Diet and Tooth Erosion

No matter what you eat, you need to protect your teeth from decay and erosion. However, some diets present more of a threat to oral health than others. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, we provide high-quality, affordable restorative care to people suffering from mechanical and infection-induced damage to their enamel. But since we also value preventive care, we wanted to spotlight some common areas where people can improve.

 

Tooth decay occurs when certain species of oral bacteria eat the sugar in food debris. The bacteria secrete acid as a metabolization waste product, and the acid gets trapped in the film of biological material covering each tooth. Although bacteria can metabolize simple sugars more rapidly, given enough time, they can consume starches, as well. Some sugary substances, such as soda and citric juice, are also highly acidic and can directly erode the structure of enamel. Citric juice is commonly used as a flavoring in sour candy and energy gel, which can easily get stuck between teeth.

 

Problems with tooth decay and acidic content can be mitigated by brushing and flossing regularly, and by drinking plenty of water. Keeping the mouth wet will allow it to produce saliva, which washes away sugary residue and chemically counteracts acid. Chewing sugar-free gum is another way to stimulate saliva production and remove some food debris. But patients also need to avoid acid reflux disease, which introduces acid into the mouth from the stomach. This may require them to reduce their intake of red meat, onions and garlic, chocolate, tomatoes, and alcohol, especially right before lying down at night.

 

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Dental.

Tips for Cleaning Dentures

Plaque build-up is a  problem everybody has to deal with.  The mouth is an ecosystem that is home to all sorts of bacteria, including a few that will cause decay if left unstopped. When a person gets dentures, they’ll have to make some changes in how they practice their oral hygiene, or else their artificial teeth could also become decayed. As long-time providers of dental care to people of all ages, we at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs wanted to provide some advice on denture maintenance.

 

Dentures need to be brushed twice a day; in the morning and at night. Although they allow people to chew normally, they aren’t as hard as natural teeth, and can be scratched by the fluoride in regular toothpaste. Instead, patients should brush them with American Dental Association-approved specialized toothpaste and maintain separate soft-bristled toothbrushes for their dentures and natural teeth. They should also brush the whole denture, including the pink part that mimics gum tissue, and floss between the false teeth.

 

There are several safe cleaning solutions dentures can be soaked in overnight, although many people get good results just using soap and water. But it is important for dentures to always be kept wet, and for them to be kept at room temperature. Being put in boiling water or being left in a case under harsh sunlight could cause their shape to distort. Patients should also brush their gums and around implant abutments prior to putting their dentures in each morning, and remember to scrape their tongues as they normally do.

 

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Dental.

National Diabetes Awareness Month

If you have diabetes, you are at elevated risk for gum disease. But this fact doesn’t mean that you can’t have good oral hygiene and retain healthy teeth throughout your life. This National Diabetes Awareness Month, we at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs want to share some information about the particular challenges people with diabetes face and what can be done about them.

People with uncontrolled diabetes have a harder time than other people fighting off infections. They have more extreme responses to bacteria, including oral bacteria, so their gums tend to become inflamed more easily and for longer. If the bacteria that trigger gingivitis are allowed to remain, gum disease may progress to periodontitis. When this happens, the teeth come loose and parts of the jawbone deteriorate. People with diabetes also commonly suffer from dry mouth as a side effect of their medication, which means they can’t rely on saliva to neutralize the acid produced by oral bacteria.

Redness, pain, bleeding, and swelling are all symptoms of gum disease. A patient should take these as warning signs that they need to brush and floss more thoroughly. They may also want to consider coming to our office for professional below-the-gum cleaning. People suffering from dry mouth can stimulate more saliva production by sucking sugar-free candy and drinking more water. Chewing sugar-free gum can also dislodge some food debris following a snack, but it is not a substitute for brushing.

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 Southern Cross Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Guarding against Incipient Lesions

Do you sometimes see strange white patches on your teeth? Those are signs that enamel is being demineralized, and if something isn’t done, the white spots could turn into caries. We do a lot of patient education at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, and preventing tooth decay is one of our top priorities. This week’s blog post is devoted to the science behind white spot lesions and what you can do about them.

