When it comes to your oral health, most people know about protecting themselves against cavities. They’re not the only threat you should be aware of, however. We at Janz Family Dental offer family and children’s dentist services at our clinic in Edmonton. One potential threat to your oral health that you may be less familiar with is teeth grinding. Although it may not sound like that serious a problem, it can be if left untreated. Teeth grinding (also known as “bruxism”) means more than just clenching your jaw every so often. If you frequently grind your teeth, either while you sleep or while awake, over time it can do a lot of damage to your teeth’s enamel and your jaw. Given enough time, grinding can chip away at your enamel, cause stress fractures in your teeth, or lead to headaches, chronic pain, or more substantial jaw damage. What’s more, because grinding happens over a long period of time and while you’re asleep, you may not even know that you’re doing it until the damage has already been done.

What causes teeth grinding?

If it happens at night, teeth grinding is categorized as a sleep-related movement disorder. It also often occurs in conjunction with other movement disorders like snoring or sleep apnea. A few common causes of teeth grinding, either at night or during the day, include:

• Sleep Apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax during the night, blocking the airway and interrupting breathing. People tend to subconsciously grind there teeth in order to shift their
• Jaw into a more optimal position for breathing.
• Stress. Perhaps the most common cause of bruxism. Some people react to stress by unconsciously grinding their teeth either while awake or while they sleep.
• Reactions to medication. Teeth grinding can bean unwanted side effect of some medications.
• Genetic predisposition. According to some studies, if your parents grind their teeth, you’re more likely to grind your teeth as well.
• Age. Bruxism can occur in young children. While most grow out of the habit, not all do.

What can I do to prevent teeth grinding?

Luckily, there’s a lot you can to do prevent the worst of the damage that teeth grinding can cause, including:

• Finding stress-management techniques. Whether it’s exercise, meditation, or some other technique, finding ways to deal with daily stress can help your health.
• Night guards. A common and effective method of protecting your teeth from the effects of grinding is to get a custom-made night guard (a plastic mouthpiece, like a mouth guard you might see an athlete use) from your local dentist in Edmonton.
• Medication. For more serious cases, a muscle relaxant or other medication may be necessary.
• Dental correction. For the most extreme cases, some kind of surgical procedure to prevent further damage may even be necessary.

If you’re worried you or your child are experiencing bruxism, visit us at Janz Family Dental today. Whether you need a children’s dentist or one for the whole family, contact our dental clinic in Edmonton today to find out how we can help you protect every aspect of your oral health.

We like to do everything we can to help our patients take care of their teeth, even when you’re not in the dentist’s chair for your annual teeth cleaning.

That includes letting you know a few things you can do when you’re stuck somewhere without a toothbrush. Maybe you have a busy day at work and don’t have time to go home, you’ve simply forgotten your toothbrush while on a trip or just want a way to freshen up during a day running around Edmonton. Although there’s no real substitute for a good brushing, here are a few ways to freshen up your mouth without a toothbrush:

• Even if you don’t have your brush, floss and mouthwash can still achieve a lot. Not having your brush doesn’t mean you can’t still to do other parts of your oral health routine.
• Before there was the toothbrush, there was the toothpick. Although brushes are much more efficient, you can still attack some more obvious plaque and debris with a toothpick.
• You may not have your brush to get in the nooks and crannies, but that doesn’t stop the fluoride in your toothpaste from being beneficial to you teeth. Put a dollop of it on a sheet of paper towel and use it as you would a brush. It’s not perfect but it’ll do in a pinch.
• Chewing gum can help get rid of the worst of the debris from your meal. Just be sure you use sugar-free gum!
• Believe it or not, eating cheese can help with your oral health when there isn’t another option. Cheese is low in harmful sugar and has enzymes in it that can aid in breaking down the leftover bits of food in your mouth.
• Crunchy fruits and veggies, like gum, can act as a kind of brush and help get plaque off your teeth. One more reason to take a nice apple, piece of celery, or a baby carrot for an afternoon snack.
• One last way to protect your oral health is to simply avoid sugar and starch if you don’t have a brush with you. It’s not a permanent solution (who can stay away from them forever?) but there’s no need to make a bad situation worse.

If you need a teeth cleaning, 24 hour emergency dentist care, or kids’ dentist care, contact us at Janz Family Dental today. A dentist at our Edmonton clinic can make recommendations on how you can easily stick to your oral health routine, no matter what life throws at you.

