected tooth, you should not be hesitant when your dentist recommends a root canal treatment for you. The treatment will help you regain a healthy tooth and also relieve the pain that is associated with having bacteria in your root canal.

For easier understanding, a root canal treatment can be likened to a dental filling. Depending on the condition of your teeth or the affected tooth, you can complete a root canal treatment in one or two dental appointments. However, it is important to know that root canal treatments have proven to be effective and painless. This means that you do not have to stay away from some activities after removing bacteria from your tooth and filling it.

Advantages of a Root Canal Treatment

Every day, dentists administer root canal treatments to different patients although it is a serious procedure. This means that it does not require much time to complete. After the treatment, one can continue chewing like before and the feeling will remain the same. You also do not need to apply less force when chewing. The other teeth are also in danger when one tooth is under bacteria attack. This means that a root canal treatment that saves one tooth has indirectly saved the rest of the teeth. Lastly, root canal treatments do not change a person’s appearance.

How do I know if I need a Root Canal Treatment?

There are different reasons why a person will be asked to do a root canal treatment. If the person has suffered a deep cavity or there are issues from a filling that was done in the past, a root canal will be recommended. A cracked tooth or genetics can also require root canal treatment. Sometimes, you might notice that your teeth become sensitive to heat or cold. In these times, you will also need a root canal treatment. There are certain signs that a person needs to watch out for to know when they need to see an endodontist. If you have a cracked tooth or you are experiencing pain while chewing, you need to visit a dentist for examination. The gums can also be a pointer to indicate that you need to see your dentist. If you have pimples on your gums, or dark gums, or swollen gums, you might need to root canal treatment.

Root canals are just as painful as any other dental procedure like filling or tooth removal. However, before the procedure, patients are given anesthesia to numb pain during the procedure. After the treatment, a person will experience pain for a few days. In these few days, a person can still go about their normal daily activity but it is advised that people should not eat until the numbness is gone. The complexity of an issue will determine the cost of the treatment. However, you can use your dental insurance to cover some or all of the cost of your root canal treatment.

Our teeth can discolor because of the food and drinking beverages like coffee and tea, habits like smoking, and poor dental decay. Age and medication also affect the shade of the teeth and cause them to appear brown. When discoloration occurs, you can bleach your teeth with professional teeth whitening.

But before you get teeth whitening in Calgary, it is important to know what dental bleaching involves and what products are suitable for you.

When is Teeth Whitening Not an Option?

Teeth whitening is an effective cosmetic procedure, but it is not recommended for everyone. For our dentist in Calgary, SW to perform professional teeth bleaching, you need to have healthy teeth. If you have thin enamel or suffer from tooth sensitivity, the dentist may recommend other forms of treatment.

You may also not be a candidate for teeth whitening if you have dental restoration like bridges and veneers. These shade of these restorations are cannot be altered once they are fixed. The dentist will have to replace them to improve your smile.

Which Teeth Whitening Option is Ideal for You?

Several teeth bleaching treatments are available that can help whiten your teeth. You can either choose cosmetic, professional teeth whitening, or do-it-yourself remedies. All these options can remove stains, but their effectiveness differs.

• Cosmetic teeth whitening products

Cosmetic teeth whitening products are readily available at your local drug store. These products come in different forms, toothpaste, gel, and mouth rinse. Although the products contain a whitening agent, they are not as effective. This is because some contain low levels of bleaching components and some higher concentrations that may affect the teeth.

• Professional teeth whitening treatment

In-office professional teeth whitening is done at our dental offices in Calgary, SW. It is the most recommended option as the dentist will take the necessary precautions to protect the gums and teeth.

The in-office whitening treatment is effective because they contain higher levels of bleaching agent. This treatment is done in 45 minutes and it includes three 15-minute intervals. The dentist will apply the whitening agent on the teeth, leave it for 15 minutes, and then rinse. Laser light can be used to activate the content and hasten the process.

