Reasons for Tooth Extractions

 

At Southern Cross Dental, our doctors cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of your oral health. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis, you risk developing gum disease that can eventually lead to tooth decay. When teeth have significant decay, sometimes they cannot be treated by a root canal and will need to be extracted. In some cases, a broken tooth may also need to be extracted. Other reasons for tooth extractions include: 

• Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.

• Sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out in time to allow permanent teeth to come in.

• People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.

• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.

If any of this issues sound all too familiar or if you have a tooth that is causing you pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, 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.

At Southern Cross Dental, our doctors cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of your oral health. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis, you risk developing gum disease that can eventually lead to tooth decay. When teeth have significant decay, sometimes they cannot be treated by a root canal and will need to be extracted. In some cases, a broken tooth may also need to be extracted. Other reasons for tooth extractions include:

·        Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.

·        Sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out in time to allow permanent teeth to come in.

·        People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.

·        Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.

If any of this issues sound all too familiar or if you have a tooth that is causing you pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, 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 Stages of Gum Disease

Many of us have heard of gum disease, but do we really know how it develops? Gingivitis is considered the first stage of gum disease but if left untreated, it can advance into periodontitis. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS want to be sure our patients know how gum disease develops so we can work together to avoid it.

When gums become red, puffy, irritated, and start bleeding, this is often considered gingivitis. As stated before, gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It is caused from plaque and tartar that remain on the teeth. Plaque and tartar are formed from bacteria and when they are not removed, they can irritate the gums. If gingivitis is not treated, it can advance into a worse form of gum disease, called periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a serious condition that can destroy soft tissue and bone tissue. It can also spread infection which leads to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Characteristics of periodontitis include swollen gums, bright red or purple gums, tenderness, receded gums, loose teeth, lost teeth, a bad taste in your mouth, and bad breath. Pus may also form in the spaces between your teeth and gums. Periodontitis is much harder to get rid of. Recovery can include full-mouth scaling and planing procedures and gum grafts.

While gum disease can turn very serious, it is also completely preventable. Taking great oral care at home and seeing your dentist for routine cleanings and examinations will make sure you stay on top of your oral health. To schedule your next appointment with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Colorado Springs, CO, call our office at (719) 471-1717. Appointments may also be made through our Southern Cross Dental website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

Healthy Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is almost here which usually brings copious amounts of candy! This Valentine’s Day, take some tips for choosing healthier treats and doing an extra-great job cleaning your teeth! Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental here in Colorado Springs, CO want their patients to enjoy the holiday but still think of their dental health!

We know that Valentine’s Day is filled with lots of sweets, so it is important to really pay attention to your dental habits. Sugar can lead to tooth decay if not brushed away properly. Make sure to brush two to three times per day, but maybe throw in an extra brushing if you’re eating a lot of sweets! Flossing should be done once per day, especially during this time. Sticky candies can become stuck in between teeth and let the sugar just sit there until it is flossed away! Sticky candies are also known for pulling out dental restorations and pulling off dental brackets, so be careful!

Some healthier options for treats include chocolate dipped strawberries and berries with whipped cream! They are both delicious and not nearly as bad for your teeth as candy. In fact, strawberries even have the capability to help whiten your teeth!

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day and keep up your brushing! To schedule an appointment with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental in our Colorado Springs, CO office, call us at (719) 471-1717. Appointments may also be set up through our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

How Smoking Affects Oral Health

When a person smokes, the smoke first enters the body through the mouth, so it should be no surprise that smoking is terrible for oral health. Drs. Navid Rahimpour and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS here at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO want the best oral health for all of their patients. If you smoke and have been thinking about quitting, now is the perfect time to do so!

When the smoke enters your mouth, it changes the gum tissue and the blood vessels within them. The top layer of gum tissue thickens; a condition called keratosis. The blood vessels become constricted, which means not enough blood supplies the area. The salivary glands also become damaged, which creates dry mouth. These types of conditions affect healing, immune strength, and promote an environment for bacteria growth.

Increased bacteria can lead to gum disease, which if left untreated, can lead to loss of teeth. The risk of infections is also greater since the immune strength is lowered. Smoking also stains breath and darkens teeth.

Probably the worst effect of any is that smoking causes cancer. Cancerous lesions can form on the gums, the lips, the throat, the tongue, and other areas of the mouth.

Our patients’ oral health is our top concern here at Southern Cross Dental. To schedule an examination and cleaning with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS, call our Colorado Springs, CO office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

The Important Difference Between Plaque and Tartar

Anyone who has been to the dentist or read a toothpaste label has heard of plaque and tartar. While they are common dental terms, many do not know the difference between the two. Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental are committed to helping their patients lead a life of oral health. In our Colorado Springs, CO office, we want to help our patients understand the difference between plaque and tartar and why it is important.

Plaque is a thin, sticky substance that coats teeth. It is bacteria created from food, drinks, and our own saliva. It is often white in color or a pale yellow. Brushing and flossing remove plaque, but plaque forms just hours after doing so. That is why it is so important to brush your teeth two to three times per day and floss once per day!

Tartar is what forms when plaque is not brushed away. It commonly forms in hard-to-reach areas but can form anywhere plaque forms if oral hygiene is poor. When the plaque is not removed, it begins to form tiny crystals which eventually harden into calculus. Tartar is not removable by brushing and flossing and it must be removed by your dentist. Tartar left on your teeth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Tartar may also begin to grow into the spaces between gums and teeth when irritated gums begin to recess.

To avoid plaque and tartar from forming and harming your oral health, develop a great at-home oral care routine! Also, make your cleaning and examination appointments with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS! To schedule with Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call us at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

When Your Child Fears the Dentist

There are some kids who love going to the dentist, but for the kids who fear dental appointments, it can be tough to calm them down. At our Colorado Springs, CO dental practice, Southern Cross Dental, Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS want all of our patients to enjoy their dental appointment and feel relaxed. Take some tips for calming down your child when he or she fears dental appointments.

The key to relaxing your child is familiarity. This is most easily done by taking your child to the dentist routinely from an early age. However, if your child is going to the dentist for the first time, you can still prepare them and make them more familiar. Take them with you to your dental appointments first so they can see the office, meet the staff, and see that you have no problem seeing the dentist. You can also help them understand what the dentist will do by setting up a pretend dental appointment at home. Have your child lay back on a couch or reclining chair and open wide. Look inside their mouth and maybe use a toothbrush to scrub each tooth. Pretend to look at each tooth and comment about how healthy they are. This helps them become familiar with the actual process so when it really happens, they will know more of what to expect.

Kids will also feel better when they know that their teeth will be clean and healthy after seeing the dentist. A good checkup will give them something to be proud of. To schedule your child’s dental appointment with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call us at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

Cavity Basics

Many people think only children get cavities, but changes in your mouth as you age can make them an adult problem too. Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. If cavities aren’t treated they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. Not all cavities cause pain, so it is important to schedule regular dental checkups at Southern Cross Dental to maintain a cavity-free smile.

Cavities, also called tooth decay, or caries, are caused by a combination of factors including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and failure to practice proper oral hygiene. The signs and symptoms of cavities vary, depending on their extent and location. However, your indicators may be non-existent at first. As the decay gets larger, it may cause a toothache, tooth sensitivity, mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold, visible holes or pits in your teeth, and/or pain when you chew. Regardless of where they occur, the best way to diagnose and treat them before they become serious is to brush and floss on a daily basis and schedule dental checkups every six months.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity and suspect you may have a cavity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services provided at the 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 our office at 719-471-1717.