Enamel is mostly comprised of non-living minerals. As those minerals are removed, the enamel takes on a glazed, white appearance. This could be caused by acid reflux, and dentists will look for signs of it during a patient’s regular check-up. But more often, the acid is coming from bacteria. As oral bacteria metabolize food debris, they excrete acid, which gets stuck in plaque. Bacteria are likely to build up in places that are hard to brush, such as near the gum line, on the backs of the bottom incisors, and near orthodontic brackets.

White spots can turn into cavities in as little time as a month. They are likelier to occur when the body’s natural defenses are compromised, such as when a patient suffers from dry mouth or diabetes. The good news is that they can usually be treated with better brushing and flossing. Orthodontic patients will need to take care that they are using Christmas tree toothbrushes to remove food debris quickly after eating. If a white spot scars, we may be able to cover it with bonding.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

What is Peri-Implantitis?

No matter what your dental history, you’ll get high-quality care at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs. Implants are a great way of replacing permanent teeth and restoring the stability of a patient’s facial structure. But they need to be kept clean, or else infection might necessitate their removal. We’ll work together with our patients to prevent peri-implantitis, which is inflammation surrounding an implant post.

Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is characterized by redness, soreness, and bleeding. When it happens in the vicinity of an implant, it may be in response to a foreign object, such as leaking dental cement. The patient may also be one of the few people allergic to titanium. But in most cases, peri-implantitis is a hygienic issue. An implant post will be eroded by oral bacteria’s acidic secretions, just like a natural tooth root. Implants are also dependent on being well-integrated into the surrounding jaw bone matrix, and loss of bone tissue or weakening of the post could cause the implant to come loose. In that case, we’d have to remove it.

Patients with implants must be careful to brush and floss thoroughly twice a day. When people maintain their oral hygiene, peri-implantitis is very rare, but when it’s present, it needs to be addressed professionally. We can provide patients with deep cleanings, but they need to schedule an appointment with us if they are concerned about their oral health.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Denture Stomatitis

When properly fitted and cared for, dentures are comfortable, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. Most of our patients at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs who wear dentures report high satisfaction with their appearance and are in good oral health. But to maintain their oral hygiene, patients need to be on the lookout for denture stomatitis. This type of yeast infection is common, but preventable.

Candida species of fungus are a normal part of the mouth’s biome. Usually, they are kept under control by saliva, which contains enzymes that fight them and helps to remove food debris that could fuel their growth. However, when a person wears a denture, parts of their mouth, such as the roof, may not be exposed to as much saliva. This would give yeast an opportunity to grow.

People with oral yeast infections may not feel any pain, but they can still develop red bumps in the area of infection. Since these sorts of infections most often happen in people with dentures, patients who wear them will have to learn to examine themselves regularly. Fortunately, yeast infections can usually be prevented if the denture is brushed twice a day and kept in a clean container and the patient brushes their mouth before putting the denture in.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Gingivitis during Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, you’re facing a particularly sensitive time in your oral health. Gingivitis, the inflammation of gum tissue, is especially common early and late in pregnancy, as well as during menarche and menopause. We at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs want our patients to maintain good oral health, but also to understand what is normal and expected.

The gums can become inflamed in response to physical irritants, as well as the acid secreted by oral bacteria stuck to tartar. Gingivitis is the milder form of gum disease, with periodontitis being the more severe stage. Early symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding and puffiness, are so common that many people fail to recognize them as problems. During pregnancy, the body is flooded with a hormone called progesterone, which increases blood flow to the gums and makes them much more reactive to irritants.

Although some gingival bleeding may be unavoidable during pregnancy, patients should still practice regular brushing and flossing to keep oral bacteria under control. It is important not to damage the gums by overbrushing them, but this could be a good time to seek a deep cleaning at our dental office. We can also demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques and review a patient’s oral hygiene habits, such as using non-alcoholic mouthwash and sugar-free gum.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Sealants

Wherever our mouths have crevices, bacteria are able to hide and feed. This is true of our tongues, our gum pockets, and of the indentations between the cusps on our molars and premolars. We take prevention very seriously at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs. Sealants are one of the most common treatments we use to protect patients from the harm of tooth decay and make it easier for them to care for their oral health.

A sealant is a plastic coating that is applied to the grinding surfaces on the back teeth. Besides creating a barrier between acid and enamel, it also smoothens out the tooth just enough to make it easier to brush. The cusps will still be prominent enough to grind food, but less food will get stuck between them.