You may get at-home whitening kits that are customized to fit your teeth and help to maintain the results. Consult a dentist near you for more information about the whitening kits.

• D.I.Y whitening products

Using D.I.Y whitening products like activated charcoal and baking soda is common. However, no research supports the premise and that is why it is important to avoid using the whitening remedies without first consulting the dentist.

Baking soda can remove mild stains, but it harsh and can wear out the enamel and increase the risk of decay. It also changes the acidity levels in the mouth, which also contributes to eroding the teeth.

Are There Side Effects of Teeth Whitening?

Teeth sensitivity is the primary side effect of teeth whitening. Our teeth are porous and the whitening agent will penetrate through and affects the nerves, making sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.

You will experience sensitivity, but it is transient, meaning it will clear after a while. The dentist will prescribe tooth-sensitive toothpaste to ease the discomfort.

How Long Will the Whitening Results Last?

The whitening results are not permanent, and the results will last depending on how well you take care of the teeth. You are advised to avoid taking staining foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and wine. If you take them, ensure you clean your teeth afterward to keep the teeth from absorbing the compounds. Other ways you can support the teeth are by avoiding smoking, over consumption of alcohol, and practicing proper dental hygiene.

Also, get regular teeth cleaning that removes the plaques accumulated on the gum line. Teeth cleaning is not a whitening procedure, but it will brighten your teeth.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit My Dental Clinic for more information on teeth whitening, eligibility criteria, how the procedure is done, and how you can prevent discoloration.

Some people are gap-toothed and while it can look perfect on some people, others might not be comfortable having a gapped tooth or a missing tooth. A dental bridge helps to cover that gap.

Tooth bridges in Calgary are used to form a bridge between two teeth that have a space between them.

A dental bridge or a pontic is usually supported by the teeth on the sides of the gap that is being filled. A bridge can be made from a variety of materials that are used in dentistry like metals, porcelain, etc. if you want a bridge that will blend with the color of your teeth, porcelain is used to make the bridge. However, you can get dental bridges in Calgary that are made of gold.

Types of Dental Bridges

There are different types of dental bridges that you can get when you visit a dental clinic in Calgary. These bridges are divided into four;

Traditional Bridges

This is the most common type of dental bridge that you find around. A traditional dental bridge is used to cover a gap when the teeth on both sides of the gap are natural. The false tooth or teeth that are used for traditional bridges is usually supported by dental crowns. These crowns will be bonded to the surrounding teeth so that they can hold the false tooth or teeth in place.

Cantilever Bridges

A cantilever is similar to the traditional bridges, dental crowns are attached to the surrounding teeth and the dental crowns hold the pontic in place. However, unlike traditional bridges, cantilever bridges use only one of the surrounding teeth to connect the dental crown to the false tooth. Only one tooth and one dental crown are needed for the cantilever bridges.

Maryland Bridges

These kinds of bridges also share similarities with traditional bridges. The two natural teeth on both sides of the gap are used to hold the false tooth. However, the difference between the Maryland bridges and the traditional bridges is that instead of using dental crowns, a receptacle usually made of metal or porcelain is attached to the back of the surrounding teeth to hold the pontic in place. SW Calgary dentists and all other expert dentists around the world use these bridges when you have natural teeth around your gap. When it is not natural teeth surrounding the gap, implant-supported bridges are used.

Implant-supported Bridges

For implant-supported bridges, dental implants are used in place of dental crowns or receptacles. This means that the surrounding teeth are not needed for this type of bridge. Each false tooth to be installed will have a dental implant inserted in the gum to hold the tooth in its position. Sometimes, an implant is not usually enough to hold a false tooth, in such cases, two dental implants are used to hold the bridge. Implant-supported bridges are one of the most reliable bridges because of their strength and stability. To get implant-supported bridges in Calgary, head to a standard dental clinic in Calgary and you will get the best SW Calgary dentists available to help you. Implant-supported bridges require two surgeries – the first surgery to fix the dental implant in your jaw and the second surgery to install the false tooth. It is not an outpatient procedure and it can take months before the bridge is completely installed.

