Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes

There are a vast number of products available to help patients with oral hygiene at home and most people understand the importance of regular brushing. However, they may not be aware of the difference between manual and electric toothbrushes. Which one would benefit them more depends on how they brush.

Studies do not show that there is any difference in the oral health of patients who use either kind of brush as long as they use it properly. This, however, is a very important qualifier, because very few people use manual toothbrushes the right way. Manual toothbrushes need to be used for two full minutes at a time, be held at a 45⁰ angle, and moved in a circular motion (or up and down on the backs of the incisors).

Electric toothbrushes drastically cut down on how much the patient has to move their arm and make tens of thousands of brush strokes per minute, instead of only hundred. It is easier to overbrush with electric brushes, but there is little risk of not doing it enough. Obviously, electric toothbrushes are much more expensive, but for people who can’t use manual toothbrushes or who have problems using them for the right amount of time, the investment may be worth it.

Riverwalk Dental is located at 540 6^th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit RiverwalkDental.Ca.

 

Types of Teeth

Each of our teeth serves a specialized purpose. At Riverwalk Dental, we want our patients to be informed about their care, so we thought we’d provide this guide to explain why we may want to do certain kinds of work on their teeth.

Adult mouths naturally have thirty-two teeth, with sixteen in each jaw. In the back of each jaw are three pairs of molars, the grinding and chewing teeth. These are the largest, and the furthest ones back are the wisdom teeth, the last to erupt. In front of the molars are two pairs of premolars, which serve the same purpose but are smaller and only have one root, instead of two or three.

The canine teeth are the pointy ones used for piercing. They are important for stabilizing the jaw and maintaining the alignment of the other teeth. The four in front are called incisors, and besides being used to tear food, they are the key ones used in speech.

Riverwalk Dental is located at 540 6^th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit RiverwalkDental.Ca.

Wisdom Teeth Function

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. During this “age of wisdom” phase, sometimes teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often they are misaligned and require removal. Some might think of wisdom teeth as spare tires because if you lost your teeth, the wisdom teeth would be extra teeth that come in and function like normal teeth. Here at Riverwalk Dental, our doctors can perform extractions depending on their position and stage of development.

So why do we have them? Anthropologists believe wisdom teeth or the third set of molars, were the evolutionary answer to our ancestor’s early diet of coarse, rough food – like leaves, roots, nuts and meats – which required more chewing power and resulted in excessive wear of the teeth. The modern diet with its softer foods, along with marvels of modern technologies such as forks, spoons, and knives, has made the need for wisdom teeth nonexistent; however, they don’t always need to be removed.

If your wisdom teeth are still present and they are beginning to bother you, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.riverwalkdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental located at Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, 403-456-4994.

Pediatric Dentistry

A pediatric dentist is a specialist in the field of dentistry dealing particularly with the oral healthcare of children, from infancy through the teenage years. Here at Riverwalk Dental, our doctors have the experience and qualifications to care for your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout various stages of their life.

Children are not small adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam. Our doctors know how to examine and treat children in ways that make them comfortable. During your child’s first visit, we will examine their teeth and gums, do a professional cleaning, take any necessary x-rays, if age appropriate, and teach you how to remove plaque from your child’s teeth and gums. In addition, we will also take advantage of the opportunity to discuss the best ways to help your child develop good dental habits.

If you are searching for a pediatric dentist, look no further, we have the ability to accommodate your child’s needs. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.riverwalkdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental located at Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, 403-456-4994.