Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Dental Sealants in Colorado Springs, CO

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Have you ever wondered if there was a way to seal out tooth decay? At Southern Cross Dental we utilize dental sealants as a barrier to prevent cavities. Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6-14. However, adults can receive sealants too, so don’t forget to ask about them during your next appointment.


Sealants are easy for the dentist to apply. The sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. Dental sealants can be replaced as necessary, but are only effective for the tooth they are applied on.


For more information on dental sealants, give us a call today or visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Benefits of a Tongue Scraper

At Southern Cross Dental, we want you to have the freshest breath on the block. If you’ve ever looked at your tongue in a mirror, you may or may not see a colored film on it. If your tongue is pink, then congratulations! That means you are cleaning your tongue properly. However, if build-up is there, it’s time to invest in a tongue scraper.


According to the American Dental Association (ADA), bad breath affects up to 50% of the adult population. Bad breath can be the result of conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, diabetes, and liver or kidney problems, but more often than not, it’s a direct result of what’s going on in your mouth –or what’s not going on. A tongue scraper (tongue cleaner or tongue brush) is an oral hygiene device designed to clean off bacteria, food debris, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue. Using a tongue scraper is easy: simply place it toward the back of your tongue, and drag it forward toward the tip of your tongue. Then begin to reap the benefits of fresh breath, improved ability to taste and most importantly, improved dental health.


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For more information on maintaining proper oral hygiene give us a call today or visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS, call 719-471-1717.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Are You Flossing Properly?

Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process because it removes plaque from between the teeth and at the gumline. Here at Southern Cross Dental we want you to get the most out of your oral hygiene routine, which is why we want to be sure that when you floss, you are doing it properly.


If you eat a meal and experience pain in your gums shortly after, you probably have some food stuck in your teeth that you need to remove. Dental floss dislodges food particles trapped between the teeth and under the gums where the toothbrushes can’t reach. To receive maximum benefits from flossing, it is best to use the following proper technique.



  •  Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.

  • Holding the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth.

  • Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline.

  • Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.


For more information on maintaining proper oral hygiene give us a call today or visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Are Dental X-rays Safe?

Dental X-rays are a useful diagnostic tool when helping Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS, at Southern Cross Dental detect damage and disease not visible during a regular dental exam. How often X-rays should be taken depends on your present oral health, your age, your risk for disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral disease. Dental X-ray exams are safe; however, they do require very low levels of radiation exposure, which makes the risk of potentially harmful effects very small.


Dental X-ray tools and techniques are designed to limit the body’s exposure to radiation and every precaution is taken to ensure that radiation exposure is As Low As Reasonable Achievable (the ALARA principle). A leaded apron minimizes exposure to the abdomen and may be used when it will not interfere with the acquisition of the dental radiograph.


If you are concerned about radiation exposure due to X-rays, next time you need a dental x-ray don’t be afraid to ask questions. To learn more about dental services offered at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS, call 719-471-1717.