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Tag: covid-19

How Was the Mental Health of Dental Professionals During COVID-19?
2Aug
New research has showed the impact that Covid-19 had on dental professionals. While the focus of the media has mainly been on healthcare workers in hospitals, it shouldn’t be forgotten that dentists had an important role to play. The research has showed that many dental professionals struggled with symptoms of Anxiety and Depression during the pandemic. Fortunately, the Covid-19 vaccine appeared to improve their mental health.

Covid-19 has affected billions of people around the world. Many people lost loved ones, everyone had to change their daily lifestyle, and millions of jobs were lost. But for healthcare workers – they were suddenly launched without warning into tackling a pandemic.

Most of the focus of the media has been on the welfare and wellbeing of healthcare workers in hospitals. But very little focus has been placed on dental professionals – who also played an important part in healthcare throughout Covid-19.

However, new research has looked at how the mental health of dental professionals varied during a 12-month period of the pandemic. The findings showed that many dental professionals had symptoms of Depression and Anxiety [1].

Background

Covid-19 first appeared at the end of 2019, before spreading around the world in 2020. At the time of writing, there have been over 550million cumulative cases [2]. Tragically, there have been almost 6.4million deaths around the world [2].

Under the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO), routine dentistry was stopped in early 2020. But despite this, emergency dentistry continued, with those in severe oral pain still able to receive dental treatment.

Covid-19 is highly-contagious, and not everyone who carries it is aware they had the virus. Therefore, this meant it was highly likely that dental professionals would catch Covid-19, given the amount of human contact they had, and time spent in confined spaces.

This research involved looking at the symptoms of Depression and Anxiety. Symptoms of Depression include low mood, sadness, feeling hopeless, having no motivation and not getting any enjoyment out of life [3]. Meanwhile, the symptoms of Anxiety include restlessness, a sense of dread, feeling on edge, excessive worrying and physical symptoms like dizziness or shaking [4].

The Research

The mental health of most people suffered during Covid-19. This research looked at the mental health of dental professionals. Moreover, it specifically looked at whether or not the participants showed symptoms of Depression and/or Anxiety [1].

The research study was published in the August issues of The Journal of the American Dental Association and The Journal of Dental Hygiene [1]. The study itself was administered by researchers from the American Dental Association (ADA) [1].

The research involved 8,902 dental healthcare workers [1]. They all took part in monthly, anonymous web-based surveys, where they would log their feelings in relation to whether or not they were exhibiting signs of the symptoms of Depression and/or Anxiety [1].

The surveys took place over a 12-month period between June 2020 and June 2021 [1]. This time period was when Covid-19 was rampaging across the world, with healthcare services stretched to their capacity.

The results showed that dental professionals were affected by Covid-19 [1]. 17.7% of dental healthcare workers reported symptoms of Anxiety, while 10.7% reported symptoms of Depression [1].

The researchers found that the symptoms of Depression peaked in December 2020 [1]. The number of people with symptoms of anxiety also had high numbers in the final few months of 2020 [1].

Interestingly, the Covid-19 vaccine lessened the number of dental professionals with symptoms [1]. Healthcare workers were among the first to be offered the vaccine. However, unvaccinated dental workers who intended to be vaccinated – but had not yet received their vaccine – had noticeable anxiety, with a high mark of 20.6% of this group [1].

By the end of the study – at a time when the number of Covid-19 cases were dropping – 12.1% of dental professionals were still showing symptoms [1]. Hopefully, these numbers have lowered further in the year since the final survey.

What the research shows

Dealing with Covid-19 was clearly a significant challenge. While the threat is not yet over, case numbers have dropped significantly. The statistics above show that dental professionals faced many challenges too.

Stacey Derschewitz – Professor of Clinical Psychology at the George Washington University – commented on the findings. She said that “as the pandemic continues, it is critically important that dental health care workers continue to develop their ability to recognize and address signs and symptoms of mental health conditions within themselves and their colleagues, promote healthy work environments, reduce the impact of stress on the profession, and make supports accessible to those who are struggling emotionally” [5].

