Biannual Teeth Cleaning

It is recommended by the Academy of General Dentistry you have a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months.  At Vista Dental, we want patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.

It’s important to see a professional regularly to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist.

To learn more about teeth cleanings and all the services we provide, visit VistaDentalMH.Ca for more information. To schedule an appointment at Vista Dental, located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077.

Caring for Invisalign

Vista Dental offers Invisalign, the clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of braces. Another perk of Invisalign clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and won’t prevent you from eating certain foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners.  You should remove Invisalign each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  Invisalign offers its own brand of cleaning solution, and there are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

To learn more about Invisalign and all the services we provide, visit VistaDentalMH.Ca for more information. To schedule an appointment at Vista Dental, located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077.

Gum Disease: Periodontitis

If gingivitis is left untreated long enough it will advance to the next stage of periodontal disease, known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild infection of the gums, while periodontitis is more serious. Periodontitis begins as inflammation and gets worse over a period of time. To treat periodontitis, our doctors at Vista Dental may need to perform a deep cleaning of the gums to get rid of the condition.

In the early stages of periodontitis, the gums will begin to pull away from the teeth. Once the periodontal tissue is gone, it doesn’t come back, so prevention is critical. If your oral hygiene routine is inadequate, your risk of developing periodontal disease increases. In advanced periodontitis, the gums, bones, and surrounding tissues that support the teeth are destroyed. To receive a proper diagnosis of your oral health status, visit our doctors at Vista Dental for a routine checkup.

If you have questions regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.vistadentalmh.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Vista Dental located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077. 

Plaque and Periodontal Disease

If you lick your teeth right now and feel a layer of film on your enamel, it may be time to head to the sink (or the dentist) to brush and floss your teeth. As plaque continues to accumulate, it feeds off of the food and beverages that are consumed on a daily basis. When plaque latches onto the teeth, it can begin to wear down enamel. To prevent periodontal disease in any form, it’s important to visit our doctors at Vista Dental for routine cleanings and oral exams.

If your oral care routine isn’t up to par, plaque may be lingering on or in-between your teeth. Because the toothbrush can’t reach all of the built-up bacteria, you’ll increase your risk of developing tooth decay if you don’t floss and rinse with American Dental Association (ADA) approved mouthwash. If you notice inflammation, gums that are sensitive to hot and cold beverages, or gums that are tender to touch, schedule an appointment with us to diagnose and fix the problem.

If you have questions regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.vistadentalmh.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Vista Dental located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077. 

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is the term for removing excess gum tissue from the teeth and sculpting the gum line.  At Vista Dental our doctors remove gum tissue from patient’s mouths for aesthetics and for function.  Our doctors see many patients unhappy with their smiles, and even patients without any damage to their teeth feel like their gums keep them from enjoying their ideal smile.  When gum tissue is removed for function it is typically for making room to affix a restoration like a crown to a tooth.

Whether a crown lengthening procedure is done for function or aesthetics, it is a simple in-office procedure. Local anesthetic is used while your dentist removes excess gum tissue with either a scalpel or laser tools.  If tissue is being removed for a restoration to fit you may only require tissue to be removed from a couple of teeth.  Some people have more gum tissue than others and it results in a gummy smile, which can be corrected throughout the entire mouth.  The result is a visually pleasing ratio of teeth to gums that creates an even smile!  If you think your smile would benefit from crown lengthening, please contact us.

To learn more about crown lengthening and all the services we provide at our office, visit VistaDentalMH.Ca for more information. To schedule an appointment at Vista Dental, located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077.