Gum Disease & Bad Breath in NE Calgary, AB
Periodontal Treatment (Gum Care)
The buildup of plaque, genetics, and lifestyle choices can all contribute to the development of periodontal disease. Plaque buildup along and below the gum line can harbour dangerous bacteria, which can negatively affect the health of the gums and lead to gum disease.
During oral exams, periodontal disease is diagnosed by evaluating x-rays and measuring the saccular depth around each tooth. Maintaining healthy gums is essential for strong teeth and a beautiful smile. After a thorough oral exam, we will create a periodontal treatment plan customized to meet your needs and improve gingival health.
Common signs of gum disease
Periodontal disease often begins as gingivitis, a concern where the gums become red, swollen and inflamed. Some other symptoms of early gum disease include:
- Tender gums
- Gums that bleed following brushing and/or flossing
- Loose teeth, or teeth that appear longer than normal
- Receding gumline
- Chronic halitosis (bad breath)
During the later stages of gum disease, patients may notice the gum line receding or teeth becoming loose. These shifting teeth can affect occlusion and lead to decreased bite strength. For further information about periodontal care or to schedule an appointment, please contact our periodontist near you today.
Halitosis Treatment (Bad Breath Care)
Everyone occasionally experiences halitosis (bad breath). For example, morning breath is a common condition caused by the reduced saliva flow at night (saliva helps wash away food and bacteria in the mouth, keeping the breath fresh). The main causes of bad breath include the breakdown of food particles in your mouth, bacteria buildup, mouth dryness and tooth decay. Halitosis can be treated by our dental professionals who will work with you to help identify the underlying cause and put together a treatment plan. We use scaling and root planing to remove the tartar below the gumline and to smoothen the roots. To prevent halitosis, it is recommended that patients keep up with routine check-ups and cleanings and maintain healthy oral hygiene habits at home.
Partial dentures can be an option for patients missing multiple teeth in some mouth regions. They are usually designed to fill large spaces between existing teeth. They can also be created to cover an entire section of the mouth. Custom-designed partial dentures are removable, with results that look and feel very natural.
Tips To Maintain Fresh Breath:
- Maintain good dental hygiene – brushing the teeth, gums and tongue at least twice per day and flossing once per day
- Use a tongue scraper, cleaning as far back on the tongue as possible
- Increase water consumption
- Visit our bad breath specialist near you at least twice per year for a professional cleaning and exam
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugarless candy
- Eat foods like raw carrots and celery
Please contact our halitosis clinic near you with any questions regarding halitosis or our treatment options.
Crowns & Bridges
Dental crowns restore a tooth that would otherwise be in danger of breaking. Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your smile. A crown is typically crafted from strong porcelain material and affixed to the affected tooth with a durable dental resin. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size and colour of the tooth, giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.
A dental bridge is a fixed dental appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. They are cemented in place using the surrounding teeth as support. Typically, a bridge consists of two crowns that go over the two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth) to fill in the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A dental crown or bridge may be recommended to:
- Replace a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
- Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
If you have any questions regarding dental crowns or bridges, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please get in touch with our office.
Metal-Free (Tooth-Coloured) Fillings
Today’s standard in many dental practices is to use completely metal-free fillings to treat cavities. These “tooth-coloured” fillings have supplanted the amalgam, metallic-looking fillings of the past, many of which contained trim levels of mercury.
Tooth-coloured fillings are a durable composite resin material that can more easily blend in with the affected tooth’s natural colour, making it virtually unnoticeable. It can fill cavities, replace old fillings, restore broken teeth cusps, and replace worn enamel.