Dental emergencies are unpredictable and can be disruptive to your every day life.  In addition to the pain and suffering that often accompanies a dental emergency, your dental emergency can interfere with your work, school, special event or cause a sleepless night.  If you are suffering from a dental emergency, you need treatment from your Calgary dentist as soon as possible.  But what constitutes a dental emergency, and how soon should you call your dental office?  Our Calgary dentist answers your questions below.

Are you self-conscious about missing one or more teeth? Are missing teeth making it difficult for you to eat, speak, laugh or smile? Are your dentures uncomfortable?  Do you need a bridge but are hesitant to remove the adjacent tooth structure to accommodate it?  If you have answered yes to any one of these questions, this may be the time for you to talk to your Calgary dentist about whether dental implants are a viable option for you.

Co-payments, deductibles, pre-determinations, insurance benefits limits … what does this all mean? Although your dental insurance benefits can offer you significant savings, your dental insurance policy can also be difficult to understand.  In today’s dental blog, our Calgary dentist explains some of the more common terms used in a dental insurance policy and how they affect your dental benefits.

As a parent, watching your baby grow and develop is exciting and joyful and goes by much by too quickly.  As a Calgary dentist, one of the questions Dr. Dirk Thompson is most often asked about babies relates to the development of their teeth, including questions about how to know when a baby is teething, how to soothe a teething baby or toddler, when should baby’s first tooth erupt and how many baby teeth a child should have.  Our Calgary dentist answers these questions and more in today’s blog.

How many times have you been told by your Calgary dentist that sugar is bad for your dental health?  Undoubtedly, more times that you can count.  But have you ever wondered how much sugar certain types of foods and beverages actually contain, and what the daily recommended sugar intake is for men and women?  Our Calgary dentist reviews these questions below.

It's no surprise that one of the questions our Calgary dentist is asked most frequently relates to how patients can improve the aesthetics of their smile.  Depending upon the patient and their treatment goals and concerns, there are many options available, including orthodontic treatment, dental crowns, dental implants and teeth whitening.  Another great option for many patients who wish to either restore or improve the look of one or more teeth or even their whole smile is dental veneers. 

It’s been a long year and summer has finally arrived along with all the fun things that come with it.  While we all enjoy the wonderful things that summer brings, our Calgary dentist reminds you to not forget to help your kids stick with their home dental care routine.  Keeping your child's smile healthy, happy and cavity free during the summer months will help to avoid dealing with potentially larger issues after the long days of summer are over.  Below our Calgary dentist gives three simple tips to help maintain your child's summertime dental health.

One of the most common questions asked of us by parents is at what age should their child be seen for their first dental appointment.  Our Calgary dentist follows the recommendations of the Canadian Dental Association and the Alberta Dental Association, which both indicate that your child should be first seen by their Calgary dentist by the time they are one year old, or within six months of when their first tooth erupts, whichever occurs first.

Every so often a patient will present at our Calgary dentist office and be quite alarmed that they have discovered what appears to be a large growth or growths on their lower or upper jaw.  Sometimes patients report that they have just discovered the lump, while others report that they have noticed that this lump has been growing.  Sometimes, a patient will present at our Calgary dentist office with these lumps and not even be aware that they have them.  Although all lumps, lesions and any new growths should always be checked by your Calgary dentist, the type of lump that we are describing here are called tori and are usually no cause for concern.  Our Calgary dentist explains below.

Now that summer is quickly approaching and hopefully Covid numbers will continue to decline, many of us are dreaming about taking a long awaited and deserved vacation abroad. But have you ever thought about taking a medical or dentistry tourism vacation? Dr. Dirk Thompson, our Calgary dentist, provides some thoughts for consideration before you book your dental tourism vacation.

These days, we all are aware that there are a multitude of both physical and mental health benefits from incorporating exercise into your daily routine.  Some of the latest research in this area has indicated that even moderate amounts and levels of exercise can have significant benefits to our health.  For most of us, this is good news as training to run a marathon is not for everyone. 

