Author: dent@adm

Do you ever find that when you floss or wash your teeth, your gums are bleeding? There are a variety of reasons why gums bleed, from improper brushing techniques to more serious conditions like gum disease. Gum bleeding is not harmful in and of itself, but the underlying condition that is causing it might be.

There are 7 possible reasons why your gums are bleeding:

1. Gingivitis – The accumulation of plaque at the gumline is the primary cause of bleeding gums. If left untreated, this disease eventually progresses to gingivitis, also known as inflamed gums, in which the gums swell, become painful, and bleed when being brushed or flossed. Gingivitis, if left untreated, can develop into gum disease, one of the major factors in adult tooth loss.
2. Brushing your teeth excessively – Brushing your teeth excessively does not improve oral hygiene; instead, it increases your risk of gum recession and bleeding gums. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and modify your brushing technique when brushing your teeth. Brushing doesn’t need to be aggressive. You need to follow proper technique and be gentle.
3. Improperly fitting dentures – Inadequately fitting dentures may scratch your gums and irritate them, which may result in bleeding gums. People who don’t remove their dentures at night may be particularly susceptible to gum bleeding. Additionally, it is crucial to thoroughly brush your teeth and clean your dentures if you wear dentures in order to avoid plaque buildup and gum inflammation.
4. Blood thinning medications – Drugs that thin the blood make it less likely to clot, which makes bleeding more likely.
5. Poor diet – Some of the chemicals in processed food might irritate and bleed the gums. Choose a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables, foods high in calcium, vitamins A, K, and C, and foods low in sugar and processed foods.
6. Health issues – Patients with particular medical conditions, such as liver illness, blood coagulation abnormalities, anemia, leukemia, and temporal arteritis, are more likely to experience gum bleeding.
7. Pregnancy – Pregnancy causes swollen, red, and painful gums that bleed when pregnant women clean or floss their teeth. This occurs because pregnancy-related hormonal changes affect how the body reacts to the germs that cause gum disease. During pregnancy, take good care of your gums and teeth by brushing them twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day.

How to prevent gum bleeding?

You may need to focus more on your dental hygiene if you see signs of gum disease.

Here’s how to avoid gum disease and maintain healthy gums:

• After every meal, spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth.
• Your dentist or hygienist can give you advice on how often to use dental floss.
• Use a soft  toothbrush
• Mouthwashes with antibacterial agents may also be helpful. First, see your dentist or pharmacist since, occasionally, medical mouthwashes can have negative side effects.
• You can get dental hygiene recommendations from your dentist as well.

Bleeding gums shouldn’t be ignored. Visit your trusted dentist at My Family Dental clinic for your dental check-up. Call us at 780-937-3737 to book an appointment now!

Did you know that your gums signify your dental health? Gum tissue also known as gingival tissue serves as a barrier to protect teeth and underlying bone. If your gums are inflamed and bleed easily, it could be a sign of gum disease. Gum therapy is a treatment method for gum disease. As mentioned previously, gum disease symptoms include bleeding, sore gums, and bad breath. Gum disease is called gingivitis when it only affects the gums (soft tissue) around the teeth. Periodontal disease is the advanced stage when the damage is more severe and spreads to the bone around the teeth. If left untreated can result in significant loss of the bone that holds your teeth in place, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Who needs gum therapy?

Gum disease is caused by bacteria. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria and it forms on the teeth after a few hours of brushing. Toxins released by bacteria present in plaque damage the teeth and gums. When this happens, the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, forming tiny pockets that can trap bacteria. These pockets, if left untreated, can lead to periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth and bone loss. If minor gum disease is detected early enough, professional scaling may be sufficient to prevent it from causing damage to structures beneath the gum line. However, your dentist in Edmonton may suggest gum therapy if pockets have already formed.

Types of Gum therapy

The goal of Gum therapy is to promote gingival health, reduce the swelling and pocket depth around the teeth, control the infection and stop disease progression. Gum therapy can be: Nonsurgical and Surgical.

Non-surgical Gum therapy: Non-surgical periodontal therapy is the removal of plaque and calculus from above and below the gum line. It may also include oral medications and rinses to kill bacteria and aid in gum and bone healing. Non-surgical treatment includes scaling and Root planing. During scaling and root planing your dentist removes harmful plaque and tartar that has formed around teeth and gums. Any rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing). Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. Depending on your gingival health your dentist can recommend you the frequency of scaling appointments.

