Author: vivadentalwellness_AdmEEn

When our bodies are fighting a bacterial infection, it is quite common to find the associated fluids of the infection within a balloon-like structure. A dental abscess occurs when a bacterial infection in the mouth is growing and produces a large pimple-like pustule, containing the pus associated with the infection. Dental abscesses can look like whiteheads on the gums, or in some cases, they are not visible from the outside. In these cases, the dental abscess is likely weeping out the side of the gum pocket or it is localized at the bottom of the tooth root.How Do Abscesses Occur?

Dental abscesses are most commonly the result of an infection within the tooth or in the gingival tissue of the oral cavity. When bacteria in the oral cavity is uncontrolled it can result in many oral health challenges including gingivitis, periodontitis, and abscess. Abscesses can also be the result of a tooth break or a failed root canal.

When infectious bacteria are present in the mouth and gain access to the roots of the teeth or the inner pulp of the teeth via dental decay, dental abscesses can result as the body’s immune system begins producing excessive amounts of white blood cells to combat the infection. As these infection balloons grow, the balloons displace other soft tissue or can move into the bony structures of the teeth. This results in the risk of the infection traveling to other areas of the mouth. Abscesses can result in the necessary extraction of a tooth if the infection has effectively killed the inner pulp of the tooth and the associated nerve.

Kinds Of Dental Abscess

There are five primary kinds of dental abscesses. A periapical abscess occurs in the root of the tooth. a periodontal abscess occurs within the periodontal pocket between the gum tissue and the tooth. A gingival abscess occurs where only the gums are affected and not the tooth itself. Pericoronal abscesses occur when the gum tissues around the tooth become infected, and finally, a combined periodontic-endodontic abscess occurs both within and around the tooth.

Symptoms Associated With Dental Abscess

Dental abscesses are typically associated with extreme amounts of pain in the area of the mouth associated with the abscess. This pain can be sharp and persistent or can build over time. Swelling of the gums or the area of the mouth associated with the abscess is common, although facial swelling can also be seen in some circumstances. Lymph nodes around the lower mandible can also be affected and become swollen as a result. Foul tastes emanating from the source of the infection indicates that the infection is actively draining into the mouth.

It is helpful to note that dental abscesses do not spontaneously resolve. occasionally, dental abscesses can peak in their pain, and end abruptly. Rather than delay seeing a dentist if you think this is resolved, you should consider the more likely possibility that an interdental abscess has killed the tooth and the associated nerve, resulting in an absence of pain. It is critical to have abscesses treated as soon as possible regardless of whether or not the pain has resolved in order to prevent the infection from moving into the surrounding tissues and potentially becoming a systemic health concern.

Treatment Of Dental Abscess

If your dentist determines that your tooth can be salvaged, it will likely require a root canal to resolve the infection. A root canal will clean the inside of the tooth and ensure that decay and signs of infection are removed before replacing the inner tissue of the tooth with gutta-percha and capping it to reinforce its structure. In cases in which the infection has progressed to a degree that makes the tooth unsalvageable, the tooth will require extraction. Regardless of the treatment of choice, it is common that antibiotics be prescribed simultaneously with the treatments to ensure that the infection is resolved. In some cases, drainage will be provided by your dentist with an incision being made into the gingival tissue to allow the pus to drain from the abscess. While this can sound painful, most clients feel a great degree of relief once the pressure from inside the abscess cavity is relieved.

A Note On Home Treatment

Because a dental abscess occurs within the structures of the mouth and produces a large amount of pressure within the soft tissues, it is critical to note that while over-the-counter medications can be taken to dull the associated pain, heat should never be applied to an abscess. Heating an abscess can increase the pressure within the tissues and increase the associated pain. Ice packs can be applied to the outside of the mouth or cool water can be rinsed through the mouth if it is tolerable.

Preventing Dental Abscess

Dental abscesses are preventable with excellent oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. With regular brushing flossing and rinsing, bacterial counts in the mouth are kept at reasonable levels, and complications such as decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis are kept at a minimum. Periodontitis and decay are one of the most common risk factors in dental abscesses, therefore mitigating the likelihood of their occurrence is critical.
For questions about dental abscesses in Edmonton or other services offered by our general dentists, contact us at Viva Dental Wellness today.

Snoring. It’s been the punchline in every joke about couples since the beginning. If you are a snorer, you will, no doubt, jokingly hear about it from your partner.  Sure, snoring can be irritating and make it more difficult for your partner to get to sleep, but did you know that snoring may be a sign of something more sinister? If you are a chronic snorer, you may not know it if you sleep alone. It can take a while to begin to associate symptoms with the lack of rest caused by sleep apnea.