Dental professionals need to look out for one another, and take time out when they are struggling mentally. Open communication is important, and can hopefully provide dental professionals with the tools they need for improved mental health.

Thinking points…

1) While many people had their dental care interrupted during Covid-19, routine dentistry has recommenced, and it is therefore a good time to attend a dental clinic. We recommend attending a check-up, especially as some problems may have developed while routine dentistry was halted. Consider booking an appointment now!

2) Covid-19 impacted the mental health of many people. Remember to check-in with your friends and family, especially those who may be particularly struggling. Moreover, remember too that when seeing your dentist – that they will have been through a lot, and to respect them throughout your visit.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that offer many services, including regular check-ups, cavity fillings and root canals.

We are also pleased to offer some cosmetic services. Here at our Calgary dental clinic, we offer treatments like tooth whitening, Invisalign™ and dental implants.

It is important for oral problems to be addressed early. Any issues can be identified at check-ups. If further treatment is needed after a check-up, our patients receive a clear treatment plan that is suited to their needs. Early detection helps to prevent the problem getting worse.

The best way of avoiding extra treatment is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink and not smoking also helps.

Our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.

We would love you to visit us here at Savanna Dental soon! You can see more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Eldridge, L. A., Estrich, C. G., Guerenlian, J. R., Battrell, A., Lynch, A., Vujicic, M., Morrisey, R., Derschewitz, S., Geisinger, M. L., & Araujo, M. W. B. (2022). US dental health care workers’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 153 (8): p740-749. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2022.02.011.

[2] World Health Organization. (2022). WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. Available: https://covid19.who.int/. Last accessed: 29th July 2022.

[3] NHS. (2019). Symptoms – Clinical depression. Available https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/clinical-depression/symptoms/. Last accessed: 29th July 2022.

[4] NHS. (2018). Symptoms – Generalised anxiety disorder in adults. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/symptoms/. Last accessed: 29th July 2022.

[5] American Dental Association. (2022). Dentists and Dental Hygienists on Early Front Lines of COVID-19 Report Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression. Available: https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/dentists-and-dental-hygienists-on-early-front-lines-of-covid-19-report-symptoms-of-anxiety. Last accessed: 29th July 2022.

What Is the Relationship Between COVID-19 and Oral Health? - Savanna Dental
6Dec
Covid-19 continues to cause significant problems all around the world. One particular area that has been impacted is oral health. There is a strong connection between oral health and Covid-19. As a result, there are many areas within oral health that can affect Covid-19. Consequently, there are things we can all educate ourselves on.

Covid-19 has caused a range of deaths, economic issues and mental health problems in the last two years, ever since its onset.

While areas like the economy and politics get the main headlines, there are some industries that have been hugely impacted, yet neglected by the media. One of these areas is oral health.

Oral health is linked with Covid-19. Problems with oral health can worsen Covid-19 symptoms, while dental clinics can also be a source of contamination. Altogether, this makes oral health an essential area in the overall battle against Covid-19.

Covid-19

The first outbreak of Covid-19 is believed to have been at the end of December 2019. Since then, numbers have rocketed, causing havoc around the world.

The World Health Organization’s most recent statistics show that there have been over 250 million cases worldwide, and over 5 million deaths because of the virus [1].

The highly-contagious nature of Covid-19 has made it difficult to contain. For example, healthcare settings are among the locations that have been associated with transmission of the virus.

Covid-19’s effect on oral health

Covid-19 and oral health are intrinsically linked. This is no surprise, considering that oral health affects physical health. A publication made in the Biomedicines journal has taken a comprehensive look at the relationship between Covid-19 and oral health [2].

A big issue that affects oral health is the nature of how Covid-19 can be passed on. Covid-19 spreads through transmission of droplets in the air [2]. Furthermore, a person can also contract it through contact with infected surfaces. Moreover, it is also possible to transmit the disease by aerosols.

