Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Author: admen

Protect Your Teeth with Regular Dental Visits

Posted on by admen

Protect Your Teeth with Regular Dental Visits

Here’s a riddle for you: how can spending more time at the dentist lead to less time spent at the dentist? Sound silly? It’s not. Visiting your Calgary family dentist for regular cleanings can help you optimize your dental health and prevent many oral health issues requiring complex and expensive treatment.

Why You Should See Your Calgary Dentist for a Cleaning

Visiting one of the family dentists at The Dentists at Richmond for a regular check-up and cleaning can have a number of benefits:

  • Regular cleaning helps prevent cavities.
  • It can also prevent gum disease.
  • Can help you achieve a brighter smile.
  • Will nip bad breath in the bud.
  • Can help to boost your overall health.
  • Will help you avoid costly and complicated procedures that are entirely preventable.

What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning

Knowing what to expect during your visit can take a lot of the anxiety out of seeing your dentist. Here’s what’ll happen when you visit a family dentist at our Calgary clinic:

    • Checkup—We’ll check your gums for any of the early warning signs for gingivitis and gum disease.
      Good vibrations—We’ll use a special ultrasonic instrument to dislodge large pieces of tartar. At the same time, we’ll spray a mist of water in your mouth to wash away the debris. It won’t hurt a bit, but it may tickle!
    • Scaling—Next, our dentists will use fine hand tools to gently remove the rest of the tartar from your teeth. It may sound a bit scary but it isn’t painful at all.
    • Polishing—Once all the tartar is out of the way, we’ll polish your teeth using a soft rubber cup and a special paste.

Flossing—Just to make sure that we got everything, we’ll floss between your teeth to remove any debris trapped between the teeth and gums.
Fluoride treatment—This is the best part! A fluoride treatment tops off your visit by strengthening your enamel and preventing acid wear. It even comes in a bunch of yummy flavours.

Regularly scheduled dental cleanings are a painless and effective way to maintain good oral hygiene. And you’ll love the way your teeth will feel afterwards!
Visit Your Family Dentist in Calgary Regularly

The Dentists at Richmond take care of all of your dental hygiene needs. From checkups, to cleanings, to whitenings, crowns and fillings, we take care of you and your entire family. Book an appointment with Calgary’s favorite family dentists today!

Emergency Dentist Appointments Available

Posted on by admen

Emergency Dentist Appointments Available

We’ve all been there before. One of our teeth hurts, but the pain is mild enough that it can be ignored. It hurts to brush that side of our mouth, and it hurts to eat or drink certain foods, but we think it’ll go away eventually. All of a sudden, the pain becomes unbearable, but between work and life, you just don’t have time to see a doctor. Right?

Why it’s better to get treated sooner, rather than later

The human body – especially the human mouth – is a strange and fascinating system of moving parts. When we feel pain in certain parts of our body, there’s a strong possibility that we will feel relief within days. Other pains take weeks to heal, while other pains still merely require quick medical attention to eliminate. When we get hurt, one of our default reactions is to simply wait out the pain, but as our doctors tell us, it’s always better to get treated sooner rather than later.

Sometimes, accidents happen

We’re tired in the morning, so we open the bathroom cabinet and chip a tooth. Our friends throw a ball too hard, and it knocks a tooth out of place. Out of nowhere, we realize that it hurts to drink hot cider, or cold ice cream, and we realize we need a root canal. Life sometimes throws us unexpected curve balls.

Emergency Services at The Dentists at Richmond

We never know when something minor will turn into something major. We don’t know when that small pin-prick in the back of our mouths will turn into an inability to eat solid foods or drink anything colder than room temperature water. When that pain becomes unmanageable, or when you do have a chipped, broken, or loose tooth, we, at the Dentists at Richmond, can be there for you.

