Causes for Sensitive Teeth

Does your jaw cringe while standing out in the cold? Do you wince while sipping hot beverages? If your teeth and gums feel sensitive, you might be brushing too hard or you may not be brushing enough. There are several factors that cause teeth to become sensitive, include oral care habits, and your nutritional diet. If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, schedule a dental appointment with our doctors at Bear Creek Dental to treat the problem.

During your appointment, our doctor will touch base on how often you brush and floss, what kind of foods you like to indulge in, and if you are a smoker or non-smoker. Each of these factors plays a role in tooth sensitivity, but treatment will depend on the cause. If your oral care routine needs some improvements, we can give you the proper tools to get your dental health back on track. Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing sensitive tooth pain.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth sensitivity, 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.

Common Types of Dental Fillings

At Bear Creek Dental we offer different types of materials to fill cavities. A filling is a way to restore a tooth that has been damaged by decay back to its normal shape and function. By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. When it comes to having a cavity filled, one of our doctors will discuss what type of filling is best for you, during a consultation. Meanwhile, here are some common types that we utilize.

• Composite resins – designed to look more like natural teeth, these tooth-colored fillings are a mixture of glass or quartz filler that provide good durability and resistance.


• Amalgam fillings – Sometimes described as silver fillings, these are made of metals that include mercury, silver, or tin and copper.


• Gold fillings – also called inlays or onlays are composed of an alloy of gold, copper, and other metals.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental fillings or cosmetic dentistry, 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.

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.

Avoid Cavities This Halloween

Halloween is a popular holiday that most children and adults look forward to. There are candy and sugar treats galore, and it’s the one day out of the year we can make an excuse to eat as much as we want. Though the sugar cravings are strong, it’s important to have some self-control for the sake of your smile. Too much candy may cause the tooth decay process to begin and leave your teeth with cavities that only our doctors at Bear Creek Dental can repair.

Sticky candies are detrimental to teeth because they will get stuck to enamel and in-between the teeth and gums. Additionally, consistently exposing your teeth to sugar will put your teeth at risk for a dental emergency, such as a broken or chipped tooth. After indulging, be sure to brush your teeth for at least two minutes with ADA approved toothpaste for at least two minutes. Once you are finished, floss your teeth and use a mouth rinse to prevent them from further damage.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health or tooth decay, 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.

Mouth Guards for Sports

If you and your family are getting active in sports this season, Bear Creek Dental can provide you with an important piece of safety equipment.  Athletes participating in any contact sport should wear some kind of mouth protection. A mouth guard helps prevent damage to the teeth and jaw, and also helps prevent injuries to the cheeks, tongue, and lips.

Sporting goods stores carry mouth guards, but they are generic in form and size.  These mouth guards often end up feeling bulky and uncomfortable, leading to child and teenage athletes in particular not wearing the protection at all.  A very ill-fitting mouth guard can even interrupt breathing and speaking. Custom mouth guards can be fit over braces and won’t interrupt normal activity, so visit Bear Creek Dental for a custom mouth guard fitting.  Get a mouth guard made of thin, hard plastic that protects your teeth and still fits comfortably.  This is an easy precaution to take to protect your mouth, and you can go right back to playing your best!

To learn more about custom mouth guards and all 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.

Pediatric Dentistry

At Bear Creek Dental, we want the families from our community to know it’s just as important for children to have regular dental visits.  A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled between when the first baby tooth appears, and the child’s first birthday.  Baby teeth eventually come out, but their growth and development is important for overall oral health for the child and the development of their adult teeth. Baby teeth should be brushed and cared for like adult teeth, and it’s important to monitor their growth and development. 

Missing any tooth for too long can change the development of surrounding teeth and compromise the structure of the jaw bone, but regular checkups can keep a child’s tooth development right on track.  Our dentists are skilled and experienced in administering dental care to children.  If your child has seems nervous about seeing a dentist for the first time, we recommend going through a brushing routine with them at home, and talking about the dental visit before you arrive.  Once we get your child’s oral health off to a great start, we offer a full range of services for child patients including dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants.

We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early, and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  To learn more about the services provided 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.

Infant Tooth Care

Baby teeth may be small, but they set the foundation for future teeth to come. To help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, our doctors at Bear Creek Dental recommend regularly cleaning your infant’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings. It’s important to start cleaning your child’s teeth before they come in to jumpstart a healthy smile.