You don’t need the best dentist in Edmonton, you need one who is familiar with sleep apnea and practices sleep apnea treatment in Edmonton. Although sleep apnea is complemented by the depth of knowledge a dentist can bring to their practice, not every dentist offers sleep apnea treatment. Rather than conduct a Google search for a “dentist near me” or the “best dental clinic”, we recommend searching for a “sleep specialist near me”.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is the medical term to describe an interrupted breathing pattern while you are asleep. Patients with sleep apnea can stop breathing for as little as a few seconds to over a minute between breaths – often causing distress that stirs them as the body panics. But most patients being seen by a sleep apnea clinic in Edmonton don’t recall the constant waking. Instead, they wake in the morning feeling foggy, tired, and depleted.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Getting up in the morning isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do, but you should know the difference between typical morning grogginess and symptoms of apnea. Because sleep apnea constantly interrupts sleep, you can go to bed tired and wake up feeling as tired or more tired than you were when you went to sleep. Sleep apnea doesn’t allow your brain to enter into REM sleep – the restorative cycle of our nightly sleep. It is in this stage that the body does its maintenance and repair, so waking up with headaches and a stiff neck are less likely if you are getting good rest. Waking up with a headache and dry throat are common when you’ve spent the night snoring.

How is your mood? Sleep apnea makes it much more difficult for our bodies to manage emotions and interact with others with patience and calm. If you’re tired throughout the day and feeling cranky, it might be time to seek out a sleep apnea clinic in Edmonton. Beyond this, it is important to note that sleep apnea sufferers are more at risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. If you need a dentist in south Edmonton, look no further!

Viva Dental Wellness is proud to bring you the Snore Centre in Edmonton. We are a dentist in Windermere offering treatment for sleep apnea. Once sleep apnea is identified, we determine whether the apnea is obstructive or central. Obstructive apnea occurs when the tissues in the throat are loose and fall over the airway while we rest. On the other hand, central apnea isn’t the result of a tissue blockage – it is the result of the disconnection of communication between the brain and the body.

To determine what kind of apnea is affecting the patient, your family dentist in Edmonton (or other sleep specialist) will likely send you home with sleep study head gear. This gear will come with information about how to wear it while sleeping. This device will monitor a number of metrics while you sleep, and your sleep specialist will analyze the information collected. Alternatively, you may be asked to stay overnight for monitoring in a clinical setting.

In terms of snoring treatment in Edmonton, there are two primary modes of treatment. Your dental clinic in Edmonton can arrange to have a dental device made to assist in expanding your upper palate in order to decrease tissue obstruction. This keeps the tissues in a more taught position and does not allow them to fall over the airway. Alternatively, a device called a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway pressure) may be recommended.

At Viva Dental Wellness, we speak to our clients about the importance of sleep hygiene in their sleep routine. Rather than fall asleep to the screen of your phone at night, we recommend keeping your phone outside of your room in the evening and using blackout shades to reduce light visibility as much as possible while you sleep. Going to bed at the same time every day helps to get your sleep and wake cycles stabilized and your melatonin working just as it should. If you have questions about sleep apnea and sleep apnea treatment, contact Viva Dental Wellness today. We would be more than happy to schedule a consultation with one of our sleep specialists and put you back on the road to feeling great again.

If you’re new to Edmonton dental clinics, you’ve got a lot to consider. With so many dentists in Edmonton, it’s most important to first decide what the best dental clinic means to you before choosing. Taking time to consider your thoughts on the matter can assist you in targeting the right provider for your specific needs – after all, you don’t want to go to just any dentist in Edmonton, even if you only see them for dental checkups.

Should My Dentist Be Near Me?

Whether you need a dentist to be near you or not may come down to a number of factors including schedule, ability to commute, frequency of visits, and skill of the dentist if you are looking for a particular specialty. If you have the ability to travel and your schedule permits, you may be most comfortable with a particular dental practice – even if it requires a little more time to get there.

Your Choice Dentist In South Edmonton

Viva Dental Wellness is a family dentist in south Edmonton serving patients from across Edmonton and its surrounding area. We are among general dentists in Windermere offering a range of services from tooth-saving procedures (like root canals) to cosmetic dentistry (like teeth whitening). But while there are many dentists in Windermere, we endeavor to provide our patients with a superior experience.

