What Causes Malocclusion?

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Categories: Oral Health

Malocclusion, or the misalignment of the teeth as the jaw closes, is a common dental problem. Having malocclusion can be as simple as having crooked teeth or, as you may have heard Dr. Lesko say, a “bad bite.” Typically, malocclusion isn’t serious and can be corrected by orthodontics or by orthognathic surgery. But in some cases, it can cause pain and damage to the teeth due to uneven wear or teeth that bump into each other while speaking or chewing. However, despite malocclusion’s common treatment options, there are many different reasons people have malocclusion. Here are just a few.

Thumb Sucking or Pacifiers

Sometimes if a child sucks his or her thumb or uses a device such as a pacifier for too long after developing teeth, the teeth can grow outward and become “bucked” or crooked. This is a type of malocclusion that can be corrected by braces. That being said, if you have a young child who exhibits these behaviors, the sooner you stop them, the better their teeth will be. We recommend ditching pacifiers before or as soon as the first tooth comes in, and we recommend children not suck their thumbs at all.

Dental Work

In some cases, the dental work we have done to correct the teeth can cause malocclusion accidentally. If you have a tooth pulled, a crown placed, or even sometimes poorly installed or damaged orthodontics, you can develop malocclusion. This is why it’s very important to be seen by a board-certified dentist or orthodontist, and to make sure you are attending all your regularly scheduled appointments.

Genetics

Sometimes when it comes to our teeth, we are simply dealt a more challenging hand, thanks to genetics. If your dad had gapped teeth, you may also have gapped teeth. If your mom had a malocclusion such as a crossbite, you could develop the same malocclusion. The good news is this type of malocclusion typically presents itself early, so you can work with your child’s dentist and orthodontist to develop a treatment plan that possibly includes orthodontics to help correct the malocclusion as a child, before it becomes more difficult to move.

Ready to learn more about malocclusion? Call Dr. Lesko’s office today at 970-221-5115.

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

What Is Glossitis?

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Categories: Oral Health

Have you ever checked the condition of your tongue? Does it ever appear swollen, red or glossy? Does it feel tender to the touch? You could have a condition called glossitis. What is glossitis? Glossitis is a condition that causes the above-mentioned symptoms: a swollen or enlarged tongue, a red appearance, and shrunken papillae of the tongue that cause the glossy appearance. Glossitis has many different types and causes. Here are just a few reasons you could have it.

Acute Glossitis

Acute glossitis usually comes on suddenly and is generally caused by an allergic reaction to something you ingest, whether it be food or medication. It can also be caused by a trauma or injury to the tongue, such as by burning or biting it.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is caused by dryness in the mucous membranes, which can be responsible for glossitis. Another danger of dry mouth is an increased risk of cavities, so if you are experiencing dry mouth for any reason, speak to Dr. Lesko as there are prescription treatments available for this condition.

Hunter Glossitis

Hunter glossitis is when your tongue turns bright red and experiences a loss of the papillae on the surface. Papillae are the small bumps on your tongue that enable it to feel touch.

Idiopathic Glossitis

Idiopathic glossitis is caused by inflammation in the tongue and mucous membranes, though the cause is not known. Idiopathic glossitis causes you to lose papillae on the tongue, causing a smooth, glossy appearance.

Infections

Infections such as oral thrush, herpes or fungal infections can cause glossitis on the tongue. If you believe you have any of these conditions, speak to Dr. Lesko about treatment options.

Chronic Glossitis

Chronic glossitis is glossitis that does not go away or returns on a regular basis. It can often be caused by another chronic or recurring health condition such as a stomach or intestinal disorder.

Another cause of chronic glossitis is heavy drinking or smoking, making glossitis just one more reason to restrict consuming these items.

Do you think you might have glossitis? Call Dr. Lesko’s office to schedule a consultation at 970-221-5115.

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

Oral Health and Beauty

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Categories: Oral Health

For some people, looking their best is important. Your appearance is your calling card to the world – what people see when they first meet you – and it can affect your life in many ways, including in the workplace. In fact, a recent study found that women who wear makeup earn on average 30 percent more than women who don’t! Makeup and beauty are so prevalent that, according to a 2017 People magazine article, the average woman will spend $15,000 in her lifetime on beauty products alone!