All of the above pose a big issue for dental clinics. For example, aerosols are generated by most dental procedures [2]. This can result in dental clinics being hotbeds of Covid-19 transmission. As a result, dentists, other dental professionals and patients are at an increased risk of catching Covid-19 [2].

Then there is also the problem of gum disease. A study from earlier in 2021 showed that those with gum disease were three times likelier to develop more severe symptoms from Covid-19 than those without gum disease [3][4]. This is linked to the inflammation caused by gum disease.

The onset of Covid-19 has also hastened oral health problems. For instance, routine appointments have been cancelled, with only urgent care being offered. Consequently, tooth decay and gum disease levels have been rising. Because of the delays in routine appointments, the President of the FDI World Dental Federation has referred to the current situation as “a dental disaster” [5].

Then there has been the economic impact of Covid-19 too, which further affects oral health. This is because dental care is rarely considered to be “essential” care around the world. For instance, in Canada, dental care is not part of the Medicare healthcare system. Therefore, it is very difficult to find the money to pay for dental fees for the millions of people that have been financially impacted by Covid-19.

Covid-19 has also been known to cause a dry mouth [6]. Dry mouth is a big problem in oral health. Because dry mouth deprives the mouth of saliva, it makes it much easier for harmful bacteria to reside on the tooth and gums, which can speed up tooth decay.

What can we all do?

Covid-19 clearly impacts oral health. Moreover, a person’s oral health can also affect both their chances of contracting Covid-19, and the severity of symptoms that they may experience.

The findings of the journal article show the importance of strong oral hygiene. As a result, it is of the utmost importance to use an oral hygiene routine that will ensure teeth are protected.

Avoiding gum disease is very important too. The research shows that gum disease can worsen symptoms of Covid-19. Good oral hygiene, along with a healthy, balanced diet, can help to protect against gum disease.

Dental clinics have also been urged by the researchers to get patients to use mouth rinses including oral antiseptics before any operation [2]. Consequently, the researchers found that this can reduce transmission rates [2]. This can help to improve the safety of dental clinics.

Thinking points…

  • 1) What changes to your diet can you make to lessen your chances of developing gum disease?
  • 2) Are you aware that normal dentistry has resumed? As a result, have you booked a check-up?
  • 3) Gum disease can be problematic. Have you ever considered booking in for a scaling and root planning session, which can help protect against gum disease?

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a warm welcome, a comfortable experience and advice whenever needed.

We recommend that our patients attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. We also have some cosmetic treatments too!

Importantly, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is helpful.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

What Role Do the Salivary Glands Play in COVID-19 Reinfection? - Savanna Dental
1Nov
Researchers from the University of Utah are planning a study that will look at how the salivary glands impact Covid-19 reinfection. Reinfection of Covid-19 has proven to be a controversial subject. However, reinfection does seem to involve the salivary glands. As a result, researchers are focusing on their role in the contraction of Covid-19.

Covid-19 continues to cause havoc around the world, though research into this virus is gradually helping the overall recovery of humans around the world.

Now, researchers from the University of Utah are leading an investigation that will analyse whether or not salivary glands infected with Covid-19 could actually lessen a person’s long-term immunity to the virus post-vaccination, or even after recovery.

This research is part of the ongoing effort to analyse the factors involved in potential reinfection of Covid-19. This concept has already proven controversial, and has resulted in a lot of confusion and debate.

The salivary glands play an important role in Covid-19 research. Due to their interaction with proteins and the immune system, they are an area that many researchers are focusing on.

Covid-19: The Current State

Covid-19 remains a big threat to humanity. At the time of writing, around the world, there have been almost 250million cumulative cases reported [1]. In addition, there have been almost 5million deaths worldwide [1].

The attempt to vaccinate billions of people has made progress. Furthermore, the latest statistics show that 6billion vaccine doses have been administered [1].

