Tooth Extraction

Is it safe to see the dentist during COVID-19? Yes!

Is It Safe to Visit the Dentist During COVID-19? Yes — visiting the dentist during COVID-19 is safe when proper infection control protocols are followed. Licensed dental clinics across Canada, including those in Calgary NW, have implemented rigorous safety measures to protect both patients and staff. Neglecting your oral health during the pandemic can lead to more serious dental issues that are harder to treat later. Why Oral Health Matters More Than Ever During a Pandemic A healthy mouth contributes directly to overall health. Research consistently shows that poor oral hygiene can increase susceptibility to infections, including respiratory illnesses. Conditions like untreated gum disease, tooth decay, and dental infections can compromise your immune response — making it more important, not less, to keep up with your regular dental care during uncertain times. Routine professional teeth cleaning and check-ups help identify problems early, reducing the need for more complex and urgent treatment down the road. If you're experiencing sudden tooth pain or swelling, don't delay — emergency dental care is available and is carried out under the same strict safety protocols. What Dental Offices Are Doing to Keep You Safe According to public health authorities, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmission linked to dental office visits when proper protocols are followed. Licensed dental teams have adapted their practices to meet and exceed infection control standards. Here is what you can expect at a safety-compliant dental clinic: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Dentists, hygienists, and assistants wear masks, face shields, gowns, and gloves during all procedures. Enhanced sterilisation: All instruments are sterilised between patients, and high-touch surfaces are disinfected regularly throughout the day. HEPA air filtration and aerosol management: High-efficiency air filtration systems and aerosol reduction strategies minimise airborne risk during treatment. Pre-screening protocols: Patients are screened for symptoms before appointments, either by phone or upon arrival. Physical distancing in waiting areas: Seating arrangements and appointment scheduling have been adjusted to reduce crowding. Contactless check-in where possible: Digital forms and minimal paperwork reduce unnecessary contact. Hand hygiene stations: Sanitiser is available at entry points and throughout the clinic. What You Can Do Before Your Dental Appointment Patients also play an important role in keeping dental visits safe for everyone. Here are a few simple steps you can take: Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, call your dental clinic to reschedule. Arrive on time — not early. This helps manage the number of people in waiting areas at any one time. Wear a mask to your appointment and remove it only when directed by your dental team. Inform the clinic of any recent travel or exposure to confirmed COVID-19 cases. Brush and floss before your visit to support good hygiene practices for your dental team. Don't Let COVID-19 Anxiety Put Your Oral Health on Hold It's understandable to feel hesitant about visiting any healthcare setting during a pandemic. However, postponing dental care often leads to worsening conditions that may require…

Read more about the article When It Is Necessary To Extract A Tooth?

When It Is Necessary To Extract A Tooth?

When Is It Necessary to Extract a Tooth? Tooth extraction is always considered a last resort — your dental team will exhaust every possible option to save your natural tooth before recommending removal. The most common reasons a tooth becomes non-restorable include severe decay, advanced gum disease, and irreparable damage from trauma. If you are experiencing tooth pain or swelling in Calgary NW, it is important to seek prompt dental care to determine whether your tooth can still be saved. Why Dentists Try to Save Your Tooth First Preserving your natural teeth is a core principle of good dental care. Before recommending an extraction, your dentist will assess whether treatments such as a root canal, dental crown, or composite filling can restore the tooth to full function. Regular dental check-ups and professional teeth cleaning play a vital role in catching problems early — when they are far easier and less costly to treat. If a cavity is identified in its early stages, your dentist can treat it immediately and prevent it from progressing to the point where extraction becomes unavoidable. Common Reasons a Tooth Extraction Becomes Necessary 1. Severe Tooth Decay When decay has progressed deeply into the tooth structure and there is not enough healthy tooth remaining to support a filling, crown, or other restoration, the tooth is considered non-restorable. At this stage, extraction is the safest option to eliminate the source of infection and protect surrounding teeth. 2. Advanced Periodontal (Gum) Disease Periodontal disease is the most common cause of adult tooth loss. When gum disease progresses without treatment, it destroys the bone and connective tissue that hold your teeth in place. The affected tooth may become loose, painful, or chronically infected — and may also cause damage to the bone supporting adjacent teeth. Early intervention through periodontal care can often prevent extraction from becoming necessary. 3. A Tooth That Cannot Be Restored After Fracture A tooth that has broken below the gum line or cracked in a way that cannot be structurally repaired may need to be removed. Your dentist will assess the fracture pattern and discuss all restorative options with you before proceeding. 4. Impacted or Problematic Wisdom Teeth Wisdom teeth that are impacted, misaligned, or causing crowding are frequently recommended for removal. Learn more about wisdom teeth removal in Calgary NW and what to expect from the procedure. 5. Infection Posing a Risk to Overall Health A dental abscess or deep infection that cannot be adequately treated with root canal therapy or antibiotics may require extraction to prevent the infection from spreading to surrounding tissues or other areas of the body. Why You Should Replace a Missing Tooth Once a tooth has been extracted, replacing it is strongly recommended in most cases. Leaving a gap in your smile can lead to a range of functional and structural problems, including: Difficulty chewing and biting, which can place excess strain on remaining teeth Shifting of adjacent and opposing teeth into the empty space Bone loss in the…

