Occlusal Adjustments for Misaligned Teeth

Our teeth and jaws work so well because they are (ideally) lined up to exert the right amount of pressure on each other and chew through food. When the jaw is not lined up, the teeth do not clash together in the correct spots. This can cause several problems that need to be corrected for a healthy and functional mouth. At Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, we are able to perform an occlusal adjustment to correct this issue.

Misaligned teeth can cause several issues.

• Difficulty biting into and chewing foods


• Worn down teeth


• Damage to teeth like chips and fractures


• Jaw and facial muscle pain

An occlusal adjustment is a simple and quick procedure to even out the alignment of the teeth. It creates a bite that lines up perfectly so there are no areas that meet before the rest. A dental drill with a filing stone is used to file areas of the teeth after a scan is taken of the mouth. The scan uses advanced technology to pick up on areas that need adjustments. After the adjustments are made, the patient should be able to close their mouths and bite down evenly. Chewing motions become normalized and any excess pain or pressure from the misalignment will disappear.

If you feel that your bite is not even, schedule an appointment with us for a consultation. To set up your appointment at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call our office at (780) 306-9333 or visit our website, www.flossophydental.ca. 

How to Keep Your Teeth Bright

Nice, white teeth can be a huge confidence booster, although it is sometimes difficult to keep teeth bright. At Flossophy Dental, we offer professional teeth whitening. In addition to setting up an appointment with us, check out some lifestyle tips to keep your smile bright!

First, you want to avoid foods and drinks that are dark in color such as wine, coffee, and cranberries. If you cannot pass over these foods because they are a favorite, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth after you eat them. It is also helpful to drink dark drinks through a straw to minimize the contact the liquid has with your teeth.

Brushing and flossing three times per day is great for keeping away sticky plaque that can hold in stains. Try to brush thirty minutes after each meal (any sooner can actually harm enamel). It may be tempting to skip flossing, but it is actually very important for keeping away staining!

You will also want to stay away from the home-whitening recipes you find. For instance, baking soda is a popular method for whitening, but it is very abrasive. It can wear down your enamel causing darkened teeth and cavities!

To find out more about the professional whitening options we have here in our Edmonton, AB office, do not hesitate to contact us. To set up an appointment with Flossophy Dental, call us at (780) 306-9333 or visit our website, www.flossophydental.ca. 

Protect Teeth with Fluoride

Fluoride is commonly called nature’s cavity fighter and there’s a good reason for this. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the entire tooth surface more resistant to acid attacks from the bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. Fluoride also promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before a cavity forms in the tooth. Here at Flossophy Dental, we can provide patients with fluoride treatments to help them protect their pearly whites.

Fluoride is found naturally in soil, water, foods, and several minerals. When present at the right level, fluoride in drinking water has two beneficial effects: preventing tooth decay and contributing to healthy bones. The type of fluoride we utilize at our practice is called topical fluoride. Topical fluoride is applied directly to and absorbed by the surface of the teeth. It may be applied as a foam or gel after a professional cleaning and can additionally be found in personal oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses.

If you think you may benefit from fluoride treatment, please give us a call. 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.

Implant-Retained Dentures with Mini Implants

Ill-fitting dentures can be uncomfortable, loose, and they can make you want to hide your smile. That is why here at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, we offer implant-retained dentures. These dentures are stabilized in the mouth using mini dental implants, so they stay put and slow down bone degeneration.

Implant-retained dentures create a strong and stable base for dentures. The implants are inserted into the bone sockets, so the dentures will not only be solid, but bone degeneration is slowed down. This means that the dentures will fit well for a long time. In addition, many dentures are able to be made to fit them, so a patient will most likely be able to keep their current dentures.

To create this stable base, we insert four to six mini dental implants along the upper or lower gumline. Since the mini implants are about half the size of traditional-sized implants, there is no surgical procedure needed. This means the dentures are often able to be clipped in during the same day.

The dentures are made to easily clip in so that patients can take them in and out on their own. You will no longer have to worry about your dentures moving around when you eat, smile, talk, or laugh.

If you are looking for dentures you can feel confident in, implant-retained dentures may be what you need. To schedule an appointment with Flossophy Dental, call our Edmonton, AB office at (780) 306-9333 or visit our website, www.flossophydental.ca. 

Avoid These Bad Habits While Wearing Braces

Braces are meant to make your teeth healthy and straight; however, bad habits can hinder the ability of the braces. It can cause breakage or even slow down the straightening process. At Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, we want all of our patients to be aware of how to protect their teeth while wearing braces. Keep reading for tips!

Biting Non-Food Objects

When it comes to wearing braces, most people know they should stay away from hard foods like raw carrots and popcorn. This rule also goes for non-food objects like fingernails, pens, and water bottles. The pressure from biting could pop off a bracket, damage the wire, or slow down the ability of the braces. Stick to just biting braces-friendly food!

 

Opening Things with Your Teeth

A habit many of us have is opening things with our teeth. Packages, tape, and even pop cans are among the common things teeth are used to open. This can have the same effect as biting hard objects; it increases the wrong kind of pressure on the braces and your sensitive teeth.

 

Chewing Ice

Those who have a habit of chewing their ice after their drink is finished should just let it melt. In addition to causing pressure on the braces, chewing ice can also wear down enamel on teeth and cause damage to already-sensitive teeth. Just let the ice melt!

 

Pop and Other Sugary Drinks

Those who have daily pops, juices, or other high-sugar drinks should be aware that braces create tons of new hiding places for sugar and bacteria. You do not want to have your braces taken off only to find out you have a bunch of cavities. Stick to water mostly and rinse your mouth after drinking anything else.

 

To learn more about the orthodontic options we have here, be sure to contact us! To schedule an appointment with Flossophy Dental in our Edmonton, AB dental practice, call (780) 306-9333 or visit our website, www.flossophydental.ca. 

Scaling and Root Planing for Gum Disease

If you have a stubborn case of gum disease, our doctors at Flossophy Dental may recommend a procedure called dental scaling. This type of treatment removes plaque and tartar from your teeth in addition to helping your gums regain their optimal health. The scaling process is usually done in conjunction with a procedure known as root planing. The scaling and root planing technique is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe.

Root planing and scaling are done when gums have either started to pull away from the teeth or the roots of the teeth have tartar on them. The scaling process occurs with manual hand instruments, ultrasonic instruments, or both. Our doctors at Flossophy Dental will start this procedure with a thorough examination before the device is used to eliminate the plaque bacteria. Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of gum tissue. One of our doctors will then scale the root surface to smooth out rough target areas, eliminating plaque and biofilm development. If your gum tissue is sensitive, local anesthesia can be administered to numb the tissue.

If you suspect you are in the first stages of gum disease, please 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.

Flossing with Traditional Braces

As our doctors at Flossophy Dental will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have a mouth full of metal. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. Therefore, we thought we would share some tips with you for flossing effectively.

• Use waxed floss, because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.


• Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.


• Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.


• Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.

If you have questions about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. 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.