Surgical Gum Therapy: Surgical Periodontal Therapy is the re-contouring of gum and bone to decrease the risk of further periodontal disease. Surgical procedures are designed to either remove diseased gum and bone for better cleaning access or to build missing tissue back to a healthier state. Types of surgeries are: Flap surgery. Gingival graft, Bone grafts, Guided tissue regeneration. Your periodontist will evaluate whether you will benefit from surgery or not.

How do you maintain healthy teeth and gums?

Brush your teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush or a soft-bristled toothbrush.. You should also floss regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. You should also refrain from using tobacco products and limit your alcohol consumption. It’s critical to see your Edmonton dentist regularly to keep your teeth clean and look for new pocket formation signs. This is particularly important because early intervention can help you avoid the need for future gum therapy.

What happens after gum therapy?

• Care at home – It’s critical to remove soft plaque and bacteria from your teeth regularly. It is recommended to use a soft toothbrush after the treatment.

• Gum care should be done every three months – Dental visits are necessary to keep your gums and bones healthy. Your hygienist will examine your gums again, treat them, and go over home care instructions. Returning for your recommended follow-up steps will help you avoid the need for gum therapy in the future.

Unfortunately, gum disease and periodontal infections are typically asymptomatic and can go unnoticed for years. However, red or inflamed gums, bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, and persistent bad breath are all signs of gum disease. To know more about gum therapy and if you are a good candidate for gum therapy, visit My Family Dental. Call us at 780-937-3737 to book an appointment. We would be happy to accommodate you!

Many people think that regular oral hygiene is sufficient to keep their oral health in check. If you don’t have regular dental exams and cleanings, your oral and overall health will suffer. Regular dental visits at My Family Dental help reduce your chances of developing gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental problems. It is recommended that you should visit your dentist in Edmonton at least twice a year to maintain your dental health.

What happens during a dental examination?

Your dentist examines your neck, face, lower jaw, and lymph nodes during a dental exam. The rest of your dental examination will consist of:

• Keeping an eye out for indicators of gum disease
• Examining any teeth that are chipped, cracked, fractured, or loose
• Examining your bite
• Looking for indications of oral cancer on the inside of the mouth
• Examining for caries or any other previous fillings for damage
• X-rays of your teeth

What are the reasons why a dental exam is necessary?

• Early treatment of gum disease – Plaque and tartar buildup can have damaging consequences for the teeth and gums. Our knowledgeable team can help resolve gum disease when detected early.
• Early detection of oral cancer – Oral cancer can be treated if detected earlier. Our dental team can help you search for indicators of oral cancer, which includes looking inside the mouth with a special light for dead tissue caused by tumors.
• Take care of minor oral health issues quickly – Our dentist can help fix your cavity when it is still in its early stages. Ignoring the dental cavities may lead to disease progression and will result in a more complex dental treatment.
• Rectifying teeth clenching or grinding – Bruxism, or teeth clenching, can contribute to tooth deterioration and changes in your bite. Custom night guards are available for bruxism therapy to protect your teeth while you sleep.
• Detecting other health issues – Our general dentist can detect severe health issues like enlarged lymph nodes during a dental exam. We can then refer you to your primary care physician for further treatment.
• Teaching basic oral hygiene techniques – An important aspect of your at-home dental routine is brushing and flossing correctly. Our hygienists can advise you on the best oral hygiene practices.
• Examining your jaw or bite for abnormalities – TMJ therapy can help with TMJ dysfunction, leading to chronic headaches and ear pain if left untreated. Nightguards are recommended when it comes to resolving TMJ dysfunction.

My Family Dental encourages patients to schedule regular dental exams every six months. This enables our dental experts to detect and treat oral health issues early on before they become more serious. Untreated oral health problems can harm your overall health. While skipping a dentist appointment may not seem urgent, oral health problems can begin and grow quickly, such as periodontal disease. Call us at 780-937-3737 to book an appointment!

Brushing your teeth is an effective way to eradicate bad breath and plaque build-up in your mouth. However, they are not a great alternative for regular oral hygiene. Every day, we eat our favourite food that can cause bacteria, plaque build-up, and even tooth decay and cavities. That’s why we should be cautious in caring for our oral health. Most people might think that store-bought oral breath fresheners are a substitute for your oral health routine, but the thing is, breath fresheners do not last long and do not even help to clean the areas of your mouth, especially in the nook areas.

There are three types of breath freshener that most people can easily avail : gums, sprays, breath mint, and even mouthwash, which can eradicate the odour in your mouth for a short time.

Gums – Gums consist of gum base, polymer, and food-grade softeners mixed with sweeteners that can create the best texture to chew in your mouth. Chewing gum can be a great way to increase saliva production, which can significantly help your oral health.