If your plan to see a dentist in southside Edmonton leads you to Viva Dental Wellness, you can expect a relaxed and supportive experience regardless of the service you are receiving. We work with our patients to ensure that, both, their long-term and short-term dental goals are supported in the work that we do in our private treatment suites. These suites decrease any distracting noises from other treatment areas while offering maximum patient privacy. As a family dentist in Edmonton, we consider it our privilege to serve patients of any age, and we work to be seen as the best dentist in Edmonton in the eyes of those we serve.

Regardless of whether you are looking for a dentist in south Edmonton or the north, these questions may assist you in choosing the very best dentist.

What Are Their Hours?

What are the hours of service offered by your dental clinic? Do they offer early or late appointments to accommodate your schedule if required?

What Services Do They Provide?

While most general dentists offer similar services, some dental clinics do not offer services like dental implants. If you are interested in a particular service, ask the potential clinic whether the work could be done in-house. If your dentist does not offer the service you require, he or she may refer you to another dentist who does, while supporting your aftercare.

What Are Their Ratings And Reviews Saying?

Family dentists in Edmonton are helping families maintain a positive relationship with their oral health – but some dentists may be a better fit for you than others. That’s why we recommend considering (but not relying upon) patient clinic reviews.  If a family clinic is important to you, it could be because pediatric patients will age-out of some practices. If you expect to have a long-term relationship with your dental clinic, look for reviews from long-term clients to see why they stay! Is your schedule extremely tight? Then it will be important to choose a clinic whose patients can vouch for them staying on schedule.

How Will They Handle My Anxiety?

If you or your child regularly experiences anxiety during dental appointments, you should inquire about what methods of sedation are available at your prospective dental clinic. While some patients with anxiety just need a little extra time settling in, others can be overcome by their anxiety which prevents successful procedures. In this case, your dental practice may offer oral sedation methods to support your level of comfort and relaxation during your time in the chair. Your dentist will not be surprised if you express concerns about anxiety, since dental anxiety is a common occurrence in the field of dentistry. Opening a dialogue about how to best support you through your time in the dental chair will increase your trust in the process and facilitate a more efficient procedure.

Viva Dental Wellness is your choice dentist in south Edmonton when you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere, private treatment areas, and a dental team that prioritizes your oral health. Your oral health doesn’t just affect your teeth and gums – it can impact your health systemically. We partner with our patients to understand their overall wellness profile and how we can contribute to your health through expert oral care. We welcome new patients and the opportunity to show you why Viva Dental Wellness should be your family dentist in Edmonton. Call our clinic today to schedule a consultation with a member of our skilled team. We look forward to seeing you!

Breaking the myth, there’s not one dentist that works for everyone. Some are experienced in handling dental emergencies, while others would help you with Invisalign treatment because of special expertise. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to find a dentist that addresses all your needs and keeps you calm even in the dentist’s chair.

If you’ve recently moved to Edmonton, you might have a hard time locating the nearest dental clinic in Edmonton. Although finding the best dentist in south Edmonton can be a little tricky, doing it as early as possible is the only way to take care of your dental health.

Why Is It Important To Choose The Best Dentist In Edmonton?

Not everyone cares enough for their oral health, especially when it comes to visiting a dentist. From regular dental checkups to dental emergencies, visiting a dentist can save you from your biggest nightmares. Whether it’s something minor like toothache, tooth pain, or a severe dental emergency, only a dentist promises your oral health in good shape and state.

If you’ve looking for a new dentist, spending a few minutes to find the right dentist for your oral health isn’t a bad idea.

Besides location and price, let’s see what other factors determine if you’re making the right decision to choose the best dental clinic.

1. Ask People Around You

The best way to find a genuine dentist’s suggestion for a new dentist is by asking your friends and family. Despite the difference in dental needs, you can be lucky to find a dentist with personal recommendations.

Moreover, you can also have a short talk with your friends and family, clearing most of your doubts about the dentist in Edmonton. If everything goes fine, a short appointment with the dentist can help you with further assurance of your decision.

2. Consider Location

Location plays a significant role in determining if visiting the dental clinic for dental checkups or dental emergencies will be convenient for you.

As a good rule of thumb, it’s best to choose a dental clinic in Edmonton that’s close to your workplace or home. Because of this, you can make regular visits to the dental clinic at any time of the day, especially in dental emergencies.

3. Address The Right Dental Needs

Addressing your dental needs to the right dentist is as important as anything else. When looking for a new dentist, it’s always a good idea to evaluate the level of dental care service you’ll get.

