If your gums bleed when you floss or brush your teeth you may think this is normal and ignore it, but bleeding gums can be a sign of underlying problems. Bleeding gums is often caused by harmful plaque, and the millions of bacteria in it, found at or around the gum line. Left too long this plaque can lead to gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease.

Besides gingivitis you can also have bleeding gums from:

• Smoking and/or vaping
• Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy
• Medication you are taking
• Vitamin K deficiency

There are things you can do to help maintain healthy gums and reduce bleeding or the chance of developing gingivitis.

Since bleeding gums are mainly due to inadequate plaque removal, starting an effective oral hygiene regimen is a great way to help prevent bleeding gums. Brushing twice a day in a circular motion along the gum line will help stimulate and strengthen your gum tissue. As well, flossing once a day will help get rid of any plaque or food that is trapped between your teeth and under the gums.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking or vaping, and eating a diet low in sugar and simple carbohydrates will also improve the health of your gums.

If your gums continue to bleed when flossing and brushing, after you've tried to improve your oral hygiene, please call Sherwood Dental and let one of our dentists evaluate your flossing technique and whether or not there is a need for gum treatment.

The post Why Do I Have Bleeding Gums? appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

We are always trying to make home care as effective as possible for our patients; especially our patients who suffer from sensitivity or have high cavity risk. This is why we have introduced new kits and products designed specifically for these issues. We believe that preventative care is the most important type of dental care. 

Sensitivity Kit

Our Sensitivity Kit contains three products to help reduce everyday sensitivity.

• X-Pur Remin Toothpaste – the toothpaste contains hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate compound that can penetrate below the surface of the tooth to re-mineralize enamel.
• Curaprox Toothbrush – this ultra-soft ultra-compact toothbrush contains over 5000 individual filaments to achieve an optimal, gentle cleaning.
• Opti-Rinse 0.05% - a grape flavoured sodium fluoride rinse that helps re-mineralize and is anti-caries.

Zero Cavity Kit

The Zero Cavity Kit contains three products that will help fight against cavity fighting bacteria.

• X-Pur Cario Toothpaste – natural 25% xylitol toothpaste that can reduce cavity causing bacteria, re-mineralize, and reduce plaque formation.
• Curaprox Toothbrush – this ultra-soft ultra-compact toothbrush contains over 5000 individual filaments to achieve an optimal, gentle cleaning.
• Opti-Rinse 0.2% - a high intensity mint flavoured sodium fluoride rinse is anti-caries and helps to re-mineralize teeth.

All these items are now available to purchase at our office in kits as well as individually. Contact us if you have any questions or you ask your hygienist or dentist what they think is best for you at your next appointment.

The post New Kits For Sensitive or Cavity Prone Teeth appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

A lot of changes happen in your body when you are pregnant, but did you know that pregnancy affects your oral health as well? Changing hormone levels during pregnancy can put expecting mothers at greater risk of developing a variety of oral health issues.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect gums causing them to be more sensitive, swollen and red. This is called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease.

Around 70% of women have some form of gum disease while they are pregnant, and studies have linked pregnancy gingivitis to premature delivery and lower birth weights.  Gingivitis can also lead to more serious periodontal (gum and bone) disease without good oral care.

Enamel Erosion

Morning sickness is a common issue that can also cause problems for your teeth. Stomach acid from frequent vomiting can eat away at the hard protective enamel. The best way to help minimize this effect is to swish with baking soda and water after getting sick. This will help neutralize any acid left in your mouth before you brush.

Pyogenic Granuloma

One of the rarer things that can happen with your gums is pyrogenic granuloma or “pregnancy tumors”. The name might sound scary, but these swellings (which often resemble raspberries between the teeth) are not malignant. They usually vanish after the baby is born but if you have any concerns regarding them it is best to speak to someone at our office.

One of the best ways to protect your teeth and gums is to continue your regular visits to the dentist. The ideal time to get a cleaning while pregnant is during your second trimester. Routine cleanings and checkups are crucial to combating some of these common issues. Give us a call if you have any questions or to book in to speak with one of our dentists.

The post How Pregnancy Affects Your Oral Health appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

The thought of getting a cavity filled can cause dental anxiety for patients of any age. There is now a new alternative -Silver Diamine Fluoride. A liquid painted onto cavities to help slow decay.

