ANNOUNCING “The Smart Dental Patient’s Guide to Nearly Everything”

The long awaited arrival of the highly requested book “The Smart Dental Patient’s Guide to Nearly Everything” was announced today!

The Long Awaited For Owner's manual For The Mouth

The book is literally an owner’s manual for the mouth, with answers to such questions as “How do you get cavities?’; why do my gums bleed? Is teeth whitening safe?; what should I know before I pierce my tongue?  Are invisible braces for me? How do I save money and still have a healthy mouth?  What is the connection between gum disease and heart attacks? What’s the connection between sleep apnea, snoring and ADHD in children? Continue reading

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A Top 10 List for Water Flossing

 water flosser   
      As a dental hygienist striving to help patients achieve optimum oral health, I read many dental journals in search of ways and products that encourage patients in their home care regimen.  I have long been an advocate of the Water Flosser, more commonly known as the Waterpik, as I have seen great improvements in my patients’ oral health especially those who have braces or gum disease.

     Recently, I was reading one such journal, RDH magazine, and came across an article that caught my attention called A Top 10 List For Water Flossing, written by Carol Jahn, RDH,MS.  I couldn’t agree more.        Continue reading

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How to Safely Whiten Your Teeth

Colorado Springs Dentist, Power whitening

Woman and Man showing their beautiful smiles after power whitening was done.

Colorado Springs Dentist, Power whitening

You wont be able to stop smiling after whitening is done

Power whitening is an in-office procedure that is the most cost-effective and safest technique available.  We start by polishing your teeth to help remove surface stains.  Then we place a protective barrier on your gums followed by a gel on your teeth designed to help prevent sensitivity.  A whitener is then applied to your teeth.  After a 15-minute cycle, the whitener is removed and fresh whitener is applied.  Normally three cycles are needed to achieve desired results.

Q: How long does power whitening take?
A: Expect about 1 1/2 hours to complete the process.

Q: How long does the whitening last?
A: Darkening may recur within 1 – 3 years, but not back to the original stained color.  For this reason, we have developed a unique program called, “Whiter Teeth for Life Club” designed to help you maintain brighter teeth.

Colorado Springs Dentist, Power whitening

What a difference this treatment of power whitening has done!

Q: Will it harm my teeth?
A: No, not if whitening is done in-office or if it is dispensed by a dental professional for at home use.

Q: What does the whitening process do to my teeth?
A: 35% hydrogen peroxide soaks into the pores of the enamel and removes stains that have soaked into the teeth as well as stains on the surface of the teeth.

Colorado Springs Dentist, Power whitening

Before and after results that are stunning :)

Q: How white will my teeth get?
A: Depending on the type of stain, you may achieve up to 10 shades of color change in one treatment.  Very few people require additional whitening.  Some stains caused by tetracycline antibiotics that occur in the developmental stage of teeth formation require additional whitening or an at home tray system used over several weeks.  This type of staining has a grayish appearance near the gumline and can be diagnosed by your dental professional.   Continue reading

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A must read If you are thinking of dental implants in the near future

A great article explaining mini dental implants. See some of our patient’s testimonies at the end – Dr. Parkin

If you are thinking about opting for a dental implant in one of the coming days, allow me to introduce you to mini dental implants. These newer implants have taken the implant market by storm. Ever since implants were commercialized in 1980s, many people have  realized the advantages associated with them. Some readers of this article might have already be aware of the  new paradigm which is the mini dental implant, and they would like to enhance their knowledge on the subject. Regardless of the reasons you are reading this brief article, it is imperative that you must have a good understanding of the procedure before you decide to have minis placed in your jaw. Continue reading

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The Problem of Mothers kissing Babies

Cheyenne Mountain Dental/Kiss

Mom kissing baby

 

Babies are born without cavity-causing bacteria, but did you know that by age 26 months, children have the same oral bacteria as moms?

Strep Mutans(cavity-causing bacteria) are transferred from mom to baby through saliva by kissing and sharing spoons, cups and food.  Let us not forget the occasional popping the pacifier in the mouth to “clean” it before giving it to baby.

What can you do?  Continue reading

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Bad Breath, its causes and cures

Let’s be completely honest, at various times in each of our lives we all have been the source of bad breath.  For some it can be quite embarrassing and socially debilitating.  Business and personal relationships have been stopped in their tracks by the foul odor  associated with mouth smells.  I have included in this blog some valuable information from WebMD which I think you will find interesting.  In addition I would like to focus your attention on the sources of common malodor. Continue reading

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ARE INVISIBLE BRACES FOR YOU?

 

Invisible braces are one of the hottest new treatment options for patients who want the attractive smile they have always dreamed about, but couldn’t stand the thought of wearing braces.  Good news!


Continue reading

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What are mini dental implants?

What are Mini Dental Implants?

This article from Dr. Ralph Parkin of Cheyenne Mountain Dental Center describes in detail the new single stage mini dental implants.

Mini Dental Implants (MDIs) are titanium screws that replace the root of a tooth. The ball shaped head and collar design can be used for both permanently cemented crowns or bridges as well as securing full or partial dentures. When used for fixed or cemented applications the prosthesis is cemented directly to the head of the implant. If the implant is to be used for a removable denture then a housing with a rubber gasket is attached precisely to the acrylic denture and functions like a button that snaps on and off the implant. the denture sits snugly against the gums and is retained securely allowing better chewing function and increased confidence.

How are Mini Dental Implants placed?

MDIs are placed quickly and easily using a microsurgical technique. Your dentist will use a small amount of local anesthetic and make a pin-sized puncture in the gum and jaw. The MDI is then threaded gently and carefully into the jaw. The heads of the implants protrude from the gum tissue and provide an attachment for securing dentures, or cementing crowns or bridges. It is a one step procedure involving minimally invasive surgery. Continue reading

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5 ways to the perfect smile

If you are concerned about your smile because of tooth deficiencies, then you are not alone. There are thousands of individuals that are looking to obtain straight teeth in order to have a beautiful smile. You no longer have to feel embarrassed by the way you look, as there are many dental techniques that can straighten out your teeth in a reasonable amount of time. Continue reading

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What’s all the fuss about dental adhesives?

People with dentures often have the concern that their dentures are going to embarrass them by moving or even falling out when they eat or are talking with someone or if they should happen to sneeze. This occurs because as time goes by their mouths lose the supporting bone that used to hold their natural teeth in place .  The denture which doesn’t have the ability to change it’s shape no longer fits snugly,and it begins to become more and more of a problem to keep them from falling out at the worst possible moment. Often their solution to these very real problems is to buy and apply denture adhesives in the hope that their teeth will stay in place.

From a little to a lot!

Using the “If a little is good, a lot must be better” philosophy more and more denture adhesive, even if it tastes bad and is a nasty mess, is applied.  Now here is the problem: Continue reading

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