Also, anticipate your needs and check if the dentist is the right fit to handle your dental care in the present or the future. For example, if you’re planning for teeth whitening or getting wisdom teeth removal done, a general dentist is a good option for you.

If you want one to look after your dental emergencies, choose an emergency dentist. No matter which dentist you choose, make sure to have regular dental checkups with proper teeth cleaning and whitening every once in a while.

4. Compare Price

Price is obviously a significant factor in determining how many dental appointments would cost you. If you’re looking for a dentist in south Edmonton, you’re in luck as most dental clinics in Edmonton offer very affordable dental plans.

From teeth whitening, teeth cleaning to wisdom teeth removal or any other serious dental emergency, dentist in Edmonton get you covered.

For the patient’s ease, most dental clinics also have insurance plans that allow patients to pay for their dental appointments. This is actually more convenient than the clinic as you won’t have to skip dental checkups to save a few dollars.

However, it’s best to check the individual charges of each dental service and be clear about what you need. For example, teeth whitening and teeth cleaning is cheaper than heavy dental procedures such as wisdom teeth removal.

5. Book Your First Appointment

After you’ve inquired everything about the dentist, it’s time to book your first appointment with the dentist and ask other questions.

Whether you’re looking for a dentist for children or a family dentist, it’s best to be clear about your dental needs.

If it’s your first time choosing a dentist, having a rough checklist to evaluate different dentists in Edmonton is always helpful.

Here are the following questions:

1. Is the dental clinic’s environment clean, friendly, and well-organized?

2. Is the dentist responsive and friendly to the patients? Does the dentist address your dental needs and suggest the best possible dental solutions?

3. Is the dentist available at late hours and open on weekends? Does the dentist offer special home preventive dental care suggestions such as brushing, flossing, teeth cleaning, teeth whitening, etc.?

4. If the dentist practices realistically meets your needs and can adjust the schedule with you.

Conclusion

With these guidelines, you won’t have to surf the web for hours to find the best dentist in south Edmonton. From the moment you step into the dental clinic to the way, the dentist responds to your dental emergency, everything matters.

However, dentists in Edmonton are known for using great dental practices, offering free dental consultations and a unique approach to dental care.

If you’re still in doubts, head on to Viva Dental Wellness in Windermere, Edmonton, and clear all your queries.

Now that more people than ever are keeping their natural teeth with them into old-age, knowing how to support the health and wellbeing of your teeth and gums should be top of mind. Here are some of the dental health concerns we can effectively prevent with good oral hygiene.

Breaks

While some tooth breaks are purely accidental, many tooth breaks are preventable. While many of us don’t consider chewing ice cubes or opening a nut shell with our teeth to be risky behaviours, we would be shocked to hear of bottles being open with the teeth! The truth is, all of these should be avoided in order to prevent a break and retain healthy amounts of tooth enamel. Any food for which there is a tool is there for a reason, so get out your lobster crackers and nutcrackers and avoid the temptation to crunch away at large pieces of ice – for the sake of your teeth.

High risk activities for dental injuries include activities like army training, hockey, rugby or other contact sports. We recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect the teeth during these activities, limiting the potential for a trauma to the teeth.

Gum And Enamel Erosion

Can you be ‘too good’ at cleaning your teeth? Sort of. If you’re brushing your teeth too aggressively, you could be putting yourself at risk of gum and enamel erosion. We recommend using a soft, circular touch to clean your teeth of plaque and debris and using an extra soft toothbrush can help in that effort. When teeth are scrubbed too hard for too long, over time the gums can begin to be pushed back from the teeth. When this happens, the gums stop providing a full protective covering of the dentin layer (the highly sensitive layer under the enamel). Not only is dentin extremely sensitive, brushing too hard can erode enamel on the surface of the teeth, causing more dentin exposure and sensitivity.

Discolouration

We know that lifestyle choices like smoking can discolour your teeth to a yellow-brown tone, but are non-smokers aware of the other contributors to staining? Tannic acid in red wine, for example, is twice an offender where staining the teeth is concerned. The tannins suppress salivary function, which effectively leaves the teeth and enamel vulnerable to staining while the ‘rinse’ function of the mouth recovers. Coffee and tea have a similar effect on the teeth as wine, which you may have wondered about when you looked at the stains in your coffee mug this morning!

