How Hormones Impact Dental Health

Many women joke about having to deal with physical and emotional changes brought on by surging or plunging hormones — regardless of whether they’re pregnant or not. So what’s so unique about pregnancy hormones and dental health? Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone cause the tiny blood vessels in gums to dilate and become more engorged with blood supply. This extra blood causes gums to become swollen and sensitive to the slightest pressure or touch. The increased vascular flow also makes gums more sensitive to the irritating properties of dental plaque (bacteria). Unfortunately, this often leads to a condition referred to as ‘pregnancy gingivitis’ where gums bleed easily when being flossed or brushed.

What Can You Do To Keep Your Smile Healthy During Pregnancy?

Increased hormone levels aren’t responsible for causing all the trouble in a pregnant woman’s mouth.  Plaque also plays a significant role in the formation and worsening of poor oral health, and usually, plaque is present prior to a woman discovering she’s expecting. Ensuring a healthy pregnancy starts before conception, and increased visits to the dentist for professional cleanings are highly recommended to reduce plaque levels and the presence of harmful bacteria. It’s also common for women to need more frequent cleanings during pregnancy — especially if puffy, swollen gums are a concern. Increasing the frequency of cleanings ensures that irritating bacteria won’t cause high levels of gum inflammation, so you can avoid serious issues like the destructive gum disease called periodontitis.

But What Has Swollen Gums Got To Do With Your Baby?

It’s all about inflammation and bacteria. Inflamed gums are indicative of inflammation throughout the body, and the bacteria that causes gum irritation can enter the bloodstream and travel around your body, lowering your immune system and putting organs under additional stress.  A healthy mouth before and during pregnancy also helps prevent premature birth and low birth-weight, which helps a child have the best chance at great health.

Are you expecting an addition to your family? Whether you’re planning on conceiving or already pregnant, it’s time to give your teeth and oral health the extra attention they need.

Contact the team at Discover Dental today at 403-285.0222

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What’s so Bad About Mouth Breathing?

Have you ever watched your child when they are concentrating on colouring or reading and noticed that their lips were parted slightly? Or, when you’ve checked on your child at night, were they breathing through their mouth or their nose?  Though it may not sound like a serious concern, mouth breathing can influence the facial growth and development of a child, it can hurt speech development, and prevent proper arch formation.  As innocent as it may appear, mouth breathing in a child shouldn’t be ignored. And it isn’t just teeth and gums that suffer from this habit! The entire dental and skeletal system can be negatively impacted.  Mouth breathing may also be due to an obstruction in a child’s airway, so a medical appointment is always recommended to rule out any physical ailment.

How a Child’s Facial Growth can Impact Tooth Alignment.

The reason why mouth breathing and other oral habits like thumb and finger sucking require attention is due to the effects they have on a child’s facial growth.  Children who develop habits that keep the mouth open tend to have narrower upper palates, flatter facial features, and develop a longer face.  Facial muscle positioning is also affected by the position of the mouth and can develop in a manner that does not support the desired skeletal development.

How Does a Dentist Check For Mouth Breathing?

Establishing that a child is a dominant mouth breather is easy.  We simply ask your child to keep their mouth closed and breathe through their nose for two full minutes. It doesn’t take long to discover if they rely on the mouth as an airway.  Plus, there are other physical signs that indicate to a dentist that mouth breathing or other oral habit exists.  Misalignment of the top front teeth and a narrow palate is often a giveaway sign of finger or thumb sucking. You see, the pressure from the finger or thumb creates a higher, narrower arch and causes teeth at the front of the mouth to flare.

Helping a young child learn how to brush and floss their teeth is only part of the care a dentist provides.  From cavity protection to monitoring healthy facial development – your Calgary family dentist wants to protect your child’s smile.

Discover Dental in NE Calgary is a General Dental Practice that welcomes patients of all ages. Call us today at (403) 285-0222 to book your appointment.

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How Can Sedation Dentistry Help You?

From treatment that sounds scary to routine procedures that you find hard to tackle – Conscious Oral Sedation and Nitrous (laughing gas) are forms of sedation that enable you to remain conscious throughout the procedure, but in a relaxed calm state that helps you complete dental treatment you may otherwise ignore.  Everyone gets a few nerves when faced with sitting in a dental chair for treatment – and some patients have an ability to talk themselves out of any anxious moments.  But for some patients’ anxiety can hit hard – making them feel overwhelmed with fear that induces physical responses like nausea, dizziness and a sense of panic.  NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental in Falconridge want patients to know of options available that can help them overcome dental jitters so that major or routine appointments are easy to complete.