Wipe the gums off after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth or a dampened piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. In addition, take measures to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, a disease that causes severe, the swift decay of baby teeth. To help prevent it, do not put your baby to bed with a bottle of formula or a sugary drink, such as juice. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sugar comes in contact with the teeth. Your child’s baby teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child risks having trouble chewing and speaking clearly as they get older.

If you have questions or concerns regarding pediatric oral care, 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.

Eat Celery for Fresh Breath

Bad breath is a common condition that affects everyone periodically. To eliminate the odor we might catch ourselves chewing a piece of minty gum on the go, or taking a quick swig of mouthwash before we leave the house for a night out.  Here at Bear Creek Dental, our doctors understand that bad breath can be very embarrassing, but did you know that you can fight it by eating a piece of celery?

Celery fights bad breath because it is rich in fiber which fights Halitosis by breaking down plaque and sulfur compounds.  Therefore, celery is a great thing to eat to help clean your mouth. It is also effective to munch on a carrot or an apple. Snacks that include crispy fresh fruits and vegetables step up your saliva flow between meals to help wash away bacteria from the teeth, tongue, and gums that can cause bad breath. These snacks can also help alleviate bad breath caused by hunger or fasting.

If you have questions or concerns regarding bad breath, 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.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Tooth extractions at Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie are generally a simple matter with minimal discomfort for the patient. However, in order to ensure the best outcome, it is important for patients to be fully open with us about their medical histories and current medications. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a rare but serious outcome that people undergoing extractions should be aware of.

Following a simple extraction, a small bit of jawbone will be exposed at the base of the socket. Normally, the blood will quickly clot, sealing off the socket and locking in moisture. But in people on bisphosphonate medications, exposed jaw bone tissue may die (this process is what ONJ refers to). Bisphosphonate medications prevent bone resorption and are given orally to people with osteoporosis and through an IV drip to people on chemotherapy. The vast majority of cases of ONJ in medical literature occurred in people receiving bisphosphonates intravenously.

If a patient is battling cancer, we’ll work with them to plan any necessary dental work. Patients may need to delay beginning chemotherapy until after undergoing dental extractions, or we may be able to find a solution for their dental problem that doesn’t require tooth removal.

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.

 

Permanent and Removable Bridges

Dental bridges are a highly adaptable means of replacing teeth. At Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie, our doctors are experts in dental restorations and are happy to discuss patients’ options with them. But in order to make patients more comfortable during the discussion, we wanted to provide some information about bridges on our blog.

The classically designed dental bridge is a series of crowns linked together. Two of the patient’s teeth would be reshaped into abutments so the ends of the bridge could be cemented over them, and the middle crown would be suspended between them. This design had the advantage of leaving the patients’ natural tooth roots intact and of being relatively easy to clean, since a patient could thread floss under the bridge. But it was developed at a time when dentists assumed all natural teeth would need to be replaced eventually and dentists were willing to extract or reshape healthy natural teeth to make room for a bridge.

Modern dentists try as hard as possible to preserve natural teeth. If a healthy tooth is in the way of a bridge, a dentist can fabricate a removable denture with a hole for the natural tooth. The removable denture is even easier to keep clean, but it has to be reshaped if the natural teeth shift position.

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.

 

Nutrition for a Healthy Mouth

Our body is a machine that needs the correct fuel to run efficiently. When we consume foods and beverages that contain added sugars and harmful acids, we aren’t doing our oral health a favor. If you want your smile to be in optimal health, it’s important to feed it what it needs instead of what it craves. Our doctors at Bear Creek Dental encourage you to incorporate more whole foods into your diet.

The best thing you can do to prevent tooth decay is when snacking, select foods from the five food groups. The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts, and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth. Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits and vegetables. These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain, and stimulates saliva flow to wash away food particles and acid.

If you have questions about dental health, 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.

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.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

Patients should feel confident that their dentist is sensitive to their unique circumstances. We run a non-judgmental practice at Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie. When patients present with bleeding gums, we think it’s important for them to know of a possible factor: rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

While about 35% of the population has gum disease, nearly 70% of people with RA do. That statistic comes from a Johns Hopkins study that examined the relationship between RA and gingivitis. While it is true that people with difficulty moving their hands have a harder time maintaining their oral hygiene, gingivitis also was more common in people with RA who are still able to brush normally. Another study examined similarities between gum tissue and synovium, the joint tissue that RA causes the immune system to attack. It found that synovium shares genetic markers and the structure of key proteins with gum tissue.

