Reasons for Tooth Extractions

We regularly extract teeth at Vista Dental in Medicine Hat, but we always give the decision to extract serious consideration. There are a few reasons why we might recommend it, and we thought it would be helpful to patients who are nervous if they understood what those are.

The teeth that are most often extracted are wisdom teeth and premolars. Modern people’s mouths often don’t have room for all their teeth. When kids are being prepared for orthodontic correction, it is common for a set of premolars to be removed so that the remaining teeth will be able to form a perfectly-aligned arch. Wisdom teeth often do not emerge until late in adolescence, after the window for major orthodontic correction has closed. They are especially likely to get stuck and to push other teeth out of alignment while causing soreness and creating a difficult-to-clean home for bacteria.

Adult teeth can also become impacted if the baby teeth ahead of them don’t fall out. Even when they are able to emerge, the overcrowding and awkward positioning of the baby teeth will create a trap for sugar. Occasionally, a tooth might be too infected or cracked to be saved. This has gotten rarer as root canal techniques have improved, but it can happen, and the surrounding gum tissue may be too weak to support a tooth. However, dental roots help to stabilize the jaw bone, so we would usually try to restore a broken crown.

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.

 

Diabetes and Gum Disease

Gum inflammation is so common that many people think it’s normal to see blood in the sink after they spit. In fact, inflammation is a sign of a problem. There are various things that could cause it, but the most common is a gum infection. At Vista Dental in Medicine Hat, we’re particularly concerned about the impact gum disease has on people with diabetes and we want our patients to know why.

Inflammation prevents pathogens from traveling to other parts of the body and makes cell membranes more permeable to proteins used by white blood cells. Unfortunately, inflammation is also painful and prolonged inflammation can weaken or scar tissues. People with uncontrolled blood sugar have higher rates of inflammation and more difficulty fighting off infections. There is evidence that gum disease causes the body to become worse at glucose regulation, creating a feedback cycle.

Gum disease in diabetic people is treatable, but they need to be especially committed to brushing and flossing. At regular appointments, we can provide deep cleanings to remove plaque from gum pockets before inflammation sets in. When gum disease is treated, blood sugar becomes better regulated. And if their blood sugar is well-regulated, diabetic people are no more at risk for gum disease than anyone else.

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.

 

Mouth Guards

Mouth guard use has been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries. Imagine playing a sport that you love and suddenly your teeth get knocked out. Smiling, talking and eating would be difficult and it will probably take you some time to recover. When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouth guard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard from an early age. Fortunately, our doctors at Vista Dental can provide patients of all ages with custom-fitted mouth guards for proper protection.

Custom mouth guards are made from exact and precise models of an individual’s own teeth. They are also made of resilient and tear resistant materials ensuring a proper fit. A properly fitted mouth guard absolutely must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, and allow room for you to breathe. Because our custom-fitted mouth guards are made for your mouth and your mouth only, they are more reliable than over-the-counter mouth guards.

If you have questions regarding custom-fitted mouth guards, please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

Traditional Braces

Everybody wants the perfect smile, but most of us need assistance getting there. Correcting crooked or misaligned teeth isn’t just about creating a picture-perfect smile. It can also help protect the long-term health of your teeth. One of the biggest challenges of having traditional braces is removing all of the food that gets trapped in brackets and wires but they are an orthodontic method that has evolved over the years. Allow our doctors at Vista Dental to share the benefits of traditional braces with you.

Traditional dental braces consist of brackets and archwires that are placed across the teeth, which use elastic ties to secure them. Though they are the least aesthetically pleasing option, patients can select from a variety of color choices to express their personalities through their smile. Traditional braces treat a wide range of malocclusion issues such as crowding, alignment issues, and irregular spacing. Though there may be mild discomfort once the brackets are placed, they are permanent until removed, so you don’t have to worry about misplacing aligners.

If you have questions regarding orthodontics, please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

Dental Instruments

You’re probably familiar with some of the commonly used instruments in dental offices, but do you know their names? At Vista Dental in Medicine Hat, we want our patients to feel comfortable with their care, and we believe that people feel better when they have the words to describe things.

During the regular cleaning, our hygienists will use a handheld mirror to see inside a patient’s mouth and an explorer to break up calculus on the teeth. The explorer is a hooked metal instrument and is also used to test the stability of enamel and whether there are infections in the gum pockets. Scalers are flattened hooks used to remove debris from below the gum line. A hose called an evacuator is used periodically to suction away broken up calculus.

The most common issue we encounter during routine cleanings is tooth decay. Before removing it, we’ll deliver a localized anesthetic through a syringe. Our Waterlase instrument can be used to remove decayed enamel without the heat and vibrations of a conventional drill. The filling material is applied using a variety of blunt-tipped instruments called burnishers, which are also used to contour it to fit perfectly with the patient’s teeth. Should a tooth need to be removed entirely, it is wiggled with a long, shallow spoon called an elevator until it can be lifted out with reverse-action pliers.

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.

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.

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.

