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.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Though baby teeth are temporary, they are important for setting the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. Baby teeth are prone to cavities and this tooth decay that occurs in toddlers and infants is called baby bottle decay. Baby bottle tooth decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, though others can be affected. The common cause is frequent exposure to sugary beverages. Our doctors at Vista Dental are here to help parents prevent this condition in their child.

After feeding your child, wipe his or her gums with a clean gauze pad or washcloth. Begin brushing his or her teeth without toothpaste once the first tooth is exposed. Clean and massage the gums and make sure your child is getting enough fluoride to ward off cavities. Depending on your child’s age, he or she may be a candidate for dental sealants to prevent tooth decay.

If you have questions or concerns regarding pediatric dental services, 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. 

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. 

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. 

White Spot Lesions

White spot lesions are the first sign of dental decay. At Vista Dental in Medicine Hat, we want our patients to understand their significance, which is why this week’s blog post is about how to prevent them and what can be done if they develop.

A white spot lesion, or incipient lesion, looks chalky compared to the rest of the teeth. It resembles enamel that is being eroded by acid reflux, although it can be stained brown with time. Tooth decay tends to begin around the edge of the gum line, where patients have the most difficult time brushing. People with fixed orthodontic brackets tend to develop lesions around the brackets’ edges, leaving them with white spots shaped like hollow rectangles on their teeth after the brackets are removed.

It only takes a month for white spots to form. Good brushing is essential to prevention, but fluoride treatments can also prevent them. A lesion may look shinier after it is no longer active. Once the progress of decay is arrested, mineralization can reverse the damage if it was not severe. Otherwise, teeth whitening, bonding, and veneers are popular cosmetic treatments.

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.

 

Cavity Prevention

If you want to prevent a cavity from developing in your tooth or several teeth, prevention starts at home after a visit with one of our doctors at Vista Dental. Visiting our office twice a year for professional cleanings will help you stay on top of your oral health and prevent tooth decay. A cavity is a hole in the tooth that occurs when plaque sticks to the tooth and produces acid that eats away at the enamel. Though we have several options to fill it, we’d rather you not have one at all.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 23.7 percent of American adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have untreated cavities. To avoid falling into this category, you should thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day. It’s important to avoid sugars and carbohydrates, as they do more harm to your teeth than good. Sometimes cavities show no symptoms, so it’s important to visit us twice a year for an oral exam and dental X-rays to prevent complications.

If you have questions regarding cavities or tooth decay, 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. 

Extraction Reasons

Dentists may remove teeth for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is due to a tooth being severely decayed. When trauma or decay damages a tooth or surrounding teeth, our doctors at Vista Dental will do everything they can to fix the tooth with a filling or a crown. When a tooth is damaged beyond repair, tooth extraction is necessary.

Other reasons for tooth extraction include:

• Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.


• Sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out in time to allow permanent teeth to come in.


• People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth extractions, 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. 

Dental Sealants

What if there was a way to seal out cavities so that you never got one again? Well, there just might be. Though our doctors at Vista Dental cannot guarantee that you’ll never develop another cavity, we can help you prevent them. Dental sealants consist of plastic material that is placed on the chewing surface of the back teeth to help protect them from bacteria that leads to decay. Allow us to explain the benefits of dental sealants.

Both children and adults can benefit from dental sealants, however, the sooner you receive them the better. Sealing teeth as soon as possible is the best thing to do for cavity prevention. Sealants are applied quickly and painlessly. Before placing the dental sealant, our doctor will dry the tooth and place an acidic gel that hardens and forms a strong bond between the crevices of your teeth. Sealants are safe and effective and can last for several years before they need to be reapplied.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental sealants, 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. 

Reduce Dental Plaque

Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates, such as milk, soft drinks, cakes, etc. are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This is why our doctors of Vista Dental want patients to know how they can reduce dental plaque to avoid invasive dental procedures in the future.

To prevent plaque you must first pay attention to the foods you put in your mouth. Since plaque needs carbohydrates to form, the fewer carbs you eat, the better. Avoid candy, cookies, and other sweet things as much as possible in order to prevent plaque build-up. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, cheese, fruit or raw veggies. Vegetables such as celery help remove food and help saliva neutralize plaque causing acids.  In addition, the best thing you can do to reduce dental plaque is brush and floss twice a day. Brushing removes plaque that has built up on your teeth, while flossing removes food particles and debris from between your teeth.

If you are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call and make your appointment, today. 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.