Having a dental examination by your Calgary dentist at least once per year is an important part of your maintaining your overall oral health. Our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, recommends that patients have two dental examinations per year which are usually completed at your regular dental hygiene appointment. Regular dental examinations can help to detect issues early on so that they can be treated with less intervention and potentially better outcomes. During your dental examination, our Calgary dentist will check for many possible issues, including the following:

• tooth decay or early signs or tooth decay (cavities)
• missing or damaged teeth
• concerns or failures in any previously completed dental treatment
• gum issues, including inflammation, gingivitis and periodontitis
• orthodontic issues
• bite issues
• muscle issues, such as TMJ dysfunction
• signs that you may be grinding or clenching your teeth
• tooth wear and chips
• signs of oral cancer, including lesions, growths or white spots/areas
• food traps, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease
• areas of tooth, jaw or soft tissue sensitivity or pain
• aesthetic concerns, including the colour of your teeth, shape of your teeth and the overall look of your smile
  
  

At your dental examination, you can expect that our Calgary dentist will also review your medical and dental history, as well as any medications you may be taking. All of this information may be important in determining what treatment you can or should have, including any pre-treatment medications that should be considered. Having a thorough understanding of your medical and dental history also helps our Calgary dentist to develop a long-term strategy for dental care to ensure your oral health is maintained at optimal levels for years to come. 

If you have not had a dental examination in more than six months, we invite you to make an appointment at our Calgary dentist office with Dr. Dirk Thompson. We have early morning, evening and week-end appointments available to suit your busy time schedule. Call us today at 403.283.4252. We’re here for you and your family.

Our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, recommends that you attend for a dental examination at least annually. At our Calgary dentist office, for your convenience, it is recommended that your annual dental examination be completed at the time of your dental hygiene cleaning appointment. 

Periodically, patients query whether they really need an annual dental examination, especially when they think that their teeth feel fine to them. The reason an annual dental examination is recommended by our Calgary dentist is that a dentist has specialized training and equipment such as intra-oral x-rays and intra-oral cameras that can detect any potential oral health issues much sooner than an untrained and unassisted eye can. Further, as with many health issues, early detection of any dental issues by our Calgary dentist can also improve the outcome of any dental issue you may be experiencing. Additionally, when you have a dental examination at our dental office, our Calgary dentist will be looking for so much more than just cavities. At your annual dental examination, our Calgary dentist will also be doing the following:

• screening for oral cancer by looking for any lumps, bumps, lesions and spots on your lips, tongue, cheeks, gums and throat
• assessing you for any facial or jaw pain, including TMJ (temporomandibular jaw) pain
• discussing any cosmetic concerns you may have such as teeth whitening, the shape of your teeth and the size of your teeth
• checking for any signs of early gum disease (gingivitis) or progression of any pre-existing gum disease
• assessing any occlusion (bite) problems you may have
• checking for any signs of teeth clenching or grinding
• providing home oral healthcare recommendations
• providing recommendations for any detected dental issues
• answering any questions you may have about your dental health
• checking your blood pressure     

Having an annual dental examination by your Calgary dentist provides you with the assurance that no aspect of your dental health is being overlooked. This is important because many studies have linked your oral health to your overall health, including to diseases involving the cardiovascular system.   

In addition to attending for an annual dental examination, our Calgary dentist encourages you to maintain a consistent home oral healthcare routine which includes flossing your teeth once per day and brushing your teeth at least twice per day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.  You should also be checking your mouth frequently for any changes, including any new lumps, bumps or lesions. If you notice any new lumps or lesions in your mouth that do not go away within two weeks, you should contact your Calgary dentist to have it assessed.

If you have not had a dental examination in the last year, we invite you to call our Calgary dentist office to schedule your examination. We have early morning, evening and weekend appointments available to make your dental appointment time as convenient as possible. Call our Calgary dentist office today. We’re here for you!

In Calgary, the cost of a teeth cleaning varies depending upon a variety of factors.

