West One Family Dental

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 20:18:00 GMT

Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you accomplish a task easier. All too often when we need a third hand and there’s no friend available, we grip things with our teeth instead. The danger in this type of misuse of your teeth is, although they are strong bone, they have limitations. Unfortunately, our teeth have limits, and they are an invaluable resource that’s not easy to replace.

So, we give you…

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

As a Bottle Opener

Can’t put your hands on that bottle opener, but dying for a refreshing sip? Resist the temptation to use your jaw for leverage on that metal bottle top! Metal bottle tops can chip the edge of teeth, and the force of bending the bottle top can crack your teeth. Take the extra minute to locate a metal bottle opener and save yourself a dental bill!

As an Ice Crusher

Chewing on ice can be amusing, satisfying, and function. The issue is, ice is actually hard enough to wear down the enamel on your teeth. As the enamel wears thin, you risk exposing the dentin and tooth roots. Bacteria can enter these fissured in your enamel and cause cavities, micro-fissures, and tooth sensitivity.

As a Nut Cracker

There’s a good reason Wilhelm Fuchtner invented the nutcracker in 1872. Repeated use of your teeth to open nuts can cause chipping, cracking, or crumbling of your teeth. It’s not just walnuts and peanuts either! Sunflower seeds can damage your teeth as well. Opting to use a tool instead of your teeth to de-shell your seeds & nuts can really pay off!

As a Fishing Line Cutter

When your hand are full with your fishing pole, lures, hooks, and bait, it’s tempting to rip fishing line with your teeth. But, repeated pressure on certain spots in your teeth can actually cause chipping or dips in your teeth from the line. Not only does this lead to unsightly teeth, these dips can harbor bacteria and lead to decay. Pro tip: grab a small pair of fingernail clippers and keep it in your tackle box. They’re perfect for snipping line, even in tight spots!

As a Literal Candy Crusher

Hard candy is hard on your teeth. Whether you choose to suck on it and drag it out, or you lose patience and crunch it up, it’s bad news for your teeth. Savoring that candy can increase your chances of tooth sensitivity and decay as prolonged exposure to sugar weakens enamel! But crushing through that candy can scratch your enamel, especially since it’s been weakened by the exposure to sugar. Enjoy a hard candy from time to time, but make it an occasional treat, not a habit!

Working Out Nerves

This one can be difficult to stop because it is usually unconscious. Do you find yourself chewing on pen caps, biting your nails, or gnawing on cloth? While these may help you work out anxious feelings in the moment, they will lead to a lot more trouble down the road when you wear through your enamel. Invest in a fidget spinner, stress ball, or take a few deep breaths or a quick walk to work out anxiety instead.

Is this blog too late for you? If you have some of these bad habits and are worried about chips, cracks, sensitivity, or decay, reach out to our office at 719-633-8766 for an appointment! We also have emergency treatment options.

The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental .

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 16:35:00 GMT

If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association . And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis, tooth discoloration. Also, fluoride can be dangerous if swallowed in large quantities, and is not recommended for children under 6 years old. Some scientists have expressed concerns at the effect of water fluoridation and hormone levels .

At West One Family Dental, we still think fluoride toothpaste is an effective tool for cavity prevention, when used correctly. However, there is a new (to the USA) superstar- Nano Hydroxyapatite- that’s getting lots of attention, and we’d be remiss to not cover it here.

What is Nano Hydroxyapatite?

Hydroxyapatite sounds complicated, when in fact it’s the substance that composes up to 60% of your bone structure, and 90% of your tooth enamel already! Nano simply means a much smaller version of something. So, Nano Hydroxyapatite, or n-HA, is what we call very small portions of this substance that our body uses to strengthen bones. In nature, Hydroxyapatite does not occur in the nano form. N-HA is created in a lab, which is how we get this tiny form.

I thought bones were made from calcium?

You may remember we’re often told to drink more calcium, since bones are made from calcium. In reality, calcium is a necessary ingredient our body uses to make Hydroxyapatite, so your elementary science teacher wasn’t wrong.

Where did it come from?

Nano Hydroxyapatite was first refined from naturally-occurring Hydroxyapatite in the 1970’s to help astronauts who experienced bone density and tooth enamel loss in space. Fluoride was already widely used in the United States, and few concerns were expressed at the time, so Nano Hydroxyapatite never became popular for oral healthcare here. However, a Japanese toothpaste company bought the patent from NASA and popularized it in Japan. Over the last 40 years, it has been widely used and studied in Japan and is now their gold standard in cavity prevention.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite effective?

Nano Hydroxyapatite works by remineralizing teeth from the inside out. When you eat or drink acidic drinks, your enamel weakens with micro cracks and fissures as a result of the bacteria in your food and on your teeth already. if n-HA is available in your mouth, your tooth will absorb n-HA to rebuild this damage, filling the cracks and bridging the fissures. This can also reduce hypersensitivity to hot and cold sensations.

Head-to-Head: Fluoride and Nano Hydroxyapatite

Several studies have tested the effectiveness of n-HA in oral care products. Some suggest n-HA is better than fluoride, while more recent studies suggest they are equally effective.

Fluoride works to create a barrier on the outside of your teeth and may protect them from acids better. However there are the potential downsides from accidental ingestion. Nano Hydroxyapatite works by absorbing deeper into teeth, building up inside, and strengthening teeth from the inside out. However, some research suggests this method is not as effective against strong acidic substances. So, which one is better? The one you will use regularly.

Is it safe?

Unlike fluoride, ingesting n-HA is not harmful. It is naturally occurring (like fluoride) and bioavailable (unlike fluoride). While we never recommend swallowing your toothpaste, if it contains n-HA and not fluoride, it is actually safe to swallow. That’s why toothpastes with n-HA are safe and recommended for children under 6 years old.

As with most substances, some people are allergic to Nano Hydroxyapatite. Allergic reactions might present with symptoms such as dry mouth, headache or fatigue, frequent urination, flushing or sweating, and stomach discomfort. If you experience any of these symptoms after trying out n-HA, stop using it immediately and contact your doctor.

So if for some reason, you’ve soured on fluoride or have concerns, give Nano Hydroxyapatite a try! Our main concern is that you prioritize rebuilding your enamel, and we encourage our patients to use any effective, proven method to do that!

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Are you Brushing Too Hard?

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 20:12:00 GMT

When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental cavities, and infections. But don’t just grab your toothbrush and go to town on your teeth, harsh or aggressive brushing can cause a host of problems of their own.

Check for Warning Signs

Here are some clues that you might be brushing too hard:

Pick Your Toothbrush Carefully

When shopping for a toothbrush, try to pick one that has soft or medium soft bristles. With regular brushing, you shouldn’t need to apply much pressure to remove plaque. It’s only when plaque sits and hardens that it becomes difficult to remove. If you have tartar build-up, it’s best to see your dentist to get it removed. They have tools that can effectively remove tartar without damaging your teeth or gums.

Additionally, you can consider buying an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes can be more efficient with less force. Also, many electric toothbrushes also have sensors to detect when you’re applying too much pressure, and may even shut off.

The Right Pressure

You should view brushing your teeth as more of a gentle massage for your gums, rather than a scrubbing of your teeth. Gums have nerves that give more feedback than teeth, so it can be easier to tell how hard you are brushing. If you can, hold your toothbrush with just three fingers. This will help moderate the pressure you can apply while brushing.

Regular gentle brushing is sufficient to keep your teeth clean. If your teeth don’t feel clean, you should see a dental hygienist for help removing stuck-on tartar.

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Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 20:07:00 GMT

While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways.

Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental Health

Anxiety over Treatment

Whether going in for just a check-up or dental treatment, nearly 75% of Americans are afraid of the dentist. For some, this goes beyond basic fear to extreme anxiety. For some, this even results in them discontinuing their visits to the dentist. This triggers a cycle of more dental issues, and more anxiety as they need more treatment. If you’re anxious, please reach out to us. We are experienced in handling dental anxiety and want to help you overcome your fear.

Link between Gum Disease and Mental Health Conditions

Though the cause-effect relationship is not well understood, gum disease is often correlated with mental health conditions. It is not clear whether poor oral health makes you more likely to experience mood disorders, or whether mood disorders lead to poor oral hygiene and therefore health . Some theorize that your body’s inflammatory response to chronic infection in your gums can cause your body to also attack healthy cells elsewhere.

Poor Mental Health’s Impact on Oral Health

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Some people with healthy gums still experience burning gums and pain. It presents differently in differnt patients, some experiencing all day, while others start the day without it but the symptoms grow over the course of the day. While this is not fully understood, BMS has a very high correlation with mental disorders such as depression, mania, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders.

Nutritional Deficiencies & Dental Neglect

Many who struggle with mental health lack the energy and will to care for themselves. This manifests in their diet and self-care, including oral care. Neglecting daily oral hygiene can lead to cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Many psychiatric patients struggle with nutritional deficiencies . This can be a result of poor dietary choices, low energy levels, and pain.

Abrasive Brushing & Dental Erosion

Those with aggressive or mania conditions can sometimes be overzealous with their brushing. Additionally, those that suffer from eating disorders frequently vomit. Harsh brushing or frequent vomiting can wear down enamel and increase the risk of sensitive teeth, dental caries, or gum recession and tooth loss.

Medications

All medications have a chance to negatively impacting your oral health. Psychiatric medications are no exception to this rule. One of the most common negative side effects that impacts oral health is dry mouth. If you experience dry mouth, consider asking your doctor to try an alternative medication. Dry mouth has really negative effects on oral health , especially long-term oral health .

It’s important to take care of yourself. Your oral health, as well as your mental health. If you’d like to discuss your oral health concerns, please reach out for an appointment with our office. We would love to be helpful!

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Benefits of Using Mouthwash

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 19:40:00 GMT

It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are many benefits to using mouthwash on a regular basis. Let’s check some of them out!

Types of Mouthwash

Generally speaking, there are two main categories of mouthwash; Cosmetic and Therapeutic.

Cosmetic Mouthwash

These are intended to temporarily control or reduce bad breath. Often they have a pleasant taste, which leaves your mouth feeling fresh. However, these types of mouthwash don’t reduce your risk of cavities or gum disease. They neglect the underlying causes of bad breath, and instead simply treat the symptom.

Therapeutic Mouthwash

These mouthwashes focus on the underlying causes of bad breath; bacteria. They have active ingredients that kill bacteria and can help reduce plaque, gingivitis, cavities and bad breath. Therapeutic mouthwash can be bought in prescription or over-the-counter strengths. When looking for a therapeutic mouthwash, look for these active ingredients to address underlying issues:

Some therapeutic mouthwashes also have fluoride which helps prevent or reduce tooth decay. Fluoride can help remineralize and strengthen enamel which is how it reduces tooth decay. These types of mouthwashes typically include a suggestion to avoid drinking water for about 30 minutes after you use them. That allows the fluoride to sit on your teeth and strengthen your enamel.

Benefits of Using Therapeutic Mouthwash

Prevent or control tooth decay

Tooth decay is a result of sugar weakening your enamel, as well as bacteria which thrive off those sugars producing acid to wear down your tooth. Therapeutic mouthwash targets and destroys bacteria in places that are hard for your toothbrush and floss to reach. While your mouth is constantly gaining more bacteria, it’s still important to control the bacteria at least every 12 hours with brushing, flossing, and mouthwash to help protect your enamel.

Reduce plaque

When bacteria sit on your teeth, they create a sticky residue called plaque. This plaque not only weakens your enamel, it also traps more and more bacteria.

Prevent or reduce gingivitis

Bacteria often thrive in the small pockets between your teeth and gums. These areas are warm, moist, and protected, which is the perfect place for bacteria to grow. After awhile, this bacterial infection causes your gums to swell in an inflammatory response to the infection. This is gingivitis, and is an early form of gum disease. Gum disease can be difficult to manage and can eventually lead to tooth and bone loss. Mouthwash is able to penetrate these pockets and dry out the bacteria.

Reduce tartar build-up

Tartar is hardened plaque. If plaque is allowed to build up on your teeth, over time it will harden into tartar. Tartar is difficult to remove, and usually requires a professional cleaning to remove. Tartar, like plaque, traps bacteria against the enamel of your teeth and weakens your enamel. Mouthwash not only helps to remove plaque before it becomes tartar, it can also weaken tartar and prevent it from building up further.

Freshen breath

When you treat the underlying issue behind bad breath; trapped bacteria, you will notice a difference in how fresh your breath is, not only after using mouthwash, but on a regular basis.

Reduce Sensitivity

You can find some mouthwashes which are specially formulated to strengthen weak spots in your enamel. Weak or thinning enamel exposes the nerves in your tooth root, causing sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet foods.

Disadvantages of Mouthwash

While there are many proven benefits of therapeutic mouthwash, there are some disadvantages to consider. Mouthwashes with high levels of alcohol can dry out your mouth and increase sensitivity if they are not specifically formulated to combat sensitivity. Additionally, some people suggest that daily use of high alcohol mouthwash can cause oral cancer. While this is not well studied, you are more likely to experience negative effects avoiding mouthwash than you are by using it. Be sure to discuss with your dentist if you have concerns about this risk. Additionally, if you use mouthwash right after your toothpaste and your mouth rinse doesn’t have fluoride, you can wash away fluoride from your toothpaste that is meant to sit on your teeth.

Brushing and flossing are by far the most important parts of your oral hygiene routine. However, mouthwash can help significantly in your battle against gum disease and tooth decay. Make sure to select a high quality therapeutic mouthwash, and aim to use it daily, if not several times a week.

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Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 19:03:00 GMT

Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here . Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to consider an underlying cause.

Eliminate Common Sources

Sometimes halitosis, or bad breath, has a fairly clear source. Consider these common sources of bad breath before investigating something more serious.

Investigate your Medicine Cabinet

Certain drugs can cause halitosis as a side effect. Sometimes this is a direct result from the chemical reactions they make in your body. Other times, medications can simply cause dry mouth which leads to bacteria build-up, inflamed gums, and bad breath. Talk with your doctor to see if you have any other options for medication which do not negatively impact your dental health.

Diseases and Cancers

Some diseases and cancers, especially metabolic disorders, can present as persistent bad breath. If you think there is a chance you have a disease, be sure to talk with your doctor and include persistent halitosis as one of your symptoms. Diabetes can also cause a distinctive, sickly sweet smell. Poorly functioning kidneys or livers can also change your breath.

Digestive Issues and Disorders

GERD and Bulimia can also give you bad breath. The persistence of gastric juices in your mouth can dry it out, make it easy for bacteria to grow, and leave behind a foul odor.

Foreign Body

While this is most common in children who stick toys and other foreign bodies in their nose, if there is a persistent bad breath issue you should consider whether it is possible that there is something stuck in your nose. A foreign body can cause infection, and the body creates a lot of mucus to help break down the object and dislodge it. Since your nose does not have a lot of nerve endings in the nasal passages, it may be difficult for you to feel the object if it is small. Your doctor or dentist can X-ray the area to get a better picture and determine if there is something stuck in your nose.

There may be an underlying medical or situational cause that’s preventing you from clearing up bad breath. If you have persistent bad breath, it’s important to let your doctor and dentist know. Bad breath can be an early warning sign of many serious diseases and conditions. The sooner you let your dentist know, the sooner they can work with you to determine the underlying cause.

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Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 16:17:00 GMT

Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay . Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new research is showing that Americans are much more sugar-conscious than the previous decades. Sugar is not the smoking gun of tooth decay as it was previously. If you are careful with sugar in your diet and still struggle with chronic tooth decay, you might consider other causes. One surprising link has been made between black mold and tooth decay.

What is Black Mold?

Black mold is any mold that grows easily in moist areas and is black. There is actually not one specific mold that is called “black mold” but it is rather a description of molds that are black in color. One of the mold types that is most commonly linked with health concerns, allergies, and asthma is Stachybotrys chartarum . Stachybotrys chartarum is black in color and commonly grows in damp, dark areas.

How Might I Be Exposed to Black Mold?

Black molds are often found in homes, especially homes that are older, have chronic dampness, or have been left vacant. Once mold is present in the home it can be very difficult to completely eliminate it as mold frequently shoots spores into the air which travel to new places and seed new growth. Additionally, mold often begins growing because of moisture, so if the source of the moisture is not resolved, it could grow back easily. Another source for mold is inside drinking cups and water bottles, especially if they have sections where water could become trapped and are not easy to clean.

How Does Black Mold Impact my Oral Health?

Black mold can cause several health complications, but the most common are respiratory. Many people are allergic to mold spores. This leads to irritation of the mucus membranes and causes stuffy or runny noses, inflamed or irritated gums, difficulty breathing, and coughing. The main theory for why this could lead to an increase in dental cavities is because nasal congestion forces you to breathe through your mouth. Mouth breathing is very damaging to your oral health. It commonly leads to dry mouth, which plays an important role in protecting your teeth from decay . Additionally, the irritation and inflammation of gums can harbor harmful bacteria that cause decay.

What Should I Do?

If you think you may have a mold issue in your home, it’s important to get professional consultation to remove it. Mold can decrease your quality of life and overall health. It’s especially dangerous when it’s in your home since you spend at least 8-10 hours there everyday while you sleep. If you have tooth sensitivity or bleeding gums, you can also contact your dentist for their opinion. If you notice your mouth is often dry, try to increase your daily intake of water as well.

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Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 19:04:00 GMT

So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week . You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every extraction is the same, we’ll go over some tips that will help every extraction wound.

Care for the Extraction Site

First Few Hours

Immediately after extracting the tooth, your dentist will ask you to bite down on gauze. As much as is possible, it’s best to keep pressure and this gauze on the wound for a couple hours. This will help the extraction site form a blood clot and prevent bacteria from entering your bloodstream through the wound. It’s very important that you don’t try to swish or gargle too soon which can dissolve a blood clot as it forms.

Next Few Days

Have plans to rest well after an extraction, especially more involved extractions that require sedation. Adequate rest can help speed healing and prevent complications. Additionally, as much as possible, try not to create pressure changes in your mouth- spitting, sucking, blowing your nose, sneezing, etc. To keep swelling down, you can use cold compresses on the cheek near the extraction site. Ice for no more than 10 minutes in a row to prevent tissue damage. Managing pain with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can help you rest, and can aid in the healing process.

Once the clot is well formed, gently clean the extraction site daily by swishing lukewarm salt water. Avoid vigorous swishing or brushing which can dislodge the blood clot. Other things that can dislodge a blood-clot are smoking, spitting, and sucking. It’s best to avoid using a straw for the duration of the healing process. It’s important to protect the blood clot because it acts as a barrier to prevent infection, speeds up healing time, and prevents a painful complication of extractions called dry socket.

Dry Socket

Dry socket is when the clot is removed from an extraction site, exposing the bone, tissue, and nerves. This causes more severe pain that lasts longer than typical extractions. It can also slow healing time. The treatment for dry socket is to pack the wound with medicated gauze. If your pain gets worse, not better after a couple days, you notice a strong smell or odor, or can see bone at the extraction site, contact your dentist.

Days 3-10

Once the clot is more firmly in place, you can clean the site more directly with salt water and a syringe. You should clean the rest of your teeth as usual with a toothbrush and floss, but avoid brushing directing at the extraction site.

Manage the Pain

It’s advisable to manage your pain rather than pushing through to be “tough.” The body actually heals slower when it’s in pain. It’s best to stick to over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Occasionally with very involved extractions, dentists may prescribe something more powerful. Make sure you follow your dentist’s instructions regarding pain medications and don’t take them more often than intended. If you struggle to lower your dose on the prescription pain medications, contact your dentist. Additionally you can get help from the SAMHSA National Hotline .

Adjust Your Diet to Care for the Extraction Site

Immediately after the extraction, it’s best to avoid food for a few hours at least. After a few hours and for the next few days, stick with liquid foods and use a spoon, not a straw. Once the clot is well-formed around the third day you can transition to soft foods. Try to avoid foods that could get lodged in the extraction site. Some good choices would be applesauce, yogurt, puddings, soups, protein shakes, and smoothies. Avoid very hard foods, especially those that might poke your extraction site, such as chips or fried foods.

When to Call Your Dentist

Call your dentist and discuss these issues with them if you experience any of the following:

Many extraction sites heal without complications in about 10 days. Some factors can influence how fast your mouth heals including your overall health, age, and whether or not you smoke. If you need to speak with a dentist and for some reason can’t contact your own, please don’t hesitate to call West One Family Dental at 719-633-8766.

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What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 03:47:00 GMT

Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth !) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take a look at when tooth extractions may be the best choice, and what you can expect.

Reasons for Tooth Extractions

Making Room for Adult Teeth

Obviously, this is a common rite of passage of childhood. As you grow, your baby teeth should fall out to make room for adult teeth. Sometimes baby teeth can linger and your dentist may want you to consider extracting them. This may happen because the adult tooth came in at a slightly different place, or the roots of the baby tooth are not dissolving quickly enough. Additionally, adult teeth may come in crooked because of a stubborn baby tooth.

Large Infection

If decay or infection goes untreated in a tooth, it is likely to spread into the root and eventually the jaw bone. This can cause serious health complications. There is a turning point where a tooth is no longer stable enough or worth saving. When your tooth is that decayed, tooth extraction is the best choice.

Crowding

Increasingly, people have a smaller and smaller mouth as a result of the modern diet. We spend much less time than our ancestors did chewing on bones and sucking out the marrow. We also enjoy many soft foods, which are delicious, but do not develop the jawbone, promoting growth. If your mouth becomes too crowded, it can be difficult to keep your teeth properly clean. Your dentist may suggest tooth extraction to help your teeth fit better in your mouth. This is particularly true for “ wisdom teeth ” or third molars.

Other Medical Procedures

Sometimes other medical procedures can be more successful with tooth extraction. This is particularly true if someone is receiving high doses of radiation in the head and neck which could cause excessive decay. Additionally, some medical conditions lead to excessive decay, which may result in necessary tooth extractions.

Procedure

Your dentist will begin by discussing the options available to you, and will explain why they think tooth extraction is the best choice. If you agree to treatment, they will take X-rays to get a clear picture of the tooth, root, and surrounding bone and teeth. If the tooth extraction is straightforward they will likely pull the tooth in the office with the assistance of a local anesthetic. If the roots are twisted or intertwined with neighboring teeth, the tooth is impacted (under the gums and at an angle), or there are other complicating factors, your dentist will likely refer you to an oral surgeon. An oral surgeon is trained to cut into the gums to remove teeth, and usually performs a surgical extraction under general anesthesia.

Tune in next week to learn about the best after-care for tooth extractions!

The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental .

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 18:55:00 GMT

In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become overgrown with bacteria just like your teeth. Let’s look at some common issues that can happen to your tongue, and what they mean.

A Healthy Tongue

A healthy tongue is light pink, flexible, and strong. It should have lots of small, regular sized domes- your taste buds- which are fairly uniform in size and do not change in size or shape. It should not have deep cracks or large raised bumps.

White Coating on Your Tongue

It’s fairly common to get a white coating across your tongue. Usually this is a build-up of bacteria or yeast in your mouth. Brush your tongue regularly and it should clear up your tongue of bacteria build-up. If your tongue continues to have a white coating, ask your dentist for their opinion. Some white coatings could suggest a fungal infection or an autoimmune condition.

Deep cracks in your Tongue

It is normal for grooves in your tongue to get deeper as you age, but very deep cracks, especially those that appear suddenly, could be signs of an injury or underlying condition. Deep cracks have been connected to conditions such as Down syndrome, psoriasis, and Sjögren’s syndrome. If the underlying cause can be treated, treatment may help heal the fissures.

Tongue Appears “Scalloped” on the Edges

There are actually several potential causes of a tongue that appears to be scalloped, or have ripples along the edges. Generally, this happens to your tongue when it swells and becomes inflamed ( Macroglossia ), or when you (consciously or subconsciously) press your tongue against your teeth. Dehydration is a common cause, and is not serious. Hypothyroidism can also cause a swelling of the tongue which causes the scalloped appearance. If you believe your health is good and you are properly hydrating but your tongue continues to be scalloped, check with your dentist to see if anxiety, sleep apnea, TMJ, or something else might be causing it.

Tongue is Tender or Swollen

Your tongue may often be tender after an accidental bite, or if you have a developing canker sore. Usually localized tenderness is not cause for concern, unless they persist for weeks or don’t seem to heal. Tenderness or irritation all over your tongue can be a sign that you have a food allergy and have eaten something problematic for your body. As with any condition, if it worsens it is best to seek advice from a medical professional.

White Patches on Your Tongue

Flat white patches on your tongue that cannot be scraped off could be a sign of an oral cancer called leukoplakia. If you have these patches, it’s important to get in to see your dentist as soon as possible. It is always important to catch cancer as early as possible and treat it quickly.

Bright Red Tongue

A bright red, and especially a bumpy, tongue is an early sign that you may have Kawasaki’s disease. This is when you have inflammation all over your body and it can be a serious condition if you do not receive prompt medical attention. A bright red tongue can also be a symptom of scarlet fever. If your tongue is bright red but very smooth and tender, consult with a doctor about your vitamin B3 levels.

Tongue Appears Hairy

Sometimes proteins on your tongue swell, causing food particles to get stuck. In that situation, your tongue takes on an appearance of hair- sometimes white, sometimes brown or black. A vigorous scrubbing of your tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper should remove these food particles. If you are unable to remove them yourself, see a dentist to evaluate whether they are a form of leukoplakia. Those with an underlying condition such as Epstein-Barr or HIV are more likely to experience “hairy” tongue.

Cleaning your tongue should be a part of your regular hygiene routine, and examinations of your tongue are included in your semi-annual hygiene exam. Make sure to keep regular appointments with your dental hygienist!

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Your Teeth Tell Your Life Story

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 17:13:00 GMT

Did you know that your teeth tell your life’s story? Bodies can be identified by their dental records- the specific shape, wear, and alterations of your teeth. However, some new research shows that your teeth tell an even deeper story. Major life events actually affect the formation of your teeth, leaving lasting marks. Let’s look at this exciting research that explains how your life’s story is told by your teeth!

“Tooth Rings”

Doctoral candidates, professors, and research scientists at NYU’s School of Antropology and College of Dentistry have collaborated on a study of cementum- the layer that surrounds teeth roots. Quickly after teeth surface, cementum adds a layer each year. This is similar to the way trees add rings annually.

Their theory was that major life events could impact the growth of the cementum layers. Examples of life events are: incarceration, systemic illness, and new living environments like a move from rural to urban living. Additionally, menopause & reproduction in females caused marks in the tooth rings. Their careful research has proven a clear connection between the distinction of certain layers and significant life events. They found these clear connections across multiple teeth in the mouth, confirming that it could not be caused by one specific injury or localized event.

“A tooth is not a static and dead portion of the skeleton,” observes Paula Cerrito, a doctoral candidate on the project. “It continuously adjusts and responds to physiological processes. Just like tree rings, we can look at ‘tooth rings’: continuously growing layers of tissue on the dental root surface. These rings are a faithful archive of an individual’s physiological experiences and stressors from pregnancies and illnesses to incarcerations and menopause that all leave a distinctive permanent mark.”

It’s amazing to see how collaboration across different disciplines can give us exciting new revelations. Here, the college of dentistry was able to work with the college of anthropology, which gives them both important information for their fields of study.

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What to Do If You Bite Your Tongue

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 15:19:00 GMT

If you have ever accidentally chomped down on your tongue, you know how incredibly painful it can be! But while a nip on your tongue while chewing is painful but not serious, there are times when a tongue bite can be very serious. Given that your tongue is a pivotal muscle for talking, chewing, and swallowing it can be a great inconvenience to have an injured tongue. Today we’ll discuss the best ways to treat a tongue bite and how to know when you should seek professional medical assistance for a tongue bite.

Typically biting your tongue while chewing is rarely serious. It’s more concerning when a tongue bite is the result of a car accident, sports injury, or seizure when much larger forces are at play. Additionally, tongues have a lot of muscle units to help control many specialized ways of moving. As a result, tongues often bleed profusely when injured , which may make you think an injury is more serious than reality.

Examine the Injury

When you are looking at the wound, you should keep an eye out for very jagged edges, wounds which don’t close when the tongue is at rest. Wounds that are very large and don’t close when your tongue is at rest are more serious and you should call your doctor or dentist for medical advice.

When to Seek Medical Assistance

If in doubt, it’s always better to call and speak with a doctor if you are concerned that your injury is serious.

How to Treat a Minor Tongue Bite At Home

If you don’t think your tongue bite is serious, time is the best healer.

Eat Carefully

Make sure to chew softly to avoid re-injuring the bite. It’s best if you can stick with soft foods with no hard edges that may poke or aggravate the wound.

Clean Well

Additionally, you should rinse your mouth with warm salt water after every meal, in the morning, and at night. You can make a simple saltwater solution by dissolving 1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Stir until the salt is no longer visible. Take small mouthfuls of the salt water, swish gently around your mouth, and spit the water in the sink afterwards.

Treat the Pain

Take over-the-counter pain medication or anti-inflammatories to manage your pain. Additionally, you can suck on an ice cube or popsicle daily to help reduce the swelling. However, never give a child an ice cube or popsicle unattended as it could be a choking risk.

Observe for Changes

If the pain gets worse, of other symptoms suddenly seem to be getting worse, call your doctor.

Generally, a tongue bite will heal in 4-10 days, depending on the severity. We’ve so sorry if you’re currently experiencing the pain of a tongue bite! If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call our office at 719-633-8766 for advice. West One Family Dental is an excellent Colorado Springs Dental Office and we love to help!

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Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 18:57:00 GMT

Did you know there are many health benefits to having a straight smile? Straight teeth don’t just look great, they actually help keep you healthier! Let’s take a closer look!

Less Wear on Your Teeth

Teeth that don’t fit well together can wear down over time. As you chew, talk, and sleep your teeth grind against each other, looking for a better fit. As they grind, your teeth wear each other down. Additionally, high-points where teeth touch first are more likely to wear down quickly as they take the full force of your bite in that one spot. When your teeth are properly spaced and fit the way they were intended, it prolongs the life of your smile.

Fewer Headaches

Another side effect of ill-fitting teeth is chronic migraines and headaches . The strong clash of your teeth or the prolonged added jaw tension tightens the muscles in your head, causing discomfort and pain. Often, you may be grinding your teeth at night without even realizing it. Straightening your teeth can help you enjoy life without the overshadowing of chronic head pain.

Easy to Clean

Your teeth are designed to have a little bit of contact with the teeth on either side, but not too much. When your teeth are crooked you end up with gaps in some places, and wedged, too-tight teeth in other places. Food can easily linger in gaps where there is no contact to keep it out. Additionally, food chewed aggressively, especially stringy meat or vegetables, can get stuck in tight spots. This makes it difficult to clean your teeth effectively. A straight smile is easier to clean because the teeth naturally keep out food bits better. When you do get food stuck, the slight but not too tight contacts are easy to floss clean.

Healthier Gums

The natural result of teeth being difficult to clean (see previous point) is that the gums become inflamed and diseased. Bacteria from food and the air gets trapped in spots where you haven’t been able to clean well, growing and damaging the gum tissue.

Better Overall Health

Gum disease, plaque build-up, and inflammation have all been linked to many other diseases throughout the body. There is a strong correlation between gum disease and cardiovascular disease , cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity and asthma. Taking good care of your mouth helps with your overall health. Straight teeth make it easier to care for your mouth well!

At West One Family Dental, we offer excellent orthodontic care . If you’re ready to get the straight smile that will help improve your health, we’d love to discuss your treatment options!

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Are Dental X-rays Dangerous?

Tue, 26 May 2020 16:02:00 GMT

Your total health is of utmost concern to us. As health professionals, we seek for any and all care to be for the purpose of making you healthier- from head to toe! From time to time, we have patients that express concern about the radiation exposure that comes with getting dental x-rays. We’d love to break down for you the purpose of dental X-rays, the potential risks, the expert recommendations, and how we work to keep you as safe and healthy as possible.

Purpose of Dental X-rays

If we do oral exams, why do we take X-rays at all? We pride ourselves on regular, thorough exams for all our patients to catch issues as quickly as we can. The earlier we catch an issue, the less intervention needed to treat it. That’s great for your wallet as well as your overall health! However, a dental exam only allows us to see about 40% of your mouth! It’s impossible to see in the cracks between teeth, underneath the gum line, or the inside of teeth.