Mouth Spray – Another thing that can keep your breath fresh is to use mouth spray. Using mouth spray should be applied three to five times a day, depending on when your mouth feels dry. Mouth sprays not only freshen your breath but also keep your mouth hydrated.

Mouthwash – People’s oral health routines can differ from one another. Using mouthwash can be optional to some people since it is not a necessary option for people to add it to their routine dental hygiene. A mouthwash can improve your mouth’s breath in a short time.

What are the benefits of breath fresheners? 

Most people want to freshen their breath because who doesn’t? Breath fresheners are an effective way to help fight bad bacteria on the surface of your mouth. Below are the benefits of breath freshener and how it can help your mouth:

• Breath fresheners such as chewing gum do not only freshen your breath but also help stimulate the saliva and strengthen your jaws. Chewing gum at least once a day should be enough to maintain your oral health and keep your teeth strong.
• If you are experiencing dry mouth, mouth spray can help you hydrate the surface of your mouth. Mouth spray has a single purpose in keeping your oral health fresh and temporarily relieving the dry feeling in your mouth.
• Chewing gum can also help you lose weight on the face by continuously chewing and doing it consistently.
• Mouthwash can help heal canker sores which can be uncomfortable and painful to some people.

What are the disadvantages of breath fresheners?

Although it has been extremely marketed in the media that breath fresheners are a great way to improve the quality of breath in your mouth, there are also some downsides to using breath fresheners, such as:

• If you are a huge fan of chewing gums, especially the sweetened types of gum, it can severely erode the enamel, resulting in tooth decay and cavities, which can later lead to tooth loss. Chewing gum is a great way to exercise your teeth and jaw, but it should be sugar-free gums to minimize dental health problems.
• Chewing gum can also increase the risk of biting your tongue, especially in older people.
• Breath fresheners are not a long-term solution to freshen your breath. It is still best to have regular oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day.

Breath fresheners are not an alternative way to maintain your oral health. Let us help you maintain your oral help by visiting our office regularly for a comprehensive dental check-up and dental cleaning. Call us at (780) 937 3737 to book an appointment!

Tooth decay is a common problem among children, especially when kids are big fans of unhealthy types of food such as candies and chocolates. Tooth decay can be a costly dental problem to treat, in addition to being uncomfortable and leading to life-threatening infections if left unattended. Nursing caries or baby bottle tooth decay are other names for tooth decay in baby teeth.

What causes tooth decay in baby teeth?

When acid-producing bacteria infect a baby’s mouth, tooth decay develops. Bacteria can be passed to babies through saliva by parents and caregivers. Bacteria spread, for example, through sharing saliva on spoons or cups, testing foods before feeding them to babies and wiping a pacifier in the mouth of the parent or caregiver. Tooth decay can also occur when a child’s teeth and gums are exposed to any liquid or food other than water for extended periods or regularly. Bacteria in the mouth convert natural or added sugars in liquids or foods to acid. The outer layer of the teeth is dissolved by the acid, causing decay. Baby bottle caries often occur when parents put their children to bed with a bottle of formula, milk, juice or any sugary drinks. This practice allows the sugar to be in contact with the teeth for a longer time resulting in tooth decay.

What are the ways to prevent tooth decay in babies? 

• Before your baby is born, take good care of your oral health. It is necessary to visit a dentist for oral care while pregnant. In this way, your Edmonton dentist can help you with your oral health and your child’s oral health so that parents can be prepared before their child is born.

• It is essential to take proper care of your baby’s teeth whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

• Never put your child to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice in his/her mouth. This practice exposes your child’s teeth to sugars that not only increases risk of caries but also puts them in danger of ear infections and choking.

• Allowing your child to wander around with or drink from a bottle or sippy cup as a pacifier is not recommended. Fill the bottle or sippy cup exclusively with water if your child wants to drink it between meals.

• As soon as possible, teach your child to drink from a standard cup, preferably around 12 to 15 months. Drinking from a cup reduces the chance of liquid collecting around the teeth.

• If your child has to drink from a bottle or sippy cup for an extended time, only fill it with water. Only offer water to your child if they are thirsty during car rides.

• Limit your child’s intake of sugary or sticky items like candies, gummies, cookies, Fruit Roll-Ups, or cookies. Sugar can also be found in meals like crackers and chips. These foods are especially harmful if your youngster eats them frequently.

• Maintain your health. Infections caused by tooth decay in baby teeth can cause fever and pain. If left untreated, tooth decay infection can spread to other head and neck regions, causing significant swelling.
• Have self-assurance. When children’s front teeth are decaying, they may not smile or hide their mouths when speaking. They will occasionally cease playing with other children. A healthy grin can help children gain the self-confidence to have positive social interactions.

