You bite into your favourite ice-cream dessert and a sharp shooting pain travels from your tooth up the side of your head. If it’s not the first time pain has emanated from a certain tooth,  you may feel nervous chewing certain foods or drinking anything too hot or too cold. Waiting on tenterhooks for the next bout of discomfort, you’re left wondering if the increasing sensitivity is something to worry about and if a trip to the dentist is needed. Well, no tooth discomfort should go undiagnosed —  especially if pain is gradually increasing and the tooth is becoming increasingly responsive to various stimuli.

Why Do Teeth Become Sensitive?

Tooth sensitivity is usually a condition that is associated with people over the age of forty – when years of clenching and grinding, extensive dental treatment, and general wear and tear have caused the protective layer of enamel to become thin, or in many cases to no longer cover the entire tooth. The neck of the tooth – the part where the root meets the crown, is particularly susceptible to the rigors of biting, chewing, grinding, and, of course, the bacterial destruction of plaque that commonly gathers at this location. Thinning of enamel or the complete loss of tissue in this area makes a tooth particularly sensitive as it is close to the nerve of the tooth, with only a layer of dentin for protection.

How To Treat Sensitive Teeth

Early intervention is recommended to prevent and control tooth sensitivity. Reducing exposure to acidic food and drink that speeds up the loss of enamel is essential to controlling a tooth’s reaction to stimuli. Because the thinning and erosion of enamel also increases a tooth’s risk for dental decay – staying away from acids in sodas, lemons, vinegars, and certain candy will help prevent the further destruction of tissue and lower the incidence of associated pain and discomfort. Your dentist may offer desensitizing treatments that help to harden and re-strengthen existing layers of enamel. This creates a barrier against temperature and food, and it provides teeth with a defense against decay. When tooth sensitivity is extreme and shows no sign of dissipating more definitive treatment may be provided to permanently address the condition.

If tooth sensitivity is causing you pain or discomfort, contact the team at Discover Dental today online or at (403) 285-0222

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Smiles are as unique as our fingerprints and no two people present with the same bite. The uniqueness of our pearly whites can be a blessing for some and a curse for others, as crooked teeth that appear darker in colour can be the unique characteristic that plagues some patients. Correcting minor imperfections such as colour and mild tooth misalignment doesn’t always have to be a lengthy or costly endeavour as modern cosmetic dental treatments are able to instantly mask undesirable characteristics that detract from a smile.

Dental Veneers – Improving Smile Aesthetics

Not everyone is blessed with whiter-than-white teeth that line up perfectly. In fact, based on the amount of orthodontics worn by teenagers and adults, it may be fair to say that the perfect smile often has to be created with the assistance of dental treatment. But, while orthodontics only fixes a bad bite and crooked placement, dental veneers are able to improve the shape, size, position, and colour of teeth. In other words, veneers offer an affordable alternative to orthodontics for improving a smile without all the wires and brackets.

What are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are paper-thin porcelain or ceramic shells that fit over the surface of anterior (front and canine) teeth. The porcelain creates a more uniformed look by balancing colour imperfections along with shape, size, and angle of the teeth. Primarily considered to be used for cosmetic purposes, dental veneers can actually improve bite imperfections by restoring length to teeth that are shorter due to positioning or trauma to dental tissue. Having an even bite also improves tooth-to-tooth function and assists with biting and chewing of food.

Porcelain Veneers Provide a Conservative Treatment Option

While the cosmetic benefits of veneers shouldn’t be overlooked, they also offer another benefit: their conservative nature. Unlike a dental crown, which requires more significant preparation of natural tooth structure, the thinness of a dental veneer means that it can be adhered directly to a tooth with minimum removal of natural tissue. Often, your dentist will merely roughen the enamel to enable the veneer to be cemented. This means more natural tooth structure can remain, and in the future, your dental treatment options won’t be limited.

Dental Veneers can be a great option for patients wanting to improve their smile and can be completed in just a couple of appointments.  If the colour, shape, or position of front teeth are causing you to frown, talk to the General Dentists at Discover Dental about veneers or call us at (403) 285-0222.

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Silver Fillings – Saying Goodbye to an Old Tradition

Patients over the age of forty may have, or have had a silver filling or two over the years.  Once a highly used restorative material – amalgam or silver fillings no longer claim top shelf with patients or dentists due to the availability of more esthetically suitable and less controversial materials.  Silver fillings have become controversial in recent decades and for more than one reason.  Considered bio-hazardous waste, you do have to question whether it belongs in the body – add to the controversy the material’s unique ability to expand and contract with varying temperatures.  It’s the expansion of the material that causes the walls of a tooth to become stressed and over time be more at risk for breaking.  Now throw a cherry on the top and consider the color of silver fillings – not exactly a great cosmetic option!  There may be many reasons to want to replace old silver fillings – but is there a time when you need to replace them?

