FAQs

Bad breath or halitosis, can be a pesky and embarrassing condition. Many times, we may not realize that we even have bad breath. While everyone has it from time to time, if it is an ongoing issue, it is essential to determine what the cause is. Keeping a record of what you eat, reviewing your current medications, recent surgeries, and illnesses with your dentist, will help you identify the cause of bad breath. The following are some causes of bad breath:

• Particular foods
• Poor oral hygiene
• Periodontal (gum disease)
• Dry mouth (xerostomia)
• Tobacco products
• Dieting
• Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals
• Certain medical conditions and illnesses

Some studies suggest that you can reduce bad breath up to 70% by simply brushing your tongue. If you would like to prevent bad breath, the following are some suggestions:

• Practice good oral hygiene
• Visit your dentist regularly
• Stay hydrated throughout the day
• Use mouthwashes/rinses

When you brush and floss your teeth regularly, it helps to control the plaque and bacteria in your mouth, responsible for causing dental disease. You should brush your teeth a minimum of twice per day, especially before going to bed. Flossing is the most effective way to clean between your teeth and under your gumline. Flossing disrupts plaque colonies from building up. This prevents damage to your gums, teeth, and bones. It is recommended to floss a minimum of once per day.

In most cases, patients are unaware that they have gum disease. Usually, the disease is painless in the early stages. You may have periodontal disease and experience no symptoms. This means regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations are essential to detect the presence of periodontal problems.

The following are signs and symptoms of periodontal disease:

• New spacing between teeth
• Loose teeth
• Pus around the teeth and gums
• Receding gums
• Tenderness or discomfort
• Puffy red gums
• Bleeding gums
• Persistent bad breath

Cosmetic dentistry has grown increasingly popular over the years. Many patients are interested in enhancing their smile through these services.

Cosmetic dental treatments can transform your smile dramatically, whether that entails restoring one tooth or having a full mouth make-over. Ask your dentist in Calgary about how the following cosmetic procedures can improve the health and beauty of your smile:

• Teeth Whitening
• Composite (tooth-coloured) fillings
• Porcelain veneers
• Porcelain crowns
• Dental implants
• Orthodontics

Over time, the outer layer of tooth enamel deteriorates, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade. Lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discolouration. In addition, specific medications can cause your teeth to become yellow and dull, as can excessive fluoridation during tooth development.

Teeth whitening has become the top aesthetic concern of many dental patients. Professional teeth whitening is a simple and non-invasive procedure performed to change the colour of natural tooth enamel. Your dentist can evaluate your teeth to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching.

Tooth loss can be a traumatic experience. Fortunately, there are many state-of-the-art dental treatments and prevention options available. It is imperative that you replace missing teeth to avoid future cosmetic and dental problems. When you lose a tooth, the adjacent teeth can shift or tip into the open space of the lost tooth. The tooth above or below the open space will also begin to move towards the open space since there is no opposing tooth to bite on. Such movements may lead to problems like decay, gum disease, excessive wear on certain teeth, and TMJ. Losing one or multiple teeth will compromise your chewing abilities, the health of your bite, and the beauty of your smile. The following are your options for replacement of missing teeth:

• Removable bridges
• Fixed bridges
• Dentures
• Implants

Everyone is at risk for having a tooth knocked out. Knowing how to handle the emergency situation may save your tooth. If your tooth is knocked out, follow these steps:

Firstly, you will locate the tooth and handle it by the crown. If it has dirt or debris on it, refrain from scrubbing it using soap or chemicals. Instead, rinse your tooth with saliva or milk. If this is not possible, gently clean it with water.

Immediately attempt to replace the tooth back in its socket. To keep the tooth in place, carefully bite down on gauze, a wet tea bag or your own teeth. If your tooth cannot be placed back into the socket, put it in a container and cover it with saliva or milk. Alternatively, you can set the tooth under your tongue or between your lower lip and gums.

It is pivotal to visit your dentist within 30 minutes, as the longer, you wait, the lower the chance is for successful preimplantation.