We know that unexpected medical necessities are aggravating, especially when there’s a worry about being late to an appointment or not having time in our schedules for a visit. Thanks to our extended hours, and our large dental staff, we can easily accommodate emergency patients. Thanks to our talented staff, we can also normally help our patients in one appointment. For anything else, we can work around your schedule to make sure your dental needs are soothed as soon as possible.

If you’re in pain, if you need relief, and if you need it right away, visit us in Calgary, or call us at 403-246-2131. Our clinic is open until 8:00 p.m., and we even offer Saturday appointments so you can plan a visit for the weekend.

Helping Your Child’s Oral Health

Posted on by admen

Helping Your Child’s Oral Health

It can be difficult to get kids to do anything, let alone maintaining healthy oral hygiene. As parents, we worry about our children’s development. We wonder: is that tooth growing in properly? Are they brushing their teeth enough? Are they losing their teeth at the proper time? Am I doing enough to make sure they don’t get cavities? Are they eating the right foods?

The list goes on and on. When it comes to our children’s oral hygiene, however, nothing is scarier than a dental emergency. It can be difficult enough to avoid adult emergencies. Making sure that our kids still get to be kids, without risking their health can sometimes feel impossible.

Children’s Dental Care

When it comes to day-to-day care, there are a number of steps that we at the Dentists at Richmond personally recommend to ensure your kids’ teeth are as healthy as possible:

Brush and floss with your children twice a day

Limit snacks, drink water, and prepare healthy foods rich in vitamins and nutrients
Use fluoride-based toothpaste, and visit the dentist for check-ups regularly

These are all common procedures, because maintaining healthy teeth doesn’t need to be a difficult chore. All it takes to maintain healthy teeth are small amounts of daily care.

Children at the Dentists at Richmond

No one ever said that raising children is easy, and as a parent, there’s no doubt that you worry about everything to do with your kids. It’s almost impossible to prevent occasional injuries from sports or day-to-day play.

We know how difficult it is to guarantee that our children won’t hurt themselves while out and about, but maintaining proper oral hygiene at home is the first step in ensuring long-term oral health.

For those times when your children need to see a dentist immediately, we offer extended hours and a large staff that’s able to accommodate every schedule. We’re even open until 8 p.m., and on Saturdays, so you don’t have to worry about not having time to visit our clinic in Calgary, Alberta. We’re also available for those last-minute appointments.

There’s no reason for children to fear the dentist, and it’s our goal to help your children in the safest and most pain-free way possible.

To book an appointment for a check-up or a dental emergency, visit our Calgary, Alberta clinic at 1026 Richmond Centre, 9499 – 137 avenue, or call us at 403-246-2131. For more information, email us at info@dentistnorthgate.com.

Chipped Tooth Dentist

Posted on by admen

Chipped Tooth? Our Dentist in Calgary Can Help!
Posted on 2015-06-10

Many people living in Calgary are likely to get a chipped tooth at some point in their lives. It can happen to athletes, to people who grind their teeth, to children on the school playground, or to anyone who just happens to bite down on a piece of hard food the wrong way.

Luckily, modern dentistry has a few different methods for repairing and caring for chipped teeth, so there is no need to panic if you find that you have chipped or broken a tooth. You can fix or care for chipped teeth by:

Getting a filling
Most chips involve just a small portion of the tooth’s enamel breaking off. If this is what has happened to you, then you will likely only require a quick and simple filling. If the chip happened to one of your front teeth, then the repair process will also likely involve something called bonding, a cosmetic procedure which ensures that the adhesive material used looks just like a natural tooth.

Getting dental veneers
For a front tooth that is more heavily chipped, you may need to get something called a dental veneer. A veneer will cover the entire front of your tooth, filling in any chips and cracks. It is made by first getting an impression of the tooth, ensuring that the final product fits in seamlessly with your natural smile.

Wearing a night guard
As mentioned above, chipped teeth can also occur if you grind your teeth, especially while you are asleep. On top of looking into cosmetic dentistry to repair your teeth, you will also likely need a night guard to protect any dental work that you do get and to prevent the need for additional work on other teeth in the future.

