Flossing Properly

At Southern Cross Dental, our doctors take pride in providing the best oral care for our patients.  We also encourage you and your family to continue healthy oral care routines at home.  Regular flossing is essential to maintaining oral health and you should floss once a day, either before or after brushing. Remember these tips to floss effectively:

• A strand of dental floss about 18 inches long allows you to wrap the ends of the floss around a finger on each hand. This gives you excellent control over the portion of floss you are using.


• The proper technique to flossing is sliding the floss between the teeth and rubbing the floss back and forth up until you reach your gums.


• Pushing at your gums too hard with floss can damage your gum line and isn’t necessary to floss properly. Gently rub the floss up to one gum, then down and back up towards the other.


• As you move on to the next tooth, adjust the floss to expose an unused portion. Repeat this rubbing motion between each tooth and dispose of the floss once you are finished.

To learn more about dental hygiene and 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.

Teeth Whitening

Patients are always asking the doctors and staff of Southern Cross Dental about how they can get their whitest and brightest smile, and have often tried over the counter products with mixed results.  The best way to see results from whitening is to have custom trays made and follow dentist instructions for application of whitening gel.

When a patient wants to begin the teeth whitening process, we begin with a consultation.  Based on the level of staining, a dentist can project what results can be expected.  Then, impressions are taken of the upper and lower teeth are taken.  These impressions are sent to a lab and used to create trays customized the patient’s teeth and bite.  On a second visit when the custom trays have arrived, a dentist or staff member shows the patient how to fill the trays with whitening gel and then fit them over the teeth.  Whitening treatments can be received in the office and monitored by a dentist, and completed at home following instructions from the dentist.

To learn more about teeth whitening and all 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.

Dental Implant Restoration

Teeth can be missing for a variety of reasons whether it is dental trauma, decay, or tooth extraction. Dental implants are a safe and excellent ways to restore a person’s smile because they look and function like a natural tooth. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth. If you are considering dental implants, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental to have all of your questions answered.

A dental implant is a titanium post that acts as a tooth root and is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line. If a person is considering implants, they must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. Once the implant procedure is complete, it’s critical to practice proper oral hygiene habits to keep them healthy. Dental implants should be treated as if they are your natural teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental implants or restorative dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.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.

Causes of Bleeding Gums

If your gums are bleeding, Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs is here to help. Our doctors are skilled in reversing the effects of gum disease and our hygienists can give your teeth a cleaning that will help prevent infection from coming back. However, it is important to understand that bleeding gums are a serious issue, even if you only see blood while brushing and flossing.

In the vast majority of cases, bleeding gums are caused by infections in the gum pocket, the space between a tooth’s root and the gum. Bacteria here eat food debris and produce acid, which sticks to teeth as plaque. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar. The acid irritates the gum tissue, causing it to swell, become discolored, and bleed.

Regular brushing and flossing are necessary to slow plaque build-up and keep gum inflammation under control, but it is important to only use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Hard bristles can bruise the gums, making the problem worse. Removing plaque is something patients cannot do themselves. People who are pregnant, suffer from dry mouth, or are on blood thinner medication are especially at risk for gingivitis and should seek dental help.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit SouthernCrossFamilyDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.