Vacations are supposed to be a time when everyone in the family gets to relax and enjoy the things in life that school and work typically push to the sidelines. We all know, however, that that isn’t always how it works out. At Janz Family Dental we offer children’s dental care, 24 hour emergency dental care and regular trips to the dentist for an annual cleaning. If you need to visit a dentist’s clinic in the Edmonton area, we’re here for all your dental needs. We know, however, that you’re not always in the immediate vicinity of our dental clinic. That doesn’t stop toothache from happening though. A lot of different things can cause toothache. For example:

• Tooth decay is the most common cause of toothache. It occurs when the acid produced by bacteria that live in plaque in your mouth breaks down your teeth’s enamel, exposing the sensitive layers below.
• Inflammation or infection of the gums caused by things such as gingivitis can lead to severe pain in your teeth.
• If you’ve experienced any trauma to your teeth, from chipping to cracking to having a tooth knocked out, it can be quite painful.
• It may seem counter intuitive but some kinds of sinus infection can be felt as tooth pain.

Of course, if you’re stuck somewhere far from your dentist with severe toothache, you may not care very much why it’s happening. You simply want it to stop. Here are just a few emergency measures you can take to tide you over until you can visit one of our dentists for your emergency at Janz Family Dental in Edmonton:

• Flossing to remove any debris stuck in between your teeth or gums can sometimes relieve pain.
• Rinse your mouth with hot water to wash any debris that is irritating a cavity in your enamel.
• If the pain is severe, you can take an over-the-counter(OTC) pain reliever to take the edge off the worst of the pain.
• In extreme cases you may even want to take an OTC benzocaine product. Depending on which product you get, they can be strong so it’s best to avoid medicating yourself unless it’s necessary. Be sure to consult with a pharmacist before taking any strong medication to ensure that you won’t have any adverse reactions.
• If you’ve experienced any trauma to your teeth, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth.

At Janz Family Dental, we know that things don’t always go as planned. That’s why we offer 24 hour emergency dental services in addition to our children’s dentist services and regular teeth cleaning services. If you have an emergency, don’t hesitate to contact our dentists at our clinic in Edmonton today.

Fillings For My Teeth: What Are My Options?

It’s become common practice to take better care of our teeth in the last few decades.

In the past, dental hygiene was simply something that needed to be taken care of when a problem would come up. Unfortunately, despite our efforts to keep our teeth clean, cavities still happen. At Janz Family Dental clinic, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for you and your teeth. Let our dental staff walk you through the different options you have when it comes to filling your cavities.

Different Types of Filling

With advances in dental technology, the industry now has a number of different materials and methods available to safely fill cavities. Let’s take a look at which methods and materials are most commonly used by dentists across the country:

1. Amalgam

As the name suggests, this type of filling is made up of a mixture of different kinds of metal. It contains tin, copper, silver, zinc, as well as about 50% mercury. Dentists have been using this type of filling for over 150 years, and it remains one of the most commonly used materials to this day. They’re the most inexpensive option on the list and last for a long time. The only real drawbacks are their tendency to darken over time, and become more visible and their mercury content, which (although deemed safe by health Canada) might make some parents nervous when getting fillings for their children.

2. Composite

Composite fillings are made from powdered glass and acrylic resin. This material is far less durable than metal and should only be used for teeth that don’t experience a high level of pressure. On the plus side, it can be coloured to match your teeth, which makes it perfect for smaller fillings on the surface of your front four.

3. Gold

It’s durable, it’s long lasting and it’s effective for up to two decades. As far as fillings go, there are worse options than gold. The only true drawbacks are the price—gold is the most expensive material used in fillings—and the fact that gold fillings require more than one appointment to be applied.

4. Porcelain

Porcelain is similar to gold in that it’s used to repair damage that’s almost, but not quite, extensive enough to warrant a crown. While less durable than their gold counterparts, porcelain fillings can be coloured to look like your natural teeth.

5. Resin

These types of fillings are generally used on children’s teeth and are great for filling in tiny cavities. For an appointment with a children’s dentist in Edmonton, give us a call today and schedule an appointment.

For teeth cleaning in Edmonton, or 24 hour emergency dentist services call Janz Family Dental Clinic. Our staff will have your smile looking great in no time at all.

What To Expect At Your Dental Checkup At Janz Family Dental

Whether you just moved to Edmonton or have decided to change your dentist in Edmonton we want you to feel comfortable with our team and procedures at Janz Family Dental.

When you come to our dental office for a dental checkup this is what you can expect.

Health History

If this is your first visit we will take a full health history and will update our records upon subsequent visits. Please let us know if your health has changed between visits.

