Category: Dental Services

Everything About Tongue Ties You Need To Know

What is Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie, in scientific terms, is known as ankyloglossia. It is a condition in which the tongue is tethered to the floor of the mouth near its tip. As a result, people who have tongue tie have difficulties moving their tongue in free motion and consequently suffer from eating disorders, speech difficulties, and more.

Why Does Tongue Tie Occur? 

Tongue tie occurs due to the lingual frenulum not detaching itself from the tongue. Generally, the lingual frenulum detaches itself from the tongue before birth. Tongue tie occurs when the lingual frenulum has remained attached. Over time these tissues will grow stronger in order to keep the tongue tethered. Why exactly in some cases the lingual frenulum is unable to detach itself is still not fully known.

When to See a Dentist

You should see a dentist to treat tongue tie if you can spot the following symptoms in your child:

      1. Difficulties in breastfeeding
      2. Difficulties in speaking
      3. Difficulties in sticking the tongue out
      4. Difficulties in moving the tongue
      5. A notched tongue shape when stuck out.

Who’s at Risk? 

You may want to think that tongue tie could affect anybody and that it’s unpredictable. However, that might not be the case after all. According to an article published by Mayo Clinic,

“Although tongue-tie can affect anyone, it’s more common in boys than girls. Tongue-tie sometimes runs in families.”

This is just an observed fact and the science behind it remains to be explained.

How Common Is It? 

Tongue ties are a more common occurrence than you think. More than 3 million cases each year are reported for tongue tie in the US alone. This makes the occurrence a highly common one.

Should you be Worried? 

There’s a ton of reasons to be worried about if you think your child has tongue tie. Firstly, it can affect their speech and if untreated, this could affect the way they speak for the rest of their life. Due to troubles in feeding them, they might even be lacking the essential nutrients required for growth and development. Furthermore, as they grow older, it is likely to impact their social life.

How Easy is the Treatment?

Thankfully, the treatment usually requires a simple surgical procedure, from which the kid can heal in about a week or two. Home care after this procedure is very important and parents need to be committed to your Dentists plan. It is important to find an ideal kid-friendly dentist to ensure that your kid feels comfortable throughout the treatment since a trauma could develop dental anxieties in the future.

To help you with that, you can find the best kid-friendly dentist near you in Airdrie AB by simply clicking here.

Gums Keep Your Teeth in Place…True or False?

If you were to ask your friends and family if they think that gums keep your teeth in place, many would say yes.

But, they would be wrong.

The correct answer is the jaw bone. It’s the jaw bone that holds everything together.

However, there is a connect between the two. If your gums are not healthy, then the jaw bone can become diseased too.

Brush your teeth and floss regularly
Brush your teeth and floss regularly

 

And, on the other hand, if you keep your gums healthy by brushing and flossing, your jaw bone will remain in good shape as well.

To keep your mouth in great shape, start with your gums. It’s a simple recipe to follow: brush and floss regularly and see your hygienist AT LEAST every 6 months. Depending on the progression of your gum disease, you may have to have them cleaned as often as every 3 months.

 

Also, be aware if anything else is going on in your mouth. Things such as bleeding or a bad taste can be symptoms that something may not be right. You need to have your dentist check on it.

 

Now you know it’s your jaw bone that holds your teeth in place. You also know your gums need to be healthy to keep your jaw bone in good shape. And to keep your gums healthy, takes keeping your teeth brushed, flossed and cleaned. When was the last time you had your teeth cleaned?

 

Now might be a good time to make that appointment.

 

In addition to this topic, we’re pleased to offer a FREE report. Why not get your copy now? THE SMART CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO: How to Make Sure You Choose the Right Dentist, is just a click away. And it’s absolutely FREE.

 

Also, for more information, to make an appointment, or have a question answered, you’re more than welcome to call us at South Airdrie Smiles at 587 805 3094  or click here to visit our website.

What You Should Do if a Tooth Comes Out

It happens. Biting down on a hard candy, sports injuries, or even just a fall, can cause unplanned dental disasters.

Here’s a list of best practices in the event something happens, and you or your child loses a tooth:

  1. Rinse your mouth with cool water and apply a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to try and prevent/treat any swelling.
Losing baby teeth get a visit from the tooth fairy
Losing baby teeth get a visit from the tooth fairy
  1. If the lost tooth is a baby tooth, follow the standard procedure. Save it and put it under your child’s pillow and let the Tooth Fairy take it from there.
  1. If the tooth is an adult tooth, pick the tooth up by the ‘crown’ or the part that sticks out of your gums. Do NOT touch it by the root.
  1. Gently rinse the tooth with milk or sterile saline. Rinsing with water should only be used if milk or sterile saline are not available. Don’t scrub it, just rinse.
  1. Try to put the tooth back into the socket. This will keep the tooth in the environment it’s ‘used to’. Keep it in place by biting on gauze or a bit of clothing and hold it there as you make your way to the dentist.
  1. If you’re not able to put it back in the socket, store it in milk or sterile saline. Do not use water or wrap it in cloth or tissue as the fibers may contaminate the root. Then get to your dentist as soon as possible. If none of the options above are available, simply store it in between in your cheek and gums being careful not to swallow it!
  1. Get to your dentist as quickly as possible. Don’t wait or the tooth will end up dehydrated and unusable.

