What to Expect from a Dental Cleaning?

There is a misconception that dental procedures are painful. Whether it is for an acquaintance experience or the TV shows where the dentist is the bad guy, there is a common fear for dentists that, honestly, is irrational!

Dentists are like any other medical professional. They care for your health and well-being. Decades ago, procedures were more invasive and unpleasant, but nowadays, there is nothing to fear. Thanks to modern dentistry, we focus on preventative dentistry, and we offer dental cleanings and check-ups near you without any pain. We always think about the comfort of our patients.

When Was Your Last Time?

Now, when was the last time you visited a dentist near you? The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests these visits every six months. We recommend that if it has been over a year, you schedule that appointment ASAP!

And if you are afraid of feeling pain, our dentist in Wetaskiwin offers sedation dentistry for even the simplest of procedures. If you suffer from dental anxiety, they can use gas sedation before to make you feel calm.

The Importance of Teeth Cleanings

If you are about to undergo dental cleanings and check-ups in Wetaskiwin, you are doing well! 

People do not know how vital these are; when in fact, they can prevent almost every oral issue. You can keep cavities and periodontal disease away when you keep up with your dental appointments. 

What to Expect from the Appointment?

First of all, our dentist in Wetaskiwin or the dental hygienist will take a look at your teeth and gums to monitor signs of infection. They may ask you questions like if your gums bleed when you brush your teeth. If the answer is yes, it is due to the inflammation of your gingiva (gingivitis).

This inflammation occurs when there is plaque or tartar build-up. Tartar is a hardened plaque.

During this visit, they may take x-rays to control there are no cavities between your teeth. Then, they will start with the cleaning.

Using a scaler, your hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar from beneath the gums (and around your teeth). If you have too much, you may feel some discomfort during the removal.

Once you are free from plaque and tartar buildup, your dentist will brush your teeth with an electric brush and gritty toothpaste for polishing. 

Finally, they will apply fluoride to your teeth. This agent strengthens them and prevents cavities because it hardens the enamel. Afterward, you must not eat or drink for an hour.

What Can You Do at Home?

Even if you go for teeth cleanings every six months, you must do your work at home. Here are the things you must not skip:

1. Brush your teeth – We have listened to the importance of brushing our teeth forever! It is essential to do it twice a day for at least two minutes. Use fluoride toothpaste and change your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles are frayed.

2. Floss daily – Do not skip flossing! It is the only way of removing dental plaque from between your teeth. The toothbrush does not reach these areas, and you may develop interproximal cavities.

3. Avoid sugary snacks – Bacteria feed on sugars and starch. Reduce the consumption of starchy foods to prevent bacteria from producing the acids that damage your enamel.

If you do these things, plus visit your dentist every six months for a dental cleaning, you will enjoy a healthy smile and avoid expensive treatments in a dental office.

Contact us today if you want to schedule your appointment!

Six Compelling Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign’s system of thermoplastic aligners is not the only orthodontic treatment option for people looking for straighter and more consistently spaced teeth. For some people, traditional braces — sometimes tweaked with some non-traditional advances — are good or even the best appropriate option. Straightening your teeth with Invisalign near you, though, offers some unique and compelling advantages that traditional braces just can’t offer. Here are six of those compelling advantages in just one word and in alphabetical order.

 If the advantages of Invisalign look attractive to you, make an appointment with a dentist near you and ask if Invisalign is the right choice for helping you to achieve your goals. 

Comfortable

There’s an inherent risk to walking around with an arrangement of metal wires and brackets between and cemented to your teeth. Those wires and brackets poke and protrude against your gums and cheeks, where you may experience abrasions, irritation, and soreness. Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign in Wetaskiwin eliminates all that discomfort. Your aligners will fit snug against your teeth without any sharp edges or protrusions against the soft tissues in your mouth. 

Convenient 

Follow-up appointments while receiving orthodontic treatment with braces involve removing and adjusting the arch wires that connect the metal brackets on your teeth. Your dentist might even clean your teeth once those wires have been removed and make any necessary repairs before returning those archwires to your teeth. All those steps combine to make those follow-up appointments lengthy and sometimes uncomfortable. Not so with Invisalign. 