Patients don’t need to do anything to prepare for sealant placement. After cleaning the teeth, we’ll apply an etching acid to them to increase their surface area and then paint the plastic coating on. The sealant will be hardened with a light, and the patient should be able to eat normally within a few hours. Sealants are commonly recommended for children when their permanent molars come in, but adults can benefit from them, too. A sealant can last for as long as ten years, after which a new one may be applied.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Tooth Sensitivity to Cold

Imagine biting into a fudge-covered ice cream treat only to have a sudden pain shoot through your incisors. Does this sound familiar to you? Is it something you avoid cold food and drinks because of? If so, there’s help. We at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs want all our patients to use their teeth with confidence. If a person is extremely sensitive to cold, they may be suffering from enamel erosion.

It is necessary when discussing tooth sensitivity to know a bit about dental anatomy. Dental pulp contains a nerve, and it is surrounded by a porous material called dentin. Heat is easily conducted through dentin, which depends on enamel to insulate the dental crown. Below the gum line, the outermost layer of the tooth is much thinner and comprised of a sticky substance called cementum. When the enamel is eroded or gum tissue has receded from around cementum, heat may easily leave the pulp anytime the tooth comes into contact with something cold.

Thin enamel can be identified by yellow-brown colored dentin showing through it. Erosion is usually caused by exposure to acid. Oral bacteria secrete acid as a by-product of their metabolism, and people who smoke or eat a large amount of acidic food or red meat are vulnerable to developing acid reflux. Regular brushing is essential to preventing the spread of oral bacteria. Enamel may be remineralized through fluoride therapy or fluoride-enriched toothpaste. We can also provide patients with sealants, protecting the teeth that are most affected by acid reflux and tooth decay.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

How Gum Disease Leads to Alzheimer's

Dentistry is of vital importance to a person’s health. We work hard at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs to be accessible to all patients because we know how closely tied oral health is to several chronic conditions. Recently, scientists have published studies establishing that oral bacteria are directly linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and we want our patients to know how.

Gingipains are destructive enzymes that the bacteria species Porphyromonas gingivalis secretes to protect itself from white blood cells. They are unusually common in the brains and spinal fluid of people who had symptoms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by the development of plaque on neurons. Recent research found that gingipains trigger the production of components of those plaques.

Within the past few months, researchers published proof that P. gingivalis moves from the mouth to the brains in living people. Although scientists say this is probably not the only contributing factor to Alzheimer’s, they have called it a breakthrough discovery. Dementia and gum disease often exist in a feedback loop, with people having more difficulty maintaining their oral hygiene as their memory deteriorates. But if people keep a habit of twice-daily brushing and flossing, as well as regularly getting deep cleanings at the dentist, they may be able to prevent Alzheimer’s from developing.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Fixed Bridges

People who need new caps for their teeth are in good hands at Southern Cross Dental. We provide fixed bridges as well as individual crowns. Since bridges are one of many restorative options out there, we wanted to explain why they’re sometimes the best option.

Bridges are multiple crowns linked together. Although some are supported by implants, they are often attached to existing teeth. The natural teeth are reshaped (after the patient has been numbed and sedated) into cylinders, and the outer crowns of the bridge are cemented over them. Dentists usually avoid reshaping crowns unless necessary, but it is commonly done with crowns that are badly eroded or ground down.

While implants replace natural tooth roots, bridges allow them to remain in place. This allows the jaw bone to maintain some stability, eliminates the risk of the patient having an allergic reaction to the metal, and provides the bridge with a healthier, more resilient base. Because a bridge is irremovable, it is brushed like natural teeth, but it cannot be flossed. When properly maintained, bridges can last for over ten years.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes

When people want to brush their teeth better, we at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs are happy to teach them how. There is a wide variety of dental products out there, but which ones are effective often depend on the user’s knowledge of them. This is best exemplified by the choice between electric and manual toothbrushes.

Electric toothbrushes have the advantage of taking less time and requiring less hand movement. Compared to manual toothbrushes that are used properly, they are not known to be more effective at preventing tooth decay. But to use a manual toothbrush properly, a person must thoroughly scrub every tooth surface for at least two minutes.

