Your toothache may be a bit of a bother, and you may be wondering if it’s normal for your wisdom teeth to grow in crooked. If this is happening to you, a Red Deer Dentist can help you with any problem you have, from minor toothaches to more sever bleeding gums and everything else in between.

General Dentistry in Red Deer

Everyone starts with a general checkup. Dentists in the Red Deer area (and the rest of the South of Calgary) will give you a very thorough and accurate one, communicating with you throughout the entire process.

A checkup is only a general examination. Your Red Deer Dentist will likely ask you questions about any trouble you may have been having lately in regards to your mouth. Be sure to tell him everything, even if you think it has nothing to do with your oral healthcare. Studies show that problems with your teeth have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and other types of illness.

They may also refer you to any of the other specialists in the area for better treatment and care of your teeth, especially if you need a root canal, braces, or suffer from gum disease.

Pediatric Dental in Red Deer

If you’re looking for someone for your little ones, a pediatric specialist will be best. They often treat children and young adults up to age 17 or 18. It’s best to get your children started with going to their dentist as soon as possible, so that they can begin cleaning and caring for your child’s teeth. They’re more likely to catch any problems you may not be aware of, and offer treatment. This is important at a young age, and guarantees less problems with their teeth as an adult.

Do You Need an Orthodontist?

If you or your children need braces, there are a number of places in Calgary that offer the service of orthodontics to both children and adults who need it. Orthodontists specialize in teeth placement. They’re the ones who are likely to tell you if you or your child needs braces. They’ll offer you several options in this regard and ease any anxieties that you may have.

Do You Need a Periodontist?

Periodontists are the specialists you turn to when you have gum disease. They often treat it with cleaning, and in advanced cases restructuring your tooth or gums. A periodontist will focus more on your gums and the bones beneath your teeth than your teeth itself. If your gums are especially sensitive, bleeding, swollen, and/or discolored, you’ll likely get referred to one.

Do You Need an Endodontist?

Endodontists focus on the nerves, pulp, and anything else occurring below the enamel of your tooth. They are often the ones to give root canals.

Oral Surgery Specialists

The word surgery may bring a bit of fear into you, but most of the time dentists only use it to refer to a tooth extraction – or pulling a tooth. When done by a professional, this process can be painless. While all Red Deer Dentists may pull a tooth or ten during office hours, sometimes major extractions – like wisdom teeth – require a little bit more skill. Oral surgeons also focus on the area surrounding your mouth, like your jaw, neck or head, as long as your condition has something to do with your mouth.

An example may be the broken wisdom tooth in the back of your head that’s giving you a splitting heading. Red Deer Dental can fix this. They may refer you to an oral surgeon, who will solve the problem for you in the best way manageable for you.

Some people may be afraid of dentists, but really your dentist is your partner, and likely one of your best friends. While to some, that may sound phoney, but it’s important to realize your dental routine is not something to take lightly. There’s much more to keeping your mouth healthy than brushing after every meal and flossing. That’s a good start, but a Red Deer Dentist can recommend more ways to solidify your oral health.

The following is a list of questions you can ask your Red Deer Dentist. Don’t be afraid to ask these questions! They’re important; it’s important for you to get to know your dentist and it’s important for him to get to know you as a patient. Asking and answering in conversation is a good way to establish a rapport.

How can I improve my dental health?

This may sound like a general question but the Red Deer Dental community never gets tired of hearing it. The fact is most of us aren’t doing everything we can to maximize our oral care efforts. We think brushing and possibly rinsing once in the morning and once before bed is all that’s required. Or we may have started out strong, but gotten a bit lax as the years wore on. Whatever the case, this should be one of the first questions you ask.

Should I change my toothpaste?

Believe it or not, you may not be using the proper toothpaste for your teeth. So many toothpastes on the market are designed for whitening while claiming to prevent cavities and bacteria from building up in a 12-hour window. These claims may or may not be true. Only your Red Deer Dentist can answer these questions, and recommend which one is best for you.