How Does Sedation Dentistry Work?

Conscious Oral Sedation involves taking medication prior to your dental appointment.  Once you have shared your up-to-date medical history with your dentist and it has been established that you are a suitable candidate for Sedation Dentistry then a prescription for a sedative will be prescribed.  The medication may be given in pill or liquid form and is usually taken one hour prior to your appointment.  It’s important to mention that you are considered impaired when taking sedation medication and therefore need someone to drive you to your appointment and drive you home and supervise you if necessary.  Sedation Dentistry works by slowing the central nervous system – making a person less responsive to smells, sounds and other physical stimuli – often with a slight amnesic affect which prevents patients from remembering what they deem to feel is unpleasant.

Are you nervous to visit the dentist – do you cancel dental appointments because of fear – do you have dental treatment that needs to be completed?  Contact the team at Discover Dental today 403.285.0222

All procedures performed by General Dentists – Welcoming New Patients.

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Teeth Cleanings Control Plaque and Bacteria

Dirty teeth really can cause problems for surrounding gum tissue and enamel.  It’s not just the food debris, trapped between teeth, but the levels of plaque that are left to build on tooth surfaces.  Plaque is a sticky film that coats teeth, making them appear yellowish in color.  The problem with plaque is that it contains bacteria that feed on remnants of carbohydrates in the mouth – releasing toxins that not only irritate gum tissue but weaken tooth structure enabling dental decay to form.  Without effective homecare and regular trips to the dentist to remove plaque deposits a mouth soon becomes an inflamed and decaying mess – that is prone to bad breath and infections and leads to inflammation throughout the body.

What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?

NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental in Falconridge encourage patients to maintain regular exams and cleanings to prevent more serious dental health issues.  During a dental cleaning, deposits of plaque and calculus (hard deposit of bacteria) are removed from tooth surfaces and from below the gum line.  Plaque can get trapped between teeth, at the back of molars and under gum tissue – enabling bacteria to hide-out in hard to reach places.  But during a dental cleaning the hygienist uses tools designed specifically to access these hard to reach areas – so food debris, plaque and calculus are effectively removed.  Even the most diligent of brushers and flossers can’t remove every trace of plaque and bacteria as the size of a toothbrush head can mean some areas of the mouth get overlooked.  And for those who have to deal with crooked teeth that are even harder to keep clean due to the tricky angles of certain teeth – seeing a hygienist regularly will help keep your teeth and gum tissue in good shape.

Still not convinced about the value of regular cleanings?  Contact the team at Discover Dental today 403.285.0222

Welcoming New Patients – All procedures performed by General Dentists

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What Are Lumineers®?

Imagine something as delicate as a contact lens but with the strength of porcelain.  That’s the beauty of Lumineers® – veneers that are paper-thin; able to create a smile that resembles natural tooth structure and color but with durability to provide essential function.  The other benefit of Lumineers® is their ability to transform a smile with minimal preparation of the natural tooth.  This means that the natural tooth doesn’t have to be reduced dramatically – a step that is very common when placing a dental crown or more traditional veneer.  With Lumineers® a tooth may require the surface being roughened slightly – enabling the veneer to be cemented in place.  Patients who have a tooth that is out of alignment slightly; maybe a little further back than other teeth or a tad shorter are great candidates for veneers as in placing the dental restoration a straighter, fuller smile is created.

The Advantages of Lumineers®

General Dentists at Discover Dental in the community of Falconridge NE Calgary can attest to the many advantages Lumineers® offer patients who are looking for a more esthetically pleasing smile.  Smiles are as unique as our thumbprint which means that shape, size and alignment differs greatly between patients.  What every patient does have in common is the desire to have their best possible smile – and that can be achieved using different restorative or orthodontic methods.  Lumineers® is a restorative option that can create the appearance of straight white teeth in just two appointments.  Developed by Den-Mat Corporation these porcelain Cerinate veneers are a pain-free option for attaining a beautiful smile.  The conservative nature of placing these veneers means that no freezing is required and the minimal amount of tooth preparation translates to reduced tooth sensitivity and increased comfort.  Strong, durable and proven to last many years when properly cared for – Lumineers® are a great option for patients who have minor flaws like discoloration, slight misalignment and shape and size discrepancy.

