Read more about the article You Might Need a Root Canal if you Have One of These 7 Signs

You Might Need a Root Canal if you Have One of These 7 Signs

Knowing whether you need a root canal without consulting a dentist can be cumbersome. Detecting the need for a root canal during the early stages can be problematic. Will a better oral hygiene routine offer a solution or will the tooth require some dental work? A trained dental professional can answer these questions. Wondering if you need a root canal treatment in Calgary? Feel free to contact us at Expressions Dental

A root canal is a treatment offered to save and repair teeth that are severely infected or decayed. The pulp of the tooth comprises of blood vessels and nerves. When this pulp is damaged, it needs to be removed, and the insides of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed with a root canal treatment.

The physical symptoms that might indicate that you need a root canal usually do not come up until the issue becomes more advanced. That is why it is essential to visit a dentist regularly. But if you avoid these symptoms and cause the problem to escalate, then you will have a potential root canal on your hands. Here are 7 signs you might need a root canal:

1) Persistent pain:

Pain is one of the key markers that something isn’t right with your tooth. If you experience difficulty doing ordinary activities, for example, drinking or eating without feeling pain, you should consider visiting your dentist as soon as you can.

2) Chipped/Cracked Tooth:

You can suffer from a chipped or cracked tooth from being involved in contact sports, eating hard foods or even clenching and grinding. When your tooth gets chipped/cracked, the pulp inside the tooth may be exposed which may lead to an infection. This infection may require root canal treatment to avoid further complications.

3) Heat or cold sensitivity:

If your tooth hurts when you drink hot beverages such as tea or coffee, or when indulging in cold foods and drinks, you might need a root canal to fix the problem. Damaged blood vessels and nerves are to be blamed for the ache.

4) Swollen gums:

Swollen gums are an indication of issues underneath the surface. If your gums are painful and are inflamed or have a raised bump on them, your dentist will look at the swollen gums for the cause. Sometimes, the dentist will suggest a root canal to solve the problem

5) Discolored teeth:

Damaged nerves, exposure to food and drinks that stain the teeth’s enamel or poor dental hygiene can lead to discoloration of teeth. Damage to nerve and blood vessels may require root canal treatment.

6) Prolonged tooth sensitivity:

If putting pressure on your tooth causes it to hurt and that sensation lasts for weeks or months, then you might be in line for a root canal treatment. Prolonged tooth sensitivity is generally resolved with root canal treatment.

7) Deep decay:

If a cavity is ignored for far too long, it will spread deep into the nerve of the tooth. Once it goes deep, no amount of brushing, flossing, or rinsing with mouthwash will solve the problem. In such cases, a root canal treatment is a solution to repair and save the tooth.

For Root Canal Treatment in Calgary NW, please book an appointment with our general dentist, contact us at +1 (403) 252 7733, or visit our dental clinic.

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Read more about the article When Does Your Tooth Need a Dental Crown?

When Does Your Tooth Need a Dental Crown?

Often, dental issues might leave you with cavities that are too large to fill, or sometimes, the tooth is cracked, worn or weakened. In such cases, a dental crown may be a necessity. Sometimes, two or more dental crowns can be used on either side of missing teeth with artificial teeth attached to the crowns. This is called a Dental Bridge.
So what exactly is a dental crown?
A dental crown is like a “cap” for your tooth. This crown helps your tooth to be restored to its standard shape, size and function. A crown can help improve how the tooth looks.
When do you require a dental crown?
  1. When the tooth has been weakened due to decay
  2. Cracked tooth
  3. Worn-out tooth
  4. Discoloured tooth
  5. Misshaped tooth
  6. A tooth that has had Root canal treatment
What is it made of?
A dental crown can be made entirely from tooth-coloured ceramic, porcelain, or metal alloys. The type of crown depends on where it will be placed inside your mouth. At Expressions Dental, we offer various types of Dental Crowns in Calgary.
How is the crown placed?
First, the damaged tooth is assessed. Then the tooth is prepared to receive the crown by reshaping or removing a portion of the tooth. This reshaping is done to make sure there is sufficient space for the tooth to receive the dental crown. After this step, a temporary crown is placed until the permanent crown is manufactured. When the permanent crown is ready, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent one is bonded or cemented to your tooth.
How to take care of dental crowns?
You can take care of your dental crowns just the way you take care of your natural teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly coupled with dental checkups can help you prolong the life of your crown. If you are looking for dental crowns in Calgary, Expressions Dental is happy to help. Call +1 (403) 252 7733 to consult our dentists.
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Read more about the article Dental Care During Cancer Treatment

