Importance of Healthy Gums

By taking care of your oral health, you are doing your oral cavity the ultimate favor. Having a healthy mouth means that teeth are clean and free of debris, your gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss, and bad breath is not a constant problem. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental are here to help you maintain healthy gums with routine cleanings.

When you have healthy gums, your teeth are well supported by the tissue in your gums and your chances for long-term oral health are significantly increased. Because periodontal disease is linked to an increased susceptibility to systemic disease (bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease), it is important to prevent it as well as control it. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is important and helps remove the thin film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth each day and contributes to tooth decay. If you need assistance maintaining a daily oral hygiene routine, give our office a call today.

If you have further questions regarding dental health or oral care, 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.

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.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, wisdom teeth extractions are a fairly common procedure. Your last set of molars to come in, wisdom teeth usually emerge when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Since wisdom teeth can often become impacted, which means they come in at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is many times necessary to remove them before they cause pain or begin to push on your other teeth.

 

If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. If this flap of skin forms, the tooth will be hard to clean and can be infected. This infection is called pericoronitis.

 

When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Navid or Faranka Rahimpour will extract the tooth. It is often necessary to remove all four at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic or a general anesthetic, based on the preference of the doctors and patient and how far the wisdom teeth have emerged. After the anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured for healing.

 

After the surgery, rest is required, and you will need to change the gauze applied to the incision. To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with us by calling (719)471-1717. For more information on our practice, visit www.southercrossfamilydentistry.com. 

Bad Breath

The topic of bad breath can be tough to confront, whether it’s yours or someone else’s. And, whether or not you know you have it, it’s always a good idea to take steps against bad breath—as they are often one in the same with good dental hygiene.

 

Most bad breath can be traced to a source in the oral cavity, whether it’s trapped food particles or potent beverage residue, bacterial and plaque buildup, unclean dental prosthetics, gum disease, or even cavities. Many of our patients here at Southern Cross Dental regularly ask us what they can do to prevent bad breath.  Besides completing all necessary dental work and consistently undergoing regular exams, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce bad breath on your own.

• Drink plenty of water: Drinking water helps flush away food and beverage residue. It also keeps your teeth and gums hydrated, which inhibits bacteria growth.
• Reduce intake of coffee and alcohol: Both substances can contribute to suborn breath and dehydration.
• Abstain from all tobacco products: Cigarettes, pipes and chewing tobacco all contribute to fouls breath and other periodontal issues that feed into the problem.
• Brush, floss and use alcohol-free mouthwash every day: Good oral hygiene controls bacteria and prevents a number of dental problems. Your at-home hygiene efforts are extremely important in keeping your smile beautiful and fresh.  

Periodontal Health

Caring for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health, but your gums also play an important role in your health, and proper care is crucial. Gum disease can be a serious detriment to your oral health and overall wellness, and at our office, Dr. Navid Rahimpour and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour provides the type of regular periodontal care and checkups you need to maintain peak health and prevent gum disease.

 

With periodontal disease responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontis. Periodontis can destroy your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Periodontis can even result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone, and heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

 

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, so come to Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO to receive periodontal cleanings and treatment. It is easier to prevent gum disease or treat it early on than to reverse the effects of periodontis. Call (719)471-1717 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visitwww.southercrossfamilydentistry.com.