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.

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.

Risks Associated with Tooth Tartar

Maintaining good oral care habits is important for keeping teeth clean, plaque-free, and tartar-free. Even if you take excellent care of your teeth, food particles mix with saliva in the mouth to form dental plaque, a soft sticky gunk that coats your teeth and gets under the gum line. If plaque isn’t eliminated on a daily basis, it will turn into tartar which only our professionals at Riverwalk Dental are able to remove.

Tartar gives plaque more room to grow and a much stickier surface to adhere, which can lead to more serious conditions such as cavities and gum disease. Not only can tartar threaten the health of your teeth and gums, it can also leave your smile looking dull and lackluster. The most common sign of tartar is a yellow or brown color to teeth and gums. Proper brushing, especially with American Dental Association (ADA) approved tartar control toothpaste, and flossing is necessary to reduce plaque and tartar buildup.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding TMJ/TMD, 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 riverwalkdental.ca.

Oral Care for Elder Patients

Good dental hygiene and oral care habits are important at any age. But as we all grow older, certain health concerns earn our full attention, especially the importance of oral health for senior patients. Whether you have all of your original teeth, some of them, or a full set of dentures, our staff at Riverwalk Dental can help you keep your mouth healthy.

If you’re a senior headed for a checkup, one of our doctors will conduct a thorough history and dental exam. During the oral exam, he or she will check the following: your face and neck, your bite, your jaw, your lymph nodes and salivary glands, your inner cheeks as well as the inside of your oral cavity. It is important for us to check for signs of infection and oral cancer so that if something is wrong, we can catch it at the earliest stage when it is the easiest to treat. If you wear dentures or other appliances, we will also ask about when you wear them as well as if you are experiencing any problem areas in the mouth.

If you have questions or concerns about dental services, 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 riverwalkdental.ca.

Dangers of Dental Plaque

If you run your tongue over your teeth right now and feel a sticky substance, this biofilm is called dental plaque. Plaque doesn’t bring positivity to the mouth, instead, it brings consequences. If you allow plaque to build-up on the teeth and neglect to floss it away on a daily basis, this can activate the immune system chronically, which leads to unnecessary inflammation in the body. To prevent plaque from turning into periodontal disease, visit our doctors at Riverwalk Dental.

Plaque is constantly forming on the teeth, especially after we eat or drink foods with sugars and starches. Plaque is so sticky that it keeps the acids in contact with the teeth, allowing these acids time to attack tooth enamel. If plaque isn’t brushed and flossed away, it will cause inflammation around the gums, which will cause them to bleed and become sensitive. The best thing you can do to prevent plaque from harming the teeth and gums is to brush for two minutes twice a day and floss at least once a day while maintaining yearly dental appointments.

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 riverwalkdental.ca.

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.

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.

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.

Gum Disease: Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis develops when gingivitis is left untreated and over time, may lead to tooth loss. If a patient’s gum disease reaches this point, our doctors at Riverwalk Dental will likely suggest periodontal therapy.

Periodontitis is treatable, but more importantly, it is preventable. Like gingivitis, periodontitis begins with plaque. The longer plaque remains on your teeth, the more damage it can do to your gums. Other factors include tobacco use, heredity, diabetes, and/or hormonal changes. Proper oral hygiene is critical in preventing periodontitis and so is proper nutrition. In addition to brushing and flossing, you should supply your body with nutrients to keep your gums healthy.

If you have questions or concerns about gum disease, 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.