Should I floss more often?

Everyone should floss. The rule is to floss between meals and before bedtime. But you might not be in that particular routine. Asking your Red Deer Dentist exactly how many times you should floss a day is just a step in the right direction.

Should I use a fluoride rinse?

Fluoride is a necessary part of your oral health, but it’s up to your dentist to decide whether you need it or not. It is possible that using a rinse without needing it can do some harm to your teeth. It’s best to ask instead of making assumptions.

What exactly does that mean?

Your Red Deer Dentist will give you the medical term for whatever your condition is, and it will be explained in depth. But if you need more information, just say so. The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you are to handle it.

What are my alternate options?

You need to decide what’s best for you. Asking your dentist about all of your options is expected. There may be an alternative for you that you’re more comfortable with. Be sure to learn of all of your alternative treatments first. Write them down, if you have to. Ask all the questions you need to ask about how it’s preformed, what’s used during the procedure, if anyone else will be present, and so on.

Is this treatment absolutely necessary?

If you need to wait – for whatever reasons – make sure that it’ll be OK to wait to perform treatment you need.

What happens if the procedure you preformed needs to be corrected?

If something goes wrong, asking how the problem will be corrected beforehand will help with your decision and comfort level.

What do I do in a dental emergency?

Emergencies occur often, and dentists are no stranger to them. If you happen to chip a tooth, cut your gums or wake up with a pounding toothache, you need to know how your dentist can help you. The Red Deer Dental community does provide after-hours services for emergencies – the way all good dentists should.

How do I report or resolve a complaint?

Despite how good your Red Deer Dentist is, you may run into a bit of a mix up. Asking how to report and resolve a complaint is only proper, in case a mistake is made and needs to be resolved.

If your teeth react to hot or cold foods or drinks, being exposed to air, or any type of pressure, you probably have sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth aren’t a new condition, and Red Deer densits are not unfamiliar with it. However, you may think that having sensitive teeth is a cause for panic. This is simply not the case. Sensitive teeth can be cared for. It’s not exactly life-altering like gum-disease, but it is a condition you can be properly educated on.

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Sensitive teeth are caused by irritation involving the nerves in the tooth. Nerves become exposed by receding gums or enamel wearing away from the tooth. When either of these things happens, dentin, a softer tissue in your teeth, becomes exposed. Dentin connects to the tooth’s nerve center, so once it’s exposed, it’s unprotected. Anything that comes into contact with it, then, causes sensitive teeth.

So what, exactly, can make your teeth sensitive?

How’s Your Brushing?

A Red Deer Dentist will always recommend that brushing and flossing is the foundation of healthy oral care. But, sometimes, brushing can harm your teeth, especially when you brush too hard. Brushing too hard can erode away your enamel, and repeatedly brushing that hard will, in effect, lead to sensitive teeth.

You really don’t need to scrub your teeth. Most people will hold the toothbrush in their hand and push as hard as they can, scrubbing their teeth like it’s the kitchen floor. This is unnecessary. Instead, hold your toothbrush in your fingertips, and brush in a 45-degree angle in a gentle, circular motion.

Or, alternately, you may want to consider switching toothpastes. You can also switch toothbrushes; if you aren’t using a soft-bristled toothbrush, start doing so. Mouthwashes and other tooth-whitening products can also contribute to sensitive teeth. If you’re unsure, talk to your Red Deer Dentist.

Check Your Diet

The way you eat and drink affects your teeth more than you think. A Red Deer Dentist will be able to spot erosion resulting in a highly acidic diet. Excessively drinking tea, coffee, soft drinks, and citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes, can contribute to the problem. In additions to suggestions made by your Red Deer Dentist, try drinking more water. It can help flush some of the acid from your mouth.

How’s Your Overall Health?

Certain diseases can cause teeth sensitivity, like depression, anorexia, bulimia and acid-reflux disease. Stress can also lead to sensitive teeth. Stress produces more plaque in your mouth, even if the period is short-term.