Cost of Dental Bridges

There are different types of dental bridges and each of them has its different cost but there are certain things that determine this cost. Some of the things that can affect the price of a dental bridge are the number of pontic that will be used, the material that the pontic is made from, the place where you are getting the bridge, and so on.

Maryland bridges are the cheapest of all bridges, they cost around $1,500 – $2,500. Traditional and cantilever bridges come next costing around $2,000 – $5,000. The implant-supported bridges are the most expensive type of bridges, they can cost from $5,000 – $15,000.

A missing tooth can affect your speech and ability to eat properly. A bridge can help you talk and eat properly, it can also give you a great smile and prevent your teeth from adjusting.

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Periodontitis is stubborn contamination of the gums induced by microorganisms you accumulate on your teeth and gums. The progression of periodontitis ensures damage to your bones and teeth. However, if you seek periodontal treatment in Calgary early and maintain proper dental hygiene, it is possible to stop the damage caused by periodontitis.

Different Stages of Periodontitis

Periodontitis begins as inflammation and worsens over time. The early stages of periodontitis are:

Gingivitis

Periodontitis starts with inflammation of your gums in a condition called gingivitis. Your gums start bleeding when brushing and flossing your teeth during the initial stages of gingivitis.

Teeth discoloration is also a sign of gingivitis primarily because plaque, a buildup of food, and bacteria on your teeth have accumulated. It is an indication that you don’t brush and floss or receive dental cleanings frequently.

Early Periodontal Disease

Your gums start pulling away from your teeth to create small pockets between your teeth and gums in early periodontal disease. The pockets are home to harmful bacteria, and your gums start to recede as your immune system tries to battle the infection. You will likely experience bleeding when brushing and flossing and some bone loss.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

When gingivitis and early periodontal disease are left without treatment from the dentist in South West Calgary, the condition progresses to moderate periodontal disease. You experience bleeding and pain around the teeth and gum recession. Your teeth start losing bone support to become loose. The infection also leads to inflammatory responses throughout your body.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

If you develop advanced periodontal disease, the connective tissue holding your teeth starts to deteriorate. The gums, bones, and other tissue supporting your teeth are destroyed. With advanced periodontal disease, you experience severe pain when chewing, halitosis, and an awful taste in your mouth. Tooth loss is also a possibility.

Causes of Periodontitis

Everyone has millions of bacteria in their mouths, most of them entirely harmless. However, when you don’t clean your teeth correctly every day, the bacteria multiply and buildup on the teeth. Neglecting visits to the dental offices SW Calgary for regular cleanings is another reason why bacteria accumulate in the mouth.

Poor dental hygiene is the primary cause of periodontitis. When you neglect to brush your teeth and to clean in the difficult to reach areas of your mouth, you become susceptible to the following:

• The bacteria in your mouth multiply, forming a substance called plaque.
• When you don’t remove plaque by brushing, the bacteria deposit toxins within plaque over time.
• Plaque hardens into tartar within 48 hours to encourage additional bacterial growth towards the root of the tooth.
• The immune system of your body responds to bacterial growth resulting in inflammation in your gums.

Diagnosing Periodontal Disease

Dentist T2V 0L8 can detect signs of periodontitis early during routine dental exams. The dentist monitors your periodontal status over time to ensure the condition doesn’t worsen. It is why frequent dental visits for cleanings and exams are essential.

Dentists use probes to measure the pockets of your gums in a painless procedure. If plaque and tartar are present on your teeth, they are removed as part of professional cleaning. Dentists also take x-rays to determine the severity of the infection.

Complications of Periodontitis

If you do not receive periodontal treatment, your teeth supporting structures, including your jaw, are vulnerable to destruction. Your teeth loosen to fall out or require removal besides causing several other complications.

Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal treatment aims to remove plaque and bacterial deposits on your teeth and gums. Your dental care team provides instructions on reducing the number of bacteria in your mouth by keeping your teeth and gums clean. The dentist recommends proper brushing and flossing techniques besides other oral hygiene products like a water pick or mouthwash.

You will likely receive professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and roots. Periodontal pockets in your mouth require a deep cleaning involving scaling and root planing.

Dentists prescribe antibiotics in some cases to assist with stubborn gum infections that don’t respond to cleanings. You must follow up with your dentist every few weeks initially and after that every three to six months to assess your progress. If the periodontal pockets persist, dentists recommend treatment options like surgery.

Stopping periodontitis is possible if detected early and treated. You will likely have to change your dental hygiene habits and corporate entirely with your dentist’s instructions if you wish to succeed with the treatment.

A dental emergency refers to any issue that involves the teeth and supporting tissues and requires immediate attention. Dental health is crucial to our general body health. When your mouth has an issue, important things like eating, drinking, talking, or even smiling become hard. A dental emergency may or may not involve pain. When you visit emergency dentists in Calgary, SW, they will determine the type and cause of the problem and treat it appropriately.

9 Types of Dental Emergencies

• Pain

Pain is the body’s way of alerting you to a problem in the area that hurts. The degree of pain a patient experiences determines the severity of the dental emergency. The patient may experience pain when biting down. This pain may be caused by; an abscess, a cracked tooth, or teeth grinding. An ice pack placed on the sensitive area and some pain-reducing medication will ease the pain as you rush to the dentist.

• Swelling

Swelling in the mouth indicates a severe dental infection requiring immediate medical attention. The patient must stay in an upright position and take fluids that keep him hydrated.

• Knocked out tooth

A knocked-out tooth should be positioned back in the mouth within 30 minutes. Once a tooth is knocked out of the mouth, it should be retrieved immediately. If possible, you can rinse the dirt off and place it back in the mouth as it was previously. If not, it should be put in a glass of milk to keep it moist until the dentist can put it back.

• Abscessed gums

An abscess indicates a bacterial infection in the gums or tooth. An abscess may look like a whitish, red, clear, or yellow pimple on the gum. It should not be popped but rushed to the dentist immediately. An abscess to the tooth will require drainage, a root canal, or antibiotics.

• Soft tissue injury

The tongue or lips may be bitten or cut severely during an accident. The area should be cleaned gently with some water if possible before a visit to the dentist. The dentist will examine the mouth to determine whether there is a further injury to the jaw, gums, or teeth.

• Mouth sores

Painful mouth sores are a dental emergency. Canker sores or sores caused by foot, hand, and mouth disease should be treated immediately. Gum diseases may also cause sores to develop in the oral cavity.

• Infections

Infections in the mouth are a cause to rush to the dentist since they require medical attention to heal.

• Bleeding

Bleeding from the mouth may be an indication of periodontal disease. If your saliva has some traces of blood, it may be a sign of cancer or severe gum disease.

• Tooth sensitivity

Extreme temperatures or other underlying issues may cause tooth sensitivity. The patient may have extreme sensations on the teeth or tooth when they bite or chew certain foods. After examination, the dentist may prescribe toothpaste that reduces teeth sensitivity.

• Broken tooth

A tooth that is slightly chipped does not constitute a dental emergency. You schedule an appointment at your convenience. A tooth that has broken and a large portion of it falls off may cause pain and bleeding. This will require a prompt visit to the dentist. Do not bite or chew on the tooth before seeing the dentist.

Steps to Take When in Need of Emergency Dental Care

Contact your dentist immediately. If they are not available, you can look up an emergency dentist in Calgary, SW. This dentist will advise you on how to take care of your oral health before reaching the dental clinic.

• Give as much detail as possible concerning the dental emergency.
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling in the area.
• Take some pain-relieving medication if the pain is too much.
• Rinse the mouth with clean water or non-alcoholic mouth wash.
• Keep the knocked-out tooth moist by putting it in milk or placing it in your mouth.

