Wisdom Teeth Removal

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

The coronavirus pandemic has altered the world around us. Preventive protocols like physical distancing and covering mouth are now important to avoid the risk of Covid-19 infection. But, it is also important to maintain oral health. A cleaner and healthy mouth contribute to minimizing the chances of viral infections as it is well known that a healthy body is less prone to any infections. The pandemic has pushed many to neglect their oral health concerns and as the world starts to unlock, the question still persists- Is it safe to see the dentist during COVID-19?

Dentist-Covid19

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), there has not been one single reported case of COVID-19 transmission associated with dental offices so far. Just like any of us using masks on daily basis, washing hands, using sanitizers, disinfecting surfaces, the dentists to have already put all preventive protocols in action to ensure safety for their staff and patients. All safe dental offices have geared the patient & staff interaction to be straightforward and predictable by minimizing contact wherever possible, by using PPE kits and minimizing chairside adjustments, etc. Efficiency in all aspects of treatment and operations has now become critical. So, why neglect oral health when all the infection control procedures are in place! The dental community has been issued safety guidelines to follow, but here are a few things you can do to overcome the hesitation of seeing your dentists during the pandemic.

Yes, Please.

Before you make an appointment, here are a few questions you may ask to overcome the apprehension:
If patients are screened over the phone before their visit.
If the practice limits the number of people allowed in the waiting room at one time.
If they disinfect all surfaces including telephones, the EFTPOS machine, door handles, etc.

If all instruments/tools are sterilized after each patient.

If the staff have enough personal protective equipment?
If both staff and patients wear masks at all times?
If they have removed high contact items in the reception area like, magazines & toys.
If they have adjusted seating in the reception area to facilitate social distancing.

If the answer to all of these questions is “yes,” it means the dental office is doing everything to provide a safe environment & hence, you can feel at ease going to the dentist’s office.

Your Call
A safe dental practice puts infection control measures in action and you can see it for yourself in the initial visit. It’s then your choice to go ahead or not. So, here’s a list of everything you need to observe before you make an informed decision.

A safe dental practice:

● Records your detailed travel history and medical history.
● Sterilizes instruments for each and every patient.
● Uses disposable suction tips and instruments.
● Disinfects the dental chair, instrument panels, dental light unit and benchtops between every appointment.
● Places protective barriers over surfaces such as a headrest, x-ray units, etc.
● Uses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
● Requests patients to undertake a 30-second preoperational antimicrobial mouth rinse with a 0.1% hydrogen peroxide solution before treatment
● Uses high-speed suction that reduces aerosols by 95% whenever possible.
● Uses rubber dam that reduces aerosol by 70% whenever possible.

We know it is not easy right now. Post lockdown, many businesses have reopened, including dental practices. Pandemic or not, dentists are trained to regularly disinfect and will continue to do so. Returning to your dentist is purely a personal decision, but making an informed choice by assessing the hygiene protocols will save you from neglect that can cost more than just money.

Come to Expressions Dental for all your Dental Needs!

Our team of dental professionals follow stringent safety protocols and are always here to help you get the expert dental care you need in Calgary even during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Do you have questions about our safety procedures? Need more information? Interested in an appointment? You can contact us online or give us a call. See you soon!
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Read more about the article Symptoms of Problematic Wisdom Teeth

Symptoms of Problematic Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last of the teeth to erupt and are the last molars on the upper and lower teeth. Because wisdom teeth erupt last, at times there isn’t enough room in our mouth to accommodate them. Your wisdom teeth can get partially or fully impacted due to the lack of space in the mouth and impacted wisdom teeth can be a cause of problems.

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Read more about the article How Many Wisdom Teeth Does a Person Have?

How Many Wisdom Teeth Does a Person Have?

A normal person has four different kinds of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars and molars. All of them have their own relevance and are used for different purposes. Molar teeth are basically used for grinding and chewing food. Wisdom teeth are the molars occurring at the posterior end of the dentition. When wisdom teeth erupt they may affect other teeth because of lack of space to grow. Tooth extraction is sometimes required to prevent tooth damage and infection.

When do wisdom teeth erupt?