Breaking or cracking a tooth is a dental emergency that obviously requires immediate action.

If you’re travelling and can’t get to your own dentist, time is of the essence! Find a dentist or emergency room in the area and go in for an urgent visit.

While no one wants this to ever happen, it’s better to be prepared for a dental emergency than to find yourself (or your child) in the middle of one and not know what to do.

In addition to this topic, we’re pleased to offer a FREE report that provides information vital to your child forming good dental habits. Why not get your copy now? Getting Started With Your Child’s Oral Health – The Parent’s Guide, is just a click away. And it’s absolutely FREE.

 

Also, for more information, to make an appointment, or have a question answered, you’re more than welcome to call us at South Airdrie Smiles at 587 805 3094  or click here to visit our website.

Bad Breath Can Leave You Lonely.

We aren’t talking about the kind of bad breath caused by eating garlic or drinking coffee. No, that kind of thing can be fixed with a quick brush of your teeth. Or a breath mint (or two) if you’re out and about.

But bad breath that you can’t get rid of. Bad breath people in close range to you can smell. Bad breath that makes your friends, coworkers and family back away is another matter.

bacterias and viruses around tooth - dental hygiene is important as of bacteria can cause halitosis
bacteria can cause halitosis

Sure, you brush, but this is deeper than that, quite literally. BACTERIA that gets trapped under your gums will cause this kind of halitosis.  And it’s not an easy fix for you. That’s the bad news.

The good news is…

it’s easily treatable by a professional.  Dental hygienists have special instruments that reach where you can’t to remove the leftover bits and pieces of bad stuff. When you get rid of what’s stuck below the gum line causing the bacteria to grow, you eliminate the bad breath.

Do this on a regular basis to keep your mouth smelling fresh. No one should be lonely because of bad breath!

In addition to this topic, we’re pleased to offer a FREE report that provides information vital to your child forming good dental habits. Why not get your copy now? The Parent’s Guide to Children’s Oral Health, is just a click away. And it’s absolutely FREE.

Also, for additional information, make an appointment, or have a question answered, you’re more than welcome to call us at South Airdrie Smiles at 587 805 3094 or click here to visit our website.

4 Tips to Tuck Your Children’s Teeth into Bed at Night…

This also works for your teeth too!

Good oral hygiene is beneficial for the young and the young at heart. Along with that, you know you’re supposed to brush your teeth morning, noon and night. But that night one is tough. You kid is tired. You’re tired. Everyone is in a hurry to plop into bed. But hold on…here’s your out.

 

If you’re going to miss one brushing…make it the one in the middle of the day. The night brushing is an absolute must.

 

It’s not only helpful to have your teeth clean one more time when you go to bed, but also beneficial in the long run to keeping your mouth in good shape. As with other things that need to stay on track, having a schedule is generally a good way to accomplish the goal.

 

 Here are 4 tips to assist you with keeping a hygiene schedule for your child, and you too, if you need it.

  • Brushing/flossing/rinsing the last thing before bed. It’s crucial you do this before you go bed. You and your kids need to get off any last-minute bacteria or food particles which can advance the decaying process if left to sit on your or your child’s teeth overnight.

 

  • Keep an eye on that toothbrush. When the bristles begin to show white instead of their current color, it’s time to replace that toothbrush! If the bristles are already white, but are frayed, same rules apply. Mark your calendar every 3 months to check everyone’s toothbrush.

 

  • PhosFlur is recommended for rinsing. It’s got a little extra fluoride in it and is great for kids or anyone with braces. You can typically find it at your local big box retailer.

 

  • If you or your child gets up for a midnight snack, give them cheese. This will increase the pH in the mouth and prevent erosion. Studies show that cheese may actually have an anticavity effect!

 

This now should become part of what you do every night before you tuck the kids into bed and go to sleep yourself. Do this with your children to set a good example. Just tell them everyone has to tuck their teeth away for the night. And sleep well.

In addition to this topic, we’re pleased to offer a FREE report that provides information vital to your child forming good dental habits. Why not get your copy now? The Parent’s Guide to Children’s Oral Health, is just a click away. And it’s absolutely FREE.

 

Also, for additional information, make an appointment, or have a question answered, you’re more than welcome to call us at South Airdrie Smiles at 587 805 3094  or click here to visit our website.

New Year’s Resolution For Proactive Tooth and Gum Care for Your Children

Make better oral care one of your resolutions
Make better oral care one of your resolutions

With the end of each year, people begin to think about what they might do different in the coming year. It would probably be fair to say, losing weight, quit smoking and exercising more top the list of resolution.