Which of the above options — or perhaps which combination of options — is right for you is going to depend on your lifestyle and on the condition of your teeth. The Dentists at Richmond provide cosmetic dentistry to Calgary and the surrounding area, so if you’re looking for solutions to chipped and broken teeth, then book a consultation today. We can answer all of your questions and go over the best course of action to restore your healthy smile.

Emergency Dentists for Kids

Posted on by admen

We’re Your Emergency Dentist for Kids in Calgary

We know that parents have a lot of questions about when it’s appropriate to take their kids to the dentist for more than just a regular checkup. Nobody wants to waste time and money, and yet there are occasions when an emergency visit to a kids’ dentist in Calgary is not only a good idea, it’s necessary.

1. Accidents

One of the main concerns parents have is whether they should take their child to see a dentist or doctor if they’ve had an accident involving the mouth and teeth. That can seem like an especially dramatic choice if there’s a lot of blood and swelling in the mouth. If the accident involved a severe knock to the head and there’s a chance of concussion, your child should be seen by a medical professional immediately. But if the problem is that a tooth has been chipped, cracked or knocked loose, or if the jawbone above the gum line has received a hard knock, contact us right away for an emergency visit.

2. Toothaches

Another fairly common dental emergency we see at our kids’ dentist offices here in Calgary is toothache. It can be particularly stressful for everybody involved when piercing pain wakes up the child and doesn’t let them fall back to sleep—a recipe for a very long night indeed. Whether it’s because of a dental carie (tooth decay) or a cracked or fractured tooth, it’s considered a dental emergency and your child should be brought in to the clinic as soon as possible.

3. Questions about tooth and jaw development

On top of the labour of love of getting their kids to brush and floss twice a day, there are also developmental concerns that bring parents to our offices. You may be wondering if your child is experiencing discomfort because of how their adult teeth are growing in, or you might be worried that they still haven’t lost their first tooth by the usual age. While these questions aren’t exactly of an urgent nature, they’re still really important and ought to be taken seriously. A dentist will be able to assess the situation and make recommendations for treatment if any are required.

Doing your best

No one ever said that raising kids is easy, but keep in mind that it’s almost impossible to prevent occasional injuries to your kids’ teeth from sports or day-to-day play. For those times when your kids need to see an Calgary dentist immediately, we offer extended hours and a large staff that’s able to accommodate every schedule.

The Dentists At Richmond are always accepting new patients at our Calgary dental clinic. Call us if you have a dental emergency or to book an appointment for a checkup. We are also available for last-minute appointments. We believe there’s no reason for children to fear the dentist, and it’s our goal to help them in the safest and most pain-free way possible.

Teeth Whitening Tips

Posted on by admen

Teeth Whitening Tips

Many people who visit their dental clinic in Calgary are often seeking information on teeth whitening or on how they can avoid teeth discolouration, likely because the busy and caffeine-fueled modern lifestyle can often put a damper on our pearly whites. Thankfully, there are a few simple lifestyle changes that you can make today to preserve the lustre of your teeth.

Brush and floss your teeth regularly

The top tip for avoiding almost any sort of dental problem is to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Doing so will prevent the buildup of plaque, which makes stains far more likely to stick to your teeth. You should strive to brush and floss at least twice a day, so that plaque-causing bacteria never has enough time to firmly attach itself to the surface of your teeth.

Avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth

One of the main sources of teeth discolouration is the food and drink that we consume. Perhaps the number one culprit in our society is coffee, followed closely by tea. Drinks such as fruit juice, soda, and red wine are a leading cause of teeth discolouration as well, and so are common food items such as blueberries, blackberries, beets, and hard candy. Even dark sauces such as soy sauce, curry sauce, and tomato sauce can cause stains.

Don’t miss your dental checkups

Getting your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year is crucial for keeping a bright, white smile. Even if you are diligent with your oral hygiene, a dental professional can give you additional pointers and help identify any problem areas that you should be focusing on.