Not happy with your smile?  Contact the General Dentists at Discover Dental today and find out if Lumineers® are right for you 403.285.0222

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Removing Wisdom Teeth

It’s normal to be a little nervous when facing any dental procedure – but Dental Extractions do seem to induce more trepidation compared to a regular dental cleaning.  The good news is that removing teeth is a straight forward treatment, commonly performed several times a day by General Dentists, Oral Surgeons and Periodontists.  Losing a tooth is never a happy occasion – but if the tooth is infected, fractured, decayed or causing damage to a person’s dental health – then removing the tooth is sometimes the best course of action.  When it comes to Removing Wisdom Teeth, these large 3rd molars that are located at the very back of the mouth, don’t always have enough room to fully erupt and can end up being more of a bother than a welcome addition.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

We’ve already mentioned that in some cases these large molars are just too big (or the mouth is too small) to erupt in to place.  When the eruption of wisdom teeth is hampered due to inadequate space they are known to push on molars in front of them – causing a domino effect where teeth start to tip or shift towards the front of the mouth.  When patients notice front teeth starting to move and become crooked – this can be because of wisdom teeth trying to erupt and literally pushing other teeth out of the way.  Removing wisdom teeth that are causing crowding protects an otherwise healthy bite and prevents significant damage being done to the roots of other molars.  Trying to keep teeth that don’t have enough room to erupt fully can lead to infection, decay and considerable amount of discomfort.

Does Everyone Need Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental in Falconridge acknowledge that not every patient requires their wisdom teeth to be extracted.  If the mouth can accommodate the eruption of these molars and a patient’s bite is not negatively influenced by additional teeth, then leaving these teeth in the mouth may be an option.  What is noted is that due to wisdom teeth being located at the back of the mouth; keeping these teeth clean can be challenging, and gum inflammation and decay is a common concern.

Need your Wisdom Teeth Extracted but want more information – contact Discover Dental today 403.285.0222

All procedures performed by General Dentists.

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Are You Thinking of Straightening Your Teeth?

General Dentists at Discover Dental in NE Calgary understand that reaching a decision to straighten your teeth can take time – as there’s many factors to take in to consideration – such as achieving the desired result, time involved in creating an improved smile and coming to terms with wearing an orthodontic system.  One of the exciting aspects of moving forward with orthodontic treatment, is knowing that systems have improved the esthetics, comfort and performance – no more train-track or metal mouths.  Manufacturers of orthodontic appliances understand patients’ goals of wanting to improve the look and function of their bites but in a discreet manner – without drawing attention to the fact that they are going through orthodontic treatment.

More Than One Orthodontic System

Regardless of your age or teeth straightening needs – NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental aim to provide orthodontic solutions that provide comfort and effectiveness with minimal noticeability.  As Certified Invisalign® and Damon® Clear providers – the team at Discover Dental acknowledge that not one system will be ideal for every orthodontic need – so being able to give patients options enables treatment goals to be met.  Invisalign® and Damon® Clear are proven teeth straightening systems that move teeth in to desired positions by applying force to specific teeth.  Invisalign® is known for its clear, removable aligners, making it an exciting option for patients who want maximum ease and comfort – and Damon® Clear incorporates the use of clear orthodontic brackets and micro fine wires to move teeth efficiently, with minimal inflammation of surrounding tissues.

Benefits of Straight Teeth

Having straight teeth and a beautiful smile might mean you receive compliments; but there are other benefits to straightening your teeth that goes beyond esthetics and consist of improved oral health due to ease of flossing and cleaning.  It’s hard to keep crooked teeth clean as food debris easily gets trapped between teeth – increasing gum inflammation and risk of dental decay.  Improving the alignment of teeth actually makes it easier to keep teeth clean.

For more information regarding Orthodontic Treatment at Discover Dental in Calgary – contact the team today 403.285.0222

All Procedures Performed by General Dentists

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Why Do I Clench and Grind My Teeth?

The habit of clenching and grinding often has an emotional component – meaning the stress you’re experiencing with your job, relationship, school or finances can instigate the tightening of muscles that result in teeth being clenched shut and/or being ground down. Now you may be reading this and thinking – ‘I love my life, I have zero stress and I still grind my teeth’ – and you wouldn’t be alone. For many patients the joy of life still can’t seem to prevent the inevitable habit of nightly grinding and daytime sessions of clenching. So what’s contributing to this habit? Your bite.

Why Do Crooked Teeth Make Me Grind?

