Teeth-Safe Halloween

We hope all our patients at Vista Dental in Medicine Hat enjoy a tooth-friendly Halloween. It is possible to make choices that are less harmful to dental health without taking all the fun out of the holiday, and since there are lots of sugary treats available during the fall and winter festivities, we thought it would be a good idea to go over some tips.

People are right to be concerned that the sugar in candy increases their risk of tooth decay. But sugar is hardly limited to candy—it is also common in the caffeinated drinks that are popular in the fall, and winter squash is high in starch. But the amount of time sugar remains on teeth has more to do with decay than the amount of sugar in any particular food. The biggest threat to teeth comes from hard candies that people suck on for extended periods and from toffees that get stuck between teeth (and can dislodge fillings).

You can reduce your exposure to sugar by eating candy after meals, when your saliva glands will be more active. This will wash away sugary residue and food debris. If you can’t brush your teeth right away after eating, you can still chew on sugar-free gum. Keep bottles of fluoridated water around to swig from in between drinks from soda or creamy coffees. You can also gravitate toward sugar-free hard candies or candy that can be consumed quickly without getting stuck.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.

Harmful Acids and Tooth Enamel

Our doctors at Vista Dental want you to take a quick test and you don’t even have to grab a pen to take it. Lick your teeth, do you feel a layer of plaque there? Plaque is caused by harmful acids and bacteria that form from foods and beverages that we consume. Highly acidic foods include pickles, tomatoes, coffee, and especially alcohol. If plaque isn’t adequately removed, these harmful acids may cause tooth enamel to erode.

Once tooth enamel begins to erode, the teeth and gums may appear more sensitive than usual. Enamel protects the teeth from daily use, such as chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding. Once tooth enamel is lost, it’s not coming back and will require cosmetic or restorative procedures to repair. To prevent tooth sensitivity and periodontal disease, it’s important to visit our doctors at Vista dental twice a year for dental checkups and routine cleanings in addition to brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal.

If you have questions regarding dental health or oral care, 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. 

Whitening Methods

For many years, dental companies have been perfecting the art of professional teeth whitening, creating professional-grade products that whiten teeth dramatically – sometimes anywhere from four to eight. At Vista Dental, each one of our doctors is proud to offer professional tooth whitening using a specialized bleaching gel and custom-made trays to reveal radiant results.

When you whiten your teeth, you wish to make a noticeable difference in your smile’s appearance. Over-the-counter gels and strips can whiten teeth between one to two shades. Professional teeth whitening at our office can whiten teeth anywhere from four to eight shades. This means that even the least noticeable result with professional whitening is twice as effective as over-the-counter kits. If you desire a brighter smile, schedule a consultation to discuss your whitening options.

If you have questions regarding teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry, 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. 

Cirrhosis and Gum Disease

Oral health has many benefits for the rest of the body. At Vista Dental in Medicine Hat, we encourage all our patients to get regular cleanings. We’re particularly excited about new research showing that treatments for gum disease can also improve symptoms of cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver due to chronic inflammation. It is often the result of smoking or alcohol, both of which are also linked to gum disease. But people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are also at increased risk for periodontal disease, which prompted scientists to look for a deeper connection.

People with cirrhosis have more frequent bouts of inflammation and decreased cognitive function. Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University investigated whether these symptoms improved in patients who underwent periodontal therapy. They found that treated patients had improved cognitive function and a higher count of bacteria that fight inflammation. While it is too early to definitively say that treating gum disease improves outcomes in people with cirrhosis, we can say that people without gum infections are less likely to inhale harmful bacteria. Better oral hygiene also leaves people with less mouth discomfort and feeling better about themselves.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.

Bridges

Vista Dental in Medicine Hat is a modern dental office with all sorts of ways of restoring missing teeth. Dental bridges are one of the most commonly used kinds of prosthodontics, so we want to ensure our patients’ understanding of them is up to date.

Bridges are used when multiple teeth are missing or have extensive decay. The most basic kind of bridge is a series of connected crowns. Two of a patient’s natural teeth would be reshaped into cylindrical abutments, and the artificial crowns at the ends of a bridge would be fitted over them, with a third crown suspended between. Bridges are less taxing on the patient than implants, which have to integrate with the jaw bone, and individual crowns won’t drift. But the classic bridge requires all the teeth in its way to be removed or reshaped, making it undesirable for people who only need some teeth replaced.

Dentures can also be thought of as bridges, and removable partial dentures can be used for people who only need a few teeth replaced. The denture can be constructed with a gap for a natural tooth, and although it may need to be refitted if the tooth drifts, it is easier to clean. Partial and full dentures can also be supported with mini-implants, providing some jaw bone stability with a shorter osseointegration process than full-sized implants.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.