Nothing Lasts Forever – Even Silver Fillings

Though amalgam restorations are incredibly strong and durable – even they have an expiration date.  Interestingly, sometimes it’s the tooth that gives out prior to the material failing – this is due to the weakening impact amalgam can have on teeth as it expands.  But even if your teeth are fully intact – replacing silver fillings is recommended when they develop pits and cracks and show signs of the margins no longer ‘fitting the tooth’.  If your dentist can catch the margin of an amalgam filling with an explorer it’s time to consider replacing the material – as bacteria can seep in to margins and cracks and cause decay to form under and around the filling.

Regular dental exams are the perfect opportunity for your NE Calgary Dentist to check your existing fillings and make any recommendations for replacement.  If silver fillings are intact and not showing signs of wear it may be best to leave them alone – unless you are bothered by their color – in which case you can consider replacement with a tooth colored material.

Wondering if your silver fillings need replacing?  Talk to the General Dentists at Discover Dental today 403.285.0222

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Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Here’s a little secret – when it comes to Teeth Whitening it’s probably the most performed treatment amongst dental personnel.  Yep; dental hygienists, assistants, administrators and dentists all turn to the transformative effects that a simple tray of whitening gel can provide.  If it’s safe for your Calgary Dental team, then you can feel confident about choosing this option for improving your smile.  Manufacturers of Teeth Whitening solutions have been improving ingredients and effectiveness of their products since the availability of bleaching solutions hit the market in the ‘80s – making today’s products some of the fastest, most comfortable systems to use.  Consisting of ingredients that act as buffers that prevent Tooth Sensitivity; whitening your teeth has never been so easy, affordable and fun!

How Do You Whiten Teeth?

There are a couple of methods available for whitening teeth – in-chair method and at-home method.  Each method provides different advantages that may make one more appealing over the other.  For example, in-chair teeth whitening is fast, with some patients achieving up to six shades whiter in just one session.  Though this method is incredibly fast, patients may report tooth sensitivity.  At-home teeth whitening isn’t as quick to achieve the desired result, but it tends not to cause the same degree of tooth sensitivity, if used appropriately.  NE Calgary Family Dentists at Discover Dental in Falconridge provide patients with home whitening kits – that enable patients to gain a whiter smile in the comfort of their own homes.  A home teeth whitening kit consists of custom trays, whitening gel and a shade guide that lets a patient track how white teeth become.  The process consists of placing a small amount of the whitening gel in each tray and wearing the top and bottom tray anywhere from one to seven hours – depending on the specific kit.

Does Whitening Gel Work on All Teeth?

Most teeth respond well to whitening gel – with the exception of teeth that have intrinsic staining.  Stains that are inside the tooth (intrinsic) don’t respond to the whitening gel as the gel isn’t powerful enough to penetrate through tooth enamel.  Surface stains from tobacco, coffee, wine and food are quickly removed – leaving a fresher, more youthful smile.

For more information on Teeth Whitening in Calgary or to make an appointment to see one of the General Dentists at Discover Dental – call today 403.285.0222

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Dentists at Discover Dental in NE Calgary have been bringing you the top 10 dental concerns – and this week it’s all about tooth decay and mouth sores.  Tooth decay is something Calgary Dentists witness on a regular basis – often it’s seen in young patients who haven’t quite mastered the technique of effective daily brushing – but too often it is an issue that affects adult patients and can be extreme in some cases.

Tooth decay in adults is usually the result of a lack of regular brushing and flossing.  When plaque and calculus are allowed to build-up on tooth surfaces the amount of bacteria present in the mouth also increases.  There are always some bacteria present in the mouth; but when unhealthy levels of bacteria exist the risk of tooth decay – or cavities – is heightened due to the increased acid formation.  In order for a cavity to form there has to be plaque (made up of bacteria) and sugars (carbohydrates).  When the bacteria in plaque and sugars in our food combine, the by-product is acid; and it’s this acid that destroys tooth tissue which leads to the development of a cavity.  Every time you eat sugary food an acid-attack occurs, lasting approximately twenty minutes, and intensifying the risk of developing tooth decay.  Failing to brush and floss daily causes plaque to remain on tooth surfaces and available bacteria to react with food.  Dentists in NE Calgary stress the importance of good home care to avoid not only tooth decay – but tooth loss – as it is not uncommon for adults to lose teeth prematurely as a result of decayed teeth.

