NE Calgary Dentists – Dr’s Dhesi, Dhillon, Minhas and Chattha – make it a priority to share tips on how to keep your oral health in tip-top condition.  Obviously, visiting a Calgary Dentist regularly is a great start to maintaining healthy teeth and gums – but what about other influences like food choices – which foods help to keep your teeth shining bright, and which foods contribute to tooth decay and premature tooth loss?

When your nutrition is lacking your entire immune system is affected – leading to vulnerability to develop disorders such as periodontal disease.  Recent studies have discovered the correlation between systemic health and oral health; with conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease being directly affected by the condition of a person’s oral health.  Can you believe that there may be more bacteria in the mouth then people on earth!! Yikes – that’s motivation to go brush your teeth.  And though the large amount of bacteria found in an individual’s mouth seems alarming – not all of the bacteria is harmful.  Some bacteria is healthy and essential to destroying other harmful bacteria – the concern is when the balance between healthy and bad bacteria is lost – and lack of effective home care, dental cleanings, and good nutritional choices all contribute to raising the level of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Lack of good nutrition impacts every cell in the body – including teeth and gums – and bad food choices that are loaded with sugars and starch contributes to the formation of plaque and inflammation in the mouth.  When you eat starchy food you’re not just satisfying your own hunger pangs but the cravings of bacteria living in your mouth.  And when you have a late night snack sugary snack and then jump in to bed without brushing your teeth (you wouldn’t do that) the acid that is produced by plaque (bacteria), to break down the sugar on the teeth, eats away at enamel and weakens teeth.   Plaque also releases toxins that contribute to the destruction of gum tissue and bone – so brushing and flossing regularly along with eating less starchy, sugary food, and avoiding sugary drinks, is the first line of defense in keeping your mouth healthy.

Calgary General Dentists at Discover Dental in NE Calgary want you to make smart food choices not just for your dental health, but your overall health.  So, what should you be snacking on to keep your teeth healthy?  How about loading up on fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese and yoghurt, sugar-free gum, and drink plenty of water or green tea.  Green tea is rich in polyphenols – an antioxidant – which helps to break down bad bacteria in the mouth.

Discover Dental welcomes new patients and invites you to contact the office to schedule an appointment – 403.285.0222

The post Eating the Right Foods to Keep Your Teeth Healthy appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

An avulsed tooth is one that has simply been knocked out as the result of an accident. There are any number of ways this can happen, with on-the-job accidents, contact resulting from sports, and mishaps around the house being common causes.

Painful as they might be, the best scenario for an avulsed tooth is when it has come out relatively unharmed, meaning that it’s no longer in a patient’s mouth, but is structurally intact. In those situations, the avulsed tooth can often be re-inserted into the mouth by a Calgary dentist without serious long-term effects.

So, how do you deal with a knocked-out tooth? Here are some steps to follow immediately:

If dental care is not available, you can try to reinsert the tooth yourself. It’s important to note that the tooth should first be cleaned thoroughly with the person’s saliva, and not with any other substance. In addition, it’s helpful if the person can remove any blood that’s in the tooth socket – debris, dirt, and other foreign materials can cause abscess or infection.

If you can reach a dentist, clean the tooth and bring it into a Calgary dental office right away. While it’s okay to clean the tooth with bottled water, it’s best transported in a cup of milk if you can find one. Then, reach your Calgary dentist as quickly as you can, and even phone them on the way over to let them know you are facing a dental emergency with an avulsed tooth. The sooner your dentist is able to take action, the better your chances of keeping the tooth.

Although an avulsed tooth can be frightening and painful, quick action by a Calgary dentist can minimize the pain and damage to the patient’s mouth. For more questions, or emergency service, feel free to contact our office right away.

The post What is an Avulsed Tooth, What Causes Them, and What Can You Do About Them? appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

If you were to ask people who have had Invisalign in Calgary for a while what they think is great, however, you might get a different answer: that they are able to forget about their braces themselves.

Allow us to explain. With traditional metal braces, you don’t just get conspicuous wires and rubber bands that everyone can see in your mouth, but you also get a bit of discomfort, cuts on your gums, and a restricted diet as part of the process. That isn’t the fault of the general dentists, but a simple side effect of the way braces used to work.

