The risk for having a tooth injury is heightened when playing sports—and not just high-impact sports like hockey or boxing.

If you or your children participate in any kind of athletic activity, it’s important to know what to do if a tooth breaks or chips.

What to do if you suffer from a tooth injury

If a tooth is cracked, chipped or broken, it’s important to see your dentist as quickly as possible. Before heading to the dental clinic, you can take over the counter pain medication to ease any pain. If the injured tooth is now sharp and jagged, cover it with a bit of sugar-free gum to protect your lips and tongue from getting cut.

How the dentist will fix a chipped or broken tooth

If the tooth is broken or cracked, your dentist has different methods to repair it.

Filling and bonding

Your dentist may fill the area with the same type of materials used for filling cavities. This is only used for small chips on teeth that aren’t visible when you smile. If the tooth that’s damaged is one that’s visible when you smile, the dentist will probably use dental bonding, a tooth-coloured composite resin. This involves the dentist first roughening the surface of the tooth with a liquid or gel, and then applying an adhesive followed by the resin. They then shape the tooth and set it using an ultraviolet light.

Other cosmetic options

Sometimes fillings or bonding aren’t the best option for fixing a chipped or cracked tooth and dentists may suggest other procedures. For example, if the tooth’s enamel is visibly cracked but isn’t at risk for further damage, they may use veneers to restore the look of the tooth. If the tooth has suffered too much damage or is already decayed, they may cover it with a crown or replace it entirely with a dental implant. If you or your child has a broken or chipped tooth, it’s important to get to your general, cosmetic or kids dentist as soon as possible (within a 24 hour period is recommended). A broken tooth is a dental emergency and responding quickly will allow your dentist to more effectively repair your smile. For priority care during an emergency, the dental clinic at Janz Family Dental is available. We’re located in West Edmonton and are always happy to accept new patients. Call us today to make an appointment or visit us at our clinic for immediate attention.

Everyone’s mouth gets dry from time to time. However, if the feeling doesn’t go away, you may have chronic dry mouth or xerostomia. This issue raises your risk for developing tooth decay, gum disease and mouth infections, so it’s important to treat it. Symptoms of dry mouth If you have xerostomia, you may notice some of these symptoms:

• A dry or sticky feeling in your mouth
• Thick or stringy saliva
• Bad breath
• Difficulty eating or speaking
• Sores or cracked skin in the corners of your mouth

5 Common questions about dry mouth

These are the questions we hear most frequently from our patients with dry mouth.

1. What causes dry mouth?

There are different reasons you may be experiencing dry mouth.

• Dehydration. Not drinking enough water can lead to dry mouth, as can dry air and breathing through your mouth.
• Medications. Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs list dry mouth as a side effect. Cancer medications, antihistamines and decongestants are the most likely to inhibit saliva production.
• Tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs. These substances can cause dry mouth.
• Health conditions. Dry mouth can be due to certain health conditions such as HIV, type 2 diabetes and autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome.

2. How is dry mouth treated?

If your dry mouth is caused by medication, talk to your doctor about the possibility of changing your prescription. Alternatively, your physician can prescribe you a medication that encourages saliva production.

3. Does dry mouth go away?

With the right treatment, there is a good chance your dry mouth will go away. However, if it’s caused by a medical condition, saliva production may never come back entirely.

4. How can I stop dry mouth at night?

Sleep with your mouth closed and seek treatment for snoring. Keep a humidifier in your bedroom to prevent the air from getting too dry.

5. What’s a natural cure for dry mouth?

Try sipping water throughout the day and always breathe through your nose. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candies can also promote saliva production.

Why you should treat dry mouth ASAP

Saliva production is very important to your oral health. It helps keep your teeth free from decay-causing germs and bacteria. Insufficient saliva can lead to cavities, gum disease, bad breath and difficulty swallowing. If you suffer from dry mouth, regular dental check ups are integral to maintaining your oral health.

If you or a family member has dry mouth, a general or kids dentist can help protect your teeth and mouth. A dentist at Janz Family Dental clinic in Edmonton will be happy to help you find a solution. Call us today to make an appointment.

Flossing has many benefits. The drawbacks? None—save the several minutes it tacks on to your daily oral hygiene routine. Rest assured this is time well spent. Keep reading to learn why.

Why is flossing important?

Flossing is a way to clean the spaces between your teeth and along your gum line—everywhere your toothbrush can’t get to. These hard-to-reach areas harbour destructive microbes that generate plaque.

Plaque buildup can quickly lead to gum disease. Symptoms include:

• Red and swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Painful gums
• Bad breath
• Loose or shifting teeth

Furthermore, infected gums become a hotspot for further bacteria growth. Left untreated, gum disease can result in serious conditions such as respiratory infections and heart disease.