The Dentists at Richmond is a dental clinic in Calgary that can take care of all of your regular dental needs, such as cleanings and examinations. Our team can also help you decide if teeth whitening might be right for you, and provide you with information on teeth whitening procedures.

You can’t avoid discolouration altogether, it is natural as you age — just like wrinkles. Slight natural discolouration is usually not a big dental or cosmetic concern. However, keeping the above tips in mind can help you avoid unnatural and noticeable staining on your teeth, ensuring a bright and confident smile at any age.

Contact The Dentists at Richmond in Calgary, Alberta to learn more about teeth whitening services today!

Dental Myths

Posted on by admen
dental myths

Dental Myths that Calgary Dentists Can Debunk

Most people are aware of the important role that tooth enamel plays in dental health. However, many living in Calgary often have questions for their dentists about what it really takes to sustain strong enamel and keep their teeth bright and white at the same time. Since there is some confusion surrounding the issue, it is important to separate the myths from the facts about what really can help or hurt your enamel.

First, let’s start with some of the habits that can wear down your enamel:

Eating acidic foods

Acid can not only wear away at your enamel, but it can cause significant staining on your teeth as well. If you are experiencing these issues, then you may want to stay away from acidic foods and drinks such as berries, fruit juices, red wine, pickles, citrus fruits, coffee, and tea.

Eating foods that are high in sugar

Sugar provides the food that the bacteria in your mouth needs to thrive and grow, especially if it gets stuck between your teeth and in hard-to-reach places. On top of making sure you brush and floss regularly, you should also try to stop consuming hard candies, dried fruits, and sugary pop drinks.

Grinding your teeth

Even if you avoid the right foods and have good dental hygiene, you may still be damaging your enamel by grinding your teeth. This can be a particular problem at night, when you may not even be aware of it. Make sure to talk to your dentist about whether your teeth show signs of grinding.

Can at-home whitening kits wear down enamel?

It is a myth that at-home whitening kits can damage your tooth enamel. They may cause temporary sensitivity when used, but simply using one kit should result in no permanent damage. Of course, you should always consult your dentist before using any at-home teeth whitening kits instead of simply picking one up from the drugstore.

If you are looking for some teeth whitening solutions in Calgary, then make an appointment to come see The Dentists at Richmond. Our dental professionals can provide you with an at-home whitening kit and help answer any questions that you may have about how to get both a white and healthy smile.

Tooth Sensitivity

Posted on by admen

Eliminate Tooth Discomfort

Aside from coming in for regular checkups, many people in Calgary visit their dental clinic because they are experiencing tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is a common problem with many different possible causes, such as not flossing, brushing your teeth too hard, brushing your teeth the wrong way, or even grinding your teeth.

Here are some simple measures that you can take at home to prevent tooth sensitivity:

1. Use a softer toothbrush

Some people experience tooth sensitivity simply because their toothbrush’s bristles are too ridged, because they are brushing too hard, or a combination of both. If your teeth and gums often feel sore after you brush, then you should consider using a softer toothbrush with specially designed bristles to help prevent tooth sensitivity.

2. Consider using a night guard

Another common cause of sensitive teeth is teeth grinding, especially at night time. If you often wake up with a sore jaw, then it is likely that you clench or grind your teeth while you are sleeping. Night guards help reduce wearing and cracking of your teeth, thereby helping to prevent tooth sensitivity and pain in the future.

3. Use home fluoride

Teeth can become sensitive if the protective coating which usually covers them, called enamel, begins to wear away. This exposes the more tender inner layer, which is very sensitive to hot or cold. Fluoride is typically used by dentists and added into toothpastes because it works to protect enamel, helping to reduce teeth sensitivity. There are now even prescription and over-the-counter fluoride treatments that you can apply at home.

4. Visit your dental clinic

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity or any sort of tooth discomfort, then it is always a good idea to pay a visit to your dental clinic. Only a trained dentist can properly diagnose the source of your pain and decide what kind of lifestyle or toothbrushing habit changes are needed.