An important part of your annual dental hygiene cleaning and check-up with our Calgary dentist is assessing whether you require any dental x-rays of your teeth and jaw.  Although x-rays may not be necessary at every check-up and cleaning appointment, at your dental appointment our Calgary dentist will assess whether x-rays are recommended based upon a variety of factors including your age, your dental and overall health and whether you have any specific dental concerns.

You have probably heard many times from your Calgary dentist that you should have a dental check up and cleaning at least once per year.  Although our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, also recommends that patients have an annual dental examination, sometimes patients express some hesitancy about getting an annual dental examination because they think their teeth feel fine and a dental examination is therefore not necessary. 

For some patients, just the thought of a visit to a Calgary dentist office can cause fear and anxiety. Although our Calgary dentist always strives to make our patients as comfortable and relaxed as possible, in circumstances where fear and anxiety may be preventing a patient from obtaining the dentistry they require or desire, sedation dentistry may be a valid option for them.

In our Calgary dentist’s last blog post, Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S., explained the importance of flossing your teeth every day, in addition to brushing your teeth at least twice per day.  According to our Calgary dentist, flossing your teeth is important because dental floss cleans between your teeth, where your toothbrush cannot adequately reach.  In fact, if you only brush your teeth and leave out the flossing, you are missing more than one third of the total surface area of your tooth!  

Everyone loves a healthy and beautiful smile, but let’s face it, keeping your smile healthy and beautiful takes some effort.  This means seeing your Calgary dentist at least annually for a dental check-up and dental hygiene cleaning and maintaining a consistent oral healthcare routine.  But what should your at-home oral healthcare routine consist of and do you really have to floss your teeth daily, or at all?  Below our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D..S., discusses whether you should be flossing your teeth regularly, as well as the benefits of flossing your teeth.

In today’s world, there is a plethora of information on just about any question you could ever imagine literally at our fingertips.  When it comes to searching for advice and tips about our health, including our dental health, many of us are guilty of turning to Dr. Google to diagnose an ache or pain.  Although this age of information is a technological marvel, it's so important to always question and examine the source of our information before we rely on it.  Below our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S., examines some of the common myths that he is often asked about at his Calgary dentist office.

There’s no doubt that this has been a very difficult year for everyone in many ways.  With vaccination campaigns well under way, we all have hope that normalcy is on the horizon and we can get back to some of the things that we love and miss, like travelling!  One of the questions that our Calgary dentist gets from time to time is whether it is safe to fly after having dental work, and in particular, after having a tooth extraction.  Our Calgary dentist explains whether flying after having a tooth extraction is safe and has some tips and tricks to keep your smiling so you can enjoy your trip, even after having dental work.

Your pearly whites not only give you a beautiful smile, but they also play a pivotal role in an essential element in all of our lives – eating!  Have you ever wondered how our teeth can work so hard multiple times every day and still stay healthy and strong?  Below our Calgary dentist describes five of the most amazing facts about your teeth and how you can keep them healthy, happy and smiling for a lifetime.

The weather is getting warmer and that means all things summer will soon be here, including our Calgary dentist’s favourite treat, ice cream!  If ice cream is one of your favourite treats but you wince in pain every time you indulge, you may have dentin hypersensitivity or, simply, sensitive teeth.  The good news is you don’t have to suffer from sensitive teeth as there are treatments available by our Calgary dentist for this uncomfortable condition.  Our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S., explains the causes and various treatment options available for sensitive teeth.

These days, it’s easy to find a myriad of advice and instructions posted on the internet in blogs and other social media platforms for all sorts of DIY projects ranging from painting, construction and car repair to even haircuts and other beauty remedies.  However, according to Dr. Dirk Thompson, our Calgary dentist, when it comes to your dental health, and in particular, whitening your teeth, you should know the facts before trying any home remedies on your pearly whites.  Our Calgary dentist explains below.

This is milestone!  It’s hard to believe but 2020 marked Dr. Dirk Thompson’s, our Calgary dentist, 25^th anniversary of graduating from the University of Alberta’s dental school and membership with the Alberta Dental Association & College.  In May of this year, our Calgary dentist will be celebrating his 26^th year of practicing dentistry.  It truly is astonishing how time flies when you’re having fun and serving the oral healthcare needs of thousands of incredible patients in Calgary, Alberta.

