The following is a list of questions that frequently arise in our interactions with patients. References are given for items marked with a *, and if you click on this you will be directed to a new page containing the resource.
If you have any questions regarding this information, additional questions that this information did not address, or would like to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us.
A dental cavity is the most common cause of a toothache. A cavity is a hole in the outermost layers of the tooth. These layers, the white enamel and the yellow dentin layer below, serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue, called the pulp. The pulp is where the nerves and blood vessels reside. Cavities are caused when bacteria in the mouth convert simple sugars into acid. The acid and saliva dissolve the enamel and dentin.
Often a cavity is not noticed by a patient until they deepen and collect food debris. The pulp of the tooth can become irritated by the bacterial toxins and, reactive to hot, cold, sour or sweet, thus causing toothaches. Unchecked, the pulpal injury may result in the death of the pulp tissue, creating a dental abscess or tooth infection. a small swelling or gum blister may be present near the affected tooth. Tooth abscesses are a very serious dental emergency and must be treated immediately. Erupting wisdom teeth and periodontal (gum) disease can also cause significant pain and discomfort and should be evaluated promptly.
To maximize the possibility of successfully reinserting a tooth which has been knocked out, the following steps must be followed:
Lacerations, puncture wounds, tears in the lips, cheek mouth and tongue should be assessed immediately, either at the dental office or the Emergency room.
A fractured or cracked tooth usually requires immediate dental attention, as damage may have occurred to the internal tooth structure as well as the outside of the tooth. Pain may or may not be present. The extent of the damage will then be assessed and a diagnosis as to whether or not the tooth can be saved.
Once you arrive at our office we will take an x-ray to determine the state of the tooth. If it appears that the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) has been damaged, endodontic treatment may be recommended. If the pulp is healthy, a crown may be recommended. A simple resin restoration may suffice, if the fractured tooth has sufficient structure.
Should a temporary restoration become loose, or fall off, try to put it back in place with Vaseline, Chapstick, toothpaste or denture adhesive. This should keep it in place until you return to our office.
A lost or broken filling, may be uncomfortable, but is not an emergency, unless pain or discomfort occurs with it. A small piece of sugarless gum may be placed on the site, until you are able to arrange a dental appointment.
Oral hygiene, both home and the care you receive at the dental office is extremely important to both your dental health as well as your overall well being. The condition of your teeth and gums can have a direct influence on your overall health. Current research demonstrates the mouth-body connection, with heart disease, diabetes, stroke, COPD and many inflammatory response diseases being linked to oral health. This makes promoting and maintaining a high level of oral hygiene critical to avoiding health complications resulting from periodontal or gum disease.
Typically, you should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year. This time interval is generally sufficient to catch dental problems before they become too serious. Patients who have periodontal disease, are at high risk for cavities or with health complications may be scheduled for more frequent visits. Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.
While an insurance plan often limits the number of examinations a patient may have in a coverage year, they understand the role of preventative visits and allocate a set number of scaling or cleaning time units per coverage year. Typically this coverage is sufficient for a patient to have the required number of cleaning and examination appointments.
It is useful to be familiar with the terms of any dental insurance coverage you may have. Depending on your plan, you will be covered for a certain number of specific dental treatments per year. For more information, consult your insurance provider or contact our office, where our insurance experts can help you to understand your coverage and get the most out of your dental benefits.
Dental X-rays are necessary to aide your dentist in evaluating your oral health. They provide valuable information on abnormalities like tooth decay, infections, and gum disease that might be lying beneath your teeth and gums. The frequency or amount of X-rays you need to have taken depends on the present state of your oral health, age, risk for disease, and signs and symptoms of oral disease that you may be experiencing.
Compared to the daily levels of radiation we are commonly exposed to in North America, the amount of radiation we receive when dental X-rays are taken is quite small. Estimated exposure to radiation is measured in millisieverts (mSv) or millirems (mrem), and allows for comparison of other sources of radiation to that experienced when we have very localized exposure that occurs with dental X-rays. Depending on the type, dental X-rays typically produce around 0.02 mSv, or 2 mrem. *
Some comparisons of radiation from different sources and estimated exposure:
Research published in 2004 has determined that every year 89.2% of Canadians have medical diagnostic X-rays taken, with an attributable risk of developing cancer from this radiation of 1.1% for both men and women.* When compared with other types of medical X-rays, dental radiographs usually expose patients both to lower doses of radiation as well as radiation that is not directed at areas of the body that have the highest rates of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer.
The safety of dental X-rays has greatly increased in recent years due to advances in technology, and our office has modern machines that take and store X-rays digitally. Digital X-rays reduce the already low level of radiation found in conventional dental X-rays by nearly 90%/ We look forward to discussing any questions or concerns you may have regarding your safety or that of your children.
A number of medications have oral side effects that impact your health and comfort. These include dry mouth (xerostomia), inflammation of tissues in the mouth (stomatitis), and enlargement of the gums (gingival hyperplasia). It is important for your dentist to be aware of what medications you have been prescribed in order to watch for these common side effects and to be able to treat them accordingly. As well, dentists often prescribe antibiotics and other medications that may have negative interactions with those you are currently taking. When dental surgery is performed, it is necessary to know if patients are taking medications that will modify their bleeding characteristics in order to ensure the correct actions are taken to minimize patient risks.
Even though these are not prescribed medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies can have very real effects on your health.
Yes! Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has more to maintaining healthy gums and teeth than many people are aware of. Finding and maintaining a healthy weight, alongside having high levels of physical fitness, are associated with a lower incidence of severe periodontitis (gum disease). Because gum disease is associated with other diseases, like heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, there is an added incentive to pursue an active lifestyle and a healthy diet.
Certain classes or types of drugs are particularly important to be aware of for their ability to negatively influence your oral health.
Estrogen oral contraceptives can have negative effects on periodontal health. While pills with a high estrogen content have been traditionally associated with these negative impacts, there have been recent studies linking modern low-estrogen pills to periodontal disease. Increasing attachment loss, as reduction of the connective tissue surrounding the tooth, has been noted, with a study published in 2007 finding that twice as many patients with aggressive periodontal disease were pill users.* These women tended to have higher levels of plaque, gingivitis and bleeding upon probing, although differences here were not statistically significant.
Because of these potential side effects, it is important to inform your dentist of all the medications you are currently taking, making sure to mention changes in your overall or dental health from the time of your last visit.
Due to the ways in which gum disease affects your entire body, there are multiple issues to take into consideration when looking at oral hygiene throughout pregnancy.
The current lack of mechanisms to specifically address these risks makes prevention of gum disease through proper oral hygiene especially important in contributing to your health and the health of your baby.
Periodontal Disease: A serious gum infection that destroys attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold teeth in the mouth.
Plaque: A film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums.
Calculus/Tartar: Forms from plaque that is not removed regularly with good oral hygiene. The only way for this to be removed is when your teeth are professionally cleaned in the dental office.
If you have any questions/concerns please feel free to give us a call anytime at 403-253-1248 or email us at [email protected].
Sunday Closed
Monday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Our dental clinic is conveniently located in Heritage Square in the Acadia neighbourhood just across the street from the Fairview area.
Address
8500 Macleod Trail SE #232, Calgary, AB T2H 2N1
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