Alabama’s study shows that getting teeth cleaned during the second trimester of pregnancy can make a difference in healthy births and pregnancies. One of the theories is that the bacteria associated with gum disease produces a hormone that is thought to begin contractions.

To take advantage of this new information and in order to help all pregnant women, Baby Your Baby recommends the following:

•Pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant should have a dental check-up. This should include an evaluation of the gums.
•Patients should receive education on how to keep their mouths healthy. They should learn about how gum infection can affect their pregnancy.
•Dentists and physicians should coordinate care especially when gum disease is diagnosed.
•Physicians should make referrals for dental care during pregnancy.
•Treatment of gum disease, which includes a thorough teeth cleaning, may be most effective between 22 to 26 weeks of pregnancy.
Is it okay to go to the dentist when I’m pregnant?
Yes, it is safe and healthy for a pregnant woman to have a dental check-up. The second trimester may be the best time to go to the dentist. Be sure to tell the dentist that you are pregnant and they will take all the necessary precautions for you and your baby.

It is a myth that a woman loses a tooth with every pregnancy. Your baby doesn’t take the calcium from your teeth. A different diet, extensive morning sickness, or a lack of home care or professional treatment during pregnancy may all lead to more cavities while you are pregnant. Therefore, it’s important to be especially thorough in your daily home care. This is also something to discuss with your dental health care professional.

            Alright, so we understand where Perio Disease comes from, and what it can do to the mouth. Now how does it affect the heart? When deep pocketing forms around the teeth, it allows food to get trapped in those areas where a toothbrush cannot reach. Over time, plaque build up and decay begin to form under and around the gum line. A theory researchers have discovered is oral bacteria from plaque and decay can affect the heart when entering the blood stream by attaching to blood vessels, enhancing clot formations in arteries. Extensive studies have found that people with Perio Disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease, than those without Perio Disease. Researchers have also found Perio Disease can enhance existing heart conditions, and the outcome may lead to stroke.

            There is good news, however. Perio Disease can be prevented, or overcome in earlier stages by a routine of brushing for at least 2 minutes twice daily, and flossing. It is also important to see your hygienist so he/she can check to see if you have symptoms of Perio Disease. If you do have Perio Disease, it is important to discuss a treatment plan with your hygienist, or Endodontist to prevent further risk to your health.

            Alright, there’s our insight for week number one. Stay tuned next Monday to see why else cleanings are important!

Over the course of the next few weeks, a blog will be posted every Monday on oral hygiene, how it can effect your health, and how to help prevent risks to your heart and kidneys. After all, we need both, right? Stay tuned.

According to the report completed in May 2011, only 23 percent of one-year-old babies have been taken to a dental professional and 44 percent of 2-year-old ones. This, of course, does not only put the toddlers’ oral health at risk, but their dental care awareness as well. As suggested by family-trusted dental offices like Pine Creek Dental, educating youngsters about proper oral care methods and habits is integral in their lives. Such can spare them from the discomforts of toothaches as well as from job interview failures caused by breath malodors in the future.

Thankfully, there are reliable Colorado Springs dental care providers that can handle the vital task of nurturing and protecting young enamels from cavities. They offer safe and comfortable dental procedures that can correct early oral irregularities and thwart any possibility of further dental deterioration without scaring or traumatizing the kids.

This is mainly because the services they offer, such as laser dentistry, are quick and painless. Hence, the dental problems of even the most uncooperative kids can be treated well. More importantly, the warm and welcoming personality of these oral care experts make the entire experience fun and comfortable for the youngsters. Casual consultations can make kids aware of the value of having good oral conditions and encourage them to care for their precious teeth.

Such reliable Colorado Springs dentistry can sure arm youngsters in their future battles against tooth decay. Bringing toddlers to these professionals at an early age can make them understand their mouths’ structure and allow them to nourish what they have. In the long run, children can definitely attain the perfect smiles they deserve.

Plaque is a biofilm or aggregate of microorganisms that develops on the surface or in between teeth due to poor oral hygiene. When natural buffering enzymes of the mouth produced through saliva and the fluoride supply from toothpastes and mouthwashes are insufficient, these bacteria grow fast and develop plaques. At high levels of accumulation, they extend into dental calculus that can reach and infect the gingiva.

Some cases of gingivitis are caused by severe gum irritation when brushing harshly. The soft tissue can cut open and invite infection. A Colorado Springs cosmetic dentist points to some other reasons of irritation, such as poorly fitted dental appliances and constant smoking. The bad effects of smoking are nothing new in dentistry. Inhibiting the flow of oxygen in the blood, it can weaken the gum and its surrounding tissues, making them vulnerable to infection.