But one thing many people don’t realize is that while spending an arm and a leg on beauty may be a wise investment, if you’re not paying attention to your oral health, you’re not getting your money’s worth. That’s because beauty and oral health are tied closely together – and when your oral health is suffering, the rest of your appearance could, too. Here are some ways your oral health can influence your beauty routine.

Acne

Do you suffer from breakouts around the mouth that won’t seem to go away no matter how many products you try? That acne could be the sign of a tooth infection, gum disease or tooth abscess. That’s because the inflammation from inside your mouth could be worsening or causing the inflammation outside and around your mouth.

Dry Skin

Do you have dry skin? Do you wash your face before or after you brush your teeth? If you are brushing your teeth after you wash, you could be drying out your skin with toothpaste residue. Have you ever heard of the wives tale that toothpaste dries out zits? Well, it does – and it doesn’t. Toothpaste dries out the skin but does not heal acne. So, when you use toothpaste on a zit, you are simply creating another problem for your skin, not healing the one you have. If you do have acne, speak to your doctor about which products are safe to use on your skin, and save the toothpaste for your teeth. Remember to brush before you wash.

Sallow Skin

Does your skin look sallow or dull despite makeup, lotions and facial treatments? It could be that the color of your teeth is casting it in a bad light. If your teeth are less than pearly white, schedule regular cleanings with Dr. Lesko and keep them gleaming!

Ready to make your teeth as beautiful as the rest of your face? Call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Lesko at 970-221-5115.

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

Tips for Treating Sensitive Teeth

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Categories: Oral Health

If you have sensitive teeth, it can really take the joy out of your daily life. From passing up your favorite foods like hot coffee and ice cream to experiencing discomfort during hot or cold weather, sensitive teeth affect more than just your mouth. This condition can really affect your mood too. But thankfully you don’t have to simply accept the discomfort and inconvenience of sensitive teeth. Here are some lifestyle changes you can make that may go a long way toward lessening the pain of sensitive teeth, so you can get back to enjoying the foods and activities you love without the sensitivity!

Change How You Brush

Yes, there is a wrong way and a right way to brush your teeth. If you are brushing your teeth too hard, brushing your gums, or brushing back and forth, you could be harming the gums and causing gum recession. Gum recession in turn can cause – you guessed it – sensitive teeth. If this sounds like how you’re brushing, try this instead: Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and brush in small circular motions. If you need a demo, ask Dr. Lesko and her team at your next appointment.

Change What You Brush With

Sometimes we may be brushing the right way, but with the wrong brush. This is an easy fix. Stick with a medium to soft-bristled brush and follow the brushing guidelines above. Save those hard-bristled brushes for your tile grout!

Change Your Toothpaste

If you are experiencing sensitivity but not using a sensitive toothpaste, it may be time to switch. Sensitive toothpaste is made with an ingredient called potassium nitrate, which is used to fill in the tiny pores in the teeth called tubules. These tubules lead to the nerves, so when they’re blocked, you can actually prevent hot and cold foods and air from reaching those nerves. It’s kind of like how the insulation in your walls blocks the outside weather from getting inside your home.

Change Your Diet

While you shouldn’t have to change your diet to accommodate tooth sensitivity, there are certain foods that forgoing may make it easier to live life pain free. Foods that are high in acid such as citrus and soda or foods that are high in sugar may make sensitivity worse, so eliminating these where you can from your diet may enable you to enjoy other foods again.

Ready to make an appointment to talk about your tooth sensitivity? Call Dr. Lesko’s office today at 970-221-5115.

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

Epigenetics Could Someday Restore Tooth Roots

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Categories: Dental Implants, Oral Health, Root Canals

Imagine someday being able to eliminate missing teeth by restoring the roots of decayed teeth. If researchers at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California have their way, that could be possible. That’s because researchers have found a formula that could regenerate those roots, using a process called epigenetic regulation.

Epigenetics is defined as the study of alterations to organisms via modification of gene expression, and epigenetics may be the key to controlling the pattern and formation of tooth rot.

Researchers discovered that tooth rot patterns are controlled by proteins called Arid1a and Ezh2. When these two proteins are in balance, and in certain configurations of tooth roots are in just the right place with the jawbone, a tooth rot pattern can be established.

