How Cavities Damage Teeth

The sugary food and beverages we consume on a daily basis might taste delicious, but they are slowly wreaking havoc on tooth enamel. Foods that cling to the teeth, such as bread, cakes, and hard candy, produce acids that weaken enamel and cause cavities. Cavities don’t go away by themselves and will need to be filled by one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental. We’d much rather you practice prevention instead of reaching that point.

Fillings help cavities from growing larger, but the best thing you can do for your teeth is to avoid them altogether. To prevent cavities, avoid frequent snacking and specific food and drinks, such as honey, raisins, and dry cereal. If your oral hygiene routine doesn’t include brushing at least twice a day for two minutes or flossing at least once a day, you’ll need to improve to prevent holes from developing in the teeth.

If you have questions or concerns about cosmetic 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.

Common Dental Instruments

We want patients to feel comfortable in our Riverwalk Dental office. The instruments used by dentists and hygienists can be pretty cool, but for some people, they are a source of anxiety. To help accustom patients to our tools, we decided to describe the ones we most often use.

The explorer, also known as a probe, is a metal hook at the end of a handle. We use it to test the depth and cleanliness of gum pockets, as well as the sturdiness of dental enamel, and to break off plaque and tartar. There are a number of slightly-differently shaped probes we use for testing and cleaning different parts of different teeth. A handheld mirror allows us to see places in a patient’s mouth that aren’t normally visible and can be used to lift the inside of the cheek away from the teeth.

If we find decay, we remove it with a drill that releases water, preventing the mouth form suffering heat damage. (Patients are always numbed, first.) When preparing white composite filling materials, we’ll mix them on a small spatula. We apply resin to the teeth using a blunt instrument called a burnisher, which we also use to contour the new filling. When whole teeth need to be removed, we use an elevator, which is a narrow spoon, to rock them back and forth at the root until they are loose enough to pull with reverse-action forceps.

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.

 

Chewing Gum with Xylitol

Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate, that looks and tastes like regular table sugar without all of the negative side effects. At drugstores, you’ve probably seen it on the label of a pack of “sugar-free” gum. Studies using xylitol as either a sugar substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in tooth decay, along with reversal of dental caries. With benefits such as these, our doctors at Riverwalk Dental encourage you to consume more of it.

Xylitol tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. In fact, it reduces levels of decay-causing bacteria in saliva and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth. No acid is formed because the pH of saliva and does not fall. After chewing gum with xylitol, the bacteria do not stick well on the surface of teeth and as a result, the amount of plaque decreases.

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.

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.

 

White Spot Lesions

Patients may be confused by the appearance of white spots on their teeth. Do they mean something good or bad about the state of their mouths? At Riverwalk Dental in Calgary, we want patients to understand when their oral health is in danger, so this week’s blog post is about incipient lesions, also known as white spot lesions.

White spots are the earliest signs of tooth decay. When enamel, the hard substance that makes up the outside of teeth, is eroded, it looks white and chalky. Dentists know that if a person has glazed-looking upper back teeth, it is a sign that they are suffering from chronic acid reflux. Elsewhere in the mouth, acid exposure is probably being caused by bacterial infections. As bacteria eat, they produce acid, which gets stuck in plaque. Damage to enamel is the result.

A white spot can form in as few as thirty days, and if they’re not taken care of, they will lead to more decay. Better brushing can remove a developing infection. Some places to pay especially close attention to are the gum line, the sides of teeth, and the area surrounding orthodontic brackets. Once decay is stopped, the teeth may remineralize naturally or can be treated with veneers.

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.

 

Smoking and Oral Health

Our doctors at Riverwalk Dental understand that telling yourself to quit smoking is easier said than done. We don’t need to tell you that smoking is bad for your teeth, but we’d like to explain the reasons why. Smoking affects periodontal health because the action causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream which means that inflamed and infected gums won’t heal. Smoking also causes teeth to appear lackluster, and bad breath may become chronic.

According to the American Dental Association, smoking and tobacco use cause stained teeth, bad breath, and even a diminished sense of taste. Smoking can also hinder the immune system from fighting off infection, and a weakened immune system will also affect your oral health. The use of tobacco also increases a patient’s risk of developing oral cancer. Smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop these cancers.

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.

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.

Filling a Cavity

Our doctors at Riverwalk Dental never want patients to experience a cavity. This is because a cavity is a hole in the tooth that is caused by decay. Cavities can develop for a variety of different factors such as poor oral care habits and a poor diet. If you fall victim to a cavity, our doctors have a variety of filling materials to repair the tooth, but we’d much rather you improve your oral care habits, as well as your diet, to prevent a cavity from forming.  

Fillings can be made from many types of material, but the most common filling is composite resin. Composite fillings are designed to match the shade of the tooth and will give the restored tooth a natural appearance. To fill a cavity, the doctor will numb the area to reduce pain and help you relax. Once you decide which type of material is best for you, the doctor will then remove the decay and replace it with filling material. Your oral cavity may remain numb for a few hours after the procedure, but the result is a restored, healthy tooth that is cavity-free.

If you have questions or concerns about dental 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 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.

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.