Dental Abscess

Most of us know how painful a mouth sore can be, which is why our doctors at Riverwalk Dental hope you never come in contact with a dental abscess. A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the root of a tooth and can result from an untreated cavity, a dental injury, or old dental work. Unfortunately if one develops, it won’t go away on its own, and our doctors will have to suggest a procedure to save the tooth.

If a tooth is infected and you don’t seek treatment, you risk developing a dental abscess. The tooth is hard on the outside, but inside, where the nerves, connective tissue, and pulp lie, once the pulp becomes dead, it can lead to an abscess. Sometimes an abscess will cause a pimple-like bump on the gum that may be accompanied by pain, swelling, and pain when you chew, and/or gum tenderness. To treat the problem, our doctors may suggest antibiotics or tooth extraction.

If you have questions or concerns about oral care or dental health, please give us a call. 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 rverwalkdental.ca.

Toothbrush Abrasion

Too much of anything can be bad for you and the same goes for brushing your teeth.  If you notice that your gums are sensitive to touch, but your oral care routine is up to par, you may be brushing your teeth too hard. Vigorous brushing can wear down tooth enamel and cause damage to the gums, exposing the sensitive root area. Our doctors at Riverwalk Dental are here to encourage you to take your time while brushing and do the job at a slower pace.

Those at risk for toothbrush abrasion are the ones who diligently brush their teeth. We understand that you may be wondering why you are getting punished for good behavior, but there is a solution to the problem. Changing your brushing habits will benefit your teeth and gums. It helps to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent damage and reduce sensitivity. You should apply just enough pressure to feel the bristles against the gums, but do not squish the bristles into your gums, as this means you’re brushing too hard.

If you have questions or concerns about oral care or dental health, please give us a call. 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 rverwalkdental.ca.

Diagnosing a Cracked Tooth

Cracked teeth are a highly variable problem, which is why at Riverwalk Dental, we want our patients to have an understanding of what will happen if one is found. Depending on the crack’s location and severity, the problem could range from merely cosmetic to necessitating extraction.

The smallest cracks, called craze lines, do not threaten the tooth’s structure and can simply be covered up. More serious cracks will often be present long before they cause pain and may only be discovered through a dental examination or when an old filling is removed. Because cracks are usually too small to be examined through x-rays, dentists often test them through other means such as probing and asking patients to report what they feel when they bite down on cotton. In cases where a cracked root is suspected, a dentist may need to cut a flap in the gum tissue in order to do a visual examination. If the root is not cracked, the problem may be fixable with a new crown. If it is, there are ways of replacing the tip of a root, but a crack the entire length of the tooth will require the tooth to be replaced. It is also necessary to determine whether the tooth has been infected, which is something x-rays are more useful for.

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

 

Use of Fluoridated Toothpaste

We highly value preventive care at Riverwalk Dental in Calgary, particularly for our pediatric patients. Fluoridated toothpaste can be a powerful tool for preventing tooth decay, but there are some rules about how to use it properly which people should be aware of.

Fluoride has dramatically improved the general public’s dental health. Dental problems are not nearly as severe in areas with fluoridated water and the topical fluoride treatments given to children reduce how badly their teeth are damaged by the acid secreted by bacteria. This is important because pain from tooth decay causes children to lose sleep and avoid eating. Often, their behavior and academic performance suffer as a result.

Brushing their teeth is one of the first things children learn about self-care. It should be done for two minutes at a time. Only soft-bristled toothbrushes should be used, and fluoridated toothpaste should not be used on mouthguards or other oral appliances. People should brush on every tooth surface and on their tongue. Fluoridated toothpaste should not be swallowed or the teeth may become discolored. Gums should not bleed during regular toothbrushing; if they do, something is wrong.

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

 

Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth need no introduction. Sensitive teeth bring inflamed gums, gums that are tender to touch, and gums that are dark purple in color. When teeth become sensitive, it is likely due to periodontal disease causing the gums to recede, which can result in nerve irritation. Our doctors at Riverwalk Dental can treat tooth sensitivity in the office and help you maintain a healthy mouth at home.

When the root of a tooth is exposed due to periodontal disease, the layer of protection is eliminated. Abrasive brushing can make tooth sensitivity worse and may expose dentin, which will make eating acidic foods and beverages almost impossible. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, invest in desensitizing toothpaste until your dental appointment. Once you visit us for a professional cleaning, we can guide you on the road to a healthier smile.

If you have questions or concerns about oral care or sensitive teeth, 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 in Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, 403-456-4994.

Replace Your Toothbrush

Our doctors at Riverwalk Dental are here to remind you when to replace your toothbrush. We’ll make it easy, even if you don’t have the best memory. If you’ve recently fallen ill and continued to brush your teeth, it’s best to toss out this germy toothbrush and replace it will one that is sterilized. Replacing your toothbrush will make your teeth a little cleaner and your breath a little fresher.

To keep your mouth healthy, most dentists recommend swapping toothbrushes every three months. This is the time it takes for bristles to become frayed and worn out, but if this happens sooner, you should replace the brush once the bristles show wear and tear. To prevent cross-contamination from cold and flu viruses, store the toothbrush upright in a cup, and let it air dry.  

If you have questions or concerns about oral care, 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 in Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, 403-456-4994.

Oral Cancer linked to Alcohol

Oral cancer screenings are one of the many services we provide our patients at Riverwalk Dental in Calgary. A dentist is often the first health professional to detect a case of oral cancer and remains important throughout the care process. As part of our goal of combatting this disease, we wanted to share the findings of a study by the American Society of Clinical Oncology that found a relationship between oral cancer and alcohol use.

The new study found that about 5% of new cancer cases globally are due to alcohol. This statistic included oral and throat cancers. While it has long been known that smoking and alcohol combined presented an oral cancer risk, the new study examined alcohol in isolation. The exact cause-and-effect remains unclear, but scientists suppose that alcohol may break down oral tissues and there is a chance for a DNA copy error to occur every time they regrow.

The study found that the type of alcohol consumed appeared to be irrelevant and that, while heavy drinking presented the greatest risk, moderate and light drinking could also lead to cancer. However, it also found that the risk of cancer in the mouth and the rest of the aerodigestive tract declined if the subject stopped drinking.

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