Dr. Allison Lesko is a Fort Collins-based dentist. She says this type of breakthrough could make a huge difference in how we treat rotten teeth.

“Right now, if a tooth is badly decayed, there’s a chance it may need to be pulled,” Lesko says. “With this discovery, they may someday be able to restore tooth roots, which means even if a tooth is pulled we may not need to rely on dentures or dental implants to replace it.”

That’s because with regenerated roots, the researchers at USC believe they can create enough of a replacement tooth to at least cover it with a crown.

“A crown over an existing tooth is a much better option than a dental implant,” says Lesko. “While dental implants are really the Cadillac of dental prosthetics, there is always a chance of something called implant failure.”

Implant failure occurs when the screw used to anchor a dental implant to the jaw fails to implant itself into the jawbone. This can happen due to bone loss or deterioration, which can occur when too much time passes between the loss of the tooth and the attempted implantation.

“With regenerated tooth roots and a bit of naturally regrown tooth, the risk of implant failure would be obsolete,” Lesko says.

Another benefit to the study that was noted by its authors? The discovery could someday treat cancer, too.

According to the researchers at USC, some cancers can be affected by epigenetic regulators; when these regulators are out of balance, cancer can develop. The key to treating these cancers is to find a way to balance the epigenetics and stop the cancer in its tracks.

“I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about epigenetics in the near future,” says Lesko. “There are some exciting breakthroughs already, and they’re still just scratching the surface.”

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

Brushing Teeth with Shampoo?!

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Categories: Oral Health

It’s a safe bet to say we all care on some level what we put into our bodies. With organic food markets springing up around the country and a return to farmers markets and farm-to-table eating, more and more Americans are paying close attention to what they ingest. But a recent controversy about a common ingredient in toothpaste may be misleading to some.

The ingredient, sodium lauryl sulfate, is used in toothpaste to create that signature foaming effect we all know so well. The alleged problem? The ingredient is also used in shampoos and detergents.

“Stop Brushing Your Teeth with Shampoo,” decries one blog, a mindset that dentists like Fort Collins-based Dr. Allison Lesko cautions against.

“Calling toothpaste shampoo is a slippery slope,” she says.

That’s because, though the sodium lauryl sulfate acts the same in all products, it isn’t actually shampoo. It is a surfactant. In shampoo, it ensnares dirt and oil sitting on your scalp and along your hair shafts, making it easier to rinse away. In toothpaste, sodium lauryl sulfate helps to both evenly spread out the ingredients in your toothpaste but, similarly to shampoo, allows you to remove and rinse away plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth.

“You want that foaming action to remove the debris from your mouth,” says Lesko. “If it does that, it’s doing a good job.”

Dentists and toothpaste manufacturers believe the uproar over sodium laurel sulfate is much ado about nothing, but some toothpaste manufacturers with natural product lines have still removed sodium lauryl sulfate from some varieties of their products for those who absolutely must avoid it.

Lesko, for her part, likens it to another recent outcry: the brief controversy over flossing.

“A few years ago a study came out and said that flossing wasn’t necessary, but that was proven to be false,” she says.

What we do know about flossing is that in addition to making the teeth look and feel better (and getting that stuck food out), it also cleans the 30 percent of the teeth you can’t reach by brushing alone. It also helps reduce the amount of bacteria that reach the gums, helping to reduce the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis. Periodontitis can cause everything from lost teeth and gum tissue to a long list of diseases. It has most recently been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s my recommendation that patients not panic when rumors like these are started, but if they really don’t want to brush their teeth with sodium lauryl sulfate, look into ADA-approved toothpastes that don’t contain it,” Lesko says.

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

Stress in the Workplace Can Increase Cavities

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Categories: Oral Health

A recent study by the United Kingdom’s Oral Health Foundation has found that stress eating at work is causing a lot of cavities in the nation. It seems that in times of high stress, such as during the workday, people are reaching for unhealthy snacks loaded with sugar and fat to help calm their nerves. Unfortunately, while sometimes effective, this stress eating is taking its toll on people’s waistlines – and their teeth.

“The main problem is the stress hormone known as cortisol,” says Dr. Allison Lesko, a dentist in Fort Collins, Colorado. “When cortisol is released, we feel hungry, and eating sugary and fatty foods quells that hunger.”