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Read more about the article Impacted Wisdom Teeth and Its Warning Symptoms

Impacted Wisdom Teeth and Its Warning Symptoms

There are a few oral health abnormalities that are painful and disruptive in our routine day-to-day life like an impacted wisdom teeth. If you need appropriate dental help, then understanding the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth is important. You can identify impacted wisdom teeth early, if you have regular dental check ups and through a panoramic x-ray.

Common Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

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Read more about the article Effects of Sports Drinks on Athletes’ Oral Health

Effects of Sports Drinks on Athletes’ Oral Health

Keeping your body healthy is crucial as an athlete. Successful performance demands dedication to training, eating well, and staying hydrated. Although it seems obvious that athletes must consistently care for their bodies, many overlook a crucial part of their health – their teeth.

Maintaining Oral health is as important as strengthening the body for athletic performance. Rising rates of dental problems in active people – from as young as preschool to older adults have caused concern for dental professionals. Sports drinks can cause 3 times more damage to teeth than soda. Even though consuming sports drinks can help improve your performance, it’s important to weigh the risks you are taking to your oral health, too. Here are some crucial facts about the sports drinks:

The most commonly reported dental problems among athletes were tooth decay, gum disease, enamel erosion, and infected wisdom teeth.

Tooth decay – The sugar found in sports drinks adhere to the teeth more than saliva and promote acid production for the oral bacteria, putting you at a higher risk for decay. The enamel and dentine of teeth are weakened and broken down by acids of a pH lower than 5.5. Many sports drinks and intra-workout supplements contain citric acid or malic acid with a pH between 2.4 – 4.5. Instead of gulping down a quick sports drink, athletes often take frequent sips during their workouts, exposing their teeth to harmful levels of acidity and sugar. Because dehydration is a common issue among athletes, having a dry mouth and a decreased salivary flow makes them more vulnerable to tooth decay.

Advice for athletes

Dentists urge athletes to use sports drinks in the following fashion:

• Use sports drinks in moderation, also use fruit juices or soft drinks in moderation because they have the same potential to erode teeth. Water is the best drink for light workouts in which less body fluids are lost.
• Dilute sports drinks with water.
• If possible, use a straw to reduce contact between the drink and teeth. Do not hold the drink in your mouth or swish it around.
• Do not brush your teeth immediately after consuming a sports drink. The acid in sports drinks makes teeth softer and brushing can cause protective enamel to be lost.
• Talk to your dentist about preventative care for your oral health. Find out a healthy hydration regimen for your work out.

You can protect yourself by skipping energy drinks and instead drink water and replenish your electrolytes naturally through foods, such as bananas, peanut butter, seaweed, leafy greens, melons, milk, beans, and whole grains. Contact Expressions Dental to learn more.

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Read more about the article Some Facts About Wisdom Teeth

Some Facts About Wisdom Teeth

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the upper and lower third molars, located at the very back of the mouth. They are called wisdom teeth because usually they come in between ages 17 and 21. Wisdom teeth that are healthy and in the right position usually don’t cause problems. You may have a problem if any of the following occur:

  • Your wisdom teeth break through your gums only partway because of a lack of space. This can cause a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. The flap can trap food and lead to a gum infection.
  • They come in crooked or facing the wrong direction.
  • Your jaw isn’t large enough to give them room. Your wisdom teeth may get stuck (impacted) in your jaw and not be able to break through your gums.
  • They are so far back in your mouth or crowded that you have trouble cleaning around them.

Symptoms:

If your wisdom teeth are causing problems, you may have pain or jaw stiffness near an impacted tooth. Wisdom teeth may also crowd the other teeth. Sometimes, there could be tooth decay or gum disease if there isn’t enough room to properly clean your wisdom tooth and nearby teeth.

Your dentist will check for signs of a wisdom tooth coming through your gum or crowding other teeth. You will have X-rays to find out if your wisdom teeth are causing problems now or are likely to cause problems in the future.

Treatment:

The dentist or oral surgeon will open the gum tissue over the tooth if needed and remove the tooth. If you have an infection, you may need to wait until it is gone before you have your wisdom teeth removed. The dentist or surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the infection.

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