Often, decay can sneak in to the inner part of your tooth through a small crack in the tooth or gap between a filling and natural tooth. Since the inside of your teeth is softer than the outside, decay can destroy the dentin at a faster rate than the enamel. This leads to “hidden” cavities that won’t be noticed until enough dentin is exposed to the outside, or the decay reaches the tooth. Once decay reaches the tooth, your chances of needing a root canal are much greater. It’s important to us that we catch any issue while it’s still in the early stages, and that means getting a really good view of your mouth both visually and on X-ray.

Risks of Dental X-rays

Great news! Modern dental X-rays pose a very low risk to your health! While X-rays do expose you to radiation, the level of radiation is much lower than it used to be, and much much lower than the radiation you are regularly exposed to in daily living. There’s a really fabulous chart that visualizes this here ! The radiation you get from a dental X-ray is approximately 8 micro-Sieverts for an intraoral X-ray, and about 24 micro-Sieverts for a panoramic X-ray. (This varies some depending on the machine) That’s about the same radiation you’d be exposed to in a 3 hour plane ride. Every day, radiation shines down on us from space and emits from basic foods we consume- so avoiding radiation completely is impossible.

Mitigating the Risk

Since some radiation exposure is inevitable in daily living, and long-term, radiation exposure can cause damage, it’s always important to reduce your radiation exposure “As Low as is Reasonably Achievable.” This is a radiation safety principle called ALARA that is widely accepted by experts.

We can’t completely avoid radiation from the sun and from our food and from living indoors. So every time radiation exposure is optional, we should consider whether the increased radiation is worth the benefit. That’s why we evaluate every dental patient individually for risk factors for both radiation exposure and oral health issues. Your dentist favors whichever risk is more pressing when making recommendations. Additionally, we take all steps possible to mitigate your exposure while getting an X-ray. We have large lead “bibs” that we place over your torso and upper legs to shield your body from radiation.

Expert Recommendations

The American Dental Association has investigated the pros and cons of radiation exposure for the sake of dental x-rays. After reviewing the facts, they have set forth clear guidelines to help advise dentists in their decision-making. Their official recommendation is for providers to consider the risk factors for each patient. After a clinical exam, the dentist considers whether dental x-rays could lead to better patient care. If they can, they should use the proper precautions to limit radiation exposure to follow ALARA principles.

At West One Family Dental, we provide excellent patient care for anyone looking for a Colorado Springs Dentist. We value our patient’s overall health. That’s why we empower patients with all the information to make an informed decision for their care. If you still have questions, we’d love to hear from you at 719-633-8766.

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Is Chewing Gum Good for Your Oral Health?

Tue, 19 May 2020 19:53:00 GMT

Many chewing gum companies advertise that their gum is good for your oral health, or recommended by dentists. But it can be hard to suss out the truth in advertising- is this just bluster to make sales, or would a dentist really recommend chewing gum? Ready for our take? Let’s take a look!

Traditional Gum Vs. Sugar-Free Gum

Let’s first be clear: not all gum is created equal. The huge square of bright pink bubble gum with crazy flavor that’s gone in about 3 minutes? Likely chock full of sugar. Sugar feed the bacteria in your mouth that’s destroying your enamel and causing cavities. When you’re looking for chewing gum, be sure to buy SUGAR FREE gum. This help keep your waistline slim and keep you from getting addicted to the sugar rush. But beyond that, sugar free gum won’t feed the bacteria in your mouth that break down your enamel. If you want bonus points, look for gums sweetened with xylitol – this sugar substitute actually reverses the early stages of dental cavities and helps remineralize your enamel!

Effects of Chewing Sugar-Free Gum

Increases Saliva Flow

Proper saliva flow is an important part of your oral health. We’ve covered this in other blogs that you can check out here , but saliva helps strengthen your teeth, clear away debris, and aids in digestion, tasting, and pain relief. Studies show that chewing even a plain, unflavored gum base helps increase salivary flow rate 10 to 12 times above your natural resting salivary rate! Not only that, but flavors and sweeteners in gum can increase salivary flow rate even more!

Can Lower Mouth Ph

Chewing gum can also lower your mouth ph, depending on the specific type and flavor. Acidic flavors (think tropical, sour, citrusy flavors) tend to have a lower ph than mint or spice flavored gums. It’s important to keep your mouth ph above 5.5- below that enamel begins to demineralize. When picking gum flavors, keep this in mind and avoid citrus-y flavors when you can.

Excessive Chewing Can Trigger Jaw Exhaustion

Your jaw muscles, just like any other muscle, can be injured from excessive use. While it’s a good idea to chew gum for a little while after meals to help clean your teeth, there is such a thing as too much gum. Constant gum chewing can exhaust your Temporomandibular Joint (the hinge where your jaw connects) and cause headaches, neck pain, or jaw pain.

Our Take? Enjoy Sugar-Free Gum in Moderation.

There are obvious, recorded benefits to enjoying some sugar-free gum, especially after a meal to freshen your breath and clean your mouth. Sugar-Free gum even gets the American Dental Association’s seal of approval . However, enjoy this treat in moderation and don’t keep your jaw working all day long or to stave off boredom. It can help to use your gum’s flavor as an indicator of how long you should enjoy it. The flavoring helps initiate some of the benefit in increased salivary flow, so if your gum has lost it’s flavor, part of the benefit is already lost. Use that as your cue to take a break from chewing until after your next meal.

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How to Soothe Teething Pain

Tue, 12 May 2020 18:48:00 GMT

The first year of your child’s life is no walk in the park. You are learning how to care for your baby. Your baby is learning about what it means to be alive- hunger pangs, exhaustion, discomfort- and the only way for them to solve many of their issues is to fuss or cry. This can be exhausting for both of you as you try to discover what’s bothering your baby and how to fix it. Teething pain can be quite uncomfortable. Additionally, your child will break in 20 new teeth in about 2 years! That’s a lot of discomfort! Here are some tried and true ways to help your child with teething pain, so you both can get through this rough season!

Teething 101

Most babies start breaking in their front teeth around 6 months. However, every baby develops differently and you shouldn’t be concerned if your 4 month old cuts teeth or you 1 year old still doesn’t have teeth. Babies usually experience the most acute discomfort on the day right before a new tooth pops through the gums. However, babies can experience teething discomfort as early as four days before and three days after erupting a new tooth.

Things to Remember

The internet is full of teething remedies. They range in scope from passive to active, organic to pharmaceutical. The most important thing to remember when considering a teething remedy are: it should never be a choking hazard. Obviously, babies are already at risk for choking, so it’s important that anything you give the for the purpose of putting in your mouth is not a choking risk. This means items should be bigger than your fist. Additionally, if you are considering a pharmaceutical remedy, it’s always best to check with your child’s pediatrician.

Cold Things

Cold things help to numb the gums and provide relief from the teething pain. There are many options: teething toys that you freeze, wet frozen washcloths, fruit pops, and refrigerated carrots, among others. Again, keep in mind the size and don’t offer the baby something too small or very slippery, so ice itself is not a good choice.

Pressure

When strong pressure is pushing up on the gums, ironically, downward pressure can help soothe the discomfort. This is what your baby’s natural instincts instruct them to do- which is why you may find your baby suddenly biting you, toys, or anything else they can get their mouth on. Take your clean finger and gently push down on the red part of your baby’s gums. Massaging in small circles can also help.

Traditional Soothers

Anything that normally brings your child comfort can also help to soothe them in this time. This may include a special blanket, toy, sound, or place. If you’re nursing or offer a pacifier, that may be especially useful. However, teething babies may also bite during nursing. If your little one starts to bite, remove them from the breast immediately and with as little reaction as possible. Look for other ways to soothe the baby to prevent them from developing a bad habit.

Pharmaceuticals

There are many gels, teas, and dissolvable pills that can also help with teething pain. Many of them are herb-based medicinals. If you’d like to try out a pharmaceutical intervention, be sure to check with your child’s pediatrician and get their advice.

Bonus Tip: Your child will actually keep getting new molars as they get older. At approximately 6, 12, and 20 your child may experience teething pain again. Many of these remedies will still work well for teething children such as cold washcloths, gentle pressure, and pharmaceuticals.

While in the throws of teething pain, it can be a rough time for parents and baby. Don’t forget to take some time for yourself too, and remember it doesn’t last forever! Good luck!

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What Causes Canker Sores?

Tue, 05 May 2020 19:30:00 GMT

Canker sores are a common but painful irritation. Usually the day before a canker sore fully develops you can begin to feel it forming. But why do canker sores form? And is there any way to prevent them? Let’t dive into it!

What is a Canker Sore?

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are painful but shallow lesions inside your mouth. They are commonly white or yellow-tinged and have a crater-like shape. The outside rim is red and inflamed. Canker sores are incredibly sensitive to acidic foods. Most canker sores are minor and shallow and will heal on their own in 7-14 days. Some may be deeper and take up to 6 weeks to completely heal. If you’re concerned about the size or duration of your canker sore, call your dentist for advice. They can form on your gums or lips, or under your tongue. The pain can make eating difficult and painful.

Causes of Canker Sores

Contrary to popular belief, canker sores are not a result of herpes virus. (Although a similar issue: cold sores is linked.) Many different factors can combine to increase the chance of a canker sore forming. Here are some known triggers that are likely to cause a canker sore:

Additionally, sometimes canker sores are the result of an underlying condition or disease such as:

It’s more common for young adults, teens, and women to have canker sores. Additionally, a propensity for developing canker sores often runs in families. Studies have not made clear whether genetics or environment is more likely the cause for this correlation.

Prevention Tips

The best way to reduce the risk of developing these painful sores is to avoid common triggers.

Treatments

Unfortunately, the best cure for a canker sore is just time. If the pain is unbearable, you can rinse with lukewarm water with salt or baking soda t o rinse the wound. Drink plenty of water to help remove irritants and heal the wound faster. Some studies have found adhesive tablets with time-released medication to be an effective cure. Additionally, you can apply an oral anesthetic such as Orajel, Orabase, or Vanos to help numb the area.

Although painful, canker sores are common and should not concern you. Still have questions about your canker sore? Give our office a call at 719-633-8766! We’d love to help!

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4 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Tongue

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:07:00 GMT

Our tongues are really amazing muscles! How much do you really know about your tongue? Today we’re exploring 4 fun facts that you didn’t know about your tongue!

Your Tongue Print is unique

Yup, you read that right. Your tongue print is as unique as your fingerprint! Every person’s tongue forms slightly differently . The specific shape, color, and surface features vary from person to person . In fact, a trained professional can identify the gender of a person by observing their tongue! Some people are even exploring the use of tongue prints for forensic identification!

Your Tongue is Pivotal for Speech

You form and shape sounds and words in many parts of the mouth. The alveolar ridge (behind your top teeth in the front), velum (soft palette), pharynx (further back in your mouth from the soft palette), lips, nose, and tongue all play a role in producing sound. However, the tongue is the active agent in making almost all of these sounds. The placement of your tongue directs how air moves in your mouth and influences which other parts of your mouth form the sound. It is possible to make sounds without your tongue, and some incredibly inspiring people have managed their own way of speaking with no tongue as a result of birth defect, oral cancer, or accidents. However, with the way most people talk, the tongue is a pivotal part of producing the words we speak.

It Helps Digest Food

As you chew your food, your tongue helps to shape the smaller pieces of food unto a bolus or “glob.” Additionally, it mixes your saliva with the food. Saliva begins to break down the food right away. Your tongue gathers the food bits together and helps move the food ball down into your esophagus. Eating without a tongue is possible, but digestion is not as smooth.

It Shapes Your Mouth

As your mouth grows and matures in childhood, your tongue plays a vital role in expanding your palette. The constant gentle pushes of your tongue against the inside of your teeth as you chew, swallow, and talk encourages outward growth. Children whose tongues are tied too tightly often struggle with overcrowded adult teeth. Their tongues did not sufficiently expand their palette to make room for all their adult teeth.

What did you learn about your tongue? We’d love to hear what you found interesting, or other fun tongue facts you want to share!

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How to: Use Temporary Filling Material

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 16:50:00 GMT

Have you lost a crown, bridge, or filling on the weekend? Or maybe while you’re away from home? Right now, many of us are home instead of away on vacation, but most dental offices are closed. At West One Family Dental we are open during the Coronavirus lockdown, but seeing patients for emergencies only. Please don’t hesitate to call if you have a dental emergency, including a lost filling. One of our dentists will advise you whether it’s appropriate to come in for a visit or not. But what should you do if you can’t get into the dentist and you break a filling or a crown?

Temporary Filling Material- What is it?

Temporary filling material is a special type of putty that can help guard damaged teeth. It can be purchased at almost any drugstore and comes in a few different types. While the specific material firmness and color varies by brand, most of them are a similar consistency to modeling clay. They work to help cover the injury and prevent nerves from painful exposure to the air, food, and temperature changes. It’s important for patients to know that while it can be helpful to protect an exposed nerve, temporary filling material is TEMPORARY. It will provide relief for a couple of days, maybe a week at most.

How to Use Temporary Filling Material

Clean Well

Rinse your mouth with warm (not hot) salt water. The area is likely sensitive, so avoid water with extreme temperatures. Rinsing will help clear any extra tooth pieces and help clean the area.

Manage the Pain

Apply a topical antiseptic. You can get gels from the drugstore, or use clove oil which naturally numbs the nerves. This will help temporarily alleviate discomfort from the injury. For more ideas on pain management, check out this blog post .

Apply Filling Material

Read the Instructions completely! Each brand has a slightly different formula, and therefore the setting times and specific application requirements may vary by brand. Typically, you’ll need to tear off a small piece of the material and roll it into a ball. It may help the material to stay in the injury better to dry the area gently with a tissue. Gently press the material into the filling space. If you’re replacing a crown or bridge, form the ball around the exposed tooth root(s) on all exposed sides.

Set the Bite

Every person’s mouth is slightly different in the way their teeth are shaped and fit together. Once the material is in the correct place to protect your nerves, you’ll need to gently bit down and form the material to the specific shape of your bite. You’ll need to hold your mouth closed for a few minutes to set the bite.

Before Your Appointment

Once the filling material is in, you’ll need to take care with it. Avoid flossing the area specifically around it as it will likely cause the filling material to dislodge. Also, avoid hard, sticky foods and try to chew on the other side of your mouth. Rinse regularly with tepid salt water to help keep your mouth clean. Make sure you do make a follow-up appointment with your dentist as soon as you can to help prevent further damage to the tooth!

Even during the lockdown we are seeing patients with urgent needs. Please call our office at 719-633-8766 if you’re in pain or experiencing an emergency. We are doing our best to support our patients during this time- by closing our office to routine procedures to reduce exposure risk and seeing patients that have urgent needs.

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Microbiome: The Invisible World in Your Mouth

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:12:00 GMT

Did you know your mouth is full of bacteria? Yup, even if you just visited the dentist for a cleaning. Yes, even if you just finished brushing (and flossing!). Don’t worry, not all bacteria is bad for you. But a new study released as a partnership between the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Colorado State University reveals some pretty awesome findings about the population of bacteria in people’s mouths.

The Study

Visitors to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science agreed to participate in the study . For the study, scientists led by Nicole Garneau took cheek swabs and asked questions about the visitor’s daily habits. This team then gave the data to CSU scientists led by Jessica Metcalf who studied the microbiome of participant’s mouthes. They used the data from the questionnaire to interprete. Originally, they were investigating how the microbiome affected the way each person perceived sweet flavors, but the data gave insights beyond that.

The Findings

Participants of the study who said they flossed regularly showed much less diversity of bacteria in their mouth. Additionally, participants who had been to the dentist for a cleaning in the last 3 months also showed a significantly lower diversity of bacteria. Each participant’s microbiome was also compared to other participants. Interestingly, children in the study were more likely to have similar bacteria, while adults showed a much broader range of bacteria types. The team thinks one reason for this could be the broader range of diversity in most adult diets. Children are more likely to eat similar foods to each other.

Another interesting finding: Adults and children living in the same home shared many of the rare types of bacteria. While interesting, this is not surprising. Their diets are more likely to be similar and they may occasionally share beverages which would share rare bacteria between them.

Treponema

The team paid special attention to one bacteria called Treponema. This bacteria is the main cause of periodontal disease. Adults who had gone more than 12 months without a dental cleaning showed much higher levels of Treponema. Additionally, children whose weight places them in the obese category also showed much higher levels of Treponema. This could suggest a link between childhood obesity and periodontal disease, although more research would be needed to prove that.

We are excited to be in a state where exciting and interesting research is prioritized and funded! We hope to see even more research that finds new applications for this data in the future! Hopefully this study encourages you to take good care of your microbiome! Regular visits to the dentist and flossing daily are a great defense against gum disease!

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How to Manage Dental Anxiety

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 18:16:00 GMT

Are you one of 7% of Americans who avoid visiting the dentist because of dental anxiety? Also known under the term Dentophobia, dental anxiety can be severe enough to prevent patients from visiting a dentist, even when they’re in pain. This can cause unnecessary pain, tooth loss , and in severe cases could allow life-threatening infections to go untreated. While we understand why people fear dentists and the discomfort that sometimes comes with treatment, you can overcome your fear. There’s no need to be paralyzed and live with dental issues just to avoid the dental chair. We’d love to share with you some coping strategies to help you manage your dental anxiety and get the care you need.

Talk it Out

This may seem overly simple, but hear us out. Many dental anxieties are a result of not knowing what a procedure will be like, or an incorrect understanding. Talk with your dentist! Tell them what you’re afraid of specifically. They can help clear up any misunderstandings about procedures or what you can expect to experience. Also, if your dentist knows you’re anxious they can help gently guide you through the procedure and can take extra care with anything that triggers anxiety. Talking may also help you clarify what it is you’re actually afraid of.

Build a Relationship with your Dentist

Try to establish a long-term relationship with your dentist. Frequent visits for check-ups when things are going well can build a foundation of trust. You’ll learn your dentist’s sense of humor and personality. Familiarity with your dentist’s habits and mannerisms can also help put you at ease. Additionally, this can help your dentist care for your best- they’ll already be familiar with the specific anatomy of your nerves in your mouth, previous treatments, and underlying conditions.

Make a Communication Plan

One thing that lead to dental anxiety is a fear that you won’t be able to communicate when you need a break. Clear this up easily by establishing easy hand signals before your dentist starts working in your mouth.

Take Deep Breaths

Dental anxiety can cause you to subconsciously hold your breath. After a while, this lowers the oxygen levels in your blood and can trigger your adrenaline system, adding to your stress levels. Be intentional to take slow, deep breaths. If you’ve practiced relaxation or meditation exercises you may be familiar with how simply focusing on deep, slow, rhythmic breathing can lower your blood cortisol levels.

Pick the Right Time

You know when you’re most relaxed. Is it better for you to have your appointment first thing in the morning and get it over with? Do you prefer to have time to mentally prepare for your appointment? Also, don’t schedule your appointment when you have a firm commitment afterwards. The last thing you need is to have the added anxiety of missing your next commitment.

Bring Your Own Soothing Tools

Bothered by the sound of the drill? Ask your dentist if you can listen to some music in earphones while they work. Do you get cold in the chair? Bring along a favorite blanket or jacket. Hands full of nervous energy? Bring a worry stone or fidget spinner to occupy them. You know what brings you comfort the best, so make use of that!

We’re familiar with dental anxiety and want to help put you at ease. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact our office and discuss them before your appointment. We want to make sure you get treatment when you need it and we’re eager to help you work through your dental anxiety.

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How Cultures Around the World Celebrate Lost Baby Teeth

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 16:46:00 GMT

Did you know that cultures all over the world have different traditions to celebrate the loss of baby teeth? Losing a tooth can be scary and painful, so many cultures have developed ways to celebrate and normalize losing baby teeth. Stories and characters help make it an exciting milestone instead of a scary one. Many countries or sometimes almost an entire continent share traditions.

Asia

Many Asian countries take lost teeth and throw them; up on the roof if it’s a bottom tooth, down below the house if it’s a top tooth. This tradition originated from people thinking that the new tooth would grow towards the lost tooth. Often, when the tooth is thrown the child yells a wish for their new tooth. A common wish is for their incoming tooth to be as strong as a mouse’s. Some places also believe that how the baby tooth lands will indicate the placement of the incoming adult tooth- if it lands straight the new tooth will come in straight, but a crooked landing can mean a crooked replacement.

Spain, Hispanic Cultures, and France

One of the older traditions for lost baby teeth that shows up in similar themes in many cultures is a tooth mouse. In most hispanic cultures he is named “Ratoncito Perez” or something similar, whereas in French-influenced cultures he is named “La Bonne Petite Souris.” While his exact method may be slightly different from culture to culture, typically he comes and takes the baby tooth from under the pillow or on the bedside table and often leaves behind a small gift or candy. Mice seem to be a good omen and mascot for teeth in many cultures as they are notorious for strong teeth that can chew well. It is believed that this tradition began as offering the tooth as a sacrifice to a mouse at the entrance to their hole in exchange for a strong mouse tooth in return. As animal worship died down, the tradition morphed too.

USA, Australia & Canada

Most Canadian and American children place lost teeth under their pillows- often with a note or in a special container. During the night, the mystical Tooth Fairy comes and collects their tooth, often leaving money behind. The tradition of a fairy, while familiar to most of us, is actually fairly new! The tooth fairy only appeared in pop culture as recently as the 1920’s. Although the exact origin is unknown, it is believed that the Tooth Fairy is a blending of two cultural traditions . The “good fairy,” featured in many European stories and modern children’s movies, blended with Ratoncito Perez from Hispanic culture. If you’re looking for a way to shake up your Tooth Fairy routine, check out our blog on some alternative ways to celebrate !

Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt

In these countries, children throw their teeth up at the sky or towards the sun. This again is a type of sacrifice, here to the sun. Their wish is that the powerful sun will take their baby tooth in exchange for a stronger, better one. Many believe this tradition goes back as far as the 13th century.

Mongolia and Indigenous Northern Tribes

In these cultures, the child surrenders the tooth to an elder, who them wraps the tooth in fat or bread. Next they offer the wrapped tooth to an animal with strong teeth such as a dog, squirrel, or mouse. The hope is that in return for the baby tooth, the spirit of the animal will ensure the child’s new tooth grows in strong and well-rooted.

Native American Culture

Native American cultures are actually quite diverse, even if some of them share the same respect for nature and the natural order of things. Here are a few of the traditions we know from some Native American tribes.

The Cherokee Indian tradition is for the child to run around the house 4 times, yelling to the Beaver to place a strong tooth in their jaw. After thier circuits, they toss the baby tooth to the roof. In the Dene Yellowknives tribe, the child gives the tooth to a mother or grandmother. The caretaker puts the tooth in a tree to ensure the child’s incoming tooth comes in well rooted and strong like a tree. In the Navajo tribe, the child’s parent holds on to the tooth until the child’s mouth doesn’t hurt anymore. After that, they bury the tooth to the East of a healthy young tree. In their culture, they associate East with youth. When they bury it near a healthy young tree they believe they are to ensuring the incoming tooth is strong and straight.

Have you heard of tooth traditions that we didn’t find? Or does your family do something unusual with baby teeth? Let us know!

The post How Cultures Around the World Celebrate Lost Baby Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental .

9 Bad Habits that Affect Oral Health

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:31:00 GMT

Are you accidentally sabotaging your oral health with one of these common habits? Let’s look at a few habits that you should overcome and why.

Keeping your toothbrush within 6 feet of the toilet

Did you know that when you flush a toilet, especially one with the lid up, you spray the surrounding area with droplets filled with fecal matter and bacteria? If your sink is next to the toilet and your toothbrush is there, it’s not much better than dipping your toothbrush in the toilet. Consider storing your toothbrush on another countertop, or if that’s not possible in a cabinet or drawer. ALWAYS close the lid when you flush to help stop the “plume” of toilet bacteria covering your bathroom!

Storing your toothbrush in a cap

Given what we shared in the last point, you are probably running to the bathroom RIGHT NOW to put a cover or cap on your toothbrush. But wait! Before you do that, consider this: the ideal environment for bacterial growth is a dark, moist, enclosed space.

Spending only 48 sec or less brushing your teeth daily

Yup. That’s how long most people spend brushing their teeth. Considering the ADA recommends 2 minutes twice a day , that’s not nearly enough. Remember it’s not just about how clean your teeth feel. You also want to consider how long the fluoride in the toothpaste has had to saturate your teeth. Your teeth need to be able to defend themselves for the 1,436 minutes that you’re not brushing. Allowing the fluoride to sit on your teeth for two minutes twice a day helps to strengthen enamel and protect your teeth for the rest of the day!

Skipping the flossing

We know, you’re tired from a long day and flossing sounds like one task too many. But did you know that skipping flossing can cause you to miss up to 40% of the plaque build-up on your teeth? Eek! That’s a lot of plaque! Plaque builds up and attacks enamel on ALL sides of your teeth, including the ones between teeth where your toothbrush simply can’t reach. While it’s tempting to skip this part of your oral hygiene regimen, don’t!

Opening things with your teeth

Whether it’s the top of a chip bag, a beer bottle, or something else, it’s really common to see people using their teeth as a tool. Problem is, although many animals do this, they don’t have the same dexterity we have. Additionally, few animals only get two sets of teeth in their life. For 93% of your life you’ll have adult teeth that will never be replaced. If you damage, break, or loosen a tooth it can start a dangerous downward cycle in your health. Always seek dental care if your tooth pops or cracks after use. It’s important to treat any injury while it’s still minor.

Brushing too hard

Plaque is bad news. We understand why you go to town on your teeth, scrubbing at the plaque like it is soap scum on a tub. Especially if you skip brushing or flossing and plaque becomes tartar on your teeth, it’s easy to think that scrubbing at it is the right approach. Unfortunately, enamel is quite sensitive and can be worn down as well. This leaves your teeth defenseless against bacteria and acid. You should only apply enough pressure to give your gums a gentle massage. Any build-up that isn’t removed with that little force is best removed by a dental professional with the proper tools. Schedule a hygiene appointment with one of our fabulous hygienists today to help get off stubborn tartar and plaque!

Chewing ice

If you suffer from dry mouth, it’s a good idea to suck on ice or drink lots of water. It’s easy to subconsciously go from sucking on ice to chewing on it. However tempting it may be, chewing ice is a bad idea. It can damage the enamel on your teeth, and may even cause tiny cracks in teeth or along fillings. It may also lead to temperature sensitivity as your enamel is weakened. The impulse to chew on ice has actually been linked to a number of underlying issues , so if you’re struggling with the impulse discuss it with your medical doctor.

Smoking cigarettes

The nicotine in cigarettes has long been linked to tooth staining . Beyond just the cosmetic concerns, there are also many known carcinogens in cigarettes that weaken enamel and can cause oral cancer over time. In fact, 90% of people with oral, lip, or throat cancer used tobacco. Smokers are 6x more likely to develop cancer than non-smokers.

Drinking lots of coffee, tea, and soda

Soda, coffee, and tea also stain your teeth . Additionally, the sugar and acid in coffee, tea, and soda wear down your enamel. Then, sugars feed rampant bacteria growth that causes tooth decay. A great alternative to these drinks is water. It not only doesn’t hurt your teeth, it actually helps rebuild it! If you really want to keep drinking these beverages, consider limiting yourself to once a day, or better once a week.

As always, stay heathy! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our office!

The post 9 Bad Habits that Affect Oral Health appeared first on West One Family Dental .

As always, stay heathy! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our office!

The post 9 Bad Habits that Affect Oral Health appeared first on West One Family Dental .

How to Fight Sugar Cravings

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:54:00 GMT

In case you didn’t see last week’s blog, be sure to check it out. We flagged signs that you may be addicted to sugar. Now that you’re aware you may have sugar addiction, let’s discuss the importance of changing your habits & ways you can fight sugar cravings.

Impact of Sugar Addiction on your Oral Health

Sugar is one of the leading causes of dental health problems. A high-sugar diet puts you at risk for cavities, periodontal (gum) disease, and eventually tooth loss. ( Read more here where we covered this topic! ) A German University studied the impact of increased sugar consumption on dental health costs in 2017 . Here’s their summary of their findings: “For every additional 25 grams of sugar consumed per person and day — which amounts to roughly eight sugar-cubes or a glass of sweetened lemonade — the costs of dental treatment in high-income countries increase on average by 100 US dollars (75 euros) per person and year.” They found that in 2017, Dental costs were running at roughly $172 billion, largely thanks to increased sugar consumption worldwide, especially “hidden sugars” in breads, soups, frozen foods, and pastries.

Of course, there are many other negative health consequences of sugar addiction. Some examples are increased risk of obesity , diabetes , depression, and heart disease . We love to help our patients live full, healthy lives. If you are concerned with how your diet might be impacting your oral health, please discuss it with one of our dentists. They can help you understand how your oral health has been impacted and give tips for how you can make healthier choices.

How to Combat Sugar Cravings

Fight Hunger

This may be obvious, but make sure you have plenty of filling, healthy food options. Eat 3 healthy meals with proper protein, fat, and carb levels. There are a lot of opinions about the ideal ratio, but feel free to talk with your doctor to see what they recommend. Keep fresh fruit and veggies around for in-between meal cravings. If you’re full, you won’t miss sugary treats as much.

Drink Plenty of Water

Dehydration can trigger cravings. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. It’s good for your health, good for your teeth , and can fight off unhealthy cravings.

Train Your Tastebuds

Whether your style is to slowly cut back or go cold turkey, reducing the sugar in your diet can help you crave it less. The less sugar you eat, the less you’ll crave it. Your tastebuds can actually be trained to be satisfied with less sugar and you may even taste flavors that you didn’t notice before.

Have a Plan

Some people find it more manageable to slowly reduce their sugar intake, or allow occasional treats under 150 calories. Others find that when they allow a little treat they can’t stop. Experiment with which method works best for you. But either way, make a plan and stick with it!

Savor Treats

If you choose to indulge, pick something that is high-quality but small. Take time to eat it slowly, and avoid eating while doing anything else. Sit down, take a bite, enjoy and focus on the flavor of the food.

Know Your Sugar Craving Triggers

Does eating artificial sweeteners trigger sugar cravings? Are late-nights full of sugar cravings? Do stressful situations leave you reaching for a candy bar? Know your triggers and come up with a plan for what you’ll do instead of reaching for sugar. Find healthier coping strategies than eating your feelings. Go to bed before your body starts craving sugar. Avoid artificial sweeteners. It’s always best to make a plan before you’re in the midst of a sugar craving. It’s much harder to come up with good choices or alternative options when your brain is focused on the craving.

We hope this has helped give you some ideas for the best ways to fight off sugar cravings. What are some tricks that you use to make healthier choices?

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Do You Have a Sugar Addiction?

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 17:35:00 GMT

Addiction may sound like a strong word to apply to your inclination to eat sugar. However, there is strong scientific evidence to suggest that addiction to sugar is not only possible, but it’s sneaky. The social acceptance and cultural habits around eating together can make it easy to write off your symptoms of sugar addiction. Let’s do a deep dive and look at what sugar addiction looks like. Next week we will discuss why you may consider kicking the sugar habit, and how to fight sugar cravings.

Symptoms of Sugar Addiction

Sugar addiction is similar to other types of addiction in symptoms. Addiction is mainly centered in your neurological system so you may see the most obvious symptoms in your emotions and thoughts. Here are some red flags that may cause you to reevaluate your relationship with sugar:

Feeling Out of Control

A common sign that you’re not in control is– you don’t feel in control. This may seem obvious, but we are pretty good at lying to ourselves. The addicted part of our brain likes to rationalize and ignore the rational parts of your brain that try to regulate your sugar intake. Are you aware of the negative impact of eating sugar, but feel compelled to eat it anyway? Do you struggle to make healthy food choices, even when advised by your doctor or dentist? It’s not uncommon, and not a cause for shame, but it’s important to be honest with yourself. The first step is recognizing that you aren’t in control.

Sudden Strong Cravings

Do you often have sudden cravings? This may be for sweet foods, but actually, sugar addiction can cause cravings for salty foods too. When you’re sugar addicted, you’re more likely to have imbalanced nutrient intake . Nutritional deficiencies can cause cravings for salty foods . Sudden strong cravings are a sign that your body isn’t getting what it needs. If you often struggle with cravings, take a closer look at your diet and make sure you’re really eating the way you want to be eating.