You may also have a damaged tooth that’s causing other teeth in the vicinity to react to it. The only way to make sure is to make an appointment with Red Deer Dental so that they can tell you the exact cause of your tooth sensitivity.

Caring for Sensitive Teeth

Your Red Deer Dentist will likely tell you the best course of action to take on how to care for your sensitive teeth. Avoiding acidic food and drinks will also be helpful. As suggested before, drink more water, and switch toothpastes, your toothbrush and your mouthwash. You may want to try desensitizing toothpaste, as these specialize in protecting sensitive teeth.

Likely, you’ll also want to map out a proper oral care plan with your Red Deer Dentist. Remember, brush softly, and brush for at least 2-3 minutes. Be gentle when you’re flossing too.

Your children pick up lots of things from you. How often have you looked at your child and realized that most of his traits come from his parents? The same can be said of his health – your child may inherit any kind of health problems that may be present on either side of the family. Just like you want to instill good nutritional habits in your children, you also want to instill good dental habits as well as visiting the local Red Deer dentist regularly. In Red Deer dental health is very important.

Start Early with dentists in Red Deer

Children love candy, desserts, sweet things – anything covered in sugar. You’ll find that even as infants they’d rather have juice than water. While it’s not feasible to keep your child completely away from sugar at all times, you should monitor their sugar intake closely. The longer sugar stays in the mouth, the more chance it’s given to destroy your child’s teeth. Since permanent teeth (or molars) don’t start growing in for a time (the first ones may appear at 6 years of age), taking care of your child’s teeth from the time the first tooth comes in is essential.
Children usually develop their first teeth (called primary teeth) around 6 months of age. 6 months after that, your child should have his first dental examination. It sounds early, but it’s really not. At this point, a pediatric dentist in Red Deer will be able to tell you if your child is going to have dental problems or not. Catching it early will go a long way towards your child’s oral health later on in life.
You may also want to watch who you hand your child off to. Kids get lots of kisses from relatives and give them in return. But if your relatives have gum disease or dental problems, the bacteria in their mouth can pass on to your children. Since children are so susceptible at such an early age, you may want to talk to your family about it. Remember, your child’s oral health care is important.

Cleaning Your Child’s Teeth

When the first primary teeth come in, you don’t have to brush them – but you can still clean them. Start with wiping them down with a soft gauze, using only water. As more teeth start coming in, you may want to purchase a very soft children toothbrush – but again, use only water. When your child is 12 months old, it’s safe to use a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush regularly, and after every meal as you would do your own teeth.
By the time your child is between the ages of 3 and 4 they should be able to brush their own teeth. But you should still supervise them. Make sure they brush in the morning and at night just before bed, they don’t swallow anything, and that they rinse very thoroughly.
If you feel anxious about flossing, don’t. Many drug stores carry child-sized flossing tools. You can likely find one in your area. If you can’t, talk to your pediatric dentist in Red Deer about how to floss your child’s teeth.

Schedule Regular Appointments with a Red Deer Dentist

Every six months on the nose, take your child to see the Red Deer dentist. Coupled with brushing and flossing, a Red Deer dentist helps your child realize how important oral care really is. Your dentist will be your partner in helping you and your child develop good dental habits. The dentist can also monitor any concerns that either of you may have about your child’s teeth, gums, or development of any diseases.

Despite the fact that you know that oral health care is important, you may still be afraid to go to the dentist. The fear of drills, rubber gloves, and possible pain may be part of your fear. This condition is caused by dental anxiety, and you are not alone. Millions of people are afraid to go to the dentist, and will only go in the case of a dental emergency, if at all.
But proper oral care is important for your overall health. And though you dread lying in a chair being examined by a dentist in a mask, ask yourself: is my fear really worth the cost of my health?
Logically, no. However, that probably isn’t going to get you to jump up and go to the dentist, is it? Here’s a few other things that you can do to try to ease your way out of dental anxiety.

