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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Sleep Apnea and Car Crashes

You probably knew that it was a bad idea to drive while tired. But did you know that you may have a problem your dentist can help with? Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OAS) is a common problem that is associated with everything from night time teeth grinding to heart disease, and a new study establishes a connection between OAS and car crashes.

OAS occurs when peoples’ throat tissues sag into their airways in their sleep. It can cause people to wake up, but it can also cause them to snore or get pulled out of deep sleep, leaving them feeling tired without knowing why. This is dangerous because the study found that once people are sleep deprived, they have difficulty determining their level of impairment. This is despite the fact that people with moderate sleep apnea are 13% likelier to crash their cars and people with severe sleep apnea are 123% likelier to do so.

We at Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie make custom-fitted night guards to help keep patients’ airways open during sleep. This protects their teeth from grinding, but it also helps them get better rest generally.

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.

 

Sleep Apnea and TMJ Connection

Did you know that headaches and snoring could be related? Did you know your dentist could help with both problems? The doctors of Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie have experience treating a variety of oral health problems. One of their skills is fabricating custom-fitted night guards to protect patients from sleep apnea and bruxism.

Obstructive sleep apnea is what happens when a person’s airways become clogged when they lie down. This is what causes snoring. In an attempt to keep the airways open, the body moves the jaw around, which puts pressure on the teeth and jaw joint. The joint which connects the lower jaw to the skull is technically called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and it’s one of the most complex in the body. When it is under strain, people can suffer symptoms ranging from headaches and ringing in their ears to shoulder pain and difficulty opening their mouths. They are also likely to suffer pain in their teeth, which are being worn down and, in the worst cases, might crack.

A custom fitted night guard helps solves all these problems by keeping the teeth of the upper and lower jaw from coming into contact with each other at night. The airways are less likely to be obstructed, removing the need to move the jaw, and the teeth aren’t being directly worn down.

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.

 

White Spot Lesions

If you notice white discoloration on your teeth, that’s a bad sign. White spot lesions, also known as incipient lesions, are the beginning of tooth decay. At Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie, we want our patients to understand how white spots are formed so they’ll know how seriously to take them.

As bacteria eats food debris, it produces acid. The acid becomes stuck to the patient’s teeth and begins to wear away at the enamel. As its minerals are eroded, enamel takes on a glazed white appearance. This can also be seen on the back teeth of people with acid reflux, where stomach acid has worn away the teeth. As decay progresses, cavities will form in the teeth and the acid will get closer to the nerves, resulting in pain.

Fluoride treatments can help fortify teeth against acid, but regular brushing is required to deprive bacteria of a food source. They are most likely to accumulate near the gum line, in between teeth, and around orthodontic brackets. People should be especially vigilant about these areas because a white spot can form in as few as thirty days. If one does form and the decay is arrested, it may be possible for the tooth to undergo mineralization therapy or for the scar to be concealed with a veneer.

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.

 

Winter Lip Care

Dry, chapped lips are common in the winter. We at Bear Creek Dental want our patients to avoid this, which is why we’re providing a guide to proper prevention and maintenance.

The reason why chapped lips occur more in cold weather is that cold air cannot hold much moisture. Wrapping a scarf tightly around the face is the best way of preventing damage from wind. But inside, you have more options for increasing the air’s moisture and protecting yourself. Place humidifiers in the bedroom, office, and any other room where you have to spend a long time. Put on lip balm several times a day, including before you go to bed. But keep in mind that some people have bad reactions to menthol and other common lip balm ingredients, and change balms if redness increases.

Mouth breathing can also prevent the lips from getting enough moisture and should be avoided, if possible. It is also best not to wet the lips with saliva, as this evaporates rapidly and removes more moisture with it. Lastly, don’t try tucking the lips under the teeth, as this covers them in saliva and can cause tooth migration.

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 BearCreekDental.CA.

 

Preparing Children for the Dentist

At Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie, we offer many sedation techniques that are safe for children. However, it is always better when children are prepared psychologically for their visits, which is why we want to provide parents with guidance on preventing dental anxiety.

We would like for visiting the dentist to be such a normal part of a child’s life that they don’t ever worry about it. Cleanings should be done on a biannual basis from the time the first tooth begins to erupt. But it is still necessary to explain the purpose of the visits to the child, which is why it’s best to just say that our doctors are experts in keeping teeth healthy and cleaning them. Children pick up most of their attitude from their parents, so it’s better if they are accompanied by an adult who is sure of their own comfort. Things also tend to go better when siblings go together, and the younger one can watch the older one set a good example. Don’t overemphasize the need for bravery, as this creates an expectation of discomfort, and remember that cleaning, providing sealants, and possibly filling in cavities are usually the only services which require explanations. We’ll be able to give demonstrations with the chair and explain anything else that is necessary in terms your child will understand.