Do you notice your toothbrush’s bristles becoming frayed quickly?  Have you noticed that your gums bleed after brushing your teeth?  Has your Calgary dentist told you that your gums are receding?  Are you experiencing tooth sensitivity?  According to our Calgary dentist, it may surprise you to know that all of these symptoms may be due to over-zealous toothbrushing.  Here are some tips to help you avoid the unintended consequences of over-brushing your teeth.

In the last few years, you may have read a publication or seen a social media post that comments on the safety and efficacy of a very common dental procedure, root canal therapy. Some of these publications have questioned whether root canals are safe and/or whether they should even be recommended to patients by their Calgary dentist. For those patients who have had a root canal procedure completed on one or more teeth or for those patients who have been advised that a root canal procedure is recommended, these reports may be concerning.  Our Calgary dentist gets to the root of the issues regarding root canal therapy below.

For some patients, even the mention of a dental appointment with their Calgary dentist can cause fear, anxiety and hesitation about obtaining required or desired dental treatment.  Fortunately, for most patients, sedation dentistry is an option that can help to alleviate this fear and anxiety.  Because sedation dentistry, both IV sedation and oral sedation, involves the use of medication to help to induce a relaxed state in the patient, proper preparation for the sedation dentistry appointment is critical both for the success of the sedation and its safety. 

You’ve heard of kidney stones, but have you ever heard of tonsil stones?  If you have not, you’re not alone.  According to our Calgary dentist, many patients are not even aware that they have tonsil stones, particularly if they are not causing any symptoms.  Although tonsil stones do not usually pose any health risks, in certain circumstances they may need attention from your Calgary dentist or physician if they become too large or symptomatic.  Sometimes, patients are not even aware that they even have tonsil stones.  Our Calgary dentist explains tonsil stones and what you can do prevent and treat their sometimes bothersome symptoms.

Every April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Oral cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of your mouth.  It can occur anywhere in your mouth, including on your lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, tonsils, or throat.  During this month and every month, our Calgary dentist wants to encourage everyone to pay attention to the health of their mouth and check for any new lesions, spots or sores that occur anywhere in your mouth.  As with many cancers, early detection can help to save lives so it's important to take steps to regularly check for anything new or unusual in your mouth and to also take some simple steps to help prevent the development of oral cancer.

For many people, the thought of having to have a tooth extracted by your Calgary dentist can cause significant anxiety. Although our Calgary dentist’s recommendation is to always keep a tooth rather than extract it if at all possible, there are circumstances where extraction of a tooth is the best and/or only solution.  If an extraction is recommended by your Calgary dentist, having as much information as possible about what to expect after your tooth extraction can help to relieve some of this anxiety. 

At some point in our lives, most of us will have experienced an ulcer in our mouths. These ulcers, sometimes known as canker sores, can be annoying, unsightly and worst of all, painful. They can appear almost anywhere on the soft tissue in your mouth including on your gums, on the inside of your cheeks, on the roof of your mouth, and even on your tongue or your lips.  Although canker sores are harmless, they can nevertheless be extremely bothersome and worrisome.  In fact, our Calgary dentist frequently is asked to give assurance that they are not serious and will go away on their own.  In this blog post, our Calgary dentist reviews some of the causes of mouth ulcers and provides some tips for avoiding and minimizing the discomfort caused by these sores.

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 outbreak has changed all of our lives, including our daily routines.  As we all continue to deal with COVID-19 and its social and business restrictions, our Calgary Dentist wants to assure you that our office continues to do its part to help bend the curve and strictly adhere to all COVID-19 protocols and procedures both mandated and recommended by the Alberta Dental Association & College, the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services.  If you have not been to our Calgary dentist office since the beginning of COVID-19, here is what you can expect at your next visit to our dental office.

Spring is upon us and it’s that time of year when many brides and grooms are busy making and finalizing their plans for the big day – their wedding!  Although during these times of Covid-19 our celebrations may look a little different and be a little more intimate in size, there’s no doubt that brides and grooms will still want to preserve the memory of their special day with professional photos, selfies and videos.  While there’s lots on everyone's plate to get done to make sure your wedding photos are picture perfect and preserve your special memories, Dr. Dirk Thompson, our Calgary dentist, reminds you that another important element not to be overlooked is your smile! 