Tips to Minimize a Dental Emergency

Do not chew hard candy, ice, popcorn kernels, or anything that might crack or break your teeth.

• When taking part in recreational activities, put on a mouthguard.
• Cut things using a pair of a cutting tool, not your teeth.
• Regular dental care should be observed.

Make regular visits to My Dental Clinic when you need standard dental services.

Healthy teeth and gums indicate more than attractive smiles. It reflects on your overall general health, confidence and boosts your sense of well-being. Proper oral hygiene begins from home, at a tender age, and can help protect your child’s teeth from cavities and the possibility of gum disease.

Still, there is some confusion between the functions of family and general dentists. Many might think a family dentist only serves families with children. However, you don’t need to have children to use a family dentist.

The family dentist has the following everyday responsibilities: checking your gum health, cleaning excess tartar and plaque buildup, filling cavities, and controlling tooth decay.

What Procedures Do A Family Dentist Offer?

Sometimes, your family dentist can conduct a radiograph to check for certain problems such as dental cavities, jaw problems, and several other oral issues. If they find a cavity, your family dentist has the mandate to give you a dental filling to fill the affected area.

If your cavity worsens unexpectedly, you might need a more complex procedure like a root canal, dental crown treatment of a dental implant.

Sometimes, an x-ray is required. The family dentist in South West Calgary ensures that the X-ray’s radiation effects are minimal to children. The dentist, therefore, uses lead aprons on the child and high-speed film.

Additionally, the family dentist has a significant role in guiding parents towards helping their children achieve better oral hygiene.

At What Age Should Your Child First See a Family Dentist?

The best duration to acquaint your child with a family dentist is in six months after birth. It’s also acceptable if you take them to a family dentist on their first birthday.

Children’s needs are different from adult needs. You need to ensure that the dentist you find is good with children. This is if you don’t want to use a pediatrist.

Regarding children, appointments for checkups need to be made early as it determines if their teeth are developing correctly. Poorly developing teeth will lead to eating, speech, and aesthetic problems in the future.

The family dentist in SW Calgary checks for tooth eruption problems and tooth growth patterns. They also instruct how you can care for the child’s teeth and gums while providing dietary advice. A family dentist also advises on instructions concerning the event of a dental emergency.

How Do Family Dentists Differ from Pediatric Dentists?

Comparing the two, pediatric dentistry only focuses on infants and children. Adolescent children can still see a pediatric dentist for pediatric services. However, once they attain adulthood, they are subject to treatment from different dentists like family and general dentists.

Pediatric dentists have, in addition to the regular dental education, 2 -3 years of training, special to meet children’s needs. They learn how to work with children effectively and can also professionally handle children with special needs.

Why opt for Family Dentistry?

Better Oral Hygiene

How healthy your smile is is a reflection of your oral health practices. Practicing oral hygiene as a family through daily brushing and flossing helps clear off tartar and plaque from your teeth surfaces making your smiles look brighter. If your children learn these habits from an early age, it eliminates the risk of future dental problems.

Snacking

Snacking is perhaps the biggest enemy to the mouth, especially for children. Sugar from snacks becomes acid when it meets plaque, which erodes the enamel. Visiting the family dental offices near you provides crucial information on what types of food and drinks you should consume.

This helps you manage the intake of extra sugary snacks and drinks, which is beneficial to your teeth.

Fluoride

The enamel gets weak through the acidic effects that occur when sugars on the plaque ferment. It’s therefore essential to treat your teeth with enough fluoride. Ask My Dental Clinic for the best fluoride treatment plan for your family.

Checkups

Regular visits to the dental offices near you are vital in maintaining good oral health. Experts recommend that you schedule two dental appointments annually. Professional dentists can easily detect problems in the early stages before they advance into something serious. An experienced family dentist will also treat the mouth areas that you don’t reach through regular brushing.