With Calgary Invisalign treatments, however, your orthodontic appliances aren’t just invisible, but also gentler on the rest of your mouth. For one thing, they are smooth on the outside, so you won’t feel them scraping against your gums. And for another, they can be removed at meal times, allowing you to enjoy the foods you love, clean your teeth, and replace your braces without any hassle.

The fact that you can change out your Invisalign devices at regular intervals and clean them easily just makes them even more convenient, and more hygienic.

So, even though you might be drawn to Calgary Invisalign orthodontics for the effect they have – or rather won’t have – on your appearance, we are willing to bet you’ll appreciate the fact that they are much easier to wear, clean, and keep as well.

Isn’t it time you called Discover Dental today to find out about the benefits of Calgary Invisalign treatments?

The post The Best Thing About Getting Invisalign in Calgary appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

If you were to poll a number of people considering Calgary Invisalign treatments, and were to ask them what they expect the hardest part to be, we suspect that the answers they would give would focus on the costs, or possibly the fear of physical pain.

That’s because those are the things parents, teens, and young adults tend to worry about when it comes to traditional metal braces. It only makes sense, then, that they would worry about the same things when it comes to Invisalign in Calgary.

As understandable as that is, however, those concerns don’t actually have much of a realistic basis. That’s because the hardest thing about Calgary Invisalign treatments is just getting started with them.

In other words, new patients and their families are sometimes reluctant to make that initial appointment with a general dentist like the ones we have here at Discover Dental. Once they do, they find out how easy, convenient, and affordable the whole process is, and the rest of their worries and concerns tend to melt away.

So, if you are considering coming in to see us for an Invisalign consultation, we encourage you to do so soon, rather than simply worrying. In under an hour, you’ll get important information like:

• What your personal Calgary Invisalign treatment plan will look like
• The flexible payment and insurance options that are available with Invisalign
• How easy it is to stay pain-free, and enjoy the food you want, while undergoing orthodontic treatment
• How Invisalign braces work to make your smile beautiful while remaining invisible
• That Invisalign can be as effective – and sometimes more effective – than traditional metal braces

And best of all, you’ll see for yourself that the experienced and friendly team here at Discover Dental is willing to do anything we can to make the process easier and more comfortable.

If you are considering Invisalign in Calgary, you owe it to yourself to talk with the professionals at Discover Dental today!

The post What’s the Hardest Part of Calgary Invisalign Treatments? appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

There are a few things we can tell you that will probably help, though:

You will likely not see a big difference between prices for Calgary Invisalign orthodontics and traditional braces. There was a time when Invisalign was new, and much more expensive than traditional braces. For the most part, however, the differences these days tend to be small, especially when you consider the convenience and effectiveness of Calgary Invisalign braces.

Invisalign is covered under a number of dental insurance plans. If you have dental coverage through your job, then it’s likely that Calgary Invisalign orthodontics are covered under your plan. To get specific answers about your insurance, simply call your provider or get in touch with our office.

Discover Dental in Calgary offers flexible payment options. If you do have a co-pay, we’ll work with you to make sure that your Invisalign treatments are as convenient and affordable as possible. Most of our patients find that the expense associated with our work is very small, while the benefits are truly priceless.

Invisalign is a better value for most patients. When you consider how important your self-esteem can be, choosing Invisalign orthodontics over traditional braces is an easy decision to make. From teens to adults, our patients love the results we are able to give them – making Invisalign affordable is just a welcome side benefit!

Why not find out for yourself how affordable Calgary Invisalign treatments are? Call or e-mail a member of the Discover Dental team today and we’ll get you the specific answers you need.

The post Are Calgary Invisalign Treatments More Expensive Than Traditional Braces? appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

If you want to go beyond our blog and articles, however, where can you find out more about Invisalign braces in Calgary?

We would recommend doing two different things:

First, see what other Calgary Invisalign patients and parents have had to say. You may know someone personally who has tried Invisalign, and they can be a great source of information. If you don’t, though, there are lots of online forums where you can hear firsthand experiences. Or, we’ll be happy to arrange for you to speak with one of our patients so they can tell you what it was like to get Invisalign treatments and work with the Calgary Discover Dental team.