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a non-invasive, needle-free treatment that uses antimicrobial silver ions to help arrest tooth decay, and fluoride ions to prevent further demineralization. The procedure is two quick 15 minute appointments, one to two weeks apart. It is often recommended by your dentist or hygienist when they see a breakdown of enamel beginning to occur.

SDF can also be used to relieve sensitivity. It also is a great alternative for patients who need to delay dental treatment. This could occur because they are too young to receive dental treatment (under age 3). It could also occur because they are holding off on proceeding with treatment due to costs or insurance.

It can also help in situations where decay is deep and untreatable. In certain situations decay can start in an area on a tooth where a dentist cannot remove decay and place a filling. In this case the tooth would normally be pulled as we cannot fill or crown the tooth. By placing SDF this now helps us arrest the decay in the area so that the tooth can stay in the mouth for as long as possible.

SDF can be a cost effective way to help treat cavities and keep your mouth healthy. It is important to note that SDF cannot save every tooth and that teeth may require dental work in the future even if SDF is applied. It also causes some darkening in the treated tooth. This can easily be covered with a filling to help with cosmetics.

The New York Times has even written an article all about the research they have found with SDF in the United States and the success they are having with it.

Give us a call if you have any questions or talk to your dentist or hygienist at your next exam to see if this can work for you.

The post Pain-Free Treatment for Cavities appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

What’s the Scoop with Sensitive Teeth?

As the weather begins to warm up we often find ourselves reaching for frozen treats to cool us down. But if you feel a jolt of pain in your teeth every time you take a bite of that ice cream or even a sip of your morning coffee, you are not alone. Sensitive teeth affects more than half of adults between the ages of twenty and fifty, and can be present in children as well.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

The most common reason for sensitivity is when the enamel starts to wear away exposing little tubules in the dentin of your tooth. These tubules are a direct roadway to your tooth’s nerves, and when they come in contact with something cold or hot, sometimes even sweet or sour, you will experience a nasty shock of pain.

Although the enamel on the crown of your tooth is quite hard, it can be very thin and worn down in a number of ways. Grinding your teeth, acid erosion and even improper brushing can affect your enamel.

Exposed roots is another major cause of sensitive teeth. The roots can become vulnerable with gum recession, chips in the crown of the tooth, cavities or fractures.

Protecting Your Teeth From Sensitivity

There are several ways you can help fight against sensitive teeth. First, switch to a soft-bristled brush, if you haven’t already. Hard bristles can damage your tooth enamel and gum tissues. You can also try a toothpaste specifically dedicated to sensitive teeth. Ask your hygienist at your next cleaning as we always have samples you can take home. When possible try to avoid sugary or acidic foods and drinks. Cheese can also help stop an acid attack on your teeth after a meal!

How Your Dentist Can Help

Be sure to give our office a call if you start experiencing tooth sensitivity, even if your recall exam isn’t scheduled for a while. Our office can often accommodate last minute appointments within a day or two. We can strengthen your teeth with a fluoride treatment, apply a desensitizing varnish, perform restorative work on areas with enamel loss, or even recommend a gum graft to cover exposed nerves. We also like to recommend a daily or weekly fluoride rinse for sensitivity as well. We offer a product here by Oral Science at the clinic.  It’s important to have your dentist take a look so we can make sure there aren’t any other problems with your teeth!

The post What’s the Scoop with Sensitive Teeth? appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

The post Share Appreciation With Your Dental Hygienist Today appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

You may be a model dental patient. You may visit your dental hygienist every 6 months without fail, floss daily and brush with a Sonicare toothbrush in the morning and in the evening, and sometimes in between. Your dental hygienist may tell you how glad she is to see you and that she loves cleaning your teeth. She may tell you that because you do such an excellent job of cleaning your teeth, her job is easier to do. But would you be surprised to hear your dentist say, “You’ve got a cavity right here,” as he shows your digital x-ray on his computer screen? Would you be surprised to hear him tell you to schedule an appointment within the next week or two at the most, to get that cavity taken care of? Probably. I mean, you had no idea. You felt no pain. How could you have a cavity when your teeth don’t hurt?

