Habits That Cause Tender Teeth

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are a little tender, it may be time to do some oral care habit reflecting. If you have sensitive teeth, our doctors at Flossophy Dental may recommend dental sealants or fluoride treatments to decrease sensitivity. Sometimes the solution is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following habits, do your best to break them.

• 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 leave you in 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 learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Three Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease may progress painlessly, producing a few obvious signs, but the primary symptom is spotting blood in the sink after you brush or floss. There are three stages of gum disease that you need to be aware of: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. It is important to practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis to avoid the condition altogether and you should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with our doctors at Flossophy Dental twice a year to keep your gums healthy.

The three stages of gum disease are: 

• 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.

To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Tips to Show off Your Smile

Here at Flossophy Dental, we realize that keeping teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. After all, with the coffee, wine and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leaves them a little lackluster. 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. However, if there is any reason you can’t go the cosmetic route at this moment, here are some tips that will help you show off the charming 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 you wish to enhance the appearance of your smile, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Beat Bad Breath

It’s easy to smell bad breath on others but it’s hard to smell your own. Bad breath odor is usually caused by a group of anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that breed beneath the surface of the tongue and often in the throat and tonsil area. These bacteria occur naturally in your oral environment and are supposed to be there because they assist your digestion by breaking down proteins into amino acids. Here at Flossophy Dental, our doctors can help you develop a treatment plan to eliminate this self-conscious problem.

By developing the right habits, you can be effective at preventing bad breath. Some of these habits include, but are not limited to brushing your teeth twice a day, brushing or scraping your tongue, floss your teeth, use an antibacterial mouthwash, chewing sugar-free gum, quitting smoking, and scheduling a dental checkup twice a year.  If you have persistent bad breath, it helps to keep a diary of the foods you eat and to list any medicines that you are taking.

If you have bad breath, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Dental Emergencies

Our doctors at Flossophy Dental are the ones you should call if you have a dental emergency. We understand that accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Any dental emergency like an injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should never be ignored. Whether at home or traveling, the following tips may come in handy until you can get to our dental practice.

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you have a dental emergency, please contact us immediately. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Reasons for Tooth Extractions

At Flossophy Dental, we understand that permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime. However, that isn’t always the case. For instance, when a tooth becomes damaged beyond repair, an extraction typically becomes necessary. We’d like you to know that before one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental ever considers extraction, every effort will be made to repair and restore your tooth first.

Aside from wisdom teeth removal, other reasons for extractions may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Custom Mouth Guards

Injury to the mouth during a sporting event is a common and painful way to lose a tooth. A missing tooth can cause problems with eating, not to mention it can be embarrassing. At Flossophy Dental, we encourage athletes to protect their mouths with mouth guards. We create custom mouth guards for our patients here in our Edmonton, AB office.

Store-bought mouth guards can be ill-fitting, uncomfortable, and they can affect your breathing. Not to mention, since they are “one-size fits all”, they do not offer the best protection for your unique mouth. We create custom mouth guards for the best protection and more comfortable wear.

Mouth guards not only protect the teeth from injury, but they also protect the lips, the cheeks, and the tongue. In addition, due to the way mouth guards shift the jaw, studies have shown that they can also prevent concussions.  

Whether you are playing in a sports league, playing b-ball with some friends after work, or want protection for another type of activity, our durable, protective, and comfortable mouth guards can protect your mouth and keep you in the game. To schedule an appointment with Flossophy Dental, call our Edmonton, AB office at (780) 306-9333 or visit our website, www.flossophydental.ca.