Prevent Tartar Accumulation

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that contains bacteria and builds up on tooth surfaces after we eat a meal. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel and can damage gums and create cavities. If plaque is not adequately brushed and flossed away, it will turn into tartar, a hard, crusty deposit that only our doctors at Bear Creek Dental are able to remove.

Tartar can be yellow or even brown in color depending on how much buildup is on the teeth. While plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing, tartar, also known as dental calculus can only be removed with a scaling tool. Though these are sold at your local drug store, your best bet is to visit the dentist twice a year for routine cleanings so that tartar doesn’t turn into periodontal disease.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about dental cleanings and all the services we provide, visit BearCreekDental.CA for more information.  To schedule an appointment at Bear Creek Dental, located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada, call 780-539-0404.

Periodontal Health

If your gums are in bad shape, how are they supposed to hold your teeth in place? Healthy gums are firm and pale pink in color. If yours are red, purple, swollen, or inflamed, it’s time to visit one of our doctors at Bear Creek Dental. If you don’t brush and floss on a regular basis, you’ll begin the process of tooth decay which can lead to potential tooth loss if not careful.

When you have healthy gums, your teeth are well supported by the tissue in your gums and your chances for long-term oral health are significantly increased. Because periodontal disease is linked to an increased susceptibility to systemic disease (bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease), it is important to prevent it as well as control it. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is important and helps remove the thin film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth each day and contributes to tooth decay.

If you have questions about preventive dentistry or oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bearcreekdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Sjögren’s Syndrome

When people suffer from autoimmune disorders, the dentists of Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie are on their side. The mouth is one of the many body parts ravaged by Sjögren’s Syndrome, and we want patients to understand what it does to them and what they can do about it.

Sjögren’s Syndrome causes dryness in the eyes and mouth. It commonly appears in people who also suffer from lupus, most of whom are women over the age of forty. As it continues, it may also cause joint pain and patients may grapple with depression as a result of chronic pain. It is unknown what causes Sjögren’s Syndrome, but lupus often appears in people after an infection or other trauma.

Because Sjögren’s Syndrome causes dry mouth (also called xerostomia), people who have it struggle to clear their mouths of food debris. As a result, they are at risk for periodontal disease. While investigating for Sjögren’s, a doctor will take a sample of some salivary glands from the patient’s lower lip. If it is confirmed, patients will need to be treated for dry mouth through means such as throat moisteners and medication.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit Bear Creek Dental.

 

Fight Bad Breath

Bad breath is embarrassing. It may leave you feeling afraid to speak, smile, and address the problem. Bad breath is caused by leftover food particles that aren’t washed away by proper brushing and flossing. Our doctors at Bear Creek Dental preach proper oral hygiene to patients not only to prevent bad breath but to fight against periodontal problems and other dental diseases.

If you eat foods like garlic, coffee, or onions, the odor will linger and mouthwash will only be a temporary solution. If you don’t practice proper oral hygiene habits, bad breath will likely be caused by gum disease. It’s important to keep the mouth clean at all times to keep it healthy. Persistent bad breath is a symptom of gingivitis, therefore it’s important to visit our doctors at Bear Creek Dental twice a year for a routine checkup to ensure optimal oral health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide here at the practice, visit www.bearcreekdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Prevent Periodontal Disease

When you visit our team at Bear Creek Dental, how often do our hygienists tell you to brush and floss, more than you already are?  How often do you listen?  Our mouths are full of bacteria that along with mucus and other particles are constantly forming plaque on the teeth. Plaque is the leading culprit of periodontal (gum) disease which can be prevented by the simple action of brushing and flossing.

Periodontal disease can range from mild inflammation to a serious disease that can cause major damage to tooth structure, eventually resulting in tooth loss. Gum disease can also be painless, so it is important to be aware of the symptoms. If you have gums that are swollen, red, or bleed easily when you brush or floss, you should address the problem immediately. The longer plaque sits on the teeth, the more dangerous it becomes. In addition to visiting us twice a year for routine cleanings, we encourage patients to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to prevent periodontal disease.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your oral hygiene status, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide here at the practice, visit http://www.bearcreekdental.ca/ for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.