Dental health

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

Teeth are alive, but it’s easy to forget that and take them for granted. At The Fort Collins Dentist we never take teeth for granted – but then, as dental professionals we probably understand better than most just how amazing teeth can be. We’re using this blog post to share some of the more interesting facts about teeth.

Here are fifteen things you might not know about teeth.

1. Children’s teeth are soft until about age 10.
2. A tooth with a crown can get a cavity.
3. Your gum tissue is as vital as your teeth.
4. Some prescription drugs can increase your risk of tooth decay.
5. Some home faucet water filters remove fluoride.
6. 19 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 19 have untreated cavities.
7. Heartburn can be damaging for teeth.
8. Allergies can cause tooth grinding.
9. Dried fruit is just as bad for teeth as sticky candy.
10. Tooth enamel cannot repair itself, though dentin and cementum (the substance that surrounds the tooth root) are capable of partial regeneration.
11. A Harvard-led team used low-powered lasers to activate stem cells and stimulate the growth of teeth in rats and human dental tissue in a lab.
12. There are about 300 types of bacteria in your mouth.
13. Chewing sugarless gum after meals can help remove food particles on your teeth. You still need to brush, but if you can’t brush immediately after meals, sugarless gum can help keep your teeth clean.
14. Cavities often don’t cause pain until they have reached the root and nerve of the tooth. Visit us regularly to prevent cavities or at least to detect them when they are small.
15. Bone recession can cause tooth loss even if no decay is present.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we want all of our patients to have clean and healthy teeth, along with beautiful smiles. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for general and family dentistry, dental implants, and much more. 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

Proper nutrition can benefit you in many ways: increased energy, improved immunity, glowing skin, mental clarity, and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. At The Fort Collins Dentist we ask: How often do you consider how your diet affects your dental health?

Your diet influences your risk of cavities, enamel health, and gum condition. Healthy foods can help you avoid inflammation and infection. Vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts are good choices. Calcium-fortified beverages, milk, and other dairy products provide vitamins and minerals that aid in keeping teeth, bones, and gums healthy. Crispy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and celery, will help clean your teeth and gums.

A healthy diet contains all the vital vitamins and minerals, and the most important for teeth is fluoride – especially for kids. Between the ages of 6 months and 16 years old, both the primary and the permanent teeth come in, therefore adequate fluoride is critical.

At The Fort Collins Dentist the dental health of our patients is always our top priority. Never hesitate to bring your dental questions to your appointments! People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for general and family dentistry, and to improve their smiles with cosmetic dentistry. Call to schedule your next checkup 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

Life gets busy. Sometimes it seems impossible to keep up with everything you need to do. At The Fort Collins Dentist we understand that. (Life gets busy for us, too!) But we encourage you to think twice before you cancel or postpone a dental checkup because you think it’s less important than the twenty other items on your to-do list.

Twice-yearly dental exams are essential for keeping your smile in great shape!

You might say: “But my teeth feel fine.”

Our answer? Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. The fact is that no news isn’t necessarily good news. Dental troubles can be progressing without you being aware of it.

1. Your Gums May Be Receding
Gum recession doesn’t happen all at once. Gum tissue can move back almost imperceptibly until teeth and bone are in danger.

2. Decay May Be Lurking
When the acids in plaque start drilling into a tooth, we usually don’t feel it until it has passed through the enamel and dentin and hits the nerve. Ouch! By that time, there is a crater in the tooth. Regular cleanings remove plaque before it can do any damage.

3. Prevent Oral Cancer
About 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. During your checkup we’ll screen for oral cancer. As with all types of cancer, early diagnosis is essential.

After your entire mouth has been examined, we will detail what is necessary moving forward. Whether that’s flossing more often or discussing major fixes such as braces, we will make certain that you get all the information you need to ensure your smile is bright and beautiful!

Scheduling twice-yearly exams with The Fort Collins Dentist will ensure you avoid serious dental problems. We offer comprehensive general dentistry. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor also come to our office for restorative dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup 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

In addition to cleanings and checkups, The Fort Collins Dentist likes to share useful information to help you stay on top of your dental health. So without further introduction, here are some terrific tooth tips:

1. If your municipal water supply does not have the recommended level of fluoride, find out about fluoride supplements. Fluoride strengthens both the teeth you can see and the ones still forming in the jaw.
2. Set a timer when you brush to make sure you spend at least two minutes thoroughly (but gently!) cleaning all surfaces. Don’t forget your tongue – it provides a cozy home for bacteria.
3. Floss before you brush so that tooth bristles can better reach between teeth.
4. If you can’t brush after a meal, chew some sugarless gum with xylitol. Xylitol may curb the growth of bacteria on your teeth to reduce plaque formation.
5. Eat carbohydrates with meals instead of alone as snacks. More saliva is generated while eating a meal and this can lessen the effects of carbs sitting on your teeth.
6. An oral fluoride rinse used right before bedtime adds an extra measure of decay deterrence. Fluoride rinses (not traditional mouthwash) work best when swished over teeth for at least thirty seconds after flossing and brushing. After spitting it out, don’t rinse with water.
7. Let the residue protect and strengthen your enamel all night long. it.
8. If you have diabetes, it is important to understand that unhealthy blood sugar levels can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. We can help you maintain oral health in spite of your condition.
9. Be aware of the dental risks of chronic dry mouth (xerostomia). Continual saliva production is essential for keeping the mouth lubricated, washing the food from tooth surfaces, and neutralizing the acid caused by plaque. Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers are some of the medications that can cause dry mouth.
10. Wearing a mouthguard when you participate in sports can prevent tooth injury.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we want all our patients to take good care of their teeth. Brush and floss every day! People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor see us for a checkup every six months. Services include general and family dentistry, dental implants, and much more. Schedule your next exam 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