Dental health

Best Practices For A Healthy, Beautiful Smile

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Categories: Dental health, General dentistry

cosmetic dental Loveland

Even if you value a healthy smile, it’s easy to become complacent about smile-friendly lifestyle choices. In this blog post from The Fort Collins Dentist our goal is for you to evaluate where you stand, and to think about whether you could step it up a notch.

By committing to dental health best practices, you can prevent future problems and even improve your quality of life.

Brushing

  • Good: Brush your teeth once a day.
  • Better: Brush your teeth after each meal.
  • Best: Brush after each meal and floss thoroughly before bed.

Dental Checkups

  • Good: Call our office if you get a toothache.
  • Better: See us once a year, even if you don’t notice any dental issues.
  • Best: Get a thorough dental exam and cleaning every six months.

A White Smile

  • Good: Use a whitening toothpaste.
  • Better: Use an over-the-counter teeth whitening system at home.
  • Best: Call us for an in-office whitening treatment.

Missing Tooth

  • Good enough for some people: Ignore it. (We don’t recommend this.)
  • Better: Get a quality dental bridge.
  • Best: Ask us about a state-of-the-art dental implant.

Smile-Friendly Nutrition

  • Good: Eat a healthy diet.
  • Better: Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary snacks and beverages.
  • Best: Eat a healthy diet, limit between-meal snacking, eat lots of calcium-rich foods, minimize sugar-filled foods, avoid energy drinks and soda, and sip water throughout the day.

At The Fort Collins Dentist we are big advocates of preventative care. We want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. Find out why people from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor trust us with their smiles! We offer general and family dentistry, dental implants, and much more. Schedule a checkup with us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 7397

Do You Eat A Smile-Healthy Diet?

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Categories: Dental health, General dentistry

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This article from The Fort Collins Dentist explains how specific foods and eating habits influence our teeth.

The Sugar Problem
Sugars get converted by bacteria in the mouth to acids. It is the acids that begin to assault enamel and initiate decay for people of all ages. Fruits have high water content which can dilute the effects of the sugars they contain and get the saliva flowing so they aren’t really no-no’s. It’s the chocolate bars, hard candies, cookies, cakes and pies that are.

Acidic Food Coupling
Oranges, tomatoes, lemons and the like should be eaten as part of a meal to limit the acidic effects. It is a good idea to eat a variety of healthy foods such as cheeses, chicken, other meats, nuts and milk. The calcium and phosphorus will advance tooth remineralization.

Timing of Meals
The more frequently you eat the more often your teeth are subject to the decay process. This can be moderated by deciding on healthy snacks. And keep in mind, the later at night you eat the more likely you are to not only eat unhealthy foods, but to skip oral hygiene altogether.

The real trick is to keep your teeth clean! Brush and floss after eating, and see The Fort Collins Dentist for regular checkups. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to our practice for dental implants, complete general and family dentistry, and all their dental health needs. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 5592

Patient Education Is A Priority At The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry

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Categories: Dental health, General dentistry

Wellington family dentist

When patients are fully informed about their dental health, they usually do more to maintain it. That’s been our experience at The Fort Collins Dentist, so we make patient education a priority at every checkup.

Are regular checkups even necessary? That question comes up sometimes. We don’t mean to hedge with our answer, but it really depends on what is meant by regular. For some patients it’s enough to see us once a year. For others, every four months is better. For most, twice a year is ideal.

At every checkup, we examine you for any signs of gum disease. In its mildest form, gum disease is known as gingivitis and is easily treated. Stepping up your dental care routine at home is often enough to get it under control.

Indestructable?

Your teeth may seem like pieces of bone growing in your mouth, but they are actually living structures. That hard surface of enamel covers an interior filled with a rigid material called dentin, which is mineralized connective tissue. As hard as it is, it is not indestructable. When bacteria causes holes in it you have a cavity. We want to fill those as soon as possible.

Fillings, by the way, won’t last forever. They can break down or become loose over time. If that happens, decay can get into the area around it and cause problems. You can extend the life of a filling with daily brushing and flossing.

The more you know the better off you are. If you have any questions about a recommended procedure at The Fort Collins Dentist, don’t hesitate to ask. Patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for dental implants, complete general and family dentistry, and much more. And they ask a lot of questions, too! Schedule your next appointment with us today.