There is no reason to continue living with the pain of tooth sensitivity. If you are looking for a family dental clinic in North Calgary, Alberta then come see The Dentists at Richmond. We can help you figure out what is causing your tooth sensitivity, and recommend the right plan of action for you.

Getting Root Canal Treatments

Posted on by admen

Getting Root Canal Treatments in Calgary

A root canal can seem like a fairly intimidating dental procedure, especially if you don’t know a whole lot about it. In truth, however, you have very little to worry about. Modern dental technology can help ensure a comfortable and stress-free experience.

Still a bit nervous? Let’s put your mind at ease by answering some basic questions that many people have about root canals.

What is a root canal treatment?

Every human tooth has a root canal system which is filled with a soft pulp of blood vessels and nerves. A root canal treatment is the name given to the process of removing pulp from inside of your tooth if it has become damaged or infected. If the pulp is not removed, then the tooth may become abscessed.

What does a root canal treatment involve?

A root canal treatment always begins with the use of local anesthetic so that the affected area is sufficiently frozen before any other work is begun. A rubber dam is then placed around the affected tooth to keep the area free of bacteria and saliva, after which the dentist makes an opening in the tooth in order to remove the damaged pulp.

Does a root canal treatment hurt?

The only source of discomfort and pain that you should expect during a root canal treatment is the initial anesthetic needle. However, once you are numb you will not be able to feel the dentist working on your tooth. After the numbness has worn off you may experience some mild tenderness, which can be taken care of with over-the-counter painkillers. It is not common to experience extreme pain or swelling after a root canal.

Do I need a root canal?

Some signs and symptoms that the pulp in your tooth has become infected or damaged include; a discoloration of the tooth, swelling of the gums, extreme pain or sensitivity to heat or cold, and a painful toothache when any sort of pressure is applied to the tooth.

If you live in or around the Calgary area and you are looking to consult with a dentist about a possible root canal, then get in touch with The Dentists at Richmond in Calgary, Alberta today. We can help you decide if a root canal is the best treatment option for you.

Basic Hygiene Steps

Posted on by admen

Basic Steps to Sustaining Healthy Oral Hygiene

Deciding to maintain healthy oral hygiene is one of the most important and positive health choices that you could make for yourself. Not only will sustaining healthy oral hygiene help to prevent cavities and tooth decay, but it will also help to save you time and money when you do visit your Calgary dental office.

Here are four basic tips to help keep your teeth beautiful and your mouth healthy:

Try to brush your teeth at least three times a day

Many people are good about brushing their teeth after they wake up and before they go to bed, but to really keep your teeth and gums healthy you should strive to brush your teeth at some point in the middle of the day as well. You should also try to brush for at least two minutes each time.

Floss daily

Frequent tooth brushing is important, but just brushing on its own isn’t enough to keep the dental problems at bay. Flossing is just as crucial for a healthy mouth, and needs to be done daily in order to be effective. If you have a hard time getting into the habit because you find flossing to be tedious and uncomfortable, then consider using flossing sticks instead of regular floss.

Avoid eating too many acidic foods

Your teeth are exposed to a lot of daily wear and tear, and their only form of protection is a protective layer of enamel. Acidic food or drink such as citrus fruits, fruit juices, tomatoes, berries, and vinegars can wear away at this protective coating, making your teeth more susceptible to sensitivity, cavities, and tooth decay.

Make sure to attend regular dental appointments

Regularly going to the dentist may seem like a counterintuitive way to spend less time at the dentist, but the truth is that keeping tabs on your oral health by seeing a professional will go a long way to preventing damaging, costly, and time-consuming dental problems in the future.

The Dentists at Richmond are a family and kids dentist located in North Calgary, Alberta. We welcome patients of all ages and with all dental needs. Our preventative dental exams and cleanings will help you sustain the healthy oral hygiene that is so crucial to your overall health, so make an appointment and come see us today.