The gum tends to redden and swell when infection begins. An individual will not notice the initial symptoms by sensation. The reddened tissues become firmer and can even be removed. Following this condition is recession or the removal of the hardened and dislodged gum tissues. Recession implicates several other conditions. For example, as the gum continues to recede, the tooth roots begin to lose muscles to hold onto, causing voluntary extraction, or in mild cases, bite and sensitivity problems.

At maturity, gingivitis creates pockets at the sulcus, the region between the teeth and the gum. These pockets collect foodstuff and other debris that might irritate the gradually exposed tooth root and pulp. This condition furthers the threat of infection since foodstuff can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Bleeding also occurs in the infected gum. Although pain may not come along, this symptom can be apparent when brushing.

Gingivitis also causes bad breath and a frequent metallic taste in the mouth. Bad breath stems from the gums that are starting to decompose due to the acid produced from the reaction between bacterial enzymes and sugar. When treated in a Colorado Springs dental office like Pine Creek Dental, the swelling is contained to eliminate the smell and the metallic taste.

In-office or chair-side

Chemicals such as oxalic acid and hydrogen peroxide were first administered by dentists due to their high concentration. In-office teeth whitening was the earlier method, with its first cosmetic use dating back in 1877 although it did not share as much popularity as today. This is primarily because there were not as many cosmetic dentists as today. It was not until the 1980s that teeth whitening became all the rage.
In in-office or chair-side teeth whitening, dentists use both whitening agents and a light source: either a laser gun or a special lamp. When the agent is exposed to the light source, it initiates a chemical reaction that whitens teeth by several shades. This option is more expensive since state-of-the-art equipment and a higher concentration of chemicals are involved in the process. In average, in-office teeth whitening can cost around $650.
Fortunately, control is the greatest asset of the in-office tooth whitening Colorado Springs dentists offer. Dentists exercise caution when applying the whitening agent on the patient’s teeth, making sure that not a single drop makes its way into the system. One important thing dentists take note when doing teeth whitening is to apply the agent only on teeth–nowhere else but the teeth. This is because high concentrations of peroxide can lead to gum irritation.

Over-the-counter or at-home

Shortly after in-office teeth whitening enjoyed overwhelming popularity, teeth whitening kits also enjoyed the same level of popularity. By mid-1990s, people could get these kits from their local drugstores and dental supplies. Compared with its in-office counterpart, over-the-counter teeth whitening kits are more affordable and easier to apply despite the absence of chemical light sources. They can just do the whitening process themselves.
Although most Colorado Springs CO dentists deem at-home teeth whitening safe, there is also a chance that the user may accidentally apply the agent beyond teeth. Teeth whitening kits provided by dental offices like Pine Creek Dental come with precautionary notes stressing the need for careful application of the whitening agent. Over the years, however, scientists have been successful in making whitening chemicals safer and more stable without sacrificing effectiveness.

Steer away from dark, sweet food and drinks

Dark colored foods and beverages like chocolate, tomato sauce, wine, coffee, and dark fruits and vegetables can affect the luster and surface of your teeth. As such, dentists recommend avoiding these foods and beverages. As much as possible, stick to clear liquids and drink plenty of water to help your teeth enamel hardens once again. It would also help if you drink beverages using a straw. Doing this will reduce the chances of staining your newly whitened teeth—the liquid does not make direct contact with the teeth’s surface and reduces enamel breakdown.

Acidic foods are a no-no

Apart from dark colored foods and drinks, you might also want to say goodbye to citric foods like oranges and lemons. Eating foods with high acid content will only make it worse for your teeth. The acid can discolor the surface of your teeth, making the teeth prone to stains. Moreover, dentists in Colorado Springs CO say that the teeth become more sensitive after a teeth whitening session. Some areas are weakened due to the whitening agents.

Make the toothbrush and dental floss your best friends

Keeping your teeth clean is essential to maintain your teeth white. After every meal, don’t forget to brush your teeth to remove any stains and remnants of food and drinks. Your dentist would most likely recommend using fluoride toothpaste or mouth rinse with fluoride treatment. Fluoride will help your teeth enamel become strong and mineralized, preventing teeth discoloration. Aside from brushing, don’t forget to floss to remove smaller food particles.

Quit smoking

If you are a smoker and you had a teeth whitening session with family dentistry Colorado Springs, you need to stay away from those sticks of nicotine. Cigarette has adverse effects on the teeth. It contributes to the build-up of tartar and plaque on your teeth which leads to tooth loss and gum problems. The chemicals found in cigarette also stain the teeth and make the breath smell bad. Quitting cigarette smoking will not only maintain the whiteness of your teeth as it will also reduce the risks of other health conditions.

Keep in mind that these dentists are already professionals and yet they still managed to take additional qualifications or training for them to perform more complex procedures such as implants, administration of general anesthesia, surgery, and so on. They want to ensure that they are updated with the advancements in dental knowledge, procedures, and technology.