First, it depends upon what type of dental treatment you will receive when you attend for a teeth cleaning at a Calgary dentist office. The “teeth cleaning” part of your dental cleaning, which is called “scaling”, is billed in 15 minute (or part thereof) increments. Although the price for each unit of scaling varies depending upon which Calgary dentist office you attend, the price for each unit at most dentist offices ranges between approximately $70.00 to $75.00. Most patients who attend for regular dental cleanings at their Calgary dentist office can expect to require between two and four units of scaling at their teeth cleaning visit. If you have not been to your dentist for an extended period of time, it may that you will require more than two to four units of time of dental scaling. However, this varies which each individual patient, with factors such as their home oral care routine, their diet, whether or not they smoke and their overall health condition having an impact on the number of units of scaling that may be required.

At your teeth cleaning appointment with a Calgary dentist and hygienist, it may also be recommended that you have x-rays taken, a fluoride application and your teeth polished. If it’s been more than one year since your last dental examination, it is recommended that you also have a dental examination with a Calgary dentist. All of these procedures are additional costs over and above the scaling units.

Accordingly, the cost of a teeth cleaning at a Calgary dentist office varies depending upon a variety of factors. Our Calgary dentist generally recommends that patients attend for teeth cleaning twice per year, with this recommendation again varying depending upon such considerations as the patient’s overall oral and general health needs.

If you would like to make an appointment with our general Calgary dentist for a dental cleaning with one of our friendly and dedicated dental hygienists, call us today. One of our friendly team members will provide you with a variety of times and dates to ensure that the appointment is convenient for you and your lifestyle!

If you notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, or when you eat certain foods, this is not necessarily cause for alarm or reason to rush to your Calgary dentist for an emergency dentistry appointment. However, bleeding gums are not normal and should not be ignored. According to our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, bleeding gums can be caused by a number of different factors, not all of which are serious. Some of these causes include the following:

• using a toothbrush that has bristles that are too hard
• flossing too vigourously
• starting a new oral care routine that includes flossing when you have not flossed your teeth for some time
• mild gum disease (gingivitis)
• moderate to severe gum disease (periodontitis)
• pregnancy gingivitis
• certain medications

If you suspect that your teeth are bleeding due to your toothbrush, our Calgary dentist recommends that you make sure you are using a toothbrush with soft bristles.  Although some patients are under the impression that hard or medium bristled toothbrushes do a better or more thorough job of cleaning your teeth, this is simply not the case. According to our Calgary dentist, provided you spend sufficient time brushing your teeth and are careful to ensure that all visible surfaces of the tooth are brushed, then a soft bristled toothbrush will do the job more than adequately.  Furthermore, hard or medium bristled toothbrushes can actually damage your gums as may be evident when you notice blood after brushing. Of course, your daily oral care routine should also include flossing your teeth to ensure that the surfaces between your teeth are adequately cleaned and food debris removed. Lastly, always try to use a toothpaste with fluoride as fluoridated toothpastes add additional cavity fighting protection to your daily oral care routine.

Interestingly, there are also some medications, both over-the-counter and prescribed medications, that may cause your gums to bleed. In particular, some anti-inflammatories as well as blood thinners may have this unwanted side effect. If you suspect that one of your medications is the culprit in making your gums bleed, speak with your dentist, physician or pharmacist and they will be able to guide you with addressing and hopefully resolving the issue with recommendations regarding your oral care routine or changing your medication if possible and/or necessary.

If you are using a soft bristled toothbrush and have not changed anything with your daily oral care routine or medications, it may be time to make an appointment with our Calgary dentist to ensure that you are not suffering from gum disease. Some of the indicators of gum disease are gums that are inflamed, swollen, red, tender or gums that bleed when brushing or flossing.  Early gum disease, known as gingivitis, can be reversed with good daily oral healthcare routines together with regular visits to your Calgary dentist for dental cleanings and check-ups. Gum disease which has progressed beyond the early stages may require additional intervention by your dentist and dental hygienist, including more frequent dental hygiene visits and possibly a referral to a dental specialist.