The scientific community have been researching every aspect of Covid-19. This includes the Covid-19 vaccine efforts, tracing the origin of the virus, aggravating factors in recovery and in this case, reinfection.

Is it possible to catch Covid-19 twice?

Reinfection of Covid-19 has proven to be a contentious issue. The general consensus is that reinfection is possible, though it is rare. Many academics are “uncertain” [2]. Meanwhile, some have dismissed reinfection as a “myth” [3].

Some have attributed supposed reinfection to faulty PCR tests [4]. However, a widescale study in the United Kingdom found that reinfection was possible. But, less than 1% of participants in the study became reinfected with Covid-19 [5]. This suggested that reinfection was unlikely, but possible.

Where are the Salivary Glands and what do they do?

The Salivary Glands refer to the composition of three main glands and hundreds of smaller glands. They are located in the mouth. The salivary glands make saliva, which helps to keep the mouth moist, whilst aiding key functions of the mouth, such as chewing, tasting and swallowing food.

The salivary glands assist in food digestion through creating the enzymes that break down food. They are also connected to the immune system, and its antibodies are sometimes able to prevent infections in the mouth and throat.

Therefore, the salivary glands are a crucial area in the human body. As a result of their position in the body, they play a serious role in the contraction of Covid-19.

The upcoming research

The upcoming research will be focusing on the salivary glands and their role in the potential diminishing of a person’s long-term immunity to reinfection of Covid-19 [6]. This is even in the case of if a person has been vaccinated.

The research will look at whether the body’s ability to make antibodies is affected by when the salivary glands that have SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) [6]. Therefore, if this is affected, reinfection could be more likely. Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 are often found in the salivary glands. However, it isn’t entirely known how the virus gets there. It is believed that the most inner lining of the oral cavity, called mucosa, is usually the entry point for any virus [6].

Assistant Professor Melodie Weller, of University of Utah, has been commenting on the upcoming study. Weller explained that proteins that emanate from the food we eat, are released into the saliva [6].

Weller says “we swallow a lot of saliva every day” [6]. But a problem is that viruses also contain proteins. Therefore, our immune system cannot always detect the difference in proteins. As a result, viruses can bypass the salivary glands and attack our immune system.

Consequently, this can affect how long immunity will last, even after inoculation. As a result, Weller states that it is crucial to “understand the role of SARS-CoV-2 in the salivary glands” [6].

Moreover, an increase in the understanding of this area can result in improved knowledge of how “reinfection and breakthrough infections after immunization are occurring during this pandemic”, Weller says [6].

Based on the above, the researchers believe that the SARS-CoV-2 released from the salivary glands could impede the production of antibodies. Because of this, the risk of relapse or reinfection appears to increase. Therefore, this may limit the long-term effectiveness of vaccines.

The next steps

This research will continue the scientific community’s efforts to understand more about Covid-19. The University of Utah’s research will aim to build on pre-existing research that has found SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in the salivary glands [7].

The researchers will be testing their theory on mice. They will be administering protein to the salivary glands of the mice. The Covid-19 vaccine will then be applied, and researchers will wait to see how they respond.

Their findings will be important in analyzing the effectiveness of the vaccines in the long-term, and the role of the salivary glands. Finally, either way, it will add to the ongoing body of research into Covid-19.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.We provide our patients with a warm welcome, a comfortable experience and advice whenever needed.

We recommend that our patients attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