Eating More than You Planned or When You’re No Longer Hungry

This is similar to feeling out of control. Do you approach meals with a plan? Maybe you know you’re going to indulge in on serving of dessert, but end up going back for seconds or thirds? Or you don’t think you’re that hungry but can’t stop piling favorite foods on your plate? If you regularly eat more than you think you need to get full, or keep eating after you are satiated, you’re probably sugar addicted. This is even true if the foods you’re overeating on are not traditional dessert foods. Many foods today are full of hidden sugars – even something as innocuous as “nutrition-rich” bone broth. If it’s store-bought, it likely has sugar in it.

Hiding Sugar Habits and Guilt

A major red flag for sugar addiction is when you find yourself hiding your consumption. Your conscience knows that it’s stepping over healthy boundaries when it wants to avoid others finding out about your eating habits. Additionally, maybe you don’t hide your habits, but you struggle with guilt after you’ve eaten. If you’re not comfortable telling loved ones what you’ve eaten, you’re probably addicted to sugar.

Eating Your Emotions

Although the stereotype of comforting a broken heart with a tub of ice cream plays for laughs on TV, it’s actually not a healthy habit. You should eat sweets in moderation when you are still a little hungry, and never binge eat to comfort yourself. If you use food as a coping mechanism, it’s probably wise to see a doctor or mental health professional to find some better ideas.

Going Out of the Way to Get Sugar

Have you ever made a special trip to the store to get your sugar fix? If you make a point of going out of your way to get some thing, it’s a sign that your relationship with that thing is probably out of whack. Some things are obviously worth their own trip- medications, time with loved ones, etc. However, special trips to get your sugar fix are unwise and set a dangerous habit.

What Causes Sugar Addiction

Sugar addiction is surprisingly similar to other forms of addiction. When you eat sugar, it activates the pleasure center of your brain. This releases dopamine into your system and lifts your mood. However, frequent activation of the pleasure centers in your brain lead to diminishing returns. Diminishing returns is the idea that each time you participate in that activity, the pleasure you get from it decreases slightly. That means that you’ll need to do more of that activity to feel the same level of happiness. This cycle of diminishing returns and therefore more and more of the addictive behavior is actually neurologically the same whether you’re addicted to heroin, cocaine, or sugar.

Studies on lab rats have shown that it’s not only possible to become addicted to sugar, but also that once addicted it’s hard to avoid relapses. These mice were fed high doses of sugar, then denied it for a period of time. After the break, mice worked much harder to get it again than they initially had worked to access it. In addition, after the break they were much more likely to binge or eat much more than they initially had eaten.

We encourage our patients to make healthy lifestyle choices. Have you taken a few minutes to consider your sugar habits lately? Has this list brought forward some concerning habits? Next week we will discuss the impact of sugar addiction on your oral health, and how to fight sugar cravings.

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Top 10 Worst Junk Foods for your Teeth

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 21:01:00 GMT

Ah junk food. We know how comforting and addicting it can be to plow through a bag of your favorite snacks. There may even be some times when junk food seems appropriate. But before you binge on your guilty pleasure, consider the potential negative effects beyond your waistline. Some junk foods are really hard on your teeth. All junk food should be eaten in moderation, but especially these ten which are guilty for increasing the odds of tooth decay.

Why does what you eat matter?

Our mouth, and our whole body really, hosts a wide range of bacteria. Some of these bacteria live in a symbiotic relationship with our bodies and mouth- fighting off bad bacteria without harming us. However, some bacteria in your mouth are bad for you- feeding off left behind food and sugars and creating acid as a byproduct. If these bacteria are allowed to multiply and the acid is not removed from your teeth, it will eventually wear through your enamel and create a cavity.

Sour Candies

Sour candies are one of the worst things you can snack on. Many aspects of sour candies are tooth enamel kryptonite- they contain high levels of sugar & acid, AND they stick to your teeth. After you enjoy these mouth-puckering gummies, small remnants get stuck to tooth surfaces. Here they provide a plentiful food source for bacteria which will then create acid that wears down your enamel. Additionally, the acid from the sour candies themselves weakens your enamel, making it more vulnerable to decay.

Soda & Sugary Drinks

Most sodas are also high in sugar and acid. Even diet sodas have high levels of enamel-destroying acids. In one can of a typical soda, there is 1/4 cup of sugar! Because it’s dissolved in the liquid, you can easily consume much more sugar than you would normally tolerate. Also, people tend to drink sodas over a prolonged period of time, which just spreads out the length of time your teeth are taking an acid and sugar bath while you enjoy your treat.

Alcohol

Alcohol also contains sugar. However one of the most damaging side effects of alcohol is the fact that it dries out your mouth. We’ve covered the importance of saliva many times on our blog here and here . Saliva is a great defender of your tooth enamel! Alcohol deposits sugars on your teeth, and then reduces your saliva which helps wash those sugars away. Try to make alcohol an occasional treat for the sake of your teeth.

Sticky Candies & Dried Fruit

Like many of the culprits on this list, high sugar levels and the ability to stick on teeth put sticky candies and fruit on the list of junk foods you should avoid. Sticking on chewing surfaces and even between teeth, candies provide food for bacteria for a prolonged period of time.While dried fruit is typically seen as a healthier choice, it’s usually better to stick to fresh fruits when it’s an option. The density of sugar in fresh fruit is lower, and there is more fiber to help your body process the sugars better. Also, fresh fruit helps you get fuller faster and therefore eat fewer sugars.

Crackers & Potato chips

Crackers and potato chips are simple carbohydrates and starches. These break down very easily into sugar in your mouth. Also, starches are prone to getting stuck between teeth. Additionally, crackers and chips have a very satisfying and addictive crunch, but without a lot of volume. This means you’re more likely to eat more than the recommended serving, and more likely to spread your snack over a longer period of time. If you plan on enjoying crackers, consider pairing them with cheese or something that will help fill your stomach and neutralize the acid.

Very acidic foods

Acids are your tooth enamel’s main enemy. Most of the foods on this list are in trouble for either containing acid directly, or for being full of sugar which feeds bacteria and then produces acids. Naturally, any foods high in acid themselves should be eaten in moderation. For example, it’s best to limit citrus snacks, and avoid eating a whole lemon yourself. Another potential culprit is vinegar which is found in many sauces and recipes. Acids weaken and wear down your enamel, leaving the vulnerable dentin exposed and ripe for decay.

Ice

Yes, Ice is merely water, which as we just wrote about , is GREAT for your teeth. However, ice is intended to cool drinks, not for people to chew it! Chewing on hard things, especially as a habit, can make you more prone to damage to your teeth. You shouldn’t be afraid to chew hard things, but you also shouldn’t make a habit of it, especially when the hard thing won’t give you necessary calories. Feel free to put ice in your drinks, but it’s best to only enjoy water in its liquid form.

How to Protect Your Teeth From Junk Foods

If you enjoy something sugary, acidic or sticky, try to enjoy it for a brief period of time (not nursed and savored over an hour or more.) Once you’ve enjoyed it, drink a large glass of water, swishing your mouth occasionally. Wait about thirty minutes for your saliva to remineralize your teeth. Then, brush and floss well to make sure you remove acids and sugars that could help the bacteria in your mouth thrive.

The post Top 10 Worst Junk Foods for your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental .

Dental Fashion Fads: What You Need to Know About Tooth Trends

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:11:00 GMT

People go to great lengths to express themselves. Personal expression drives people to all kinds of body modifications from piercings to hair dye, implants to tattoos. Dental fashion trends are one new way people are beginning to express their individuality. However, you may want to consider the side effects of a trend before you jump on board. Without further ado, here are some top dental fashion fads and what to consider about each one.

Vampire Teeth

There has been a surge of interest in vampires in modern pop culture. With all the romantic fantasy novels and shows centered on the allure of a vampire, it’s not surprising that fans have decided to modify their own teeth in the characteristic style. Cosmetic dentists can help you temporarily or permanently sharpen your canines to a point with veneers or crowns. The trickiest part of this dental fashion is fitting these fangs in with other teeth without crowding, moving, or damaging the teeth opposite them.

Grills and Jewels

First made popular in the 80’s by Hip-Hop culture, grills or “grillz” have had amazing lasting popularity through the decades. Grills are when teeth are fitted withgold, platinum, or silver covers, or sometimes teeth are permanently replaced with gold, silver, or platinum crowns. These decorations are sometimes enhanced by patterns or jewels. When worn too often, grills can create a haven for bacteria and allow plaque and food to build up along the tooth and gumline. Additionally, grills can cause chipping of surrounding teeth as the teeth strike against the grill. This is especially true when the chewing surface is changed. If you are considering a grill, you should always consult your dentist, and never attempt to attach a grill yourself. Some people have attempted attaching grills with glue that is damaging and toxic. Additionally, it’s important to only wear grills made from appropriate metals. Some cheap knock-off grills are made of materials that damage teeth and can cause heavy metal poisoning.

Tattoos

We’ve written about lip tattoos in greater length in this blog article . However, it is also possible to get a tattoo on your tooth. Tooth tattoos can only be applied on a crown as traditional teeth cannot be carved and sealed in the same way. After your dentist takes an impression and prepares your tooth for a crown, they will send the work out to a dental lab that specializes in tooth tattoos. A specialist at this dental lab will carve or paint with ink the desired design on the surface of the tooth, and then seal it in to protect the design. Compared to lip tattoos, teeth tattoos are actually much less complicated and with fewer drawbacks. Tooth tattoos on crowns are really more structurally similar to a sticker than a tattoo. Ink does not come in contact with your skin or bone, making it much safer. Additionally, tooth tattoos can be polished off if you decide it’s not the look you want anymore. Additionally, you can now find temporary tooth tattoos that work very similarly to children’s temporary skin tattoos.

Japanese Snaggle Tooth / “Yaeba” Teeth

Every year, millions of Americans spend lots of money in pursuit of the perfect, white, straight smile. Meanwhile, in Japan, women spend money transforming their straight smiles into crooked, crowded, snaggle-toothed smiles. Many Japanese women believe this dental fashion can help them look more attractive to men. “ Yaeba ” or double teeth make a woman look imperfect, and therefore approachable they say. Cosmetic dentists help people attach temporary or permanent veneers to their teeth to give the appearance of a crooked smile. Again, this trend is best accomplished with the help of a dental professional. It’s important that changes to the structure of the teeth don’t cause collisions that can bruise, crack, or chip other teeth. Additionally, crowded teeth are more prone to build-up of bacteria which can lead to decay if not properly cleaned.

The London Gap

Another dental fashion that pushes against the sterotypical straight toothed grin is the “London Gap.” Popularized by British celebrities, the London Gap is a noticeable space between the top two central teeth. Fans of the trend say it gives people a characteristic and “cute” look. They also love how it flaunts the person’s self-confidence and refusal to conform to society’s impossible beauty standards. It is less common for people to seek to modify their teeth to have a gap, and more commonly this is a refusal to seek to get rid of a gap. However, some orthodontists have said their patients have asked how to create or widen a gap between their front teeth. If your mouth naturally has a gap, it’s less likely that this trend will cause issues for you, but if you seek to make a gap where there is none you will likely cause crowding of other teeth. Crowded teeth are more likely to have issues with plaque and tartar build-up, so be sure and brush carefully and floss often. Additionally, two teeth with a gap are more likely to get food lodged between them. This is less of a concern with two front and center teeth, but make sure you floss well wherever you have gaps.

If you are considering a cosmetic change to your teeth, make sure you discuss the implications and complications with your personal dentist. There are lots of ways to express yourself that don’t jeopardize your health. Also, it is possible to choose styles that are not permanent, in case you ever want to change your look again.

The post Dental Fashion Fads: What You Need to Know About Tooth Trends appeared first on West One Family Dental .

Drink Water to Protect Your Teeth

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 17:10:00 GMT

Water. It is Earth’s most precious and abundant resource. Our bodies are literally made of up to 60% water. Water replenishes our organs, revitalizes our skin, and helps keep us healthy. But did you know water also protects our teeth? Read on to find out how it helps fight cavities and rebuild our teeth!

Rebuilds Teeth

Most city supplied drinking water is bolstered with fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that naturally fights cavities by rebuilding the enamel that protects your teeth! While some people express concerns about fluoridation of water, drinking water with fluoride has been shown to be safe. Additionally, cities with fluoridated water show significant decreases in tooth decay among school-aged children. Drinking fluoridated water is recommended by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dental Association, and the CDC. In fact, the CDC states, “the prevention of tooth decay through community water fluoridation is recognized by the CDC as one of 10 great achievements in public health of the 20th century.”

Washes Away Bacteria

This one is almost too obvious to state, but when you drink plenty of water, you wash away food debris and bacteria that grow in your mouth. As you eat, food particles are left behind. Bacteria feed off these particles, and create an acid as they consume the food. The acid left behind wears down your enamel and causes decay in your teeth. Besides brushing and flossing regularly, drinking plenty of water is one of the most effective ways to ward off tooth decay.

Combats Bad Breath

That bacteria we mentioned above? It doesn’t smell so hot. As bacteria overgrowth happens, you will start to notice that it effects your breath. That’s why brushing your teeth can help get rid of mouth funk- it helps remove that stinky bacteria that have built up in your mouth!

Replenishes Saliva

Saliva is incredible. It plays so many important roles in good oral health, which you can read more about here . Saliva is made up of 99% water! The other 1% is important nutrients and minerals that help clean and rebuild your teeth, but they can’t get around your mouth without enough water to carry them. When you drink enough water your body naturally produces plenty of saliva to help nourish your teeth and rinse away bacteria and food particles. Dry mouth can lead to more cavities, bad breath, and gum disease.

Calorie and Sugar-Free!

Some of the goals above could be accomplished by many liquid refreshments. However, water has the huge benefit of being calorie and sugar free! That means all the benefit without leaving behind harmful sugars on your teeth (or extra weight on your hips!) Additionally, drinking sugary drinks can increase your risk of developing diabetes by 26% ! Diabetics struggle with gum disease and infections in their mouths, so that’s yet another way that water is a smart choice when you need a drink!

If in doubt, reach for a tall glass of good ‘ol water. The crisp fresh taste will bring a smile to your face, and that habit will help keep your smile bright for years to come!

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What are Dental Sealants?

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 19:06:00 GMT

Brushing and flossing is the best defense against cavities. However, many people have deep grooves in the chewing surface of their teeth, especially the molars. It can be difficult to thoroughly clean these grooves. If they don’t get well cleaned, plaque and tartar can build up, increasing your risk for decay. There is an extra defense option that is safe and effective; dental sealants.

What are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin layers of a plastic resin bonded to your teeth. This acts as an added layer of protection against the acids that plaque and tartar produce. Those acids can destroy the enamel on your tooth and cause an infection or cavity in the dentin or root of your tooth. Once your enamel is penetrated it becomes much more difficult to protect your tooth from further decay.

How are they applied?

Your dentist can easily and painlessly apply dental sealants to your teeth in just a few minutes. Dental sealants are usually applied after a thorough dental hygiene visit to ensure that the tooth is clean and free of plaque. Your dentist will rinse and dry your tooth. Next, they will apply a special gel that helps to prepare the surface of your tooth for bonding with the sealant. After the gel sits for a few seconds, your dentist will rinse it off and dry your tooth again. Next, they will apply the liquid resin to the chewing surface of your tooth. They will also use a blue light to help the resin harden into a durable plastic. As soon as they are finished, the sealants are set and ready for use.

How do they work?

Dental sealants help prevent cavities by adding a layer of protection between your enamel and the sticky biofilm called plaque that forms continually in your mouth. Plaque is a build-up of bacteria that feed on the leftover remnants of food in your mouth. It is important to brush every day , twice a day, as well as drink plenty of water to remove plaque. However, dental sealants can help add protection for your teeth between brushings and flossing.

How long do Dental Sealants last?

Eventually dental sealants will wear down and need to be replaced. At your regular dental appointment your dentist will be able to examine your dental sealants and determine if they are still working effectively or if they need replacing.

Are they dangerous?

There is no evidence to suggest any negative side effects of having your teeth sealed. Sealants do contain a very low amount of BPA in them which historically was reported to have a negative impact on hormones. However, new research shows that BPA is perfectly safe in low levels for even children. Additionally, the levels of BPA in sealants are extremely low and peak a mere three hours after treatment. Even at the peak the level of BPA in the patient’s saliva is less than what you are exposed to by simply holding a receipt at the store or breathing in house dust.

Not sure if you need dental sealants? Talk with your dentist to see if they are a good option for you. Many dentists recommend that children get sealants when their teeth first erupt to help guard against decay. However, even teens and adults can benefit from them. Your dentist can evaluate if it’s a good choice for you, and explain why you should or shouldn’t consider them.

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How to Help Your Kids Build Strong Teeth

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 17:31:00 GMT

While many animal species get three or four or sometimes even limitless sets of teeth, humans just get two. That means by as early as 5 your child may be caring for some of the teeth that need to last them the rest of their lives. But our diets and schedules in the modern era are typically centered around what’s tasty, cheap, and fast. Let’s go over some ways you can help your children protect and build strong teeth that will last well into their golden years.

Nutrition for Building Strong Teeth

A well-balanced diet is important for all aspects of your child’s health. Some micronutrients that are especially important for bone and tooth health are:

Read our blog post on those micronutrients for more specifics about the ideal amount of each based on the age of your child. Some specific foods that offer good micronutrients for dental development while also offering good textures for bone development are:

Of course, for many health reasons, avoid sugar whenever possible. Choose drinks and snacks that are not sweetened.

Daily Hygiene

Even before your child has teeth, clean their mouth twice a day. If they don’t have teeth yet, use a warm, damp washcloth to rub and massage their gums gently. If they have teeth, use a toothbrush that fits comfortably in their mouth. Very young children should use fluoride-free toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. As soon as children can follow directions, transition to a fluoride toothpaste and slowly increase the size of the toothpaste to about a pea-size. Use floss at least once a day to dislodge visible food particles and invisible bacteria from around the base of each tooth. Encourage your child to swish and spit an antibacterial mouthwash, fluoride rinse, or both when they are old enough to understand they shouldn’t swallow. Fluoride is essential for young children that are developing their tooth enamel. Check whether your city’s water supply offers fluoride in the water and make sure your child drinks plenty.

Habits that Build Strong Teeth

We would love to help you protect your children’s developing teeth. If you have any concerns or questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us. West One Family Dental has been helping parents in Colorado Springs care for their children’s teeth for over 30 years.

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Study Finds Potential Solution to Recurrent Decay

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 20:39:00 GMT

Science has come a long way in dentistry. We are able to treat conditions and preserve teeth much longer than we used to be able to. However, we still have limitations in the current dental field. Tooth decay is one of the most expensive and prevalent bacterial diseases that humans face. While we have developed some strategies for curbing infection such as drilling out decay and replacing it with filling material, decay frequently comes back. We’re encouraged by the results of a new study that will improve upon our current decay treatment efforts. Although someday we hope to be able to regrow teeth , in the meantime this new research offers better outcomes for preventing new decay in previously treated teeth.

The Downhill Cycle of Recurrent Decay

The very best protection for guarding your oral and overall health is cavity prevention. So far, science has not been able to produce a replacement that is as good as your natural teeth at protecting your oral & general health. Once decay breaches a tooth’s enamel, it’s very difficult to stay ahead of the slow but inevitable decline. Cavities lead to recurrent cavities. Cavities eventually become large enough to affect the root, requiring a root canal. Eventually the tooth may die or need extraction as a result of the infection.

The Current Solution for Treating Decay

Scientists have been working to stop this cycle of decay and destruction. Traditional fillings help to reduce the risk of infection and protect the dentin and root of the tooth from harmful bacteria. However, sometimes bacteria can become trapped between the filling and the tooth. Additionally, fillings can crack or warp with temperatures and pressure, making new entry points for bacteria.

The historical choice for filling material was an amalgam of metal alloys. These amalgams had the benefit of being an antimicrobial surface that helped reduce the risk of recurrent decay. However, these fillings are dark, shiny, and very noticeable. Beyond that, the safety of various metals used in them began to raise concerns about their effect on the whole body. The dental field transitioned to the use of more natural-looking resin composites. These did not carry the risk of metal toxicity, and blend in for a much more aesthetically pleasing result. The downside of these composite fillings is their surface is no longer antimicrobial, increasing the risk of recurrent decay.

A New Solution

A new study from Tel Aviv university explores the use of tiny antibacterial “building blocks” mixed into a filling composite. Their goal was for the filling itself to fight bad bacteria, instead of just passively blocking the entry. These building blocks are a good choice because they are low-cost, biologically compatible with the resin, aesthetically well disguised, and offer structural strength to the filling material.

So far, the results are very positive! TAU doctoral student Lee Schnaider who worked on the project explains, “We’ve developed an enhanced material that is not only aesthetically pleasing and mechanically rigid but is also intrinsically antibacterial due to the incorporation of antibacterial nano-assemblies. Resin composite fillings that display bacterial inhibitory activity have the potential to substantially hinder the development of this widespread oral disease.” This research will mark a significant step forward in treating recurrent decay. Additionally, it could have further applications for wound dressings, tissue scaffolds, and other medical materials.

At West One Dental we always look forward to advances that will help achieve better results for our patients. We’d love to be your partner in maintaining your oral health!

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How to Remove Tooth Stains

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 18:22:00 GMT

Last week we covered the different types of tooth stains – where they come from, and how deep they go. It’s important to understand where your stains came from and how deep they go, if you’re hoping to remove tooth stains or discolorations. We’ll break down removal techniques by type and give you several options for removing stains.

Remove Extrinsic Tooth Stains

Extrinsic tooth stains are the easiest to remove. Similar to food particles left behind, the pigment is stuck in the sticky bio film that covers your teeth called plaque. Plaque naturally builds up on your teeth constantly and should be regularly removed with a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and dental floss. Regular toothbrushing should remove stains daily and prevent them from becoming dark enough for you to notice. However, if you’re beginning to see stains appear, especially around the edges of your teeth, there are a couple options for removing tooth stains.

Note: Almost all tooth whitening options have the potential to weaken your enamel. Weak or thin enamel can cause tooth sensitivity and make your teeth more prone to infection and decay. Consult with your dentist if you already have weak enamel, plan to use several tooth whitening methods, or use one for a prolonged period of time.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

This is a simple solution to try at home when you first begin to notice stains. Take food-grade baking soda, apply just enough water for it to clump together, and put it on your toothbrush. With gentle, circular strokes, apply it to the stained surfaces, or to all the visable surfaces of your teeth. Spit out any excess baking soda. Rinse your mouth with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, being careful not to swallow. Always rinse your mouth out with water afterwards. You can do this once a week for a few weeks as long as you are brushing gently. This is an abrasive solution and vigorous brushing or applying the treatment too often can wear down your enamel.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste often contains high-quality hydrogen peroxide. This hydrogen peroxide can break down complex particles. Complex particles absorb more light, making them appear darker. By breaking down complex particles, light if reflected rather than absorbed, making the surface of your teeth whiter. It’s best not to use whitening toothpaste every day because it can weaken your enamel. Use it once or twice a week for four weeks, then consult with your dentist if you are not getting the desired results.

Dental Cleaning and Polish

When plaque builds up on teeth, it becomes tartar. Tartar can cause unsightly yellow stains that can only be removed by a dental professional. If your teeth are looking dark, try scheduling a dental hygiene appointment to remove surface stains and tartar. This hygiene appointment will also include a polish that helps to remove stubborn stains or plaque. Keeping regular hygiene appointments can prevent stains from becoming set-in.

Remove Intrinsic Tooth Stains

Whitening Trays

If stains go below the surface of your tooth into your enamel, you’ll need professional help to remove them. Many dentists, including West One Family Dental offer tooth whitening trays. Your dentist will take a perfect impression of your specific mouth and create thin plastic trays to hug the surface of your teeth. Then, they will provide a prescription-grade hydrogen peroxide gel. As often as they prescribe, you will put a small dot of the gel on each tooth in the tray. Then you will place the tray in your mouth to allow the gel to soak into each tooth. Your dentist can evaluate your specific needs and advise how often and for how long you should use the trays to maximize whitening and prevent excessive sensitivity.

Power Bleaching

An even more powerful tooth whitening method is called power bleaching . This procedure is an in-office procedure administered by a dental professional. Your dentist will apply a powerful gel to your teeth and activate it with a special light. This achieves very quick and dramatic results in about 30-45 minutes. However, your dentist may choose to have you follow up this treatment with whitening trays as well.

Stains That are Permanent

Unfortunately, not all stains can be removed. Stains that form when the tooth is formed are usually permanent. When children, who are still forming their tooth enamel, consume excess fluoride and certain medications it leaves permanent stains on their teeth. Additionally, stains that are the result of a disease such as celiac disease or enamel hypoplasia are also permanent. If you are excessively self-conscious about these stains, discuss your cosmetic dental options with your dentist. Veneers or crowns can help give a bright, white smile to patients that have permanent stains on their teeth.

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Stains on Your Teeth? Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 20:13:00 GMT

Do you find yourself subconsciously covering your mouth when you smile? Everyone loves to show off a bright white smile. So what do you do when you begin to notice discolorations or stains on your teeth? How did they form? Can they be removed? Let’s break down the 6 most common reasons for discoloration on your teeth. In the next few weeks we will address what to do about stains on your teeth, but it’s best to know what type of stain you’re dealing with first.

Types of Stains

Tooth stains can form either internally or externally on your teeth.

Stain Causes

Nicotine

Chemicals and drugs in cigars, cigarettes, and chewing tobacco often stick to pores in your teeth and cause staining. On its own, nicotine is colorless , but when it is exposed to oxygen it turns yellow. This staining gets worse with repeated, habitual use. Long-term, nicotine stains become permanent, so it is important to stop smoking as soon as possible and get your nicotine stains treated.

Food and Drink

Wine, coffee, and tea are the most common culprits for staining teeth. The dark pigments in these drinks get lodged between teeth and in the sticky biofilm on teeth, slowly discoloring the teeth over time. However, there are some fruits and vegetables that can cause discoloration. The best prevention of these stains is to maintain proper oral hygiene to remove these pigments as they stick.

Excess Fluoride

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is excellent at building up tooth enamel. It’s found in public water systems, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and even in dental offices as a special treatment. However, too much fluoride, especially if it is ingested, can cause white or grey spots or streaks on your teeth. In severe cases, it sometimes causes dark brown or black spots on teeth. This is called fluorosis. Children who are still forming their tooth enamel are particularly affected by fluorosis.

Medication

Some medications affect the color of enamel as a side effect. This is particularly true for children under 8 who are still developing their adult teeth. Tetrocycline, an antibiotic, is notorious for causing yellow staining on teeth. However, some other drugs also contribute to tooth stains, even in adults. Blood pressure medications, antipsychotics, some antihistamines, and chemotherapy drugs have tooth staining side effects. Discuss with your doctor any side effects of a medication before you begin, and ask for alternative options if you’re unhappy with side effects.

Trauma or Disease

Diseases or trauma that damage tooth enamel often result in discoloration. Teeth that experience trauma may become darker permanently as a result. Some diseases that can cause discoloration: enamel hypoplasia and celiac disease.

Poor Oral Care

Every moment of every day the bacteria in your mouth grow and multiply. While this may seem gross, it’s actually normal and some bacteria have a beneficial role to play. However, you need to regularly clean your teeth, tongue and gums to remove as much of the harmful bacteria as possible. Bacteria can cause stains on your teeth, as well as cavities and gum disease. Not sure how to care for your teeth properly? Check out the bottom of this blog post for a guide to proper dental hygiene.

After reading this, any idea what may be causing the stains on your teeth? If you’re still unsure, a dentist can help you further. At West One Family Dental we offer professional tooth whitening and consultations. Contact us today if you’d like a professional opinion on the source of your tooth stains! Next week we will dive into what you can do to help whiten your teeth and remove stains.

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Oral Health and Heart Health Surprisingly Linked

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 17:36:00 GMT

Think the only thing suffering from your poor oral hygiene is your mouth? Think again! There is a strong correlation between how well you care for your oral health and your risk of cardiovascular disease. Scientists have not yet uncovered if one causes the other, or they are both symptoms of another root cause. However, there are some very convincing theories to explain how poor oral health can negatively affect heart health. While this may be surprising, let’s look closer at the potential domino effect that starts with poor oral hygiene and ends in a higher risk of heart attack.

The Statistics

Poor Oral Health

When you neglect proper oral hygiene routines, bacteria quickly thrive in your mouth. A warm, wet environment is ideal for bacterial growth, making your mouth especially vulnerable to bacterial growth. As quickly as 12 hours after you brush, your mouth can be full of bacteria growth. Especially in the (not visible) gap between your teeth and gums , bacteria grow quickly and have easy access to your bloodstream. As bacteria multiply quickly, they will enter the bloodstream to find new places to grow with more room and food.

Inflammation

As bacteria enter your bloodstream to find a new place to grow, your body’s natural defenses kick in. One main defense is inflammation. Your body begins producing antibodies and proteins to fight the bacterial infection. This is an important emergency function to protect your body. However, if there is a constant bacterial onslaught, your body stays in emergency mode for prolonged periods of time. This leads to a fatigue of your immune system, and strain on your body. Many health complications have been linked to chronic inflammation in the body such as poor heart health, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity and asthma.

Prevention

Stop bacterial infections at the source. Thoroughly clean your mouth twice daily. This includes brushing and flossing, supplementing with water flossing and mouthwash often. If you’re unsure how to properly clean your teeth or have problem areas that never seem to get clean, contact your dental hygienist. If you live near Colorado Springs and are looking for a dentist or dental hygienist, West One Family Dental is accepting new patients. We have a passion for empowering our patients to care for their teeth well. A clean mouth gives you many reasons to smile!

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3 Easy Resolutions for Better Oral Health

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 17:31:00 GMT

The new year is always a fresh slate and a great opportunity to make new, realistic habits. Are you ready to make some resolutions or better oral health? We’ve got 3 simple and easy resolutions you can make that will make an impact on your oral health!

Use Toothpaste with Fluoride

One of the most effective changes you can make is from a toothpaste without fluoride to one with fluoride. There is almost no more effort needed from you for more effective results! Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps build and rebuild your hard enamel protecting your teeth. Regularly brushing with fluoride reduces your risk of tooth decay.

Brush and Floss Twice Daily

This is classic oral health advice that you’ll hear from us often. The best way to care for your teeth is to regularly maintain them. Carve out 5 min twice a day to brush thoroughly for 2 whole minutes, and floss between all your teeth. If you haven’t ever been taught, here’s a thorough explanation for how to care for your teeth well. Not sure you’re doing it right? Ask your hygienist or dentist to check your form at your next appointment.

Avoid Dry Mouth

Saliva has such an important role in our oral health. Saliva works to: remineralize your teeth, clear away bacteria and food debris, heal wounds, and ease pain. Some medications or dehydration can reduce your saliva production. If you’re struggling with dry mouth, take steps to change it! Ask your doctor if it is possible switch up medications if dry mouth is a side effect. Commit to drinking more water on a regular basis. After meals chew gum to freshen your breath and increase saliva production to help clear food from your mouth and between your teeth.

Of course, there are many ways you can take control of your oral health. If you already have these down, consider discussing with your dentist or hygienist whether there’s something more you personally can do. For this blog, we wanted to keep it simple and focus on three easy resolutions that can improve anyone’s oral health. If you have any questions about these recommendations or something else, please reach out. We love being a part of educating our patients about their oral health.

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How to Handle a Dental Emergency

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 18:27:00 GMT

Many medical offices reduce their hours over the holidays or may even close for several days. If you’re celebrating the holidays and have a dental emergency, don’t let it derail your celebration. Here’s how to handle a dental emergency on your own before you can get in to see a dentist.

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any situation where you experience trauma or significant pain in your mouth. This includes lost, broken, loose, or cracked teeth or fillings, injuries to the soft tissues of your mouth, or pain and swelling in your mouth.

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

Lost or Loose Tooth

Broken or Damaged Tooth or Filling

Injured Soft Tissues

Unexplained Pain

Contact Your Dentist ASAP

Most dental emergencies will need to be resolved by a dentist. While the ER can treat symptoms or soft tissue wounds, they can’t handle tooth issues. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing or swelling in your neck visit the ER immediately for help breathing, but schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Many dental offices have options for after hours care in the case of a dental emergency. At West One Family Dental if you call after our normal hours you have the option of paging Dr. Wahl if you have a dental emergency. Dr. Wahl treats patients and visitors to Colorado Springs during dental emergencies, even after regular hours.

