Everyone's mouth feels dry from time to time but when this feeling doesn't go away you may have a problem such as Dry Mouth. Dry Mouth is when you do not have enough saliva to keep your mouth wet and moisturized. Although you may not be experiencing a completely dry oral cavity, even low production of saliva can be a cause for concern.

Most of the time dentists can spot someone struggling with this, often before they even realize they’re experiencing it. This is important to get checked because, when left untreated, dry mouth can wreck the oral microbiome which may lead to cavities, bad breath, and other oral issues.

What Can Cause Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth can be caused by a variety of factors. Some that are preventable or lifestyle choices, and others that are less preventable. Determining the cause can help you understand what treatment options may be available.

Some causes of dry mouth include:

• Mouth breathing
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Vaping
• Ageing
• Stress
• Dehydration
• Prescription medication
• Radiation and chemotherapy

How to Help Dry Mouth

The only permanent way to cure dry mouth is to treat its cause or make a lifestyle change.

You may be able to make some small changes to help; such as avoiding certain foods or sugary beverages that can dry out the mouth. Or using a product such as Biotene, which can act as artificial saliva, providing some relief.

If your dry mouth is the result of medication, it is best to speak with your doctor about possibly adjusting your dosage.

Undiagnosed dry mouth can have some serious consequence on your overall oral health. Drying irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection. Without the cleansing effects of saliva, tooth decay and other oral health issues become much more common.

If you are suffering from dry mouth we will sometimes recommend a fluoride or xylitol rinse and increase the frequency of your hygiene visits to stay ahead of any potential cavities that may start to form. It is important that you take good care of your teeth and gums. Give our office a call and speak to your dentist or hygienist if you’ve been having difficulties with dry mouth.

The post What You Need to Know About Dry Mouth appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

Do you or your children have fears or anxieties about seeing a dentist? You know that dental care is essential to keeping you healthy, yet you still avoid going. You're not alone; around 22% of Canadians avoid the dentist due to anxiety.

What is Dental Anxiety?

Put simply, dental anxiety is “fear related to seeking or receiving dental care.” Many people don’t particularly like to go to the dentist, but they’re not necessarily afraid to go. Dental anxiety, meanwhile, steps into the category of fear.

Most people who suffer from dental anxiety tend to avoid the dentist altogether. This avoidance of dental visits often results in a higher incidence of cavities, which can then turn into missing teeth or more complex dental problems. This can leave you with feelings of inferiority and shame and cause further avoidance of dental care.

You don't necessarily have to have had a bad experience for your anxiety to still be overcoming. A lot of people are more anxious about what may happen, than what has happened.

How to Manage Dental Anxiety

Managing your dental anxiety can be a lifetime struggle for some people. Here are some of our top tips to help you feel more comfortable when visiting the dentist:

• Identify your fear. Once you know exactly what you’re fearful about, you can start working towards a solution.
• Build a good relationship with your dentist or hygienist. The more trust you have with them the more comfortable you will be at each appointment.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for sedation if you think it may help.
• Learn about mindfulness, meditation and breathing techniques. There are many apps available that can help you with this.
• Listen to music that relaxes you during appointments, or talk with your dentist or hygienist if you don't like the silence or sounds.
• Ask one of our staff for a blanket to help you feel comfortable, our office offers weighted blankets as well.
• Find out if you qualify for a service animal to help manage your anxiety, Sherwood Dental is a service animal-friendly office.
• Look into the benefits of CBD oil, some studies suggest this may help calm some anxieties (blog post to come on this).

Dental anxiety is a complex issue that can take a lot of patience and practice to manage. The most important thing you can do is try to keep on top of your regular visits.  In fact, seeing your dentist regularly can actually make the entire process – from making an appointment to sailing through it – easier on many levels.

If you do suffer from dental anxiety give us a call, and we can sit down and talk to you about the options we have at Sherwood Dental. We will walk you through your options from oral sedation to nitrous (laughing gas) or both. Bring a list of questions you may have so that we may address all your concerns. Depending on your needs we may suggest a referral to one of our trusted IV sedation centres. Sometimes just meeting our friendly team, touring our calm environment and understanding ALL your options is enough to get you through something you have been very stressed about.

We look forward to working with you to help understand what your concerns are and how we can help.

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Have you ever left an appointment and felt uncertain or confused about the treatment plan presented? Or have you left feeling apprehensive, and not confident in making a decision? The best thing to do is to get a second opinion.

There is no rule about which dental procedures require second opinions. But it is more likely the case for major treatments such as full reconstruction or oral cancer.

How come my diagnosis changed with a different general dentist?

The reason why treatment plans can vary between dentists is due to their approach/philosophy and training. For example, some dentists may want to fix an issue as soon as it arises, while others are more conservative and prefer to watch how things progress. Or they may want to try a non-invasive treatment, such as Silver-Diamine Fluoride, before beginning treatment.

It is important to have a good relationship and trust with your general dentist and understand why he/she is making certain recommendations.