  • [1] World Health Organization. (2021). WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. Available: https://covid19.who.int/. Last accessed: 30th October 2021.
  • [2] Hanrath, A. T., Payne, B. A. I., & Duncan, C. J. A. (2020). Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with protection against symptomatic reinfection. The Journal of Infection. 82 (4): p29-30.
  • [3] Roy, S. (2020). COVID-19 Reinfection: Myth or Truth?. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine. 2 (1): p710-713.
  • [4] Krishna, E., Pathak, V. K., Prasad, R., Jose, H., & Mumar, M. M. (2020). COVID-19 reinfection: Linked Possibilities and future outlook. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 9 (11): p5445-5449.
  • [5] Hall, V., Foulkes, S., Charlett, A., Atti, A., Monk, E. J. M.., Simmons, R., Wellington, E., Cole, M. J., Saei, A., Oguti, B., Munro, K., Wallace, S., Kirwan, P. D., Shrotri, M., Vusirikala, A., Rokadiya, M., Kall, Zambon, M., Ramsay, M., Brooks, T., Brown, C. S., Chand, M. A., Hopkins, S. (2020). Do antibody positive healthcare workers have lower SARS-CoV-2 infection rates than antibody negative healthcare workers? Large multi-centre prospective cohort study (the SIREN study), England: June to November 2020. SIREN Study Group. Available: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.13.21249642. Last accessed: 30th October 2021.
  • [6] University of Utah Health Sciences. (2021). Can salivary glands infected with COVID-19 increase risk for relapse or reinfection?. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-10-salivary-glands-infected-covid-relapse.html. Last accessed: 30th October 2021.
  • [7] Matuck, B. F., Dolhnikoff, M., Duarte-Neto, A. N., Maia, G., Gomes, S. C., Sendyk, D. I. & Zarpellon, A. (2021). Salivary glands are a target for SARS-CoV-2: a source for saliva contamination. The Journal of Pathology. 254 (3): p239-243.
Large Study Shows the Current State of Oral Health Around the World - Savanna Dental
13Sep
A recent study has provided an overview of the current state of oral health around the world. There were both positives and negatives arising from the survey. While many suffer with oral health problems, a surprising amount of people said they had no such issues. Worryingly though, many are not aware of the link between oral health and physical health. The study found several trends that will aid future research.

A recent study has provided an interesting insight into the overall state of oral health around the world. The study took place across 15 countries. It provided an overall status of wellbeing, habits, desires and the concerns of oral health.

The research found that there are many positives in the oral health of study participants, but some worrying areas too. The findings also showed the impact that Covid-19 has had on oral health.

The Study

The research was carried out by the oral healthcare company Sunstar. They used 15,000 respondents, with 1,000 people from each of the 15 countries interviewed.

The respondents were all aged 18-65. There were an equal number of males and females. All respondents were asked a range of questions relating to their oral health.

There were six European representatives – the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Netherlands. In the Americas, the countries partaking were Mexico, USA, Argentina and Brazil. Then there were five Asian countries, Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

The research is called the 2021 Globally Healthy Thinking Report. The full report is available to see on Sunstar’s website, which you can access by clicking here [1]. You can also see a brief snapshot of the key results by clicking here [2].

Key Findings

We all know the importance of oral health. Having strong oral hygiene is important, which includes attending regular check-ups and brushing teeth at least twice a day.

Yet the results show that not everyone brushes their teeth twice every day. Those from Indonesia recorded the lowest percentage for brushing teeth twice a day, with 45% of respondents saying that they didn’t. Those that forgot to brush their teeth the least were Germans – with 80% of respondents saying that they always brushed twice a day. Reasons for not brushing teeth included forgetting, wanting to go straight to bed, being in a rush, or simply not being bothered [1].

In terms of oral problems, the most common issue was tooth sensitivity [1]. Tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath were among other common problems.

Thailand had the most oral health problems, with only 1 in 10 respondents having no issues to report [1]. This backs up earlier research, which has showed that Thailand has seen the quality of life of their citizens lower due to poor oral health [3]. The United Kingdom appeared to have the best oral health, with 40% of respondents stating they had no problems with their teeth [1].

Gum disease affects Italians the most, and the French the least. Oral health problems often cause bad breath, with those from Japan suffering the most with this; 34% of Japan’s respondents reported having bad breath. Those in Brazil had the least at 8% [1].

Such problems are sometimes caused, or at least aggravated by, poor habits. Smoking has a negative impact on oral health [4]. 27% of Spaniards and Germans admitted to smoking. Worryingly, only 39% of Singaporeans realised smoking was bad for their dental health. Conversely, 76% of respondents of Argentina said they knew smoking affected dental health [1].