During your Invisalign treatment plan, you’ll attend occasional follow-up appointments with your dentist in Wetaskiwin, but of a very different sort. There will be no wires to remove, repair or replace since there are no wires at all. Your dentist won’t need to clean your teeth for you, because you’ll have been able to do that yourself. (More about that in a moment.) Instead, those appointments will be an opportunity to discuss any concerns and to confirm that your plan is on track. 

Healthier

Keeping your teeth clean while working around the archwires and brackets that comprise traditional braces can be a challenge. With Invisalign, though, maintaining your oral hygiene habits and keeping your teeth and gums clean is a breeze. You’ll be able to brush and floss normally because you’ll be able to do so after taking your aligners out and while your teeth are completely braces-free. Your smile will be brighter and your breath fresher than ever.

Invisible

If you think of “train tracks” when you think of orthodontic treatment, it’s time to put those stale-dated images out of your mind. It’s true that braces come with a certain amount of stigma and embarrassment, but Invisalign has solved that problem by relying on clear — yes, we said clear — thermoplastic aligners to gradually move your teeth. As long as you keep your teeth and aligners clean as your dentist will explain, no one needs to know you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment at all. It’ll be your little secret (though it may not be something you want to keep secret at all!)

Predictable

Thanks to advances in digital photography, dental imaging, and computer simulations, your treatment plan will include careful and step-by-step projections of every step in your transition toward straight teeth. You’ll know from the outset what your final result will look like, and you’ll leave your dentist’s office with a precise schedule of when you’ll switch from one aligner to the next as you get closer to your goal.

Removable

For many people, traditional braces are an excellent option for achieving straighter teeth, but they come with at least one significant downside: you’re stuck with them… often for years. Those braces will show up in every photograph and be part of every special occasion, casual meal, first kiss, job interview or big presentation. For many adults, the physical appearance of braces has been an obstacle to pursuing orthodontic treatment when doing so is finally accessible. Opting for Invisalign in Wetaskiwin brings discrete treatment within reach. You’ll be able to remove your aligners to eat, brush, floss — and even for special occasions, photographs, presentations, job interviews or intimate moments — as long as you wear them for 20 to 22 hours daily to keep your plan on track.

The Advanced Technology For Teeth Whitening

There are many ways of whitening teeth, from whitening strips or whitening gel to advanced whitening technology.

Teeth whitening near you works best on those stains from food or drinks. It can also work for bad habits such as smoking by removing the external coloration acquired from these substances.

However, whitening toothpaste can be an effective treatment procedure that targets external stains, and a dentist near you can help you with the type of product that could be the best for you.

What is Intrinsic Discoloration?

This is a dental issue with great concerns. They may be a result of childhood illness or infection. In most cases, aging.

The whitening procedure you should use, however, should be based on the type of discoloration you have.

Are you struggling with locating the best dentist in Wetaskiwin?  Do you need teeth whitening near you? Then contact us, Wetaskiwin Family Dental, where we treat our customers like kings and queens.

Smile Enhancing Technology Gets Advanced Every Day

For severe teeth staining ( intrinsic), the new sapphire whitening light, which contains xenon, is highly recommended.

The new sapphire whitening light manufactured by Den-Mat Corp is an advanced technology for fast results.

The whitening light is a quick and easy-to-use technology ranging from speed down to comfort it provides.

Procedures

The first step is to cover the gum with a protective gel.

After the dentist has done all her work, she will wipe your teeth with a hydrogen peroxide gel.

The gel helps to improve the effectiveness of the sapphire whitening light on the teeth.

The effect is so that it can bleach all teeth at once. However, the dentist can use a special whitening tip to treat one tooth one at a time. The peroxide whitening gel stands out as an effective and efficient whitening solution.

The sapphire whitening light also assures a painless process during its treatment. The cure lasts for one hour with significant results. It can be easy to set up as it takes 3 -5 seconds.

Researchers have concluded that sapphire whitening light is much easier on teeth than in-office treatment.

The sapphire whitening light enhances the bleaching effect of the gel compared to the bleaching effect without the light. That is what makes the sapphire outstanding.

The sapphire whitening light makes the advanced teeth whitening procedure safe by reducing harmful Ultraviolet rays ( UVA).

How Safe is Advanced Teeth Whitening?

