PetraDental.com

Your child’s first visit to the dentist

Dr Gill — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:36:00 +0000

Our suggestions are to bring your child in for their first dental check-up at or around the age of 3 years old. At this point your child will already have their primary or baby teeth in their mouth. At the age of 2 years most children may not be able to sit still, and some may still be waiting for their last primary teeth to erupt in the mouth. I find it is always helpful if they witness an older sibling have their check-up first to get them familiar with the sights and sounds of the office. We usually have your 3 year old in for what we call a happy visit, which is basically Mom and/or Dad in the room allowing the child to explore different things and explain what is going to happen in easy to understand terms. If your child is more comfortable, sitting on your lap in the dental chair can also be done. Once everything is set we can attempt to take a quick look inside your child’s mouth to observe anything out of the ordinary such as: baby bottle cavities, thumb sucking habits, where to brush better, and a general assessment of the gums and soft tissue. It is imperative to catch any abnormalities early to prevent serious problems and reduce the risk of damaging the underlying adult teeth.

How diet can affect your mouth?

Dr Gill — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:35:31 +0000

Did you know…

A lack of Vitamin C has been linked to periodontal or gum disease
A lack of iron can cause a fungal infection
A lack of fluoride and calcium can increase your risk of cavities
Artificial sweeteners can decrease cavity risk
Certain cheeses (ie. Swiss, Monterey Jack and aged cheddar) can reduce cavity risk
There is a relationship between Vitamin A found in many fruits and vegetables and a decreased risk of oral cancer
Calcium can aid in preventing gum and bone loss (therefore make sure you have milk, cheese and yogurt)
Protein can make your gums healthier
Natural acids in fruit juices can erode the enamel layer of your front teeth over a long period of time
Foods that contain Tannins (ie. Tea, apples, beer & chocolate) can help prevent decay (wow, another reason for beer and chocolate)
Chewing Cardamom helps fight bad breath and help fight the bacteria that cause cavities

Dry Mouth (xerostomia):

Dr Gill — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:57:15 +0000

This is a condition which can be caused by factors including: genetics, age, medications, medical conditions, dehydration and many more. For which ever reason, the salivary glands secrete less than normal amounts of saliva in the mouth. It is very important to ensure the mouth stays moist enough to flush away food and bacteria and reduce acidity in the mouth. A dry oral environment can cause increased plaque and tartar (calculus) accumulation, increased cavities (carious lesions), gingivitis, and periodontal disease. For many, medications are necessary to maintain good overall heath, however these medications can have the side effect of dry mouth. When someone cannot change the environmental factors there are a few simple things that they can do to stimulate salivary flow. Most commonly is drinking frequent sips of water; try to carry a bottle of water with you when you are out, and have a glass next to your bed for night time. Sugarless chewing gum/candy; especially tart, sour or minty flavours will trigger glands to produce saliva. Avoid alcohol; alcohol containing mouth rinses and high alcoholic beverages! In more severe cases products know as, saliva substitutes can be purchased through many drug stores and online, but ask your dental professional which is best for you.

Periodontitis

Dr Gill — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:16:25 +0000

Periodontitis can occur in individuals of all ages; as with gingivitis. Where gingivitis affects the gum and soft tissue of the mouth, periodontitis affects the surrounding bone structure. This is a much more, non reversible disease, which will be determined through a number of factors by your dental team. Although periodontitis is not reversible it is possible to stop the disease from further damaging the gums. By having your regular cleanings this will prevent harmful bacteria from entering the surrounding area and aids in the healing process.

Why do I need a root canal?

Dr Gill — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:04:37 +0000

Root canal treatments are done when the nerve inside the tooth starts to die or is dead. The nerve can die for various reasons with the most common being deep decay. The tooth can become infected and cause symptoms such as throbbing/aching, hot and cold sensitivity and bite sensitivity. Sometimes swelling can occur. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your dentist.

Gingivitis

Dr Gill — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:00:26 +0000

Gingivitis is most commonly caused by plaque and calculus and inflames the gums. It can affect all age groups. The gums may become tender, and mild to moderate blood may be seen after spitting during your daily home care. Once these irritants have been removed at your hygiene appointment the dental hygienist will discuss with you your best options for maintaining your teeth, reducing and eliminating gingivitis, and prevent further inflammation.

