Toothbrush Abrasion

At Vista Dental, we encourage patients to get excited about maintaining their oral hygiene. However, we don’t want you to get so excited that you brush your teeth away. Toothbrush abrasion, also known as toothbrush damage, can damage the teeth and gums that result from excessive brushing force. Brushing too hard can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. Allow us to explain why.

Brushing too hard can lead to tooth sensitivity and will cause more harm than good. If you have made brushing vigorously a habit, our doctors encourage you to at least try to brush a little softer because if you don’t, the gums may permanently recede. When this happens, the roots become exposed and are increasing your risk of developing dental diseases such as periodontal disease and cavities.  

If you have questions or concerns about a 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. 

Scaling and Root Planing

At Vista Dental, we see patients experiencing every stage of gum disease.  When sticky plaque builds up on the surface of a tooth, the gums will stretch and form a pocket around the buildup.  This only leads to more gum recession.  Scaling and root planing are used to treat this buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease.  Scaling and root planning are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to help repair gums.

The procedure begins with scaling, the process of removing plaque from the surface of your teeth all the way down to your gums. Root planing describes any minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the gums.  Once the plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to.   Local anesthetic is used during this procedure, and your dentist may recommend completing the treatment over a series of appointments. 

To learn more about scaling, root planing, 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.

Invisalign

Vista Dental aims to give every patient a great smile, and Invisalign is one product that helps us do so.   Invisalign is the invisible alternative to traditional braces for adults and teens. An Invisalign treatment plan consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that are custom-made for your teeth, and a typical treatment plan can be completed in less than a year.  Invisalign is recommended to correct mild to moderate spacing or crowding of the teeth.  Any severe misalignment may require another method so always consult your dentist. 

To straighten your teeth with Invisalign, we begin with an examination. A dentist can determine if Invisalign will be effective in achieving the smile you want. Impressions or scans of your teeth are used to create a full set of aligners customized to your teeth and your treatment plan. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks, depending on your individual treatment plan.  The aligners should be worn at least 20 hours a day. You should remove the aligners to eat, and to brush and floss.

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.

Night Guards for Bruxism

Vista Dental offers custom night guards to help patients overcome the negative effects of bruxism.  Bruxism is defined as any regular teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. Stress can intensify bruxism, but it is most often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth. Some teeth grinders consciously grind their teeth and clench their jaw, but some only do so while asleep and may not even realize it.  Waking up with a dull headache or experiencing pain and stiffness in your jaw are signs you may be grinding your teeth overnight.

Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Wearing a custom night guard protects the surface of the teeth, and also properly aligns the jaw to improve breathing and sleep. To fit you with a custom night guard a dentist takes an impression of your teeth, and the night guard is manufactured in a dental lab. When properly cared for, a custom night guard can be used for up to 10 years!  Having a custom night guard made is an easy step to take to protect your teeth and prevent the devastating effects of long-term teeth grinding.

To learn more about night guards 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.

Dry Sockets

While the doctors at Vista Dental in Medicine Hat are highly trained and experienced in root canals, there are times teeth have to be extracted. Although most patients have quick and easy recoveries, the most common problem they encounter is a dry socket. These are particularly likely following extractions which required incisions into gum or bone tissue, as sometimes happens with wisdom teeth.

When a tooth is removed, the patient will bleed a little. The blood should be allowed to clot so that it can seal off and protect the empty socket, preventing infection and dryness. The instructions a patient will be given after the operation are mostly meant to ensure that the clot does not get knocked loose prematurely, as might happen if the patient sips through a straw. The doctors will also need to know if the patient is on medications that may interfere with clotting.

Empty sockets usually close quickly; the patient is at the greatest risk of dryness during the first two days after surgery. If they experience severe pain, they should schedule an emergency appointment. Our office will be able to clean the wound and provide medicated dressings, as well as antibiotics and painkillers.

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 VistaDentalMH.Ca.

 

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is frequently a factor in cases we treat at Vista Dental. We depend on saliva for a number of functions, including breaking down food, washing away food residue and harmful bacteria, and maintaining our comfort. When our saliva runs out, we suffer from bad breath and are at increased risk of oral infections. People who wear dentures may have difficulty getting them to stay in place. The outside of the mouth can also dry out, leaving the lips sore and cracked.

Unfortunately, one of the most common reasons for dry mouth is that it is a side-effect of a large number of cancer and psychiatric medications. (Scientifically, dry mouth is known as xerostomia.) A less-common reason for dry mouth is Sjögren’s syndrome, which is a disease that also causes the eyes to dry out. Patients who cannot change their medications or take medications to stimulate saliva production they may need to buy mouth rinses and other artificial moisturizers. Chewing sugar-free gum is another way 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 VistaDentalMH.Ca.

 

Endodontics: Root Canal

Endodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals specifically with the tooth pulp that surrounds the root of the tooth. The pulp is a soft substance in the center of the tooth that is the nucleus of the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When this pulp becomes infected, it will need to be removed; this is when a root canal is recommended. Allow our doctors at Vista Dental to explain more about this process.

In a fully developed tooth, the tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it. Though the term “root canal” can sound scary, modern endodontic treatment is similar to a routine filling and is usually completed in two appointments. Living with infected tooth pulp is a lot more painful than the actual root canal. During the procedure, one of our doctors will apply a local anesthetic. Once the tooth is numb, a small incision will be made in the crown of the tooth and the pulp will be removed. After the space is cleaned, a rubber-like material is used to seal the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is then placed to close the opening. During your final visit, the temporary filling will be removed and a permanent crown will be placed to restore the tooth back to its full function.

If you have questions or concerns about a root canal, 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.