It's known, according to The American Dental Association, that hydrogen peroxide whiteners are safe and effective; however, the sapphire curing light is also just as good.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening can be described as the process that makes your teeth up to eight shades whiter and instantly impacts the appearance of a smile.

Teeth whitening near you can be achieved when the manufacturer's procedures are followed duly or when the dentist in charge performs well.

 There are many teeth-whitening products which include;

●        Whitening toothpaste.

●        Over-the-counter gels.

●        Whitening rinses.

●        Whitening strips.

●        Tray-based teeth whiteners.

Get your teeth professionally treated with sapphire whitening at Wetaskiwin Family Dental.

Making your teeth brighter and whiter can be done safely. You may decide to try at home with some products or visit a dentist near you. However, most whitening treatments are safe to use, provided you follow the manufacturer's directions.

It is advisable to work with a dental professional as the teeth whitening light may have side effects.

Wetaskiwin Family Dental at Wetaskiwin offers teeth whitening in Wetaskiwin. We have dental health professionals. We as well have a team of highly trained and skilled clinicians. We offer services such as general restorative and cosmetic dentistry and perform oral surgery in some cases.

Key Benefits of Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies can be tricky as not all of them may involve pain. In such cases, it is a challenge to decide whether or not you need medical attention. Your dentist in Wetaskiwin can also educate you on how to classify these emergencies. 

What Are the Types of Dental Emergencies?

Here are some of the most common emergencies that imply it’s time to seek emergency dentistry near you straight away.

• Lost tooth –Your dental health could suffer significantly if you have lost a tooth, as every tooth plays an important role in your oral wellness. It is said that getting help within the first hour of losing your tooth can increase the chances of having it reinstated.
• Gum swelling –If you are experiencing knots or swelling in your gum, commonly around the wisdom tooth region, it could be a sign of an abscess. This happens when food gets stuck in the gums and causes infections. This could prove to be fatal if not treated soon enough.
• Loosened tooth –As an adult, your teeth should not be loose, and if you feel that a tooth is loose, this could prove to be a serious problem if not addressed quickly. It is better to get it examined even if you are not experiencing any pain.
• Bleeding gums –This is again a common issue with poor dental health, but if you are experiencing gum bleeding without any signs of visible injury, you should immediately reach out to a dentist near you to not only establish the cause but also get it treated right away, as it could prove fatal otherwise.

Benefits of Emergency Dentistry

Instead of going to the emergency room, reaching out to emergency dental clinics can prove to be more effective as they are properly equipped with specialized dental tools. This positions them to handle all kinds of dental issues and properly facilitate the right diagnosis without delay. In addition, this guarantees faster treatment as they have everything needed to provide urgent dental care.

A dentist might be able to save your tooth, as the odds of losing it are lower if urgent attention is available. This proves even more effective if one or more of your teeth are very loose and needing immediate attention. Again, preventing additional damage is the key, especially when you are dealing with a lost tooth.

You might not always be aware of how bad things can be. A lost tooth may not be causing you any pain, but it certainly could require immediate attention. And the same logic applies to all other dental emergencies.

Look for emergency dentistry in Wetaskiwin and be prepared to safeguard your oral wellness!

Seven Tips for Caring For Your Dentures

 

Watch out for Fido

Let’s start with what might seem like a silly tip: Keep your dentures in Wetaskiwin away from your dog. We don’t understand exactly what dogs think about dentures, but they sure seem to love chewing them up. Help your dog to avoid the temptation to chew your replacement teeth by keeping them out of reach and in a safe location. Trust us: If your dog gets to your dentures near you, they’ll be no good to you at all.

They’re easier to lose than you think

How not to lose your dentures. In addition to developing a good routine to store your dentures (to keep them safe from your dog and just to know where to find them when you need them), it’s important to handle them consistently on a day-to-day basis to avoid losing them. When you’re at home, place them in the same storage container in the same safe location every night. When traveling, use a travel case that a dentist near you will provide.