If you decide you want another opinion, consider these questions after:

• Do you agree with the diagnosis the general dentist has made?
• What treatment options do you have for the problem?
• How much will each option cost you?
• What will happen if the problem is not treated?
• What are the risks of each treatment option?
• How long will the treatment benefits last? Will you need future treatments?

Another way you may want to seek a second opinion is by seeing a specialist.  Dentists can specialize in certain conditions such as root canals, oral surgery, and orthodontics. And seeing a specialist in addition to your general dentist can be advantageous.

Weighing Your Dental Treatment Options

Some things to keep in mind if you've received a second opinion, are the different perspectives of each dentist. While a new dentist has the advantage of a fresh outlook, your current dentist has the convenience of knowing your full dental history which can be advantageous.

The important thing is feeling completely comfortable with the care and information you have received prior to making a decision. 

Ultimately you need to feel informed and confident that your treatment makes sense. And that your questions have been answered. If you have a good relationship with your dentist it should be absolutely okay to ask to seek out a second opinion. Or if you are uncertain about your situation you can ask your dentist to reexplain your treatment plan and go over your questions or concerns.  

Here at Sherwood Dental, we are more than willing to offer or refer for a second opinion for any treatment questions you may have. As well, we welcome anyone who wants to sit down and revisit a treatment plan to go over any questions or concerns they may have. Give us a call and we'd be happy to book you an appointment.

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If you're one of the 8 million caregivers in Canada, you’ve got a lot on your mind. You understand how difficult it can be to take care of your loved ones dental care.

When you’re caring for a child—or adult—with a disability or neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's, the challenges can be even greater. It may be hard to know how to adapt your routine to include caring for their oral health.

How much help you give will depend on the individual. If the person in your care can do the basics, let them. Some simple adaptations to brushing routines for those with limited motor function or developmental disabilities can include:

• Using an elastic band to help steady the toothbrush in their hands.
• Enlarge the base of the brush for better grip with a sponge, rubber ball or bicycle grip.
• Lengthen the toothbrush by attaching it to a ruler or wooden dowel for better reach.
• Invest in an electric toothbrush or water/air flosser, as they help reach areas that may be getting missed.

Others caregivers may be looking after those with memory issues. People with dementia or Alzheimer's may need someone to clean their teeth every day. The Alzheimer's association recommends these tips for oral health care:

• Provide short, simple instructions. Break it down by telling them each step instead of a general statement such as "brush your teeth".
• Use a "watch me" technique and have your loved one follow along.
• If the person seems agitated or uncooperative, postpone brushing until later in the day.

When in doubt give our office a call or speak to one of our dental Hygienists or doctors.  Maintaining regular check up and cleaning appointments will help your loved one have a healthy mouth for years to come.

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When most people visit the dentist for treatment, they often associate it with freezing, and numbness. Although it is a safe and necessary part of the procedure, it's important to know how it works and how long it will last.

Dental Freezing or anesthetic is defined as "medication that produces the temporary loss of feeling or sensation", and is used during treatment as pain control.

There are two types of anesthetic:

• Topical Anesthetic - A topical gel rubbed on your gums, creates a temporary numbing around the area of the injection.
• Local Anesthetic - This solution is injected near a nerve in your mouth to numb your teeth and surrounding area.

Freezing times are usually different based on where in your mouth treatment is being done.

When the dentist is working on the top of your mouth, they will typically only freeze a few of the teeth. Whereas on the lower part of the mouth the dentist will block freeze an entire area, which may include your cheek, lip, chin and tongue. This freezing usually lasts longer on your lower jaw as well due to the bone density.

Each person processes dental freezing at different rates; and depending on the type of anesthetic used it can typically range from two to six hours. 

Some side effects can happen as a result of being frozen; such as biting your lip, cheek or tongue, so be sure to use care when eating and try to stick to soft foods as well as nothing too hot. In rare cases, a nerve can get stimulated during the injection, which can lead to paresthesia: numbness or pain that lasts a few weeks to months. Another rare side effect can be an allergic reaction from the anesthetic, if you think you've had an averse reaction to freezing before, be sure to let us know.

If you know you have a busy schedule after your appointment and wish for some of the freezing to be gone, we do have oraverse (an anesthetic reversal) available. Be sure to ask your dentist about this, and we can give you more information.

Dental Freezing is extremely safe and we try to take all the necessary measures to make sure you are comfortable during your appointment. If you have any questions or concerns be sure to ask us at your next appointment, or contact us to find out more.

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There is nothing more precious than seeing a child smile, and that is why our dental team loves having them come in. However, it can be hard for children to understand the importance of visiting the dentist. That’s why it is important to get them ready at an early age for the dentist. We always want it to be a positive experience for them.

It is perfectly normal for your child to feel nervous about going to a dentist for the first time. New things are often scary, and they can feed off the energy of family members. It is best to avoid certain words like pain, poke and needle. We always suggest leaving the detailed explanations of dental procedures to us.