How does a cavity form on a tooth?

Bacteria in your mouth form plaque, a sticky substance, which coats the surfaces of your teeth. Twenty minutes after eating or drinking food, this sticky substance feeds on simple sugars and simple carbohydrates found in your foods and creates plaque acid. Plaque acid dissolves your tooth enamel and a cavity develops.

If left untreated, a cavity eventually exposes the dentine making a tooth sensitive. Again, if left untreated, further decay will expose the tooth pulp where the nerves of your teeth are. If this happens, your tooth may become infected and cause extreme pain. Now you’re looking at the need for a root canal or possible tooth extraction.

And why should you visit your dental hygienist often?

The best way to prevent cavities from developing is to brush your teeth twice a day, floss your teeth once a day and limit the amount of sugary foods and drinks you eat. You should visit your dental hygienist as often as they recommend you should, too. Your hygienist will remove plaque buildup, deep clean your teeth and reach those spots you might be missing spots or are unable to reach.

Remember, you may have a cavity without any symptoms at all. It may even be quite advanced, and you don’t know it’s there. Your teeth may not hurt, but that does not mean you may not have a cavity. Your dentist can catch tooth decay early and treat it before it becomes painful and costly, so visit your dentist often.

If you are feeling pain, the cavity has already developed to a more serious level. It could be causing damage to the surrounding tissues and teeth requiring an expensive dental procedure. Come see us before that happens. Schedule a routine cleaning with one of our Sherwood Dental hygienists today at (780) 464-4166.

The post Dental Myth 101- My Teeth Don’t Hurt So I Must Not Have A Cavity appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

Yes. We recommend and encourage using fluoride to prevent cavities. Since this is a hotly debated topic, we will share some of what the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has to say about it.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral. It is found in soil, fresh water, salt water and in foods. It affects teeth making them more resistant to decay. Once decay has started, it can prevent or even reverse decay.

It is added to drinking water to insure that all members of the community are protected from tooth decay safely, effectively and cost-effectively.

In our office dental hygienists apply fluoride to our patients’ teeth in the forms of gels, foams and varnishes. It is available in some toothpastes, rinses, lozenges, chewable tablets and drops to adjust the fluoride levels in drinking water to optimal levels. (Optimal levels occur when the level of fluoride in drinking water is adjusted to achieve the right balance between using fluoride to prevent cavities and the risk of developing dental fluorosis).

Are there any health risks associated with water fluoridation?

Scientific studies have not determined a credible link between adding fluoride to drinking water and adverse effects to anyone’s health other than dental fluorosis.

What is dental fluorosis?

Dental fluorosis causes a change in the appearance of teeth when higher than optimal amounts of fluoride are ingested in children before birth and up to 6 years of age. Small white specks will appear on children’s teeth affected by fluorosis.

Does dental fluorosis happen often in Canada?

According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey of 2007-2009, dental fluorosis is not an issue of concern for 84% of children. About 16% of children have unnoticeable, mild forms of fluorosis. It is pretty rare to see.

Should I be using fluoridated toothpaste with my child?

For children who are under 3 years of age, the level of their risk of tooth decay determines their use of fluoridated toothpaste. Parents, talk with your dentist to determine whether your child is at risk of developing cavities. If your child is at risk, brush their teeth using a very small amount of fluoridated toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.

Children 3 to 6 years of age should also use only a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste, about the size of a green pea. Parents should assist their children with brushing their teeth.

Fluoride is believed to be an important aid in maintaining good oral health when a child patient’s daily intake of fluoride is monitored.

Your child’s Sherwood Dental dentist can assess the risk of their development of cavities and recommend the best level of fluoride protection for them.

For more information on using fluoride to prevent cavities, see CDA Position on Use of Fluorides in Caries Prevention. You can always call our office with your concerns and questions about the use of fluoride. Call 780-464-4166 today.

The post Does Sherwood Dental Recommend Using Fluoride To Prevent Cavities? appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

X-rays were accidentally discovered in 1895 when German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen was experimenting with electron beams in a special tube. Wilhelm placed different objects between the tube of electron beams and a fluorescent screen that started glowing whenever the beam was turned on. No matter which object he placed between the beam and the screen, the screen still glowed revealing the object. When Wilhelm decided to place his hand in front of the tube, he saw the silhouette of the bones in his hand on the screen and saw how they could hugely benefit the world of medicine.