How to Manage The Pain

Consider this blog post for managing your pain until your appointment. If you have a wound that is bleeding, avoid Aspirin which is an anticoagulant and could increase how much you bleed. If you decide to take an over-the-counter medication stick with Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen.

Visiting Colorado Springs and have a dental emergency? Please reach out to our office at 719-633-8766. We would be happy to help! Happy Holidays from all of use here at West One Family Dental!

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Are Eating Disorders Destroying Your Teeth?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 17:04:00 GMT

The modern pressure to adhere to a strict (impossible) beauty standard can be intense. Professionals estimate that 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in America. Eating disorders are a severe mental health problem with far-reaching effects. A serious decline in oral health is just one of many of these effects.

What are eating disorders?

On the most basic level, an eating disorder is when someone has an unhealthy preoccupation with food, weight, and body image. This manifests in several different ways, but all lead to further health complications. Eating disorders are diagnosable mental health conditions and should be taken seriously.

How do they affect your teeth?

Poor nutrition

The health of your mouth and teeth teeth relies on proper nutrition. People who suffer from an eating disorder frequently lack the proper nutrition for their body to function correctly. Poor nutrition can lead to inflamed, bleeding gums, bone loss, dry mouth and bad breath.

Damage to your mouth

Frequent purging can be really damaging to your mouth. Stomach acid wears away at tooth enamel and irritates and inflames gum tissue. It can cause lesions in the soft tissues of your mouth. Teeth can wear down enough that they become brittle, thin, and misshapen. Vomiting can even wear your teeth down enough that the sensitive pulp is exposed , leading to sensitive teeth and much greater risk of infection.

Additionally, It’s common for individuals who engage in purging behavior to have scratches, cuts, and bruises on their soft palette. This comes from repeated, violent attempts to gag themselves.

Bone deterioration

With poor nutrition and an overactive jaw from binging and purging cycles, it is common to see degenerative arthritis in the TMJ joint. The TMJ joint is the hinge where your lower jaw attaches to your skull. Overuse of the TMJ joint can cause pain, stiffness, headaches and difficulty closing your jaw. Your bones rely on regular, holistic nutrition, and people who suffer from eating disorders are very likely to experience bone loss as a result of poor nutrition.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, please seek help. There are many far-reaching effects of eating disorders, with poor oral health being just one among them. There is a 24 hour helpline for those with eating disorders and those who love them to get them help. Every 62 minutes someone dies as a direct result of an eating disorder. It is possible to heal from this mental health disorder and live a full, healthy life. Take time to save your life, or the life of someone you love by getting help.

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7 Early Warning Signs of Oral Cancer

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 16:10:00 GMT

Cancer is everyone’s worst fear. That one word can rock your world, and in extreme cases, take your life. Today we’ll go over early warning signs that you may have oral cancer and review situations that put you at greater risk for a cancer diagnosis.

Early Warning Signs of Oral Cancer

If you are experiencing one or multiple of these ailments, especially if they persist for more than 2 weeks, it’s important to see your dentist. Some of these warning signs could be indicators of a completely different problem, but it’s important to see your dentist to determine the root cause. Your dentist will investigate the root cause and help you make wise health choices.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

Substance Abuse

Alcohol and tobacco use greatly increase your risk of oral cancers. Tobacco and alcohol are full of various carcinogens. Moderate to excessive consumption of either can increase your risk of multiple cancers, oral cancer included. If possible, reduce or eliminate your substance abuse to reduce your risk.

Older Age

As you age, your risk of oral cancer increases significantly. Only 25% of oral cancer cases occur in people younger than 55 years old. The average age for diagnosis is 62 . That’s why it’s especially important to continue seeing your dentist regularly for your entire life. Even if you lose all your teeth, your dentist is an important health partner than can help you prevent bone loss, maintain facial structural integrity, and catch early warning signs of oral cancer.

Exposure to the Sun

Like many other cancers, your oral cancer risk increases with exposure to radiation, including radiation from the sun. Excessive or lifelong exposure to the sun’s radiation can increase your risk of developing cancer in your mouth or throat. Try to find lip balm with UV protection, wear hats with ample coverage, and avoid severe sunburns on your face and lips.

Disease and Weak Immune System

A weakened immune system makes your mouth vulnerable to a wide array of diseases, including cancer. Additionally, some other diseases can make your mouth more vulnerable to oral cancer, such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It may seem circular, but keeping your whole body healthy can make it easier to keep your whole body healthy. The more you invest in a healthy body, the easier your body can fight infection.

Concerned by mouth sores, discoloration or pain in your mouth? Schedule an appointment with our compassionate doctors today! We can help you discover the root cause of your symptoms and get treatment. The earlier you detect oral cancer, the greater your odds of beating it!

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What to Expect at your 6 month Hygiene Exam

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 20:03:00 GMT

Although it is becoming more common, some people still don’t plan on a bi-annual dental hygiene exam. These exams are recommended by the American Dental Association for your oral and general health. We’d love to educate you on why this exam is important, and what you can expect at your hygiene exam.

What happens at a hygiene exam?

Cleaning

When you come in for your 6-month hygiene exam, your dental hygienist will help deep clean your teeth and gums. Using scraping and sometimes vibrating probes, they will gently work along the gum-line and just underneath it to scrape off built-up plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms on your teeth 4-12 hours after brushing as you breathe, salivate, and eat. If that plaque sits on your teeth long enough, it begins to harden and becomes tartar. Tartar is a hard, mineralized deposit that sticks firmly to teeth and generally can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

Discovery

At your appointment, your dental hygienist is also trained to investigate potential dental caries by gently probing dark, discolored, pitted, or sensitive areas. They will recommend follow-up with a dentist if they discover a cavity or another issue that needs treatment. Once a year, your hygienist will also take new dental x-rays. This will help them discover if there is decay between teeth or below the surface of the tooth, like between a filling and the natural tooth. Regular X-rays are important to help catch problems that may not be obvious or visible before they cause a major problem. Another thing your hygienist will do is a quick oral cancer screening. Catching cancer early can literally save your life. Cancer in other parts of your body also commonly affects your oral health. Discussing oral health concerns with your hygienist may raise a red flag with your hygienist.

Education

Additionally, your dental hygienist will educate and advise you on how to care for your teeth better on your own between appointments. This may include recommending a different type of toothpaste, a different brushing or flossing technique, or adding to your regular dental hygiene routine. A hygienist can help advise you on the specific difficulties of your mouth- whether it’s a biological tendency towards gum disease, shallow gum tissue, or crowded spaces between your teeth. If you have any questions be sure to ask your hygienist, they love to educate!

Why is a 6-month hygiene exam important?

Despite your best efforts, it is common that people develop plaque and/or tartar in certain areas of their mouth. If these are allowed to sit, they can lead to gum disease, decay, or even tooth loss. Also, sometimes cavities develop in hidden places that you can’t see or feel until they are a serious issue. Schedule a hygiene exam once every 6 months, or more often if you struggle with gum disease or tartar build-up.

Keeping a regular schedule will help your hygienist to catch issues early and prevent expensive restorative treatments. While we have excellent options for restoration, no restoration is as durable or valuable as your own natural teeth. Your natural teeth do they best job of maintaining healthy bone density, chewing and digesting your food, and protecting your body from infection. Whenever possible it is always best to preserve your natural teeth. Obviously, if your natural teeth are decaying or need restoration, it is best to treat them. The best treatment plan for preserving your natural teeth is a thorough home hygiene routine and regular dental hygiene exams.

Behind on your hygiene exam schedule? Looking for a Colorado Springs dentist that offers compassionate, professional care? We’d love to have you join our practice! Contact West One Family Dental for an appointment today!

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Your Family Dentist Answers: Pediatric Dental Questions

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Parents are well accustomed to taking their child to the pediatrician on a regular schedule from the day they are born. However, it can be easy for parents to forget that their children should visit a family dentist regularly too! Here are answers to some common questions patient’s parents have about caring for their children’s teeth.

How can I help my baby with teething pain?

Children begin teething as early as 4 months old, so it can be difficult for parents to know for sure if teething is the cause of a child’s fussiness. Common symptoms babies exhibit with teething include a mild fever, excessive drooling, chewing on everything, and crankiness. If you think your child is teething, try putting a clean, damp washcloth in the freezer for 30 minutes, then offer it to your baby. If your child is excessively fussy, call your pediatrician about what pain killers they recommend for teething pain given your child’s size, age, and health.

When should my child visit the family dentist for the first time?

As soon as your child has teeth, they should begin regular check-ups with their family dentist. Consult with your family dentist about the right frequency of visits, but generally the American Dental Association suggests you visit your dentist twice a year. Your child’s dentist can help teach you how to care for your child’s new teeth, give you suggestions for the right toothbrush and toothpaste, and help catch problems early. Early detection of dental cavities or structural abnormalities give parents more options for affordable and ideal treatment.

How can I prepare my child for their first visit to the family dentist?

Talk about it! When children have new experiences, they usually handle the much better if you let them know what to expect. We’ve complied a list of 4 great books that help your child understand the importance of visiting a family dentist, and what to expect. Start talking about it at least a week in advance, and make time for them to ask questions or share their concerns. When you talk about it, be careful not to present negative ideas you have around the dentist, and keep it optimistic. For example, don’t say, “You don’t need to be scared of the dentist hurting you.” which suggests some people are scared of the dentist and sometimes there is pain at the dentist. Try instead, “Our dentist is a community helper that helps us take good care of our teeth. They’ll help you clean your teeth and take pictures to see inside your teeth.” Children do best when they can role play, so if possible act out a dental visit yourselves as a play, or with puppets or dolls.

If children will lose their baby teeth, is it really important to take care of them?

Although your child will eventually lose their baby teeth, taking good care of them is still really important. Cavities can introduce infection to their bloodstream with causes infection or inflammation elsewhere in their body. Additionally, a bad cavity may destroy the tooth enough that it needs to be pulled. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth in your child’s mouth. If you extract the tooth early surrounding teeth will collapse on that space and cause crowding issues for adult teeth. Most importantly, baby teeth are the only set of “training teeth” your child will get. It’s important for them to learn early the importance of oral health and how to keep their teeth clean.

How can parents help their children prevent cavities?

When is it safe to pull out baby teeth? Does the family dentist need to do it?

Sometime after age 5 children’s teeth will begin to get loose on their own. This happens because adult teeth up in the gums push down on and dissolve the baby tooth’s root. Follow your child’s lead regarding what foods are ok for chewing during this time. Generally only fairly hard food is difficult and no serious diet modifications are needed. Once your child’s tooth no longer hurts when they wiggle it, it is probably ready to come out. You can give it a firm tug with your fingers, or tie a knot with string or dental floss around the base and pull if it’s too small to grip well. It’s not necessary to have a dentist pull baby teeth that progress normally.

There is no need to pull a baby tooth if it still hurts, and even teeth that no longer hurt are not usually a problem. Some teeth will fall out naturally as your child eats. If your child’s tooth is very difficult to remove, or if you think your child may have accidentally swallowed it, call your family dentist for next steps. Swallowed teeth are likely not cause for alarm and should pass through their digestive tract without any problem.

Have any other concerns about your child’s oral health? Give us a call at 719-633-8766! Our office has two accomplished family dentists in Colorado Springs. We care for smiles of all ages and sizes and have emergency appointments available.

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Did You Know Cold Weather Can Cause Tooth Sensitivity?

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 19:50:00 GMT

Colorado Springs gets fabulous winter weather, and this year we’ve already had several significant snowstorms! Of course, in true Colorado fashion, in just a couple days all that snow melts away. Did you know large swings in outdoor temperature can cause tooth sensitivity for some people? Let’s dig into how this happens, why it happens, and what you can do about it.

Winter Temperatures Change Teeth

Although your teeth seem unchanging, they actually expand and shrink slightly with various temperatures. As you expose your teeth to very hot air or food they expand. When your teeth come in contact with cold foods or temperatures, they contract. These changes are minor, and you may never even notice them. However, quick changes in temperature can make it easier for hairline cracks to form in your dentin, the body of your teeth. This is especially true if you have metal fillings as the expansion and contraction of metal happens at a slightly different speed than bone. As your fillings pull away from your teeth, the sensitive nerves in the dentin are exposed, causing painful sensitivity.

You may wonder why you are just beginning to have trouble with this type of tooth sensitivity when you’ve lived in a similar climate your whole life. A recent study on extracted teeth from children, young adults, and older adults shows that the younger the tooth, the more tolerant it was to the effects of heat. This means you may be more likely to experience problems as you get older.

Identifying the Problem

So, if you’ve suddenly started experiencing tooth sensitivity, how do you know if Jack Frost is to blame? There are many things that can cause tooth sensitivity , but your dentist can help you find a root cause. Your dentist will want to take X-rays and do an oral exam. They will check for signs that you’ve been grinding your teeth or signs of gum recession. It is likely that your dentist will only determine your tooth sensitivity is from cold weather once they’ve eliminated most other common causes.

Preventing Tooth Sensitivity

There’s not much you can do to prevent cracks from temperature changes. Obviously, keep your mouth closed when you’re outside in really cold weather when possible. Additionally, proper oral hygiene can help keep your gums from receding which will cause tooth sensitivity. Also, remove any food debris between teeth with dental floss regularly. Food can make the contact points between teeth stressed, and as your teeth change temperature they could increase the pressure on your teeth.

Resolving Tooth Sensitivity

If you have an older filling that is made out of an outdated material, or if the filling seems worn out, your dentist may recommend replacing the filling. You may consider choosing a new material that flexes more naturally with bone. If your tooth sensitivity isn’t near a filling, your dentist will likely recommend switching to sensitive toothpaste for awhile. Additionally, they may apply a varnish in the office to help repair the crack in the enamel and cover the sensitive nerve endings.

If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity and you’re not sure why, give us a call at 719-633-8766! We have same-day emergency appointments available in Colorado Springs.

The post Did You Know Cold Weather Can Cause Tooth Sensitivity? appeared first on West One Family Dental .

Cracked Tooth Syndrome: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 17:20:00 GMT

Have you ever experienced pain or sensitivity in a tooth, only to have your dentist baffled as to why? Cracked teeth are incredibly hard to diagnose, They can be a source of pain or sensitivity for months until it finally is diagnosed. We’re going to go through the symptoms and causes for cracked teeth to help you identify if this might be the cause of your oral pain.

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Locating a cracked tooth can be very difficult. Sometimes cracks are too small to be seen, or may be hiding under the gumline or between teeth. Dentists diagnose a crack by visually examining your teeth, taking X-rays, and sometimes by using a bright light or dye. Your dentist will also use a metal instrument called an explorer to feel the surface of your teeth to check for irregularities. Often, diagnosing a tooth as a cracked tooth may be the final step in a long line of diagnostic tests that come back negative. Some cracks are simply too small to be seen, so if your symptoms suggest a crack and all other tests are negative, it is most likely that you have a tiny, hidden crack.

Causes

Teeth can crack for a variety of reasons. Injury to a tooth is one of the most common causes. Whether it is an acute accident, or the gnashing and grinding of your teeth as you sleep at night , slamming your teeth hard can cause tiny cracks to form. When you bite down again, the pressure of your teeth meeting can cause the crack to open slightly, exposing the nerve inside. Nerve pain is very painful, but generally goes away quickly as well. If your tooth hurts suddenly and sharply, but then fades quickly, a tiny crack is the most likely source of your pain.

Additionally, teeth that have already had extensive dental treatment are more likely to crack. Root canal treatments and very large fillings can compromise the integrity of the tooth, leading it to crack in the future. Occasionally teeth may crack as a direct result of root canal or filling treatments. Every person’s teeth are slightly different, which makes it impossible to predict how their teeth will react to a specific treatment.

Treatment

Treatment of a cracked tooth varies widely based upon where and how severe it is. Cracks in the pulp of your tooth often require root canal treatment. About 20% of cracked teeth end up needing a root canal to alleviate the pain. Cracks that are closer to the surface, especially cracks on the chewing surface of your teeth are usually treated by covering the tooth with a crown .

If you’ve been living with dental pain, please make an appointment to come see us. We will do everything in our power to diagnose and treat your oral pain so you can get back to living your life fully. At West One Family Dental in Northeast Colorado Springs we take time to listen to our patients. Call us for an appointment at 719-633-8766.

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Is It Possible to Regrow Teeth?

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 16:43:00 GMT

Since the inception of dentistry, it has been a battle of fighting off the inevitable. Once teeth begin to decay, dentists just do their best to slow the eventual loss of the tooth. Fillings wear out over time and must be replaced. Sometimes cracks or microscopic gaps in fillings allow further deterioration of the tooth. Trauma to teeth also almost certainly means the eventual replacement of that tooth with an artificial one. But, new science may change that in the not-too-distant future. Scientists at the University of Plymouth have made exciting breakthroughs that suggest it may be possible to regrow teeth after caries or trauma.

Your Tooth Structure

To help you understand this a little better, here is a quick crash course in the structure of your tooth. Each tooth has three parts — the hard “shield” on the outside, the enamel; the semi-soft dentin which makes the shape; and the pulp which has nerves and blood vessels. Dentists have been able to strengthen and over time rebuild your enamel on the outside of your teeth with fluoride treatments that help your tooth re-mineralize. However, science has not discovered how to regrow the bulk of your tooth, until now. 70% of your tooth’s mass is dentin, which once affected by caries or trauma has previously been treated by filling in the space with filling material.

Cells that Regrow Teeth

Dr. Bing Hu at the University of Plymouth has been studying how teeth and bones grow in hopes of unlocking the gene responsible for growing, and therefore re-growing, teeth. Cells which grow and regrow all types of tissue in the body are called stem cells. Different variations of stem calls manage different types of tissue and bone growth. The stem cells responsible for muscle and tissue growth are called mesenchymal stem cells. Working with mice, Dr. Hu and his team learned that when activated, these stem cells send signals back to the mother tissue to produce new cells.

The Dlk1 Gene

As they studied this process, Dr. Hu and his team uncovered a gene called Dlk1 which helps transmit this message from stem cells to the mother tissue in order to regenerate and regrow teeth. This gene controls how many new cells are created. This is a breakthrough that helps explain a process that previously was not completely understood.

The Future of Tooth Regrowth

By manipulating this gene in mice, Dr. Hu and his team have been able to activate stem cells to initiate the regrowth and regeneration of damaged teeth. We are still in the early stages of this new discovery, and follow-up studies will need to confirm our understanding of how Dlk1 gene, stem cells, and mother tissue work together to repair and regrow damaged teeth. However, this breakthrough gives us an exciting peek at the very likely future of dentistry.

We are hopeful that in the future we will have new ways to not just slow the eventual decline of tooth damage and loss, but reverse it by regrowing teeth!

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Halloween Candy Science Experiments; Blow your mind, not your teeth.

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:03:00 GMT

Who said playing with your food was a bad thing? When you collapse on the couch after days of fall festivals and trick-or-treating with over a pound of candy, we suggest you reconsider that advice. Why not use some of that candy to learn something new, instead of downing it all as you binge-watch your favorite show? Last week we posted some ideas for giving away your candy, but if that’s not your thing we’ve got another idea. Here’s a collection of some of the internet’s best candy science experiments. We hope you find one that energizes you to give it a try. If you try it out, be sure to let us know how it went in the comments!

5. Skittles Stratification

This experiment is very simple and you’re nearly guaranteed to have the supplies needed. With just a little bit of water, a plate, and a package of skittles you can create beautiful masterpieces that help you discuss stratification with your kids. Check out the blog Little Bins for Little Hands for detailed instructions and extensions!

4. Floating Letters

M&M’s are famous for melting in your mouth, not your hand. That’s because there are two different parts to the candy shell coating. There is a thin layer that is not water-soluble on the outside of the shell that helps protect the inner water-soluble layers. To see this in action, you can place M&M’s (Or Skittles!) in water and wait a few days. Over time, the layers come apart and you can actually see the clear shell and printed letters floating on the top of your cup while the inside of the shell with the color dissolves and mixes with the water. Steve Spangler Science has more details for you and instructions here. If you’ve got a patient kiddos, try out this experiment!

Teach your kids about the process of osmosis with this fun experiment! You’ll place gummy bears in water and salt water to observe how solutions of different concentrations seek equilibrium through osmosis. Learn more about the science and get instructions here .

2. Dancing Frankenworms

Make your kiddos squeal and giggle at these goofy dancing gummy worms! The science behind this one is a classic: the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar. But somehow no matter how often kids play with baking soda and vinegar, the explosiveness of their reaction never ceases to excite. This popular children’s blog Playdough to Plato shares the break-down for how to get your worms to wiggle.

1. Mentos & Diet Soda

If somehow you’ve been living under a rock or without internet, we would be remiss not to mention this now-famous experiment. If you drop Mentos into a bottle of Diet soda you get a 20+ foot geyser explosion for a few seconds. It’s messy. It’s explosive. That’s why it’s so much fun. Steve Spangler science has a very thorough explanation here for how to do this easily which explains the science behind it well. Basically, the surface of the mentos have tiny craters that create bubbles of CO2 and quickly release them as they begin to dissolve. All these bubble rush to the top at once, creating a ton of pressure that shoots the soda out the top.

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Donate Your Halloween Candy for a Double Win

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:02:00 GMT

Last year we suggested you consider ways you can treat neighborhood kids instead of Halloween candy that destroys their teeth. In case your own neighbors didn’t take our advice, here’s some tips for clearing out your kids’ stash and saving their sweet smiles too!

Operation Gratitude

What better way to get mountains of sugar out of your house than by using it to comfort our military and first responders? A handful of candy is included in every care package that is sent from Operation Gratitude. They send care packages to deployed troops, military families, veterans, wounded heroes, and first responders. Of course, don’t pay more in shipping than the value of the candy, and consider a donation instead. They also encourage you to include a note of gratitude to send in the care packages. For full information on how to participate in Operation Gratitude, click here .

Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House provides housing at or near hospitals so that families can stay together while a child is in the hospital. They often provide meals or other hospitality services. Our local Ronald McDonald house would be grateful for donations of unopened Halloween candy, dropped off at their facility. Candy will be provided to families going through trying medical situations and could be a great comfort.

Ronald McDonald House, Colorado Springs:

4223 Royal Pine Dr
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920 USA
Phone: 719-471-1814

Springs Rescue Mission

Springs Rescue Mission serves the poor and homeless in our community by providing hot meals, shelter, clothing, and resources for a way out of homelessness. They are a well-respected resource in our community and have said they would love any unopened Halloween candy.

111 W Las Vegas St
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Receiving Hours
Monday – Friday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday 9:00am – 11:30am

We also have a north drop-off location for small items:

ER Specialists Urgency Center
4194 Royal Pine Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Operation Shoebox

Similar to Operation Gratitude, Operation Shoebox sends care packages to our troops overseas. They accept candy donations year-round, especially heat-resistant candy. Unopened Halloween candy can be donated by shipping it to:

Operation Shoebox
8360 East Highway
25 Belleview. Fl. 34420

Get creative with your Halloween Candy!

Could you send a care package to a friend or acquaintance living overseas who may not have access to the creature comforts of home? Call a local elderly care facility and see if they allow visitors to share unopened candy with residents. Let your kids have a second chance to dress up in their costume and bring a little joy to our neighbors who may be lonely. We’d love to hear your creative ideas for how you can spread the love with your Halloween candy, instead of sinking your wallet with dental bills.

However you choose to slim down your kids’ stash, we hope you have a safe and fun Halloween and don’t forget to brush and floss about 30 minutes after you enjoy sweet treats!

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How to: Repair Receding Gums

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 17:26:00 GMT

In our last post we covered the risks and causes of receding gums. If you think you may have a problem with receding gums, it’s always best to consult your dentist. However, here is an overview of treatments available and the best methods of preventing receding gums.

Treatment

How your dentist chooses to treat your receding gums will depend heavily on what they determine is the cause. Obviously, if there is something that is still causing gum recession, your dentist will help you find strategies to counter the current gum loss. Once you stop your gum recession, you and your dentist can decide if there is a restorative treatment that’s right for your situation.

Scaling and Root Planing

This treatment is intended to help curb gum recession. Since a leading cause of receding gums is trapped bacteria causing infection, your dentist will use special tools to reach between your gums and your teeth to clean out trapped plaque and tartar. Removing the irritant and smoothing your roots will also encourage your gums to reattach to your teeth. It’s important for your gums and teeth to be firmly attached so your gums can protect your roots and give support.

Pinhole Surgical Technique

PST, or Pinhole Surgical Technique is a new treatment that helps restore your gums with minimal damage and a shortened healing time. Your dentist will make a small hole in the gums above recession. They gently separate the gum from the tooth, then stretch the gums back over the exposed root. Next, your dentist will insert small collagen strips in the hole and along the place where your gum should now reattach. These collagen strips help to speed up the healing and help your gums attach to the teeth in the right place, similar to a biological glue. Unlike Gum Graft Surgery, there is very little cutting which helps speed up your healing afterwards.

Gum Graft Surgery

Gum Graft Surgery is a fairly involved procedure, generally best for severe gum recession or multiple teeth with gum recession. First, your dentist will cut a portion of gum tissue out of the roof of your mouth. Next, they cut underneath the existing gum near the exposed roots. Then they place the replacement gum along the portion of exposed root and lay the original gum flap back down. Although it is more involved, it is an excellent choice for aggressive gum recession and protect your teeth from sensitivity and decay.

Prevention

As always, the best defense is a good offense. Getting out in front of your gum recession produces the best results for the best price!

Proper hygiene

Follow your dentist’s recommendations for proper oral hygiene. This usually includes:

Good Technique

Check and make sure you’re following the ADA recommended technique for brushing.

If you’re not sure if you are brushing correctly, ask your dentist to watch you and provide correction.

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Risks and Causes of Receding Gums

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:14:00 GMT

Have you noticed your teeth looking longer? Red, swollen, or bleeding gums? Have you had sensitivity to hot or cold foods? If you’ve begun to notice your gums receding you may be concerned. Let’s look into why gums recede and why it’s not a good thing.

Risks

Your gums are designed to hug around the root of each tooth to protect and stabilize your roots. The roots of your teeth don’t have protective enamel coating like the top, or “crown,” of your teeth. If your gums begin to recede you run the risk of exposing your roots to bacteria and food. Your roots may cause extreme sensitivity or pain when they come into contact with hot, cold, or sometimes sweet foods. Additionally, without the protection of enamel or gums, bacteria will cause decay in your tooth root. Gums cannot grow back or regenerate, but you still have some options for protecting your teeth and restoring your gums.

Causes

Brushing Incorrectly or Too Hard

If you use a hard-bristled toothbrush, or brush aggressively you may be doing more damage than good. Hard bristles and or forceful scrubbing causes stress on your gums. Over time, your gums will recede from this type of treatment. If you brush twice a day, plaque and tartar shouldn’t be sticky or hard enough to withstand a gentle massage with a soft-bristled brush. If you have a build-up of plaque or tartar that can’t be gently exfoliated away with your toothbrush, make an appointment with your dental hygienist to get a fresh slate.

Additionally, you should brush with your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle tilted towards the bottom of your mouth when brushing the lower teeth and the top of your mouth when brushing upper teeth. Move your toothbrush in small circles, massaging your teeth and gums gently. Using broad horizontal strokes can also cause stress to your gums.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is when your gums become infected with bacteria and inflamed, causing them to recede both down and away from your teeth. They contract this type of infection from a build-up of bacteria or plaque around the gum-line. When your gums recede, this causes to small pockets between your gum and teeth that become a harbor for bacteria. It quickly becomes a vicious cycle of infection, recession, re-infection as bacteria make homes for themselves in your gums.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the beginning stages and early warning of periodontal disease. This is a great opportunity to treat your periodontal disease early and save your gum structures. You should contact your dentist or hygienist if you experience bleeding when you brush or floss, notice your gums turning more red than pink, or struggle with persistent bad breath. These can all be symptoms of gingivitis and if treated early can save your gums, teeth, and wallet.

Periodontal Disease

If you don’t treat gingivitis or it persists, you will develop full-blown periodontal disease . This is when there are severe pockets between your gums and teeth. Some people are more at-risk for developing periodontal disease. You can read more about patients that have a higher risk here .

It’s important to treat periodontal disease. If you choose not to change your habits or treat your periodontal disease your teeth will begin to lose bone mass and will eventually fall out.

Grinding Teeth

Many people grind their teeth to get out anxiety, aggression, or when their jaw is misaligned. Often people grind at night and may not realize they are grinding their teeth, but some people grind even while they are awake. Grinding your teeth causes stress on your gums and can cause your gums to recede over time. Additionally, grinding causes your teeth to loosen in their sockets, creating pockets that can become infected with bacteria, leading to periodontal disease.

Injury

A direct hit or intense pressure from an injury may cause your gums to recede where they were damaged. This is most likely to happen during a contact sport, a fall, a dental procedure, or when wearing ill-fitting dental appliances. If your appliance is hurting and doesn’t adjust in a couple days contact your dentist to see if it needs to be adjusted.

Worried that your gums are receding? In our next post we will discuss your treatment options, as well as how to prevent gum recession. In the meantime, if you think you may have gum recession contact your dentist.

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6 Foods That are Good For Your Teeth

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:54:00 GMT

Worried about your teeth? We’ve got 6 foods to reach for that can actually help you fight cavities. Some of them help by physically removing plaque or acid, while others can make your mouth an unsupportive environment for bacteria.

Cheese

All dairy products help your teeth by providing calcium and protein to strengthen your bones, teeth included. However, a study from General Dentistry published in 2013 found that cheese has an added benefit in fighting cavities. The study tested the acidity of participant’s mouthes after eating milk, sugar-free yogurt, and cheese. When pH levels in the mouth drop below 5.5, chances of cavities increase. After eating, the participants were asked to rinse with just water. Then acidity was tested at 10, 20, and 30 minutes after eating. Those participants who consumed milk or yogurt didn’t have a noticeable increase in acidity. However, those participants who consumed cheese did show a dramatic increase in mouth acidity at each interval. Some theories as to why the cheese had this impact are either because it must be chewed, which increases saliva production, or because the cheese neutralizes the plaque acidity.

Apples

Even though apples contain some natural sugars, they are chock full of fiber and provide the perfect resistance for your teeth. Crunchy foods can help develop your jaw and gently scrub plaque off your teeth. The resistance of the fruit can also help gently massage your gums and increase circulation. Try to plan to enjoy a whole apple at the end of your meal to satisfy the “dessert” craving, while also increasing salvia and scrubbing your teeth.

Leafy Greens

Yet another reason to pile the greens on your plate. Leafy greens are full of vitamins and minerals and low in calories and sugar. Leafy greens help provide the nutrition your teeth need to grow strong, without being paired with anything that could weaken your enamel. Additionally, leafy greens require chewing which stimulates saliva production.

Celery

Like apples, celery provide nutrition while also removing plaque from your teeth. Celery has the added benefit of no sugars, and the fibrous nature of the stalk helps to scrub away bacteria and plaque. Celery provides vitamins A and C which can help improve your gum health.

Tea

Unsweetened black or green tea is the best type of tea for your dental health. Black and green tea blends contain polyphenols. Polyphenols can slow the growth of bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria is the leading cause of cavities and weakened enamel. Additionally, compounds in tea can reduce the size and stickiness of dental plaque. In a recent study done at the University of Illinois at Chicago, researchers found that swishing with tea for 30 seconds 3 times a day significantly reduced dental plaque.

Sugarless Gum

After meals especially, it’s important to rinse well and increase saliva production. Sugarless gum can help dislodge food and bacteria after a meal. It increases saliva production which helps to wash away particles. It’s important to find sugarless gum, preferably gum sweetened with Xylitol. You want to ensure there’s no sugar so you don’t accidentally feed the bacteria you want to starve. Additionally, xylitol has been proven to reduce the risk of cavities itself.

Of course, this list is not exhaustive. When looking for foods that support your dental health, keep these things in mind. You want a food that is low in sugar, high in vitamins and minerals. Try to avoid foods that neutralize your body’s natural acidity. Fiber is helpful to gently scrub away plaque. Foods that encourage you to chew or salivate are helpful too.

What are your favorite teeth-supporting snacks? What do you do to avoid sugary foods?