One of the most highly recommended dentists Colorado Springs Colorado has to offer is Dr. Bill Thompson. He is a dentist who has extensive knowledge, skills, and experience in providing high quality dental services to his patients. Committed in working to be the most advanced dental expert in the area, he has one simple objective and that is to constantly improve the quality service he provides his patients.

As a professional dentist from Pine Creek Dental Office, he is a dentist who is never complacent and continuously monitors trends or developments in dentistry. Being a proactive health care provider is a part of his dedication in his profession. Working closely with his supporting team which includes dental assistants, hygienists, and technicians, they are the most trusted professionals who aid in providing the highest quality of oral and dental services.
In addition, what makes them more remarkable than other dental offices is the kind of technology they use. They only use the most advanced technology and techniques in order to provide and perform dental treatments and procedures which are much more comfortable and painless for their patients. With them, all your concerns and needs will be met in the most professional and efficient way to ensure your satisfaction.

Choosing the dentists Colorado Springs CO offers, among them the Pine Creek Dental Office, can surely add great value to your money. Nothing can be more worth it than knowing that quality is never compromised and the fact that these experts can meet and better yet, exceed your expectations in all your dental needs. Such reputation is the reason of why they are considered as the most credible and most sought after dental experts in the area.

Non Surgical Procedures

Many dentists believe that periodontal health must be achieved through least invasive and as much as possible, painless procedures. For a patient suffering from a periodontal disease in its early stages, a dentist may recommend non-surgical procedures such as scaling and root planing, often collectively referred to as deep cleaning. Such procedure entails removing of plaque and stains causing the periodontal disease. Some patients may have to take medications for maintenance, while others can recover from periodontal disease without any supplemental treatment.

Periodontal Surgery

If non surgical procedure fails, that’s the only time your dentist in Colorado Springs CO will recommend surgical procedures. Some of the most common surgeries prescribed by periodontists include pocket reduction, regenerative procedures, crown lengthening, and soft tissue grafts. Pocket reduction and regenerative procedures are intended to prevent damage caused by the progression of a periodontal disease, while crown lengthening and soft tissue grafts can eliminate tooth sensitivity and increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth.

Medication

Medication in periodontal dentistry Colorado Springs residents may need is usually prescribed in conjunction to other treatments such deep cleaning and surgery. More often than not, dentists will not recommend medication alone and should not be considered as an alternative to surgery. Depending on the severity of the case, doctors may recommend any of the following: antiseptic chip, antibiotic gel, antimicrobial mouth rinse, enzyme suppressant, and oral antibiotics.
Antiseptic chips contain chlorhexidine, while antibiotic gels contain doxycycline. Both of these are prescribed to control bacteria and reduce the size of gum pockets. Antimicrobial mouth rinse is commonly used like a regular mouth wash as aftercare product for gingivitis. Enzyme suppressants are for controlling certain enzymes that can breakdown gum tissue. If you have persistent periodontal infection, your dentist is most likely to prescribe oral antibiotics.

Other Procedures

Patients who have already lost a tooth or two may consider dental implants. It is considered one of the permanent tooth replacement options for people who have lost their teeth due to accidents or periodontal diseases. Other dentists Colorado Springs is known for may also prescribe tray delivery services, a cosmetic procedure marketed for the treatment of various gum diseases.

Parents and guardians should bring their children to the dentist as soon as the first tooth has erupted. This is to evaluate the dental and oral health of the child. It is also important that children should get used to seeing their dentists regularly, at least twice a year. Regular dental checkups are very essential in checking if the child’s oral health is failing or not. It is best that a child be brought to an expert, like Dr. Bill Thompson, who would evaluate his oral health condition thoroughly.

Sometimes, it is really hard to convince kids to brush their teeth regularly. Some kids are very reluctant. It is the responsibility of adults to teach them patiently. Children do not yet fully understand the consequences of not brushing their teeth. It is also best to bring them to a family dentist in Colorado Springs who can provide them enough information about preventive dental care.

Daily brushing and flossing may not be enough to keep children’s mouths free from harmful bacteria. There are areas in the mouth that cannot be easily reached by a toothbrush where bacteria accumulate. If not removed, they can spread throughout the mouth and destroy gums and teeth. Through dental prophylaxis, children’s teeth are protected and cleaned thoroughly.

Eating a healthy diet is part of preventive dental care. Children’s teeth will be much stronger if they eat the right kind of food. It would be best if a dental specialist like a dentist Colorado Springs young patients trust would educate children about what kinds of food are good for their teeth.

Family dentists nowadays use laser dentistry as part of preventive dental care given to young patients. Laser dentistry is a very safe technique suitable for kids who are suffering from dental phobia. Parents may consider finding a laser dentist expert like a dentist Colorado Springs CO patients go to to take care of their children’s oral health.