Examine Your Fear

Why are you afraid to go to the dentist? Have you ever thought about it? Likely not. But examining your fear will help you better understand the cause of your dental anxiety.
Are you embarrassed about the condition of your teeth? Don’t be. A dentist’s job is to help you get your mouth in tip top shape. That’s what they’re trained to do.
Have you been influenced by television or media’s portrayal of the dentist? Often the dentist is seen as the bad guy, causing pain to his patients without a care. He straps them into the seat, uses foreign tools, and a lot of screaming ensues. But this image is completely fabricated. Red Deer dentists do not abuse their patients. Your dentist’s job is to help you, and they’ll do everything in your power to make sure that you don’t feel any pain at all. Besides, your mouth is numbed for almost all procedures, including extractions. So you won’t feel a thing.
Are you just afraid of the unknown? This is perfectly acceptable, but the only way to get over your fear is to go to a dentist in Red Deer. Find out what’s going on. Ask questions. You’ll find all dental Red Deer staff friendly and informative. A good Red Deer dentist will make sure you’re as comfortable as possible before he starts any type of examination or procedure.

Talk to Your Red Deer Dentist

Tell your dentist your fears. He’ll listen to you. Your care is important to him. Communicating why you don’t want something to be done, and the cause of your problems will likely prompt him to ease your fears.
Ask questions about the treatment you’ll be receiving. Have your dentist explain to you exactly what’s going on, what’s going to happen, what tools he’s going to be using. If at any point, anything he says makes you extremely uncomfortable, say so. Be informed. The more knowledge you have of what’s going on and what’s going to happen, the easier it will be for you to prepare for it.

Have a Guardian

Do you need someone in the room with you? Its fine if you do and the Red Deer dentist may allow it in order to ease your fears. Even adults need comforting from their loved ones sometimes. Having a familiar presence in the room may help to ease your anxiety of visiting a dentist. Be sure to talk to your dentist in Red Deer and make arrangements if you feel like this is a good option for you.

Do You Have Dental Anxiety?

Despite the fact that you know that oral health care is important, you may still be afraid to go to the Red Deer dentist. The fear of drills, rubber gloves, and possible pain may be part of your fear. This condition is caused by Red Deer dental anxiety, and you are not alone. Millions of people are afraid to go to the dentist, even a Red Deer dentist, and will only go in the case of a dental emergency, if at all.

But proper oral care is important for your overall health. And though you dread lying in a chair being examined by a Red Deer dentist in a mask, ask yourself: is my fear really worth the cost of my health?

Logically, no. However, that probably isn’t going to get you to jump up and go to the Red Deer dentist, is it? Here’s a few other things that you can do to try to ease your way out of Red Deer dental anxiety.

Examine Your Fear

Why are you afraid to go to the dentist? Have you ever thought about it? Likely not. But examining your fear will help you better understand the cause of your dental anxiety.

Are you embarrassed about the condition of your teeth? Don’t be. A dentist’s job is to help you get your mouth in tip top shape. That’s what they’re trained to do.

Have you been influenced by television or media’s portrayal of the dentist? Often the dentist is seen as the bad guy, causing pain to his patients without a care. He straps them into the seat, uses foreign tools, and a lot of screaming ensues. But this image is completely fabricated. Red Deer dentists do not abuse their patients. Your dentist’s job is to help you, and he’ll do everything in your power to make sure that you don’t feel any pain at all. Besides, your mouth is numbed for almost all procedures, including extractions. So you won’t feel a thing.

Are you just afraid of the unknown? This is perfectly acceptable, but the only way to get over your fear is to go to a dentist in Red Deer. Find out what’s going on. Ask questions. You’ll find the dental Red Deer staff friendly and informative. A good Red Deer dentist will make sure you’re as comfortable as possible before he starts any type of examination or procedure.

Talk to Your Red Deer Dentist

Tell your dentist your fears. He’ll listen to you. Your care is important to him. Communicating why you don’t want something to be done, and the cause of your problems will likely prompt him to ease your fears.