If you are pregnant and notice that your gums are irritated, tender, swollen, red or are bleeding, then you may be experiencing what is sometimes referred to as “pregnancy gingivitis”. Pregnancy gingivitis usually occurs between the second and eighth month of pregnancy and for many is the worst during the third trimester. Because during pregnancy a person’s hormonal levels are changing, these changes can also affect your oral health, including your gums.  Specifically, high progesterone levels can make your gums more susceptible to the effects of cavity causing bacterial plaque. Although our Calgary dentist recommends that any major dental work be postponed until after delivery of your new bundle of joy, regular dentist appointments and dental hygiene cleanings are encouraged by our Calgary dentist throughout your pregnancy. If regular brushing, flossing, and dental appointments are not resolving your bleeding gums, it may be necessary that our Calgary dentist recommend additional treatment, such as a prescription oral anti-bacterial rinse. Ask our Calgary dentist when the best and safest times to visit the dentist is during your pregnancy.

Whenever you notice a change to the condition of your mouth, teeth or gums, although not necessarily cause for alarm, any changes should always be followed up with your Calgary dentist to ensure that there are no serious issues that are developing. As with any aspect of your health, the sooner a dental health issue is detected, the greater the chance of resolving the issue without major interventions being necessary. At Advance Your Health Dental, our Calgary dentist focuses on prevention by encouraging regular dental hygiene cleanings (usually twice per year for most patients), as well as regular dental examinations by your dentist.  

If you are experiencing any dental health issue that concerns you, or if you would like to speak with our Calgary dentist regarding any dental health issue you may have, we always welcome your questions. We are also available for your Calgary emergency dentist appointment. You may call our dentist office at 403.283.4252 to speak to one of our Calgary dentist team members, or you are invited to make an appointment with our Calgary dentist and we will happily schedule your dental appointment on a day and time that is most convenient for you.  Call us today. We’re here for all of your and your family’s dental needs.

Chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be caused by a number of conditions. One of the most common causes of bad breath is poor oral hygiene or other issues related to your teeth, gums or mouth. These are issues that can be addressed by our Calgary dentist. Other causes of bad breath can be the foods we eat, particularly stronger foods such as onions, garlic and spices, certain medications, tobacco use, alcohol use, dry mouth and other health issues including diabetes, hormonal changes, some cancers and GERD. It is also interesting to note that diets that are high in sugars and protein have been tied to bad breath in some people (from the American Dental Association and the Mayo Clinic).

Chronic bad breath related to oral health issues can signify that there may be a serious issue related to your overall oral health that should be addressed by our Calgary dentist as soon as possible.  One of these concerns related to dental issues can be dry mouth, which can not only be a very uncomfortable condition, but can also be detrimental to your oral health.  Dry mouth can adversely affect your oral health because it is caused by a lack of saliva production.  Saliva plays a very important role in your oral health as it washes away food particles from your mouth, thereby decreasing odour and cavity causing bacteria and decreasing the risk of cavities.  Saliva also plays a role in fighting cavities by putting a protective coating on your teeth and neutralizing acidic foods. Without adequate saliva, odour causing bacteria can multiply and result in bad breath.

Other dental issues such as tooth decay, infections, gum disease (periodontitis) and mouth sores can also cause bad breath as, with these types of dental issues, odour causing bacteria tends to multiply and become trapped, thereby causing or contributing to bad breath.  Some dental issues, such as a dental infection, are considered to be a dental emergency and prompt attention from your dentist should be sought to address these types of dental issues.  Our Calgary dentist attends to dental emergencies on a same-day basis so your emergency dental issue can be addressed without delay.

If your bad breath is a result of poor oral hygiene, then make sure that you are brushing your teeth and tongue with a fluoride containing toothpaste (especially the back of your tongue where odour causing bacteria proliferates) after you eat. It is also important to floss at least daily in order to remove any food particles that are trapped between your teeth. Regular check-ups with your Calgary dentist and dental hygiene appointments are also imperative in keeping your teeth, mouth and gums healthy, which will also help to address bad breath caused by dental issues.   

If you suffer from dry mouth, you may wish to try chewing some sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless mints, as this may stimulate saliva production. To address your bad breath, you may also try an over-the-counter mouthwash, however, a mouthwash may only bring temporary relief if your bad breath is due to any oral or other health related issues. If you wear dentures that are removeable, it is very important that you remove your dentures before you go to sleep and make sure you clean them thoroughly with a denture cleaner prior to putting them back in the next morning.

