G. S. Dental
5014 48 St X1A 1N3 Yellowknife, NT, Canada

COVID-19 UPDATE ... Hello Friends, In the midst of our current global issue concerning the COVID-19 virus, we would like to assure you that at Great Slave Dental Clinic, your health, safety and well-being is our highest priority. Due to the swift escalation of the COVID-19 virus and the direction of the Canadian Dental association, we will be closing our practice for all appointments, with the exception of emergency dental appointments booked over our emergency care line (867-444-9090). If you feel you require immediate dental assistance, please dont hesitate to call us to book an appointment. If you are in need of urgent dental care but arent feeling well, please give us a call so that we can assess what the options are for your immediate relief. Thank you for your understanding and support during this time. Please be assured that we are here for you, and we welcome any and all communications. Stay healthy and keep Smiling! Dr Armstrong & Team

Nail biting is one of those habits you probably never realized affects your teeth. Not only can chewing chip a tooth but prolonged nail biting places the jaw in a protruded position, putting pressure on the jaw and may cause dysfunction. Here are 5 tips to help break the habit: 1. Cut your nails short or have your nails professionally manicured. 2. Keep your hands busy with something else knit, click a pen or squeeze a stress ball. ... 3. Chew sugar-free gum. 4. Practice stress-relief strategies like meditation. 5. Notice what triggers you to bite your nails and brainstorm ways to cope. See more

Dental restorations come in many shapes and sizes to repair decayed or fractured teeth. Fillings are used to repair smaller areas of decay while larger areas may be addressed with an inlay or an onlay. Crowns are used when there is a large amount of decay or fractures. If the tooth cannot be saved then an implant-retained crown may be used.

People sometimes think sports guards are only needed for contact sports like lacrosse, hockey, rugby or martial arts, but athletes playing non-contact sports need protection as well. If theres a risk of getting hit in the mouth or jaw like baseball, basketball or soccer, or a risk of falling like skateboarding, skiing or snowboarding, then a sports guard is a good investment. Custom sports mouthguards are more durable and last longer than store-bought guards. We take an impression of the mouth and specially make each guard for a better fit. That means the guard is more comfortable - and more likely to be worn! Ask us about custom mouthguards today. Call (867) 873-2450.

Researchers have found that people wearing traditional dentures or have not replaced missing teeth have a higher risk for malnutrition because its more difficult to chew fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meat. This means they sometimes avoid these nutritious foods. If you suspect this is a problem, please talk to us about dental implants. Theyre a strong, long-term solution that lets you eat anything youd like even steak, apples, and corn on the cob!

Having trouble convincing your kids to floss? Why not try a fun dental flosser pick? These easy-to-use flossers are available in many different styles and colours, so youre sure to find one to impress your little one. Making flossing fun is an easy way to encourage kids to make flossing part of their everyday routine.

The second molars are usually the last of the baby teeth to grow in - and the last to fall out! Kids often dont lose their second molars until theyre 11 to 13 years old.

There are three basic types of dental implants. Single tooth implants are topped with a crown to complete the restoration. Fixed implant bridges replace two or more missing teeth. Implant-supported dentures hold dentures securely in place. If you have questions about dental implant options, please call us at (867) 873-2450.

Cheese is an excellent between-meal snack as it stimulates saliva production and increases the pH levels in your mouth, reducing the risk of developing cavities. It is also rather delicious!

What are shark teeth? Shark teeth refer to a child having two rows of teeth in their mouth: the original primary teeth (baby teeth) and the incoming permanent teeth. If your child is experiencing this, give us a call, and well take a look to make sure your childs teeth are growing in properly.

Remember to keep 12 toothbrush lengths away from others in the office when youre not receiving treatment!

Toothbrushes come in many different shapes and sizes. Thats because our mouths are all different. When buying a toothbrush, try and get one that can reach all areas of the mouth. Some people have smaller mouths, so a brush with a smaller head works better. Sometimes it can be challenging to reach the back molars, a toothbrush with angled bristles can help solve this problem. No matter the size of your toothbrush, always opt for a soft-bristled option unless otherwise instructed by your hygienist.

We all know that sugary snacks are bad for your teeth, but do you know how to identify high-sugar content using the product labels? Sugar goes by many names, including corn syrup, corn sweeteners, dextrose, fructose, glucose, sucrose, honey, maple syrup, and molasses. A quick rule of thumb is to avoid foods that list any form of sugar as the first ingredient. Choosing options with lower sugar content will help to keep you and your teeth healthy.

We think that the instrument sterilization process is pretty cool. Check out this video of all the steps we take to clean tools to the highest infection control standards.

When placing the floss between the teeth, its important to be gentle. Snapping the floss into the gums can cause damage and recession. Also, we want to avoid forcing bits of plaque or food between the teeth. Use a gentle zig-zag motion to get the floss into the correct position for flossing and if the floss doesnt want to go in, dont force it. Remember to floss every day!