Ask questions about the treatment you’ll be receiving. Have your dentist explain to you exactly what’s going on, what’s going to happen, what tools he’s going to be using. If at any point, anything he says makes you extremely uncomfortable, say so. Be informed. The more knowledge you have of what’s going on and what’s going to happen, the easier it will be for you to prepare for it.

Have a Guardian

Do you need someone in the room with you? Its fine if you do and the Red Deer dentist may allow it in order to ease your fears. Even adults need comforting from their loved ones sometimes. Having a familiar presence in the room may help to ease your anxiety of visiting a dentist. Be sure to talk to your dentist in Red Deer and make arrangements if you feel like this is a good option for you.

You’ve heard the routine: brush twice a day, in the morning and at night, follow up with mouthwash, and floss after every meal from your Red Deer dentist. But do you know what type of dental products you’re supposed to use? Or how to pick them out? It is ideal to have a conversation about your dental care with your Red Deer dentist.

Toothbrushes

There’s a wide variety of toothbrushes available to the consumer today. Your Red Deer dentist will always recommend a soft bristled brush, but there are other types of brushes. Some are medium, and some are hard. It’s important not to be harsh with your teeth, so if they’re not dentures, you need to stick with soft. Sometimes medium toothbrushes can be used, but you should talk to your Red Deer dentist about it first before making assumptions.

There are electronic toothbrushes now as well. Some of these do the job they claim they do, removing up to five times more plaque than manual brushing alone. These are a bit more expensive but are worth the extra investment. They should still be used for two to three minutes at each session, just like a regular toothbrush.
If you’re purchasing a toothbrush for your child, remember to only buy toothbrushes strictly made for their mouths. You can consult with your Red Deer dentist on the correct toothbrush for your child.
What brand should you buy? That depends on you. If you’re unsure, talk to your Red Deer dentist. He’ll likely recommend a type rather than a brand.

Toothpaste

While some toothpastes have whitening aspects, and some don’t, the important thing to remember when buying toothpaste is to always get some containing fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Make sure that you buy toothpaste separately, for your child and you. Some toothpastes can’t be used by children until they’re of a certain age. Consult with your Red Deer dental provider on what toothpaste are best for small children.

Tongue Cleaning

You will find all sorts of attachments to toothbrushes nowadays, both manual and electronic. Some come with a tongue scraper attached to the back. An important part of your routine should be to never, ever brush your tongue with your toothbrush. You’ll only spread germs around your mouth. Instead, use a tool to scrape your tongue. That white, film you see in the morning on your tongue is bacteria. Removing the bacteria with a tongue scraper after brushing and rinsing with mouthwash after wards should be a part of your routine. If you are unsure how to properly use a tongue scrapper ask your Red Deer dental provider to show you.

Floss

Floss usually comes in the form of thread. Some prefer it to be in a box, while others prefer it to be attached to a pick so that it can be handled better. Some floss is thick, and hard like wire, while other floss is soft and gentle. Floss also comes flavored, and sometimes it’s treated with fluoride. You and your Red Deer dentist have to decide what’s right for your oral care routine.

Mouthwash

Finishing up your routine with mouthwash is important. But what type of mouthwash should you use? There are several types. Most people go with plain water, which serves the purpose of cleaning out your mouth, but doesn’t kill bacteria effectively. An older remedy involves one part hydrogen peroxide to 1-3 parts water. An even older remedy involves brushing with baking soda and rinsing with hot water.
Store-bought mouthwash seems to be the preferred choice though. Make sure that whatever type of mouthwash you buy is antimicrobial, or kills the germs in your mouth effectively. And, like toothpaste, be sure to buy a child-friendly mouthwash specifically for your little ones. You don’t want to run the risk of them swallowing your mouthwash, as it likely contains alcohol. If you are unsure of the best mouthwash for young children ask your dentist in Red Deer if he can recommend one that is safe and effective.