Bad Breath

Of course, there are the obvious dietary culprits where bad breath is concerned, but are garlic and onions the only offenders? Some vegetables in the cruciferous family of vegetables have been found to have properties that produce a sulfuric odour when consumed. Broccoli, and cauliflower are members of the cruciferous family, as well as brussels sprouts and kale. But don’t write these healthful vegetables off just yet – many lovers of these odour-causing vegetables find that the effect is minimized when these vegetables are lightly steamed.

Dental Decay And Abscess

If you are brushing, flossing and rinsing your teeth after every meal you are actively preventing oral concerns such as dental decay (cavities) and abscesses. When plaque bacteria and food debris is allowed to remain in an oral cavity, bacteria inside the mouth populate freely and feed on sugar left behind from the last meal. The result is an acidic environment where enamel is compromised over time, and bacteria begins to demineralize the areas of the teeth where cavities will eventually form.

Plaque bacteria eventually calcifies on the bases of the teeth, and irritates the gum tissue continually until it can be professionally removed. In severe cases, plaque and tartar are allowed to proliferate to such a degree that the irritated gingival tissue loosens from the base and root of the tooth, allowing bacteria to gain access deep into the gum tissue.

Abscesses can form in the gum and present as a large pimple which may be full of pus or weeping, or they can form at the ends of the tooth root if the infection is occurring inside the pulp of the tooth. These infections can be dangerous if the infection spreads to the bone of the upper or lower jaw.

Abscesses are often a symptom of chronic infection due to periodontal disease. Keeping the teeth and gums healthy with regular brushing and flossing controls the number of bacteria in the mouth, limits exposure of the enamel to acids, and safeguards your mouth against most common dental issues. Seeing your dentist regularly further supports a strong and healthy mouth by preventing the manifestation of these dental concerns and treating those concerns which do arise in a timely fashion so that overall dental health isn’t negatively impacted.

When our parents were young, it was far more common for people to have dental issues and lose their teeth as they age. Dentures were used far more frequently than they are today. In fact, today our goal as dentists is that our patients retain their natural teeth throughout their life and that those teeth remain healthy. Outside of genetic dental diseases and incidental events such as vehicle accidents, we believe that there is no reason why you shouldn’t retain healthy teeth for your lifetime as long as you are following proper oral hygiene and lifestyle habits.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene

We recommend following a pattern of brushing the teeth, gums and tongue a minimum of twice daily, at the beginning of the day and before bed. Flossing must be done a minimum of once a day. Better yet, brushing and flossing after each meal will provide ultimate protection against some of the most common dental concerns.

Gum Disease

There is no doubt that issues related to gum disease and decay are among the most frequently diagnosed conditions that a dentist deals with in their daily practice. But by practicing good cleaning technique and frequency, gum disease and decay can be effectively prevented.

The environments inside of our mouths are built to help us effectively break down food matter in preparation for digestion. The bacteria that live inside of our mouths interact with the foods that we introduce them to. We all know that sugar, for example, has negative implications for the health of our teeth. But did you know that starchy carbohydrates can account for just as much trouble where your teeth are concerned? The bacteria inside of our mouth feeds on the sugars in our food, and this results in increased levels of acidity in the mouth. This acidity eats away at the protective coating on our teeth, called enamel, and causes an increase in the production of plaque in our oral cavities.

The term ‘plaque’ refers to the clear gummy film that we feel on our teeth when we haven’t brushed them recently. Plaque grows in the mouth and collects around the collars of our teeth and onto the gums. Brushing your teeth sweeps away this plaque, which is made primarily of bacteria, before the plaque has an opportunity to compromise your dental health.

If, however, plaque is left on the teeth and gums, it causes them to become irritated. Like most soft tissue, gums show visible signs of being in distress with reddening, swelling and even bleeding when they are brushed or flossed. If you are finding that your gums bleed easily when brushed or flossed, this is an indication that the bacteria in your mouth is not being adequately kept under control.

You are in luck! Early presentations of gum disease (called gingivitis) are reversible with excellent oral hygiene. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist for advice on how to properly floss and brush your teeth if your current method is still resulting in symptoms of gingivitis.

Tooth Decay And Bad Breath

It isn’t just eating onions and garlic that can produce foul breath, most causes of bad breath can be the result of underlying oral hygiene issues. Like plaque, food debris that is left in the mouth can cause more severe side effects such as cavity formation and can contribute to bad breath. Food caught around and between the teeth can produce foul odors as it decomposes, and together with plaque, these bacteria can cause foul and offensive breath.

