White Fillings for a Natural-Looking Restoration

When having a cavity filled, it is nice to know your mouth will be back in good shape; however, how does your filling look? Does it stick out against your natural-colored tooth? At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, we offer our patients white fillings.

Cavity fillings of the past were created from silver amalgam and they did not look very aesthetically pleasing. While they did their job of filling a cavity, they left dark spots on the teeth. These days we can use a composite resin that is colored to match the shade of your tooth. They do a great job at restoring your tooth while helping your smile look its best at the same time.

To apply a filling, the decayed tooth tissue is removed and any leftover debris is cleared away. The composite resin is applied to the space and hardened. When the filling has hardened, the area is polished to blend in even more with your tooth. Your tooth is now protected from further damage or infection. Plus, your filling looks just like the rest of your tooth.

If you need dental work and want to keep your bright smile, white fillings can do the trick. To schedule an appointment with Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call us at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com.

Denture Pain Problems

Denture pain typically stems from poor fitting or poorly adjusted dentures. It may also be a result of new dentures, worn over soft tissues that have not developed thick, toughened layers of protective keratin. If you are experiencing gum and mouth irritation, problems eating and speaking, mouth infections and/or dentures that move around in your mouth, give our doctors at Southern Cross Dental a call to discuss your treatment options.

If you wear dentures, it is very important you keep your mouth clean and healthy. In addition, you should never experience pain when wearing your dentures. If you do experience pain from your dentures and this discomfort is not treated by speaking slowly, eating soft foods or using an adhesive, your dentures may need to be replaced. At Southern Cross Dental, we have plenty of tooth-replacement options for you to choose from if dentures aren’t working out.

If you have dentures that are causing you pain, please give us a call. 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.

Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth

Imagine, after weeks of hearing your baby fuss and moan you finally spot that first little tooth bud popping up through the gums. Baby teeth may be small, but they act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child will have trouble chewing and speaking clearly. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental want to ensure a healthy smile down the road, and since your baby can’t hold a toothbrush, they rely on you to maintain their oral health care.

Starting from the day you bring your newborn home until your baby’s first tooth appears, usually around six months, rub a damp, clean washcloth over his or her gums (front and back) at least once per day.  This allows your child to get used to an oral cleaning routine while removing lingering plaque and food. You should brush your baby’s teeth until he or she is old enough to hold a toothbrush. Meanwhile, keep on the lookout for any signs of baby tooth decay.

If you have questions about your child’s oral care, please give us a call. 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.

The Extraction of Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth can cause quite the stir. Often, they grow in painful and do not fit right. Other times, they fit okay, but it is still a good idea to take them out. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, we are able to examine wisdom teeth, create a plan for them, and extract them as needed.

Since most of everyone has their wisdom teeth pulled out, you may be wondering why we even have wisdom teeth in the first place. Well, there is a theory that we needed them about 20,000 years ago. Back then, humans had a much rougher diet of things like of uncooked meat, nuts, and roots. It is thought that the extra teeth helped chew through these foods better. However, since, then, the human facial structure and jaw has shrunken. We also have a lot more food options and do not eat such tough chews all the time. This has rendered our wisdom teeth ill-fitting and unnecessary. 

In order to remove wisdom teeth, first, your doctor will make an incision in the gums to access the bone tissue holding in the tooth. The bone is removed and the tooth is rocked back and forth until it is pulled free. Occasionally, the tooth will need to be broken up into several pieces before it is removed. The area is then cleaned and stitched up to heal. You will need to follow instructions to allow a healthy and speedy recovery.

Wisdom teeth can cause a lot of pain. It is important to have them monitored if you think they are growing in. To schedule an appointment at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call our office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

Fight Off Bad Breath

Bad breath can be embarrassing and well, gross. Fortunately, here at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, we are able to give our patients tips on keeping bad breath away. Keep reading to learn how it happens and what you can do about it!

Fresh breath comes down to a few different things; cleanliness, hydration, and food. First, we will talk about cleanliness. Bacteria are often the culprit of bad breath. Good oral hygiene including brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist will keep your mouth in good shape.

Hydration is important because bacteria thrive in dry mouth conditions. Get in your recommended amount of water every day. Make it a priority. Not only will you have fresher breath, your mouth and whole body will be healthier!

Certain foods can also contribute to bad breath. Dairy especially contains certain types of bacteria that contribute to bad smells. Then there are stinky foods like onions and garlic. Chew mint leaves or lemon rinds after consuming “stinky food” as this will both freshen and hydrate your mouth. In addition, reach for bacteria-fighting foods. Examples of these are yogurt, which has live and active good bacteria cultures that fight bad bacteria and green tea which hydrates and eliminates bad odors.

Bad breath can ruin a moment but not when you have these tips to keep it away! To schedule your next appointment with Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call our office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

Tooth Care for Babies

When teeth first come in, your child may start to fuss. This is because he or she has sore or tender gums and the eruption of those little tooth buds are causing them pain. Parents often, when should I start cleaning my child’s teeth? The answer is that daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant’s first tooth appears. To help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, our doctors at Southern Cross Dental highly recommend regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings.

While most babies don’t start getting teeth until they are six months old, infant dental care is important from the very beginning. In addition to cleaning your baby’s gums with a damp cloth, you can also gently rub their gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon, or a wet gauze pad. You can also give the baby a clean teething ring to chew on. It’s important to care for your baby’s teeth from the start because his or her gums act as placement holders for permanent teeth.

If you have a question about your child’s tooth care, please give us a call. 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.

Teeth Whitening Perks

How many of us get a confidence boost when a stranger gives us a compliment? Have you ever paid attention to how much of a positive effect this has on your self-esteem? The same positive feeling can result from teeth whitening. Teeth-whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth or even make them whiter than your natural color if you would like. Here Southern Cross Dental, our doctors can help you do just that.

With all of the lifestyle habits and environmental factors that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leave them a little dull. Fortunately, through our whitening system, your pearly whites can revive their shine. In addition, teeth-whitening can also take years off of your appearance. This is because as we age, over time, our teeth darken and can become yellow, brown, or even develop a green or gray tint (which may be due to heredity and/or eating habits). Your smile speaks volumes about who you are and leaves an everlasting impression, so it’s only natural that you want it to be as radiant as possible.

If you would like to discuss your teeth whitening options, please give us a call.  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.