As we age and approach our senior years, changes to our health and in bodies begin to become evident.  For those in the age group over 60, these changes can be either small or they can be significant.  Although our oral health most definitely can be affected by age, according to Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S., a Calgary dentist, this does not mean that tooth loss or poor oral health is inevitable.  Here are six tips from our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, to keep your smile white, bright and healthy for a lifetime.

By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

Have you ever noticed that your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth?  If you have noticed any bleeding after brushing or flossing your teeth, our Calgary dentist advises that, even if there is just a small amount of blood, you should not ignore the bleeding as even a small amount of bleeding could indicate that there is an issue with either the health of your mouth and/or gums or with the way you are brushing or flossing your teeth. 

By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

It’s no secret that our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, loves everything about dentistry and teeth and could talk for hours about his passion for dentistry.  But did you know that, in addition to the more serious dentistry topics such as brushing, flossing, and cavities, there are some fun and interesting facts about teeth?  Although we can’t guarantee that this information would make great party conversation or impress your date, if you run out of things to talk about, you can always relate these fun facts about teeth and your oral health!

By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

There’s something so refreshing about having a cold, icy glass of your favourite beverage on a hot summer day (yes, summer will be here again!).  But what if your favourite beverage is carbonated?  Is the carbonation causing damage to your pearly whites?  Lately, our Calgary dentist has seen varying reports on the effects of carbonation on your teeth, so our Calgary dentist gets to the bottom of it here.

By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

It is not unusual for patients to express some level of anxiety at the thought of having to see their Calgary dentist for a dental appointment.  Fortunately, there are several options available to address this dental anxiety in most patients.  One of these options is sedation dentistry.  But what exactly is sedation dentistry and how do you know if sedation dentistry is right for you?

 By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

Congratulations graduates! It’s that time of year again when students from high schools, universities, colleges and other secondary institutions are starting to prepare for the big day - graduation. You’ve worked hard for this major milestone in your life and you’ll want to celebrate all of your achievements that have taken so much time, effort and dedication (as best we can during these times of Covid-19).

By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

Losing your first tooth is a big milestone for children. Not only is it exciting to lose your first tooth, the anticipation of the arrival of the tooth fairy while your wee one sleeps has been a magical experience enjoyed for generations. Here are some creative and fun ideas to help the tooth fairy in making this time-honoured tradition both fun and memorable.

Of course, the most popular tradition is for the tooth fairy to leave some cold hard cash under your child's pillow while they sleep.  

By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

You’ve probably seen advertisements for xylitol and its dietary benefits as a sugar substitute. Perhaps you’ve even heard your dentist talk about xylitol, or your dentist has made recommendations to use xylitol containing products such as chewing gum as an alternative to chewing gum with sugar.  But what is xylitol and does it really have any benefits at all for your oral health? Here’s what our Calgary dentist wants you to know.

By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

February is National Children’s Dental Health month and, as a parent, your child’s health is very important to you and their dental health is an integral aspect of their overall health.  At our Calgary dentist office, we are often asked similar questions regarding baby’s and young children’s dental health so we’ve put together some of our most frequently asked questions regarding how you can help to ensure your child gets a healthy start with their oral health.

By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

You may be surprised to learn that at your next dental appointment at our Calgary dental office, we may ask if we can take your blood pressure. Although patients may expect this at their physician’s office, it may seem out of the ordinary at a dental office. Here’s a breakdown of why we have implemented this protocol at our dental office.

Have you ever experienced a scabbed, painful, crack in one or both corners of your lip?  If you have, you may have been suffering from a rather uncomfortable condition known as angular cheilitis.  Angular cheilitis can be caused by a variety of issues.  Luckily, this painful condition can usually be assessed and treated by our Calgary dentist or your physician.

Preventing injuries while playing sports is an important element in the care and maintenance of your overall oral health.  One of the main ways in which adults, teenagers, and young children alike can prevent injuries to their mouth, teeth, face, lips and jaw is by consistently wearing a mouthguard while participating in any sporting activities where there is any risk of injury to the face.  Geneally, your Calgary dentist can fabricate a mouthguard for you or your child in one short visit.