We cant wait to see your smile! Whether youve missed a hygiene appointment and want to get back on track, or you are a new patient who is looking for a dentist, give us a call. Wed love to hear from you! (867) 873-2450

Looking for a quick snack to grab on the way to the beach? How about an apple and a handful of almonds? Youll get fibre from the apple and it will produce saliva that rinses away bad bacteria and the almonds will give you a boost of calcium and protein. Both are excellent snacks for your teeth.

At Great Slave Dental Clinic, we offer night guards to help protect tooth enamel from the damage caused by bruxism (tooth grinding). Our guards are custom fit for your mouth to help absorb the force of your bite and change behaviour. Ask us if you have any questions about teeth grinding!

Popsicles are a perfect treat for a hot summers day - but they can be packed with sugar! An easy recipe for a healthy, tooth-friendly version includes plain yogurt, which is packed with calcium, and low sugar berries such as strawberries or raspberries. Using the blender, liquify one cup of berries and combine with a half a cup of yogurt and freeze using a popsicle mould. Simple and delicious!

At Great Slave Dental Clinic, we thoroughly disinfect the exam room between visits. Heres a video of our disinfection practices to keep patients and staff safe and healthy every day.

The next time you visit our office, youll notice that all the toys and magazines from the waiting room have been removed. These items are difficult to keep clean between patients, so to simplify things we stored them away. This is just one of the many changes we are making to keep you safe during this time.

To keep our team and patients safe, there will be a prescreening process for all patients and caregivers based on the latest screening tools from Health Canada and our provincial dental association. This may include a questionnaire and tests before we begin the appointment. If you feel ill or have been exposed to anyone with a known case of COVID-19, please contact us to reschedule your appointment. (867) 873-2450

We offer implant-supported dentures that keep dentures firmly in place. Laugh, eat, and speak with confidence. Ask us about implant-supported dentures. (867) 873-2450

Happy Canada day! Although celebrations might be a little different this year, we know you will find a way to make it special. So lets show our maple leaves and enjoy being part of this beautiful country.

We ask that you wait in your car to maximize social distancing until were ready for your appointment. When you arrive, give us a call to let us know. We will run through some prescreening questions and will let you know when the doctor is ready to see you.

We cant wait to see your smile! Now that were open again we are excited to get you back on track and back into the chair. Give us a call to book in! (867) 873-2450

You may notice fewer chairs in the waiting room on your next visit. We rearranged the seating to abide by the social distancing guidelines that encourage everyone to stay 6 feet apart. So if you happen to be in the office at the same time as another patient, it will be easier to maintain the appropriate distance.

Happy Fathers Day! We are grateful for all the dads who have provided guidance and support to their children during these difficult times. Thanks for all you do!

PPE or Personal Protective Equipment has been in the news quite a bit these past few months. Here are some examples of the equipment we use to keep our staff and patients safe at Great Slave Dental Clinic.

For most people, removing your dentures before you go to sleep is the healthiest option. It reduces your risk of plaque buildup, infections and irritations and gives your gums and bones a chance to relax. Studies have shown that removing your dentures at night also reduces the risk of aspiration pneumonia. When you remove your dentures be sure to clean them gently and leave them to soak in water or a soaking solution. Give your mouth a clean before you put your dentures back in. You may have been instructed to wear your dentures overnight to help with sleep apnea. If thats the case, be sure to remove your dentures for 5-6 hours during the day to give your mouth a break.

Maintaining your regular oral health care routine at home is more important than ever. Taking preventative measures can reduce your risk of tooth decay and dental emergencies. So remember to brush twice a day, floss once a day and follow any specific instructions that your hygienist provided at your last visit. Remember to wash your hands before you brush and floss. If you have any questions about your oral health, please call and leave a message.

We are open and we cant wait to see your smile! Give us a call and well get you back on track as soon as we can. (867) 873-2450

Were reopening! Over the next few weeks, we will be reaching out to patients to reschedule appointments. Please wait for us to confirm your appointment and conduct a prescreening before coming in. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Were so pleased to announce that our office is reopening! We have been busy preparing to see patients again, and you may notice a few changes throughout the office, including prescreening and changes to the waiting area. Our commitment to a safe and sterile environment has not changed. We have protocols in place to maintain the highest sterilization and disinfection standards. If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact us at (867) 873-2450.

Brushing too hard can wear away enamel. To get the right amount of pressure, try to imagine youre brushing a tomato. If you brush too hard youll strip the tomato of the skin. Light pressure will keep your teeth and the tomato clean and intact.

Heres a fun five-minute craft to help teach your kids about brushing their teeth! Complete with a downloadable template.

Whats the difference between metal and white fillings? Metal fillings or amalgam fillings have been used to fill cavities for more than 150 years. They are strong, safe, and last a long time. Some patients are concerned about the mercury content of metal fillings, but scientific studies show they are not harmful to your health. White fillings are made from a composite material that matches the natural shade of the tooth being repaired. They are a popular choice for patients because they are almost unnoticeable once they are in place. Many patients have questions about the different types of fillings, so please ask to learn more.

Do you do a spot check when youre done cleaning your braces? Thats one simple way to make sure you got everything. Give yourself a big smile as you check for any missed food or plaque from multiple angles and touch up any areas youve missed.