Teeth that are out of alignment and in poor arch formation frequently feel the brunt of daily grinding. In an attempt to balance a bite and reduce perceived interferences that the brain has picked up, it’s not uncommon to enter a cycle of grinding. Patients who have obvious bite concerns that include poor relationship between top and bottom arches commonly report grinding that leaves sore facial muscles, tight neck and shoulder muscles and teeth that are flattened and worn. And it’s not just natural teeth that show the signs of clenching and grinding – crowns, bridges and fillings are also weakened due to the immense force that is exerted when teeth clench and grind.

Should I Wear a Night Guard?

Our general dentists want patients to know that there are solutions available that address the habit of grinding and protect teeth from further damage. Wearing a night guard can be a viable option for patients looking for comfort and protection, as these custom fit appliances act as a shield against stressors. Correcting bite imbalances with orthodontics or restorative treatment can also make a difference in how top and bottom teeth relate to one another – and can promote less muscle tension and joint discomfort.

Clenching and grinding of teeth doesn’t have to rob you of your smile – or your sanity! Contact us today!

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General Dentists at Discover Dental in NE Calgary hear patients express concern about needing a Root Canal.  This form of dental treatment is performed to save the tooth, as the only other option would be to extract the tooth in an attempt to remove infection, decay and the associated discomfort.

NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental explain that root canal therapy is a procedure that is required due to the nerve of the tooth dying.  The nerve, or pulp, of a tooth starts to die due to trauma or decay and becomes inflamed before eventually dying.  Once the nerve of the tooth has died, infection becomes a concern as bacteria feed off the dead nerve, possibly leading to an abscess (localized collection of puss) forming at the tip of the root. Patients often express their shock at learning that their tooth has died because they are experiencing discomfort which makes them believe the tooth is very vital.  The discomfort comes from the pressure that has built up in the tooth, and then biting down puts force on the abscess.  A root canal alleviates the pain and discomfort almost immediately – and allows the tooth to remain in place.

Just like all areas of dentistry – technological advances and clinical training has enabled dentists to easily and effectively perform procedures that were once considered ‘dreaded appointments’ by patients.  Root Canal Therapy has seen its share of advances, leading to greater success rate and patient satisfaction.  One thing to mention is that once the nerve of a tooth has died, the tooth is no longer vital and over time becomes dry, brittle, and is at risk for fracturing.  The risk of fracture is easily prevented by placing a crown on the tooth once healing from the root canal is complete.  By placing a crown the tooth is protected and has a chance of lasting as long as a vital tooth.

Dentists at Discover Dental in NE Calgary work had to ensure that patients are aware of treatment options and solutions that will keep them healthy and happy.  For more information on Root Canal Therapy or to schedule an appointment – call Discover Dental today 403.285.0222

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NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental understand that for patients who experience dental anxiety, a routine dental appointment can seem daunting, so often making a dental appointment is avoided.  The fact is; many people suffer from dental phobias – ranging from extreme fear that prevents them from entering a dental office, to those individuals who get pre-appointment jitters but are able to soldier through treatment.  Being afraid of dental treatment is more common than you might think – but there are ways to handle dental anxiety so that even extensive appointments are stress-free.

General Dentists at Discover Dental in Falconridge offer nervous dental patients the option of Sedation Dentistry.  Sedation Dentistry isn’t something new to the world of dentistry – but has been trusted and used by dentists around the world for decades – providing patients with a safe, effective option that enables them to relax during dental appointments.  For many patients who suffer from nerves and dental anxiety the thought of having dental treatment is enough to cause extreme stress – resulting in missed dental appointments and untreated issues.  Unfortunately the fear of dental treatment prevents some patients from receiving needed care to address dental decay, infections, and other ailments.

Avoiding seeing your NE Calgary Dentist is not the solution for dental nerves – finding a dental office that provides Sedation Dentistry is a great way to move forward with treatment and overcome dental fears.  Sedation Dentistry, or Sleep Dentistry, can be administered in different forms – from Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), pill form, to IV Sedation.  One of the many advantages of Sedation Dentistry is that it allows a patient to remain conscious during treatment but in a completely relaxed state – no more aching jaw muscles or tight shoulders – only a relaxed and stress-free dental appointment.

NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental explain that dentistry that has been avoided for years can be completed in just a few appointments with the use of sedation – allowing a patient to regain a level of dental health while building confidence in their ability to handle dental treatment.  If you experience dental nervousness that results in avoiding the dentist – call Discover Dental today and find out if Sedation Dentistry is suitable for you.

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