Discover Dental Dentists have been sharing the top 10 dental concerns for adults – bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay, and now mouth sores. Mouth sores consist of canker and cold sores, leukoplakia, erythroplakia, lichen planus, candidiasis, and oral cancers. Many sores that appear in or around the mouth are a response to an irritant, such as an ill-fitting denture, orthodontic wire, tobacco product, or allergy.  Canker sores can be incredibly painful but they are not contagious or precancerous. Over the counter medication may provide some relief from the discomfort, but these annoying sores will heal in time.  Cold sores are often brought on as a response to a stressor – be it physical or emotional.  Unlike canker sores – cold sores are contagious and are easily spread through kissing, sharing a cup or bottle, or by direct touching.  Anti-viral medication is usually prescribed to prevent or handle a cold sore occurrence.  If you have a cold sore and are scheduled to see your Calgary Dentist for treatment – informing your Calgary Dental office is recommended as treatment may have to be rescheduled.

NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental check for mouth sores and screen for oral cancers during your routine dental check-up.  Maintaining regular visits to your Calgary Dentist not only keeps your teeth healthy but presents an opportunity for your dentist to check for precancerous lesions.  Don’t neglect your dental health as it may affect your overall health – many diseases are discovered by dentists during regular exams – if you are due for a routine exam call Discover Dental today 403.285.0222

Follow our blog in the coming weeks to learn more about Dental Emergencies and Tooth Sensitivity 

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Dentists at Discover Dental in NE Calgary are focused on providing patients with information that will improve their dental health.  During a dental appointment it is common for patients to experience some anxiety – which makes retaining dental information challenging.  That’s why this group of NE Calgary Dentists make sure accurate material is available to patients 24/7 through web and blog content.

Maintaining good oral health is not easy for everyone.  Some individuals are plagued with dental concerns from the moment teeth appear – possibly due to genetics, diet, physical health, or injury.  Preventing dental issues always starts with excellent home care – brushing and flossing daily, and seeing your dentist for regular exams and cleanings.  However, regardless of how hard we try to keep our teeth in tip-top condition problems can arise.  Here’s a list of the top 10 dental concerns – and tips on how to prevent them.

Bad Breath– this is the number one dental concern.  Let’s face it, we’re all self-conscious of our breath after a garlicky meal, or have wondered how to pluck up the courage to let our co-worker know they need a breath mint – bad breath affects everyone at some stage of life – but living with it day after day suggests there is a need to address this embarrassing predicament.  Over the counter mouthwashes, mints, and gum are merely a short-term solution – these products mask the odor but are not able to address the cause of it.  Bad breath is usually caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth as a result of poor home care.  Lack of daily brushing and flossing causes food particles to remain trapped between teeth and stuck to the surface of the tongue. The decaying food particles react to the bacteria already present in the mouth – releasing an unpleasant odor.  The bacteria and food particles increase the formation of plaque on tooth surfaces – which if not removed by brushing also contributes to bad breath and causes gums to become inflamed – which results in more places for food to get trapped.  There’s no other way to say it – Brushing and Flossing are the vital step in creating and maintaining a healthy dentition.  When you brush and floss, plaque is removed from the surfaces of teeth.  When plaque is removed, bacteria are reduced – and a healthier dental environment is created.

Gum Disease– is the number two dental concern that affects adults.  Above we mentioned the importance of daily brushing and flossing – so it won’t come as a surprise to learn that the second dental concern after bad breath is gum disease – as it’s a natural progression to go from having inflamed gums and moderate plaque and calculus to more significant gum recession and heavy build-up of calculus.  NE Calgary Dentists hate to nag their patients about the value of regular cleanings – but the reality is that when dental care is neglected a patient’s entire health system is affected.  You may have read about the increase risk of heart attack associated with gum disease (periodontal disease) due to the high levels of bacteria present in a patient’s mouth – increasing inflammation throughout the body.

General Dentists at Discover Dental in NE Calgary aim to improve the dental health of each and every patient – if you experiencing bad breath or have gum disease, call them today to schedule an appointment – 403.285.0222

Follow our blog in the coming weeks to learn more about the top 10 dental concerns – and what you can do to prevent them.

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“For every decrease in number of teeth, researchers observed increasing levels of Lp-PLA2, an enzyme that increases inflammation and promotes hardening of the arteries, as well as an increase in other cardiac risk markers including LDL or “bad” cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and waist circumference. Participants with fewer teeth also had higher probability of having diabetes, with the odds increasing by 11 percent for every decrease in number of teeth category.”

To read more about this story, click here.

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Fun facts are always a great way to start your day, so we have done a little bit of research to find you some interesting ones.

Did you know that no two people have the same identical set of teach. This makes your teeth just as unique as a your fingerprint or a snowflake.

Also, did you know that in your lifetime, your mouth produces over 25,000 quarts of saliva? That’s enough to fill two swimming pools, incredible!

Lastly, did you know that only two thirds of your tooth are visible? This means that, one third of your tooth is actually hidden under your gums.