You may feel the need to have a brighter, radiant smile. There’s lots of that going around; the movie stars are always so dazzling whenever they smile for the camera. You never see any of them with less than perfect teeth. You might be tempted to get teeth whitening done, but there are a few things to consider before you do so and you should also consult with your Red Deer dental care provider before starting any treatment.

Are Your Teeth Clean?

Whitening your teeth is not the same as a cleaning. It’s simply a way to remove stains. Go to see your Red Deer dentist before starting any teeth whitening treatment, even if it’s one at home. Your dentist in Red Deer will tell you whether it’s OK to continue. He’ll have to do a thorough examination, and find out if there’s anything that needs to be corrected before doing so. If there is, you need to have all problems corrected and proper treatment before you begin to whiten your teeth.
The reason for this is easy: teeth whitening should only be done on people who have healthy mouths. The treatments used in most at-home teeth whitening products, like bleach and peroxide, can make teeth sensitive. In addition, everyone’s mouth is different, just like fingerprints. Your teeth may not be able to handle what other mouths can. You may have a condition that prevents your teeth from being as white as you want them to be, or you may have to recover from a surgery or a treatment before proceeding. Talk to your Red Deer dentist first before you go any further.

Taking the Next Step

You can either do an over the counter treatment, or you can have your teeth whitened in your Red Deer dentist’s office. Store-bought treatments are cheaper, but aren’t tailored to individuals. Usually you used these products for two to four weeks, with a touch-up treatment to be used monthly. The same would apply to tooth whitening in your Red Deer dental care provider’s office – a touch up would be required regularly to keep your teeth white.
It’s important to talk to your Red Deer dentist about what options are available to you, and what products are out there. While you might think that bleaching your teeth is OK, he would be the one to tell you whether you’re wrong or not.

Strips or Trays?

If you decide to go ahead and whiten your teeth with an over the counter product, you’ll find that there are two types of home treatments: strips and trays. Each one works the same, to be applied for 30-45 minutes daily. Which one is for you is up to you to decide. Some people like the strips because they’re thin and can’t be seen. They allow them to talk while they’re going about their business for the day. Other people want the trays, but you have to keep your mouth closed for the entire duration of the treatment. This may be inconvenient for people who live with others. It’s up to you to decide.

Don’t Overdo It

There are clear signs when you’ve used teeth whitening products excessively. You may want your teeth to look brighter than a winter’s morning, but your teeth may not be capable of being that bright. A good rule of thumb is that when your teeth are as white as the whites of your eyes, you should stop. Don’t use the tooth whitening product for longer than two to four weeks. If your teeth become extra sensitive, or start looking thin, then you’re using the whitening product too much. Stop immediately, wait for a few days, and then call up your Red Deer dentist if problems persist. Your dentist in Red Deer can also help you choose the right whitener for you.

You’ve ascertained the importance of regular visits to the Red Deer dentist and have decided to make an appointment for your entire family. Your children may be different ages, your spouse may not want to go, and you yourself may be experiencing some type of anxiety. Take the pressure off yourself, and ease your family’s fears as well. Communication is key, but you’ll have to communicate with everyone differently when preparing them for a dental appointment. And, you may also need to do a bit of preparation yourself.

For Children Ages 6mos – 12yrs

If this is their first visit to the Red Deer dentist, they’re likely horrified. Ease your child’s fears by telling them what’s going to happen, but don’t use the terms ‘drill’, ‘cavity’ or anything else that might provoke even more fear. You want to do everything you can to make sure that your child isn’t frightened by the experience. If your child is older, and asks questions, be frank with them, but don’t be harsh. Don’t convey your own fears to the child either. Explain to them that they’re just going to let someone look at their mouth and make sure everything is OK. Tell them why this is important. Make sure you explain that the Red Deer dentist is a doctor, only for your mouth. A checkup is routine, just like a medical examination, and just as important.
Make sure the atmosphere at the office of the dentist in Red Deer is child friendly. Meet with the dentist in Red Deer beforehand to discuss how he might handle your child if they refuse to cooperate. If possible, tell them you’d like to be in the room with them while they do the exam. If your child insists on being brave and going in on his own, make sure to tell them you’re nearby and that you’ll be there if you need them.