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The Impact of Sugar on your Teeth and Health

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 18:50:00 GMT

The negative impact of sugar on our health and our teeth is no news flash. But despite the information readily available, we all make poor nutrition decisions from time to time. We just wanted to take a moment to refresh our patients on the far-reaching impacts of sugar, especially in light of some new research.

Overall Health

A new study on the effects of soft drinks on mortality was just published with some shocking statistics. Scientists in this study found a correlation between soft drinks consumed and earlier death. The three main causes of death were digestive diseases, circulatory diseases, and stroke. Participants who consumed 2 or more soft drinks a day showed significant decline in health.

Oral Health

Beyond this, there is a documented correlation between sugar consumption and increased tooth decay. In particular, this study from Scotland showed that as non-milk sugar in children’s diets increased, incidence of cavities increased as well. What’s more, the risk was not reduced or affected by proper oral hygiene habits (2x daily brushing). It’s important to emphasize that proper oral hygiene, while important, is only part of the battle. You should take steps to reduce refined sugars in your diet in addition to keeping teeth surfaces clean.

Think that just a taste won’t effect your health? Actually, for tooth health the biggest concern is the number of exposures to sugar. Every time sugar comes in contact with your teeth, it reacts with the plaque build-up on your teeth and creates an acid. This acid weakens your enamel and eventually creates holes through the enamel and in the dentin of the tooth.

Addictive Qualities

Having a hard time reducing the amount of sugar you consume? You’re not alone. Sugar is more addictive than cocaine, according to some studies such as this one . Our bodies are naturally wired to seek out sugar. In pre-industrial days it was not refined or readily available and provided a needed caloric boost. It also helped us identify foods rich in Vitamin C, a necessary nutrient. However, today we are overwhelmed by the ease of access and sheer volume of sugar in our diets. Additionally, sugar in modern diets is rarely paired with essential vitamins.

Reducing the Impact

The best way to care for your body and teeth is to reduce your sugar intake. However, we know that culturally and personally there are many times it is difficult to say no to sweet treats. If you are going to indulge in a sweet treat, consider brushing your teeth first. This will help remove as much plaque as possible. Since plaque and sugar react to create acid which weakens your teeth, less plaque means less acid. Also, wait 30 minutes after your treat, then brush again. This wait period helps your teeth recover from the acid attack. Vigorous brushing right after you eat sugar can increase the damage to your weakened enamel. After 30 minutes, brush and floss well to remove any sugars that are lingering on your teeth.

Want ideas for how to strengthen your teeth instead of weaken them? Check out our blog post here for ideas on nutrients that build up your teeth.

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Nanorobots: The future of Oral Health?

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:20:00 GMT

The discomforting scraping of metal on teeth may soon be a sound of the past. Many people are uncomfortable with the poking, scraping, and prodding necessary in an oral hygiene appointment. They may even put off regular cleanings to avoid it. Fortunately, innovation is breaking through everyday problems, and better oral health is among those problems. Let’s dive deeper into one exciting experiment that could revolutionize oral health care in your lifetime!

The Problem

Your oral health team is a collaboration of your dentist, dental hygienist, and yourself. This team spends a significant amount of effort and time to clean and protect your teeth. A large part of the work is breaking down biofilms that develop on your teeth. Biofilms such as plaque and tartar trap bacteria and stick to your teeth. This arrangement gives the bacteria constant access to your enamel, which it weakens as it multiplies and feeds off excess sugars left on your teeth.

Biofilms are difficult to penetrate because they have a strong matrix structure and are very sticky. Their stickiness allows them to bond with your teeth and stay, even when you try to brush or scrub them away. They can develop anywhere, even in the tiny crevices between your teeth, or between your teeth and gums, making them hard to reach.

The Experiment

Two different teams at The University of Pennsylvania began working different parts of this problem at the same time. Hyun Koo and a team in the dental school were hoping to create a better way of breaking down oral biofilms. Simultaneously, Edward Steager in the Engineering and Applied Sciences department engineered a new nanorobot. Nanorobots can put processes into action on a much smaller and more precise level. As they worked, they discovered their work shared some key aspects. By combining their work, they hoped to find a solution.

“This was a truly synergistic and multidisciplinary interaction,” says Koo . “We’re leveraging the expertise of microbiologists and clinician-scientists as well as engineers to design the best microbial eradication system possible. This is important to other biomedical fields facing drug-resistant biofilms as we approach a post-antibiotic era.”

The Solution

The hero in this war against biofilms? Iron-oxide nanoparticles. The dental school team found a way to use the iron-oxide to create a catalytic reaction that targeted and broke down biofilms in the mouth. The engineering team built magnetically-controlled nanobots with an iron-oxide base. By combining these two team’s work, there is a potential to revolutionize the way we clean all sorts of things, teeth included!

The teams have developed and tested two robotic systems, offering promising innovation in the dental hygiene field! They’ve named these robots CARs, short for catalytic antimicrobial robots. CARs have been effective at removing biofilms both in test-tube and actual human teeth. So far, they are exceeding expectations and not only treat current biofilms, but help make it more difficult for biofilms to regrow after treatment. Interested in seeing a nanobot in action? Check out their timelapse images here .

The Future

The team is currently working to bring their project to successful clinical use. They have partnered with the Penn Health-Tech which provides support and resources for teams developing new health technologies. The hope is that in the near future, these nanorobots could effectively clean teeth both inside and outside, to protect their long-term life. We are excited to see where this revolutionary technology takes the field of dentistry!

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Common Toothpaste Ingredients & What They Do

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 03:18:00 GMT

Have you ever looked at the list of ingredients on the back of your toothpaste box and been overwhelmed? Confused? Disgusted? A long list of scientific names can be intimidating, but most ingredients can be broken down into a few key roles they play in the toothpaste’s function.

Roles of Ingredients

Common Ingredients

These should cover most of the types of ingredients you find in the list on your toothpaste. This field of scientific study is not well developed and many toothpaste ingredients are not found unsafe but also not proven to be safe or beneficial. Take some time to research more on your own and make the decision based on your comfort level with different toothpaste ingredients.

This information is not meant to replace your dentist’s advice. You should speak with your dentist if you are concerned about the effect of your toothpaste’s ingredients on your oral health. Together you can decide the right toothpaste for you.

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What is the Role of Toothpaste in Oral Hygiene?

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 16:00:00 GMT

You’ve probably been brushing your teeth with toothpaste for longer than you remember. (We hope, anyway!) As with many things that go back before you had critical thinking skills, you’ve probably never stopped to consider the role of toothpaste in your oral hygiene. This is an important foundation for our series on toothpaste, so let’s dive into the point of using toothpaste!

What’s Toothpaste do?

Abrasive

Toothpaste is designed to be a slightly gritty substance that enhances your brushing efforts. This acts as an abrasive to remove plaque and tartar that build up on teeth, along your gumline, and under your gums. The tiny, hard particles in the toothbrush scrape away the build-up on your teeth.

Re-calcify

Additionally, many toothpastes add ingredients that help to re-mineralize the enamel that coats your teeth. Your saliva constantly coats your teeth and patches weak spots in your enamel with calcium and phosphate. When your saliva has fluoride in it, the calcium, phosphate, and fluoride combine to make a powerful protective coating called fluoroapatite . This is stronger than enamel on its own, resists decay, and acts as a powerful shield against sugars and acids.

Non-essential Functions

Many modern toothpastes add in other ingredients that are not essential but may make the toothbrushing experience better. This includes colors, flavors, anti-bacterials, and foaming agents. Colors and flavors make help encourage young children (or you!) to brush regularly. Anti-bacterials are put in toothpaste to help kill harmful bacteria, but as we’ll look into later, they also kill beneficial bacteria. Foaming agents help the toothpaste create a thick foam. This can help the toothpaste sit on your teeth better, and may make the experience of brushing more pleasurable.

What DOESN’T Toothpaste do?

Magic

Ok, you probably don’t think your toothpaste is doing card tricks… but many people view their toothpaste as mysteriously doing most of the work of cleaning your teeth. However, this is not true! In fact, toothpaste plays a much smaller role in oral hygiene than the actual movement of your brush and proper flossing. You should not rely on the ingredients of your toothpaste to accomplish the task of cleaning your teeth. Toothpaste only gives a helpful boost to your own detailed oral hygiene routine.

What Does Your Toothpaste Need?

Your toothpaste needs you to brush and floss accurately and consistently. If you’re not sure that you brush properly, you should use online resources or ask your dentist to help guide you to brush and floss more effectively. The frequency and efficiency of the movement of your brush and floss are the most important indicators of your risk for decay.

We will keep diving into toothpaste ingredients and how to choose one that’s right for you. But you should know that you will need to make your own judgement call on what’s important to you. Your dentist can recommend their favorite toothpaste, but ultimately only you know what you’re comfortable in your toothpaste. Some ingredients are untested in their safety or efficiency.

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Are Natural Toothpaste Claims True?

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 15:55:00 GMT

It seems like the toothpaste section of the grocery store has doubled in size over the past few years. Not only are there more choices, the advertising for many of these toothpastes conflict each other. New “natural” toothpastes make claims that fluoride is harmful and unnatural. They offer ingredient lists full of common household substances with easy to pronounce names. This seems like a good trend- but is it? Let’s dive into what you should–and shouldn’t–believe on the toothpaste packaging.

Claims

Fluoride is harmful to your health.

True. Swallowing large quantities of fluoride has shown negative effects such as lower IQ, teeth discoloration, overly hard and brittle bones, and neurological problems. However, don’t go toss your toothpaste just yet. These problems come from swallowing more than the FDA recommended amount of fluoride (through water and toothpaste). Especially the more serious issues would require a serious amount of fluoride built up in your system. The FDA recommends 0.7 mg fluoride for each liter of water you drink.

Toothpastes don’t need fluoride to be effective.

False! A recent study proved that oral hygiene efforts without fluoride have “no effect” in reducing your chance of getting a cavity. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element in water and is nature’s most effective defense against dental cavities. Because of the potential side effects, especially in young children whose teeth are still developing, most dentists recommend you chose a fluoride-free toothpaste for your children. However, you can still get some of the remineralizing benefits of fluoride by asking your dental hygienist to apply it semi-annually at their hygiene appointments.

Toothpastes with a few common ingredients are best.

Jury’s still out. Sorry, that may not be helpful, but we want to be honest with you. There are many ingredients you may never have heard of before picking up your toothpaste tube to inspect it that do great things for your oral health. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that replaces sugar in your toothpaste and 20g/day can reduce your risk of decay. Triclosan is an anti-bacterial found in many brand-name toothpastes. It’s very effective at eliminating bacteria , which the dental community is split on. Just like too many antibiotics, this could destroy both good and bad bacteria in your mouth. However, some chemicals have been approved and then the approval retracted as we learn more about the long-term effects. Additionally, some of the very common ingredients in natural toothpastes have come under scrutiny for being ineffective.

So Now What?

Feeling confused about what to believe? Don’t worry. We’ll dive into all things toothpaste over the next few weeks. By the end of this series, you can decide for yourself what you’re comfortable putting in your mouth.

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Tooth Loss Puts Older Adults at Risk for Malnutrition

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:43:00 GMT

As you transition into your golden years, you should be aware that your oral health needs will change. In addition to your oral health needs changing, you may need to consider how your oral health is impacting other areas of your health as well. Last year a small study released by Rutgers University suggests that older adults with tooth loss have an increased risk for malnutrition. Let’s dig into this study a bit and consider what you need to keep in mind as you age.

The Study

Rutgers University published this study which analyzed the health records of 107 community-dwelling senior citizens. They found that more than 25% of patients were either malnourished, or at risk for malnourishment. Patients with 10-19 teeth were most likely to be at risk for malnutrition. Compared to patients with normal nutrition status, patients classified as malnourished also showed several knock-on effects such as weight loss, depression, dementia, and severe illnesses. This study confirms the finding of a larger similar study done on patients with chronic kidney disease.

The Implications

It’s not surprising to consider that those patients who have begun to lose a significant portion of their teeth struggle with malnutrition. The author of the Rutgers Study, Rena Zelig says, “If [the mouth’s] integrity is impaired, the functional ability of an individual to consume an adequate diet may be adversely impacted.” Additionally, you may get infections or tenderness as food gets trapped in tooth gaps. Difficulty chewing may encourage older patients to give up eating before they are truly filled. This is especially true if there are any other complicating factors such as muscle weakness, tremors, and difficulty seeing clearly.

How to Compensate

Older adults should do their best to keep up with tooth loss. You should take regular preventative measures to keep your mouth healthy. Even in your golden years you should keep a regular cleaning schedule. You may even consider increasing the frequency of appointments if you struggle with infections, gum disease, or lack sufficient strength and dexterity to brush well daily.

Additionally, replace your natural teeth whenever possible with implants and crowns when you lose teeth or your dentist extracts them. You can preserve your chewing surface, protect your jaw bone from bone loss, and prevent food and bacteria from building up. If implants are not a good solution for you, you can also consider partial or full dentures.

If you’re looking for a dentist that has extensive knowledge and experience with senior citizens, visit us at West One Family Dental. Our office specializes in dentures and oral health for seniors. Call us at 719-633-8766 to make an appointment today! We can’t wait to meet you.

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How to: Tell If You Have a Dying Tooth

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 16:33:00 GMT

You may be confused by the phrasing “dying tooth.” Unlike many other parts of your body, it’s not obvious to many that your tooth is alive. It doesn’t grow over time like many things we think of as alive. So let’s dive into how your tooth actually is alive, and how to know when it’s sending out SOS signals.

Tooth Anatomy

Your tooth is made up of both hard and soft tissue. The inside of your tooth has a soft pulp, blood flow, and nerves. Check out this blog post for a fun visual that shows this clearly. Surrounding that soft pulp is a semi-hard material called dentin. Dentin helps make up the bulk of your tooth’s structure and protect the sensitive nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth. Enamel is a thin coating over the dentin that is much stronger and add another layer of protection. Enamel helps protect your dentin and pulp from bacteria and decay.

What Causes a Dying Tooth?

There are two main causes that lead to tooth death; damage and decay.

Decay

Tooth decay that has penetrated the enamel and dentin and reached the pulp can cause a tooth to die. When the decay reaches the pulp it creates a pathway for bacteria to infect the pulp. Healthy pulp will respond to the infect like every other part of your body: with inflammation. The inflammation causes pressure to build up in the tooth and strangle the blood flow to the tooth. For most people, this is incredibly painful. One indication that your tooth may be dying is pain and pressure that feels better when you apply outside pressure to it. If you don’t treat your tooth, eventually the tooth will die and the pain will go away.

Damage

Another thing that may cause a dying tooth is trauma to the tooth. If you hit your mouth in a fall or sports you can damage the blood vessels inside the tooth. Your tooth relies on blood flow to keep the tooth healthy, so when there is no more blood flow the tooth will die. This usually happens slowly over time and doesn’t have the same kind of acute pain as when decay reaches the pulp.

Signs of a Dying Tooth

Treatments

If you catch a tooth in the early stages of dying, you have a chance to save the external tooth structure. A root canal can clean out the internal, damaged pulp and replace it with a hard filling that will help protect the structural integrity of the tooth. Keeping as much of the original tooth structure as possible is important for your oral health. Gaps in your smile can cause your jaw bone to deteriorate, surrounding teeth to collapse into the gap, your bite to be uneven, and bacteria to grow and multiply.

If the tooth is very far gone or the outside of the tooth is greatly damaged, your best option is likely to extract the tooth. As we said above, it’s important not to leave gaps in your smile. If you extract an adult tooth, it is recommended to get an implant and crown to help keep your jaw and mouth healthy.

If you’re concerned your tooth is dying, go see your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you diagnose a problem, the more options you have available to you.

The post How to: Tell If You Have a Dying Tooth appeared first on West One Family Dental .

Should I Avoid the Dentist While Pregnant?

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 18:39:00 GMT

As soon as the indicator on the stick changes color, and you find out you are pregnant, your life changes dramatically. Not only are you preparing to welcome a whole new person into your family, you are already making decisions every day that affect that tiny life inside you. It can be overwhelming, learning all the new rules you should follow. There are many medical procedures you should avoid during pregnancy. Is routine dental work part of that recommendation? How can you best care for your teeth AND your baby?

How Being Pregnant Affects Your Oral Health

Like almost everything else in your life, being pregnant does affect your oral health. Frequent vomiting common in early pregnancy can weaken your enamel over time. Increased hormones can affect how your body reacts to plaque that builds up on your teeth when they are not properly and frequently cleaned. Many mothers-to-be crave sweet foods or eat more in general. Increasing your sugar and food intake can also weaken your enamel and increase how much plaque you have on your teeth. Some women suffer from dry mouth during pregnancy, which can also increase your risk for tooth decay. Drink plenty of water to help combat a dry mouth. Gingivitis is also much more common in pregnant women, usually peaking around the 8th month.

Always Tell Your Dentist You’re Pregnant

You probably spent a long time deciding how to share your happy news with your loved ones. Whether you just came right out and said it, or prepared an elaborate set-up to reveal your happy news, you probably haven’t given a second thought to sharing your happy news with your dentist. Obviously, no special arrangements necessary, but please don’t forget to tell your dentist your happy news. Your dentist will make choices about what treatments should and shouldn’t be given during your pregnancy. They will also avoid having you sit for long periods on your back and rethink medications. Many dentists will avoid taking X-rays during your pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, your pregnancy may cause some symptoms in your mouth that normally may be concerning- like gums that bleed easily- but are normal in a pregnant woman. Just like your Primary Care Physician, please keep your Dentist in the loop about this change!

Get Treatment Before Getting Pregnant- When Possible

Obviously, this is not always an option. However, if you are planning on becoming pregnant, take some time to chat with your dentist about your treatment plan. If you have work that needs to be completed, it’s easier and less risky to do before you’re pregnant. Your dentist can also advise you about changes to your oral health you can expect when you become pregnant.

Keep Your Regular Hygiene Appointments

Pregnancy can make your mouth more susceptible to decay and infection. It’s more important than ever to keep your regular hygiene appointments, and you may discuss with your hygienist whether or not you should increase appointments during your pregnancy. Your hygienist can be a valuable partner in keeping your teeth from decaying during pregnancy. Gum disease may lead to a risk in premature birth , so don’t neglect your oral health at home or in the dental office!

Put off Non-Urgent Treatments

Many of the anesthetics and medicines used in dentistry are not known to cause problems in fetuses. However, most dentists urge caution and recommend any non-urgent work wait until after you’ve delivered your baby. In many cases, waiting will not significantly affect the problem or treatment. Speak with your dentist if you want to put off a treatment and they can help explain whether that’s the right choice for you or not. Obviously, serious infections can also be a risk to your baby, so it’s best to let each patient and dentist weigh the risks for every individual case.

Be sure to check out our further recommendations here ! If you are looking for a dentist with experience in pregnant patients, we welcome you to join us at West One Family Dental! Dr. Wahl and his staff have over 30 years of experience in family dentistry and are eager to help you navigate this exciting new phase!

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Water Flosser: Step Up Your Flossing Game

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 19:58:00 GMT

Water flossers are becoming more and more common and new brands are popping up. It’s easy to ignore new technology when it seems like Kickstarter has a new gadget every day. However, we recommend you sit up and pay attention to this trend that isn’t likely to go away anytime soon. Let’s take a closer look at why people swear by these fancy flossing tools.

What is a Water Flosser?

Water flossing helps to get where even regular floss can’t reach. Water flossers work by sending streams of high-pressured water directly at the gum-line in small bursts. These bursts help to dislodge food and break up plaque. It can even reach below the gum-line to fight bacteria your toothbrush and regular floss can’t reach. You can adjust the amount of pressure to meet your specific needs.

Does it Make a Difference?

This is the most important question. The investment in buying a water flosser is obviously much higher than picking up a canister of floss from the store. (Although over time you may recoup your costs!) If the water flosser doesn’t make a difference, then it’s definitely not worth spending the cash. A study was published by the Journal for Clinical Dentistry proving that there is a significant improvement in plaque removal when participants used a water flosser in addition to their manual toothbrush. Participants who were instructed to use traditional dental floss and a toothbrush only noticed a 57% decrease in plaque. Those who used a water flosser with their manual toothbrush experienced a 75% decrease in plaque!

Who Benefits Most from Water Flossing?

Honestly, anyone with teeth. Water flossing helps to reach between the teeth and gums to clean places that are nearly impossible to clean otherwise. However, water flossers are especially important for anyone with crowded teeth or dental appliances. Crowded teeth and permanent appliances create pockets that are hard to reach with a brush or floss. Bacteria can grow and multiply in these missed spots, wreaking havoc on your oral health. Anyone gum disease should also consider investing in a water flosser. Water flossers remove bacteria while also gently massaging and stimulating your gums. Since half of the population of the USA is fighting off gum disease, the water flosser is an essential household tool. Think you may have gingivitis? Check out our post here for more information!

Potential Disadvantages

The main disadvantage to water flossers is they really work best on your own bathroom counter. They can be bulky and hard to take with you when you travel. They need to be plugged in, so if you are camping or off-grid it is ineffective. Don’t ditch that tiny container of floss in your purse for on-the-go emergencies, but don’t rely on string floss all the time if you can afford to invest in a water flosser.

Can it Replace Traditional Flossing?

As we showed above, water flossing is much more effective at plaque removal. So does that mean you can stop using traditional dental floss? Ideally, you should use both! Confused? Here’s why: String floss helps to dislodge food wedged between teeth better. And, when properly executed it’s a great option for on-the-go or when you don’t have electricity. The main problem is, most people are technically not proficient at flossing. Although it seems simple, executing a perfect cupping “C” with dental floss around each tooth (some of which are placed inconveniently at the back of your mouth) is difficult for many people to master. Our recommendation? String floss in the morning and Water flossing at night.

Let us know what you think of your water flosser! Can you feel a difference?

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Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Recycle Your Old Toothbrush!

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 17:15:00 GMT

In our last blog , we talked about why it really is necessary to replace your toothbrush every three months. As much as it may not look like it needs replacing, much of the danger is invisible to the naked eye. Many people are bothered by this short life cycle because of the effect this rate of consumption will have on the environment. We applaud your efforts to reduce your carbon footprint. You don’t have to sacrifice on your oral health to do it though! Here are some ideas to help you make use of old toothbrushes so you don’t have to worry so much about this good hygiene habit.

Rethink it

If you’re really concerned about your old toothbrushes, our first recommendation is to reconsider your choice. There are several toothbrushes you can buy that are made from more recycle-friendly or sustainable materials. Bamboo is a popular choice, although boar’s bristle brushes are also available. Either of these options will help reduce your impact on the environment without sacrificing your oral health.

Recycle it

TerraCycle and Preserve are two companies that recycle old (plastic) toothbrushes. It may not be as convenient as tossing it into any recycling bin, but you can make sure that plastic doesn’t end up in a landfill.

Reuse it

There are a lot of uses for toothbrushes that go beyond oral health. There is something so convenient about their tiny brush size that can help you reach tight spots. If you’re going to re-purpose your toothbrush, we recommend you let it soak in a bleach to kill off the germs. While you would never want to use a bleach-soaked toothbrush back in your mouth, it’s an effective solution for giving your toothbrush a happy second career. Here’s a non-exhaustive list for places we find that a toothbrush is just the perfect tool for the job.

Now get out there and put all those retired toothbrushes to work! There are many choices for reducing your mouth’s carbon footprint that don’t result in a mouth full of cavities. Take the time to properly care for your toothbrush and replace it enough so it can do its job properly. Once it has fulfilled it’s main purpose, give it a second chance to be useful before to recycling it.

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Why Replace Your Toothbrush Every 3 Months?

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 16:25:00 GMT

In a time when many people are doing their best to curb their consumer habits, throwing out your old toothbrush may get under your skin. But do you really understand why you should replace your toothbrush every 3 months? We’ll help explain this recommendation. Also, in our next blog we will have some tips for ways to reduce your carbon footprint while also taking care of your teeth properly!

What You Put On Your Toothbrush

Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria. Some good, some bad. The point of brushing your teeth is to help remove this bacteria from your mouth on –you guessed it– your toothbrush. When you brush, you make microscopic cuts in your gums, which can also introduce blood-borne illnesses to your bristles. Obviously that’s not a big deal for you, but you do want to consider two things. First, that bacteria isn’t static. Once it’s on your wet brush it has a chance to continue to grow and mutate. That means you may accidentally re-infect yourself every day and come down with the illness again. Second, you shouldn’t share your toothbrush. Even if you kiss the person you’re sharing it with, the exposure of germs through kissing doesn’t enter your bloodstream like brushing your teeth could.

What Falls on Your Toothbrush

As gross as it is to think about, there is no fool-proof way to allow your toothbrush to dry properly while also protecting it from bacteria floating around your bathroom. If your toothbrush is within 3 feet of your toilet, you are definitely spraying dirty toilet water on your brush when you flush. Additionally, mist from your shower may carry dirty shower water or chemicals from your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and cleaning products all over the bathroom. Research shows that many toothbrushes harbor E. Coli, Staph, and Pseudomonas.

What Happens to Your Toothbrush

Another reason it’s important to replace your toothbrush after three months is it simply doesn’t do it’s job anymore. Over time the bristles bend and fray. The shape of the bristles on your toothbrush is designed to help brush away plaque and massage your gums. When the bristles don’t sit the way they were designed, it is easy to miss spots, and to rub other places too hard. This can lead to weakened enamel and gum disease by either leaving bacteria behind, or brushing too hard.

Proper Toothbrush Care

If you’re ready to burn your toothbrush and give up on brushing, wait just a minute. You can greatly reduce the amount of bacteria on your brush by taking time to store, clean, and replace your toothbrush regularly.

Rinse thoroughly after every use.

After you’re done brushing, take time to rinse your toothbrush well. You want to remove food debris, toothpaste, and bacteria.

Store upright and in a dry place.

Whether you like to use a cup or hang your toothbrush, you want your toothbrush to sit upright. This helps to drain off excess moisture, which could create a healthy growing environment for bacteria. Avoid putting a cap on your toothbrush as it prevents proper drying and can infect new brushes with old bacteria.

Replace your Toothbrush every 3 months.

Your toothbrush simply isn’t made to last longer than a few months. The bristles lose their shape and aren’t as effective at cleaning off plaque. Additionally, the close placement of bristles which is essential for cleaning teeth also provides hundreds of hiding places for bacteria and food to get trapped and multiply bacteria. Your best bet for keeping your toothbrush –and mouth– clean is to replace your toothbrush.

Hopefully you understand a little better why replacing your toothbrush regularly is important. It helps reduce bacteria and ensures you are actually cleaning your teeth. If you’re bothered by creating so much waste, tune in next week for some tips for reducing your carbon footprint in dental waste products.

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Dental Tourism: Should your Next Crown Be Foreign?

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 16:33:00 GMT

Dental care in America can be expensive and time consuming. As a result, a new industry has popped up in developing countries to offer cheaper, faster dental care. Who wouldn’t want a beach vacation and cheap dental care all rolled into one? This new trend has been dubbed “Dental Tourism” But before you book your tickets, make sure you consider all the risks and any hidden costs of this new trend.

Why Would Someone Consider Dental Tourism?

Risks of Dental Tourism

Substandard Materials

The materials used for different dental procedures are slightly different in other countries because of regulation. The US government tightly regulates materials that can be used in dental fillings, crowns, and appliances. Anesthesia medicines may vary as well. While some materials used in other countries may still be safe, they may not be tested as rigorously as those approved by the FDA. There have been documented cases of medicines approved in other countries as safe for use that ended up having unintended side effects. Keep this risk in mind when considering dental tourism.

Different Training

Other countries have their own systems for training dental professionals. There is no worldwide standard for approving dentists. Different isn’t necessarily substandard, but it may be less thorough. Some professionals have a narrow focus and may not understand the holistic impacts of their work. Unfortunately, there are also places where regulation of dental professionals is so slack it’s easy for untrained professionals to practice. It is possible to receive excellent professional care, but it can sometimes be hard to know the difference between competent and fraudulent when the industry is unregulated.

Travel Advisories

You should always watch for travel advisories from the US department of State before leaving the country, no matter the purpose of your trip. Dangers to US citizens can be political, physical, or health related. Dental tourism can bring this added risk that you don’t need to face if you choose to stay in-country.

Risks of Infection

Many other countries don’t have regulation on proper equipment sterilization and quality. Lack of regulation has lead to outbreaks of serious diseases such as different strains of Hepatitis as well as HIV in many countries.

Lack of Follow-up

Many dental procedures take time to implement and may need adjusting over time. Dental tourism makes it difficult to be able to get the follow up care you need. In your mouth, hundredths of an inch can make a huge difference. Crowns or fillings may feel fine when you get them, but over a couple weeks tenderness and headaches may reveal that they are too high and throwing off your bite. Dentures can change the shape of your jawline and may need refitting a few times to be comfortable. These types of adjustments take only seconds in the chair, but if that dental chair is thousands of miles away it makes it impractical to get adequate follow-up care.

Conclusion: Is Dental Tourism Worth the Risks?

Please know that there are good and bad dentists everywhere. However, you should consider how much regulation weeds out dentists who are improperly trained or using unsafe practices. Wherever you receive your dental care, research the professional and see what other professionals and patients are saying. If a professional is making you uncomfortable with their lack of professionalism or skill, it’s always ok to decline service, even after you’ve sat in the chair. Treat your teeth with care and respect; you only have one set of mature teeth! The adage, “You get what you pay for” is true more often than not. Cheap care may lead to further unforeseen expenses or irreversible consequences.

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Oral Allergy Syndrome: The Surprising Cause of your Itchy Throat

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 16:50:00 GMT

Have you ever found that one day eating a raw fruit or vegetable makes your mouth itchy or irritated? Maybe this food has never cause you trouble before, and the symptoms go away quickly? You may have a condition called Oral Allergy Syndrome. This mild and usually not life-threatening condition can come on later in life.

Oral Allergy Syndrome

Typically, you must first have seasonal allergy reactions to experience Oral Allergy Syndrome. Oral Allergy Syndrome is when your body reacts to food proteins that are similar to problematic pollen. It is sometimes also referred to as pollen-food allergy syndrome, highlighting this connection.

There are proteins in raw fruit and vegetables that are similar in structure to pollen. If your body has an allergic reaction to pollen, it will sometimes react in the same way to these fruits and veggies. Surprisingly, these same foods in cooked form are unlikely to bother you. That’s because the structure of the proteins changes when your foods are cooked.

OAS can be really confusing for some people, because it is very uncommon in children. Instead, it tends to affect older children, teens, or adults who may have eaten these trigger foods hundreds of times before with no issue. Essentially, your body has natural thresholds for managing allergens. When those thresholds are reached and then exceeded, your body begins reacting sooner and with greater magnitude than before.

Symptoms

Triggers

Every person is slightly different, but generally speaking if you suffer from birch, ragweed, or grass allergies you are eligible to develop OAS over time. If you react to birch pollen you may eventually react to: apples, almonds, carrots, celery, cherries, hazelnuts, kiwis, peaches, pears, or plums. Ragweed sufferers may find their bodies eventually respond to: bananas, cucumbers, melons, sunflower seeds, or zucchinis. Grass allergies can eventually lead to a reaction when you eat: celery, melons, oranges, peaches, or tomatoes.

Diagnosis & Management

If you think you may be experiencing Oral Allergy Syndrome, contact your doctor or a local allergist . They can diagnose you based on your symptoms, or by conducting tests. Most of the time no treatment is necessary as symptoms go away when you stop eating problematic foods. If the symptoms bother you, try eating the food in a different form, like cooked, and see if your body still reacts. It’s possible that a food may bother you raw or roasted, but is fine when fried. If your symptoms extend beyond your mouth, you should consider that food strictly off limits as it may increase your risk of anaphylactic reactions .

If you are experiencing itchy mouth that doesn’t seem to be related to eating specific foods, talk with your doctor or dentist to learn more about other causes for itchy mouth.

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How to Manage Tooth Pain Before Your Appointment

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 19:32:00 GMT

Bite into a seed while on your beach vacation? Wake up to a pounding toothache on the weekend? A toothache can really derail your plans. Of course, if you have a toothache you should call your dentist and make an appointment ASAP. Your tooth may be damaged or infected. A broken tooth or crown exposes the sensitive roots of your teeth. Your risk of infection increases with prolonged exposure of your roots. An unchecked, untreated infection can lead to serious issues. However, you may not always be able to get into your dentist right away. Whether you’re away from the office or your dentist is, there’s no need to stop your life while you wait. We’ll give you some suggestions for natural and medicinal pain management.

