Losing the First Tooth

If you have a kid at home that’s growing into a big kid, losing the first baby tooth is on the horizon.  It’s an exciting sign of growing up, but many kids still feel anxious or uncomfortable dealing with the unfamiliar sensation of a loose tooth.  At Visa Dental, we want kids and parents to be prepared and understand why this pain occurs so the child can still have a positive tooth loss experience!

Before a baby tooth is lost, it begins to break free of its nerve endings.  This is the natural process that makes the tooth feel loose and wobbly at the gums, and the area will become swollen and red.  It can be painful, and for kids a great way to soothe tooth pain is applying a cold compress to the outside of the mouth in the affected area.  Children may complain that they find it hard to bite or chew with loose or missing teeth.  It’s still important to keep eating healthy while they grow new teeth so encourage soup, pureed fruits, and cooked vegetables.  A few tales of the tooth fairy can usually ease a little pain, too!

To learn more about tooth loss and 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.

What is a Gum Graft?

Gum grafting is primarily used to treat receding gums, especially where tooth has been exposed. When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and stretch, forming little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out, they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede.  Vista Dental can help you correct this by repairing deficient gums with a gum graft. 

A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the graft.  Gum grafting can be performed when receding gums become unsightly, or to cover teeth that have been exposed by receding gums and become much more sensitive.  If you think you could benefit from a gum graft, please contact us.

To learn more about gum grafting 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.

Dental Implant Oral Care

Caring for teeth that have been restored with dental implants is extremely important to keep them from failing. Our doctors at Vista Dental are happy to provide you with instructions on how to properly brush, floss, and maintain regular dental cleanings and check-ups as required. We’d like to assist you best we can to help you ensure the longevity of your dental implant.

A dental implant consists of three parts, the implant itself, the abutment, – usually made of titanium, gold, or porcelain – and the restoration, - the part of the implant that looks like a tooth. Dental implants should be cared for like natural teeth. It’s important to practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing once daily. Avoiding chewing on hard foods to prevent fractures and quit smoking if possible because smoking can weaken the bone structure around the implant, causing it to fail.

If you have questions regarding 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. 

Don’t Neglect Your Tongue

You’ve been brushing your teeth for most of your life, but our doctors at Vista Dental want to know how much attention you are giving your tongue. After consuming foods and beverages, especially ones that are high in carbohydrates, the bacteria from these items fester and linger on the tongue. Cleaning your tongue should be an important part of your oral care routine and we are here to tell you why.

You can clean your tongue with a soft-bristled toothbrush, or go to the drugstore and invest in a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is a tool that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and works by starting at the back of the tongue and pulling the scraper forward. When this is done, the layer of bacteria that is removed may appear a little off-putting but the result will be a fresher breath and a cleaner mouth.

If you have questions regarding 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. 

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.