Did you know your digestive health can affect your teeth? Frequent stomach upset can cause a gradual wearing away of the protective enamel on your teeth, a process known as tooth erosion. This can affect the appearance of your teeth and open the door for harmful bacteria that cause cavities. How Do Stomach Problems Affect My Teeth? Your stomach produces natural acids that help your body digest food. Sometimes, these acids travel up the throat and into the mouth, especially after a large meal. Ordinarily, our saliva rebalances the acid levels in our mouth and everything’s fine.  But for those who suffer from   gastroesophageal reflux , also known as acid reflux or GERD, gastric acids reach the mouth throughout the day. This process is especially damaging when you’re asleep, since you are swallowing less often and your mouth is producing less saliva. Another concern is the  dry mouth   caused by many acid reflux medicines. Saliva not only helps neutralize ...

It’s the latest trend in dental wear, but there’s nothing cool about the damage it could do to your smile. Dental Grills are a cosmetic, metal and sometimes jeweled tooth covering developed in the early 1980s by hip hop artists. Grills, also called fronts, are removable and fit over the front teeth. Dental grills are made of gold, silver or jewel encrusted metals that run as little as $20 and well into the thousands for more elaborate designs. Can Wearing a Dental Grill create Oral Health Problems?  Yes, they can. It’s important to conduct thorough oral hygiene procedures including flossing and brushing with an anti-microbial toothpaste as food and plaque can easily develop on the grill and can cause irritation to the gingival margin and gingivitis may develop and the possibility of tooth decay. Dental grills can also cause abrasion to adjoining teeth, gum recession, tooth discoloration or chipped teeth. A grill should always be removed before eating or rinsing to clean the...

You know your dentist is looking for cavities during regular check-ups, but you may not realize your dentist can check for cancer at the same time. It's estimated that approximately 51,540 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer and cancers of the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue in 2018. Sunlight  People who have jobs working outside are more prone to developing lip cancer and should use UV protection. Diet  Poor nutrition also may put you at risk for developing oral cancer. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may increase your chance of developing oral cancer, so add more color to your plate!  To read the entire article visit  MouthHealthy.org . Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

You know your dentist is looking for cavities during regular check-ups, but you may not realize your dentist can check for cancer at the same time. Itís estimated that approximately 51,540 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer and cancers of the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue in 2018. Tobacco  Whether you smoke it or chew it, tobacco use increases your risk dramatically. Smoking can cause oral cancer, as well as cancer in other parts of the body. Pipe smokers are also at a higher risk for developing cancer in their lips. Smokeless tobacco, like chew, can lead to many issues in your mouth, the most serious being cancer of the cheeks, gums, and lips. Alcohol  According to the American Cancer Society, 7 of 10 oral cancer patients are heavy drinkers. Heavy drinking, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is an average of two drinks a day or more for men and an average of more than one drink a day for women. If you are a heavy drinker a...

5. Don't smoke or chew tobacco  Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause oral cancer, heart disease, gum disease, and a variety of other cancers.  Find a Dentist  Don't wait for a toothache or a dental emergency to look for a dentist. Ask for recommendations from friends, family, neighbours, or co-workers. If you're moving, ask if your current dentist can refer you to a dentist in your new area.  To read the entire article visit CDA-ADC.ca . Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

3. Eat well Good nutrition helps build strong teeth and gums.  Munch on mouth healthy snacks like cheeses, nuts, vegetables, and non-acidic fruits.  4. See your dentist regularly  48% of Canadians who haven't seen a dentist in the past year have gum disease. Regular dental exams and professional cleanings are the best way to prevent and detect problems before they get worse. To read the entire article visit CDA-ADC.ca . Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

1. Keep your mouth clean  Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.  Wait at least 20-30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth.  Floss every day.  Eat a well-balanced diet.  Limit foods and beverages containing sugar or carbohydrates.  Ideal snack foods: cheese, nuts, vegetables, and non-acidic fruits.  Look for oral care products with the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) Seal. 2. Check your mouth regularly Look for signs of gum disease:  Red, shiny, puffy, sore or sensitive gums  Bleeding when you brush or floss  Bad breath that won't go away Look for signs of oral cancer:  Bleeding or open sores that don't heal  White or red patches  Numbness or tingling  Small lumps and thickening on the sides or bottom of your tongue, the floor or roof of your mouth, the inside of your cheeks, or on your gums To read the entire article visit CDA-ADC.ca . Vista Dental Care ...

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org Your mouth, teeth, and gums are more than just tools for eating. They’re essential for chewing and swallowing-the first steps in the digestion process. Your mouth is your body’s initial point of contact with the nutrients you consume. So what you put in your mouth impacts not only your general health but also that of your teeth and gums. In fact, if your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth. Here are a few helpful things to know about how what you eat can impact your dental health. Diet and Tooth Decay The foods you eat and the beverages you drink can have a direct influence on the incidence and progression of tooth decay, depending upon:  The form of the food-whether it’s liquid, solid, sticky or slow to dissolve makes a difference.  How often you eat sugary foods and beverages and how often you eat or drink acidic foods and beverages.  The nutritional makeup of the food....

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org Is the satisfying fizz of your favorite sparkling water putting you at risk for tooth decay? Because any drink with carbonation-including sparkling water-has a higher acid level, some reports have questioned whether sipping sparkling water will weaken your tooth enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth where cavities first form). So, Is Sparkling Water Affecting My Teeth? According to available research, sparkling water is generally fine for your teeth-and here's why. In a study using teeth that were removed as a part of treatment and donated for research, researchers tested to see whether sparkling water would attack tooth enamel more aggressively than regular lab water. The result? The two forms of water were about the same in their effects on tooth enamel. This finding suggests that, even though sparkling water is slightly more acidic than ordinary water, it's all just water to your teeth.  Tips for Enjoy...

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'Does Bottled Water Have Fluoride?' 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

The habit:  Your teeth were made for eating, not to stand in as a pair of scissors or hold things when your hands are full. When you do this, you put yourself at a higher risk of cracking your teeth, injuring your jaw or accidentally swallowing something you shouldn’t. The solution:  Stop and find something or someone to give you a hand. Your mouth will thank you. 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