Take good care not to drop and break them

You’ll shortly read how important it is to rinse and clean your dentures near you, but it’s equally important to be prepared to rinse and clean your dentures to avoid causing them any damage. Your dentures are sturdy but, at the same time, can be broken if dropped onto something hard. You may be surprised just how often that dentures are damaged from being dropped into an empty sink or onto a hard-tiled bathroom floor while being cleaned or rinsed with slippery hands. To minimize the risk of damage, wash and rinse your dentures over a sink filled with water or lined with a towel… just in case.

Rinse after eating

Every time that you eat, rinse your dentures. Eating enables food particles, bacteria, sugars and starches to cling to and accumulate on, around and even beneath your dentures. The longer that those food particles, bacteria, sugars, and starches remain on your dentures and gums, the more likely that they’ll contribute to gum disease and perhaps even stain or produce odors on your dentures themselves. To eliminate or minimize those risks, take a few moments to rinse your dentures after you eat. If you’re eating away from home and don’t feel comfortable doing so at a friend’s home or restaurant, be sure to do so as soon as you get home — over a sink filled with water or lined with a towel.

Keep your dentures moist

Don’t let your dentures get dried out. If your dentures become dry, the material from which they are made can warp to the extent that they won’t fit or function properly. It’s important not to let your dentures dry out. Whenever they are not in your mouth or you’re not rinsing or cleaning them, keep them moist by placing them in a dedicated container containing enough water to cover your dentures.

Use lukewarm water, not hot water

Speaking of keeping your dentures moist and clean, avoid using hot water. Water that is too hot can soften the material from which your dentures are made slightly. As the material softens, the shape of your dentures can change. Even if your dentures will fit properly after that, they may not perform properly and may cause painful sores and abrasions on your tender gums. Don’t skip the cleaning, rinsing, and soaking steps described in this article, but use lukewarm water instead of hot water.

Use cleaning products specifically for dentures

When cleaning your dentures twice daily, don’t improvise. Use the right products. Your dentist in Wetaskiwin can recommend or even provide the perfect product for cleaning your specific dentures. Don’t just use whatever brushes and products you may have on hand, but use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste formulated specifically for dentures. Too firm of a toothbrush will roughen the surface of your dentures and make them more vulnerable to being stained. If you have flexible partial dentures, don’t use a standard toothbrush. Instead, ask your dentist to recommend specialized cleaning agents and a sonic toothbrush that will preserve the sheen and texture of your flexible partial dentures.

What Is The Difference Between Dentists and Orthodontists?

Every orthodontist is a dentist, but not every dentist in Wetaskiwin is an orthodontist. When you’re looking to consult with someone about orthodontics in Wetaskiwin, who should you see — a dentist or an orthodontist?

Dentists and orthodontists — along with every other specialization in dentistry — have the same general goal: To preserve and restore your oral health. “Dentists” prioritize individuals’ oral health in the most general way

possible. “Dentists” focus on issues affecting your teeth, gums, nerves and jaw generally. Orthodontics care about issues affecting your teeth, gums, nerves, and jaw, generally, but are specially trained and concerned with the development of teeth in your jaw and mouth, and most particularly in identifying and correcting bites, occlusion, and the straightness of teeth.

What kind of education and training do dentists and orthodontists receive?

Every dentist in Canada receives a lot of education to ensure they develop the skills and expertise to provide you with the treatment you need. To even get into one of the 10 dental schools in Canada, for example, future dentists typically require an undergraduate degree — a four-year Bachelor of Science degree is very common. Every dentist then completes four years of dental school, and many general and family dentists stop right there.

Dentists who want to specialize in orthodontic treatment, though, complete an additional Master of Science degree program and specialized training in orthodontics that may include a requirement to work as a general dentist before even beginning the orthodontics program. Only seven of Canada’s dental schools have a graduate orthodontics program. Each of those ten schools accepts three to five residents every year. Add that up to just approximately 30 positions available for future orthodontists in Canada every year. The specialist performing orthodontics near you has, all told, at least 12 years of university education and training before being certified as an orthodontist.

Orthodontics isn’t the only dental specialization, of course. Others include pediatric dentistry (dental treatment for children), oral surgery, periodontics (dentists who specialize in gum conditions and treatments), and endodontics (root canals and procedures affecting the interior of teeth).

What types of services do they provide?