Dental Care During Cancer Treatment

Your dental care is also an essential part of your overall cancer treatment. When you are diagnosed with cancer, make sure you let your dentist know about your treatment so he/she can update your medical history. Also, ensure to share your oncologist’s name and number with your dentist. This is because your cancer treatment can have side-effects or can also interfere with your dental treatment. Before beginning any cancer treatment, your doctor may advise you to complete any major dental procedures. Any form of mouth, teeth or jaw pain or any dental problems must be reported immediately to your oncologist and dentist.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw:
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is an uncommon but severe condition that has occurred in some cancer patients receiving treatment using a particular drug called bisphosphonates. The link between the drug and the disease is only a suspect as of now. When the jaw fails to heal after a minor trauma like a tooth extraction, it leads to the development of ONJ. This may result in the jawbone being exposed. Pain, swelling, gum infections, etc. are the symptoms when you develop ONJ. The factors that may increase the risk of ONJ include:
  • Radiation therapy to the head or neck
  • Chemotherapy
  • Anaemia
  • Poor dental health
  • Poor nutrition
  • Poor blood circulation
An oncologist should manage bisphosphonate treatment by coordinating with your oral surgeon or your dentist. Before you begin your therapy, you should:
  • Undergo a dental examination
  • Complete your existing dental treatments and procedures
  • Maintain good oral hygiene
The treatment of ONJ includes:
  • Frequent dental assessments
  • Oral rinses
  • Removable mouth appliances
  • Surgery to remove injured tissue
Do you have any queries regarding your dental health? Feel free to visit our dental clinic in Calgary or Call +1 (403) 252 7733 to consult our dentists.
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Read more about the article The Rising Tooth Decay Rates Amongst Young Canadians

The Rising Tooth Decay Rates Amongst Young Canadians

The tooth decay rates among the young Canadian children have been on the rise. This worsening oral health situation sheds light on the lack of proper oral hygiene education and prevention components.

Tooth decay rates had been falling for the last couple of decades, until now. Decay in children is the most widespread disease of childhood. Tooth decay in five-year-olds rose close to 10% in 1999-2000, and 11.6% on 2005-06, according to the survey conducted by Toronto Public Health and published on canada.com. Whereas in five-year-olds with two or more decayed teeth, the percentage rose from 9.9% to 14.6% in the same six-year stretch.

How does tooth decay occur?

According to colgate.com destruction of the tooth enamel causes tooth decay. It occurs when foods with carbohydrates, like milk, raisins, cakes, etc. get left behind on the surface of the teeth. The bacteria that live in your mouth thrive on these foods, which then produces acids as a result. Over time, these acids destroy the tooth enamel, which results in tooth decay.

What causes this tooth decays amongst children? 

Lack of education about dental hygiene, no proper oral maintenance routine, lousy diet, etc. are some of the reasons which contribute to tooth decay. Lack of fluoridation of Calgary waters can also be one of the reasons for the rise in tooth decay. Failure to visit the dentist once every six months is also one of the reasons for rising tooth decays. Children of families of the low-income group also faced issues, since they skipped on dental check-ups due to financial problems.

What to do in such cases?

There are various dental programs across different provinces of Canada offering dental care programs. There are also programs to educate the masses on dental hygiene through public health units and community health centers.

Visiting the dentist regularly can help maintain your child’s dental hygiene. Minimizing or avoiding sugar intake for children can help cut down on tooth decays. You can also provide fluoride treatment for your children and learn more about tooth decay prevention from your dentist.

If you would like to learn more about tooth decay in children and also the prevention methods, please feel free to visit our dental clinic in Calgary or Call +1 (403) 252 7733 to book a consult with Dr. Gill our dentists.

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Read more about the article Dental Care for Your Child before Heading Back To School

Dental Care for Your Child before Heading Back To School

You might feel the rush of getting your child back to school as the date nears. While you are busy checking off things from the long list of to-dos, make sure your child does not miss out on a back-to-school dental check-up! Getting your child checked for dental ailments before he/she heads back to school is an integral part of his/her entire school year. Even if your child’s teeth look clean, white and shiny on the outside, there can be dental decay lurking around on the inside!

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Read more about the article Talking to your patients about HPV Vaccine

Talking to your patients about HPV Vaccine

What is HPV, and why you should be concerned?
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common virus with over 100+ types, out of which 12 types are of high-risk that can cause tumors. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Oral HPV can deteriorate your oral health with oral warts and non-cancerous tumors. Oropharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancers are caused due to high-risk HPV strains.
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Read more about the article Dietary Tips for Preventing Erosive Tooth Wear

Dietary Tips for Preventing Erosive Tooth Wear

Protecting your teeth against acid attack should be part of an overall balanced diet and these suggestions should help you keep to an eating pattern which is healthy-not too high in fat, salt, sugar and alcohol with plenty of vegetables and fruit at mealtimes.

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Read more about the article Why Are Dental Checkups Essential?
Looking for Dentist in Calgary NW?

Why Are Dental Checkups Essential?

Have you ever wondered why checkups with your dentist are essential? Similar to body hygiene, your oral health is also very important. Taking complete care of your teeth means more than brushing and flossing. It is crucial to see a dentist at least every six months from regular checkups and proper teeth cleaning. Let’s know how visiting a dentist for a checkup can create a big difference than merely trying to maintain it at home.

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