Pregnancy and Oral Health

During pregnancy, nearly everything in your body goes through changes and that includes your teeth and gums. Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO want our pregnant patients to know how to keep good oral health during these changes.

Pregnancy causes a big increase in hormones that can affect your teeth and gums. The extra hormones present can cause your gums to be more sensitive to plaque. Your gums can even become puffy, red, and irritated. This condition is known as “pregnancy gingivitis”. Pregnancy gingivitis should clear up after the baby is born, but left alone, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. This may be able to be avoided with more frequent home oral care and professional dental cleanings. It’s important to schedule an appointment with us if you think you are developing gum disease.

Cavities are also at an increased risk due to change in behavior during pregnancy. Being pregnant means you will be eating more carbohydrates than normal, which means the teeth are being introduced to a lot more sugar. Also, the increased frequency of acid in the mouth from morning sickness can wear away enamel, making teeth prone to cavities.

If you are pregnant or plan to be pregnant, ask us about what can be done to be proactive about your oral health. It is important for both you and your baby. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental, call our Colorado Springs, CO office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

Consequences of Missing Teeth

Although tooth loss is typically associated with the elderly, missing teeth can occur in adults for a variety of reasons. Whether you’ve lost a tooth to decay, or injury, tooth loss can rob you of much more than the ability to chew and properly digest food. It can have serious social, psychological and emotional consequences as well. At Southern Cross Dental, we don’t want you to experience the consequences of a toothless grin. This is why we offer a wide variety of restorative and cosmetic options to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

The most obvious effect of missing teeth is aesthetic. When a tooth is lost, the facial muscles begin to sag, making you appear older than you are. Additionally, missing teeth will make it more difficult to chew and may even affect the way you speak. The more teeth a person is missing, the more challenging the task to replace them can become. It can also be costly. It is important to have regular dental visits with us to prolong the life of your teeth.  

If you have missing teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

Details on Dental Emergencies

Any trauma to the mouth that may cause bleeding and lacerations to the gums, dislodge, or fracture teeth, and may require medical attention is defined as a dental emergency. If left untreated, trauma to the teeth and gums can lead to serious complications. At Southern Cross Dental, if an accident occurs, it is important to visit us a call right away. In the meantime, here are some tips for handling common dental emergencies before you visit our office.

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you experience a dental emergency, please give us a call immediately. 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.

Oral Health for Seniors

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems, such as darkened teeth, dry mouth, and a diminished sense of taste, root decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and many more. This is why it’s important to visit our staff at Southern Cross Dental for professional cleanings and dental exams at least twice a year. The goal is to keep your natural teeth for a lifetime, but even if you brush and floss regularly, you may face certain issues in your senior years when it comes to your oral health.

Wearing dentures, taking medications and general health conditions are some of the issues many seniors face. Teeth can also become more sensitive with age because our gums naturally recede over time, exposing areas of the tooth that are not protected by enamel. Unfortunately, as we age, arthritis can play another role in our oral health. For people who have this condition and have trouble using a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush may be easier to use and increase effectiveness. After all, the best way to have a healthy mouth is to prevent oral diseases in the first place.

To learn more 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.

What Happens When You Skip Brushing and Flossing?

We all know our dentist tells us to brush twice per day and floss once per day but do we all really do it? Maybe if you knew why it is needed, you would. Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS of Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO want their patients to know the consequences of poor oral care.

There is a reason why brushing twice per day and flossing once per day is important. Failing to keep good care of your teeth can result in decay, gum disease, and the loss of teeth. Not to mention some pretty bad breath and an unpleasant smile.

Plaque is what forms on our teeth throughout the day. It looks like a whitish material and especially likes to collect near our gum lines. Plaque is actually a film of bacteria and it is formed from food, drinks, and saliva. Plaque in itself can cause enamel to weaken and form cavities. However, if plaque is not removed, it can soon turn into tartar. Tartar is a calcified form of plaque that can really only be removed by a dentist. If this plaque and tartar sit on your teeth for long enough, the gums become irritated and can begin to recede. Infected gums are painful, they bleed easily, and they lead to worse problems like lost teeth and spread of infection. Gum disease can even increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Plaque forms just hours after brushing and flossing, which is why it is important to brush several times per day. Flossing should be done once per day. The bacteria that get caught between teeth can begin to do damage after a day, which is why flossing is important to get to once per day.

Along with a great oral care routine at home, visits to your dentist for a professional cleaning are important, too. To schedule your cleaning with Dr. Navid Rahimpour, DDS and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour, DDS in Colorado Springs, CO, call our office at (719) 471-1717. Appointments may also be made through our Southern Cross Dental website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

TMJ/TMD Diet

 

TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a pain or malfunction at the point where the jawbone is attached. TMJ can have many symptoms, from clicking, to locking of the jaw, to headache, earache, or even a feeling of tiredness in the face. Because TMJ affects the chewing muscles, the condition may worsen when eating certain foods. Here at Southern Cross Dental, our doctors can not only treat TMJ disorder, but they can suggest diet changes that can alleviate symptoms. 

We know that giving up certain foods is easier said than done, but you may need to try eliminating certain culprits from your diet if this decreases your problems with TMJ. To lessen pain and other symptoms associated with this condition, avoid eating hard foods, crunchy foods, and thick or large foods that involve opening your mouth wide when you chew them. You may also want to eliminate fatty foods that require a lot of chewing. Some good foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. By incorporating soft foods into your diet you are giving your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. 

If you experience jaw soreness or hear a clicking sound when you chew, please give us a call. To learn more 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.

TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a pain or malfunction at the point where the jawbone is attached. TMJ can have many symptoms, from clicking, to locking of the jaw, to a headache, earache, or even a feeling of tiredness in the face. Because TMJ affects the chewing muscles, the condition may worsen when eating certain foods. Here at Southern Cross Dental, our doctors can not only treat TMJ disorder, but they can suggest diet changes that can alleviate symptoms.

We know that giving up certain foods is easier said than done, but you may need to try eliminating certain culprits from your diet if this decreases your problems with TMJ. To lessen pain and other symptoms associated with this condition, avoid eating hard foods, crunchy foods, and thick or large foods that involve opening your mouth wide when you chew them. You may also want to eliminate fatty foods that require a lot of chewing. Some good foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. By incorporating soft foods into your diet you are giving your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal.

If you experience jaw soreness or hear a clicking sound when you chew, please give us a call. To learn more 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.

 

How to Take Care of a Dental Crown

Dental crowns are great because they can allow a tooth to remain in place even after some damage. Crowns repair the function of your tooth and restore your oral health. After having a crown installed, there will be some things to keep in mind. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, we can provide our patients with custom dental crowns. Read on to learn about taking care of a crown.

The process of installing a dental crown will include wearing a temporary crown for a short time. This is so that a dental laboratory can create the permanent custom crown. While you are wearing this temporary crown, you will want to avoid foods that are too hard or too sticky. These foods could cause the crown to pop off. Also, be careful when brushing and flossing.

After the permanent crown is installed, there may be some irritation or soreness in the gums surrounding the crown. This will subside as the gum tissue gets used to the new structure of the tooth. To deal with the irritation, it helps to swish your mouth with warm salt water. Ibuprofen can also be taken. Soon, your gums will adjust and your new crown will feel just like the rest of your teeth.

If you are interested in more about dental crowns, contact Southern Cross Dental of Colorado Springs, CO. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, DDS, call our office at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com.