The good news is that other foods that don’t contain high amounts of bad fats and sugar can have the same effect – but those foods have to be available.

“It’s easy to reach for a candy bar if that’s what’s in the vending machine at work,” says Lesko, “which is why it’s important if you find yourself binging on comfort foods to pack your own healthy snacks.”

Lesko recommends stocking your office with fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, crackers and dairy products, all of which are filling but won’t attack your teeth and your waistline like a doughnut or cupcake would.

“If you have healthier options on hand, you’ll be less likely to reach for whatever is in the break room,” she says. “But it still may be worth asking whoever stocks the snacks to provide some healthier options if all they’re providing is junk food.”

As for other stress-busting options, there are healthy ways to beat the pressure that don’t involve eating, such as taking a brisk walk, listening to a few minutes of soothing music, doing some yoga stretches or deep breathing exercises, and even diffusing some calming essential oils.

“We can’t eat every time we get stressed at work, or we’d never stop eating,” Lesko says. “The trick is to find something that calms you down without being too obvious. It would be difficult to stop a meeting and go for a jog. But you could discreetly do a breathing exercise or even some stretching if you’re on a conference call.”

If you still do reach for that chocolate when the going gets tough, Lesko says to remember to brush your teeth afterward, or at the very least rinse your mouth out with water, so those cavity-causing sugars aren’t sitting on your teeth all day. And if you find yourself gritting or grinding your teeth in a moment of frustration, speak to your dentist about being fitted for a mouth guard.

“Grinding your teeth has no calories, but it can cause your teeth to crack or break, so you definitely aren’t doing your body any favors doing that,” Lesko says.

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

Important News About Pregnancy and Fluoridated Water

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Categories: Oral Health

A recent study published in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics has found that drinking too much fluoridated water during pregnancy may account for a nominal dip in IQ in male children. The Canadian study revealed that among pregnant women whose urine contained fluoride, an increase of 1 milligram accounted for an average 4.5-point reduction in their sons’ IQs. For those with girls, no significant decrease in IQ points was present.

Despite these findings, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association still recommend pregnant women continue drinking fluoridated water, though both organizations recommend possibly reducing the amount consumed while pregnant.

Dr. Allison Lesko of Fort Collins, Colorado, agrees.

“Fluoridated water is still an excellent way to get the much-needed fluoride to protect your teeth and your child’s developing teeth from cavities,” she says.

Cavities affect up to 90 percent of the population, with one in four adults having untreated cavities.

“Poor oral health can take its toll on overall health, especially in pregnant women,” says Lesko.

Things like gum disease have been proven to cause low birth weight in babies, and gum disease can be caused by cavities if the cavity irritates the gums.

“Our oral health is tied closely to our overall health, and that includes both the teeth and gums,” Lesko says.

Another organization, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, echoes the importance of oral health care during pregnancy and continues to recommend pregnant women brush with fluoridated toothpaste during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has agreed to consider this new information when updating its pregnancy guidelines.

Lesko, for her part, says it’s important for people to not misunderstand the study and be scared away from fluoride altogether.

“The recommendation of the study’s authors is that pregnant women reduce fluoride levels, not discontinue them entirely,” she says.

Lesko recommends alternating fluoridated tap water with un-fluoridated bottled water.

“By simply swapping out a few glasses of water per day with un-fluoridated water, you can cut your fluoride levels and hopefully boost the IQ a little bit,” she says. “But be sure to continue drinking fluoridated water to some degree and make sure to resume your normal level of fluoridated water intake after the pregnancy.”

If by chance you do still develop gingivitis or cavities during pregnancy, Lesko says don’t panic.

“We can still perform fillings during pregnancy.”

Gingivitis is a common pregnancy issue. Upwards of 70 percent of women develop what is known as pregnancy gingivitis, sometimes despite excellent oral care. The good news, according to Lesko, is that the condition usually clears up on its own following the birth of the child. However, pregnant women are still encouraged to visit the dentist frequently during pregnancy to monitor their oral health.

Source:

https://www.aappublications.org/news/2019/08/19/fluoride081919

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

Dentistry Toys Make Oral Health Fun!

