Back to School Cleanings

If it’s been more than six months since your child’s last teeth cleaning, now’s a great time to visit Riverwalk Dental in Calgary. We’re open late, allowing kids to come in without missing school, and if they have a dental problem, it’s best to get it taken care of early in the year.

Children are the age group that gets dental infections the most frequently. Usually, the issue is bad hygiene. We can educate children about better brushing and flossing techniques and direct parents toward toothbrush grips if their child had a motor control issue. Even if the decay is in a baby tooth, parents should take it seriously. When children have toothaches, they may have difficulty eating and sleeping, leading to worse behavior in school and slower learning.

The dental examination is an opportunity to plan for long-term dental care as well as to do a cleaning. It may be where other conditions come to light, such as if pain in the upper teeth is being caused by a nasal or sinus blockage. We can also reshape a mouthguard for school sports and provide a night guard if we observe signs of nighttime teeth grinding.

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.

 

Replacing Fillings

When patients need to have cavities filled in, they can count on the high-quality work of Riverwalk Dental in Calgary. Properly-cared for fillings can last for a long time. But they do eventually wear out, which is why patients should know what to be on the look-out for.

Fillings are placed after decayed enamel has been drilled away. While patients may be a bit uncomfortable following the drilling, pain should not be intense or last for longer than two days. The patient should also be able to close their teeth together without resistance and there shouldn’t be saliva leaking from the filling location. If either of these things happens, it could be a sign that the filling is misshapen and needs to be redone.

Bonding has a lifespan of about ten years. After that, even a well-placed filling may come loose or start to develop cracks. Bacteria can find refuge in cracked bonding and cause another dental infection. By maintaining regular dental check-ups, patients can help us to remove and replace old fillings before they become problems. If a patient is experiencing pain or can tell a filling is loose, they should schedule an emergency appointment.

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.

 

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