The habit:  This nervous habit can chip teeth and impact your jaw. “Placing your jaw for long periods of time in a protruding position can place pressure on it, which is associated with jaw dysfunction,” says Dr. Ruchi Sahota. The solution:  Bitter-tasting nail polishes, stress reduction and setting small, realistic goals can help. If certain situations are triggers, hold something to keep your fingers busy. To read the entire article please visit  MouthHealthy.org Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C 7 (855) 636-9223 VistaDentalCare.ca

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was Reviewed by the Faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine What's in Your Mouth?  To understand what happens when your teeth decay, it's helpful to know what's in your mouth naturally. Here are a few of the elements:  Saliva - Your mouth and teeth are constantly bathed in saliva. We never give much thought to our spit, but this fluid is remarkable for what it does to help protect our oral health. Saliva keeps teeth and other parts of your mouth moist and washes away bits of food. Saliva contains minerals that strengthen teeth. It includes buffering agents. They reduce the levels of acid that can decay teeth. Saliva also protects against some viruses and bacteria.  Plaque - Plaque is a soft, gooey substance that sticks to the teeth a bit like jam sticks to a spoon. Like the slime that clings to the bottom of a swimming pool, plaque is a type of biofilm. It contains large numbers of c...

The habit:  Brushing for two minutes twice a day is one of the best habits you can get into. Just make sure you’re not trying too hard. “Brushing with a hard toothbrush, or brushing too hard, can damage teeth and irritate gums,” says Dr. Matthew Messina. The solution:  Use a soft toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance at the proper pressure. “Don’t think ‘scrub.’  Think ‘massage,’” he says. “Save the hard toothbrush for cleaning the grout in the bathroom tile.” To read the entire article please visit  MouthHealthy.org Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C 7 (855) 636-9223 VistaDentalCare.ca

The habit:  “This can cause chipping or cracking of the teeth, as well as muscle tenderness or joint pain,” Dr. Messina says. “You might also feel like you can’t open your mouth wide or chew with pain.” The solution:  “Relaxation exercises and staying aware makes a difference,” he says. A nighttime mouthguard can also help. “You’ll have less tooth damage, less pain and muscle soreness and better sleep.” To read the entire article please visit  MouthHealthy.org Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C 7 (855) 636-9223 VistaDentalCare.ca

A Healthy Smile, A Healthy Body We recognize that your oral health extends beyond simply looking your best. It’s about obtaining and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Do you know that the cause of most tooth loss is not decay? It’s gum disease. And medical research has established a link between gum disease and your overall health. Fortunately, gum disease can be treated successfully, often without surgery. We wish for all our patients to have excellent oral health, so our pledge to you includes paying meticulous attention to all of your needs to help you take care of your best possible smile. Vista Dental Care     Chad Aitken, DMD     280-5201 43 St.     Red Deer, AB     T4N 1C7     (855) 636-9223     VistaDentalCare.ca

The association between gum diseases and heart disease is not a secret anymore. It has always raised a question in my mind if maintaining good oral health can help me achieve good overall health. Well, the answer is “yes.” Maintaining good oral health can save us from spending thousands of dollars on preventing heart diseases. We can say that proper brushing and flossing can help us maintain a healthy heart. According to the American Academy of Periodontolgy, people with gum diseases are twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease, one of the leading causes of heart attacks. Atherosclerosis also known as “hardening of arterial wall” is one of the major etiological factors of heart disease. This occurs due to deposition of plaque (formed by accumulation of fat and other blood substances on the arterial wall). This can eventually clog the artery leading to complete blockage of coronary arteries precipitating into stroke. To read the entire article written by Swati Yadav, please ...

We Help Children Enjoy the Dentist Dr. Aitken endeavours to help children of all ages feel relaxed and enjoy themselves, so bring the whole family along! He uses techniques to reduce their time in the chair, providing their treatments with compassion and a smile. Our team teaches children healthy dental habits they can use throughout their lifetime and encourages children of all ages to employ proper dental hygiene at home. We look forward to meeting your child for their first dental visit when they cut their first tooth and hope to see them grow year after year. We want to ensure that this and future generations of children grow up without a fear of the dental office. Our many happy parents say we are doing just that! Whether you have a tentative seven-year-old or a boisterous three-year-old, we are here to help you. Vista Dental Care     Chad Aitken, DMD     280-5201 43 St.     Red Deer, AB     T4N 1C7     (855) 636-9223...

Who isn't on the quest to acquire the perfect set of teeth? It was Hippocrates and Aristotle who wrote about repairing decaying teeth and fractured jaws centuries ago, and today, cosmetic bonding and cosmetic dentistry are all the rage. Many of us looking for the perfect smile will waste no time in thronging their dentist's office with such requests. Having a great set of pearly whites can boost your self-confidence like few other things can. However, keeping your teeth in great shape will require you to put in a little time and effort on an everyday basis. The daily brushing-and-flossing routine is a must for maintaining dental hygiene. Additionally, making sure that you stick to the following oral-hygiene tips and tricks will help you protect and care for your teeth better. 1. Keep Stains Away Can't keep away from your cup of black coffee, but want to avoid those ghastly stains on your teeth? The good news is that you can lighten and remove most teeth stains. With t...

Below is an excerpt from an article found on  Colgate.com  that was written by Yolanda Eddis Healthy eating is essential for your overall health. Choosing foods and beverages that provide the right amount of energy and nutrients goes a long way toward maintaining not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mouth. The  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  offer numerous nutrition resources, such as sample recipes, menus and educational tools that will guide you in picking out the right foods and drinks to consume. By knowing how to eat healthy, you can improve your physical and oral health, prevent disease and promote healthy growth and development for children and adolescents. What Is a Nutritious Diet? Eating a nutritious diet has many benefits. A well-balanced diet should include foods from the basic food groups and subgroups along with the right oils. Nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals are a staple of healthy die...

At Risk of Losing Your Teeth Due to Gum Disease? Laser Treatment Can Avoid Traditional Surgery With laser treatment, it's possible to forgo traditional gum surgery that uses scalpels and sutures. Our practice uses laser technology for the treatment of gum disease. The procedure is patient friendly, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. We have successfully treated many cases of periodontal (gum) disease without the need for scalpels and sutures. The laser can also be used for other soft tissue procedures, such as treating oral lesions (such as cold sores) or reducing the look of a “gummy” smile. The goal is precision cutting and reduced bleeding. Ask us about this at your next visit! Vista Dental Care     Chad Aitken, DMD     280-5201 43 St.     Red Deer, AB     T4N 1C7     (855) 636-9223     VistaDentalCare.ca