Now, here’s a resolution you might want to consider making even before the end of the year, when it comes to the overall dental health of your children.

Keep in mind that regardless of your child’s age, there are a few things you can do right now to minimize the time your child may need to wear braces, when the time comes.

 

First and foremost, watch over your child’s eating habits. Yes, most dentists warn you about the effects of too much sugar on your child’s teeth – that’s a given.

However, in addition to just what they eat, here are 6 other important signs to look for:

  • Get your child to open wide and look down at their bottom teeth from a “birds eye view”. Do the same for their top teeth. Do you see crowding?

 

  • Listen for popping sounds when they’re eating.

 

  • Take note if they have trouble opening or closing their mouth.

 

  • Do their front teeth protrude? Protruding teeth are typically more prone to dental injury due to sports or simply horsing around.

 

  • Are they losing a lot of baby teeth? Have they had quite a few ‘adult’ teeth come in over the past 6 months?

 

  • If it seems like they have too many teeth in their mouth, or they complain about their teeth hurting when they chew.

 

Yes, these few simple tips will help you keep an eye out for any potential issues as your child develops. If you observe any of these happening with your child, give your dentist a call and schedule an appointment to assess what’s going on and if they might need braces at this time.

 

In addition to this topic, we’re pleased to offer a FREE report that provides information vital to your child forming good dental habits. Why not get your copy now? Getting Started With Your Child’s Oral Health – The Parent’s Guide, is just a click away. And it’s absolutely FREE.

 

Also, for more information, to make an appointment, or have a question answered, you’re more than welcome to call us at South Airdrie Smiles at 587 805 3094  or click here to visit our website.

Sensitive Teeth Are No Laughing Matter to South Airdrie Smiles Dentists

I overheard a patient’s young son complaining about how it hurt when he drank something cold.

His mother asked her son why he hadn’t told her about the pain he was experiencing.

His reply, “You said not to be so sensitive.”

It’s a cute response, but sensitive teeth are NO laughing matter.

Biting. Cold. Heat. Touch. These are all things that can cause a PAIN if you have sensitive teeth.

So what’s the solution? It depends on the cause.

You may have a cavity or maybe you’re grinding your teeth at night. Or maybe your gums are receeding (shrinking away).

Worst case scenario you could have a crack in your tooth.

Whatever the problem, we can fix it. We offer all services under one roof, meaning you never have to go to another office to get your work done. Nervous? No worries, we offer all types of sedation to all of our patients if desired.

If you have sore or sensitive teeth then it’s time to come in and see us. It’s easy…just call (587) 805-3094 (New Patients) or (403) 980-6363 (Existing Patients). we’ll handle the rest.

South Airdrie Smiles Invisalign – Invisible braces option for straighter teeth

Our last few blog posts have covered the various types of braces available, should you (or your child) have a desire for straighter teeth. So far we’ve covered the metal brackets every one associates with “braces” when they think of them and ceramic options.

While we won’t know which option is best for you or your child until they’re ready to have an orthodontic exam, another option that may be possible is Invisalign.

The Invisalign straightening system is one that has proven to be very popular as it replaces metal wires with transparent plastic trays that gently push teeth into place over time. The teeth straightening trays are practically invisible, eliminating any concerns about the cosmetic appearances associated with braces. Invisalign also allows anyone wearing them to eat, drink, and clean their teeth as normal, since the straightening trays are easily removable.

This option is one of the most preferred for adults who have orthodontic needs, but we see a lot of younger patients who express interest in them as well.

The best part? No one will know you have “braces”! It’s so discreet, many of our team members are currently getting it done and patients have no clue until we tell them. It’s perfect for people who don’t want to have pictures of them in braces at important events like weddings or graduations.

Want to know if your South Airdrie Smiles Dental Clinic thinks Invisalign may be an option? Give our friendly staff a call at 587-805-3094 (New Patients) or 587-819-5206 (Existing Patients).

What Makes South Airdrie Smiles Shine Like Your Smile

For us, being the best dentist in the Airdrie, Calgary, and Crossfield area is about providing intentional and comprehensive care to our patients. It starts with our preparation to serve patients of all ages. It is important for everyone to be able to see a dentist that makes them feel safe and provides the care that they need. That is why we work hard to be a great place for kids and adults to each find the dentist that they need.

Furthermore, we work to reduce the stress that is associated for many with going to the dentist. Starting with our friendly staff and extending into our “bedside manner” for lack of a better word, we look to make sure our patients are comfortable and safe. This extends into our ability to provide sedation dentistry like nitrous oxide or IV sedation depending on the circumstance. You need to be able to get the procedures that protect your mouth without stressing about pain or how the procedure is going. With our team, you will be able to relax and maybe even take a little nap in the chair while the work is being done.

Finally, we offer many in-house orthodontic services that can help you have the straight and proper bit that you need for excellent health and a perfect smile. You never need a reference to an outside orthodontist with our incredible team. Contact us today to get the best dentist Airdrie, Canada can provide for your teeth!