Improve Your Smile for Yourself (And Those That Look at You)

long-term tooth replacement solution Fort Collins

Losing one or more of your natural teeth impacts your smile, and your ability to bite and chew. But with dental implants from The Fort Collins Dentist, you can regain your smile and the ability to eat just about anything.

Dental implants are titanium posts that are anchored into your jaw. They are solid foundations for artificial teeth. Because they are physically attached to your jaw, they also prevent the loss of bone that usually accompanies tooth loss.

If you’ve lost one or more teeth, a conventional dental bridge or dentures are certainly better than nothing. But because they are not solidly anchored to your jaw, they do not provide full biting and chewing function. This is, of course, a major drawback.

This is what makes dental implants so brilliant. They don’t look any different than natural teeth, and better still, they feel and function the same. Once the implants are in place and the jaw has fully healed, most patients report full chewing power. That means they can enjoy just about any food they choose.

At The Fort Collins Dentist we provide single-tooth dental implants and implant-supported dentures. They look great! People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor trust us with this and other restorative dentistry procedures. Contact 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 8279

Is Your Mouth Sore Something Serious?

Loveland Mouths And Stomatitis

One of our most important roles at The Fort Collins Dentist is to help our patients maintain the best possible dental health. Regular cleanings and checkups are essential.

Some of our patients have problems with mouth sores, which is the topic of this message.

If you have a mouth sore that lasts more than a week or two, it is important to come in for an exam, even if your six-month checkup isn’t due for a while. Mouth sores can be an indicator of disease, and an early assessment aids in preventing more serious issues.

If required, treatment and pain relief can be offered. In extreme cases, we will refer you to a medical professional who specializes in ailments that can cause mouth sores.

There are two types of mouth sores: canker sores and cold sores.

  • Canker sores are small and ulcer-like, with a white or gray base and a red border. They are found on the inside of the mouth, and while they are not contagious, they can be painful. Canker sore usually heal in a week or two. Antimicrobial mouth-rinses, over-the-counter topical anesthetics, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods aids in temporary relief while your sore is healing.
  • Cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that appear around the lips, sometimes appearing under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are contagious and painful, but typically heal in about a week. Some over-the-counter anesthetics furnish relief.

For either condition, we can advise you on the best treatment.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, the dental health of our patients is always our top priority. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for general and restorative dentistry. Contact 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 4073

How Long Will A Dental Crown Last?

cost of dental crowns Loveland

Dental crowns from The Fort Collins Dentist are a versatile restoration. A crown adds strength to a tooth that has a large filling or been damaged. It is usually necessary after a root canal. In a dental implant procedure, a crown is the final step.

Dental crowns are made from a variety of materials that vary in appearance and strength:

  • All ceramic (porcelain-based)
  • Porcelain fused to metal
  • Gold alloys
  • Base metal alloys

Dental crowns can last for many years, but they are not designed to last indefinitely. A crown can last for about fifteen years. But when they are well taken care of, crowns have been known to last much longer: as long as twenty-five or thirty years!

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we place a lot of dental crowns. Patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to our practice for this and other restorative dentistry options. Contact 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 6517

Bleeding Gums After Your 6-Month Cleaning?

bleeding gums Wellington

Regular check-ups and cleanings at The Fort Collins Dentist are essential for good dental health. But some people tend to have gums that bleed after a thorough cleaning, causing them concern.

Is this a problem? Well, it depends. If your gums bleed for a couple days after your dental cleaning, don’t worry about it. But, if the bleeding and tenderness last longer, you should be checked for the possibility of gum disease.

Gum disease arises when plaque builds up along the gum line. You might also see bad breath, painful chewing, and loose teeth.

It is a progressive condition and a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also treatable, but as with most conditions, the earlier it is diagnosed and the treatment begins, the better.

We offer gum disease treatment at The Fort Collins Dentist. Patients from throughout Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor know they can trust us with their dental health. They also come to our practice for general and restorative dentistry. Contact 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 5448

Bad Breath Treatment at The Fort Collins Dentist

Bad Breath Treatment at The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry

Do you worry that you have bad breath? At The Fort Collins Dentist, we offer a judgment-free atmosphere and help our patients with unpleasant, annoying, and potentially embarrassing conditions.

If you have bad breath, the first thing to do is make sure you are cleaning your teeth, gums, and tongue thoroughly. This does not mean you should brush as long and forcefully as possible. Brushing too vigorously is dangerous to gums and contributes to gum recession.

It does mean you should work up a foam with a pre-soaked brush and fluoride toothpaste, make sure to get all sides of your teeth, and floss around each tooth to get ride of plaque.

And don’t forget regular professional cleanings. Our dental hygienists are trained in effective, deep-cleaning procedures.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we help patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor with effective brushing, bad breath solutions, and gum disease treatment. Our services include general and restorative dentistry. Request 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 679

How Tooth Brushing Prevents Gum Disease

Fort Collins Teeth Bleaching

Everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day. In this post from The Fort Collins Dentist, we’ll talk about why this is so important.

Brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. When you brush with fluoride toothpaste and carefully floss your teeth, you remove food debris and clean away plaque build-up.

