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.

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.

 

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.

 

How Diet Relates to Dental Health

Eating patterns play a key role in dental health because they decide whether or not a person will develop tooth decay. If you wish to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, a healthy smile begins with a healthy diet. A poor diet can lead to periodontal disease and cavities which is why our doctors at Bear Creek Dental are here to tell you what to add to your plate.

Dairy products such as cheese, milk, and plain yogurt assist tooth enamel in staying strong. Foods that are high in sugar and starches stick to the teeth, leaving plaque behind which can turn into tartar if left untreated. It’s best to avoid cookies, pastries, candy, and soft drinks, as they provide no nutritional benefits to the teeth. Reaching for fruits and vegetables that have a high water content increase saliva flow, protecting you from cavities and dental diseases.

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.