Natural Pain Management

There are several options for managing your pain naturally. We’ll start with the least intervention and move to more aggressive.

Saliva

Your saliva actually has pain-killing properties stronger than morphine, just in low concentrations. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids so your body can keep up adequate levels of saliva. This is your body’s built-in way to manage your tooth pain.

Endorphines

Endorphins are another built-in system for managing pain in the body. If you like to exercise, get your heart rate up and pump some endorphins through your system! Not up for a vigorous workout? Even a brisk walk can help raise your endorphin levels. Try to stay active as much as you can.

Salt Water

Salt water has anti-bacterial properties. Gently brush your teeth to remove any lodged food and residue to get the area clean. Then, dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in an 8oz glass of slightly warm water. Make sure to use only warm water, hot or cold water can be very painful to a damaged or infected tooth. Use the salt-water as a rinse, swishing gently around your mouth, especially near the toothache. Spit the water and debris out.

Clove Oil

Cloves are a natural anesthetic. Using clove oil won’t help cure the infection at all, but it can numb the nerves in the area to reduce the pain you experience. Place a few drops of clove oil on the tip of a cotton swab. Use the cotton to gently rub and tap on the broken, exposed area of the tooth. Start slowly, as your tolerance for the clove oil may depend on how much your tooth is damaged. If you find the clove oil to be too painful, try diluting it with some olive oil before applying.

Medicinal Pain Management

Sensitive Toothpaste

You can find many toothpastes over-the-counter for treating sensitive teeth. All of these work to rebuild the enamel in weak spots where your nerves are exposed. You can try gently brushing the affected area several times a day to reduce pain. Additionally, you should try to avoid eating or drinking for about 30 minutes afterwards to allow the toothpaste to absorb into the tooth. If just brushing isn’t helpful, try “pushing” toothpaste into your dentin tubules. You do this by breaking a toothpick in half and rubbing it on a clean, flat surface to make the new end flat. Put a bit of toothpaste on the new surface and tap it into your tooth gently. Imagine you’re trying to put the wax cap on exposed honey in a beehive. The toothpaste goes into the microscopic holes to seal the entrance from bacteria and food.

Anesthetics

If you’re still struggling to make it through the pain and you’ve tried these less invasive tactics, consider an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen. However, whatever pain reliever you use should be one that your medical doctor has approved before, with knowledge of your specific health considerations.

Eating Considerations

When you have a damaged tooth, your pain will likely be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, as well as any strong acids. Stay away from tomatoes, citrus foods, or anything else acidic. Drink your drinks at room temperature. Save the ice cream and smoothies for after you’ve resolved the issue. You may also respond to sweet foods, which is usually a pretty good indication that you have a cavity that’s reached the center of your tooth.

When to Head to the ER

You may not consider a toothache a life-threatening condition, but there are times when you should consider going to the ER directly. If you have had a fever and severe toothache for several days and you begin to notice swelling in your neck or difficulty breathing you should go to the emergency room. It is likely that infection from your tooth has spread to your neck and airway and could be life-threatening. Generally the ER can’t do anything for your tooth directly, but if you have obvious signs of an infection and out of control pain they can handle your symptoms. They will likely prescribe an antibiotic or painkiller and refer you to your dentist. If you are in severe pain and don’t expect to be able to see your dentist soon, call dentists in the area and ask for an emergency dental appointment. Only a dentist is likely to pull or treat an infected tooth directly. It’s important to get to the root of the issue and solve it, instead of just treating uncomfortable symptoms.

Visiting Colorado Springs and need an Emergency Dentist? West One Family Dental is glad to care for you while you’re here in the Springs! Give us a call at 719-633-8766!

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What are the Benefits of a Dental Bridge?

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:29:00 GMT

Tooth loss can be a vicious cycle. The more teeth you lose, the more likely you are to damage or lose surrounding teeth. We’ve addressed the importance of replacing damaged or missing teeth in another blog post . You have several options for replacing your teeth, but a dental bridge is a common option if you’ve only lost one or two teeth.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridges have two parts- a pontic, which is a replacement tooth for the missing tooth, and an abutment, which is the supporting structures that hold the bridge in place. There are four main types of bridges to meet the various needs of different patients.

Benefits of a Dental Bridge

There are many reasons it’s important and helpful to replace missing teeth in your smile.

Replacing missing teeth helps you:

You might find bridges a better option than partial dentures or a full set of dentures because they help you keep any healthy teeth that you have. Also, your dentist will permanently affix your dental bridge in your mouth. This is great if you are concerned about losing your dental appliance while you talk or eat, or if you are concerned you may lose a removable appliance. Dentures can be very fragile, which makes dental bridges a more durable option. However, if you struggle to clean your teeth effectively in your mouth, a denture can be easier to clean as you can remove it and see all sides clearly.

How Do I Care for a Dental Bridge?

Your dentist will bond your dental bridge to your permanent teeth. You won’t need to remove them and you should care for them like you do your other permanent teeth. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss twice daily. It is really important to gently stimulate the gums under your bridge to help keep the gums healthy. If bacteria sits on your gums and causes them to recede, it makes a gap between the bridge and the gums. This gap will become a hiding place for bacteria and will make the problem worse. Bacteria damage your gums and surrounding teeth. This may also lead to infection in your jaw or more tooth loss.

If you are missing teeth, talk with your dentist about the best options for your mouth and budget. Your dentist should work with you to find the right option for you. If you don’t have a dentist, or want one that will work with you to find solutions, consider visiting us at West One Family Dental.

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Is this Nighttime Bad Habit Destroying Your Teeth?

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 16:52:00 GMT

You may be unknowingly destroying your teeth enamel and wearing down your teeth while you sleep. Do you ever wake up with an achy jaw? Do you ever notice loose, wiggling teeth or have sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods? All of these can be signs that you are grinding your teeth at night. Bruxism is the dental term for grinding your teeth. Bruxism is especially common at night, affecting over 30 million people in America. Read more to learn how to tell if you’re grinding and what to do about it.

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism means grinding your teeth. It is often an unconscious action and is most common at night while you sleep. Since it happens as you sleep, many people are unaware that they do it. This violent bashing of your teeth against each other is harmful in several ways. It can wear down the enamel on your teeth, causing sensitivity as your dentin becomes exposed. It can also loosen your teeth in their sockets and change the way teeth fit together when you bite down. This mis-alignment in your bite can also cause excessive wear on your jaw joint, causing pain and permanent damage.

Signs of Bruxism

Causes of Bruxism

There are several suspected causes of bruxism , and often a combination of factors can lead to bruxism. A common cause is anxiety or stress. As stress levels rise, our bodies find ways to cope with the added stress. Grinding your teeth often happens at night because these stress management methods are usually controlled by your subconscious. Another common cause of bruxism is when your teeth are misaligned. This can be because of a new crown or filling, missing filling or tooth, jaw fracture, oral tumors, or bad oral habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. Anything that changes the way your teeth align makes your brain try to adjust by grinding down the too-high contact points.

Other, less common causes can be more severe. Bruxism is a side effect of Huntington’s or Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, some rare nerve disorders can cause bruxism. It can also sometimes be a side effect of medications.

Prevention and Treatment

If your bruxism starts after recent dental care, contact your dentist to have them check for poorly fitted fillings or crowns. Even contacts that are just a few millimeters high can cause serious jaw misalignment. If you’ve had an increase in stress or anxiety, try stress reduction techniques like meditation, relaxation and breathing exercises, and reducing caffeine intake, especially right before bedtime.

If your bruxism is persistent and these methods don’t reduce it, see your dentist about a nighttime mouthguard. A guard can be a simple yet effective way to prevent your jaw from grinding at night. This protects your teeth, enamel, gums, and jaw from the negative side effects of bruxism.

Need a dental professional to look for signs of grinding at night? Call West One Family Dental in Colorado Springs for compassionate and knowledgeable care!

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6 Things to Consider Before Getting a Lip Tattoo

Tue, 21 May 2019 19:52:00 GMT

Body modification has become increasingly mainstream over the last couple of decades. Approximately 21% of Americans have at least one tattoo, compared to less than 6% in the 1930’s. There are about 21,000 tattoo shops open in the US right now, with one new tattoo shop opening every day. One new trend in body modification is lip tattoos. Although this temporary tattoo trend may seem convenient or funny, lip tattoos have extra complications that you should consider before rushing out to get inked.

What are Lip Tattoos?

There are two different types of lip tattoos. Inner lip tattoos are more similar to what you traditionally call a tattoo. A tattoo artist uses a needle or tattoo gun to inject ink, usually spelling a short word or a simple symbol, on the inside of your lip. It is only possible to see this tattoo if you pull down your lip and show someone. An outer lip tattoo is actually permanent make-up and uses pigment rather than ink. Usually, this is a line around the edge of your lips one or two shades darker than your natural color. It is intended to make your lips look fuller.

Both types of lip tattoos should be considered temporary. Your mouth and lips heal and shed skin cells much faster than most parts of your body, so your tattoo will fade and probably completely disappear in a few months to a few years.

6 Things to Consider Before Getting Inked

Human mouths are a haven for bacteria

Even more so than your skin, your mouth is home to millions of bacteria. (Maybe even more if you don’t stay on top of oral hygiene!) Consider the recommendation for cleaning your skin is at most once daily, whereas you should be brushing your teeth and cleaning your mouth no fewer than twice daily. The human mouth is actually home to more bacteria than almost any other animal. This is especially concerning when you intentionally put an open wound in your mouth. Bacteria can be put into the lip during or after your tattoo, making lip tattoos more susceptible to infection.

Before you get a lip tattoo, drink and swish with lots of water, and follow up with a long and vigorous swish with antibacterial mouth wash. If you’re getting an outer lip tattoo, clean the surface of your lips well. As with all tattoos, only go to a licensed professional tattoo artist who uses proper hygiene and sterile equipment.

You’ll need to make diet and lifestyle changes for proper healing

While your tattoo is healing, you’ll have to be extra careful what you choose to eat. Acidic foods like tomatoes, vinegars, and citruses can burn, irritate, and slow healing . It’s best to eat more bland foods and drink plenty of water while your tattoo heals. Smoking or chewing tobacco can also reduce blood-flow, slow healing, and increase the bacteria in your mouth. It’s best to quit smoking or chewing before getting a lip tattoo, but at the least you should avoid these activities until the wound is healed.

You’ll also want to be vigilant to brush, floss, AND rinse with mouthwash frequently to lower bacteria levels in your mouth. Additionally, other activities like kissing and sharing drinks with friends should be avoided for the same reason.

You should avoid getting touch-ups

Because infection risks are so much higher in your mouth, you should consider your tattoo temporary and not get it touched-up. Second and third injections in the same site significantly increase your risk of infection. Your skin cells have more difficulty healing after repeated injections, and scar tissue can trap bacteria in the wound.

Scar tissue from lip tattoos can make detecting oral cancer difficult

You may get some scar tissue from the tattoo as it heals, especially if you have an allergic reaction to the ink. Scar tissue resembles oral cancer and may make it difficult to catch early stages of oral cancer later.

Lips are highly sensitive, making lip tattoos very painful

Parts of your body that have lots of nerve endings are more painful to have tattooed. Lips have over 1 million nerve endings. This is part of what makes kissing so pleasurable, and part of how we enjoy food. But when you are injecting the area repeatedly, it means a lot of pain. Additionally, you will need to keep your lip open and hold completely still, which is difficult to do when it’s painful.

Lip tattoos can be riskier than other tattoos

All tattoos carry some risk. Tattoos in or near your mouth are slightly riskier than others for a few reasons. First, you are putting ink, pigment, and tools in or near your mouth, giving bacteria and pollutants two entry points to your body- through your bloodstream and down your throat. Second, your mouth has a lot of blood vessels and nerves which means that bacteria which make it into your skin will have a better success rate at spreading elsewhere in your body.

If you’re considering an inner or outer lip tattoo, take time to weigh the risks. Make sure you have a solid plan in place for proper preparation and after-care. Do your research and find a reputable tattoo shop with a licensed professional artist. If you are worried about lip infection, please call our office and schedule an appointment today.

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Gingivitis Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Tue, 21 May 2019 16:41:00 GMT

Do you have swollen, bleeding gums? Do you avoid flossing because it’s painful? These are symptoms of gingivitis and the beginnings of gum disease. It’s important to catch and treat gingivitis early while it is still reversible. Read on to find out more!

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the beginning stages of gum disease . It is caused by plaque build-up, which is a natural clear, sticky film which covers your teeth and traps bacteria along your gum-line. The bacteria cause infections in your gums, which then swell and bleed easily. If left untreated, gingivitis leads to periodontal disease and weakened tooth enamel. Because it can be painless, you may not realize you have gingivitis. That’s why it’s important to have regular check ups with your dentist to help catch any problems early.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

Risk Factors for Developing Gingivitis

Gingivitis Prevention

The best way to care for your gums and your teeth is to brush and floss daily. With a soft-bristled brush and a pea-sized portion of fluoride toothpaste, brush your teeth and gums in slow, gentle circles. Make sure you get all the tooth surfaces as well as the gum-line. Floss between all your teeth and around the back of your molars. Make sure you floss underneath the gums, making a small “C” with the floss around each tooth. Additionally, using a mouthwash that kills bacteria and swishing well can help kill any remaining bacteria.

Gingivitis Treatments

If caught early, gingivitis is reversible. With a thorough cleaning from your dentist with special tools and improved oral hygiene, you can eliminate gingivitis. When left unchecked, gingivitis will turn into full-blown periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an aggressive infection of your gums that causes gum recession and can cause tooth loss.

Thinking you haven’t been in to your dentist lately? Give us a call today and set up cleaning appointment!

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3 Root Canal Advancements that Improve Care

Tue, 14 May 2019 03:38:00 GMT

Last week was Root Canal Awareness Week, and we clarified the purpose and value of root canals. In recent years, there have been dramatic improvements in both diagnostic and treatment technologies that have improved the experience and end result of root canals. With better technology at their disposal, endodontists are able to understand and diagnose better, which in turn leads to better, more individualized treatment. Here’s a brief look into some of those new technologies.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Cone Beam Computed Technology, or CBCT, is an incredible new medical imaging technology. It gives endodontists the ability to see tooth structures and infections with precision and clarity. CBCT is similar to a medical CT scan. It creates an interactive, 3D digital image which allows endodontists to see high-resolution details that X-rays simply cannot show. Your endodontist will be able to move up and down images of your skull in “slices” to be able to determine the exact depth of roots and infections. Also, it shows not only your teeth, but all the soft tissue, bone, and open cavities as well. This empowers endodontists to see clearly cracks and abnormal tooth anatomy which would be hidden on an X-ray.

Microscopes

Another advancement that has greatly improved the success rate of root canal treatments is the use of microscopes by endodontists. Microscopes allow your endodontist to see your tooth magnified 15x what the naked eye can see. This means better and more precise treatments, and fewer missed structures. Additionally, the position that your endodontist will sit in is a much better ergonomic position. This means your provider can focus on the task for longer with greater focus.

Regenerative Endodontics

This exciting field of endodontics is still very new and evolving. With the help of tissue engineering, endodontists have had success restoring root canals to health. These treatments are still limited to developing adult teeth that are not mature yet. However, as endodontists continue to develop and perfect this treatment on developing teeth, there are sure to be advancements. These treatments have resulted in a healthy pulp-dentin structure. This is a huge advancement from simply filling the canals and abandoning the natural design. Additionally, it achieves better results and helps improve the chances of saving more natural teeth.

These exciting advances in technology mean better results and more natural teeth saved. Preserving your natural teeth with a root canal can be a great choice to avoid tooth and bone loss. However, the best choice for preserving natural teeth is active preventative care. Make sure you visit your dentist regularly for deep cleanings and X-rays to stop infections while they are still small!

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Root Canal Basics You Need To Know

Tue, 07 May 2019 16:41:00 GMT

This week is Root Canal Awareness Week! Root canals are perhaps the most dreaded, and we suggest misunderstood, dental treatment. We’d love to go through the basics of what a root canal is with you. Root canals can save your natural teeth and you definitely shouldn’t avoid getting one if you need one!

Tooth Anatomy 101

To understand the root canal process, it’s helpful to have a solid understanding of the structure of your teeth. Each tooth has 3 main layers: enamel, dentin, and pulp. Enamel is the hard, clear coating that protects your teeth from bacteria and acid. Dentin makes up the bulk and structure of your teeth, and gives your teeth their color. Pulp is the soft tissue at the core of your teeth that holds nerves and blood vessels. These nerves and blood vessels connect to your nervous and cardiovascular systems through the root canals and tips.

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a treatment for saving a tooth which is infected all the way to the pulp. The procedure removes infected or inflamed tooth pulp, treats the canal with antibiotics, and fills the now empty canals.

Process

When do I need a root canal?

Your pulp can become infected or inflamed by either injury or cavities. Cavities that are deep or left untreated can reach the pulp and infect the pulp. Since this is where your nerves are, this infection causes intense pain. Sometimes, your tooth pulp may become irritated because of harsh impact (like grinding your teeth) or injury. Since the tooth pulp has blood flow, there is a chance that your body’s immune system can help fight the infection or irritation.

Usually, if your dentist or endodontist thinks the tooth still has a chance of healing itself, they will prescribe antibiotics and wait to see if your tooth works it out. Less intervention and tooth modification is always better if there is no deeper problem. If your dentist or endodontist identifies enough indicators that your tooth pulp won’t recover, they will recommend a root canal procedure instead of pulling the tooth completely.

What are the symptoms of an infection in the tooth pulp?

What happens if I don’t get a root canal?

Getting endodontic treatment is always a choice. We want to inform you of your options, give you our professional opinion, and let you make the choice yourself. If you don’t treat a tooth with dying or infected pulp, it will become more and more painful until all the nerves are dead. There is also a risk that infection from the tooth will spread to other parts of your body. Additionally, untreated infection can eat away at the jawbone muscle and cause an abscess. If you leave the tooth untreated and the tooth dies, it will require extraction. Missing teeth lead to a series of other problems as you can read about here in another blog post .

If you think you may need a root canal, it’s best to see your dentist or endodontist as soon as possible. The earlier the intervention, the more tooth can be saved. Next week we will discuss some exciting advancements in the diagnosis and treatment for root canal procedures that make today’s root canals more efficient and less painful than the treatments even a few years ago.

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5 Tips to Reduce Dental Anxiety

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 16:16:00 GMT

Does the thought of visiting your dentist send your heart rate through the roof? You’re not alone! Studies have shown that dentophobia, or dental anxiety, affects 60 – 77% of the population. Why is fear of visiting the dentist so widespread? How do we develop this fear, and what can we do to combat it? Let’s look a little deeper into the reasons why people suffer from dental anxiety and how we can change that experience.

Symptoms of Dental Anxiety

Causes of Dentophobia

Importance of the mouth

Your mouth is the center of some of the most important and basic life sustaining functions. We eat and breath through our mouths. Allowing anyone else to have control over our mouth means trusting them enough to put our life in their hands. It requires intense vulnerability to allow someone to have that kind of control over our mouthes because in theory they could threaten our life, even though no dentist wants to do that.

Inability to watch

Another reason it can be so difficult to let a dentist access our mouthes is because unlike most other parts of the body, we can’t watch what they are doing while they work. This means they may do things we don’t expect, and we have little understanding of how they work.

Previous uncomfortable experiences

Some people have trouble getting numb with anesthesia and may have experienced discomfort in the dental chair before. Or, we may have experienced dental pain that stems from an untreated problem, but know that dental pain can flare up suddenly. Other experiences at the dentist that may be unpleasant are unusual tastes, spraying water, trouble moving “fat” numb lips, or high-pitched noises. Also, some people fear injections of any kind and know that a trip to the dentist will likely require an injection.

Others’ experiences

Pop culture and your own social circles may also influence your feelings about going to the dentist. Dental stories of treatments gone wrong or discomfort may lead to dental anxiety. However, stories have a way of getting repeated or embellished. Also, sometimes we pass along our insecurities unintentionally, even when we are trying to avoid doing so. For example, a parent may spend a lot of time reassuring a child that there is nothing to fear at the dentist, but their obsession and insistence on the topic betrays their own thoughts that they may be reason to fear.

Tips

Talk with your dentist

Talking with your dentist is one of the most important things you can do. Not only will this let them know what your specific fears are and help them treat those things with extra care, but it will also give them an opportunity to educate you. Often fear comes from not knowing what to expect. If you discuss which parts of the treatment are most concerning, your dentist can help talk you though what you can expect and what they will be doing to remove some of that fear. If your dentist doesn’t take you seriously, or doesn’t listen to your anxiety, find a new dentist who will respect you. Trust is an important part of a dentist-patient relationship.

Mentally prepare

Think through the steps of the visit before you come. You can verbally process with another person or aloud to yourself, or even journal. What is going to happen? What are you afraid of happening? What is the worst case scenario? Best case scenario? What could help make you more at ease?

Have a safety signal

Sometimes, you may need a break during treatment. Arrange a signal ahead of time to let your dentist know you need him or her to stop immediately. The easiest signal is to just raise your hand. That way, you don’t need to be worried that you can’t communicate your needs to the dentist.

Breathe deeply

Taking full, deep breaths can help reduce your blood pressure and anxiety. Concentrate on taking slow deep breaths in through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.

Bring things to comfort yourself

You know what calms you best. Plan ahead for a stressful visit by bringing your own soft-textured or heavy blanket from home. Children may want to bring along a stuffed animal or other comfort object. Some people find that essential oils or certain scented lotions may bring them peace. It’s best to ask your dental office before bringing in any strong scents to make sure there are no allergies. You can also bring a device to can play music that comforts or distracts you. If you’re planning on wearing headphones, be sure to discuss it with your dentist first to make sure you have a plan for communicating while they work.

Extreme Dental Anxiety

Beyond the basic level of dental anxiety, some people become incapacitated by their fear of the dentist. They may experience panic attacks, pass out, or even become violent. If you would classify your anxiety as extreme, talk with your dentist about options for treating your anxiety. In some cases, the best way to handle extreme anxiety may be medication, sedation, or psychiatric treatment. It is important that you visit your dentist and care for your teeth, even if you struggle with extreme dental anxiety.

At West One Family Dental, we understand that people are often uncomfortable in the dental chair. We take your dental anxiety and concerns seriously and have strategies for helping you overcome your fear. If you’re looking for a dentist that will help you conquer your anxiety, give us a call at 719-633-8766.

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5 Signs That it’s Time to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Out

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 04:23:00 GMT

Wisdom teeth removal has become incredibly common. It’s almost become a rite of passage into your twenties. Get your wisdom teeth out. Say ridiculous things under anesthesia. Your parent records you and posts it to YouTube. You go viral for a day.

Like your appendix, wisdom teeth, or your 3rd set of molars, are much less useful than before the typical industrialized diet. But, you may be surprised to know that some experts are beginning to question the pre-emptive removal of wisdom teeth that aren’t showing any signs of trouble. Let’s explore warning signs that you shouldn’t ignore that mean it’s time to get your wisdom teeth out.

Signs of Wisdom Teeth Trouble

Diagnosing the Problem

If your wisdom teeth are erupting, some pain is normal. Think about how babies get fussy as their teeth erupt and you’ll realize that erupting teeth is hard work. However, prolonged or intense pain should let you know it’s time for you to visit your dentist for further investigation. Your dentist will do a visual examination as well as take X-rays to see what’s happening below the gum-line. Impacted wisdom teeth may not be a problem, but sometimes they can lead to the weakening of other teeth’s roots, decay, gum disease or infection. All of these issues will be clear from a simple exam and X-rays.

Deciding Whether to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom Teeth removal is a surgery, even if it is a very common one. As with all surgeries, there are some risks. You may react poorly to the anesthesia, struggle with pain or numbness which occasionally doesn’t fade with time. You should discuss your individual needs with your dentist. If your wisdom teeth aren’t currently a problem, you should consider postponing removal. Although it is more difficult to remove your wisdom teeth as they grow longer roots and harden, there is a chance that they will never cause problems and won’t need removal. Wisdom Teeth removal may only be truly necessary in as low as 12% of the population. This is similar in severity to the percentage of appendices that end up needing removal (10%.)

However, if your dentist advises removal of your wisdom teeth, you should consider removing them. Your dentist should be able to explain to you your specific risk factors for wisdom teeth trouble.

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Why Do I Have Sensitive Teeth?

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 19:15:00 GMT

Nothing steals joy from the pure bliss of an ice cream cone on a hot day like sensitive teeth. If you’re having sensitivity, your teeth may be reacting to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks. There are many reasons why you might suddenly have sensitive teeth, and the good news is usually there’s a solution.

Definition

In case you haven’t read some of our other posts describing tooth structure, here is a brief run-down of the structure of the tooth. Each tooth has three parts- the hard “shield” on the outside, the enamel, the semi-soft dentin which makes the shape, and the pulp which has nerves and blood vessels. Your dentin is full of tubules that connect the inner root to the enamel and help you sense temperature and pressure changes. However, these tubules are supposed to be “capped” by the enamel, so they can sense temperature, but it’s not too intense.

Tooth sensitivity happens when the enamel is thin or missing from the top of the tubules. Sensations picked up by the tubules are now “shouts,” which your nerves interpret as pain. This can happen when enamel is worn down or when gums recede. Sometimes, you can also get sensitive teeth when you’re grinding at night, causing irritation in the nerves of your teeth.

Here is a picture of exposed dentin tubules from Free Patents Online .

Causes of Sensitive Teeth

Acidic foods and beverages or stomach acid

The harsh acids in food or stomach acid cause enamel erosion. If you struggle with GERD, reflux, or bulimia you are more susceptible to sensitive teeth.

Brushing too hard or with a hard bristle brush

This causes enamel erosion and receding gums. When you brush, you should view it as a firm but gentle massage of your gums. Always use a soft bristled brush unless specifically told otherwise by a dental professional.

Forgetting to floss and care for your gums appropriately

Unhealthy gums recede because of a build-up of hostile bacteria. Flossing and brushing regularly helps keep bacteria growth down and helps gums stay healthy.

Cracked fillings or tooth decay

This exposes the dentin of your teeth by eating away your enamel, or when a filling becomes cracked or broken and no longer covers your dentin appropriately.

Recent dental treatment

This kind of sensitivity is normal and temporary. After a few days your sensitivity should go away. It is caused by irritation in the root of your tooth from the forces of dental work.

Grinding your Teeth

Grinding your teeth at night can cause tooth sensitivity in two ways. One is irritation in the root from the aggressive collision of teeth against each other. The second way is by wearing down the enamel where teeth are rubbing against each other. Grinding can be caused by sleep problems, mouth structure, or stress, but needs to be treated to prevent other issues.

Treatment Options

If you suspect you have a cracked or damaged filling or new decay you should see your dentist ASAP. The sooner you care for those issues, the better for your long-term dental health. If you leave cavities untreated, they will eat through more and more of your tooth and filling it will mean more natural tooth loss.

If you think your sensitive teeth may be a result of exposed dentin, you can try to treat it at home by improving your oral care routine, brushing gently, and switching to a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Those toothpastes are formulated to help remineralize your teeth and build up your enamel. If sensitivity persists, you can discuss options with your dentist for restoring enamel. That usually involves a simple but powerful fluoride application in-office.

If your teeth become sensitive after dental treatment and don’t settle down in a week or so, give your dentist a call and discuss it with them. They know your mouth best and why that particular treatment may have caused a flare up of sensitive teeth.

If you have sensitive teeth and you don’t think any of these issues have caused it, it is likely caused by grinding your teeth at night. Many people who grind their teeth are unaware. Grinding is bad for your enamel and wears it down, but also irritates the root with the force of collision with other teeth. Talk with your dentist about how to eliminate teeth grinding.

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How Seasonal Allergies Can Affect Oral Health

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 18:09:00 GMT

All of us at West One Family Dental here in Colorado Springs are loving the spring temperatures we have had! Hopefully you and your family have enjoyed getting out more and enjoying the bursts of color popping up. Unfortunately, for some people, seasonal allergies can make spring a miserable season. If you’re sniffling, you’re probably too preoccupied to consider how your allergies are impacting your oral health. Here are some things to consider as your soldier through the onslaught of mucus.

Tooth Pain and Sensitivity

As your sinuses become more and more congested, it may cause some tooth pain. You may be surprised at the connection, but as pressure builds in your sinuses, they begin to push on the roots of your teeth. This pressure on the roots, where nerves are, can cause pain or sensitivity in your teeth.

One way to tell that your tooth pain is likely connected to your sinus pressure is to pay attention to if the pain changes as you change positions- sitting, standing, laying down. If your tooth pain is related to sinus congestion, which is caused by a build-up of fluid, as you move positions and the fluid moves your pain may change. If your pain stays fairly constant, you should consider other sources for the tooth pain. The best way to handle the pain is to try and get your allergies under control. Avoid known irritants. Also, consider talking with your medical doctor to discuss your long-term management options.

Dry Mouth

Coping mechanisms for seasonal allergies can lead to dry mouth. As you get more congested, you are more likely to breath out of your nose, which leads to faster evaporation of your saliva. Additionally, a common side effect of antihistamines, which reduce the congestion in your head, is dry mouth. We’ve touched on the importance of keeping your mouth from drying out in numerous blog posts, like in this one about blocked salivary glands . Saliva is essential to help keep bacteria from multiplying, keep food from hanging around, and in remineralizing your teeth.

As always, drink plenty of water. Furthermore, avoid taking unnecessary medications. As much as you can, make an effort to keep your nose clear and breath through your nose.

Bad Breath

When you get congested, you often develop a postnasal drip in your throat. This can lead to bad breath issues that are unrelated to how clean you keep your teeth. Be careful how you treat this bad breath! If you don’t realize it’s not your teeth, you make brush too aggressively and cause damage your gums. Additionally, chewing lots of gum or mints isn’t great for your oral health either.

The best solution for bad breath that comes from postnasal drip is gargling with a warm saltwater solution. This will clear out some of the congestion, while also killing off bad breath bacteria. This same bacteria can also cause plaque and tartar buildup, which leads to cavities. It’s a great idea to keep up your regular oral hygiene routine as well, of course, but be gentle as you brush.

If you’re still concerned, or have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at West One Family Dental. We love to help you protect your teeth in every season!

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How to Tell If You’re a Supertaster, and How It Affects Your Health

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Yes, supertaster is a real word. Are you a supertaster, average taster, or non-taster? Did you know these categories even existed? They are relatively new terms, coined by scientist Linda Bartoshuk in 1991 at Yale University. See what kind of taster you are with a quick test, and learn more about how it may unexpectedly affect your health.

What is a Supertaster?

Everyone has a different number of tastebuds on their tongue. The more tastebuds you have, the better you can detect dimensions of flavor, and with more intensity. Tastebuds on your tongue are housed on small, mushroom-like bumps called fungiform-papillae. Each fungiform papillae holds 3-5 tastebuds. A supertaster has more than 30 fungiform-papillae in an area the size of a hole punch.

Supertaster test

Supplies:

Procedure:

Interpreting the Results

The following standards classify people into non-tasters, average tasters and supertasters. In a standard, hole-punch sized area of the tongue (circle, 6mm diameter) non-tasters have fewer than 15 fungiform-papillae. Average tasters have between 15-30, and supertasters have over 30. Genetics can also influence the intensity of certain flavors.

Health Implications

Benefits

Supertasters are much more sensitive to flavors, which means that some supertasters may shy away from foods that are fatty or filled with sugar. The fatty or sugary taste is overpowering and unpleasant. This means that supertasters may be skinnier than non-tasters and average tasters.

Additionally, many supertasters find alcohol and tobacco to be too bitter. They are less likely to be addicted to these substances, which can have a positive effect on their health.

Drawbacks

The strong bitter flavors of many healthy vegetables may be too much for a supertaster to handle. Supertasters can sometimes avoid healthy vegetables because they can’t handle the intensity of the bitterness. These vegetables not only provide important vitamins, they also reduce the risk of some cancers. The diet of a supertaster may increase their chance of colon cancer.

Also, since salt can help to mask bitter flavors, supertasters tend to oversalt their food to hide less enjoyable flavors. Too much salt in your diet can also have negative impacts on your health , including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Obviously, the degree to which you taste things is on a gradient, and people have personal preferences in addition to number of tastebuds. We hope this information helps you to feel empowered to understand yourself better, not classified into a box.