The expense of an electric toothbrush may not just be due to its motor. Many are now equipped with Bluetooth technology and can be linked to apps on a phone. These apps include records of a patient’s brushing habits that will inform them if they consistently miss a spot, warnings if a patient is brushing too hard, and children’s games that reward them for completing their daily hygiene routine. While a manual toothbrush is sufficient for most people’s needs, an electric toothbrush could be a great help to people with limited motor control or who have had a very difficult time making good brushing into a habit.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

White Spot Lesions

Usually, people are happy to have white teeth, but they’re a lot less pleased by glazed or chalky-looking white spots. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, we can assist patients with this issue and hope they will come to see us because a white spot is the first sign of a developing lesion.

Glazed white spots on teeth are caused by acid damaging the enamel. This can be observed on the upper back molars of people who frequently suffer from acid reflux. Elsewhere in the mouth, they are likely to be caused by bacterial infection. As bacteria feeds, it secretes acid which gets stuck to the teeth. As the decay progresses, the white spot will eventually become a caries or cavity. This is most likely to occur near the gum line, on the sides of the teeth, or anywhere else that is difficult to brush, such as near an orthodontic bracket.

It can take as few as thirty days for a white spot to form. Their appearance is an immediate sign that a patient needs to improve their brushing or be left with scared teeth. We can assess whether a white spot still has an active infection. If not, we may be able to provide mineralization therapy or cover the spot with bonding or a veneer.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

National Children's Dental Health Month

We treat patients of all ages at Southern Cross Dental and are proud members of the American Dental Association (ADA). Each year, the ADA designates February as National Children’s Dental Health Month. This year’s theme is the proper use of fluoridated toothpaste, so we wanted to help educate our patients about it.

Fluoridated toothpaste provides additional protection against tooth decay. It works according to the same principle as water fluoridation and the fluoride topical treatments we provide pediatric patients. It is essential for children to brush their teeth properly, or else the pain from tooth decay can disrupt their sleep and eating habits and cause speech development delays. When children do brush their teeth, they are learning to take responsibility for their own health, which will bring a lifetime of benefits.

Brushing should be done with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Each session should last for two minutes, during which the brusher covers each tooth surface, as well as their tongue. The toothpaste should be spat out afterward since excessive fluoride intake can discolor the teeth. Fluoride toothpaste should also not be used on mouth guards or other oral appliances.

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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

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.

 

Children with Bad Breath

Southern Cross Dental offers comprehensive care for patients of all ages, providing children suffering from bad breath with a place where they can go for help. Our dedicated hygienists work to educate young patients on oral hygiene, which is generally all that is necessary to reverse halitosis, but children do have some specific needs.

Bad smells most often come from bacteria hiding in creviced soft tissue where food debris accumulates. This is why people are instructed to brush their tongues as well as their teeth, but the tonsils are another breeding zone for bacteria which are much harder to reach. Bacteria in the back of the throat also feed on nasal drip, which results from sinus infections, which children get more frequently than adults. An object caught in a child’s nose will also cause nasal drip.

Dry mouth also contributes to halitosis. ADHD and anxiety medications commonly cause bad breath as a side effect, and active children sometimes simply do not remember to stay hydrated. Some solutions to this are sugar-free gum and throat moisturizers. It is also possible that a child’s bad breath is being caused by diabetes or a previously unknown allergy, which is why parents should treat it as a serious concern.

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.

 

Proper Brushing and Flossing for Healthy Gums

For healthy gums, proper brushing and flossing is a requirement. Drs. Navid Rahimpour, DDS and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO want their patients to understand the importance of a good oral hygiene routine and the proper ways to go about it.

When plaque builds up, it can harden and begin to irritate the gums. If an infection arises, this can be very painful and eventually lead to the loss of a tooth.

To brush your teeth, the right sized toothbrush is the first place to start. The head should be small enough to reach every area in your mouth, including the far back teeth. Soft bristled brushes have been known to be the best for plaque removal.

Brushing should be done for two minutes, at least two times per day, three times being ideal. Strokes should be kept short and up and down or circular motions are the best way to clean the entire tooth. Make sure to brush the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.

To floss, make sure to hit each in between section of teeth, remembering your molars. Use a fresh section of the floss for each section of your teeth. When you hit your gum line, make a scooping motion and continue scrubbing all the way back up.

Remember that visiting your dentist for regular cleanings is another important part of keeping healthy gums. To schedule a cleaning with Drs. Navid Rahimpour, DDS and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental, call us at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com.