Avoiding Periodontitis

If you need more convincing to improve your oral hygiene, an understanding of the risks of periodontitis should do the trick. Periodontitis is an advanced form of gingivitis which occurs when the bacteria around the teeth begins to progress into the space between the teeth and the gums. Swelling of the gums can cause them to pull away from the teeth, resulting in the bacterial ‘seal’ around the teeth to be broken. Once plaque calcifies as tartar, bacteria can start to collect in the pockets between the gum and the tooth, resulting in further inflammation and irritation. Plaque bacteria continues to travel along the teeth into the spongey bone that surrounds the tooth and the ligament.

Once the ligament and bone of the tooth begins to be negatively impacted, bone destruction sets in and can result in the destabilization and loss of the tooth itself. Furthermore, intervention is necessary to ensure that large scale systemic infection does not occur.

While gum disease is a health concern, many of its symptoms can go unnoticed by the sufferer until the problem has progressed significantly. Rather than wait for a concern to present itself, why not decide to start prioritizing your oral health today? Your teeth, your body and your interpersonal relationships will no doubt benefit!

Dental technology enables us to address a wide variety of oral health circumstances that were previously unmanageable or were manageable with difficulty. For example, dentists are now able to use number of techniques and materials to assist them in preserving teeth that may have at one time been subject to extraction. With all this new technology, it might be easy to think that letting our oral health slide is not of significant consequence. There are many reasons, however, to care for your teeth and gums as a priority and to adopt a lifestyle that is conducive to the maintenance of excellent oral health.

1. Keep Your Natural Teeth for Life

It used to be so common for people to lose teeth as they aged that it became accepted as an inevitability by some. The truth is, looking after your oral health in order to maintain comfort and avoid the need for restorative work is the best approach. While dentures, root canals, and new technology such as titanium dental implants are widely available, they are not without compromise when compared to your natural teeth.

The cost associated with dental treatments as well as the potential discomfort associated with decay or other dental health concerns are not to be taken lightly. Taking care of your natural teeth and gums can drastically improve the likelihood of maintaining strong dental arches and jaw bone structure and improves the likelihood of keeping your natural teeth throughout your life. To some, the idea of dentures may seem like an easy answer to their oral health concerns, however, it is important to remember that artificial teeth, like any prosthetic, take time to adjust to and requires patience on the part of the host. Often, prosthetics such as plate dentures can make speaking clearly more difficult for the wearer, which can lead to social challenges. Nutritional challenges can occur if wearing the prosthetic causes pressure points in the mouth to become too painful. Keep your teeth happy and healthy throughout your life and enjoy the benefits that they offer in form and function for years to come!

2. Avoid the Downward Spiral

Since your teeth exist in a warm and moist environment, compromises to the tooth structure can take you down a path of chain reactions as far as oral health is concerned since bacteria thrive in this environment. For example, teeth that have been subject to decay are often weaker after being restored and can leave patients at risk for chips, cracks or other breaks of the tooth.

Decay or infections that impact the internal structure of a tooth often require endodontic therapy, such as root canal therapy, to restore comfort and allow the affected tooth to remain in place. Teeth that are subject to root canals are most often also subject to requiring a cap or crown in order to seal the tooth and ensure that it is strong enough to withstand the bite force demands associated with our diets.

3. Avoid Gum Problems

It is not just our teeth that are subject to problems caused by the environment inside of our mouths. The gums or gingival tissue inside of our mouths play a key role in making sure that our teeth remain stable and protected within the bony structure of our jaw. Compromises in gum health can lead to an excess of tartar accumulation as a result of increased plaque bacteria present in the mouth which becomes mineralized. More bacteria in the mouth means more opportunities for infection, irritation and recession.

Recession occurs as bacteria along the gum line causes the tissues to swell and pull away from the collars of the teeth. Left unattended, these bacteria can proliferate to such an extent that the root systems of the teeth become compromised and lose their stability along the arches. In extreme circumstances, surgery can be required to correct the damage done by these bacteria and to avoid bacterial infection spreading to the jaw bone, sinus cavity or blood.

4. Avoid Systemic Health Issues

Science and research are telling us new things about the relationship between our teeth and health the rest of our system. For example, it is now widely accepted that there is a correlation between gum disease and diabetes. Similarly, dentists offer consultation to pregnant clients to ensure the health of their teeth gums and bones throughout their pregnancy. In many cases, however, we don’t need fancy terms and research to tell us what we inherently understand: any ongoing infection in the body, be it in the teeth or other areas in the body, puts excessive demand on our immune system and leaves less energy to support other systems in the body. By taking good care of our teeth, we keep infection at bay and promote wellness on a holistic level.