Other common habits that people wished they could stop were drinking “staining drinks”, coffee, tea and eating sweets. Jaw-clenching and teeth grinding were other common problems [1].

Sadly, most people were unsatisfied with the appearance of their smile. Social media has been criticized for giving a false impression of what teeth should look like. It has also made more people conscious of their appearance [5].

As a result, many people said they wanted to have cosmetic makeovers. Netherlands was the happiest with their teeth, with 18% saying they didn’t want cosmetic treatment [1]. Just 5% of those from Thailand, Italy, Spain and Brazil said they didn’t want any cosmetic work [1]. The most popular cosmetic treatments requested were tooth whitening and straighter teeth [1]. Others included veneers and bonding.

Covid-19 has had a big impact on oral health. In fact, the World Health Organization talked about Covid-19 causing a “dental disaster”. Part of this was due to missed appointments and subsequent untreated issues. Exact numbers differed from country to country. 44% of Argentinians said they missed dental appointments during the pandemic. Yet only 12% of those in Japan did [1].

Problems like tooth sensitivity have become more problematic. 25% of American respondents experienced tooth sensitivity. Indonesia was the highest at 45% [1].

In more positive news, Covid-19 has led to improvements in brushing teeth. 27% of those profiled said they brushed their teeth more often than pre-pandemic [1].

What these results show

The authors of the study had mixed conclusions. They said that it was positive that many people were keeping their mouth healthy. But there were some worries, primarily because many didn’t understand the link between oral health and physical health.

Out of the many problems, there are also easy solutions. For instance, many were concerned with bad breath, but regular brushing, flossing and tongue brushing can help this.

Germany and the United Kingdom frequently finished highest in many categories. It is no coincidence that Germany and the United Kingdom had the highest rank in terms of visiting the dentist twice a year. The percentages were Germany at 45% and the United Kingdom at 42% [1].

While Canadian citizens did not take part in the research, the conclusions remain relevant. It shows the importance of visiting the dentist often and using excellent oral hygiene. It also shows we should try to cut out bad habits.

The authors stated that the level of dental decay and gum disease are “most certainly” associated with lifestyle choices. For instance, smoking, diet and alcohol consumption are areas we should aim to avoid.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer many services, including regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals and some cosmetic services.

Dental problems should be addressed early and can be identified at check-ups. This helps to prevent the problem getting more severe. So, if further treatment is needed after a routine check-up, we give our patients a clear treatment plan.

The best way of avoiding extra treatment is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink and not smoking also helps.

If you ever need any dental advice, our team at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental will be happy to assist. This can include advice on treating bad breath, reviewing your diet, and any other dentistry-related guidance.

Our Calgary-based dental practice Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.

Summary

This report produced very interesting results. It shows that there is room for improvement in dental health around the world. However, there are many positives too. We should all take notice of the results. They serve as a reminder to adopt excellent oral hygiene, visit the dentist regularly and eat healthily.

We would love for you to visit our dental clinic soon! To read more about us and for other information, have a browse around our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca. We hope to see you soon!

  • [1] SUNSTAR. (2021). Global Healthy Thinking Report: 2021 Oral Health Awareness Survey. Available: https://www.sunstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sunstar-Global-Healthy-Thinking-Report-2021.pdf. Last accessed: 10th September 2021.
  • [2] SUNSTAR. (2021). Global Healthy Thinking Report. Available: https://www.sunstar.com/healthy-thinking-report/oral-survey-2021/. Last accessed: 10th September 2021.
  • [3] Sombateyotha, K., & Mahaweerawat, U. (2017). Oral Health Status and Oral Impact on Daily Performance in Elderly in Northeastern Region Thailand. European Journal of Sustainable Development. 6(2), p240-244.
  • [4] Miller, W. J., & Locker, D. (2007). Smoking and Oral Health Status. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. 73(2), p155-165.
  • [5] Rekawek, P., Wu, B., & Hanna, T. (2021). Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures, Social Media, and Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery: Use of Trends for the Modern Practice. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 79(4), p739-740.
When Should I Start Taking My Child to the Dentist - Savanna Dental Clinic - Calgary Dental Clinic
12Dec