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 4724

The Gift Of Oral Health

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Categories: Dental health, General dentistry, Oral Health

The Gift Of Oral Health In Loveland

Sometimes our patients wonder why, with all the developments in dentistry, we still send you home with a complimentary toothbrush and roll of floss after a checkup at The Fort Collins Dentist.

It’s true, they do seem a little old-fashioned in our high-tech world. But don’t let their simplicity fool you! These tools are your best friends in preventing cavities, plaque build-up, and gum disease!

When done properly and consistently, brushing and flossing are an important part of everyday oral hygiene.

How To Brush

We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush for at least two minutes. Make sure to get the front and sides of all your teeth, the inside and outside parts, and the chewing surfaces.

When you do the sides, be sure you brush along the gumline. Use a gentle touch, and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle. Replace your toothbrush every three months or so.

Use whatever toothpaste flavor you like best, but make sure it has fluoride in it. Use a pea-sized blob – or more than pea-sized, if you’re so inclined. Too much toothpaste is no big deal, but be sure to use enough!

We strongly recommend flossing, too. Should you floss your teeth before or after you brush? There is no hard-and-fast rule on that, and it may come down to personal preference. We think before is better, but the most important thing is that you do it.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we think that good oral health is a gift that keeps on giving. Our services include complete general and family dentistry. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor also improve their smiles with our cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 3804

Beware Of Hidden Sugar

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Categories: Dental health, General dentistry, Oral Health

preventative dentistry in Wellington

Most of us consume far too much sugar. That isn’t exactly a news flash, but at The Fort Collins Dentist we want to remind you what sugar does to teeth, and what you can do about it.

We get cavities when acids in the mouth attack the enamel and dentin of the teeth. The acid is produced by bacteria in plaque, that sticky film that forms on the surfaces of teeth. When sugar is introduced it interacts with the bacteria in the plaque, and makes the acids, which attack the teeth and cause cavities.

That’s why it is so important to choose food and drink wisely. But it isn’t easy, is it? Sugar seems to be in just about everything. Health experts say the average person in the United States consumes about 19.5 teaspoons of sugar every single day. That is twice as much as is recommended by the American Heart Association!

Knowing how much sugar is in the food that you buy is vital: not just to your teeth, but to your overall health. Reading ingredient labels on processed foods is essential.

Of course, some things are obvious. Eliminate or minimize the sweet stuff, like soda, candy, cookies, cakes, and donuts. Sweet things may seem to make life worthwhile, but there is a high cost.

If you have an incurable sweet tooth, you might try softening the blow by eating more fruit. You’ll still need to brush, of course, but the natural sugars in fruit aren’t as harmful as those in processed foods. If making that change sounds difficult, remember what a wise person once said: we like what we learn to like.

At The Fort Collins Dentist we care about the dental health of each of our patients. So please cut back on sugar, brush your teeth at least twice a day, don’t forget to floss, and see us for a cleaning and checkup every six months. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for dental implants, complete general and family denstiry, and much more. Schedule your next appointment with us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 2250

Bright And Healthy Smiles

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Categories: Cosmetic dentistry, Dental health

Bright and healthy smiles are more attractive than dull and yellow ones: you won’t get much disagreement there. Everybody likes to see a pleasing smile, and having beautiful teeth is also healthy for your self esteem. At The Fort Collins Dentist, we create bright and healthy smiles every day with cosmetic dentistry.

We use cosmetic dentistry to create positive changes to your smile. We can close unsightly gaps and brighten your smile with porcelain veneers, or replace old silver fillings with white fillings that blend seamlessly with your teeth.

A great smile is a huge asset. It’s how we express a range of emotions without saying a word. Our goal is to draw your teeth and facial structure into harmony, so that you are able to present the world with the best possible you.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we offer a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor improve their smiles with us. Please visit our smile gallery, and then call our office to schedule an appointment today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 69

Worried About Dental Visits?

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Categories: Dental health, Sedation Dentistry

sleep dentistry Loveland

Good dental health is important to overall health, but there are some people who would do almost anything but sit down for an appointment. If anxiety or even phobia keeps you away from regular checkups, sedation dentistry from The Fort Collins Dentist can help.

