You may be wondering what the connection is between sinuses and tooth discomfort. The reality is that when it comes to teeth in the upper arch, they can be incredibly close to the sinuses. This close proximity makes diagnosing any form of discomfort or pain a little tricky, as radiating pain from sinuses (or teeth) can confuse where the main source of discomfort is originating. So what should you do if you’re suffering an ongoing toothache for a few days, and you need to know if it’s the tooth or your sinus that’s the problem?

Roots of Upper Teeth and Sinuses

Understanding how close the roots of your upper molars are to specific sinus cavities makes it far easier to grasp the link between sinus issues and accompanying tooth pain. Canadians suffering from a head cold, especially in winter months when air dryness accentuates an already uncomfortable condition, frequently report a general dull discomfort from upper molars. Chewing and biting can become so painful that some may even try to avoid eating solids.

The problem is the force of the molars coming together makes the roots press into the surrounding tissue – tissue that is inflamed due to a sinus infection or head cold. And tooth pain relating to sinus issues isn’t just triggered during chewing. The buildup of pressure in the sinus causes nerves that enter and end at the tip of a tooth’s root to feel as though there is pressure lying over them. This results in a continuous dull ache that may only be remedied by taking a cold and sinus medication.

But What if the Problem is Your Tooth?

If you haven’t been suffering from a head cold or sinus infection, chances are that the discomfort you’re experiencing from an upper tooth may be directly connected to the health of the tooth. A sharp shooting pain that leaves you avoiding hot or cold foods or drinks usually indicates that a tooth is in distress, especially if the pain is becoming more pronounced and frequent. Unlike the dull, annoying toothache associated with sinus problems, pain that is related to tooth vitality can be very pronounced. Many patients wake up at night, and the pain becomes worse as days progress.

Any tooth or mouth pain should always be checked by your Calgary Dentist to rule out infection, cracks, and decay. Ignoring tooth discomfort rarely makes it go away, and it can in fact, prevent you from receiving the treatment you need. Dealing with a toothache? Call Discover Dental today at (403) 285-0222

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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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According to the Canadian Dental Association, “good oral health contributes positively to your physical, mental, and social well-being and to the enjoyment of life’s possibilities, by allowing you to speak, eat, and socialize unhindered by pain, discomfort, or embarrassment.” The benefits of good oral health is exponentially witnessed during and after the process of straightening teeth. As symptoms associated with crooked and crowded teeth begin to diminish and the signs of increased health are observed, Canadians can be seen taking more pride in their appearance and feeling more confident. If you’ve been thinking that straightening teeth is all about beauty, you’ll be pleased to discover that the benefits of preferred tooth alignment are far reaching and go beyond the aesthetics of a smile.

Straight Teeth Don’t Just Look Good

The benefits of having properly aligned teeth go beyond a pretty smile; the entire dental system is impacted by a person’s bite, and it can be compromised in all areas when teeth and jaws don’t work well together. Dental health concerns such as jaw joint discomfort, gum recession, bone loss and excessive tooth wear are frequently noted in a mouth where tooth-to-tooth and jaw-to-jaw relationships are not ideal and result from imbalanced force and stress being exerted. Gum recession is often thought of as an “old person’s” disease and primarily associated with bacterial activity or toothbrush abrasion, but the reality is that when teeth are crooked and top and bottom teeth don’t interdigitate normally, gum; bone; joints; and teeth all suffer the consequences of a bad bite. Straightening teeth not only creates a more uniform smile that creates better facial symmetry and a more youthful appearance, but the process also aids in correcting other dental concerns caused by poor tooth alignment.

Straight Teeth Help Prevent Dental Decay

Along with improved gum health and the added comfort experienced from teeth working optimally within a system, there is another huge advantage that presents when teeth are straight: a reduction in the risk of dental decay. Canadians with crooked, overlapping teeth need to work extra hard to keep their smiles clean because their crooked teeth quickly trap food and plaque – creating the perfect environment for decay to form.  When teeth are straightened and are in good alignment, they exhibit self-cleansing attributes as food particles are easily rinsed away with water or the eating of an apple, and brushing and flossing becomes more efficient and effective – further reducing the risk of decay. But don’t take that as an excuse to stop brushing once your teeth are straight!

Straight teeth do make for a lovely smile, but they also help keep a mouth healthy. Interested in straightening your teeth? Talk to the General Dentists at Discover Dental today and ask about an Invisalign® consultation.

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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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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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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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Do You Still Need Your Teeth Cleaned During Invisalign®?

Invisalign® Clear Removable Aligners really are a great orthodontic system that teenagers and adults turn to for a beautiful healthy smile.  The fact that they are removable is a huge bonus for orthodontic patients – as eating your favorite food can continue throughout treatment.  The hype around the convenience of Invisalign® may however dilute the message of having to still maintain regular dental care during ortho.  Just because aligners can be removed and brushing and flossing remains a normal practice doesn’t mean you get to skip your regular cleanings with your dental team.  Wearing any sort of oral appliance increases the production of bacteria and plaque – making your teeth more susceptible to cavities.  Maintaining routine cleanings will not only keep your teeth dazzling white, it will also remove deposits of plaque and help keep your smile cavity free.

Cleaning Your Invisalign® Aligners

Just like teeth are covered with oral bacteria – so are your aligners.  Taking them out to clean them is essential to the health of your teeth and the condition of the aligners.  If they smell a little funky it is usually an indication that they are in need of some TLC – so if you’re using the Invisalign® cleaning system don’t forget to clean your trays on a regular basis – just fifteen minutes in the container with some crystals and your aligners look good as new.  Your Calgary Dentist may have given you specific instructions on how to care for your Invisalign® Aligners – following these directions will ensure that your aligners are clean and kept in good condition.  If you aligners are clean – your teeth are going to have less exposure to food particles – decreasing your risk of dental decay.

Interested in straightening your teeth with Invisalign® or need more information on caring for your aligners – contact the team at Discover Dental today 403.285.0222

All procedures performed by General Dentists

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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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