Adding Mouthwash To Your Dental Routine

Drs. Navid Rahimpour and Faranak Rahimpour recommend adding mouthwash to your daily dental routine. Our team here at Southern Cross Dental, located in Colorado Springs, CO, warn that mouthwash shouldn't replace brushing and flossing, but act as a supplement for improving dental health. It’s great for cleaning areas of your mouth that are otherwise unreachable. With mouthwash, you won’t have to worry about bad breath!

 

Therapeutic and cosmetic mouthwash are the two types of mouthwash. Cosmetic is merely for getting rid of bad breath. Patients invest in therapeutic mouthwash to combat dental problems like gingivitis, plaque, and cavities. Each brand of mouthwash has not only a unique flavor but specific benefits.

 

Follow these general instructions for using mouthwash:

 

-Pour the recommended amount into your mouth.

-Swish it around your mouth while your mouth is closed. Try to be thorough and swish aggressively. Do this for the recommended amount of time, usually around 30 seconds.

-Spit out the mouthwash when you’re done. Never swallow it! Most mouthwash contains ingredients like fluoride, which can be dangerous when ingested.

-Avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes afterward.

 

Your Colorado Springs dentist has a few tips and tricks for patients looking to invest in mouthwash. Pay close attention to the benefits each mouthwash provides. If you’re interested in minimizing your cavities, buy a kind that focuses on cavity prevention. For patients who are sensitive to certain dental products, invest in sensitive or natural brands. Be cautious of mouthwashes that contain alcohol in them. Pay attention to who you’re buying for.

 

Schedule your six-month checkup today to continue upholding good dental practices. Southern Cross Dental is located in Colorado Springs, CO. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Navid Rahimpour and Faranak Rahimpour, visit our website or call 719-471-1717.

Have You Had A Cleaning This Year?

Southern Cross Dental encourages all our patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  During the holidays, we want everyone looking forward to the New Year and maintaining great oral hygiene!  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional. 

It’s important to see a professional regularly not just to clean your teeth, but also to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist. Come see us for a cleaning to make a great impression during the holidays, and start the year off with your best smile!

To learn more about dental health and all the services provided at the 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.

Drinking Water for Oral Health

Drinking water is important for your health at all ages.  Southern Cross Dental has seen adult patients that are guilty of not drinking enough water, so we know it can be tough to monitor if kids are getting enough too.  We want to encourage you and the kids in your family to stay hydrated and healthy!

We all know kids love drinking juice and soda, but we forget that these beverages leave unwanted sugar behind on the teeth.  The type of bacteria that causes cavities feeds on sugar, and produces acid that wears away enamel. Enamel is not replaceable, so it’s important to take care of it even from a young age.  When kids drink juice or soda, it is helpful just to drink some water afterwards to dilute acids and wash away food particles and residue. You and your children should be drinking at least eight 8oz glasses of water each day.  Drinking tap water with fluoride is important to help prevent cavities.  If you’re worried that your children may not be drinking enough water, come see us to discuss tips that might help them drink more!

To learn more about dental health and all the services provided at the 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.

Importance of Tartar Control

If you practice poor oral hygiene, you are likely to develop plaque buildup, a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth along the gum line. Plaque contains bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease and when left untreated, can lead to tartar buildup that only our doctors at Southern Cross Dental will be able to remove.

Because tartar is spongy, it absorbs stains easily. The most common sign of this mineral is a yellow or brown deposit between the lower front teeth or at the gum line. Therefore, if you are a coffee or tea drinker, or a smoker, it is especially important that you prevent tartar buildup. Proper brushing, especially with an American Dental Association (ADA) approved toothpaste, and flossing is necessary to reduce both plaque and tartar buildup. The process for removing tartar is called scaling. During a scaling, a hygienist will use special instruments to remove it.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, 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.

Dry Mouth Causes and Treatment

Dry Mouth Causes and Treatment

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition that develops when the body isn’t producing enough saliva. This is a common condition, which can cause discomfort to one in four adults. The number one cause of dry mouth is that it occurs as a side effect from medication use. Fortunately, our doctors at Southern Cross Dental can treat the problem.

Saliva is an essential part of a healthy mouth. Saliva not only aids in the digestion of the food and beverages we consume, it protects the oral tissues in the mouth that are prone to infection and decay. Dry mouth commonly occurs as a side effect of blood pressure medications, antihistamines, antidepressants, and many others. Other causes of dry mouth may include dehydration, diabetes, smoking, and/or autoimmune disorders. To treat dry mouth, you will first need a proper diagnosis. After this has been determined, our doctors may suggest an over-the-counter prescription that helps stimulate saliva flow and/or artificial saliva to help keep your mouth wet.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dry mouth, 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.

Healthy Foods for Teeth and Gums

Did you know that there are certain foods that are good for your oral health? Just like you have probably heard that carrots are good for eyesight, there are foods that are good for teeth and gums. At Southern Cross Family Dentistry in Colorado Springs, CO, we want our patients to know how to take good care of their teeth at home. Keep reading to learn about the different foods that can benefit your oral health!

Foods rich in calcium like milk, cheese, and yogurt are great for strong teeth. In addition, yogurt contains good bacteria that fight off odor-causing bacteria while milk lowers acid levels in your mouth.

Crunchy, fibrous foods like carrots, apples, and cucumbers actually help clean your teeth as you eat them. They remove plaque as you bite into them and chew them. If you are ever at a party and are in a pinch for a toothbrush, go for the cucumber tray!

For good gum health, snack on citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. They strengthen the blood vessels and connective tissues that hold your teeth to your jaw. They can also help reduce any inflammation.

When looking to boost your oral health, just take a stroll through the grocery store! To schedule you routine cleaning and examination with Southern Cross Family Dentistry, call our Colorado Springs, CO office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com.