Two types of X-rays are used to help dentists take the best care of their patients: Film and digital. Read why Sherwood Dental chooses to use digital in our blog post 10 Important Advantages of Digital X-rays.

In what ways do X-rays help a dentist?

X-rays allow your dentist to:

1. See decay that may be lurking between teeth which cannot be seen by the naked eye
2. See how advanced bone loss caused by periodontal disease is
3. Find decay that may be happening along the edge of a crown or underneath a filling. (An X-ray is the only way your dentist can see decay beneath a filling)
4. Check for an infection you may have at the tip of the root of a tooth
5. View your teeth and bone to examine an area before procedures such as braces, implants and tooth removal

Have you ever wondered WHY we take X-rays? Well, now you know. Are you still wondering something about them or why we choose to use digital? Call us and ask your questions or leave a comment. You can reach Sherwood Dental at (780) 464-4166.

The post How X-rays Help Your Dentist Help You appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

Cold sores what a pain! They seem to show up from out of nowhere and without warning.

What are cold sores?

Better known as fever blisters, here's what we have to say about them. Cold sores are defined as painful lesions or blisters which form on the lips, chin, cheeks or less commonly nostrils.

Facts about cold sores:

• They are caused by the Herpes Simplex Type 1 virus
• They are highly contagious
• They turn into yellow-crusted sores
• They disappear within 14 days of an outbreak
• They occur over and over again. There is no known cure

So, what can I do when I know I have the Herpes Simplex Type 1 virus?

• Prevent cold sores before an outbreak occurs. For example, if your outbreaks are triggered by exposure to the sun, wear sunscreen or zinc oxide on your lips or other vulnerable places. Limiting exposure to sunlight may help prevent outbreaks.
• Relieve the pain fever blisters cause when they occur
• Help your cold sores heal
• Keep fever blisters from spreading
• Use hand sanitizer often to prevent spreading the virus to others

How can I know if the painful lesion that appeared on my lip is really a cold sore or not?

• You experience tingling, itching or pain around that affected area of your lips or mouth
• A blister appears after tingling, itching or pain around the affected area
• The blister breaks open
• Clear fluid secretes from it
• A yellow crust forms over the blister as the area begins to heal.
• The blister takes 2-3 weeks to heal

This 2-3 week period can be very painful and quite embarrassing since most cold sores are very noticeable.

Okay. I have a cold sore. Now what?

Laser Therapy - Cold sores are best treated and kept under control in their early stages. Laser therapy can keep an outbreak from occurring if caught in time. As soon as you feel the sensations of tingling or pain in the area where the cold sore is starting, you should see your Sherwood Dental dentist.

Because there is no known cure for cold sores, they will occur over and over once you have caught the virus. Often they will come back in the same spots over time if not treated with laser therapy.

If you are unable to come in before a blister appears, laser therapy can take away the discomfort and help your cold sore heal faster. Biostimulation provided by laser therapy increases collagen production aiding in healing.

After laser treatment, the nerve cells around the area are deadened which provides instant pain relief.

Laser therapy for cold sores is often covered by your dental insurance and is a procedure we can perform in ten minutes without any anesthetic!

Learn more about how we can treat cold sores with dentistry lasers here.

Topical Cream - Sometimes treatments may also include a topical cream to help the area heal. The dentists at Sherwood Dental are able to prescribe these topical cream medications for you. They are often more effective than over-the-counter medications.

Can I come into the dentist for my appointment if I have a cold sore? 

If on the day you have an appointment with the dentist a cold sold appears, it is best to cancel your appointment. Having your lip tugged on during your dental appointment can be very painful and increase symptoms. If it is the second or third day following its appearance, you should be able to keep your dental appointment. Usually a cold sore has crusted over by the second or third day.

Treat your cold sores early. Give Sherwood Park Dental a call as soon as you feel the symptoms of a cold sore coming on. Call (780) 464-4166 and let us know if you are interested in laser therapy to stop the progression of cold sores.

The post Cold Sores: Painful Fever Blisters appeared first on Sherwood Dental.