The gravity of these potential oral health issues are reason enough to get flossing. In just a few minutes a day you can combat gum disease and avoid the extensive treatments needed by those who are afflicted with it.

How to floss

Flossing is easy to do. Wrap a piece about 15 to 18 inches long around your index fingers. Then, sliding it in the spaces between your teeth, clean the sides of the adjacent teeth with an up-and-down scrubbing motion and clean the space between the gum and teeth with a back-and-forth, or sawing, motion. Floss at least once a day.

If you aren’t used to flossing and your gums begin to bleed, start off with a soft floss. Don’t let bleeding or pain put you off flossing. Generally this only tells you that you’ve been neglecting flossing for too long.

If you have trouble handling floss, look into alternatives such as floss picks, interdental brushes and electric flossers. Speak with your dentist if you require a demonstration on proper flossing techniques.

Dental clinic in Edmonton

Brushing and flossing are essential to good oral health. So is regular visits to your dentist for teeth cleaning.

Janz Family Dental helps you get a clean and healthy mouth and a great smile. We offer complete children’s dental services and know how to make a kid’s visit to the dentist a pleasant one. We also provide cosmetic dentistry services such as fittings for custom veneers and teeth whitening treatments. To make an appointment with an experienced Edmonton dentist, contact us today.

Tooth enamel—the hard outer surface of the teeth—is the strongest substance in the human body. It isn’t, however, indestructible.

If not properly taken care of, it erodes over time—and enamel can’t grow back. And yet tooth enamel is vitally important: it protects against tooth decay and shields sensitive inner layers of the teeth. Here are 6 enamel-eroding habits to avoid.

1. Brushing right after eating

Brushing at least twice a day is vital to your oral health; however, you should brush 30 minutes after drinking or eating, especially if you’ve consumed something acidic. During and directly following meals your teeth are in their weakest state due to contact with acids.

2. Vigorously brushing

Brushing too hard can lead to enamel erosion. Brush gently and use a soft-bristled toothbrush.

3. Consuming acidic food and drinks

Excessive exposure to acids erodes tooth enamel. Limit your intake of food and drinks such as citrus fruits, fruit juices, alcoholic beverages and sour foods and candies.

4. Consuming sweets

Bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugar, and they produce acids that erode enamel. Limit your sugar intake and brush regularly to rid your mouth of harmful bacteria.

5. Leaving a dry mouth untreated

Your saliva contains minerals like calcium and phosphate that protect your enamel. If you have a chronically dry mouth, one solution is to chew sugar-free gum after meals to stimulate saliva production. 6. Leaving gastrointestinal issues untreated. Conditions such as acid reflux, heartburn and GERD cause stomach acid to rise to the mouth, which can damage enamel. If you believe you have one of these conditions, consult your doctor and closely follow the prescribed treatment plan. It’s important to stamp out enamel-eroding habits, and equally essential to adopt habits that proactively protect your enamel. This means consuming a healthy diet containing food and drink that is rich in protein and calcium, such as dairy and leafy greens. It also means keeping your teeth healthy naturally through good oral hygiene.

Family dentistry in Edmonton

A good oral hygiene routine includes a yearly teeth cleaning and regular checkups with your dentist. If you’re looking for a reliable family dentist in Edmonton, count on Janz Family Dental. Our father-and-son operated dental clinic provides kids dental services. We have patients of all ages and know how to make a kid’s visit to the dentist as pleasant as possible. We also offer a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures, including teeth whitening and creating custom veneers. For an experienced dentist in Edmonton, contact us today.

Having bright, white teeth keeps you looking young and feeling confident, and with Christmas just around the corner, you’ll want to look your best.

This December, why not take the time to get your teeth whitened so you can show off your most dazzling smile? At Janz Family Dental, we offer professional teeth whitening treatments that guarantee superb long-lasting results. Keep reading to learn more.

Why you should consider teeth whitening

Over time, your teeth naturally become discoloured by what you eat and drink. Beverages like coffee, tea, wine, dark soda and sports drinks are especially likely to cause tooth discolouration. Smoking also stains your teeth.

Teeth whitening often does wonders for our patients’ confidence and self-esteem. If you’re afraid to smile with your teeth for pictures, or you’re constantly embarrassed by the state of your smile, getting your teeth whitened could greatly improve your quality of life.

How to get whiter teeth at Janz Family Dental

At Janz Family Dental, our tooth whitening procedures provide optimal results while protecting your enamel and gums from damage. We use spa dent, which combines Blue and Red light technologies to whiten teeth and heal oral tissue. No heat. No UV light. No dehydration. This means you no longer need impressions for custom-fitted teeth whitening trays and can also expect less sensitivity!

