Pregnancy and Oral Health

During pregnancy, nearly everything in your body goes through changes and that includes your teeth and gums. Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO want our pregnant patients to know how to keep good oral health during these changes.

Pregnancy causes a big increase in hormones that can affect your teeth and gums. The extra hormones present can cause your gums to be more sensitive to plaque. Your gums can even become puffy, red, and irritated. This condition is known as “pregnancy gingivitis”. Pregnancy gingivitis should clear up after the baby is born, but left alone, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. This may be able to be avoided with more frequent home oral care and professional dental cleanings. It’s important to schedule an appointment with us if you think you are developing gum disease.

Cavities are also at an increased risk due to change in behavior during pregnancy. Being pregnant means you will be eating more carbohydrates than normal, which means the teeth are being introduced to a lot more sugar. Also, the increased frequency of acid in the mouth from morning sickness can wear away enamel, making teeth prone to cavities.

If you are pregnant or plan to be pregnant, ask us about what can be done to be proactive about your oral health. It is important for both you and your baby. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental, call our Colorado Springs, CO office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

Consequences of Missing Teeth

Although tooth loss is typically associated with the elderly, missing teeth can occur in adults for a variety of reasons. Whether you’ve lost a tooth to decay, or injury, tooth loss can rob you of much more than the ability to chew and properly digest food. It can have serious social, psychological and emotional consequences as well. At Southern Cross Dental, we don’t want you to experience the consequences of a toothless grin. This is why we offer a wide variety of restorative and cosmetic options to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

The most obvious effect of missing teeth is aesthetic. When a tooth is lost, the facial muscles begin to sag, making you appear older than you are. Additionally, missing teeth will make it more difficult to chew and may even affect the way you speak. The more teeth a person is missing, the more challenging the task to replace them can become. It can also be costly. It is important to have regular dental visits with us to prolong the life of your teeth.  

If you have missing teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Details on Dental Emergencies

Any trauma to the mouth that may cause bleeding and lacerations to the gums, dislodge, or fracture teeth, and may require medical attention is defined as a dental emergency. If left untreated, trauma to the teeth and gums can lead to serious complications. At Southern Cross Dental, if an accident occurs, it is important to visit us a call right away. In the meantime, here are some tips for handling common dental emergencies before you visit our office.

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you experience a dental emergency, please give us a call immediately. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Oral Health for Seniors

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems, such as darkened teeth, dry mouth, and a diminished sense of taste, root decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and many more. This is why it’s important to visit our staff at Southern Cross Dental for professional cleanings and dental exams at least twice a year. The goal is to keep your natural teeth for a lifetime, but even if you brush and floss regularly, you may face certain issues in your senior years when it comes to your oral health.

Wearing dentures, taking medications and general health conditions are some of the issues many seniors face. Teeth can also become more sensitive with age because our gums naturally recede over time, exposing areas of the tooth that are not protected by enamel. Unfortunately, as we age, arthritis can play another role in our oral health. For people who have this condition and have trouble using a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush may be easier to use and increase effectiveness. After all, the best way to have a healthy mouth is to prevent oral diseases in the first place.

To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.