As well, it's best to never use the dentist as a threat. Things like “if you don’t brush your teeth, you’ll have to go to the dentist” will only make a child think visits are a punishment. You can still encourage good oral hygiene without portraying the dentist as the boogeyman.

Here are some ways to help prepare your child for their dental visit:

• Play pretend – for younger children, role play can be a very effective way to explain what a dental visit may be like.
• Come early to your appointment – it can be comforting for children to take time in a new space. They can relax and play in our kid’s area prior to meeting the dentist, and get familiar with some of our staff.
• Choose a dentist that works with them – we have six dentists at our office and although all our staff is great, kids react differently to certain people. Take a look at our about us page, or ask our front end staff about who they think would suit your child’s needs.
• Be there for them – information is great, but there is nothing more comforting than your presence. Although when it comes to dental procedures like fillings we tend to find that children always behave best when mom or dad is not in the room during treatment. This is especially important if we use nitrous oxide as noises and chatter distract the child while sedated. 

We are here to help prepare your child to see the dentist. All children should be seeing the dentist for their first visit around age three or four. We all have the same goal of ensuring your child has a happy, healthy smile for life. Give us a call to book in!

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If you lost your job recently, your dental health is probably not on the top of mind right now. But taking care of teeth is what we do best, and we are all about YOU and your best dental care.

Okay, now that we have got you thinking about proper dental care, what steps should you take in terms of your dental health and insurance after losing your job?

1. Come in for an exam and cleaning right away

Most insurance companies have been giving employees until the end of the month or 30 days for their insurance to remain active after losing their job. It is essential that you come in for an exam and cleaning right away. You'll want to make sure your teeth are in ship shape and find out if any work needs to be done before your insurance expires.

If fillings are needed, Sherwood Dental can usually fit in these kinds of appointments in within the month. If a crown is needed, a minimum of two weeks is necessary for our dental lab to fabricate the crown.

2. Look into the insurance options available to you if you lost your job recently

There are many companies out there that offer personal plans.

• The first and most common one is Alberta Blue Cross.
• There is also a company called Manulife which has health and dental plans that you can customize to your health needs.
• Sunlife is another company with personal plans.

Lastly if people do not want to purchase a personal insurance plan, Sherwood Dental offers payment plans that can be customized with our Insurance Coordinator Angela.

If you lost your job recently, we feel for you. That stinks, really. But we encourage you to get on top of dental services and insurance options available to you right away before your benefits expire. Healthy teeth and gums while you're out of work will provide a little less to worry about until you nail your next job. Schedule your checkup with Sherwood Dental today. Call (780) 464-4166 right away!

The post Lost Your Job Recently? This Will Affect Your Dental Health and Insurance appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

Film x-rays or digital x-rays? Sherwood Dental chooses to use digital x-rays. Why? Because you and your dental health are our top priority.

Film x-rays were invented in 1895. That's over 125 years ago. Technology has come a very long way since those first x-rays 125 years ago, and film x-rays are now quite antiquated.

Film x-ray technology costs less than digital x-ray technology. But long-term exposure to film x-rays can be harmful to a patient's overall dental health due to the increased amounts of radiation needed to expose these types of films. Every doctor here at Sherwood Dental is working to reduce the adverse effects caused by film x-rays.

Let's compare film x-rays, technically known as radiography, with digital x-rays without the scientific blah, blah, blah. (For the history and scientific blah, blah, blah, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiography). Simply put, x-rays are nothing more than different shades of grey on a screen. That screen can be either analog or digital. It would be like comparing an old black and white TV to a new HD TV with all of its perfect picture quality and color. With digital x-rays, our doctors are able to see clearly what they could not see before. This means areas of concern can be detected much earlier before issues may arise.

Digital x-rays:

• Use 70% less radiation than traditional film x-rays
• Take less time to take and are easier to take than traditional film x-rays
• Use streamlined designs taking the pain out of taking dental x-rays (No more razor-like edges cutting the inside of your mouth!)
• Have better quality viewing capabilities than traditional film x-rays
• Take the waiting out of the development process allowing us to see what is going on immediately
• Prevent issues from going undetected and/or missed
• Decrease your time in the chair
• Are easily stored on a computer
• Can be easily transferred to other dentists or orthodontists when referrals are needed
• Are less expensive and more environmentally-friendly

Good reasons to continue using traditional film x-rays remain, but Sherwood Dental chooses to use digital x-rays for their important advantages to you. We think 70% less radiation, less discomfort, detecting problems sooner, less time in the chair, access and distribution and cost matters a lot to our patients. Let us know what you think about digital x-rays in comparison to traditional film x-rays. We love to hear your feedback.

Sherwood Dental has been serving Sherwood Park for over 40 years. Call Sherwood Dental at (780) 464-4166 for your next dental appointment, and experience the benefits of digital x-rays.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiography

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2563775/

http://www.canadianacademyofdentalhygiene.ca/blog/digital-vs-conventional-radiography-dental-office.html

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