Scientists are still unsure whether RA and gum disease fuel each other or result from the same thing. But they do know that people can reduce their chance of developing RA and gingivitis by not smoking. We also know that oral hygiene is still important regardless and can help patients with limited dexterity to pick dental hygiene products they can use.

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.

 

Reasons for Tooth Extractions

We regularly save teeth at Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie. But there are times when circumstances require extractions. In order to help our patients understand when having a tooth removed is in their best interest, we put together this brief guide.

In teenagers, teeth are usually removed as a part of orthodontic treatment. Modern peoples’ jaws often do not grow large enough to accommodate all their teeth, resulting in them becoming jumbled or unable to erupt fully. Jumbled teeth are harder to clean and can contribute to jaw muscle strain. To allow teens’ teeth to form an arch, we sometimes remove a set of premolars and the back molars, also known as wisdom teeth.

Despite the use of root canals and anti-bacterial rinses, there are also times when teeth are too badly injured or infected to be safely left in a patient’s mouth. If a crown cracks, a new one may be made and placed over the tooth’s natural root. But if the root is also severely cracked, the tooth may be unsalvageable. If a baby tooth needs to be removed, a dentist may provide the patient with an oral appliance to keep the gap clear until the adult tooth grows in.

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.

 

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea may occur as a result of an underlying condition which is why it’s critical to seek treatment immediately. Common signs of central sleep apnea include abrupt awakenings during sleep accompanied by a shortness of breath, excessive daytime sleepiness, and/or difficulty concentrating. Snoring may not be as prominent with central sleep apnea like it is in obstructive sleep apnea, but if you experience any of the following, you should schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at Bear Creek Dental immediately. 

Snoring indicates some degree of airflow obstruction and is usually associated with obstructive sleep apnea but it can occur in central sleep apnea as well. Central sleep apnea may also occur as a result of other conditions, such as heart failure or stroke. Treatment for central sleep apnea may involve treating existing conditions, using a device to assist breathing.

If you have questions or concerns regarding sleep apnea management and treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about 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.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

You may joke with your partner about how loud you (or they) snore, but loud snoring is no laughing matter. This is because habitual snorers are at a serious risk for health problems such as diabetes, stroke, and heart complications, in addition to obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when something partly, or completely, blocks your upper-airway during sleep. Our doctors at Bear Creek Dental can treat this problem.

Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, but it can affect anyone. When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, our doctors at Vista Dental may suggest a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) procedure as a last resort. UPPP is a procedure used to remove excess tissue in the throat to widen the airway. This sometimes can allow air to move through the throat more easily when you breathe, reducing snoring.

If you have questions or concerns regarding sleep apnea management and treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about 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.

What Is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Bear Creek Dental can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services we provide at the practice, 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.

What Is Gum Grafting?

Gum grafting is primarily used to treat receding gums 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.  The doctors at Bear Creek 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 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.

Different Types of Toothpaste

The type of toothpaste you should purchase should depend on your teeth. Toothpaste is a key part of your oral care routine. Along with your toothbrush and floss, toothpaste helps remove food debris and plaque from the teeth and gums. Different kinds of toothpaste have different properties and our doctors at Bear Creek Dental will help you choose the one that’s best for you.

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.


• Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste help reduces oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.


• Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.


• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exactly what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.


• Whitening: This toothpaste contains chemicals that are able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

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.

Mouthwash and Your Oral Health

You may be surprised to learn that just like dental floss; mouthwash has the ability to clean between the teeth. It reaches the crevices the toothbrush can’t to prevent tooth decay, reduce plaque, and freshen breath. Mouthwash has a few beneficial properties and our doctors at Bear Creek Dental would like to explain some of them.

• Antimicrobial agents act directly on oral bacteria to help reduce plaque, decrease the severity of gingivitis and control bad breath.


• Fluoride helps reduce tiny lesions (tooth decay) on tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.


• Astringent salts can serve as temporary deodorizers that mask bad breath.


• Odor neutralizers act by chemically inactivating odor-causing compounds.

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.