Category: Winnipeg Dentist

With root canal treatment (or endodontic treatment), you can preserve infected or badly decayed teeth. But what makes a root canal procedure different from a typical cavity filling?

Here’s something you might not know: The word “endodontic” has its roots in the Greek language; “endo” is the Greek prefix for “within”, and “odont” means “tooth”. Now you know what endodontic therapy refers to!

Nervous about your upcoming dental procedure? We’re going to offer you some peace of mind. Here’s all you need to know about root canal therapy:

Who Needs a Root Canal?

You might suspect that something is awry with one of your teeth; it may have changed colour, become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, or started to ache. Is your toothache from a cavity, or could it be caused by something else?

Once a bacterial infection reaches the nerve tissue and blood vessels, it can lead to infected pulp. In these situations, a root canal is necessary to save the tooth.

Does It Hurt?

The idea that root canals are painful dates back to an earlier time in dentistry. Thanks to dental advancements, the procedure is similar to a regular filling procedure.

In reality, root canal treatment is intended to relieve pain. When you have an infected tooth, it often causes severe pain, especially if the infection spreads to your adjacent teeth.

Using local anaesthesia, your dentist will ensure your mouth is completely numb for your root canal treatment. If you have an upcoming appointment, don’t worry: The tooth pain caused by an infection is much greater than that of a root canal in Winnipeg. 

Why are root canals necessary?

The roots of a tooth contain parts like your blood vessels, connective tissues, and dental pulp. When bacteria reach the innermost layers of a tooth, the only way to save the tooth is through root canal therapy.

During the root canal treatment, your dentist will apply a rubber dam to isolate the root canal infection from your surrounding teeth. They will drill a small access hole into your tooth. Then, they’ll remove the diseased pulp tissue and decayed nerve tissue. Your dentist will disinfect the area and fill it with gutta percha (a filling material).

Most root canal treatments require more than only one appointment. That’s because your dentist will use a temporary filling while the root canal heals; at a later date, they’ll replace it with a permanent filling. Your tooth will need a crown or filling for structural support. For especially large fillings, you may need a custom crown.

Myths About Root Canal Treatment

There are plenty of misconceptions about root canals. We’re going to clear up a few common ones:

Myth: You should get your tooth pulled instead of trying root canal therapy.

In reality, it’s best to try saving your natural tooth instead of having it pulled. Once a tooth is extracted, tooth replacement options are costly (including dentures, dental implants, and bridges). At Fresh Dental, we always try to preserve natural teeth whenever possible. 

Myth: Root canals will make you sick.

This myth has been around for ages, but recently, it’s gained more popularity due to a recent Netflix documentary. The idea came from a study that’s over 100 years old, claiming that root canals caused illness. Even though it was debunked long ago, the myth remains. 

A root canal is designed to eliminate bacteria in your mouth—not spread it throughout your body. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that root canals make you sick or cause cancer. Not only is this idea harmful (as it may encourage a patient to extract a tooth that could be saved), but it’s downright false.

Prevention

What can you do to avoid needing root canal treatment? Here’s our advice:

• Wear sportguards for contact sports. Whenever your teeth are damaged (either by cracks, impact damage, or tooth decay), it leaves them at risk for a root canal problem to develop. Try to avoid foods that can damage your teeth, including ice, hard candies, and tough meats. If you play contact sports, be sure to wear a mouthguard.
• Book regular dental cleanings and exams. If you have natural teeth with deep decay, a dental filling might not be enough. Your dentist needs to remove the dead pulp tissue, too. 
• Talk to your dentist about bruxism. Do you grind or clench your teeth? This can wear away your tooth enamel, which may expose the pulp within your tooth. A weakened tooth is more likely to break or crack. Prevent damage by asking your dentist about a night guard. 

Book Your Root Canal Today

Do you need a root canal? This highly successful procedure can prevent you from needing a tooth extraction. If you’d like to learn more about the root canal cost, or you’d like to schedule this pain-relieving treatment, Fresh Dental is here for you. 

At our Winnipeg dental centre, we offer a range of dental procedures, including root canal treatment. Whether you need a crown or filling, contact us today!

Did you know that harmful bacteria in your mouth can affect other parts of your body? Dentists do more than give you a pearly white smile—they also help prevent health conditions that result from poor oral health. 

All of the systems, organs, and tissues in our body work together. They aren’t isolated from each other—they’re all interconnected. If you have excessive bacteria in your mouth, they can spread to other parts of your body and lead to infections, diseases, or other complications.

Here’s how your oral health can affect your overall health:

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease is the 2^nd leading cause of death in Canada. When plaque builds up in the arteries of the heart, it can lead to a fatal heart attack. 

Gum disease has not yet been shown to cause cardiovascular disease; however, it does seem to correlate with it. This could be due to how oral bacteria lead to infections and inflammations, which may affect the heart. 

Dementia

Recent studies have revealed a link between dementia and gum disease. Bacteria in the mouth can travel to the brain via the bloodstream. This may damage various parts of the brain and influence the development of dementia. 

Since this research is new, it’s too early to say whether gum disease causes conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. However, it’s important to take the best possible care of your teeth, just in case. 

Diabetes

Diabetes and your oral health interact in several ways. When you have diabetes, your body is less resistant to infections. This makes you more susceptible to developing gum disease. 

Once you develop gum disease, the infection makes it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar levels. You can probably see why this is problematic for those with diabetes, a condition that already increases the blood glucose levels in your body.  

If you have diabetes, we suggest scheduling frequent check-ups with your dentist. You might choose to go every 4 months instead of just twice a year. 

Respiratory Infections 

As we breathe, air travels through our mouth, down our throat, and into our lungs. But what if the bacteria in our mouth travel with it? Harmful bacteria can cause an infection in the lungs, such as pneumonia. 