If, however, you let food stay on your teeth, the starches in it combine with the plaque. This nasty mixture forms an acid which immediately starts drilling into the enamel to form cavities. Brushing can’t get all the spaces between your teeth, so flossing is not optional.

When You Brush

  • Make sure to get all over your teeth. Brush and floss the front and the sides, inside and out, and the top. When you clean the sides, be sure you brush along the gum-line. Use a gentle touch, and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle.
  • As you do the front and side surfaces, move the brush in gentle, circular strokes. Make sure you brush for at least two minutes.
  • Use a pea-sized blob of fluoridated toothpaste; or more than a pea-sized, if you prefer. Too much is no big deal, but be sure to use enough.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we want all of our patients to enjoy clean teeth and healthy gums. People throughout Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor see us for a checkup every six months. We offer general and restorative dentistry. Request 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 2251

Foaming At The Mouth: Are You Brushing Right?

Fort Collins affordable family dentist

In this post from The Fort Collins Dentist, we explore some specifics about brushing your teeth. One key to getting the most out of your toothpaste is getting plenty of foam when brushing.

Working up a good foam is brought about by pre-wetting the toothbrush, then brushing at a 45 degree angle. The foam helps dislodge food debris from nooks and crannies in the mouth. Go ahead and swish it around as you finish brushing to pick up any stragglers.

The abrasives in toothpaste are designed to polish the teeth without damaging the enamel. Because of the abrasives, soft toothbrushes are best. Harder bristles can put the enamel and gum line at risk.

The fluoride in the toothpaste promotes remineralization of your teeth. This takes time, so be certain you brush for at least 2-3 minutes, and get the foam throughout your mouth.

Flossing is an important part of cleaning your teeth. It doesn’t matter whether your floss before or after brushing. There are different types of floss available and they’re all effective. We do, however, recommend string floss over floss holders, because with string floss you can get all around individual teeth.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we hope all our patients brush and floss twice a day. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor trust us with their dental health by scheduling twice-a-year checkups. Our services include general and restorative dentistry. Request 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 6935

Preventing Tooth Decay

Preventing Tooth Decay in Colorado

Tooth decay remains the most important issue in dental health, and it affects hundreds of people. At The Fort Collins Dentist, we are committed to preventing tooth decay in our patients.

It can be an uphill battle sometimes. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria. It merges with plaque and acids to break down the enamel on your teeth. The tiny holes that can result are what we call cavities.

The Sugar Factor

Tooth decay is usually a result of diet and oral hygiene choices. When sticky or sugary foods are consumed and allowed to remain on the teeth, it can result in tooth decay.

To help prevent it, limit sugary and starchy foods between meals. A good oral hygiene strategy is advised, and that means brushing twice a day and flossing at least once.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we want to help improve the dental health of every patient. Services include complete general dentistry. Patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor also come to us for cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Request 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 338

How Can You Improve Your Smile Quickly?

Porcelain Veneers

With porcelain veneers from The Fort Collins Dentist, you can revamp your smile without any extensive dental work.

Porcelain veneers are glass-like, wafer-thin covers that are attached to the front of your teeth. Porcelain has been used in dentistry for many years because no other restorative material is such an excellent match for natural tooth enamel.

The material is translucent and can be matched to the color of any tooth. It is stronger than enamel and resists stains.

Veneers are a great choice for addressing minor cosmetic issues with your smile. They can cover chips, cracks, and gaps between teeth.

They are also good in cases of enamel loss. Teeth that have reduced enamel due to highly acidic foods and drinks, or from years of too-vigorous brushing, can be successfully treated.

Standard porcelain veneers require the removal of a thin later of tooth enamel. Once in place, the outer surface does more than simply fix your aesthetics; it keeps your smile protected from further damage!

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we offer porcelain veneers and a host of other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Ask us which would be right for you! We’ve helped patients in Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor. Request 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 604

Fixing Chipped Teeth With Bonding

Fort Collins fix chipped tooth

Your teeth are covered in enamel, a strong outer layer that protects them, but that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. A little rough-housing at home, an accident on the playing field, or biting something like hard candy or ice, and you’ve got a chipped tooth. If that happens, call us at The Fort Collins Dentist.

Small chips can usually be fixed with a process called bonding. A composite resin material is applied to the tooth and shaped to match the original form. When the shape is right, we harden the composite resin with an ultraviolet light.

It’s a fairly straight-forward process. In most cases we don’t need to numb the area being worked on. The composite resin can be matched to the color of your existing teeth. Once we’re done, you may even forget it’s there.

A chipped tooth doesn’t always cause pain, but sometimes it does. You can ease any pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Before your appointment, the tooth may have a jagged edge that irritates your tongue and cheeks. In that case, you can cover it with a piece of sugarless gum, or even wax parafin. That will provide enough protection until you can get into our office.

If you need to eat before your appointment, but find it uncomfortable, choose softer foods that don’t need much chewing, like soup, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs, and avoid biting down on hard surfaces.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we have used bonding to repair many chipped teeth. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to our office for cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Request 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 7308