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Categories: Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry

Do you have a budding dentist at home? A child with a fear of going to the dentist or brushing their teeth? Or maybe you just want to teach your children how to care for their teeth. Whatever your motivation, there are many tooth-themed toys and games out there you may not know about that can make oral health fun!

If you’re looking for a way to make dentistry fun for your kids, check out these cool dental-themed play products.

Thinkmax Play Dentist Set

For the future dentist, the Thinkmax Play Dentist set is available on Amazon.com and contains 15 pieces, including play picks, mirror, toothbrush and even a smiling set of teeth. The pieces come in a cute retro medical bag for storage, so your little one can make house calls without losing all the pieces in the process. This set would be great for kids who both want to be a dentist or are afraid to go to the dentist. Parents can demonstrate how the tools will be used on their child on a favorite toy, showing the child exactly what the dentist does, and how gentle their exam will be.

Crocodile Dentist

This clever and fun game isn’t as educational as some of the other dental toys, but it sure is fun! Kids can press the teeth of the crocodile at each turn, and one unlucky player will get their hand chomped by chance. The “teeth” don’t hurt when they bite, but they definitely can take you by surprise!

Play-Doh Drill’N Fill Set

Another fun game for the orthodontist- or dentist-in-training is the Play Doh Drill’N Fill playset. It comes with a mouth, dentist tools and plenty of Play-Doh to use for making everything from teeth to braces. We let a 4-year-old try it out and it got two thumbs up (they especially loved making green teeth)!

Playmobil Dentist with Patient

Playmobil makes a wide variety of toys for every walk of life, but the company’s dentist with patient playset is great for kids who want to play dentist without having to be the dentist themselves. In addition to the dentist and the patient, the set comes with a chair, dental tools, dental equipment and pretty much everything your child will encounter at their own dental exam.

The Toothless Monster

The Toothless Monster is an adorable plush toy that “grows” teeth each time your child loses a tooth. The toy comes with a book about why it’s important to care for your teeth. It’s not meant to replace the tooth fairy tradition, but it teaches children to help others while keeping the experience of losing teeth positive.

Whether your child loves caring for their teeth and visiting the dentist or is apprehensive about these experiences, these toys can help make oral health fun, and hopefully encourage your child to take control of their own oral hygiene.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lesko, please call 970-221-5115.

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

Alcohol Use Could Cause Oral Health Problems

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Categories: Oral Health

If you are a heavy drinker of alcoholic beverages, there may be more bad news in store for you. In addition to the increased risk of liver, heart and brain problems, excessive consumption of alcohol is now being linked to an increased risk of gum disease. Gum disease, or periodontitis, occurs when the gums become infected with bacteria. But it doesn’t end there, because the bacteria responsible for periodontitis can get into your bloodstream, causing everything from heart disease to stroke to many types of cancer, including liver cancer.

The discovery linking excess drinking to periodontitis was discovered by researchers at the New York University’s Langone Health. Researchers at NYU sought to discover which “lifestyle factors” changed the oral biome. They examined many behaviors, but noted that the more alcohol participants consumed, the more their oral biome changed. Those who identified as drinking heavily had less good bacteria and more bad bacteria present in their mouths than those who drank moderately, lightly and not at all.

To conduct the study, the NYU researchers used data from 1,044 participants in a nationwide cancer study. They found that the participants who drank more than the recommended one glass of alcohol per day for women and two per day for men had less Lactobacillales, a good bacteria often found in probiotic supplements, and more bad bacteria like Bacteroidales and Neisseria associated with periodontitis.

They also noted, however, that alcohol consumption is just one factor that could be responsible for the increase in these bad bacteria and the decrease in the good Lactobacillales. Many factors could be responsible for these changes, including oral care habits, income disparities and the participant’s overall diet.

Still, the evidence does seem pretty clear, and we already know that excessive alcohol consumption can be very dangerous. So what can you do to prevent periodontitis? For starters, if you are a woman who drinks more than the recommended one glass of alcohol per day or a man who drinks more than two glasses of alcohol per day, cutting back can save your health in many important ways. Another way to help stave off gum disease is to take excellent care of your teeth and gums. That means brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time, and flossing at least once a day. Don’t scrimp on the professional cleanings, either. Visit Dr. Lesko at least once a year for your annual cleaning and exam.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lesko, please call 970-221-5115.

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