X-Ray

Before getting to the actual cleaning and examination, your dentist will assess the need for an X-ray to be taken. Dental X-rays can be used to identify problems like impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts, tooth decay and so much more that your dentist might not see while examining the inside of your mouth. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, expect to have X-rays taken.

Teeth Cleaning

Before the dentist even takes a look at the inside of your mouth, a dental hygienist will spend around one hour thoroughly cleaning your teeth. This process involves the use of specialized tools to apply cleaning agents to your teeth as well as scrape below the gum line to remove any buildup of plaque that could cause serious problems down the line. Your dental hygienist will probably also floss your teeth (and show you how to do it properly if you don’t already know how).

Examination

Once the hygienist is done cleaning your teeth, the dentist will come in and do a full examination of your mouth. He will look for signs of tooth decay and gum disease as well as check on your wisdom teeth to ensure there’s no infection and that they’re not impeding your other teeth. If your dentist discovers a cavity (or any other problem), he will have you schedule a follow-up appointment to have it taken care of (they usually won’t do these procedures right after a cleaning). Make sure you visit every six months.

While it isn’t necessary to fast before coming to the dentist, try not to eat anything that might get caught in your teeth and make your cleaning more difficult!

We are transparent about our dental fees and accept all major dental insurance plans. Make an appointment at Janz Family Dental clinic in Edmonton today. We’ll have your smile looking its very brightest.

5 Easy Ways To Stop Tooth Decay In Its Tracks And Keep Cavities At Bay

If it’s been years since you’ve seen your dentist for a professional teeth cleaning, or if you routinely fall asleep without brushing your teeth, you may be at risk for tooth decay.

Book an appointment with a family dentist in Edmonton without delay and keep reading for five easy ways you can stop tooth decay in its tracks and keep cavities at bay while you’re waiting for your next appointment.

1. Take care of your teeth

Cavities form when acid-causing bacteria accumulates on your teeth and gums. Over time this bacteria wears down your enamel and eats away at your teeth until you find yourself with no choice but to book an appointment for a root canal with your local Edmonton dentist. Brush your teeth for two full minutes, twice a day and floss every night before you go to sleep. This will wash bacteria away and prevent tooth decay from taking over.

2. Opt for fluoridated pastes and rinses

When choosing a toothpaste and mouthwash, be sure to opt for products that contain fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that’s been proven to be highly effective at preventing cavities by strengthening your enamel and lowering the amount of acid present in your mouth.

3. Nourish your body

Opting for foods that are dense in vital nutrients can go a long way towards repairing your teeth and preventing cavities. Not only will you nourish your body, which can improve your overall health, but by eating nutrient-dense foods, you’ll give your body all the fuel it needs to keep your teeth in tip-top shape.

4. Avoid sugar

One of the best things that you can do for your teeth, and for your health in general, is to avoid eating sugary or starchy foods as much as possible. Sugars and starches feed the acid-forming bacteria inside your mouth and can speed up the process of tooth decay and gum disease.

5. Get regular checkups

Make an appointment for a checkup and thorough teeth cleaning with a family dentist from Janz Family Dental in Edmonton today. Regular checkups are one of the best ways to protect your oral health and spot minor problems before they become major conditions.

Janz Family Dental offers an array of dental services for the whole family. Our passion in life is to make sure that you and every one of our patients can smile with confidence at any age. Contact us today to learn more about the services and procedures we offer or to schedule an appointment.

The 3 Most Common Types Of Dental Sedation Used In Alberta

The Alberta government closely monitors and regulates the use of dental sedatives by dentists across the province in order to ensure that industry standards and safety practices are being met. There are many different scenarios, which might require the use of dental sedation.

For example, a children’s dentist might use dental sedation to calm a terrified child, or a 24-hour emergency dentist might need to sedate a patient in order to minimize pain and save a tooth. Dentists performing cosmetic dentistry may require a patient to be sedated during a lengthy procedure. Whatever the circumstances, your dentist in Edmonton will likely use one of the following three types of dental sedatives. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Intra-venous (IV) sedation

IV sedation is used on patients who are feeling anxious about receiving dental treatment. Sedation medication is administered through an IV in the arm. With IV sedation, you’ll be numb enough to not feel pain, but still awake enough to be aware of your surroundings. If you’ve received IV medication, you’ll need someone to drive you home after your appointment.

2. Oral sedation

The strength of oral sedation drugs can vary depending on the type used and the amount given, and are used to induce a state of calm, drowsiness, or even deep sleep. You will not be able to drive yourself home after receiving oral sedation.