 

Benefits of a Custom-Fitted Mouthguard

Mouthguards are very versatile. They provide damage control for those who grind and clench the teeth, athletes with an increased risk of dental injuries, and to reduce snoring from sleep apnea. At Vista Dental, we offer custom-fitted mouthguards to our patients for ultimate comfort and protection.

Mouthguards can be used by anyone but are most beneficial for those who play contact sports. Those who play hockey, soccer, football, or basketball, pose a higher risk of dental injury and trauma and a mouthguard provides a barrier to protect them from these problems. A custom-fitted mouthguard will also benefit a “bruxer” who grinds their teeth and risks wearing down tooth enamel. If you’ve ever considered a mouthguard, our doctors will discuss what is best for you.

If you have questions regarding custom-fitted mouthguards please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

Halitosis

When bad breath isn’t masked by mints or mouthwash, the odor may become a chronic problem. Unlike morning breath, halitosis, also known as chronic bad breath, may be a sign of a more serious medical condition. If you have an adequate oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing at least twice a day, but still suffer from a foul odor in the mouth, you may need to visit our doctors at Vista Dental to discuss your treatment options.

Bad breath is embarrassing, especially when you aren’t the first to notice. With halitosis, chronic bad breath is usually caused by poor oral hygiene habits. It can also be a result of dry mouth, dental problems such as gum disease, or an underlying medical condition. If your bad breath has you feeling self-conscious, schedule a consultation with our doctors at Vista Dental to get the problem under control.

If you have questions regarding halitosis, please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

The Process of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is one of the most common causes of tooth pain. Tooth decay originates with dental plaque that isn’t removed between the teeth during brushing and flossing. A person is more likely to develop decay if they suffer from poor oral hygiene, a diet that is high in refined sugar, tooth roots exposed by receding gums, and/or reduced flow of saliva. To prevent tooth decay, it’s important to visit our doctors at Vista Dental twice a year for professional cleanings.

Tooth decay occurs in stages. The first stage of decay begins when chalky white areas on the surface of the tooth appear, due to the loss of calcium and plaque buildup. Acids will begin to deteriorate tooth enamel and will eventually start breaking underneath the tooth’s surface. If decay is left untreated, the dentist will begin to dissolve, resulting in potential tooth loss. If you experience tooth pain of any kind or are concerned about a cavity, schedule an appointment to discuss your treatment options.  

If you have questions regarding oral care for orthodontics, please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

TMJ/TMD Diet

A temporomandibular joint disorder may cause the jaw to be achy, sore, and difficult to open. Because of these symptoms, it’s helpful to adjust your diet after being diagnosed with this condition. The temporomandibular joint acts as a hinge that causes your jaw to slide forward and side-to-side to assist you with yawning, chewing, and speaking. Our doctors at Vista Dental suggest adjusting your diet to alleviate these discomforts.

Soft food gives your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. Some excellent (and healthy) foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soup, and yogurt. If you must eat food that requires a heavy amount of chewing, we recommended chopping it up into small pieces. If you have a sweet tooth, soft cakes, cobblers, and cheesecake are good things to choose from. They may not be the healthiest of options, but they are delicious and easy to eat!

If you have questions regarding temporomandibular joint disorder, please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants have many advantages, including improved appearance, improved speech, improved comfort, and many more. When you are missing teeth, your self-confidence becomes depleted and you’re left feeling down and out. Our doctors at Vista Dental make it a priority to revive your self-esteem by recommending a treatment method that will help you eat, chew, smile, talk, all while looking completely natural.

The entire implant process is performed over a course of a few months. The first part of the process is to install the implant itself, where a screw is placed into the jaw bone. An incision is then made in the gum so that the implant can be inserted. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary, and after the implants are placed, the gums are sutured. Depending on the patient’s case, if a specialist at Vista Dental is not able to perform the surgery in office, he or she will recommend you to someone who can.

If you have questions or concerns regarding restorative dental services or dental implants, 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. 

Tooth Abscess Treatment

A tooth abscess is an infection in or around the root of the tooth which may or may not be painful. It occurs when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal dies, becomes inflamed and goes untreated. The most common symptom of a tooth abscess is a feeling of ache in the bone around the tooth, but you may also experience pain when chewing, or notice swelling of the gums. If you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms, give our doctors at Vista Dental a call to treat the problem.

Dental abscesses may range from mild to severe. If the abscess has spread to a superficial area, there is typically tenderness to the touch of the infected area. Most abscesses are painful, so people usually seek treatment immediately. If the infection is not treated, it can damage the surrounding bone and teeth. Daily brushing and flossing along with regular dental checkups can prevent tooth decay and a dental abscess.

If you have questions or concerns about a tooth abscess, 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. 

Effects of Tartar Buildup

If you practice poor oral hygiene, you are likely to develop plaque buildup, a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth along the gum line. Plaque contains bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease and when left untreated, can lead to tartar buildup that only our doctors at Vista Dental will be able to remove.