Importance of Proper Dental and Oral Hygiene

Dr Gill — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:38:38 +0000

Your regular dental hygiene appointments are important to maintain on a regular basis. Every patient is different with different qualities associated to their overall oral heath. We generally assess each patient and make recommendations which best suit their needs to maintain healthy teeth, gums, and overall oral health. You may be familiar with the 6 month appointment schedule; however, some patients may need more frequent care to alleviate any problems. This schedule will be decided upon by your dental team who will take your entire situation into consideration.

Plaque bacteria is forming on your teeth throughout the day so it is necessary to brush at least twice daily (morning and night), and floss at least once nightly. When plaque bacteria are on the teeth they begin to strip the minerals away which keep them strong. Once the bacteria has penetrated the outer surface of the tooth; also known as the enamel, you will be diagnosed as having a carious lesion otherwise known as a cavity.

Once plaque has settled on the tooth for a number of days it becomes hard. This hardened form of plaque is known as calculus, or to the general public, plaque. At your hygiene appointment you will have a dental assessment and cleaning to remove hardened plaque which cannot be removed simply by brushing anymore.

Crowns after Root Canal Treatment

Dr Gill — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:33:32 +0000

After root canal treatment is completed, the tooth becomes non-vital. The tooth no longer has a nerve or blood supply and over time becomes increasingly brittle. The chances of fracturing the tooth increase. In most cases a ”Crown” or “Cap” is needed to prevent fracture.

If a crown is not placed, then the tooth may fracture in such a way that tooth loss can occur. Your dentist can recommend whether or not you may have a crown placed.

What to do in a dental emergency?

Dr Gill — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:01:23 +0000

Dr Gill’s dental clinic is located at Crowfoot Circle in Calgary, Alberta. We cater to emergency patients till 10PM on weekdays and during day hours on weekends.

But in a situation of a dental emergency when you don’t have a dentist available to look at you, here is some information that will help you get through the night.

First of all, if you have a toothache, you have a dental problem. Do not wait before going to a dentist, take an appointment and go right away. The longer you wait, the worse the pain will get and chances are that you will have to spend the night with the tootache getting worse every minute.

We get a lot of patients who call us at night and have waited for hours before they called. Remember one thing: a toothache, means a problem and needs to be looked at by a dentist. Toothache doesn’t disappear on its own.

If you have a tootache, here are some causes:

You may have something stuck between your teeth
A filling or a crown could have come out
Your gums are infected
Your teeth have been infected
You cracked a tooth
You may have a cavity sitting there long enough and now it is making the nerve exposed
You may have eaten something that made your sensitive teeth give up and start aching
Anything other than the above mentioned factors

In any of these situations, you need a dentist to look at your problem and take care of it. If your gums or roots have been infected, the sooner you seek help from a dentist, the better are the chances of a less painful treatment. Even though a dentist freezes / numbs your teeth, it takes more than just one shot to freeze an infected tooth. So the bottom line is, your tooth aches, call the dentist right away and take an appointment.

If the pain started in the middle of the night and you cant get a hold of a dentist, examine yourself. Based on the severity of the pain you should be able to get a fair idea of what is the cause.

If the pain is unbearable, you probably have an infection and need to take antibiotics right away. Antibiotics are prescribed by a dentist so call your dentist right now. You are more than welcome to call us at any time at the number on the home page of the site.

Once you take a medicine, it is very important that you understand that these medicines can ONLY give you a temporary relief. Take the medicine only to see your dentist at a convenient time and do take an appointment right away.

Some of the “off the counter” medicines are paracetamol, Ibuprofin, etc. though it is highly recommended that you call a dentist and take a personal recommendation.

http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/emergency_dental_alone.htm

Welcome to Petradental Blog

Dr Gill — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:37:02 +0000

Hello, as you are aware at Petra Dental, we are all about our users and patients. Based on our patient’s requests, we have decided to maintain this blog with the latest information about Dentistry, Our Practice, Our Dental Services, Treatments, etc.

We hope you enjoy reading the content here.

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us.

Dr Gill’s Workteam www.petradental.com