For older adults or those with existing health conditions, pneumonia can be fatal. This is why it’s so important to maintain good oral health. 

Arthritis

If you have a cavity, you might notice that your gums are inflamed. Gum disease is also known to cause inflammation. Could those same bacteria also cause inflammation in the joints, such as the hands, feet, and legs? If you have arthritis, it’s important to monitor your oral health closely. 

By taking good care of your teeth, you’re taking good care of the rest of your body, too. 

Are you concerned about your health? Along with booking a doctor’s appointment, you might want to call your dentist. At Fresh Dental in Winnipeg, we can take care of all your oral health needs. 

Whether you need a cleaning, root canal, or dental implant, we do it all at our dental clinic. To schedule your appointment, call us today!

There are some things we’ve heard so often that they’re ingrained in our minds. We know that we should brush our teeth twice a day, floss at least once, and visit the dental office every 6 months. But do you need to have your teeth cleaned as frequently as your dentist says?

For some patients, your dentist may advise that you schedule appointments more than twice a year. This applies to high-risk individuals, such as those who: 

• Have diabetes or cancer
• Are diagnosed with gum disease
• Have a compromised immune system
• Show signs of extensive tooth decay
• Smoke
• Are pregnant

If you have any of these conditions, your dentist may suggest that you have your teeth cleaned every 3-4 months. 

We’re going to explain why it’s so important for every patient to see their dentist regularly:

Prevent the Development of Gum Disease

The signs of gum disease aren’t always obvious. They range from a strange taste in the mouth to swollen gums. The biggest indicator is how the appearance of the tissues changes—gradually, your gums begin to recede from your teeth. As the recession advances, teeth become loose and may fall out. 

During a routine teeth cleaning, your dentist can measure your periodontal pockets to detect early signs of gum disease. Once gum disease advances to the later stages, it becomes irreversible. But it can be treated if it’s caught early enough. 

Those who have gum disease, or are at a higher risk for developing it, should make sure to schedule frequent dental check-ups.

Remove Tartar & Prevent Tooth Loss

A cavity may not be obvious—when you have one, you don’t always experience a toothache or sensitivity. It takes the trained eye of a dentist to spot the signs of tooth decay.

Not only does tartar lead to bad breath and tooth decay, but it’s also incredibly difficult to remove. The hardened mineral can only be scraped away by your dentist with the use of specialized tools. 

Since tartar attracts bacteria, it makes your teeth more susceptible to decay. Cavities weaken the teeth and leave them vulnerable to infections. If the decay continues, it may reach the nerves of the teeth. At this stage, a dentist will need to perform a root canal or tooth extraction. 

However, all of this can be avoided if the cavity is caught early enough! When you see your dentist regularly, you can stop tooth decay in its tracks.

Detect Signs of Oral Cancer

If you have a family history of oral cancer, or you regularly smoke tobacco, you are at a higher risk for this disease. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to monitor your oral health for signs of cancer. They can screen the tissues in your mouth to check for any abnormal growth. 

When oral cancer is detected early, it can result in less aggressive treatment for patients. Early detection may improve the prognosis of the condition. If you’re concerned about oral cancer, make sure to ask your dentist to screen for it at your next cleaning. 

Is it time to schedule a dentist appointment? At our dental clinic on Pembina, we provide routine cleanings and restorative treatments. We can inspect your mouth for any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or oral cancer. Contact Fresh Dental today!

We all know that brushing and flossing is important for our dental health. It keeps our teeth pearly white and gives us a winning smile. However, many people don’t realize that routine hygiene actually has more benefits than just keeping your teeth clean. It can impact every aspect of your health from your gums to your cancer risk to your finances. 

If you are ready to find out more about how routine hygiene can help your health, here is the breakdown you’ve been looking for:

Healthy Gums

You probably already know that your mouth can be home to many harmful bacteria as a result of the food particles that linger there. The good news is that you can cut back on these bacteria with routine brushing and flossing. As you wash away the bacteria, you are reducing plaque buildup that can lead to inflammation in the gums. Reducing plaque leads to less tenderness, bleeding, and swelling of the gums. 

Save Money on Dental Care

Have you ever considered how much money you spend on dental care each year? If you make a habit of having good oral hygiene, you can often get away with nothing more than preventative care each year. Preventative care is often less expensive than extensive or major dental work will be. As a result, you can keep more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket. 

Lower Risk of Cancer

Many people do not realize that gum disease has actually been linked to cancer development. While the exact mechanism is not clear to scientists yet, the reality is that bacteria can foster a good environment for cancer cells to thrive in. Certain types of cancer, including pancreatic, are more likely if you don’t keep up with routine dental hygiene. 

Healthier Pregnancy

Did you know that good oral hygiene is actually linked to healthier pregnancies? In some studies, pregnant women with poor oral hygiene were more likely to give birth to babies with a low birth weight and to preterm babies. Both of these conditions can be problematic for newborns, so be sure to keep up with good routine hygiene if you’re pregnant! 

Less Risk of Heart Attack

If you have bacteria in your mouth, it is bound to travel throughout your body. Once it makes it into your bloodstream, it is inevitable that it will end up at the heart eventually. These bacteria can narrow the arteries and make it harder for your heart to do its job well. As it gets harder for your heart to pump blood, you will be at an increased risk of suffering from a heart attack. Routine hygiene can help keep your heart healthier for longer. 

Finding a Dentist

Routine hygiene is important, and regular dental cleanings should be a part of that. If you need dentists on Pembina, Fresh Dental could be the right fit for you. We offer a safe environment where employees wear masks, get temperature checks, and disinfect between clients!