Gum Disease Stages

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with our doctors at Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates twice a year to avoid them. 

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth is officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If your gums are inflamed, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates in Edmonton, AB call 780-475-5922 or visit our website, www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com. 

Break Those Bad Oral Habits

At Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates, tooth sensitivity is a common complaint among our dental patients. Sensitive teeth occur when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath, called the dentin. There are many reasons why your teeth may be tender and we’d like to tell you what they are. We would also like you to call us if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity so we can discuss your treatment options.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

To schedule an appointment with Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates here in Edmonton, AB call 780-475-5922 or visit our website, www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com. 

Facts on Fluoride

Fluoride is a natural mineral found throughout the earth’s crust and widely distributed in nature and is often added to water to help reduce tooth decay. Research has shown that fluoride not only reduces cavities in children and adults, but it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, even before the decay is visible. Here at Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates, we can discuss professional fluoride treatments with you to see if you are a prime candidate.

When fluoride reaches your teeth, it is absorbed into the enamel. Fluoride helps to repair the enamel by replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorus to keep your teeth hard through a process called remineralization. When fluoride is present during this process, the minerals deposited into the tooth enamel help strengthen your teeth and prevent dissolution during the next demineralization phase. The results are stronger tooth enamel and a cavity-free grin.

If you think you may benefit from a fluoride treatment, please give us a call. To schedule an appointment with Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates by calling 780-475-5922 or visiting our website, www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com. 

Tips for a Camera-Ready Smile

With instant photo sharing taking over the internet, you should always be ready for your next snapshot. After all, your smile is the first thing people notice about you. At Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates, we are your best resource for pearly whites. We can whiten your smile with a cosmetic procedure (teeth whitening) or simply restore the natural color of your teeth through dental checkups. However, if you can’t go the cosmetic route at the moment, follow these tips to show off the smile you already have!

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.

• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.

• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

If your smile needs a little improvement, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates by calling 780-475-5922 or visiting our website, www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com. 

Extraction Site Preservation at Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates

When you have your teeth extracted, filling that open space is important to the health of your mouth. Here at Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates of Edmonton, AB, we provide our patients with options so they can replace that missing tooth using the best method for their lifestyle.

When missing teeth are not replaced, the jaw can start to degenerate and change shape. This can cause teeth to shift and create problems biting, chewing and speaking. To replace missing teeth, Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates offer dental implants and dental bridges. Your dentist will examine your specific situation and determine which route is best.

Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement. They work by implanting a titanium implant into the bone socket where it will bond with the jawbone. The new tooth is customized for you to blend in with the rest of your teeth. With good care, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Dental bridges are a common choice for replacing a tooth. The process of applying a bridge is faster than a dental implant, which can take months. Dental bridges work by reshaping the enamel of the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. Crowns are placed onto the adjacent teeth and a replacement tooth is attached in the middle. It is not uncommon for a dental bridge to last over ten years.

If you are looking to have a missing tooth replaced, schedule an appointment with Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates by calling (780) 475-5922 or visiting our website, www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com. 

Whitening with ZOOM! in Edmonton, AB

Keeping your teeth white can be a lot harder than you might think. Even with diligent brushing, flossing and dental cleanings, teeth can still lose their gleam and darken over time due to constant exposure to food and drinks. If you’ve noticed your teeth are yellowing or dull, we offer ZOOM! whitening services to help you restore your teeth’s color and luster. It is one of the many cosmetic procedures Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates offers to help patients achieve the smiles they will love to show off.

To help his patients get their whitest smiles, he employs the ZOOM! whitening system, which is chair-side whitening procedure that is done in the office, using a safe whitening gel combined with low-intensity light. The light activates the hydrogen peroxide in the gel, which can lighten teeth up to 10 shades in only an hour! Unlike other whitening systems that involve multiple sessions and take-home trays, ZOOM! produces results that are both drastic and quick.

For the best results, patients should have their teeth cleaned prior to the whitening procedures since tartar and plaque can prevent the whitening gel from working in certain areas. By having your teeth cleaned, you are ensuring that you get an even, white smile.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Winston Au, Dr. Sheldon Au, Dr. Henry Deacon, Dr. Joyce Kim or Dr. Marcus Ngal at our office in Edmonton, AB, call (780) 475-5922. For more information, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com.   

Waterlase Technology at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates

Waterlase® dental technology utilizes YSGG laser energy and a water spray to create a more comfortable experience during certain dental procedures. This technology allows us at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates to use fewer shots and less anesthesia, which provides more comfort and eases patient anxiety while performing corrective dentistry procedures. 

Waterlase® technology can be used to remove gum tissue, bone and decay in the tooth enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body. It can do so without affecting surrounding areas, which means that you will be able to keep more of your healthy tooth structure if decay does need to be removed. The technology can also be used for root canals, smile design and bone and gum surgery. When used in preparation for cavity fillings, it can actually result in longer-lasting fillings.

This technology bypasses the pain caused by other dental tools by cutting without the use of heat, pressure or vibration, allowing dentists to cut teeth, gums and bone with less trauma. The benefits of the technology include less post-operative pain, bleeding and swelling. There is also usually less of a need for pain medication, and because it requires less anesthesia, the dentist can perform the procedures instead of referring you to an outside specialist.

For comfortable dental experience, schedule an appointment at our office in Edmonton, AB by calling (780) 475-5922. For more information about our dentists, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com.