Senior Dental Care is Different Our teeth and gums age just like the rest of our bodies. Even our prior dental work may fracture or grow loose with time. Our team is mindful of the dental concerns that challenge our senior patients. We’re alert for gum infection, which increases in potential risk as we age. So, we check our patients for the indicators – red, swollen, or bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, and loose teeth. Plaque is more likely to concentrate on the surface of older teeth and lead to decay. We focus on removing it before it develops into tartar and a larger issue.  After years of consuming caffeine or tobacco, teeth can grow dull and need professional whitening to bring back their original luster. We can help. Some of your medications will reduce the necessary flow of saliva through your mouth, and we have products that will ease this complication. We advocate good nutrition, daily hygiene, and routine check-ups to help your smile stay white and keep your natural

Tooth enamel is very hard but... That doesn't mean you can't break it. Our office recommends to avoid eating "hard foods" such as popcorn. Don't crack nut shells with your teeth or chew on ice. Opening packages with your teeth can also damage the enamel. It's not just the sugar - it's also the acid Sugar and acids are your teeth's worst enemies. What are we talking about? Soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, and candy. Because of the acid content, Mountain Dew seems to be the worst of the worst. There is even a name for the damage it does and it is called "Dew Mouth." These erode the tooth enamel, making it highly susceptible to decay. Parents, watch your kid's consumption of these because young children's enamle hasn't developed fully. This makes these drinks even more damaging for kids. As well as eliminating the above (or at least reducing their consumption), it is recommended to always brush and floss after ev

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about why your smile is important. The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD    280-5201 43 St.   Red Deer, AB   T4N 1C7   (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

A Simple Way to Prevent Child Tooth Decay Dental sealants help compensate for a child’s inability to brush properly. Even though they try hard, they're still learning, and their hand-to-eye coordination isn't fully developed. Even with meticulous brushing, it is possible that the deep grooves in the back teeth may be missed. These hard-to-reach brushing areas even elude adults.  Poorly cleaned teeth can permit the accumulation of bacteria, acids, and plaque, which will later cause decay. And once a tooth has decay, it is damaged forever and will likely need a filling or a crown.  A dental sealant procedure is done as follows: The tooth (or teeth) is cleansed and sterilized. A white or clear plastic coating is lightly brushed on their tooth enamel. A curing light is focused on the sealant to bond it into place. In very little time, without shots or drills, the entire process is finished. The application of dental sealants is harmless and one of the best things both chi

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about understanding your dental plan. The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD    280-5201 43 St.   Red Deer, AB   T4N 1C7   (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

Calcium And Vitamin C Promote Oral Health Eating a variety of nutritious food is good for your overall health, including your oral health. Some vitamins in particular have demonstrated benefits to building healthy teeth, namely calcium and vitamin C, so be sure to include foods rich in these nutrients in your diet. Calcium has been shown to help build strong teeth, and vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that also plays an important role in collagen synthesis, by which it helps you develop and maintain healthy gums. Calcium:  Dairy products, including milk, yogurt and cheese are good sources of calcium. Many physicians recommend 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium daily for most adults, so you may want to consider a calcium supplement, especially if dairy products aren’t a regular part of your diet. Also, try switching to low-sugar or sugar-free varieties of yogurt, since sugar (and bacteria) can promote tooth decay. Vitamin C:  Many fruits and vegetables including berries, ora

The Primary Cause of Lost Teeth Gum disease accounts for more tooth loss than direct decay, but the symptoms of gum disease may go unrecognized until you begin to lose your teeth. You should see a dentist if you’re experiencing bleeding gums when you brush or floss or if you have loose or shifting teeth. If you’ve been informed that you may require gum surgery, you will be pleased to know that there are also several non-surgical methods available for the control of gum disease. Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD   280-5201 43 St.  Red Deer, AB  T4N 1C7  (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

The Cost Of Dental Treatments If you develop complications from tooth decay and gum disease, you may be dealing with bills for anything from fillings or crowns to more costly and complicated procedures such as root canals or oral surgery to extract damaged teeth and place dental implants. The Costs Vary  The costs of dental treatments vary. For example, the cost of a root canal will depend on the location of the tooth and how many canals are in the tooth that needs the root canal treatment.  The Cost of Oral Hygiene By comparison, the cost of basic oral hygiene and preventive teeth cleaning is low. A toothbrush should be replaced every three months or when it appears worn, but that’s just a few dollars. The same goes for dental floss, whether you prefer specialized floss, such as Oral-B’s Ultra Floss, or standard floss.  Points To Remember Also, don’t forget that most dental plans cover at least one, and sometimes two, checkups and cleanings per year at little or no cost to yo

Veneers Veneers are thin shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. Unlike bonding, it is necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your tooth to accommodate the shell. Based on a model of your mouth, they are meant to look like your natural teeth.  The above article is from:  MouthHealthy.org Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Sher Warkentin Maintaining good oral care during the holidays can be tough with the bombardment of sugary sweets all season. Counting down to Christmas with an advent calendar is a fun activity for your kids, but if they are filled with chocolate and sweets, it won't be so great for their teeth. Check out these simple sugar-free ideas to fill your countdown instead. Holiday Activity Fun Fill your child's countdown with special moments that they will cherish all year round. For each day of the month come up with a fun holiday activity that you can do together as a family. Some ideas include: watching a holiday movie, going ice skating, building a snowman and looking at Christmas lights. Write down the activity on a slip of paper and tuck one note into each day of your advent calendar. A Puzzling Treat Give your child a fun challenge with a customized puzzle. Draw a picture or write a special me

Crowns A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. A crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance. Crowns can also be used to attach bridges, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that’s already broken. The above article is from:  MouthHealthy.org Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

Whitening When it comes to getting a whiter and brighter smile, there are a variety of teeth-whitening products you can try. Your main options are in-office and at-home bleaching. Before starting any whitening treatment, you should speak with your dentist. Your dentist will tell you what, if any, whitening procedures will work best for you. The above article is from:  MouthHealthy.org Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about tobacco risks on oral health. The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD      280-5201 43 St.     Red Deer, AB     T4N 1C7     (855) 636-9223     VistaDentalCare.c a

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Elizabeth SanFilippo Chances are good that visions of cookies, desserts and candy canes may be dancing in your children's heads this holiday season. While you will do what you can to limit their intake of these sugary treats, your kids will probably be eating their fair share of sugar at your family holiday parties. Despite their consumption of sugar, there are ways to keep your kids' healthy teeth and gums in shape and to minimize damage to their dental health. Why Is Sugar Bad for Dental Health? Whether your kids are eating chocolate cake, sugar cookies or peppermint candy, they are ingesting sugar. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth feed on this sugar, and the byproduct is acid. This acid can eat away at tooth enamel, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities. The more time teeth spend exposed to sugar, the higher the risk that your c