One of the most important steps you can take to address your bad breath is to discuss your concerns with your dentist. At our Calgary dentist office, Dr. Dirk Thompson will review your health and medication history, examine your teeth, mouth and gums and provide recommendations to address any oral health concerns which may be causing or contributing to your bad breath.  Certain oral health products may also be recommended, such as an oral mouth rinse specifically formulated to address dry mouth. Our Calgary dentist may also recommend that you make an appointment to see your family physician if it appears that the cause of your bad breath is not related to any dental or oral health issues.

Bad breath can create social anxiety and cause embarrassment. Fortunately, you do not and should not have to tolerate bad breath. If you are suffering from bad breath, call our Calgary dental office today, we’re here to help.

When you attend at the office of our Calgary dentist for your annual check-up and cleaning, our dentist will not only be looking at your teeth for possible issues of concern, but also at your gums, throat, tongue and tonsils for any signs or symptoms of oral or oral related cancers. These cancers are also known as head and neck cancers. This is one of the reasons that seeing our Calgary dentist on a regular basis is so important.  

It is interesting to note that, according to the American Dental Association, men are more than twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with an oral cancer. This may be due to an increased use of tobacco and/or alcohol by men or may be related to younger men be diagnosed at an earlier age of an HPV related oral cancer. Also, although historically most oral cancers are found in persons 40 years of age and older, because of the increased incidence of HPV related oral cancers, diagnosis of oral cancers in the 40 and under age group is becoming more prevalent (Oral Cancer Foundation).

One of the most significant risks of being diagnosed with an oral cancer is the use of tobacco, whether it be cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco, or pipe smoking. Patients who smoke a pipe have a higher risk of the development of an oral cancer in their lips, while patients who chew tobacco have an overall higher risk of developing an oral cancer in their gums, lips and cheeks. Patients who are heavy drinkers, defined by the American Cancer Society as consuming more than two alcoholic drinks per day for males and more than one alcoholic drink per day for females, also have a dramatically increased risk of oral cancer, particularly if they are also tobacco users.

As with most cancers, the earlier the detection of the oral cancer, the better the chances of avoiding more serious outcomes. Oral cancer can be difficult to detect as it is not uncommon to have lesions in your mouth that are benign and temporary such as canker sores or lesions from biting your lip. Oral cancer can appear as red or white patches in your cheeks or may even look similar to a canker sore. Other symptoms of oral cancer can be difficulty swallowing, chewing or even speaking, a hoarse throat that won’t go away, or any type of painless mass or bump in your mouth. Because of the variety of ways in which an oral cancer can manifest, it is imperative that, if you have any areas of concern that have not cleared up within two weeks, you have it examined by your physician or our Calgary dentist.

Our dentist is your partner in your oral health and plays an important role in helping you achieve and maintain your optimal health and well-being. Call our Calgary dentist today to make an appointment for your annual dental examination.

One glimpse at a drugstore shelf and it is apparent that there are a multitude of different types of toothpastes on today’s market. There are toothpastes that claim to whiten your teeth, remove tartar, remove staining, decrease teeth sensitivity and repair enamel and gums, just to name a few of the toothpastes currently on the market. There are also different forms of toothpastes available, including gels, pastes and even tablets. Our Calgary dentist and our dental hygienists are often asked to make a recommendation regarding which toothpaste is best for their dental patients’ overall oral health.

Generally, most of these different types and forms of toothpastes have some common ingredients, including an abrasive agent which helps to remove particles from your teeth, a detergent such as sodium lauryl sulfate which creates the suds when you’re brushing your teeth, a humectant such as glycerol for moisture retention (to prevent the toothpaste from drying out), a thickener to obtain and maintain the desired texture of the toothpaste, and of course flavouring and an artificial sweetener to create the mint or or even bubble-gum taste of toothpastes. Whatever toothpaste you choose, our Calgary dentist always follows the recommendation of the Canadian Dental Association and advises that, overall, the most important element to look for in a toothpaste is fluoride.

The increase in the use of fluoride, a natural occurring mineral, has been credited with dramatically reducing the incidence of tooth decay in the last 50 years ( https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/weighing-your-toothpaste-options#1). Fluoride does this in two ways:  first, it helps protect your teeth from the acid that is released from bacterial activity in your mouth by making your enamel stronger and therefore less likely to suffer damage from these acids, and secondly, it actually helps to repair early damage to your tooth enamel by remineralizing your enamel.