The post How to Tell If You’re a Supertaster, and How It Affects Your Health appeared first on West One Family Dental .

Signs You Need to Replace Your Dentures

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 18:40:00 GMT

Dentures can restore quality of life if you’ve lost most or all of your teeth. Dentures help to slow bone loss, improve digestion with proper chewing, and restore self-confidence. Are you prolonging the life of your dentures with proper care? How do you know if your dentures have reached the end of their life? Read on for some basic denture care information and signs that you need to replace your dentures.

How Long Should Dentures Last?

When properly cared for, dentures should last 5-10 years . That’s a pretty broad range! Dentures eventually no longer fit properly because when you have no more teeth, your jaw begins to lose bone mass. As your jaw loses bone, it will slowly change shape over time and that can significantly change the fit of your dentures. The rate of bone loss is very unique and can change with genetics, environment, and diet.

Denture Care

To prolong the life of your dentures, make sure to clean them every day . Use a brush and paste that are designed for dentures. Regular toothbrushes and toothpastes can scratch and damage your dentures, creating places for bacteria to hide. Don’t use boiling water to clean dentures, as this can change their shape and cause them to fit poorly. Dentures need to stay moist, so be sure to keep them in a cleaning solution when they aren’t in your mouth. Also, to slow bone loss and prevent infection, don’t forget to brush your tongue and gums to increase blood flow and remove bacteria. For your mouth, it’s appropriate to use a traditional toothbrush and toothpaste. As always, it’s important to keep going to your dentist on a regular basis for them to check the fit of your dentures. After awhile, your dentist may recommend you reline your dentures for a proper fit.

When to Replace Your Dentures

Pain or Discomfort

Poor-fitting dentures can cause pain and discomfort, even beyond your mouth. Upper back, neck, jaw, and head pain can all come from dentures. Dentures help to keep your jaws aligned properly. When they are no longer fitted correctly, it can cause facial nerve pain, headaches, earaches, tinnitus, and jaw pain. If you have unexplained pain, check with your dentist to see if it’s time to reline or replace your dentures.

Sores

When you first get dentures, you may experience some irritation and discomfort as your gums adjust. But after a few weeks, your gums should harden and adjust to your dentures, if they fit correctly.

Over time, as your jaw changes shape, it can cause part of your dentures to rub against your gums. As it rubs, this can cause painful sores. Not only are these uncomfortable, they are actually dangerous. These sores provide a place for bacteria to grow and enter your blood stream.

Difficulty chewing

As your mouth structure changes, it can also cause your dentures to become loose or wobbly. Dentures that fall out often or are difficult to chew with may need replacing. Proper chewing helps break down your food for digestion. If you have trouble chewing certain foods or struggle to keep your dentures in place while speaking, it’s probably time to replace your dentures.

Discoloration, Staining, Trapped Food

Dentures are supposed to fit snugly on your gums. As dentures age, they may not fit properly and food may begin to get stuck between your gums and your dentures. Additionally, your dentures may develop small, hair-line fractures over time. You’ll notice discoloration or places that are hard to get clean. These cracks can be a haven for bacteria and can make you more susceptible to gum disease.

Broken Base or Teeth

If your denture base breaks, you will definitely need to replace them. The base is essential for helping restore bite forces and aligning your jaw. A broken base can cause infection and pain and needs to be replaced. Broken teeth may be able to be repaired, but you should never attempt to repair dentures on your own. Your dentist can repair your dentures in a way that helps keep your jaws aligned and prevents bad bacteria overgrowth. If any part of your denture breaks, a dental professional can tell you your best options.

If you’re ready to replace your dentures, please consider giving West One Family Dental a call. We are Colorado Springs denture specialists!

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4 Books to Read to Prepare Your Kid for the Dentist

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:06:00 GMT

Visiting the dentist can be intimidating, even for adults! But children often struggle even more than adults with new experiences. Did you know that reading books helps your child process their emotions ? Characters in books can help to name emotions they don’t understand, model appropriate behavior, and normalize your child’s experience. They can also help take the mystery out of a new experience to help your child prepare themselves for unexpected situations. We’ve found 7 books that will help you start conversations with your child about experiences they might have at their next dental appointment, and how to handle them.

Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer

This book does a great job of modeling the behavior you want to see in your child. Little Critter has a regular dental check-up, which includes X-rays and shows what kids can expect at their visit. Little Critter also ends up getting a cavity filled and handles the situation with bravery and some humor. The illustrations are simple but effective and Little Critter is relatable as always.

Curious George Visits the Dentist by H. A. Rey

Mix-ups and slapstick humor get kids laughing in this classic story. Up to his usual mischief, George brings levity even in his fear of the dentist. He ends up overcoming his fear and learning lots of important oral hygiene lessons. This book is great for showing what experiences to expect at the dentist, and that there is nothing to fear.

Visiting the Dentist by Charlotte Guillain

Taking an informative approach, this non-fiction book is full of real photographs of diverse children. In proper non-fiction style, it offers a table of contents, chapters by topic, and a glossary to introduce new words. It covers all aspects of a dental visit, including getting a cavity filled and mentions a prick before the filling. This book doesn’t address emotions as some of the others on our list, but is a great informative book.

Vera Goes to the Dentist by Vera Rosenberry

In this book, Vera struggles with anxiety on her first visit to the dentist. She has older sisters who model how normal visiting the dentist can be, and how it’s not scary. However, she still has to learn how to manage her fear in her own way. She ends up leading the dentist on a run around the block. When the dentist catches up to her, she realizes he’s not as scary as she thought as they have a reassuring chat. She eventually agrees to let him examine her, and by the end of the book Vera has conquered her fear. With humor, the author shows that your dentist has your best interest at heart and isn’t someone to fear.

Book Reading Tips:

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How to Treat a Blocked Salivary Gland

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 15:44:00 GMT

As we have written about before , having enough saliva is essential to good oral health. Have you felt like your mouth is drier than usual? Have you noticed tenderness or a swollen lump under your tongue? Are you experiencing a dull pain inside your cheek near your jaw, especially before meals? If any of these are true, you may be suffering from a blocked salivary gland. Didn’t even know that existed? No worries, we’ll go through the causes, symptoms, and best treatments for a blocked salivary gland!

All About Salivary Glands

There are three main salivary glands, which provide saliva to your mouth in two main areas. The largest gland is called your parotid gland, and it is located right behind your jaw bone. It connects to your mouth through a duct that lets saliva out along your cheek where your jaw hinges. Your submandibular gland produces saliva under your lower jawbone and connects through a duct to the area beneath your tongue. The smallest gland is called your sublingual gland, and it sits directly under your tongue. It has several short ducts that allow the saliva to enter your mouth under your tongue.

Causes of a Blocked Salivary Gland

Although it is 99% water, saliva also contains minerals and salts that help fight bacteria in your mouth and remineralize your teeth. Sometimes, especially if you are dehydrated or taking medications which reduce saliva flow, your saliva doesn’t have enough water in it to keep things flowing. These minerals can clump together and create tiny stones, similar to kidney stones, which can block your thin salivary ducts. Once these become blocked, it can be difficult to clear the stones and you are more susceptible to dry mouth, pain, and infection. Stones occur most often in middle-aged adults. Salivary stones are the most common cause of a blocked gland, but excess mucus from a cold, or inflammation can also cause these ducts to be too narrow for proper flow.

Symptoms

You will most likely experience symptoms under your tongue or near the hinge of your jawbone where the narrow ducts connect to your mouth. If you have a blocked salivary gland, you may notice:

Treatments

At home

The best way to clear blocked salivary glands is to ramp up saliva production. The best way to do this is to drink lots and lots of water. If that doesn’t’ help, try sucking on sugar-free sour candies such as lemon drops. Gentle heat on the area can help ease the inflammation and help the stone to clear out. Additionally, gently massaging the area can help to break up the stone to dislodge it.

When to get help

If home treatments aren’t helping, if you experience a foul taste, or if the pain becomes significant enough to require medication, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. They can take a better look with X-rays and determine if the issue is a blocked salivary gland or something more serious. Often, your dentist may are able to massage the stone out with special tools, and if they can’t they may choose to do a minimally invasive in-office procedure to remove the stone. A blocked salivary gland can sometimes lead to an infection, especially if left too long. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help fight the infection from inside the gland.

If you are concerned that you have a blocked salivary gland and don’t have a dentist, West One Family Dental would love to care for you! Call our office at 719-633-8766 for an appointment today.

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5 Reasons to See Your Dentist More Often to Prevent Periodontal Disease

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 17:56:00 GMT

Did you know that twice yearly cleanings with your dentist or dental hygienist may not be right for everyone? Visits twice a year are a great place to start if you’re not sure what your oral health needs are, but you should discuss the right frequency with your dentist. Some patients with low risk factors may do just as well with only one visit a year. Other patients, especially those with some of the risk factors addressed below, may need to keep a more frequent schedule. If any of these apply to you, consider discussing quarterly cleanings with your dentist to see if it helps you manage your oral health better.

Systemic Diseases

It is especially important to see your dentist for regular cleanings and exams if you live with a systemic disease like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or cardiovascular disease. These diseases can compromise your immune system and lead to greater inflammation. Inflammation can make your gums more swollen and susceptible to gum disease. Regular cleaning can preserve your natural teeth and also help keep inflammation down in your body by getting rid of persistent bacteria in your mouth.

Smoking

Smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to develop periodontal disease. There are several reasons why smoking increases your risk of periodontal disease. The first is, smoking reduces the flow of saliva in your mouth. Saliva is essential for regularly cleaning your teeth and washing away bacteria and food particles. Additionally, the harsh chemicals in cigarettes, vape pens, chew, and other tobacco products irritate the soft tissues in your mouth. They also reduce the blood flow to your gums, which means gums have a harder time healing from the damage. The sooner you stop smoking, the better for your health.

Genetics

As with most of your health, genetics plays a key role . We all have higher risk factors for certain diseases through our genetic lottery. There have been several studies proving this to be true for periodontal disease. If periodontal disease runs in your family, you should discuss with your dentist whether a more frequent cleaning schedule might benefit your long term oral health. More aggressive and frequent cleanings can help you preserve more of your natural teeth. It can also reduce the severity of periodontal disease as you get older.

Stress

Whether it is a major life event or the barrage of smaller but persistent daily stressors, stress has a negative effect on oral health. When you are stressed, your body has an endocrine response to stress. Your endocrine system regulates the hormones in your body which adjust appetite, mood, growth and development, sleep, and tissue function. When you’re stressed, your body produces hormones that alter how your gums react to bad bacteria in your mouth. It’s not totally understood whether this is an important function of this hormone, or whether it is an unfortunate side effect. Additionally, people who are stressed are also less likely to perform the regular maintenance of oral hygiene, compounding this issue.

Age

Periodontal disease is more prevalent in older patients. This is likely at least in part due to the gradual loss of fine motor skills in oral hygiene routines. We typically encourage older patients to consider switching to electric toothbrushes and flossers to counter-act this loss of motor control.

If you’re concerned about your oral health, please make an appointment to come see our friendly dentists! We’d love to discuss your unique situation and help you make a plan for better oral health!

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Dental Infection Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 17:15:00 GMT

We love to hear that our patients love visiting the dentist! But, we know that’s not a common feeling towards dental visits. In fact, some people dislike visiting the dentist so much they put off a visit, even if they have symptoms of trouble. Let’s go over some dental infection symptoms you should never ignore. The sooner you get into to see us, the better we can care for you. It’s also more likely we can preserve your natural tooth.

Dental Infection Symptoms

Many dental infection symptoms are pretty obvious. You will likely notice pain or a toothache. Sometimes this is in response to pressure, hot or cold temperatures, or a constant throbbing. If the infection is deep, or has been persistent for a long time you may notice pain or swelling in your face and cheek, extending into your neck. As with all infections, your body may also develop a fever to fight it off. Additionally, you may experience a sudden release of pressure accompanied by a rush of foul-smelling, bad-tasting fluid. This is the rush of fluid flowing out of the tooth abscess.

Risk Factors for Infection

Some people are more likely to develop infection than others. Genetics play a role in the strength of your enamel, which directly affects the likelihood of an abscess. However, we are not just victims of the hand dealt to us. Proper, regular oral hygiene is essential to reduce your risk of an abscess. Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, and rinsing with a fluoride rinse at least once a day can strengthen your enamel and keep harmful bacteria away. Additionally, you should see your dental hygienist regularly to clean off plaque and tartar that can build up over time.

Eating a diet high in sugar is another risk factor for dental infections. The more sugar that sits on your teeth, the weaker they become. Additionally, sugar feeds harmful bacteria that cause infections.

Complications

Dental Infection will not go away on their own with time. You need to be seen and treated by a dentist if you have dental infection symptoms. Sometimes the pain will eventually go away, but you still need to have a dentist evaluate the infection. An untreated infection may spread to other parts of your body and can lead to serious complications such as sepsis.

Treatments

Your dentist will be able to tell you the best treatment for your particular situation. However, common treatments for infections include fillings, root canals, and crowns. Whichever treatment is required, your dentist will have to clean out the infection before the tooth can be restored. Sometimes, antibiotics will be prescribed to help reduce the spread of infection.

If you have symptoms of an infection, please call our office at719-633-8766 for an appointment right away! We want to help you get out of pain and care for your overall health.

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7 Intriguing Tooth Fairy Alternatives

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 17:05:00 GMT

Those characteristically adorable gaps in an elementary child’s smile are a rite-of-passage to adulthood. It used to be everyone got a dime or quarter for surrendering their now-useless teeth to the mysterious and elusive “tooth fairy.” But some parents are coming up with other ideas for how to handle this typical childhood experience. If you’re looking some alternatives to the traditional tooth-fairy, we’ve gathered some ideas for you here.

Special Certificate

The internet is full of tooth fairy certificates that you can leave under their pillow instead of coins. Typically they include the date, which tooth has been lost (first, fourth, fifth, etc), and a short encouragement. You can design a simple one in a word processor, or print one from online and sign it. The child can decide if they’d like to post them on the wall to admire or keep in a special notebook or baby book.

A Note from the Tooth Fairy

Have fun crafting a tiny note from the tooth fairy or print one out from this online blogger . Or, if you don’t mind the cost andwant to make it very authentic, order a tiny note from the tooth fairy here . Kids will love how tiny the note is and love showing it off to their friends. Don’t forget to take the change to exhort them to better oral care! If you want to step it up a notch, you can add glitter. You can even make tiny glitter footprints with a footprint stamp, glue, and some glitter.

Scrapbook the Baby Teeth

Instead of introducing the idea of the tooth fairy at all, consider storing their lost baby teeth in a scrapbook of some type. You can integrate it into an existing scrapbook by taping a clear food storage bag into the book. Another idea is to get a keepsake album designed to store baby teeth like some of the options found here . This way, your child will be able to look back on how small their teeth were for years to come.

Tooth Fairy Dust Keepsake

Some children feel anxious about losing their teeth. Whether they feel attached to the tooth, or

Tooth Fairy Basket

Why not try a small gift basket from the tooth fairy, filled with oral care products? The mystery and excitement of the tooth fairy can make floss cool again. Pick out some fun colored toothbrushes, flavored floss, and fluoride rinses and package them in a basket or bag with glitter tissue paper. You can explain that the tooth fairy especially loves teeth that are still in great condition, and she’s concerned that your child isn’t taking the time to keep all their teeth healthy.

Tooth Fairy Interview

Discuss some of your child’s questions about the tooth fairy. Where does she live? Does she fly? How does she know I lost a tooth? Jot down their questions on a sheet of paper, leaving space for the tooth fairy to answer, and tuck it under their pillow with the lost tooth. Instead of swapping the tooth for cash, help the tooth fairy compose answers in a glitter pen. Your child’s eyes will light up with the fun of getting a response in the morning!

There are photo editing apps like this one available that let you add a tooth fairy sticker onto a picture. You can show your child how you caught a picture of the tooth fairy visiting them the night before.

We hope you enjoy making fun memories of this milestone with your child! West One Family Dental is here for you if you have any questions about losing teeth or other pediatric dental concerns!

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7 Questions to Ask Your New Dentist

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 19:49:00 GMT

Are you new to the area? Unhappy with your current dentist? If you’re looking for a new dentist, make sure you are prepared to pick the right dentist for you and your family. Although dental insurance coverage is usually the primary filter used to find your new dentist, there are several other considerations you should make.

What Availability Do You Have for Regular Visits? After Hours or Emergency Care?

It’s important that your dentist’s office hours are compatible with your schedule. You don’t want to run into basic scheduling issues on a regular basis. Also, you should keep in mind that dental emergencies are uncommon but do happen. You’ll want to know how to contact your dentist if you need care after hours. Many offices have an after-hours answering service, or they may offer up the dentist’s cell phone number to be used for emergencies only.

What Types of Technology Does your Office Use?

Even if you don’t care about “cutting edge technology” you should be aware that dated technology can lead to a poor diagnosis. One area this is especially relevant is in X-ray technology. Newer, digital X-rays expose you to less radiation and are more comfortable in your mouth. Additionally, they offer your new dentist a much clearer picture of what’s happening inside your teeth and gums. This is really important so that your new dentist can offer the best treatment. New technology can also offer up more convenient care, such as same-day crowns, or laser drilling which doesn’t require numbing.

What Preventative Care Do You Recommend?

The best dentists would rather help you keep as much and as many of your natural teeth as possible. They will have solid recommendations for helping you prevent decay and gum disease. This might be a specific toothpaste, toothbrush, or floss. They may also recommend a fluoride coating or a specific brushing technique. Regardless of what they recommend, you want to know that they have a plan for helping keep your teeth healthy, not just a plan for fixing up decayed or broken teeth.

Do You Participate in Regular Continuing Education?

Experts in oral research are making advancements every day. Just like your medical practitioner, it’s important for your dentist to keep up with new research and methods. There are regular conferences and seminars for learning new dental techniques. Additionally, dentists should have access to medical research through journals and articles. Some of these continuing education methods offer certificates, while others are more a matter of faithfulness. Most states have laws that require dentists to keep up with new research. You can check out what your state’s laws are here .

Can You Make Accommodations for Individual’s Needs?

No two mouths are the same. But likewise, the people themselves have needs too. Some people struggle with anxiety. Others may not respond to typical numbing medications. Some people can’t handle needles or have difficulty sitting for long periods of time. Children need explanations and instructions they can understand. Some patients have medical conditions that will affect their dental care such as diabetes or HIV. It’s important to know that your dentist is willing and able to hear your needs as a patient and plan accordingly.

What Do Other Patients Have to Say About Your Office?

It’s important to hear what other patients think of your new dentist. Although they may look great on paper, patients can give you the real scoop. What are their bedside manners like? Did they listen well? Do they accommodate special needs? Did their work last? The office may have written recommendations from other patients or might be able to direct you to a website where patients have given feedback.

What is Your Philosophy of Care?

This one may seem confusing at first, but it is actually the most important question of all. As much as we would like to believe that treatment plans are straightforward, you need to remember that really, all medical advice is an opinion. Generally, dentists will agree on the best route forward, but you usually have more than one option. Some dentists decide the best treatment plan by choosing care that is most affordable for the patient, even if it’s not the best route for their mouth in the long run. Another way of determining the best treatment plan is deciding what is best for someone’s overall oral health, and choosing that option, regardless of the cost. Obviously, you need a dentist whose philosophy of care aligns with your priorities and your budget.

Hopefully, these questions help you see how many aspects there are to this decision. If you’re looking for a new dentist in Colorado Springs we hope you consider West One Family Dental! We are committed to providing the best care to every patient. All our dentists stay on top of continuing education and our office offers up-to-date technology for better diagnosis and treatment.

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How to Make a Model of Your Mouth out of Marshmallows

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:36:00 GMT

As a parent, you have a huge responsibility in preparing your kids for the world. There are so many lessons to teach, and every moment seems to present another opportunity for a successful or failed parenting moment. That’s why we are glad we’ve had the chance to come alongside you. We want to empower you with useful tools to help educate your children so they can manage their oral health for the rest of their life. For our final blog in our Kids Oral Health series, we’re going to tie everything together by building a model of your kid’s mouth and let them practice proper oral hygiene. We’ll also cover the basic names of the teeth in your mouth and what they are generally designed to do.

Roles of Teeth

Children have 3 main types of teeth; Molars, Incisors, and Canine teeth. Your teeth are arranged in your mouth to help you chew different types of food.

Molars

Molars are in the back of your mouth and have multiple roots securing them in your gums. They are larger, have a bumpy but relatively flat (not sharp) chewing surface. Molars are best for grinding down plant-based foods. Their broad surface provides a large area to chew, crush, and grind food.

Canines

Canine teeth are the sharpest teeth in your mouth. You can find them by drawing a line down the middle of your face and counting the third tooth from the center in any direction on top or bottom. Canines are useful for ripping and tearing food apart, especially meat.

Incisors

Incisor teeth are the shovel-shaped teeth at the front of your mouth. They have a very narrow tip and slowly get wider towards the gumline. Incisors also only have one root, unlike the larger molars. They are best for biting or cutting your food into manageable bites.

Check out this great resource to learn more about the types of teeth in your mouth, as well as try an interactive puzzle where you can build a human child’s mouth.

Build a Model

What You’ll Need:

It’s best to prep the marshmallows in advance so they are hard and dry before you try to glue them on. We recommend letting them sit on a plate for about a week before trying to build this model. Alternatively, if you are short on time, you can also cut off the bottoms of an egg carton and make a much bigger mouth model.

The first step:

Cut the pink paper into the shape of a mouth as though it were flipped open. This shape ends up being like a rectangle with a semicircle attached to each short side. To decide how big your mouth should be, take your “teeth” and lay out ten in a semi-circle with just enough space so they are barely touching. Cut out a tongue from the red paper, making sure it is slim enough to leave room for the teeth.

The second step:

Glue marshmallows onto the mouth. You’ll need 10 marshmallow teeth for the top and 10 for the bottom. Try to arrange larger marshmallows towards the back of the mouth. As you glue, leave a tiny bit of space between the marshmallow teeth. If you can, let the marshmallows dry in place for an hour or longer.

The third step:

Make up a silly story about what the mouth is eating, adding bits of playdough to the surfaces of the teeth and between the teeth as you go. After, let your child use a spare toothbrush to clean off the “plaque” and food particles. Additionally, offer dental floss or flosser pics for them to reach bits that are stuck between teeth.

We have enjoyed coming alongside you as you teach your children about their mouths and oral hygiene . Hopefully, you learned a few things along the way too! We love to be your partner in dental education and empower you to care for your own teeth well. What did you learn? What activity did your children enjoy the most? Let us know in the comments!

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Helping Your Kids See Hidden Sugars in Their Food

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 18:15:00 GMT

We’re so glad you’re back for our next week in our series for Kid’s Oral Health! Hopefully, the other blogs in this series have helped start conversations with your kids about how they can take care of their teeth. One of the best ways to keep sugar off your teeth is to not eat it at all. What’s hard about that is, some foods that you may not expect are actually full of sugar! Today we will help you show your kids how many hidden sugars are in their favorite foods.

Investigative work

If you’ve never talked with your kids about nutrition labels, now is a great time! They have a lot of helpful information to empower your kids to make healthy eating choices. Even if your kids can’t read yet, you can discuss nutrition labels during meals to begin building concepts. Make sure you remind them to look at the serving size, which isn’t always reasonable. For example, many ice creams list the serving size as 1/2 cup- as in less than one scoop!

For today, we’re going to focus in on the Total Sugars line underneath the Total Carbohydrate heading.

Compare

Pull out your kids’ favorite snacks and drinks and compare the labels. If the food doesn’t have a label, like produce, you can

find fairly accurate nutrition information here . Spend some time comparing different snack choices. Let your kids make a hypothesis (prediction, guess) which snacks are better for them, then check the facts and see if they were right.

The University of Pittsburg Medical Center has compared some match-ups to show that sometimes foods can surprise you.

Visualize Hidden Sugars

It’s important to give kids a visual because large numbers are hard for them to understand. Also, they (and honestly most adults) have no concept of what 1 gram of sugar actually looks like. Using the foods you have out, check out how many grams of sugar are in each. To turn grams into teaspoons, you can divide the number of grams by 4.

For example, a 12 oz of a leading dark soda has 39 grams of sugar.

39 grams ÷ 4 = 9.75 tsp of sugar.

Take the time to measure out the sugar, preferably in clear, narrow cups to help compare different snacks and treats. Alternatively, if you have sugar cubes, you can stack sugar cubes in towers or pyramids like they have here at Calorie Bee .

Discuss

After you’ve had a chance to visually see how some foods, especially drinks, can hide sugars, talk about healthy eating options.

Ask them:

We hope this has been helpful and eye-opening, even for you, the parents! We are happy to be a partner in educating you and your children in proper oral health care. Stay tuned next week for our final blog in the series.

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Fun with Floss: Silly Practice and a Dance Challenge!

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 17:03:00 GMT

We’re on to blog 3 in our Kid’s Oral Health Series! Today we’re going to focus on flossing! Remember, your kids won’t be ready to floss on their own until 9 or 10, but we want to start teaching them the importance and role of flossing while they are still young. Today we’ve got a hands-on activity to help your children practice flossing. This will also help kids to visualize what flossing actually does. Afterward, we’ve got a dancing challenge to get you all moving and laughing together.

What does flossing do?

We’ve already brushed our teeth for 2 full minutes, and we are going to swish with mouthwash- why do we need to floss too? Flossing can help remove food, plaque, and bacteria that’s stuck between two teeth or a tooth and gums. Your brush is designed to hug your teeth, but there is just no way for it to reach the spot where two teeth touch. These places become a safe haven for bacteria and plaque. As they sit there they break down your enamel and create holes. You should floss once every 24 hours.

How do you floss?

Take one 18″ piece of floss and cut it from the container. Wind most of it around the pointer finger of one hand, leaving about six inches. Wind the other end around the pointer finger of your other hand, leaving about 1-2″ of floss between your two hands. Use your thumbs to hold the floss in place on your pointer fingers. Gently glide the floss between two teeth, pulling side to side. Pull the floss all the way to your gumline, and switch to an up and down motion to “polish” the plaque off your tooth and away from under your gums. Pull the floss around your tooth like a “C” or as though it is hugging your tooth. Once it starts to squeak, you know you’ve cleaned the plaque off. Switch to the other tooth and repeat. Pull the floss (and plaque out of the crack and twist your fingers to get a fresh spot on your floss. Repeat between every two teeth, and on the backsides of the back teeth.

Still unsure if you’re doing it right? Here’s a video to demonstrate proper flossing technique.

Practice makes perfect

Handling floss can be hard for little hands! Getting that floss in their mouths is even harder! Here’s a great activity to let kids practice flossing without the pressure of a confined space.

You’ll need:

Steps:

Discuss:

Credit for this fun activity goes to the ADA at MouthHealthy.org ! Check them out for more fun activities and guides to help your kids learn about oral health.

What does dancing have to do with it?

Really… nothing. The Floss is a dance move that’s become popular on the internet. Although it shares some of the motion of flossing teeth, it’s not going to really teach your kids anything about oral health. But, it is a great way to get active and have some laughs together! So check out this kid-friendly song that teaches the basics of the Floss Dance and enjoy some silly dancing with your kiddos. It’s great to pepper serious learning with laughter and movement to help kids’ brains stay engaged!

Have our suggestions been helpful? How did last week’s science experiment go for you? Comment below and let us know. Stay tuned for more activities and experiments to teach your kids about oral health!

The post Fun with Floss: Silly Practice and a Dance Challenge! appeared first on West One Family Dental .

What Happens if You Don’t Brush Your Teeth? A Hands-on Science Experiment

Sat, 12 Jan 2019 19:02:00 GMT

We’re back for part 2 of our Kids’ Oral Health series! We have kids, so we know that when you ask your kid to do something, you are likely to hear back, “Why?” Even if they don’t mean to be defiant or sassy, kids are naturally curious and have so much to learn about the world. They can’t help but wonder the reason behind the instructions. So, today we have a great visual that helps kids explore the reason we really need to guard our oral health! Ready to get your hands dirty?

Why Should We Brush Our Teeth?

When we don’t brush our teeth two things happen: First, we leave behind food and sugars on our teeth. This feeds the bacteria on our teeth and then they produce acid which wears away our enamel. Secondly, we don’t strengthen our enamel with fluoride to help rebuild our tooth’s protection from everyday wear from eating. Let’s look at how we can see this demonstrated.

For this experiment, we are going to explore what happens when we let sugary drinks and food particles sit on our teeth. Our own teeth are far too valuable explore this, so we are going to use hard-boiled eggs in their place. Eggs are similar to our teeth in a few ways: They have a hard outside, and are softer yet firm inside. Also, their shell is made of similar matter as our tooth enamel. To imitate drinking dark, sugary drinks we are going to use soda, and to imitate food we will use vinegar. Vinegar is an acid which is what the bacteria in our mouth make when they eat our leftover food bits.

Safety First

Whenever you’re doing science experiments with young kids especially, remind them that even if you’re using supplies that they have eaten before (eggs, soda, etc) they should never eat or taste something used in a science experiment. Even though nothing in this experiment is likely to hurt kids, it’s a great rule to establish good habits for future experiments. If you have safety glasses and a lab coat or paint smock you can also encourage your kids to wear them. Again, it’s not necessary for this experiment but is a good habit.

Supplies

Make a Hypothesis

Ask your kids to make a guess (hypothesis) as to what will happen when they let their eggs sit in the different liquids and write them down.

Procedure

Every experiment might turn out a little differently. Factors such as the age of your eggs, whether they were cracked, or how long you let them soak will affect your results. Generally speaking, you should notice that the eggs soaked in water look the same or “normal” with strong shells. Eggs soaked in soda will develop a dark brown stain on them, and may thin or become brittle. You may find you are able to clean these stains off with a gentle brushing with a spare toothbrush, especially the egg which was first strengthened in fluoride. The eggs which sat in vinegar should become very soft and rubbery with a leathery exterior. The acids in the vinegar have eaten away most of the shell.

Application

Talk with your kids about what they learned from this experiment. If these foods had this effect on the eggs, what might they do to their teeth? Ask if they think it’s important to brush their teeth, and why or why not? Talk about whether you noticed the fluoride making a difference. Did your kids’ hypothesis prove true?

We hope this hands-on visual helps your kids understand why it is so important to brush twice a day for 2 full minutes! It’s been a week since our last blog- how have your kids done on owning their oral health this past week? Feel free to comment below to let us know how it’s going, or for specific questions.

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How to: Teach Your Kids About Oral Health

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT

We often talk about your teeth being a valuable resource. You only get two sets, and may begin to care for your long-term adult teeth when you are as young as 5! That’s why it is essential that we start teaching kids about their oral health when they are young, and train them well. Wondering how to get your child to care about brushing their teeth? Don’t worry, we’ve got tons of ideas! In fact, this is the beginning of a 5 blog series to give you great ideas for helping explain the importance of oral health to your child and training them to care for their mouth!

Explaining Oral Health to Kids

It’s best to start with a quick explanation of what’s in their mouth. There are three basic structures: teeth, gums, and their tongue. Each tooth also has three parts- the hard “shield” on the outside, the enamel, the semi-soft dentin which makes the shape, and the pulp which has nerves and blood vessels.

Hiding in our mouths there are also millions of bacteria that are so small you can’t even see them. Even though your teeth and gums look smooth, there are tiny hiding spots for bacteria between teeth, where gums meet teeth, and all over the tongue. Some of those bacteria are good for your body- helping fight off germs, but there are also a lot of bad bacteria. Bad bacteria like to eat tiny bits of food left in your mouth, and when they do, they make acid. Acid destroys the enamel “tooth shields” and leave holes in your teeth where more bacteria can grow and destroy your teeth.

We really like this simple video which explains this process and why we should brush.

Hands-On Learning: Part 1

Children learn best when they can engage with the material in several ways. Tell them about it, show them pictures or videos, but also let them use their hands! This activity helps show the structure of our teeth by building a model out of play-dough. As you’re building, discuss the purpose of the different parts of the tooth and why we need them.

How to Care for Kids’ Teeth

Start out with a small headed, soft-bristled brush – cartoon characters optional. It’s important that the brush can fit in tight spaces in a kid’s mouth, so if in doubt, smaller is better! Add a small, pea-sized portion of fluoride toothpaste, and begin to brush at the back of the child’s mouth. Brush gently in small circles on the top and sides of each tooth. There are 4 quadrants of your mouth: top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right. It should take about 30 seconds to brush in each quadrant of your child’s mouth. This video helps explain some of the basics of oral care to kids.