Read more about the article Visiting a Dentist If You Have a Broken Tooth

Visiting a Dentist If You Have a Broken Tooth

What Should You Do If You Have a Broken Tooth? A broken tooth requires prompt dental attention, even if you are not experiencing pain. Left untreated, a broken tooth can become infected, cause significant damage to surrounding teeth, and lead to more complex — and costly — treatment. If you have chipped, cracked, or broken a tooth, contacting a licensed dentist as soon as possible is the most important step you can take. Common Causes of a Broken Tooth Teeth can break for a variety of reasons. Understanding how it happens can help you act quickly and communicate clearly with your dental team. Common causes include: Sports injuries: Contact or outdoor sports can result in sudden trauma to the mouth and teeth. Accidental falls or trips: Even a minor fall can fracture a tooth. Biting hard foods: Chewing on popcorn kernels, ice, hard candy, or similar foods is a frequent cause of cracked or broken teeth. Weakened tooth structure: Teeth with large fillings, decay, or previous damage are more vulnerable to breaking. Teeth grinding (bruxism): Chronic grinding can gradually weaken enamel and cause fractures over time. Why a Broken Tooth Is a Dental Emergency Many people assume that if a broken tooth is not painful, it can wait. This is a common — and potentially harmful — misconception. A broken tooth creates an opening that allows bacteria to enter the inner layers of the tooth, increasing the risk of infection. Signs that a broken tooth may be infected or worsening include: Throbbing, sharp, or sudden tooth pain Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks Swollen or tender gums near the affected tooth An unpleasant taste or odour in the mouth Difficulty sleeping due to persistent discomfort Jaw pain or difficulty chewing If any of these symptoms are present, do not wait. Seek emergency dental care right away. In Calgary NW, Expressions Dental offers emergency dentist appointments to address urgent dental concerns promptly. Risks of Delaying Treatment for a Broken Tooth Delaying care for a broken tooth can have serious consequences for your oral and overall health. A dental infection does not resolve on its own — it typically worsens over time. Here is what can happen when treatment is postponed: Spreading infection: Bacteria can spread from the broken tooth to neighbouring teeth, gums, and jawbone. Systemic health risk: In severe cases, a dental infection can become bloodborne, posing a wider health risk that extends beyond your mouth. Root canal treatment: If the tooth's inner pulp becomes infected, a root canal treatment may be necessary to save the tooth. Tooth extraction: If the infection progresses too far and the tooth cannot be saved, tooth extraction may be the only remaining option. Early treatment gives your dentist the best chance to restore your tooth — and to preserve your natural smile. What to Expect at Your Dental Appointment When you visit a dentist for a broken tooth, your treatment will depend on the severity and location of the break. Your…

Read more about the article Top 3 Reasons For Teeth Extraction

Top 3 Reasons For Teeth Extraction

Top 3 Reasons for Tooth Extraction: What a Calgary Dentist Wants You to Know The three most common reasons dentists recommend tooth extraction are severe tooth decay, advanced gum disease, and tooth overcrowding or impaction. Extraction is typically considered only after other treatments — such as fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy — have been ruled out. Understanding why a tooth may need to be removed helps you make confident, informed decisions about your oral health. In the video below, a licensed dentist at Expressions Dental walks you through the top reasons a tooth may need to be removed and what the extraction process involves. Reason 1: Severe Tooth Decay Tooth decay progresses in stages — from the outer enamel, through the dentine, and eventually into the pulp at the centre of the tooth. When decay reaches the pulp, it can cause serious bacterial infection, significant pain, and structural damage. In many cases, a root canal treatment or a dental crown can save the tooth. However, when the damage is too extensive and the tooth can no longer be restored, extraction becomes the safest option — preventing infection from spreading to surrounding teeth, gums, and jawbone. Signs You May Have Severe Tooth Decay Persistent toothache or throbbing pain that doesn't go away Sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure that lingers Visible holes, dark spots, or crumbling in the tooth structure Swelling around the gum line or jaw A persistent bad taste or odour in the mouth If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, prompt assessment is essential. Leaving severely decayed teeth untreated can lead to dental abscesses, bone loss, and the spread of infection. If you are in pain, our emergency dentist in NW Calgary is available to assess and treat urgent concerns as quickly as possible. Reason 2: Advanced Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease) Gum disease begins as gingivitis — inflammation and bleeding of the gums caused by plaque build-up. When left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a serious infection that damages the soft tissue and bone supporting your teeth. In advanced stages, teeth can become loose, shift position, or develop painful abscesses. Once supporting bone and tissue are significantly destroyed, extraction may be the only viable option to protect the health of surrounding teeth and your overall oral health. Warning Signs of Advanced Gum Disease Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing Red, swollen, or tender gum tissue Gums pulling away from the teeth (recession) Persistent bad breath that doesn't improve with brushing Loose or shifting teeth Pain when chewing Early-stage gum disease can often be managed with professional periodontal care and thorough teeth cleaning. The sooner you seek treatment, the greater the chance of saving your natural teeth. Regular hygiene appointments and a strong at-home routine are your best defence against gum disease progression. Reason 3: Overcrowding and Tooth Impaction Sometimes a tooth cannot fully emerge through the gum because there is insufficient space in the jaw — a condition known as impaction. Wisdom teeth…