Dr. Steven Cload
Dentistry Blog
Archive for the ‘General Dentistry’ Category
Sedation Dentistry is Anxiety Free Dentistry
Monday, December 5th, 2011
Are you afraid of the dentist? You’re not alone. In fact, recent studies have found as much as 30 percent of the population avoids seeing a dentist for general dental services due to fear and anxiety. If 30 percent of the population is afraid of receiving general dental services, logical extension would suggest that at least 30 percent are also afraid of receiving cosmetic dental treatments. This is unfortunate on many levels.
The quality of your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. A healthy, bright, appealing smile can go a long way in making a good first impression, as well as lending itself to feeling healthier and more attractive. But what can be done about those kinds of fears?
Sedation Dentistry
At Southcentre Dental Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, we are pleased to offer our patients the option of sedation dentistry. With a sedation dentistry procedure, Dr. Cload can help you feel completely relaxed and comfortable during even the most involved dental procedures. Using only safe and effective methods, Dr. Cload will work closely with you to determine the type and amount of sedation appropriate for your particular case.
If you live in or around Calgary, Alberta and fear of the dentist has kept you from getting the dental care you need, please contact Southcentre Dental Clinic to discuss your options for sedation dentistry today.
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Dental Cleanings
Thursday, December 1st, 2011
One of the ways we keep you at optimal health is by protecting against the bacterial assault that occurs daily in your mouth. For many patients, even with healthy mouths, this requires getting cleanings three times a year instead of two.
Why do insurance companies only cover two cleanings? The concept of getting dental cleanings twice a year stemmed from toothpaste advertising campaigns back in the 1930′s and 40′s which promoted getting dental check up and cleanings every 6 months. The dental insurance companies adopted that regimen into their coverage in the 1950′s and unfortunately, have not changed their stance since. That is surprising considering that 80% of the adult population suffers from periodontal disease.
So why do you need three cleanings? You may not. The number of cleanings you require per year depends on you and no one else. Some patients see our hygienists four times per year and some will see them four times in a month initially to get their gum and supporting bones to a state of health before we can even decide on a yearly hygiene frequency. Not even hygienists and dentists can always get away with twice a year cleanings. No one can get at every surface of their teeth to remove problems. This includes the bad bacteria which contribute to the build-up, bad breath and the formation of gum disease. The accumulation depends on your personal hygiene habits, genetic disposition, mineral content in your saliva and diet. You can, however, fight the build up of tartar, bacteria and their toxins by having more frequent cleanings.
What we know about the bad bacteria is that it takes about three months to establish a colony in your mouth and by the fourth month, they are in full production of the bi-products or toxins that attack your enamel and gums. By doing three cleanings a year, we are able to interrupt this cycle and keep you at optimal health. It also allows for early detection of any possible decay formation which now (with the help of some technologically advanced products), we can reverse.
So what should I do? Try to not let your insurance coverage dictate your cleaning intervals. We strive to consider all factors that affect your dental health and make our recommendations with the ultimate goal of total health and wellness for you. We understand that this means you might have to pay out of pocket for the additional cleaning, and so we give our recommendation based on your risks and let you make the choice! Come see us for your regularly scheduled cleaning and we’ll be happy to make an assessment and recommendation for you! Contact us today.
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Is Flossing Important?
Monday, November 7th, 2011
Flossing is an important step in any proper dental hygiene routine. Many people skip flossing under the assumption that brushing alone is adequate to remove food and plaque from their teeth. However, avoiding this necessary step will result in an increased risk for gum disease and tooth decay, which may result in invasive and avoidable dental procedures.
Why Flossing Matters
Your tooth brush is incapable of removing food and buildup from between your teeth. Small particles of food that cannot be seen remain in between your teeth even after you brush. Left in place, these particles along with plaque buildup combine to slowly eat away your tooth enamel.
Plaque is a natural byproduct of every food and beverage you consume. Plaque takes a mere 24 hours to turn into tartar, which is not only harder to remove, but it serves to secure bacteria onto your teeth. Providing a protective shell for bacteria, they can begin deteriorating your tooth enamel, leading to decay and infection. Only flossing can remove plaque and food from in between your teeth before it has a chance to turn into tartar and becomes a serious dental concern.
Flossing is a simple process that takes less than two minutes a day. During your biannual visits to our Calgary, Alberta office, one of our experienced dental hygienists will discuss proper flossing with you to help make this important daily practice that much easier.
If you live in or around Calgary, Alberta and would like to learn more about proper dental hygiene, please contact Dr. Steven Cload to Southcentre Dental Clinic to schedule an appointment today.
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Mini Implants
Friday, January 14th, 2011
Mini Implants are a fairly new introduction to the Implant field. Basically the name says it all. They are narrower than traditional implants and so can be used in area where available bone quantity is a issue. They can also be loaded immediately in certain situations.
What does loading immediate loading mean? Traditional implants in most situations cannot be placed into the bone and then be used in the bite straight away. Bone needs to osseointegrate onto the implant. This process of the bone joining to the implant takes 3 months plus.
For patients with loose dentures waiting three plus months is an eternity.Most denture wearers (both partials and full),can in many situations have the mini implants placed and then attached to the denture the same day . This will create a very firm fit immediately.
If you think you are a candidate for immediate mini implants to fix your denture problems call our office and arrange a free consultaion . We would be happy to discuss your options
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Calgary fluoride plebicite
Friday, January 7th, 2011
I know,yet again the fluoride in the water debate has come up in Calgary . Fluoride has lead to a sharp decline in the decay of teeth. Just compare yourself if you are over 30 to youngsters today. They have far few fillings than us in the older generations. When I was a kid growing up in England almost every visit to the Dentist would result in a filling or extraction. Today the level of decay is much lower.
I believe that does have a lot to do with fluoride in the water. However now with so many sources of fluoride especially in toothpaste, not to mention the social implications of receiving a “medication” in something as basic as water, I think it is time to stop adding fluoride to water. I believe the money would be better spent on education and helping families directly who may not understand the benefits of good oral hygiene or cannot afford toothpaste. Education will always be better than just adding fluoride to the water and hoping for the best.
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Smile Reminder
Friday, November 20th, 2009
We love to find new ways to improve our customer service.
With all of our busy schedules a large part of our administrative work is helping our patient find and keep valuable appointment times. Because many of us having several phone numbers it is hard sometimes to contact each other regarding making appointments and confirming them.
This month we have implemented a system called Smile Reminder. This allows us to send messages to our patients by text or e-mail. This way it is much easier for our patients to confirm appointments,receive reminders or notify them of new openings in our schedule which will allow them to maybe bring forward their appointment. Yes some people do want to see us sooner than later.
To do this we need your e-mail or cell phone number for texts. And just in case you are worried about us Spamming you !! No worries , Smile Reminder is only for keeping in contact about appointments.
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