To read more fun facts, click here

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NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental explain that a root canal is needed when the nerve of the tooth is damaged – causing the nerve, or pulp, to break down and bacteria begin to form in the pulp chamber.  A root canal involves removing the decayed pulp and all traces of infection – sealing the canals – and then placing a permanent restoration on the tooth.  It’s important to stress that a tooth that has had root canal therapy is no longer vital – meaning there is no longer blood supply going to the tooth – so the tooth becomes dry and brittle over time and becomes susceptible to breakage.  Even though the tooth ‘feels’ great after a root canal – it’ important to follow-up with the final restoration to ensure the tooth is properly protected.

Placing a crown on a root canaled tooth is often required to help protect the tooth from further damage.  Root canaled teeth are no longer receiving any nutrients due to the removal of blood supply; consequently they become fragile over time and are prone to fracturing – placing a crown provides necessary support and protection to the treated tooth.  Calgary General Dentists at Discover Dental advise patients on the many advantages of not waiting too long before placing a crown on a tooth that has been endodontically treated.  These Calgary Dentists stress the importance of placing a crown on a back tooth (molar) following root canal therapy as molars can have a lot of stress put on them when biting, chewing, clenching, and grinding.  Once your Calgary Dentist has established that root canal treatment was successful – usually within a couple of months – you can make an appointment for the final restoration.  Don’t forget to follow-up with this vital step as though your tooth is now pain free and feeling like normal – there may be only a temporary filling sealing the tooth.  This type of filling material is not designed to last long-term as can start to crumble and fall out of the tooth.  Moving forward with a permanent filling or crown will prevent further trauma to the tooth and ensure the tooth has every chance for long-term retention.

Dr’s Dhesi, Jandu, Dhillon and Minhas encourage patients to contact them to discuss the need to place a permanent restoration on a tooth that has been endodontically treated.  Providing restorative solutions that are cosmetically pleasing allows this team of NE Calgary Dentists to have patients smiling in no time.  If you have had a root canal and need to place a permanent restoration on the tooth – contact these Calgary Dentists today – 403.285.0222

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NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental are excited to share the many benefits of teeth whitening.

Stained Teeth in Calgary
For some patients their teeth are stained due to taking certain medications, such as Tetracycline.  As much as a patient may try to whiten their teeth with toothpaste, due to the nature of the stain – it’s beyond the surface of the tooth – a stronger bleaching option is required to lighten the staining.  Even teeth that have been exposed to a little too much coffee and red wine benefits from the fast and effective whitening a Home Bleaching Kit provides.
Teeth Whitening in Calgary is one of them most sought after cosmetic procedures.  The result can be dramatic – whitening teeth several shades – and providing the perfect pre-treatment step in preparation for replacing existing Crowns, Bridges and White Fillings.  As the whitening solution only works on tooth enamel – existing dentistry will not lighten in colour – so keep this in mind before committing to any type of teeth whitening application.

Teeth Whitening can be an effective option for patients in Calgary whose teeth have Fluorosis – this is where teeth have a mottled appearance due to exposure to too much Fluoride during tooth development.  This condition does not respond to regular cleanings with your hygienist, as the staining is within the tooth structure.  Bleaching the teeth will lighten the non-mottled parts of teeth – creating a uniform appearance.

NE Calgary Dentists see great results when patients who have naturally yellow teeth whiten their teeth.  Not everyone is born with bright white teeth – and like other aspects of aging, teeth tend to darken as we age.  But no one has to be stuck with dark, yellow teeth.  In just one hour a day – usually two thirty minute sessions – patients can whiten their teeth several shades in just a matter of weeks.  The ease of using a Home Teeth Whitening Kit allows patients to create a more youthful appearance in the comfort of their home.

How Easy is Teeth Whitening in Calgary?
Dentists at Discover Dental in Calgary can have you smiling brightly in just a couple of appointments.  An impression is taken of your teeth at the first appointment – then custom top and bottom trays are fabricated to fit your teeth perfectly.  It’s important that bleaching trays fit correctly so that all teeth benefit from the bleaching effect – customization is lacking with store bought products so the end result will not be as dramatic.  At your second appointment your NE Calgary dentist will have you try your new bleaching trays in to ensure proper fit.  You will be given instructions on how to apply the bleaching gel and how long to keep the teeth whitening solution in.  Sometimes patients will experience some tooth sensitivity when whitening their teeth.  This is a normal side effect of the bleaching effect – and it lets us know that the whitening solution is working.

Dentists at Discover Dental are excited to help patients achieve the best smile they can and welcome your enquiries regarding Teeth Whitening in Calgary or any other Cosmetic Dental procedure.  Options are available to whiten and brighten dark, stained, yellow teeth.  Call today to discover how these NE Calgary Dentists can help.

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