Stop Tartar in Its Tracks

Everyone develops plaque because bacteria are constantly growing in our mouths. This sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth and gum line can harden into tartar if not removed by practicing proper oral hygiene. Not only can tartar threaten the health of your teeth and gums, it is also a cosmetic problem. Once tartar hardens and builds up on your teeth, only our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates can remove it.

Proper brushing, especially with American Dental Association (ADA) approved tartar control toothpaste, and flossing is necessary to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. The top three ways to prevent tartar in addition to plaque is to brush thoroughly at least twice a day for two minutes, floss daily, and schedule at least two regular dental visits for professional cleanings and dental examinations each year.

If you have tartar buildup, it is time to schedule a dental checkup. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates here in Edmonton, AB, call 780-475-5922.

Let Us Explain, Novocain

When you think of the dentist’s office, our doctors at Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates are almost certain that you’re wondering about your pain-free options. Depending on the procedure at hand, you will either be given a local or general anesthetic. Local anesthesia allows the patient to remain awake, while general anesthesia allows the patient to sleep. If you are told you’ll be receiving a local anesthetic, “Novocain” probably comes to mind. Novocain is commonly used to suppress pain in patients who remain conscious. During your consultation, our doctors will determine if Novocain is appropriate for your treatment plan as well as if it is the best option for you.

Novocain is normally injected into an area during oral surgery and other dental procedures to numb the surrounding tissues. Like any medication, however, side effects include numbness around the injection site that can last for several hours, a tingling sensation around the injection site, as well as minor swelling around or near the injection site. Novocain is a good option for some, but not for others. Be sure to provide us with as much information about your medical history as possible so that you and our doctors can make an informed decision.

If you would like to discuss sedation options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates here in Edmonton, AB, call 780-475-5922.

Xylitol and Tooth Decay

While strolling through the candy aisle at the drugstore have you ever noticed a sweet treat that contains xylitol? If so, you should grab it if you want to protect your teeth from decay. Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables. It tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. Our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates encourage the use of xylitol due to its unique and clinically proven dental benefits.

Xylitol prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to the teeth. With the dental benefits of xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over 30 minutes after food consumption is stopped. Because the bacteria in the mouth that are causing cavities are unable to digest xylitol, their growth is greatly reduced. In addition to reducing cavities, xylitol also reduces plaque formation and increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel. So next time you’re strolling through the candy aisle at a convenience store, you may want to look for a label that mentions this sugar substitute.

If you have questions about tooth decay, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates here in Edmonton, AB, call 780-475-5922.

Basics of Bruxism

If your teeth are worn, damaged, or sensitive, or if you have pain in your jaw, face, or ear, it may be time to visit us at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates. These are common symptoms of bruxism, a condition in which you grind, gnash, or clench your teeth and the condition can have a variety of causes. Some experts view this issue as nothing more than a habit, but this habit can wreak serious havoc on your teeth, provoking you to endure invasive dental procedures in the future.

People with severe bruxism can break dental fillings or damage their teeth. Rubbing the teeth together can cause the outer layers of enamel to wear away, exposing dentin, which can lead to tooth sensitivity. Severe bruxism can also be the result of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders as well as unexplained facial pain. If one of our doctors determines that you’re a “bruxer” he or she will discuss the best way to treat the condition. The treatment of bruxism typically depends on the cause.

If you are suffering from symptoms of bruxism, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates here in Edmonton, AB, call 780-475-5922.

Advantages of Teeth Whitening

How many of us get a confidence boost when a stranger gives us a compliment? Have you ever paid attention to how much of a positive effect this has on your self-esteem? The same applies to teeth whitening. Teeth-whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth or even make them whiter than your natural color if you would like. Here at Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates, we can help you do just that.

With all of the lifestyle habits and environmental factors that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leave them a little dull. Fortunately through our tray whitening system, your pearly whites can revive their shine. In addition, teeth-whitening can also take years off of your appearance. This is because as we age, over time, our teeth darken and can become yellow, brown, or even develop a green or grey tint (which may be due to heredity and/or eating habits). Your smile speaks volumes about who you are and leaves an everlasting impression, so it’s only natural that you want it to be as radiant as possible.

If you wish to enhance the appearance of your smile, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com  for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates here in Edmonton, AB, call 780-475-5922.

Understanding an Underbite

The main cause of an underbite is a misalignment of the lower jaw, which is usually present at birth. An underbite, clinically called prognathism, is the malocclusion or “bad bite” that happens when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. Just because your mouth may have this problem doesn’t mean that it’s untreatable. If you have been diagnosed with an underbite, our doctors at Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates can correct the problem with dental braces.

Although far less common than overbites, underbites still affect 5-10 percent of the population. An extreme underbite can cause facial abnormality, resulting in an extended chin. In addition to the aesthetic problem, underbites including difficulty with chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Underbites may also wear down tooth enamel and increase your chances of developing tooth decay or other dental problems such as TMJ disorder.

If you would like to discuss your underbite treatment options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com  for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates here in Edmonton, AB, call 780-475-5922.

Overbite Overview

If you have been diagnosed with an overbite, this simply means that your top teeth extend beyond your bottom teeth. It is a common dental problem that our doctors at Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates can correct with braces. Overbite teeth are considered a type of “bad bite.” It can either be noticeable or unnoticeable, but it some extreme cases it can make your jaw look significantly larger or your bottom jaw look much smaller.

Most often, overbites are inherited as traits just as the color of your eyes or the freckles on your cheeks. Other causes of misaligned bites may result from an early loss of baby or adult teeth, gum disease, or common oral health problems in children, such as thumb sucking. Once one of our doctors confirms your overbite with X-rays, he or she may take regular photographs of your face to further examine the relationship between the teeth, jaws, and head. From there, an individualized treatment plan will be developed to correct the bite.

If you wish to correct your bite with orthodontic treatment, please give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com  for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates here in Edmonton, AB, call 780-475-5922.