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.