Because tartar is spongy, it absorbs stains easily. The most common sign of this mineral is a yellow or brown deposit between the lower front teeth or at the gum line. Therefore, if you are a coffee or tea drinker, or a smoker, it is especially important that you prevent tartar buildup. Proper brushing, especially with an American Dental Association (ADA) approved toothpaste, and flossing is necessary to reduce both plaque and tartar buildup. The process for removing tartar is called scaling. During a scaling procedure, the doctor or a hygienist will use special instruments to remove it.  

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

Nocturnal Bruxism

Clenching your teeth in a bout of stress may seem harmless, but it actually does more harm than good. Teeth clenching and tooth grinding are symptoms of bruxism, a condition in which a patient performs these actions while awake or asleep. When bruxism occurs during sleep, however, it may be a symptom of an underlying condition such as obstructive sleep apnea. Fortunately, regardless of the cause, our doctors at Vista Dental can recommend a dental appliance to alleviate the condition.

A patient who suffers from nocturnal bruxism can benefit from wearing a night guard during sleep. The purpose of a night guard is to alleviate pressure that is put on the jaw and to create better airflow during sleep. Wearing a night guard protects teeth from further damage and from becoming worn down, broken, or cracked. Bruxism cases can range from mild to severe, depending on which kind you are diagnosed with, treatment options may vary.

If you have questions regarding bruxism, 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. 

Teeth Sectioning

Patients who need tooth extractions can count on the experience and expertise of the doctors at Vista Dental in Medicine Hat. Generally speaking, extractions are something to be avoided, but wisdom teeth often need to be removed because they are threatening the alignment of the rest of the teeth or are too large to push through the gum line. Rather than removing an entire large tooth at once, dentists sometimes employ sectioning.

There are several reasons why a dentist might not want to remove a whole wisdom tooth at once. It could be because there isn’t a large enough natural gap in the gum pocket for an impacted tooth to be moved through and the dentist wants to reduce the need for incisions. It could also be that the tooth is at an inconvenient angle and located close enough to a major nerve for a dentist to not want to risk using a large amount of force. In any case, sectioning is only done once a patient has been numbed and safely sedated. Using a dental drill, the dentist will cut the tooth into sections while keeping it under a stream of water. This will prevent the drill’s heat from damaging the mouth. Smaller tooth sections can be maneuvered more easily and pulled out with less force.

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.

 

Sjögren’s Syndrome

The doctors of Vista Dental in Medicine Hat are determined to provide patients with all sorts of medical needs with top-quality dental care. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is one problem with serious implications for oral health, and that’s particularly true in cases caused by the autoimmune disorder Sjögren’s Syndrome.

An autoimmune disorder is one in which the body’s immune system attacks the body. It is unclear what causes Sjögren’s Syndrome but it has a high comorbidity with lupus, which usually appears in people who are genetically predisposed to it after they suffer trauma or an infection. Sjögren’s Syndrome affects the entire body but it first dries out the tear and saliva ducts. Without saliva, food debris accumulates in the mouth, allowing bacteria and fungi to rapidly multiply. Dryness also disrupts the functioning of the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infection.

Testing for Sjögren’s is done with a sample of the patient’s salivary glands. These are plucked from the inside of the patient’s lower lip during a procedure called a biopsy. Only a local anesthetic is necessary for this, although suturing is sometimes done afterward. If Sjögren’s is confirmed as the cause of dry mouth, the patient will need to begin using saliva substitutions and may be prescribed medication to stimulate additional saliva production.

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.

 

Enamel Erosion

Tooth enamel is the strongest mineral substance in the body and once it’s gone, it doesn’t come back. Enamel helps the teeth fight against sensitivity and many different chemicals from food that causes the teeth harm. When enamel erodes, a patient may cringe while sipping hot or cold beverages and while brushing and flossing the teeth. To prevent enamel erosion, visit our doctors at Vista Dental twice a year for an oral exam and professional cleaning.

Enamel can erode from acids in the food and beverages that we consume. You may have enamel erosion if you experience pain or high sensitivity when exposed to cold, hot, acidic, or spicy foods. If left untreated, enamel erosion can lead to yellow-stained teeth, increased tooth decay, and fractured teeth. Though enamel can’t repair itself, if a significant amount of enamel is lost, dental bonding or another cosmetic procedure may be suggested as treatment.

If you have questions regarding dental health, 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. 

Oral Care for Senior Citizens

Because seniors are more likely to develop arthritis that limits movement of the hands, it’s important for them to have a vigorous oral care routine to keep teeth in optimal shape. Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for dry mouth, root decay, a diminished sense of taste, and tooth loss. If you are a senior struggling with dental care, our doctors at Vista Dental are here to assist you.

Wearing dentures, taking medications and general health conditions are some of the issues many seniors face. Teeth can also become more sensitive with age because our gums naturally recede over time, exposing areas of the tooth that are not protected by enamel. Unfortunately, as we age, arthritis can play another role in our oral health. For people who have this condition and have trouble using a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush may be easier to use and increase effectiveness.

If you have questions regarding family dentistry or oral care habits, 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.