Biannual Examinations for Children

Biannual dental check-ups are an important part of maintaining everyone’s overall health, but they are especially crucial for children. If your children haven’t had their teeth professionally cleaned in a while, we at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs urge you to set up an appointment.

Children are at particular risk for caries, the infectious lesions which eventually form cavities. In fact, caries is the most common disease among children. Although the process of removing dental decay and filling in teeth is common and relatively simple, parents should not underestimate the harm a toothache can do. Young children sometimes experience delays in speech development because they are avoiding use of their teeth. Children of all ages get worse sleep and eat less when their teeth hurt, which harms their academic performance and makes them emotionally fatigued.

Of course, caries is not the only source of toothaches: bruxism can be one, as well. But one thing toothaches have in common is that they usually get worse without intervention and can become serious health threats in the worst cases. At your child’s appointment, we can not only diagnose and treat problems but also set up treatment plans for future issues, such as misaligned teeth and impacted wisdom teeth.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit SouthernCrossFamilyDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Cavities

“Cavity” is no word a patient wants to hear when they visit the dentist. This is why our doctors at Southern Cross Dental encourage patients to practice cavity prevention. Cavities are a form of tooth decay that leaves holes in the teeth. Though they can be filled with materials, we’d like you to keep your permanent teeth for as long as possible.

Common causes of cavities include specific food and drinks, frequent snacking, and/or periodontal disease. Foods that cling to your teeth, such as carbohydrates, become trapped between the teeth. If not washed away by proper brushing and flossing, the acids left behind can create holes that may grow larger over time. If left untreated, cavities can lead to eventual tooth loss. When teeth are missing, it becomes more costly to restore the smile.

If you have questions or concerns regarding cavities or tooth decay, 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.

October is National Dental Hygiene Month

Just because October is National Dental Hygiene Month doesn’t mean that this is the only one you should be practicing proper oral hygiene for. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental strive to educate and encourage patients to achieve optimal oral health. We treat patients of all ages and desire to give each one a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

Dental hygiene refers to the practice of keeping the mouth, teeth, tongue, and gums clean and healthy. By practicing a rigorous oral hygiene routine, you can protect yourself from dental issues such as periodontal disease and tooth decay. To ensure good oral health for adults as well as children, it’s important to brush at least twice a day with ADA approved toothpaste, floss at least twice a day, and visit us twice a year for dental checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral hygiene or 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.

Fillings

At Southern Cross Dental our doctors place fillings for patients to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay, cracks or chips.  The procedure for receiving a filling is standard and non-invasive, and can typically be completed in a short appointment with a local anesthetic.  To fill a cavity, your dentist numbs the area before removing any decay from the tooth.  The remaining tooth is thoroughly cleaned and prepared to receive the filling material.

Amalgam fillings are a mixture of metals that bond together to create a hard, strong filling for a compromised tooth.  Amalgam fillings are the most durable option, and some patients choose to use metal fillings on their back teeth.  Composite fillings perform the same task as metal fillings and are more aesthetically matched to the look of your natural teeth.  These fillings are typically used on front teeth and surface cavities, and after your dentist shapes and polishes the material it blends right into your smile!

To learn more about dental fillings and all 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.

Porcelain Veneers

The doctors and staff of Southern Cross Dental are often asked about the latest cosmetic fixes for teeth.  There are treatments available for whitening or masking chipped teeth, but veneers are the best way to completely makeover your smile.  Our porcelain veneers are made from a thin ceramic shell and fit over your existing teeth.  Patients with cosmetic issues like staining, cracked or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a gorgeous smile with veneers.

Fitting a patient with a new set of veneers is usually completed in two visits.  You and your dentist will discuss the shape and look you desire for your new smile, and your dentist may need to prepare the teeth by buffing or shaping any areas that could cause a problem with fit.  Accurate impressions of the mouth are then taken, and sent to a dental laboratory where your new custom veneers are fabricated.  On your final visit, the teeth are cleaned to ensure a great bond for the veneers.  The shells are then bonded to the surface of your teeth for you to wear home and wear forever!

To learn more about porcelain veneers and all 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 Sugar Decays Teeth

Sugar in food and beverages play a large role in the development of cavities. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental previously mentioned how sugar provides no nutrients for teeth and we’d like to elaborate on that. When plaque is left behind on teeth, bacteria within the plaque use the sugar as energy and release acid that attacks enamel. Tooth decay doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process.

Sugar may have many names – glucose, sucrose, and fructose – but it’s all the same. Certain harmful bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars that we eat to create acids that destroy tooth enamel. Though this process is constantly being reversed through remineralization, cavities can still develop. Limiting your sugar intake is the best thing you can do for tooth enamel to avoid tooth sensitivity and protect against decay.  

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.

Drink More Water

Most of us realize the role that water plays in our overall health, but how much of a role does it play in dental health? Sugary beverages such as soda pop, sports drinks, and energy drinks may taste good, but with every sip, they are damaging your tooth’s enamel. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental want to encourage patients to limit their intake of sugar and reap the benefits of H20 instead.

Water contains nature’s natural cavity fighter – fluoride – which protects teeth from decay. This means that water strengthens the teeth with every sip, while sugary beverages provide no nutritional benefits what-so-ever. Water washes away cavity-causing bacteria that foods and beverages leave behind. But remember you can’t get by on drinking water alone. You should always brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to maintain the health of your smile.

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.