• Juice should be served only during meals or not at all. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, juice is not recommended for babies less than six months. If the juice is given to babies aged 6 to 12 months, it should be kept to a maximum of 4 ounces per day and diluted with water (half water, half juice). Any juice offered to children aged 1 to 6 years should be limited to 4 to 6 ounces per day.

• Make an appointment for your child to see an Edmonton dentist before turning one. The dentist can see your child sooner if you have concerns. If your child’s dentist is not accessible at the age of one, your pediatrician can examine her mouth.

Maintaining your child’s oral health can be challenging, especially when it comes to their unhealthy lifestyle and diet. Let us help you care for your child’s oral health. Our team at My Family Dental Clinic can help your child by conducting a comprehensive exam and helping your child achieve optimal oral health at an early age. Call our office today at 780-937-3737 to book an appointment!

The purpose of retainers is to hold teeth to a specific position after completing orthodontic work. Similarly, if someone avoids wearing retainers after the orthodontics, the teeth may revert to their original position over time. The dentist recommends wearing fixed and removable retainers right after the orthodontic work to maintain the teeth in better shape.

If you are among those who have no idea what removable orthodontic retainers are and their advantages and disadvantages. Then you are at the right place; keep reading this guide and learn about the pros and cons of removable retainers.

What are Removable Retainers?

There are two types of retainers: fixed and removable. The fixed retainers are permanent, while the removable retainers can be removed easily when needed. However, dentists recommend wearing removable retainers as much as possible and avoiding removing them frequently. Whereas some dentists suggest wearing at night only, the wearing time may rely on your dental condition. So, one should always check on his dentist and follow the recommended usage accordingly.

One must remove the retainers when eating, brushing, flossing and rinsing. The removable retainers are manufactured with transparent plastic sheets that ideally fit one’s teeth and align the teeth in the desired position. These removal retainers tightly hold the teeth and stop them from moving back to their original position.

It’s mandatory for people to initially wear the removable retainers all day and night for up to 3 months. Then, they only have to wear these at night for a lifetime. In addition, if one takes complete care of their teeth, they must wear these removal retainers for 10 years, at least after the treatment. People must compromise on their comfort for years to achieve the smile they always wanted.

Types of Removable Retainers

The removable retainers have two primary types that ideally promote tooth alignment and provide you with an attractive perfect smile. Here are the types of removable retainers; check out:

Hawley Retainers

The most traditional retainers that first took place in 1919 are the Hawley retainers. The upper portion of Hawley retainers contains wires that hold the teeth, and then the wire is attached to a plastic or acrylic body. The Hawley retainers are explicitly designed in a position where it is moulded and fit easily on the roof of the mouth. These retainers can be used after the treatment with braces or clear aligners. Hence, Hawley retainers are effortless to use and are highly effective in providing the best results.

Clear Retainers

The clear retainers are formulated with high-quality transparent plastic; however, technical ones are created with polypropylene (PVC) material. This Removable Essix retainer or Vivera retainers consist of clear plastic and don’t have any metal wires. The function of clear retainers is exactly like Hawley retainers, but the only downside is they are comparatively nondurable.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Removable Retainers

Advantages

• The removal retainers, especially clear retainers, are pretty effortless to wear.
• It is not mandatory to wear the removal retainers all day; one can wear them at night.
• Clear trays will most likely cover and hold the teeth ideally and firmly.
• These retainers are simple to remove.
• It’s pretty straightforward to clean the removable retainers and maintain them.
• Removable retainers are effortless to remove; these ensure good oral hygiene when one removes them while brushing or flossing teeth.
• People who receive dental restorations like fillings, crowns, and others find the removal retainers helpful as they perfectly protect the teeth.

Disadvantages

• Some people find it difficult to play sports with removable retainers. That’s why it’s better to remove it during such activities.
• When eating food, one needs to take out the removal retainers.
• Over time, removal retainers can become loose and cause disturbance for the users.

Conclusion

The use of removable retainers after orthodontic treatment is increasing day by day. But the downside is these retainers are less durable than permanent or fixed retainers. However, the removable retainers are affordable and straightforward to clean and care for. So if you are also interested in wearing the removable retainers to align your teeth, plan your visit at My Family Dental, the best dentist hills at Charlesworth Edmonton, or call now at 𝟕𝟖𝟎-𝟗𝟑𝟕-𝟑𝟕𝟑𝟕 to book an appointment!

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