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 BearCreekDental.CA.

 

Cleaning Night Guards

The staff at Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie is attentive to each of our patients’ individual needs, and we understand that many of them wear night guards for help with sleep apnea and night-time teeth grinding. These devices are incredibly valuable, but they have to be cared for properly or bacteria will build up in them, sickening the patient and causing bad breath.

After being removed each morning, the night guard should be brushed. As is the case with dentures, only soft-bristled toothbrushes should be used and toothpaste with extra fluoridation should be avoided. This is to prevent the night guard from being scratched. It is also a good idea to have different toothbrushes for the night guard and the teeth.

The container also needs to be kept clean with something that will not damage it. For this reason, it should not be cleaned with alcoholic solutions, but people often get satisfactory results with ordinary soap. The main difference between night guards and dentures is that they should be dried before being put away. Patients should also be sure they have thoroughly brushed and flossed their teeth before putting the night guard back 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 BearCreekDental.CA.

 

When Fillings Become a Problem

At Bear Creek Dental, we work diligently to remove decay from our patients’ teeth and supply them with high-quality fillings. For many people, fillings are the first form of dental restoration they become acquainted with during childhood, and our naturally-colored options allow us to repair the aesthetics of their smile as well as their health. However, fillings are not truly permanent, and it is important for patients to recognize when something is wrong with one.

Although fillings and bonding are usually placed with the utmost care, it is possible for a high filling to interfere with the patient’s bite. If this happens, the filling will have to be removed. Furthermore, while the teeth are always sensitive after decayed material is removed, fillings should not cause a great deal of pain more than two days after their placement. If they do, they may be misshapen.

The bonding holding fillings in place has a lifespan of about ten years. After this, it will start to crack, providing bacteria with a home they cannot be brushed out of. To prevent further decay, the fillings will have to be replaced. By maintaining regular appointments, patients can get old fillings replaced before experiencing more decay.

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 BearCreekDental.CA.

 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

From the moment a child’s first tooth emerges, preventive care is important. At Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie, we want all our patients to be set up for a lifetime of good oral health, which is why parents should beware of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

When babies drink milk or formula from bottles, sugary residue tends to accumulate on the fronts of their incisors. The phrase Baby Bottle Tooth Decay describes decay in this location. While many people understand that too much sugar is dangerous for teeth, they often don’t realize that it’s the amount of time teeth are exposed to sugar which is the main determining factor in whether decay will occur. Babies are dependent on others to brush their teeth for them, and if they aren’t given water to drink in between swigs from the milk bottle, it may be hours before the residue is washed away.

The risk of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay can be reduced by limiting children's time with a milk bottle and by supplying them with water. Children should transition to drinking from cups around the time of their first birthday and not be given more sugary drinks, such as juice, until then.

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 BearCreekDental.CA.

 

Intrinsic Stains

We provide top-quality cosmetic care at Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie. Whitening is an enormously popular service which has helped people to remove a lifetime of stains from the surfaces of their teeth. But a certain kind of stain, called an intrinsic stain, may be too deep for whitening and require a different approach.

Intrinsic stains have two causes: exposure to dark molecules during the tooth’s formation and infection. The first cause is harmless; it usually results from tetracycline antibiotics or too much fluoride and an affected tooth can simply be covered with a veneer or bonding. However, an infection is dangerous as well as painful. It must be treated with a root canal or else it will spread, causing an abscess, or even sepsis. Once the root canal is complete, the tooth may be able to receive a veneer or need to have its crown replaced. Our artificial crowns are colored to look like natural teeth and are resilient, ensuring that our patients will have shiny, working smiles even if they suffer from the nastiest of intrinsic stains.

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 BearCreekDental.CA.

 

Dry Sockets

We strive to save patients’ teeth at Bear Creek Dental, but when extractions are necessary, we do them safely and efficiently. Tooth removal is a routine procedure; however, there are rare cases in which patients can suffer a dry socket. This is more likely when the extraction required incisions into the gum line.

Before extracting teeth, we will need patients to provide us with a list of all the medications they are on. We do this because we are counting on the blood to form a clot after the tooth is removed and there are medications which interfere with clotting. A clot will seal off the empty socket, preventing it from drying out and becoming infected. But a successful clot could still be torn loose by suction or dissolved, which is why we also tell patients to avoid sipping through straws and smoking during their recoveries.

While it is normal for the extraction site to be sore for a few days after the surgery, patients should make an emergency appointment if they are in severe pain. We can medicate a dry socket with antibiotics and moisturizers to get the healing process back on track.

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 BearCreekDental.CA.