When you have a child, your whole life changes. You need to take care of them, pay attention to their health, and make sure that they grow happy and healthy. One important thing that you need to pay attention to is their oral health. First-time parents may not know this, but the Canadian Dental Association recommends taking kids to the dentist around their first birthday or 6 months after their first tooth comes out, whichever comes first. The main goal is to prevent any problems with their teeth, like cavities and tooth decay.

Even during COVID-19, you should schedule their dental checkups and cleanings. We know how scary it might sound to go out of your house, but it is necessary. We recommend doing it before problems arise. Also, as mentioned in our previous post, at Savanna Dental we follow the ADA COVID-19 guidelines to make sure that your kid has a safe and have a  pleasant visit to the dentist.

So, if you are planning to take your child to the dentist for the first time you need to make sure that their experience is the most pleasant and comfortable as possible. Most kids, even being so little, remember their first time to the dentist.

To set some expectations and make sure that you do not experience any surprises during your little one’s visit, these are some of the few things that will happen during their first dental visit:

  • The parents can sit in the dental chair with the kid in their lap to make them feel safe and comfortable while the dentist performs the dental checkup.
  • Entertain the child by playing cartoons on Netflix
  • The dentist checks babies’ teeth, jaw, bite, and gums to make sure that everything is healthy.
  • The parents and dentist discuss teething, daily dental hygiene, and other relevant topics, so they are educated and understand the child’s oral health needs.
  • The dentist will recommend booking a follow-up (usually every 6 months)
  • Provide a prize at the end of the visit!!

If you are in Calgary and decide to take your child for their first dental appointment, you can visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Aman Bhopal at Savanna Dental, and he will make sure to take care of all your baby’s dental needs. We are accepting new patients and you can contact us by clicking here or by calling us at (403) 293-3413.

Taking Care of Your Oral Health During COVID-19 - Savanna Dental Clinic - Calgary Dental Clinic
2Dec

COVID-19 came along with a lot of stress eating, out of boredom and to distract ourselves from what is happening around the world.  Obviously, most of us like to eat snacks and sweets to ease stress. However, habits like these can cause new health issues. Regarding your oral health this could mean cavities and tooth decay.

Last couple of months, COVID-19 cases have been increasing rapidly in Alberta, especially in Calgary. To control the spread, we should only go out of the house if it is necessary like essential groceries, drug store to get medications, and dental and/or medical appointments.

At Savanna Dental, we have developed this list of 5 tips to take care of your oral health:

  1. Have a healthy and balanced diet – eating healthy and having a balanced diet is key to provide our body, bones, teeth, and gums with the nutrients that they need to fight infections and diseases.
  2. Eat less snacks and sweets – eating a lot of sugar and/or salt can increase the risk of developing cavities and increase tooth decay. To prevent these, we recommend reducing the consumption of sugary and salty treats to up to once a day.
  3. Stay hydrated – staying hydrated is essential to produce saliva which washes away food from the teeth and maintains your oral health. Also, having a glass of water after every meal can help you rinse your mouth and remove any food excess from your teeth.
  4. Brush, floss and rinse your teeth – brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash should be part of your daily life. We recommend doing it at least twice a day when you wake up and before you go to sleep. However, if you can, you should also be doing it after each meal.
  5. Keep your toothbrush clean – viruses can survive in your toothbrush for up to three days. A good rinse with mouthwash and water can help maintain a clean toothbrush. Also, remember to change your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.

These are just a few recommendations to help you prevent oral health problems. However, if you are suffering from tooth pain, Savanna Dental can help. Call us at (403) 293-3413 or walk into our dental clinic in Calgary NE.