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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

Did you know that enamel is the hardest substance in the body? It’s true! Found on the outer surface of your teeth, enamel is meant to last a lifetime, and with the help of regular checkups at The Fort Collins Dentist, it can.

Enamel may be super strong, but you have to take care of it.

Tips for Keeping Enamel Healthy

• Pick the right foods. It’s no secret that soft drinks weaken your teeth, and don’t think that diet sodas are harmless – the artificial sweeteners can also erode enamel over time. There are also other culinary culprits that can do a lot of harm.
• Avoid sticky, chewy candies. Chewing ice is a no-no. And don’t use your teeth as tools. Take a minute to grab some scissors before you rip open that package with your incisors.
• Avoid vigorous brushing and use a soft brush. Also, it’s best to brush about an hour after eating, because foods, especially acidic ones, can soften the enamel, making it more prone to weakening from brushing.
• Keep stomach acids in check. If you have a problem with severe heartburn, the stomach acid could be traveling up your esophagus and into your mouth. This acid can erode enamel, so talk to your doctor about treatment.
• Talk to us about dry mouth and tooth grinding. Lack of saliva is a major issue for tooth enamel, and teeth grinding can also wear it down. Let us know if you suspect either of these issues.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we want the best possible dental health for all our patients. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for general dentistry, 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

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we see more cavities in our patients than we would like to. Cavities are far too common in the United States, and there is a tendency to consider them inevitable.

Cavities happen when certain types of bacteria produce acids in the mouth. These acids destroy the enamel of a tooth, as well as its underlying dentin. Holes in the enamel are cavities.

If you’ve got a toothache or new sensitivity in your teeth, or if it hurts when you chew, then you may have a cavity. Call our office so we can get it filled.

Prevent Cavities

To keep your teeth from developing new cavities, we recommend the following three things, in addition to regular brushing and flossing:

• Strengthen your teeth with fluoride. Most municipal water supplies contain fluoride. Also, make sure it’s in your toothpaste. Not all toothpastes have it.
• Get dental sealants. We can paint sealants onto your teeth – the back teeth in particular. Sealants act as an added layer of protection for your teeth. You’ll still need to brush!
• Have regular checkups. Seeing us for a cleaning and checkup every six months means will help you find any new decay early, and treat it.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we want all our patients to have healthy teeth and gums. Patients from The Fort Collins Dentist come to our practice for general and cosmetic 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

Most people know that flossing is an important part of oral health. As we like to remind our patients at The Fort Collins Dentist, its value has been proven time and time again.

Flossing is your chance to remove the food debris that a toothbrush can’t reach.

Which Kind Is Best?

When it comes to what dental floss to use, there is a lot to choose from. Flavored or unflavored? Waxed or unwaxed? Wide or thin?

No single type of floss is right for everyone. You might even benefit from having more than one kind in your medicine chest. With a little trial and error, you can narrow down your choices to find what works best for you.

A study showed there really isn’t much difference in the effectiveness of the different types of dental floss. Here are some things to consider:

Flossing Tips

• Waxed floss fits more easily into tight spaces
• Unwaxed floss tends to squeak against clean teeth, an indicator that plaque is gone
• Wider dental tape may work better in gaps between teeth, and on bridgework
• We recommend traditional string floss that you can pull out in a long strand, as opposed to a flossing pick. Those little picks are handy, but not as effective as string floss. They’re okay when you’re on the go, but be sure to use regular floss as part of your dental hygiene routine before bedtime.

Whatever your preference may be, the important thing is to floss at least once each day.

At The Fort Collins Dentist we like to see you for a checkup every six months. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for general and cosmetic dentistry. Request your 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

Plaque is that filmy stuff that forms on teeth. Since it is caused by the breakdown of the foods we eat, plaque formation is a constant process. And that’s why we keep reminding our patients to brush and floss twice a day, at The Fort Collins Dentist.

The Plaque Process

Bacteria naturally occurs in the mouth. It will try to colonize on the smooth surfaces of your teeth. At first, it will be soft enough to be removed with a fingernail.

After 48 hours, however, it begins to harden. Give it 10 days and it will turn into that substance most difficult to remove: tartar.

This bacteria feeds on sugars and produces acid that will eat away at the tissues of the tooth and lead to cavities. Cavities will originate on the surface and spread through the tooth.

Brushing and flossing twice a day is your best defense against plaque. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to The Fort Collins Dentist for general and cosmetic dentistry, and so much more. Request your 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

In this message from The Fort Collins Dentist, we discuss something about cavities you might not know. You may have heard that once tooth enamel is eroded, it’s gone forever. This is not entirely true. In the earliest stage of enamel erosion, a cavity can be reversed.

The Five Stages of a Cavity

• Stage 1: Attack of the Little White Spots

The tooth begins to show signs of damage. White spots appear. They are under the surface of the enamel, but you can see them from the outside. Demineralization will result in these spots. When they occur in children’s molars, it can be easy for parents to miss them. That’s why daily dental hygiene and regular dental exams are crucial. At this stage, it’s possible to halt a cavity before it needs a filling. Dental hygiene can stop the erosion. Fluoride can remineralize the enamel.

Can Stage 1 be reversed? Yes!

• Stage 2: Enamel Decay

Did you know that tooth decay begins under the surface of the enamel? The visible enamel is intact for the first part of Stage 2. Then the hole busts through the surface.

Can Stage 2 be reversed? No, but the tooth can probably be saved.

• Stage 3: Going Deeper Into the Dentin

The decay breaks down the enamel and hits the soft dentin layer that lies below. This is an advanced cavity. The good news? The decay hasn’t yet reached the pulp. It will, however, start to cause pain.

Can Stage 3 be reversed? No, but maybe the tooth won’t need a root canal.

• Stage 4: Ouch! The Decay Hits the Pulp

Hopefully, none of our patients will ever suffer this stage, as it is very painful. The infection has reached the pulp where the nerves are located. Unfortunately, a root canal is the only treatment option. Unless, of course, the tooth is extracted.

Can Stage 4 be reversed? No, and it must be treated with a root canal.

• Stage 5: Abscess Distress

The decay (and infection) has traveled through the pulp and out the end. In the final stage, it drills through the tip. Now the infection is in the tissue and bone surrounding the tooth root. The area swells up and it’s exceptionally painful. It’s also hazardous for anyone’s health. This is a serious infection that can spread to other parts of the body. Abscesses originating in a tooth can be fatal.

Can Stage 5 be reversed? No, and can be life threatening.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from tooth decay so you all have a healthy smile for life. Patients from throughout Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to The Fort Collins Dentist for general and cosmetic dentistry. Request your 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