Keep in mind that a teeth whitening treatment is also the perfect gift for a friend or family member who may be reluctant to invest in the treatments themselves. This holiday season, bring a smile to someone’s face by giving them the chance to have their teeth whitened by an experienced professional.

Cosmetic dentistry in Edmonton

Whether you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist you can trust or it’s time for your next teeth cleaning, the dentists at Janz Family Dental can help. We offer a wide range of dental services, from emergency care to veneers and Invisalign®. To book an appointment at our clinic in West Edmonton, give us a call today.

Children are more prone to getting cavities than adults, which means it’s vital that their teeth receive adequate fluoride protection from a young age.

However, too much fluoride can also pose health risks for kids. In today’s blog post, we’ll go over how fluoride protects your teeth and what you need to know about safe fluoride treatments for kids.

What is fluoride and how do you get it?

Fluoride is a mineral found in soil, water and various foods that’s been proven to strengthen tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.

There are a few ways to get enough fluoride to protect your teeth. Many municipalities adjust the level of fluoride in their drinking water to help keep residents’ teeth healthy. Research shows that the right amount of fluoride in drinking water lowers of the risk of tooth decay in one out of every four adults and one out of every three children. Here in Edmonton, we’re lucky enough to have fluoride in our drinking water (unlike Calgary, which no longer has water fluoridation).

Another way you can up your intake of fluoride is by using toothpastes and rinses that contain it as an ingredient. Finally, it’s important for both kids and adults to see a dentist every six months to receive fluoride treatments from a dental professional.

Should children use fluoridated toothpastes?

Whether your child should use fluoridated toothpaste depends on their age and risk for tooth decay. If your child is over the age of three, the Canadian Dental Association recommends using toothpaste that contains fluoride. However, you should supervise their brushing until you’re certain that they’ve learned how to brush correctly without swallowing. Only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Fluoridated toothpastes aren’t advised for children under the age of three unless a dentist determines they’re at risk for developing tooth decay. This could be true if you live in an area without fluoridated drinking water, your child regularly consumes sugar between meals (including sweetened medications).

Avoid giving kids too much—or too little—fluoride

It’s essential to monitor kids’ fluoride intake to avoid dental fluorosis, a condition that causes tooth discolouration and damage. It results from ingesting too much fluoride while tooth enamel is still developing. To make sure your kids are getting enough fluoride without risking the possibility of fluorosis, consult with a kids dentist.

If you’re looking for a family dentist in Edmonton, get in touch with Janz Family Dental. We provide a wide range of dental services, including cosmetic procedures. Our dentists are also highly experienced in working with kids and are a great choice for your child’s first teeth cleaning. To book an appointment with a dentist at our clinic in Edmonton, contact us today.

Every child deserves to have healthy teeth but not all families can afford to see a dentist regularly.

Because of this, the province of Alberta offers preventive dental treatments for preschool and school-age children from low-income families.

Fluoride protection for toddlers

The Alberta Oral Health Program offers fluoride varnishes to toddlers aged 12 to 35 months old. Registered dental assistants and hygienists brush the treatment onto children’s teeth as they sit on their parents’ laps. This service can be redeemed by each child up to four times and is offered once every six months. It can be implemented even if the child only has a few teeth.

To find out if your child is eligible for this program, visit the Alberta Health Services website.

School oral health services

Selected schools in low income neighbourhoods offer preventive dental services. Children from kindergarten to grade two can receive fluoride varnish treatments and those in grade one and two are offered dental sealants. Registered dental hygienists and assistants administer these services. If your child’s school participates in this program, they’ll send you a consent form and information

For more information about this program, visit the School Oral Health services page from Alberta Health Services.

Why these treatments are important

Fluoride varnishes and dental sealants work together to help prevent tooth decay in children who may or may not visit a dentist regularly. Here’s what you should know about them:

Fluoride varnish.

A concentrated form of fluoride is applied to teeth using a special brush. It dries almost immediately and kids can eat and drink right away following the treatment. However, their teeth shouldn’t be brushed for a few hours after application of the varnish. Minerals in the fluoride treatment help prevent tooth decay and can help strengthen weakened teeth. The treatment wears off with regular tooth brushing.

Dental sealants.

The grooves and bumps on molars are hard to clean with regular brushing and flossing. To protect these areas from tooth decay, dental sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and other teeth that are used for chewing. They act as a shield for the teeth against acid and plaque that can damage the teeth. Sealants can last up to ten years, but not all teeth benefit from them.