For Teenagers Ages 13-16

Teenagers are a bit more difficult to handle. If this is their first visit, they’ll probably talk to you more about what scares them, what concerns they have, or anything else regarding their teeth. Likely, at this age, they’ll want to be by themselves at the appointment. Give them this courtesy. They know you’re nearby, but reassure them anyway.
Encourage them to ask their Red Deer dentist questions and talk to him about what’s going on with their mouths. When he puts up x-rays of their teeth, tell them to ask about them. Teenagers don’t need things sugarcoated or simplified like children do. They like to be talked to like adults, and your Red Deer dentist will probably give them this courtesy. It will give them a sense of responsibility to have a direct hand in their own treatment. If possible, allow them to make their own choices as far as an oral health care routine or appointment scheduling is concerned. You, as a parent, can follow up with questions of your own, since your teenager may have missed something important in the process. You can also give friendly reminders. Again, communication is key.

For General Purposes

For you, your spouse, or anyone else going to the Red Deer dentist for the first time, make sure that you have your family medical history on hand. You’ll be filling out forms asking about diseases that may run on both sides of your family. Don’t hide anything while filling out the forms. Your dentist in Red Deer needs to know about all illnesses that may run in your family, from depression to cancer. It doesn’t matter if it’s embarrassing; remember, your Red Deer dentist is just another doctor. You may think something isn’t important, when in actuality it could be the cause of your dental problems in the first place. This is especially true of diabetes, or if you’re under any type of stress, as both of these conditions increase plaque buildup in the mouth.
You’ll also need a list of medications you or anyone else is taking. If you’ve recently been treated for a medical condition – even if it’s as simple as the common cold – make sure you tell your Red Deer dentist. Also, make sure that you have a list of any surgeries you may have had performed on you in the past. Finally, after each visit, get a copy of your records if at all possible. You should have a copy of medical records for your entire family just in case of a Red Deer dental emergency.

Dentists in Red Deer are waiting to serve patients. It’s important to understand that individuals need to visit a dentist at least twice a year to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Tooth loss can also be prevented by regularly visiting. Red Deer has a number of quality dentists to choose from.

It is important to get your teeth checked to prevent the following complications:

Plaque is a substance that accumulates on persons teeth from food. It’s full of bacteria and sticks to the teeth. A person can remove plaque from his teeth by brushing his teeth at least three times a day and by flossing at least twice a day. However, plaque cannot be fully removed by brushing and flossing. A hygienist is trained to remove all of the plaque that has accumulated on the teeth.

Tartar is mineral deposits that collect on the teeth. It’s hard and stains the teeth. A hygienist is trained to recognize tartar on the teeth and below the gum line.

Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease. Gingivitis can be cured if discovered soon enough. Gingivitis causes the gums to be swollen and red, and also to bleed very easily.

Periodontis is the advanced stage of gum disease. Periodontis is not curable, and can cause the teeth to fall out. By the time this condition is diagnosed, it’s often too late, however having regular checkups can prevent the disease from occurring.

Oral cancer can also be discovered during a regular exam. Like many forms of cancer, the sooner it is discovered, the more likely it is to be curable.

When you’re visiting the dentist, expect the following to happen:

When visiting a dentist in Red Deer a person will first be seen by a hygienist. If X-rays are needed the hygienist will take x-rays of the teeth. Once the x-rays have been taken the hygienist will clean the teeth.

Once the hygienist is finished cleaning the patient’s teeth with the pick she will polish the teeth. Once the teeth are polished the patient may receive fluoride. After the hygienist is finished cleaning and polishing the teeth the dentist will see the patient to perform an exam. The dentist will check for gum disease, cavities, oral cancer and other mouth problems. The Red Deer dentist will also check the x-rays for any abnormalities.