There are lots of reasons why people avoid the dentist. It may stem from a bad childhood experience or a fear of pain. It may be from concerns about X-rays or some other common dental procedure. Whatever it is, don’t put your dental health at risk by never going to the dentist.

Modern dentistry is safe and painless. If you’re concerned about something like X-rays, we can accommodate you. The important thing is to have regular checkups, and to have any dental health issues treated.

We have two types of sedation:

  • Nitrous Oxide. Commonly called laughing gas, nitrous oxide has a long and successful history as a dental sedative. It works quickly and wears off quickly.
  • IV Sedation. This is a stronger form of sedation that is administered in the arm. You won’t sleep, but will be in a deep state of relaxation: so much so that you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

If you have been putting off seeing the dentist because of anxiety or phobia, sedation dentistry from The Fort Collins Dentist can help. Patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor rely on us for complete general and family dentistry, and much more. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 6626

Dental Implants And Smile Makeovers

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Categories: Dental health, Dental Implants

smile makeovers Fort Collins

The gap in your smile caused by a missing tooth is not only embarrassing, it can have an impact on your dental health. That’s why dental implants from The Fort Collins Dentist make so much sense.

When you’re missing one or more of your teeth, the space it causes can make the remaining teeth shift and rotate. This has an immediate impact on your bite. They’re also more difficult to keep clean.

Your jawbone is also affected. Because of the missing tooth roots, the bone begins to lose its mass. This, in turn, leads to a shrunken appearance on your face.

Dental implants are an ideal solution. Implants are metal posts inserted into your jaw. They’re usually made of titanium, and within a few months of insertion will actually fuse with the bone, becoming one with your jaw. They become a solid foundation for an artificial tooth.

Since they are physically attached to your jaw, the artificial teeth function just like the real thing. They also act as a new tooth root, stimulating the jaw bone and preventing recession.

A dental implant from The Fort Collins Dentist help to restore dental health. Patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor also come to us for cosmetic dentistry, and are thrilled with their new smiles. Call our office to schedule an appointment today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 8097

Treatment For Sensitive Teeth

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Categories: Dental health, General dentistry

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There are lots of people out there who feel pain when they sip coffee or eat ice cream, or take a bite out of something hard. If sensitive teeth are a problem for you, talk to us about it at The Fort Collins Dentist.

In many cases, sensitive teeth respond to something as simple as changing toothpaste. Most major toothpaste brands have a sensitive teeth version of their products. They can be very effective; many patients say they’ve helped within a week or so of use.

A possible cause of sensitivity is receding gums, which exposes microscopic holes in the teeth. When that happens, food and drinks that are hot or cold reach nerve cells that cause pain. We can evaluate the state of your gums, and whether something like the way you brush your teeth is a contributing factor.

There could also be a worn filling or new cavity. Treatment for that is as simple as replacing a worn one or filling the new cavity.

The important thing is to let us know what’s going on, at The Fort Collins Dentist. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor call us for complete general and cosmetic dentistry services. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 6158

Two Hints For When You’re Too Tired To Brush

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Categories: Dental health, General dentistry, Oral Health

Timnath gentle dentist

Too tired to touch a toothbrush? We’ve all been there. At The Fort Collins Dentist we have two quick ideas to overcome your exhaustion and pick up your toothbrush.

Idea #1 Drag Tongue Along Teeth

As you lie there in bed after a long hard day and realize you forgot to brush, drag your tongue over your teeth a few times. As you do, visualize plaque: that filmy stuff on the teeth and gumline. It’s loaded with the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Then jump up and give your mouth just two minutes of gentle, thorough cleaning.

Idea #2 Scrutinize the Food You Eat

Another convenient and uncomplicated approach is to pay attention to what’s going into your mouth throughout the day. The higher the sugar content, the sooner the teeth will need a brushing to avoid harm. Swish with water after coffee, tea or soda if brushing isn’t going to happen soon.

Remember that brushing your teeth is an important part of any daily dental health routine. We recommend brushing twice a day, and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We strongly recommend flossing, too.

Be sure to get all over your teeth: the front and the sides, inside and out, and the tops. Use a pea-sized blob of fluoridated toothpaste – or more than pea-sized, if you’d like. Too much toothpaste is no big deal, but be sure to use enough!

At The Fort Collins Dentist we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to our practice for general and family dentistry, restorative dentistry, and much more. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 6830