Riverwalk Dental

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities caused by sugar, plaque, or lack of proper oral hygiene. Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions of grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are prime candidates for dental sealants. Here at Riverwalk Dental, our doctors offer this as a service to protect teeth from decay.


Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth – usually the back teeth (premolars and molars) to prevent tooth decay. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of the teeth, but toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the grooves to extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food. Because Children have newly erupted, permanent teeth, they receive the greatest benefit from sealants.


If you have questions or concerns about dental sealants, please give us a call. 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.

Friday, September 22, 2017

Digital X-rays

Dental X-rays are often part of a regular dental checkup. Dental X-rays allow our doctors at Riverwalk Dental to closely monitor the health of your teeth and gums, so that the changes and problems can be detected early, when treatment is most effective.


With this digital imaging technology, there are a number of tools that will allow our doctors to take a very close look at the teeth and surrounding structures with efficient accuracy. As a benefit to the patient, the digital x-ray also provides nearly 80% less radiation than a standard X-ray. This is because digital X-rays are designed with the patient in mind.


If you have questions or concerns about digital X-rays, please give us a call. 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.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Stress and Tooth Damage

Stress can be a major contributor to tooth damage. At Riverwalk Dental, we treat damaged teeth with everything from natural-colored fillings to replacement crowns, but the source of a patient’s stress must be addressed to ensure their long-term oral health.


One way in which stress contributes to tooth damage is by weakening the immune system. Periodontal disease is the result of bacterial infection in the gum pockets. As the gum ligaments decay, the teeth come loose, and as periodontal disease progresses, the teeth and jaw bones themselves experience decay.


Stress can also indirectly cause tooth damage by leading patients to develop a habit of clenching or grinding their jaws in their sleep (this behavior is called bruxism). The mechanical strain of doing this wears down and cracks enamel. It also pushes teeth out of place, making them difficult to brush properly and damaging the gum tissue holding them in place.


At its worst, stress can lead to the loss of whole teeth. That is unlikely to happen, but it is in patients’ best interest to get any gum inflammation under control and to seek treatment for bruxism. Our dentists at Riverwalk Dental are skilled at fighting infections and can customize night guards to protect patients from grinding their teeth.


Dr. Jared Palmer and Dr. Roger Chen operate Riverwalk Dental at 540 6th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit RiverwalkDental.Ca.


 

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Acid Reflux and Tooth Decay

Acid reflux is one of the leading causes of tooth decay in adults. While the dentists of Riverwalk Dental can provide dental restorations to patients whose teeth have been ravaged by this disease, it is important for patients to understand which lifestyle factors put them at risk.


Stomach acid is highly corrosive. It is kept in check by the stomach’s mucous lining and by a sphincter which separates it from the esophagus, but acid reflux occurs when swallowing causes the sphincter to open. A patient is said to have Gastroesophageal reflux disease if this happens more than twice a week (this condition is also misleadingly called heartburn). Acid reflux is painful and causes ulcers, and in the worst cases, tumors, in the esophagus. If it reaches as far as the mouth, it tends to wear away the enamel of the back molars, which are the first teeth to be exposed to it.


To prevent acid reflux, patients should avoid foods and drinks with high contents of fat, alcohol, and caffeine. They should also avoid foods with citric acids, such as tomatoes, as well as onions and garlic, and avoid eating in large quantities before lying down. Smoking and slouching also increase peoples’ risk of acid reflux.


Dr. Jared Palmer and Dr. Roger Chen operate Riverwalk Dental at 540 6th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit RiverwalkDental.Ca.