Being pregnant comes with many responsibilities—and the way you care for your teeth is no exception. For most women, routine dental visits are safe during pregnancy, but let your dental office know what month you are in when you make your appointment. If yours is a high-risk pregnancy or you have some other medical condition, your dentist and your physician may recommend that treatment be postponed. Be sure to let your dentist know if there is any change in the medications you take or if you have received any special advice from your physician. The benefits of receiving dental care during pregnancy far outweigh potential risks. Be sure to keep your dentist informed of any changes in your mouth such as swelling, redness or bleeding.  7 tips for maintaining a healthy mouth during pregnancy:  Brush thoroughly with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste twice a day.  Floss between your teeth daily.  Purchase products that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance ....

With pregnancy, discomfort comes with the territory. Your body is changing, so a sore back or trouble getting comfortable is par for the course. But while you're piling up pillows to help you sleep at night, you might notice another source of pregnancy discomfort: Your teeth. Sensitive teeth during pregnancy can happen to expecting mothers, and knowing that other pregnant women suffer from the same symptoms might be somewhat comforting. Nonetheless, here's what may be causing your sore teeth and gums, and how to deal with the pain safely: Pregnancy Changes Each of the hormonal changes happening in your body are equally the biggest culprits in tooth and gum pain during pregnancy. From increased blood flow to hyperactive hormones, pregnancy takes its toll. The most common causes of sensitive teeth during pregnancy include: Hormones . According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA) , pregnancy hormones can actually affect the way your body responds to bacteria, w...

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org Sweet as the holidays may be, sugar-packed treats can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. This season, ring in the festivities with healthy and fun holiday snack options that fill your mouth with joy. Pita Tree Appetizers The low-fat sour cream in this recipe is a source of vitamin D, which strengthens bones and teeth. Get the recipe >>  Grinch Poppers   Be good for goodness sake to your teeth with these Grinch Poppers. For a healthier and more MouthHealthy alternative, swap the sugary and sticky marshmallow for another piece of banana.  Get the recipe >> To read the entire article with all healthy snacks please visit 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 MouthHealthy.org Sweet as the holidays may be, sugar-packed treats can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. This season, ring in the festivities with healthy and fun holiday snack options that fill your mouth with joy. Black Olive Penguins These penguins will waddle their way into your heart - especially because they’re filled with cream cheese, which has calcium.  Get the recipe >> Cheesy Reindeer Rich in calcium, cheese is always a MouthHealthy favorite. To get perfectly round eyes and noses, the author of this recipe used a juice box-sized straw to cut round pieces of black olive and a larger straw for the red pepper nose. Get the recipe >>  To read the entire article with all healthy snacks please visit 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 MouthHealthy.org Sweet as the holidays may be, sugar-packed treats can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. This season, ring in the festivities with healthy and fun holiday snack options that fill your mouth with joy. Egg Snowmen These adorable snowmen - made with hard-boiled eggs, carrots and peppercorns - will melt your heart before melting in your mouth. Eggs are a source of Vitamin D, which is needed to help absorb, carry and deposit calcium in the bone that supports your teeth. Carrots - which are crunchy, firm and full of water - help to scrub your teeth clean like a natural toothbrush. Get the recipe >>  Spinach Artichoke Frittata Trees You won’t need to cut down on these trees! Dairy products like milk contain calcium, eggs are a source of Vitamin D and leafy greens like spinach are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. (Just be sure to floss before flashing a smile beneath the mistletoe!)...

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org  You know that what you eat directly impacts your health, and that includes the health of your teeth and gums. But it can work the other way around too. If you have an orthodontic appliance, such as braces, or have had certain dental problems or procedures, the health and comfort of your teeth and gums can directly impact what you eat. Here are some tips for what to eat and how to avoid these common dental issues. Problems Chewing Chewing problems may be caused by tooth loss, gum disease, cavities and ill-fitting dentures, so your first step should be a visit to your dentist to help determine the cause of your problem. Meanwhile, eating soft foods (see tips for braces) can you help maintain your nutrients until you can see your dentist. Problems Swallowing Swallowing problems can occasionally happen, but if it persists, talk to your doctor since it could be related to something serious. Causes of swallowing issue...

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the role played by your Dental Assistant! 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

Learn more about how your lifestyle can affect your 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.ca

You know good dental habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are available. Please note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist, physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis. Gingivitis Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease , an infection of the tissues around your teeth caused by plaque. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. You may also experience bad breath . Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. You are more likely to develop gum disease if you skip brushing and flossing , use tobacco , have crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean, are pregnant , have ...

Saving Hopeless Teeth In the past, teeth with roots that had been damaged or severely infected used to require extraction, because a simple filling was an insufficient restoration. Missing teeth can create problems with your dental occlusion (bite) and should be averted whenever possible. The good news is that Dr. Aitken is able to offer root canal therapy. A root canal is a method of saving a tooth by excavating the pulp chamber of the tooth and replacing it with a filling material. When dentists first began performing root canals, the process involved extensive drilling, took considerable time, and often lacked the appropriate amount of numbing. As a result, the root canal received a reputation as something to be avoided. However, with modern anaesthetics and technology, root canals are often manageable. Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

Now the Good News The treatment of periodontal (gum) disease, in all its stages from mild to severe, is typically covered by most dental insurance plans. Non-surgical care combined with improved dental hygiene has often proven effective in slowing or even stopping the spread of the disease. However, in more severe cases, treatment may still include surgery. Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

Nutrition Tips Following a proper and nutritious diet not only helps keep your body healthy, but your mouth as well. Nutrition plays an important role in the health and cleanliness of your teeth, gums and mouth. Limit Soda, Coffee and Alcohol Although these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile. Drink Tap Water When Possible If bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride. Monitor Your Low-Carb Lifestyle Despite their popularity, low-carb diets can cause bad...

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org The right smile can leave you laughing, fill you with joy or make you melt with emotion. But, ultimately, the best smile is one that is healthy and strong. Here are some of the “tooth truths” about how tough your teeth really are ñ and how to keep them that way. 1. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body. The shiny, white enamel that covers your teeth is even stronger than bone. This resilient surface is 96 percent mineral, the highest percentage of any tissue in your body - making it durable and damage-resistant.     2. Your bite is powerful! Did you know your teeth can exert an average of 200 pounds of pressure when you bite down? That’s probably what tempts us to use our teeth as tools from time to time ñ but as your dentist will remind you, that’s one of the worst habits when it comes to preserving healthy teeth.     To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org. The...