Prevent Embarrassing Bad Breath

Bad breath that results from consuming potent foods like onions or garlic isn’t harmful to our health. However, when it becomes persistent due to lack of oral hygiene, then our doctors of Riverwalk Dental have a bone to pick with patients. Medically deemed, halitosis, bad breath can be an acute or chronic condition. There are many risk factors, such as tobacco products, dry mouth, or poor oral health.  

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease. If you have bad breath, review your oral hygiene habits. If your bad breath persists after making changes, visit us as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns about oral health or bad breath prevention, 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.

Composite (White) Fillings

Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth and is a popular method to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. It is also used as a filling after a cavity has been removed, or to cover up stains or discolored teeth. Ultimately, the best dental filling is no dental filling, but here at Riverwalk Dental, we focus on providing you with a bright smile that blends with the natural color of your teeth.

Aesthetics are the main advantage of white fillings since dentists can blend shades to create a color nearly identical to that of the actual tooth. This mixture of tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes. In addition, these tooth-colored fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing.

If you have questions or concerns about dental fillings or composite fillings, 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.

Fluoride Treatment

At Riverwalk Dental, our doctors provide patients with fluoride treatments to help protect their tooth enamel. Fluoride is commonly called nature’s cavity fighter and there’s a good reason for this. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the entire tooth surface more resistant to acid attacks from the bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. Fluoride also promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before a cavity forms in the tooth.

Fluoride is found naturally in soil, water, foods, and several minerals. When present at the right level, fluoride in drinking water has two beneficial effects preventing tooth decay and contributing to healthy bones. The type of fluoride we utilize at our practice is called topical fluoride. Topical fluoride is applied directly to and absorbed by the surface of the teeth. It may be applied as a foam or gel after a professional cleaning and can additionally be found in personal oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses.

If you have questions or concerns about preventive dentistry, 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.

Water Flossing

What is water flossing? Water flossing is another way to clean teeth, and this method involves using a hand-held device. Water flossing can be ideal for people who have trouble flossing by hand and our doctors at Riverwalk Dental want patients to know that if they are going to invest in a water flosser it should have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Water flossers have been tested to be safe and effective for removing plaque, and are helpful if you’ve had dental work performed on the teeth, such as bridges, dentures, or braces. Depending on which flossing technique you decide to use, keep in mind that cleaning between your teeth should never be painful. Talk to our doctors and discuss which dental cleaner is best for you and remember that whichever floss you decide to use is better than not flossing at all.

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 at Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, 403-456-4994.

Different Reasons a Tooth May Be Extracted

At Riverwalk Dental, we will do everything we can to avoid pulling a tooth, but it can’t always be avoided. Sometimes tooth extraction is necessary when there is more damage that can be repaired, or if a tooth is badly infected and extraction is the only solution. Wisdom teeth are the most common extraction procedure here at our practice, but other reasons for tooth extraction may include the following.

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore will require extraction.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth extraction, 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.

Why do We Floss?

Many people hate flossing and will use every excuse in the book to avoid it. If you avoid flossing, you are only doing yourself a disservice as flossing has countless benefits. When you don’t floss, you increase your risk of developing periodontal disease and cavities. In addition, your mouth won’t feel as clean as it should. If you are looking for a reason to floss, our doctors at Riverwalk Dental are here to give you several.

By flossing thoroughly at least once a day, you may notice a little less pink in the sink. This is because flossing removes food particles from in between the teeth that cause gingivitis. Flossing keeps the gums and teeth strong and eliminates dental plaque that contributes to tooth decay. Flossing will help you prevent cavities and by maintaining your gum health, you will improve your overall health.

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.

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.

What is the ADA Seal?

When you purchase products that bare the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval, this means that you’ve made a good choice when choosing your oral care instruments. When you see the ADA seal of acceptance, this means that you have found an oral care product that has been scientifically evaluated to be safe and effective. At Riverwalk Dental, we encourage patients to use oral care products that advertise that they are from the American Dental Association to guarantee optimal oral health.

Not every dental product possesses the ADA seal of approval, but this doesn’t mean that it won’t get the job done. When a product has the ADA seal of approval, this just means that the company selling the product may or may not have submitted their product for review. Each year, the American Dental Association receives inquiries about potential and existing ADA Seal products. To put it simply, it is the goal of the ADA to keep oral care a patients top priority and to help them maintain good oral health and prevent dental diseases.

If you have questions or concerns about dental health or 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.

Dry Mouth Discomfort

Most of us have woken up in the morning with dry mouth at some point or another. The feeling of dehydration and dryness can leave the tongue feeling like sandpaper and our bodies feeling like we need to drink gallons of water. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition in which the salivary glands in the mouth don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. Fortunately, our doctors at Riverwalk Dental can treat the problem.

Saliva is the mouth’s primary defense against tooth decay, so without it, we are in trouble. Saliva allows us to wash the food away that we consume on a daily basis. If the mouth is lacking saliva, the patient will feel a persistent dry sensation, saliva that feels thick, bad breath, difficulty chewing, and/or a dry or a sore throat. Treatment of dry mouth will depend on the cause.

If you have questions or concerns about dry mouth, 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.

How to Handle Halitosis

Bad breath is embarrassing, especially when others take notice. Halitosis is the medical term for chronic, persistent bad breath and at times, may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. To ensure the optimal oral health and keep your mouth as clean as possible, it’s important to visit our doctors at Riverwalk Dental twice a year for oral checkups. If mints and gum are only covering up the problem, but not solving it, give us a call so we can help.

If a daily dental routine of brushing and flossing isn’t reducing the odor in your mouth, you may be a victim of periodontal disease, cavities, and/or dry mouth. If you’re a smoker, tobacco can dry out the mouth leaving you with oral discomfort and bad breath. By drinking plenty of water, and cutting down on caffeine and cigarettes, you’re not only doing your breath a favor, but you’re making a wise decision for your oral health and periodontal health as well. Treatment for halitosis will depend on the cause.

If you have questions or concerns about dental health, 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.