By combining these two treatments, the chance of tooth decay is greatly reduced, saving you from costly dental repairs.

If you’re concerned about your kids teeth, visit a dentist at the Janz Family Dental clinic. We offer sealants, fluoride treatments, teeth cleaning and check ups for kids and adults in West Edmonton. Call us today to make an appointment.

Wisdom teeth are the last ones to erupt and generally start to develop in the late teen years or early 20s.

While many people never have their wisdom teeth removed, others will have to have some or all of them taken out.

Why your wisdom teeth may need to be extracted

If there’s not enough room in your mouth for the new teeth to come in normally, they may grow in at unnatural angles or become impacted. This can cause pain, damage to the neighbouring teeth or infection in the gums. Dental cysts can also develop around or next to the impacted tooth. Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include pain or swelling in your gums and jaws.

Your dentist will be able to determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed by taking X-rays of your teeth and jaws. They’ll see how your teeth are growing in before they have a chance to cause problems for the rest of your teeth and mouth.

Wisdom tooth removal

You dentist may use local or general anaesthesia while removing your wisdom teeth, depending on the severity of your case and how many teeth are to be extracted. If they use local anaesthesia, they may offer you laughing gas to keep you calm.

They’ll start by exposing the tooth by lifting the gum tissue and removing the bone that blocks the root. Once the way is clear, they’ll remove the tooth. This may involve breaking your tooth into pieces to make it easier to remove.

Once it’s out, they’ll carefully clean the site and if necessary, stitch the incision. They’ll also apply clean gauze over the area to control the bleeding.

Aftercare

After your wisdom tooth removal, you’ll need to rest for a few days. Apply cold compresses to your cheeks to reduce the swelling and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you’re in pain. You’ll only be able to eat soft foods for a few days, so stock up on yogurt, applesauce and soup.

Do not probe the area with your tongue or smoke, which can slow healing and cause an infection. Don’t drink from a straw for at least a week to avoid getting dry socket, an extremely painful condition where the blood clot that protects the bone and nerve endings is dislodged.

Things to think about

Young people have an easier time recovering from wisdom tooth removal because the roots of the teeth are less developed. Make sure your kids dentist in West Edmonton does X-rays regularly to catch an impacted wisdom tooth early enough for easy removal.

Whether you need an extraction, a routine teeth cleaning or an emergency dental appointment, Janz Family Dental clinic is available for those in and around Edmonton. Call us to make an appointment today.

Many people use a whitening toothpaste to control surface stains on their teeth. But what about markings that are chalky white?

In order to know how to get rid of these white spots, you need to understand how they got there.

What causes white spots on your teeth?

There are a few different reasons your teeth can develop white spots.

Fluorosis.

Overexposure to fluoride during the first eight years of a person’s life can cause white or brown markings to appear on the teeth. Fluorosis doesn’t affect the health of the teeth and can’t be developed once teeth have erupted from the gum.

Demineralization. .

Tartar, also known as calculus, can build up on your teeth if plaque isn’t removed properly. This is the first sign of tooth decay.

Hypocalcification.

This is caused by overconsumption of acidic food and drinks and/or poor oral hygiene. The loss of the minerals that make up your tooth enamel can cause white spots to develop on the teeth.

Dehydration.

Sleeping with your mouth open can cause white spots to appear on your teeth. You’ll know if dehydration is the cause if they disappear within a few hours. Sleeping with your mouth closed will stop your teeth from drying out.

Treating white spots

It may be tempting to try to remove tartar from you teeth yourself, but don’t do it—you risk damaging your teeth.! A dentist at our clinic in West Edmonton will be able to completely remove it safely during a routine cleaning. For very stubborn or noticeable spots, your dentist or hygienist may suggest microabrasion. This painless procedure involves removing the white spots by very lightly scrubbing them off. Typically, a whitening treatment follows. Your dental professional may also suggest using a toothpaste that aids in remineralizing your teeth. For the most severe cases, crowns and composite veneers can be used to mask the white spots.

Avoiding white spots

You can avoid demineralization and hypocalcification with proper dental hygiene: brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day and have a checkup and professional cleaning done at a dental clinic in Edmonton twice a year. If you’re worried about fluorosis, ask your kids dentist what you can do to avoid it. Since the water in Edmonton is fluoridated, they may suggest avoiding other drinks that are fortified with fluoride and using toothpaste with no fluoride. If you mix formula to feed your baby, ask your pediatrician if you should be using non-fluoridated water.

Getting help removing white spots

If you have white spots on your teeth, visit Janz Family Dental for a cleaning and checkup. Our dental professionals will tell you why you have these spots and how you can treat them. Call us today to make an appointment.