Understanding the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist near you may be easier after you consider the types of services each offers.:

Dentists	Orthodontists
Preventative care like cleanings and fluoride Treatment for tooth decay and cavities Treatment for gum disease Cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening Crowns and bridges Veneers Extractions Treating the temporomandibular joint disorder Providing mouthguards to protect teeth	Correcting misaligned teeth Correcting overcrowded teeth Correcting overbites Correcting underbites Fixing gapped and inconsistently spaced teeth Treating temporomandibular joint disorders Providing braces and other orthodontic devices

Both dentists and orthodontists use imaging technology — including traditional x-rays but, on an increasingly common basis, digital x-rays. Both dentists and orthodontists will provide products and services to help you to overcome dental fear and anxiety, such as sedation dentistry options.

Do you need an orthodontist? Maybe; maybe not. Everyone — including every child as of their first birthday or first tooth, whichever comes first — should see a general or family dentist at least twice annually. Dentists and orthodontists recommend that every child be assessed by an orthodontist at approximately the age of seven years old. Whether or not you or your child sees an orthodontist at any age, your general dentist can identify issues affecting the development, alignment and spacing of teeth in your jaw or your child’s jaw. If your dentist becomes concerned about issues that should be investigated by an orthodontist near you, the staff at your dentist’s office will refer you to an appropriate orthodontist near you. 

 

TMJ Treatment At Home In 5 Simple Steps

Have you been experiencing recurring jaw pain or a migraine? Do you hear clicking or popping sounds from your mouth while eating or yawning? If yes, then you might need to see a dentist near you since both of these symptoms could be related to a TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorder. 

What Is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ is the joint connecting your jawbone to your skull. It is responsible for the smooth movements of your jaws when you eat or speak. While this joint is made to handle the mobility that our jaws require for several activities throughout the day, it can also develop problems that restrict its normal functioning. When the temporomandibular joint begins to malfunction due to various reasons, it is called a TMJ disorder. 

The symptoms of TMJ disorder can be mild or severe. Irrespective of the intensity of the pain, your everyday activities are affected by a TMJ disorder. Chronic pain in the jaws, facial pain, severe headaches or earaches all signal that you need to search for TMJ treatment near you. 

However, there are a few methods you can try at home to get relief from TMJ pain before you visit your dentist in Wetaskiwin. 

What Can You Do To Relieve TMJ Pain At Home?

Here are 5 things you can try at home to reduce pain from TMJ disorder:

1. Avoid Sleeping Face-down

When you sleep on your stomach with your face down, your jaws are under pressure. To minimize stress to your TMJ, you should avoid sleeping in this position. Instead, sleeping on your back provides better support to your jaws and will help relax the jaw muscles.

2. Reduce Your Stress Levels

Stress is a prime cause of TMJ disorders as people often clench their teeth when under stress causing unnecessary pressure on the TMJ. Teeth clenching also leads to headaches and painful jaws. To reduce the effect of these symptoms of TMJ disorder, you should try to manage your stress. Try some breathing techniques or listen to calming music to relax and lower your stress.

3. Make Changes In Your Diet

If you are experiencing TMJ pain, you must do everything possible to reduce pressure on your jaws. Eating hard or chewy foods, such as nuts or candies, can aggravate the pain in your jaws. Consuming soft foods will make your jaws work a little less and help them heal. This slight change in your diet can help you manage your TMJ pain by yourself before visiting a dentist near you.

4. Use Heat Therapy

Heat therapy is known to promote the circulation of blood in our bodies. It helps to relax taut muscles and provide pain relief. Using moist heat therapy in the form of warm moist towels or moist heat packs is a good way to manage your TMJ pain at home before consulting your dentist.

5. Taking Anti-inflammatory Pain Medication

If TMJ pain becomes severe or causes too much discomfort, you can try over-the-counter pain relief medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to get relief. However, make sure the medication is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and bear in mind that long-term use of such medication can lead to several health risks.

Trying these methods at home to get respite from TMJ disorder pain can help to some extent, but ultimately you will need to undergo proper TMJ treatment in Wetaskiwin to resolve the problem. Our dentists at Wetaskiwin Family Dental are experienced in treating TMJ disorders and can recommend treatments ranging from custom mouth guards to suitable dental treatments to align your bite correctly. Book an appointment with us to find the immediate and appropriate solution for your TMJ pain.