If you live in an area where the water is fluoridated, it is still recommended that you brush with a fluoride containing toothpaste as studies have shown that brushing with fluoride increases the concentration of fluoride in your teeth.

Overall, our Calgary dentist strongly recommends the use of a fluoridated toothpaste twice per day for all adults and children over 3 years of age. For children under 3 years of age, the use of toothpaste with fluoride should be first discussed with your dentist or dental hygienist to determine if the benefits outweigh any associated risks, such as dental fluorosis (white specks on teeth), of using fluoride for young children. And of course, in addition to regular brushing with a toothpaste with fluoride, regular dental and dental hygiene visits are essential to ensuring that you can enjoy optimal oral health for a lifetime.

If you have any questions regarding your oral health, please call our dental office at 403.283.4252 and our friendly and helpful dental team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Let’s make your smile last a lifetime!

The answer to this question is a resounding yes! Although you may think that your smile looks great and and feels healthy, regular visits to your Calgary dentist can help detect very small issues that you cannot detect on your own. This is particularly important because, when it comes to your oral health, often you may not even be aware that there is an issue until you feel pain or discomfort. By the time you feel any pain or discomfort, chances are that you will require some type of treatment from your Calgary dentist. With the help of your Calgary dentist’s specialized training as well as dental equipment including digital x-rays and intra-oral cameras, your Calgary dentist and dental hygienist can ensure that small issues, such as a developing cavity or the early stages of gum disease, do not become major ones.   

At your Calgary dentist appointment, when doing your dental examination, your dentist will check your whole mouth, including your teeth, lips, gums, cheeks and throat for any potential issues, including cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, bite issues and even any aesthetic concerns you may have including the shape of your teeth, their colour and their overall appearance. At your regular dental hygiene appointment, your dental hygienist will also examine your mouth for any teeth and gum issues and provide a dental cleaning (scaling), teeth polish, fluoride application (if you so choose) and take x-rays, as may be required. 

In addition to seeing your Calgary dentist and dental hygienist at least once per year, one of the most important things you can do to keep your smile healthy for a lifetime is to ensure that you stick with a regular and consistent at home oral health care plan. This means brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice per day and flossing at least daily. Dr. Dirk Thompson, our Calgary dentist, advises that maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle is also an important element of maintaining your oral health, including by not using any tobacco products, eating a healthy diet, exercising and protecting your teeth and mouth by wearing a mouth guard when engaging in sporting activities such as hockey, soccer, rugby and skate-boarding. 

Our Calgary dentist encourages everyone at all stages of their life to take care of their teeth. To make your appointment with our Calgary dentist as convenient as possible, we offer early morning, evening, and week-end appointments to fit your and your family’s busy schedules. Call us today at 403.283.4252. It would be our Calgary dentist’s privilege to be your and your family’s lifelong partner in your dental health

Teeth sensitivity can be caused by a variety of reasons. Most often, teeth sensitivity is noticed when eating cold foods such as ice cream or hot foods such as coffee. Some people also notice that their teeth are sensitive when brushing or flossing. This sensitivity may be caused by:

• tooth decay
• worn enamel
• gum disease
• receding gums
• an exposed tooth root
• a fractured tooth (from the American Dental Association)

All of these factors may contribute to teeth sensitivity as they can result in the wearing of the protective layers of the teeth, the enamel and cementum layers, thereby exposing the dentin, which is less dense than enamel and cementum. When the protective layers of your tooth are worn away, hot, cold, and other sensitivity causing foods can irritate the exposed nerves and cause hypersensitivity and even pain.

The good news is that teeth sensitivity is a treatable symptom. Sometimes toothpastes specifically formulated to address teeth sensitivity issues can help alleviate this painful irritation, at least temporarily. It is always prudent, however, to visit your dentist to determine the cause of the teeth sensitivity, as there may be a larger issue that requires further treatment, including root canals, fillings and crowns.

If you are suffering from sensitive teeth, there are steps that can be taken to alleviate this uncomfortable symptom. Please call our Calgary dental office at 403.283.4252 to book your appointment with our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, today.