Seeing your NE Calgary Dentist and Hygienist for routine exams and cleanings throughout your pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for your health – and the health of your unborn child.  According to Public Health Agency of Canada

“Taking care of your teeth and gums is very important when you are pregnant.

 Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase your risk of developing periodontal (gum and bone) disease.

 Poor oral health may also affect the health of your developing baby.”

A pregnant woman who has periodontal disease is at risk of delivering her baby prematurely and of the baby presenting with a low birth weight.  For several years the link between infection and pre-term delivery has been the focus of research.  It has been long been established that urinary tract infections can cause a woman to go in to premature labor due to causing a rapid increase in biological fluids that normally induce labor. Researchers suspect that the bacterial infection that is present when a woman has periodontal disease causes the same increase in biological fluids and risk for pre-term delivery.  Periodontal disease isn’t something that should be ignored at any stage of life – but during pregnancy swift attention and intervention is required to ensure that the levels of bacteria are reduced and tissue health is restored.  

Regular trips to your Calgary Dentist is recommended throughout your pregnancy as consistent monitoring of teeth, gums, and bone levels provides a Calgary Dental Team the opportunity to intervene if a patient’s dental health is compromised.  The change in hormone levels during pregnancy causes gum tissue to react in an exaggerated manner to the increased formation of plaque.  If you have a mild case of gingivitis prior to getting pregnant the likely-hood is high of it becoming worse as your pregnancy advances – so don’t delay seeing your Dentist at Discover Dental in NE Calgary to remove all existing deposits of plaque and calculus – and to establish the frequency of dental cleanings needed during your pregnancy. 

NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental in Falconridge stress the importance of women maintaining regular cleanings and dental exams while pregnant.  Advancement in dental technology and procedures makes it safe for Mom (and baby) to be in the dental chair and have some routine procedures performed.   If you’re pregnant, or thinking of getting pregnant, schedule an appointment at Discover Dental to make sure your dental health is in optimum condition.  Discover Dental is a General Dental practice in NE Calgary providing a range of services from teeth cleanings, x-rays, exams, to restorative procedures and cosmetic dentistry.  Contact them today 403.285.0222

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So you’re probably feeling better that you’re not alone when it comes to avoiding dental appointments in Calgary – but why avoid necessary dental procedures when options are available for controlling irrational fear associated with a trip to your NE Calgary Dentist?  General Dentists in Falconridge NE Calgary are aware of the level of anxiety some patients experience when preparing to see the dentist.  In order to help patients maintain regular dental visits – this group of NE Calgary Dentists provide Sedation Dentistry as a safe and helpful option to patients who would otherwise avoid dental appointments.

Sedation Dentistry or Sleep Dentistry as it’s referred to in the industry, has been allowing nervous dental patients to proceed with dental treatment they would normally have put off due to extreme levels of anxiety.  Safe, efficient, and cost effective, Sedation Dentistry has literally enabled patients to complete multiple dental appointments in a relaxed, calm state.  Wondering how Sedation Dentistry works? What’s important to mention is that it’s not for everyone – patients who are taking certain medications, or who have particular health issues, are not candidates for Sleep Dentistry due to potential complications.  Once it’s established that Sleep Dentistry is for you – it involves taking a prescribed medication in pill form prior to your appointment – the amnesic effect of the medication means you won’t have any recollection of discomfort or fear – but you do remain conscious at all times and responsive to the dentist’s and staffs requests.  And for those patients who require a little heavier sedation – Discover Dental provides IV Sedation.  Regardless of what type of Sedation Dentistry you elect, you are considered impaired and therefore require someone to bring you to your dental appointment – pick you up – and stay with you for the rest of the day.

Discover Dentists in NE Calgary welcome patients enquiries regarding the many benefits associated with Sleep Dentistry – and are happy to provide a consultation to determine if you are a suitable candidate.  Providing dental services that include Preventative Cleanings – Cosmetic Dentistry – Invisalign and Damon Braces – Restorative Procedures – all services are performed by General Dentists.  Call today and discover just how easy your next dental appointment can be 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 

The post Tooth Decay and Mouth Sores in Calgary appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

In an article by TVOParents, they list several great tips for parents to help improve dental care for babies and children such as:

“Clean Teeth Tips:

• Young children depend on their parents to clean their teeth properly
• Children under the age of three need adults to brush their teeth for them
• Children aged 3-6 should be helped to brush their teeth by a grown-up
• When children can write (not print) their own name, they are ready to brush their teeth on their own, however, parents should still check to see they do a good job
• Change your child’s toothbrush every one to three months and after every illness
• Let your child watch you brushing your teeth to help them learn how and to teach the importance of dental health
• Sugary drinks and snacks are a major culprit in rising rates of child tooth decay, so help your child to eat more healthy snacks and drink tap water (which contains fluoride)”

To read more of the article, click here

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