Then, call or e-mail us to set up a free consultation. To really get the best information, however, we invite you to simply make an appointment with our team. After a quick examination, will be happy to give you a brief, no obligation consultation that will outline things like treatment plans, schedules, costs, and so much more. At the same time, we’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about Invisalign in Calgary, and how it compares to other forms of orthodontic treatment.

Discover Dental are knowledgeable providers of Invisalign braces in Calgary. Why wait to get the answers you need, when you could contact our office to set up an appointment today?

The post How Can You Find Out More About Invisalign Braces in Calgary? appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

The simple fact is that not everyone has access to braces and orthodontics when they are younger. Perhaps their families lack the funds or insurance for such care, or other priorities (like specific sports) make it difficult to get the treatments. For one reason or another, they just haven’t gotten the bright smile they want and deserve.

Once they come into the Discover Dental office, that usually changes.

It only takes a short appointment to examine a new patient’s smile and design a treatment plan. Not only is the process fast, affordable, and relatively painless, but with Invisalign technology, no one has to know that you are wearing an orthodontic appliance.

For that reason, you can project a positive, professional image in your workplace without sacrificing your dental health or the quality of your smile. While those who are closest to you will probably notice the changes over time, you don’t have to worry that metal braces are going to make you look younger or less experienced.

If you are a young adult who is interested in orthodontic treatments, Invisalign in Calgary could be the perfect answer. You’ll never know if you don’t investigate your choices, though, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Are you a young adult who is interested in learning about Invisalign in Calgary? Why not stop by our office for an initial consultation and see what your options are?

The post Why Young Adults Should Check Out Invisalign in Calgary appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

As great as those reasons are, however, time and time again we’ve seen that there is an even more important one: that Calgary Invisalign treatments are great for a teenager’s self-esteem.

Let’s face it: No matter who they are, young people can have a bit of difficulty fitting in and feeling like they are “just one of the group.” Just as a crooked smile can affect their self-image, so can metal braces that are visible and obvious to all of their friends and classmates. In fact, it wasn’t uncommon even a few years ago for students to absolutely dread the idea of getting braces in the first place, even though they meant a brighter, healthier smile in the future – the embarrassment factor was just too high.

With Calgary Invisalign treatments, those concerns are taken away. That’s because our orthodontics truly are next to invisible. No one will be able to see or notice your student wearing them during the day, so they can improve their smile without feeling self-conscious about it.

Ask any young person, and they’ll tell you what a big deal this is. Often, the way we feel about ourselves during our important middle- and high-school years sets the tone for future success in life. Why not give your kids every advantage and look into Calgary Invisalign treatments today?

Looking for answers when it comes to your questions about Calgary Invisalign treatments? Contact the professional team at Discover Dental today, and we’ll be happy to answer them one at a time.

The post The Biggest Reason That Calgary Invisalign Treatments are a Great Choice for Teens appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.

The best way to get the answers you need is to come speak with us, but here are five things every teenager should know about Invisalign in Calgary:

1. Invisalign braces are nearly invisible. You’ll know they are on, but no one else has to. Often, teens and parents alike are amazed at the way our braces work in your mouth, making them almost impossible for others to see.

2. Invisalign treatments work very well. Although they are virtually invisible, they work just as well as traditional braces, straightening your teeth and giving you a beautiful smile gradually over time.

3. Using Invisalign is easy. Because generally there aren’t lots of long appointments, intensive maintenance, or other hassles to deal with, having your teeth straightened with Invisalign tends to be the easiest and most convenient way to get a great smile.

4. Invisalign lets you eat what you want. Since your Invisalign appliances are taken out at mealtimes, and you don’t have to worry about things getting stuck in metal braces, you are free to eat what you want. To understand how great that is, ask someone who had metal braces in the past.

5. Invisalign can keep your smile beautiful for decades. Once your Invisalign treatments have been completed, you’ll swap your braces for our retainer that’s worn at night. Using it, you can keep your smile perfect – painlessly and effortlessly – for decades to come.

If you want to know more about Invisalign in Calgary, how it works, and whether it’s the best option for you, have your parents talk to the dental team at Discover Dental today.

The post 5 Things Every Teenager Should Know About Invisalign in Calgary appeared first on Dr. Shazia Butt DDS.