Halitosis, also known as chronic bad breath, can be a troublesome and embarrassing condition.  Although such products as gum and mouthwash can temporarily mask unpleasant odours, generally patients suffering from chronic bad breath require additional intervention beyond what an over-the-counter breath solution and even good oral hygiene routines can accomplish.   In determining how to solve or minimize halitosis, the first step your dentist will want to do is identify the cause or causes of your bad breath.

 By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist

Did you know that in the United States, over 5 million teeth are knocked out annually (from the American Association of Endodontists).  Although statistics are not available for Canada, it can be certain that the number is similarly reflected for the size of the Canadian population.  Knocked out teeth can result from sporting accidents, falls, motor vehicle accidents and other traumatic incidents.

You haven't had a chance to get to your Calgary dentist and your toothache has become unbearable.  Your child’s been playing hockey and she’s been struck in the mouth.  You were eating some popcorn and you’ve broken a tooth.  Are these dental emergencies?  What should you do now?  Phone an emergency dentist in Calgary?  Make an emergency trip to the hospital emergency room?  Here’s what to do.

One of the most frequently asked questions by our patients to our Calgary dentist is how much will their dental insurance cover.  The answer to this question depends upon many variables, including what insurance company the patient has, the type of dental plan the patient has, whether there is a deductible or administration fee associated with the dental insurance plan, and the type of dental treatment the patient requires.

Congratulations! Pregnancy is an exciting and busy time in your life.  It’s also a very important time to make sure all aspects of your health are cared for, and your oral health should definitely not be overlooked!  In fact, your oral health is particularly important because it not only affects you, but could also potentially affect the health of your developing baby.  We are often asked by our patients whether it is safe to go to the dentist when they are pregnant and how pregnancy affects their oral health. Read below for the answers to these questions and more tips on how to keep your smile healthy during your pregnancy.

Happy New Year Everyone! We hope that this new year brings you many happy, healthy smiles.  As we start this new year with much hope and anticipation for a healthier new year, we encourage everyone to not neglect their oral health.  As our Calgary dentist and hygienists emphasize to our patients, our oral health is intrinsically linked to our overall health and therefore it is important to attend to any oral health issues we may have now and to maintain our oral health in order to avoid possible larger and more significant oral health issues with our teeth, gums and jaw.

We hope everyone has had a chance to sneak in some relaxation during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

To give our hard-working and dedicated staff some time for some relaxation, the office of our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk A. Thompson at Advance Your Health Dental, will be closed for a holiday break from December 25^th to January 3^rd 2021, and will re-open on January 4^th, 2021 at 7:30 am. 

Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the back of the mouth.  They usually appear in teenagers and young adults between the ages of 17 and 25.  Although in some people wisdom teeth emerge without any difficulty and naturally line up with the adjacent teeth, in some patients, there is insufficient room for wisdom teeth to erupt normally.  Wisdom teeth are then said to be “impacted” or "partially impacted".  Impacted or partially impacted wisdom teeth are relatively common.

COVID-19 is on the forefront of everyone’s minds these days.  Have you ever wondered, however, how COVID-19 may be affecting your oral health?  One of the biggest correlations many dentists are seeing which may be the result of the extra stress some of their dental patients are feeling during these challenging times is what some dentists are referring to as the “COVID clench”, or bruxism.  Bruxism includes grinding, clenching and gnashing your teeth.

Many of us LOVE our spicy food, including our very own Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson.  But have you ever thought about what spicy food could be doing to your teeth?  If you suffer from stained teeth, sensitive teeth or acid reflux, you may wish to consider how spicy foods may be affecting your pearly whites the next time you indulge in your favourite spicy food.

There are many different types of toothpastes appearing on drugstore and grocery shelves and it seems that there are always new toothpastes being marketed.  One of the latest is charcoal infused toothpastes. Often these toothpastes are marketed as containing teeth whitening agents and claim to remove staining from teeth and even whiten teeth. These charcoal toothpastes come in a variety of forms, usually as a powder, tablet or paste.