Kids will need help flossing until they have much greater dexterity (around age 9 or 10). Help them get involved in the process with floss picks, but don’t depend on them to be thorough enough on their own. When you can trust a kid to spit it out, adding fluoride rinse to the routine is a great way to strengthen their enamel.

Hands-On Learning: Part 2

After your model teeth are built and you’ve talked about how to care for their real teeth, practice this on your model teeth. Take some different colors of playdough and make “bacteria.” Act out the way bacteria grow and multiply, discussing what makes bad bacteria thrive. Then, use a real or play-dough toothbrush to “brush away” the bacteria.

2×2

This simple math reminds kids the most important thing they can do to take care of their oral health; Brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes, twice a day. If your child has a watch, help them set regular alarms to go off to remind them to brush. You can also post a picture reminder or write a message on your kids’ mirror with a dry erase marker. Any ideas that help remind them to take 2 minutes to brush their teeth are great.

How long is 2 minutes?

Kids have a really poor grasp of how long things take. Mom’s 10-minute conversation with a friend takes years , while after their 30 min TV show they “hardly got to watch TV at all”! Help your child understand the length of two minutes with this simple activity.

You can also get a tool that helps ensure your kids brush for the full two minutes. There are several apps available with songs or fun timers put out by toothpaste companies. Or, a simple youtube search for a 2-minute tooth brushing song produces an abundant selection. A more basic solution is to get a 2-minute sand timer, set a timer on a watch, or hum a favorite song. The ABC song takes about 30 seconds to sing, so hum together or sing the song for your child to show them how long they should brush each quadrant of their mouth.

Now that you’ve introduced the basics of oral health to your kids, check back with us soon for lots more hands-on learning, science experiments, and tips for teaching your kids to take care of their teeth!

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Teeth Whitening: Safe and Effective options

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT

The post Teeth Whitening: Safe and Effective options appeared first on West One Family Dental .

How to Know When You Need a Crown

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Do you think you have a damaged tooth that may need a crown? You may be hesitant to get a crown for several reasons. The cost and time needed to get a crown may concern you. Also the procedure may be unfamiliar or seem more invasive than a filling. But, as far as your long-term oral health, crowns can save a tooth for decades to come. Let’s look as some reasons why it may be best for you to get a crown.

Best Practices

In dentistry, we must always be aware that you only get two sets of teeth in your life. And realistically, you really get to be responsible for the care and decisions of just your adult set. That means that your teeth are an incredibly valuable asset that you should guard carefully. Of course, this means caring for your teeth as well as you can. As your dentist, our goal is always to help you make decisions that will preserve your teeth. We want to save as much of as many teeth as we can, for as long as we can.

What is a Crown?

A crown is a cap that covers your tooth. On most adults, your dentist will use porcelain or ceramic to create a natural-looking crown. However, your dentist may use metal (such as gold alloy or stainless steel) if the tooth is in the back of the mouth or you are concerned about the cost. It can restore the shape , color, or structure of your tooth.

When Do You Need a Crown?

A crown helps to support and strengthen the tooth while protecting it from further damage or decay. Here are some situations when your dentist will likely recommend one:

Decision Making

Since a crown can help preserve some of the tooth, especially the root, it can be a great choice to save a tooth that is in danger. If you have decay or too many fillings in one tooth, drilling the decay out may leave the tooth weakened or there may not be enough tooth left to hold a filling. A cap can add strength as well as protect it from any further decay. This means that more of your tooth is protected for years to come. When you have to get a root canal or lose a tooth completely it can cause new issues . Missing teeth can cause your other teeth to weaken and shift, and leads to bone loss in your jaw.

Questions to Ask:

The best patient is an empowered and educated one. That’s why we work hard to maintain this blog to help you stay informed and in control of your dental health. Here are some questions you may want to ask your dentist, if they haven’t already covered them.

As with any procedure, if you have questions or concerns please ask your dentist! There may be reasons that a crown is the best choice for your oral health that you don’t see or notice. Your dentist should be happy to give you more information and help you understand why a crown is the best choice. At West One Family Dental we encourage our patients to discuss their treatment options with their dentist. Our dentists are eager to put your fears to rest.

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How to: Protect Your Teeth During the Holidays

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:00:00 GMT

You’ve barely finished washing all the Thanksgiving dishes, yet Christmas is already knocking! You’re probably getting invites to holiday parties and cookie exchanges while bags of holiday cheer appear from neighbors, friends, and co-workers. Tis the season to eat lots of sweets! It’s not practical to avoid all sweet treats during the holidays, so let’s discuss some tips for how you can protect your teeth without being a Grinch!

Be Picky

Allow yourself to indulge in some sweets, but choose wisely. The best treats for your teeth are not too hard and sticky and don’t take too long to eat. The longer you expose your teeth to sugars, the more you weaken hard surfaces . A treat that has more sugar but that you eat in one sitting is better for your teeth because your teeth are not exposed to sugars for as long. Sodas and hard candy are especially bad for your enamel because you tend to nurse them for longer. Choose to consume dessert in one sitting instead of savoring it over the course of an hour or more.

Brush, but not right away

You might think that right after enjoying a treat you should go brush your teeth to clean off any sugar, but it’s actually better to wait a little bit! Eating sugar creates acid which weakens your enamel, but it re-hardens in about 30 minutes. If you rush to brush as soon as you finish eating you can remove parts of your enamel in your zeal to get your teeth clean. Protect your teeth by brushing about 30 minutes after you’ve finished your dessert.

Drink Plenty of Water

Add this to your list of 1,000,001 reasons to drink more water. Drinking generous amounts of water after you eat or drink sugary treats can help rinse away sugars and food particles . You don’t want all of that to sit on your teeth because it can weaken your teeth, but as we mentioned above you also don’t want to rush to brush. Also, most water has added fluoride which helps to counter-act the acid produced by bacteria after you eat sugar. Fluoride helps re-mineralize your teeth and strengthen the enamel. Enjoy a tall glass of water with your meals and especially with dessert.

Use a Real Swiss Army Knife

We know your teeth seem strong- they’re bone, right? But they are NOT made for cracking nutshells , opening beer bottles, or acting as a third hand. Invest in a real nutcracker and bottle opener! We promise they’re cheaper than replacing your teeth. Using your teeth for hard tasks like this can lead to chipping, breakage, or weakened enamel. Protect your teeth by skipping these shortcuts and grabbing the proper tools instead.

Don’t Go Hungry

Planning on going to a holiday party? Have a proper meal with balanced nutrition before you go. That way you’ll be able to enjoy a small number of cookies or cake without gorging yourself. When we’re hungry our eyes get too big and we eat more than we really need .

Stick to Your Routine

Even though you may be traveling a lot or staying up later than typical, keep time in your schedule for your full oral hygiene routine. In light of dietary changes, be intentional to brush, floss, and use a rinse to keep your pearly whites strong and healthy. We recommend keeping a small dental hygiene kit in your purse or car in case you forget or need to brush on the go. A small dental floss, travel toothbrush and paste, and small rinse don’t take up much space and are a smart investment to protect your teeth.

Enjoy your holidays, celebrate a little! Just make wise choices about your oral health by indulging in moderation and caring for your teeth afterward. From all of us at West One Family Dental, we hope your holiday season is filled with joy!

The post How to: Protect Your Teeth During the Holidays appeared first on West One Family Dental .

Bad Breath Cures You Need to Know Now

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 17:00:00 GMT

We’ve all experienced the discomfort of chatting with someone who has bad breath. Fear of being that poor, ignorant (or helpless) person making everyone scoot back might even make you anxious. If you’ve been told you have bad breath or are self-conscious on your own, don’t worry! There is actually a lot you can do to freshen your breath beyond popping a breath mint. These cures focus on treating the source of the issue, rather than masking a symptom.

Good Hygiene

We’ll start with the most basic. Brushing and flossing regularly prevents the build-up of odor-causing bacteria. We recommend you keep floss and an extra toothbrush at work so you can brush and floss after every meal. Caring for your teeth three times a day, especially after meals, helps stop bad breath before it even has a chance to start. Additionally, if you struggle with persistent bad breath, you should ask your dentist about which anti-bacterial mouth rinses he or she recommends.

Brush Your Tongue

Your tongue is often overlooked in oral care. Saliva breaks down food and carries it to your tongue for tasting, where your tastebuds “grab” the food to sense the taste. Your tongue is full of tiny cracks where food particles can get lodged, leading to overgrowth of bacteria. There are some special scrapers to help remove food and bacteria from your tongue, but also gently massaging it with your toothbrush helps to dislodge them.

Treat Dry Mouth

Your mouth is meant to be very wet, all the time. Read more here on the important tasks of saliva in caring for your oral health. If you’re experiencing dry mouth, it can greatly increase bad breath issues. Drinking plenty of water during the day will not only help rinse out your mouth but will also help your body make enough saliva to keep your mouth clean. If you’re experiencing dry mouth despite being well-hydrated, come to see us today! Saliva is an essential tool your body uses to keep your mouth and whole body clean. Dry mouth can lead to bad breath, and both can be a symptom of a more serious issue.

Consider your Diet

Obviously, there are some foods notorious for giving you bad breath. Raw onions, garlic, curries, tuna, coffee are just a few. However, a diet high in sugary foods can also cause bad breath issues. This is yet another reason why you should enjoy sweets in moderation and focus on healthy, nutritious foods.

Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco

Here are two habits that any health professional will advise you to stop right away. These habits are destructive, bad for your whole body health as well as your oral health, and lead to bad breath. If you struggle to quit these addictive habits, ask our dentists for their recommendations. There are many ways to quit , and it may take some experimentation to find the way that’s right for you. Choosing to quit will have long-lasting benefits for your health and quality of life.

Still Struggling with Bad Breath?

There may be an underlying medical or situational cause that’s preventing you from clearing up bad breath. If you have tried these tips and still have bad breath, it’s important to let your dentist know. Bad breath can be an early warning sign of many serious diseases and conditions. The sooner you let your dentist know, the sooner they can work with you to determine the underlying cause.

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6 Surprising Facts about Your Saliva You Didn’t Know

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Ok, so we know that saliva is not the most popular conversation topic. But, believe it or not, saliva is the unsung hero of your oral health! It’s an essential defense against bacteria and decay, aids in digestion, protects your teeth, helps you taste, and reduces pain. Read on to discover 6 surprising things you never knew about your saliva.

It’s the most effective at fighting bacteria.

Saliva keeps your body healthy by fighting off any bacteria that enters your mouth. It keeps things moving and prevents bacteria from lodging between or on your teeth. Beyond that, it also contains white blood cells. These white blood cells are super-charged and more effective at fighting bacteria than white blood cells found anywhere else in your body! This makes sense of why animals are naturally inclined to lick open wounds. People even show this same instinct when they suck on a papercut. You can even put these blood cells to work boosting your infant’s immune system by spit-shining their pacifiers, a recent study found.

It’s a natural painkiller.

Here’s another great explanation for adding saliva to a wound- it can reduce the pain! In 2006, a study revealed a new type of painkiller found in saliva. This painkiller has been named Opiorphin and is 6 times more powerful than morphine. It inhibits pain perception, working against inflammation as well as physical pain.

It helps you taste food.

Taste buds are almost useless without saliva. Saliva breaks down food and takes particles of it to your taste buds so they can perceive it. Did you know taste buds are not only on your tongue but also around your mouth and in your upper throat ? Saliva helps move food around your mouth quickly to reach all your taste buds. This helps taste buds perceive it and send the information about what you’re eating to your brain. It also keeps your taste buds healthy when you’re not eating by keeping them moist and bacteria-free. People who take certain medications or have certain diseases can suffer from dry mouth. They often notice that their sense of taste also suffers.

You make a ton of saliva.

We don’t notice since we are constantly swallowing and recycling saliva, but your body produces about 1-2 liters of saliva a day . That’s two medium bathtubs full of saliva every year! It’s important that your mouth stays wet all the time, so your body never stops making saliva. Your mouth works hard to constantly bathe your teeth and gums, cleaning them off and helping heal any sores or wounds.

Saliva production has a logical rhythm.

Although it never stops making saliva, your mouth does have phases of production that speed up or slow down, based on what your mouth needs. Cephalic saliva production happens when you see or smell something delicious. Anticipation literally makes your mouth water in preparation. The buccal saliva phase is how your body handles food actually being in your mouth. It ramps up production to help you taste, move food around your mouth and swallow it.

The oesophageal phase kicks in when you have food that needs to travel down your esophagus and it helps lubricate and soften food so it can travel down your throat. This saliva can also aid in digestion in the stomach. Gastric saliva production happens right before you’re about to throw up to help coat and protect your teeth from the harmful stomach acids. Lastly, intestinal saliva production helps reduce irritation in the upper intestines if you are having trouble digesting something.

Saliva is 99% water, 1% Amazing

Saliva is mostly water… so how does it do all these amazing things? That last 1% is chock full of useful compounds! Calcium, fluoride, phosphate, enzymes, proteins, plasma. Your saliva remineralizes teeth, fights bacterial and viral infections, lubricates, digests, buffers, and coats teeth and gums. One negative side effect of all of the useful minerals found in spit- they can sometimes stick together and form a small stone. We call these build-ups salivary stones, and they are similar to kidney stones. How they form is not completely understood, but experts recommend staying hydrated as one major preventative measure. Keeping your saliva flowing helps prevent minerals from building up and clumping together in your salivary glands.

Hopefully, we’ve shown how a mouth full of saliva is a healthy and thriving mouth, even if polite company discourages singing its praises! If you are experiencing dry mouth or mouth pain, please come in and let one of our professional dentists check it out. Dry mouth is the beginning of a whole plethora of other issues, so the sooner we treat dry mouth issues, the better!

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5 Life-Threatening Diseases that Can Be Detected Early by Your Dentist

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Thinking about skipping your next dental check-up? You should reconsider! Tooth pain or inflamed gums aren’t the only reasons to go see your dentist. Your dentist can be a surprising source of information about your overall health. Even diseases that aren’t commonly associated with your mouth can cause symptoms there. Early detection for many conditions can make the difference in saving your life!

Here are some surprising diseases that your dentist may be able to detect at a regular visit:

Diabetes

Diabetes can cause red, swollen gums and periodontal disease. Diabetes lowers your body’s ability to fight off infection and slows healing. Since your mouth is a hotbed of bacteria, a weakened immune system can quickly affect your gums. Diabetics also struggle with recurrent bad breath and an increase in cavities. Dentists often recommend that diabetics keep a more consistent schedule for cleanings to help control overgrowth of bacteria which could threaten your health.

Autoimmune Diseases

There are many different autoimmune diseases, and each may affect your dental health slightly differently, but many show up in the mouth. For example, Hashimoto’s is a condition that affects your thyroid and can cause your throat to feel tight or restricted. Your dentist can help you determine if your thyroid is healthy in part through an examination of your soft tissues. Additionally, Crohn’s disease, which is generally associated with the lower GI tract, can also cause swollen lips and ulcers in your mouth. Your dentist can help you know if your mouth ulcers are something more common or a cause for concern. Many other autoimmune disorders also cause sores and ulcers, some of which are not painful but could help your dentist recommend further testing for diagnosis.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a condition where you may stop breathing in your sleep. For many people it just disrupts their sleep, but for some it can have very serious consequences. Patients who experience sleep apnea may not even be aware it is happening. Sometimes you may notice you’ve been sleeping poorly or waking often, but you also may not. Sleep Apnea often causes people to breath through their mouth, which causes many symptoms your dentist will notice; dry mouth, bad breath, large tonsils, falling asleep in the chair, enlarged throat or neck, or damage from teeth grinding. Some dentists even specialize in sleep conditions and can offer you a sleep study to pinpoint the issue.

Cancer

Obviously, oral cancer is obvious in the mouth. Oral cancer is linked with smoking and alcohol. At every visit, you may have noticed that your dentist does an oral cancer screening. They will look for ulcers or sores in your mouth, and use their finger to check for abnormal lumps in your cheek or gums. They may also feel your neck and face for abnormalities. Detecting oral cancer early can save your life; early detection survival rate is 84% . If not detected until later stages survival rates drop to 64% or as low as 39% for late detection.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease causes the release of by-products from incomplete protein breakdown. These by-products can travel through your system can cause a host of effects. In your mouth, they cause bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, and also cause dry mouth. Saliva is an essential tool to digest food, break down and wash away harmful bacteria, and keep your mouth healthy. As bacteria sit on your teeth and gums more it increases your risk of cavities and gingivitis.

These are just a few of the diseases that your dentist may be able to detect at a regular check-up. osteoporosis, anemia, heart disease, and many others show symptoms early in your mouth.

The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist as often as they think is necessary for your personal health condition. For many people, once every 6 months is sufficient if they are healthy. However, your dentist may suggest you come more often if you have easily inflamed gums or other health concerns. Regular visits to your dentist can help them be aware of what is and isn’t normal for your mouth. Your dentist is a partner in your oral health and can help you uncover the underlying causes for unexpected changes. They can also help you know if changes in your mouth are concerning or not.

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10 Reasons You Should Smile More

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Do you ever look at older photographs and wonder why the subjects don’t smile? In modern times, people spend lots of time and money improving their smiles. Do you know why as a culture we have come to value smiles so highly? Smiles are actually way more valuable than people realize! There are a ton of social, emotional, economic, and physical benefits to smiling.

It makes you happier

Smiles produce endorphins in your brain. Endorphins create a feeling of happiness or joy and can be addicting. So the more you smile, the happier you feel and the more you want to smile. It’s a perfect cycle for increasing happiness.

It can fatten your wallet

People perceive frequent smilers as more attractive . This can be a significant advantage in the workplace. Attractive people are more likely to be hired, promoted faster than their co-workers, and tend to earn 3% more over the course of their career than less attractive people.

It can get you promoted

Not only do people view smiley workers as more attractive, but they also attribute more confidence and intelligence to them. It goes without saying that management is more likely to promote or appreciate employees that they perceive as intelligent or an asset to their team.

It improves relationships

Smiles are also great for improving relationships of any kind. A wide grin communicates friendliness and hospitality. Creating a friendly and welcoming environment leads to growth and depth in relationships. Smiling also improves trust, which can help build a strong relational foundation.

It wards off the blues

Smiling increases serotonin levels in your brain. Low serotonin levels are linked to depression and aggression. Don’t misunderstand us. Clinical Depression is a serious condition that is not “fixed” with a simple smile. But if you have the everyday blues or find yourself snapping at everyone, try listening to your favorite comedian or remembering a great vacation. The serotonin boost might be just what you need to turn a bad day around.

It boosts your immune system

Smiling can lower your blood pressure, boost white blood cell production, and lower your stress levels . Even if you aren’t feeling happy, scientists have noted a correlation between the physical act of smiling and improved mood and health. Sometimes smiling when you’re not feeling it can actually trick your own brain into being happier.

It improves other’s moods

Whether you are begging forgiveness or trying to cheer someone up, smiles are contagious! When you need to improve how someone else feels about you, give them a smile- it can be tweaked to be a sheepish grin or a genuine beam. A smile is the perfect icebreaker for any conversation.

It increases your productivity

Believe it or not, a simple smile on your face can actually make you work smarter! In 2010, Andrew Oswald of Warwick University produced a study that proves happier people were 12% more productive at work. This is not only a good reason for you to put a smile on your face, but also great reasoning to do what you can to make your workplace a happier, friendly place. Whether you are the boss or not, flash your pearly whites at your co-workers and brighten their day- and boost their work!

It helps you live longer

A surprising study from the University College London showed a correlation between smiling, positive people and a slightly longer lifespan. Undoubtedly, many of the reasons we’ve already listed above are contributing factors. Smiling increases your social, emotional, and physical health, which logically leads to a longer life. Another, smaller study from the Wayne State University in Michigan backs up this claim. In this study, those who smiled more lived an average of 79.9 years, as opposed to their glum peers who lived an average of 72.9 years.

It costs nothing

One of the best things about a smile? It’s free. To give, to share, to enjoy. If you heard an ad for a product that had all these incredible benefits and was absolutely free, you wouldn’t hesitate. So start changing your habits today, and make a habit to grin more!

Is your smile a source of anxiety? Are you ashamed to break into a grin? Don’t let shame keep you from the carefree joy that comes from a good smile. We love working with our patients to help them get a smile they can be proud of.

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How to: Handle a Filling that Falls Out

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 14:30:00 GMT

You’re racing down the ice, calling for the puck from your teammate to sink it into the goal… when the puck hits you straight in the mouth. You’re wearing your mouthguard (of course!) but the force still knocks loose a filling. Sometimes dental emergencies happen at the least convenient times! Here’s our quick guide on how to handle a lost filling until you can get in to see us.

What to expect:

Likely, the filling will come out in one piece. This can be the result of new decay under the filling or stress on the tooth. However, it’s always a good idea to sweep your mouth with your tongue and swish with some water to try and find any small pieces. It’s very common to experience some pain and sensitivity to temperature where you lost a filling. The outer layers of your teeth, or enamel, usually act as a shield to prevent air, liquids, and foods from irritating your nerves. When you have decay, a dentist must drill out the decay, which often means getting into the softer, more sensitive layers of your teeth. If you lose a filling, it is likely that your nerves will be exposed and sensitive to hot and cold.

DO:

Remove the filling immediately. While a swallowed filling will likely pass without issue, it’s best to save the filling whenever possible. An inhaled filling can cause a lung infection, and having the whole filling to show the dentist when you come in can help us know if any part of it is missing.

Clean the area vigilantly. Brush. Floss. Rinse with mouthwash. Repeat. Although good oral hygiene is always an excellent idea, when you have a missing filling it is especially important. Food and bacteria can become trapped in the hole and cause damage and further decay.

Put in temporary filling material. Most drugstores and pharmacies carry temporary filling material with easy to understand instructions and pictures. Filling material can be placed in empty filling hole or under a crown that’s fallen off to keep debris out and help reduce sensitivity.

Make an appointment to see your dentist. A lost filling needs to be replaced as soon as possible to reduce the damage done to your tooth. We offer emergency dental appointments, so if you have an urgent need be sure to call us ASAP!

DON’T:

Put off making an appointment. Although there are some solutions to help keep food out of the hole and you out of pain, they are only TEMPORARY. The longer you put off making an appointment, the worse the damage could be. A space in your tooth is the perfect incubator for bacteria. Bacteria causes bad breath and decay and could mean loosing even more of the tooth.

Chew hard, sticky foods. With your filling gone, the structure of your tooth is weakened. Eating hard foods or sticky foods might cause damage or breakage to your tooth. If possible, chew softly and on the opposite side of your mouth.

Hopefully these easy steps help guide you in case you find yourself missing a filling. With a little TLC and a visit to your dentist, you’ll be back to chewing and enjoying hot and cold drinks before you know it!

The post How to: Handle a Filling that Falls Out appeared first on West One Family Dental .

6 Hazards of Going Toothless

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 14:30:00 GMT

Tooth loss is not uncommon over the course of your life. Sometimes teeth fall out in an accident. Sometimes they fall victim to gum disease or decay and need to be removed. While expense or inconvenience may tempt you not to replace a missing tooth, we strongly advise against it. Although you may not realize it, there can be lots of trickle-down effects from a missing tooth.

Bone Loss

When you lose a tooth, the gap in your gums becomes a haven for bacteria. As bacteria grow and thrive in the warm, sheltered environment, they begin to eat away at your jaw. This causes irreparable damage to your bone. Lost bone cannot be regrown, and eventually enough bone loss can significantly alter your facial appearance and overall health.

More tooth loss

Additionally, the growth of bacteria in your mouth where a tooth used to be can spell disaster for surrounding teeth. That bacteria has a foothold to attack other parts of your mouth. It is very common for one missing tooth to be the beginning of several decayed or missing teeth.

Improper Bite

When you lose a tooth, especially towards the back of your mouth, your bite changes slightly. Even slight changes have huge effects on your mouth! This change can cause TMJ Disease and pain. TMJ can lead to uncomfortable jaw popping and headaches. Improper bite may also cause other parts of your mouth to become irritated or inflamed as teeth begin to hit each other harshly when you chew.

Uneven wear on other teeth

When you alter your bite, even if it doesn’t cause immediate acute pain, it can cause teeth to rub each other and wear unevenly. This can cause problems when you wear through your enamel and expose the underlaying, sensitive dentin layer. Teeth with exposed dentin are very sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet foods. They are also more likely to decay.

Poor Digestion

Chewing is an important step in digestion! It does the hard work of breaking foods down into manageable pieces for your stomach acids to digest. Saliva also has essential enzyme which begins breaking down your food and can even kill food borne pathogens. When you have a missing tooth, it can affect the way you chew, where you chew in your mouth, and how effective your chewing is. Not chewing your food properly can lead to heartburn and damage to your esophagus as food and acid backs up into the esophagus from the stomach. Additionally, when food is too large, you sacrifice some of the nutrition. Your body is not able to process it effectively and extract all the nutrients.

Slurred Speech

Your teeth are an essential part of the structure of your mouth , which allows us to make the range of sounds we need to speak. Just consider how much you use your teeth when saying “thin” “vase” or “fan”. Depending on where the tooth is missing, you may have slurred speech, a lisp, or be completely unable to make certain sounds.

It is important to help maintain the structure of your mouth for the health of all your teeth, digestion, and speech. Beyond that, consider the confidence a complete, healthy smile can give you! If you are worried about losing a tooth, or already have, we can advise you on the best way to keep your whole body healthy. Sometimes the best choice is a root canal to save the tooth, but teeth that are already missing can also be replaced with dental implants or a bridge. Contact our office today if you’re concerned and we would love to help you make a plan.

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Be a Tooth Hero: Non-Candy Treats for Halloween

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

It’s October! The whole month seems to be a blur of pumpkin patches and costume prep, building up excitement for Halloween! The excitement and fun of visiting with neighbors as you trick-or-treat is a big part of the celebration. However, eating a bunch of candy has lasting effects for your dental health. As much as we love caring for our patient’s teeth, we want to help you think of ways to celebrate that don’t send all your adorable door-knocking ghosts to the dentist next month!

Glow Sticks or Jewelry

Did you know that kids are 4X more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night? There are a combination of factors — volume of kid pedestrians near roads, inebriated partygoers driving home, dark costumes, distractions — that lead to this sobering statistic. Save kids lives in addition to their teeth and pass out glow sticks to make them more visible!

Temporary Tattoos

Cut up a sheet of temporary halloween-themed tattoos to pass out. Just be careful to keep the clear plastic cover connected to keep the tattoo from getting wet or ripping. Better yet, Set up a tattoo-application table near your front door. Tattoos only take about 30 seconds to apply, and it gives you a chance to chat with your neighbors.

Stickers

You can opt for sheets of stickers, cut-up into minisheets, or go for individual big stickers. Whatever you choose is sure to bring a smile to their face. If you’re feeling ambitious, organize your neighborhood so that each house has a different type of sticker, and hand out mini sticker-books for kids to fill. You could even choose a theme like “World-traveling” where the books are passports and each sticker represents a country.

Pencils and Pencil toppers

Encourage kids to dive into their writing projects. Have a selection of (unsharpened) pencils and toppers and let kids mix-and-match their own pair. Every student could use an extra pencil. They always seem to go missing at school!

Bubbles

Every kid loves to blow and chase bubbles! Pick up packs of the pen-sized bubble bottles made for weddings at your local party supply store. For a fun twist, decorate the top of the bottles with a sticker or glue on a pencil topper.

Play-dough

What about a time-tested toy that’s been entertaining for decades? Play-dough is great for developing creativity, sensory awareness, and fine motor skills . Get a bunch of Halloween-themed mini tubs here , or you can make your own. If you make your own you can even add spices or drink powders to add scents to your dough. Just make sure to remind kids that it’s not for eating!

Dental Hygiene Packs

Before you laugh-just wait! Even if you pass them out alongside your treats, passing out toothbrushes and floss teaches kids that society as a whole values proper dental hygiene. You can buy toothbrushes and floss in bulk online here and assemble gift bags yourself, or splurge on a pre-assembled bag.

Whatever route you go, try to especially avoid sticky candy that stays stuck to teeth. And for your own crew, don’t forget to brush and floss after you enjoy any sweet treat! We love to help our patients care for their teeth so they don’t need as much repair for their teeth!

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The Secret to Healthy Gums

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 03:20:00 GMT

Why are healthy gums important for you? Aside from cosmetic and sensitivity issues, gums have many health effects on your teeth and your body. So it’s important to keep them in good shape, both figuratively and literally.

Gums help protect your teeth, particularly the roots and bones surrounding them. It provides a protective layer, bound to the teeth but also easily lubricated for the passage of food. It protects the sensitive root structure of your teeth from the effects of a barrage of bacteria in the mouth. When gums are healthy, they are supple but firm and do not bleed with brushing, flossing, or dental exams.

But what happens when they are unhealthy? They may look red, swollen, or be tender. You may have a bad taste in your mouth or persistent bad breath. Your gums might bleed when you floss or when your dentist performs a periodontal exam. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, but it can also affect your overall health – with infection in the mouth being linked to heart disease and a variety of other systemic issues. But what is periodontal disease, and how do you prevent it to maintain healthy gums?

The American Dental Assocation defines periodontal disease as:

The best way to prevent tooth and bone loss and preserve healthy gums is by brushing and flossing at least twice daily. Regular flossing is only as effective as your technique, so take some time in your next hygiene appointment and have one of our friendly hygienists demonstrate good technique. Your healthy gums depend on you!

¹ What is gum disease?

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Eat for your Teeth: Dental Nutrition

Sat, 12 Aug 2017 01:50:00 GMT

Nutrition is important to your ongoing health. So don’t just eat with your teeth, eat for them! Eating for your teeth is as important as getting your regular dental checkups twice each year. There are several key vitamins and nutrients that will help you maintain your great smile for years to come.

Calcium 1

When you think of the important vitamins and minerals for your teeth, the first that typically comes to mind is Calcium. This essential mineral is the most abundant mineral in the body. Your body uses it to help form strong bones, and strong teeth, but also for a variety of other functions in the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems. You can help your body to absorb this key mineral by pairing it with Vitamin D.

Where to find it : You can get this mineral from dairy products, soy, leafy greens and fish.

How much :

Women

Men

Vitamin: D 2

Vitamin D is to Calcium as peanut butter is to jelly. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb the Calcium that your body receives. That’s why it’s often added to dairy products (such as milk). There are several types of vitamin D that your body needs, but the most prevalent are Vitamin D2 and D3. Without sufficient levels of Vitamin D, your body will break down bone to get the needed calcium, putting your teeth and bones at risk for becoming brittle.

Where to find it : You can get this micro-nutrient from sunlight, supplements, and some foods (wild-caught salmon, mackerel and tuna).

How much :

Women and Men

Phosphorous

Another key building block for strong bones and teeth, Phosphorus is the second most prevalent mineral in your body. Typically, people get plenty of phosphorus in their diets, and the problems occur more from an over than an underabundance. It’s found in many different types of foods and typically does not require supplements.

Where to find it : You can get this micro-nutrient from sunlight, supplements, and some foods (wild-caught salmon, mackerel, and tuna).

How much :

Pediatric ³

Adult ³

So eat up, eat healthy! At West One Family Dental, we believe your overall health starts with your dental health, and your dental health relies on great care and a great diet.

¹ Calcium/Vitamin D
² Vitamin D, Calcium Work Together to Strengthen Teeth and Bones
³ Phosphorus

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5 Tips for Pregnancy Dental

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 22:24:00 GMT

Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience, bringing the joy and anticipation of a new little one to your family. Expectant mothers experience a variety of health changes related to pregnancy, and your dental health is no different. Additionally, your dental health can affect your overall health and well-being, so it’s an important consideration for your sake and for the health of your growing baby. At West One Dental, we want you to be as informed as possible about changes and considerations for your dental health during pregnancy.

Here are five helpful tips to keep your dental health in top shape:

Are you pregnant and looking for a great office to see for pregnancy dental work? We are here for you in all stages of life. At West One Family Dental, we want to help guide you through this period with your dental health outstanding. Schedule your appointment today and check in with our staff to let us know how we can best serve you during this time! Congratulations from all of us on your upcoming family change.

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