3. Laughing gas

Laughing gas is a powerful sedative that can be used to sedate patients undergoing extensive dental work, or who are anxious about having a dental procedure done. A few of the benefits of laughing gas are that the dosage can be quickly and easily adjusted to last as long as needed, no injection is required and there are no lasting side effects so patients can drive themselves home after treatment.

When Dental Sedation is Used

The type of sedation that you receive depends on your overall health as well as the options that your dentist offers. It’s important to note that in Alberta, only an anesthesiologist can administer sedation medications.

Janz Family Dental offers laughing gas, oral sedation and a mix of the two together which offers deeper level sedation at the dental clinic in Edmonton. Speak to one of the dentists at Janz Family Dental to learn more about which type of dental sedation method is right for you. Janz Family Dental is a family run dental clinic with more than 30 years of experience.

If you’re looking for a children’s dentist, a 24-hour emergency dentist or just a regular dentist that you can visit for routine checkups, visit Janz Family Dental in Edmonton without delay. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to book an appointment.

Things You Need To Know About Your Child’s Dental Care

There are a lot of things you need to know about caring for your child’s teeth. Sometimes you need a step-by-step rundown of how to recognize the signs that your kids need to see a dentist. At Janz Family Dental clinic in Edmonton, we’ll teach you all you need to know about caring for their teeth in the early years of their lives. Here are a few important questions to keep in mind when deciding if it’s time to take your child to see a dentist.

How old should they be for their first visit?

To keep up to date with the health of your children’s teeth, they should visit a dentist in west Edmonton at least once every six months. While this seems like a lot, frequent visits are the best way to ensure that your child’s teeth are developing properly and don’t require any extensive care. Frequent cleanings will also help reduce the risk of dental decay and the appearance of cavities early in life. Keep in mind that your child’s first visit to a dental clinic should be no later than their first birthday.

Why do they need to go so often?

Dentists in Edmonton recommend that your child have their teeth checked every six months because prevention is always better than fixing. Some children with healthier teeth and can get away with having fewer visits, but it’s always recommended you go every six months. Those with higher risk (based on information given to you by your dentist) should even consider visiting sooner. Bear in mind that these time periods only apply to cleanings. If your child presents with indications of a more pressing problem, make an appointment with your dentist immediately.

How long should each visit take?

Depending on whether or not x-rays have to be taken, or if any special procedures need to be done, your average dental cleaning will take between 30-40 minutes.

What if it’s too expensive?

While dental care can get expensive, remember, the government of Alberta has a number of special programs that provide aid for those who can’t afford it.

One of these programs is the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan. Be proactive with the care of your children’s dental health, call us and make an appointment at the Janz Family Dental clinic. Visit our office and find out more about our services and any questions you might have about provincial benefits plans for your dental visits.

Dental Assistance Programs Offered By The Alberta Government

We know that dental care can be expensive. Between visits every six months and various treatments you might need, the annual cost of your dental visits can seem almost impossible to deal with.

At Janz Family Dental Clinic, we understand the difficulty that comes with paying for your dental expenses. Fortunately, there are government funded benefit plans to help you relieve the financial pressure. Let us tell you about two particular plans that could help you pay your dental bills.

Alberta Child Health Benefit

This government funded benefits plan applies to anyone under the age of 18 (20 if they still live at home and are attending school). This plan covers a variety of things that aren’t covered under standard provincial healthcare like eyeglasses, prescription drugs and most importantly, dental care. There are no fees to sign up, as it is a program meant for families who have a limited income. In terms of dental care, here are the following items covered by the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan:

• Dental exams
• X-rays
• Fillings
• Extractions
• Cleanings

The qualifications for this plan are based entirely on how large your family is. A chart outlining the specific financial qualifications can be seen here. Certain exceptions can be made for families that have had a significant drop in income over the last year, but generally, these are the guidelines. This plan is available for any dependant who is currently living in Alberta.

The only people who are not eligible are those who do not meet the income requirements or those who already receive aid from other government support plans.

Alberta Adult Health Benefit

This is essentially a similar plan that exists for adult medical care. Unlike its counterpart, it has no age limit restricting potential applicants. You can print out an application form on the Alberta Government website. Qualifications for this plan are financially similar to that of the Child Health Benefit plan, but they include a few extra conditions:

• You’re pregnant with limited income.
• Have high prescription drug needs.
• Do not receive income support but have employment income, self-employment income or income from your pension.

Before deciding that a family dentist is too expensive, look into one of these two benefits plan and see if you qualify.

Give us a call and make an appointment at our dental clinic in Edmonton and let us walk you through all the treatments and services your dentist can offer.