Dental health

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

At The Fort Collins Dentist we want to see each one of our patients for a cleaning and checkup twice a year. Most of the time we try to get you to schedule your next appointment even as you leave the office from your latest one.

There are some very good reasons for seeing us twice a year. Regular cleanings and checkups are the best way to ensure you have good dental health. That means clean teeth with no cavities, and pink healthy gums.

Most appointments begin with a cleaning from the hygienist. During the checkup itself we look for any new cavities that may have appeared since your last visit. We might take X-rays, although this is not done at every visit. We’ll examine your gums, too, for any signs of gum disease.

Your Smile

Then there is the appearance of your smile. We offer a range of procedures to address it, from teeth whitening to dental implants.

We know that your time is important to you, and in many instances we are able to complete several procedures in one visit. Ask us when you schedule your appointment!

At The Fort Collins Dentist we are committed to providing the community with excellent services. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for complete general and family dentistry, cosmetic 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

The most common times people brush their teeth are morning and night, either before or after breakfast, after dinner, or at bedtime. But sometimes hiccups in the schedule can knock you off a well-established routine. At The Fort Collins Dentist, we have some thoughts on that.

Sometimes after dinner isn’t super cut and dried. An irregular schedule generally disrupts regular dental maintenance. What are you to do?

One suggestion is to try doing a better job at cleaning your teeth during the day. One of the best things you can do is rinse your mouth with water after you eat. It’s no substitute for brushing, of course, but will give your entire mouth a quick cleansing.

A quick brushing is good, too. An excellent trick is what we call dry brushing. That means brushing your teeth without toothpaste. Yes, it sounds a bit strange – but it’s effective, especially if you can use a little water, too. (We’ve heard of dentists who do it themselves.) It isn’t the way you would brush at home, but it’s going to clean your gums and the surfaces of your teeth – and that’s half the battle.

The other half of the battle is the stuff that gets between your teeth. A good solution here is carrying floss picks with you.

The most important time to brush is after eating sugar or carb-intensive foods. Otherwise, these foods kickstart bacteria growth on the teeth.

We know that life gets busy, but hiccups in your dental routine can damage your teeth if you aren’t careful. The best approach is to brush and floss before bed, and see us at The Fort Collins Dentist for a checkup every six months. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor see us for general and family dentistry, complete cosmetic dentistry, and all their dental care needs. Call for 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

To maintain good dental health, your teeth need a lot of good ol’-fashioned TLC. But even when we do our best, bacteria can sneak in and cause tooth decay. At The Fort Collins Dentist, we are here to take care of your dental issues.

Few of us go through life without getting a cavity. They’re the common cold of dental health!

Cavities are caused when bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine to form plaque. Plaque clings to your teeth, and the acid in it starts to dissolve the enamel. The result is a hole in your tooth.

You can go a long way toward preventing cavities by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. Brushing and flossing removes that filmy plaque and promotes healthy teeth and gums.

It’s also wise to see us at The Fort Collins Dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to our office for restorative dentistry, complete general and family dentistry, and much more. 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

How are Americans doing when it comes to the dental health of those who are sixty-five and over? Well, at The Fort Collins Dentist we have some good news and bad news.

The Good News:

• Tooth decay rates in older Americans has decreased in the past thirty years.

The Bad News:

• 25% of people over sixty-five have no remaining teeth
• Nearly 20% have untreated cavities
• 10% of adults 65 and over have moderate to severe periodontal disease.
• There is evidence to suggest that advanced gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease
• Most older Americans don’t have dental insurance

Clearly, there is room for improvement. What elements will improve the oral health of older Americans? The National Institutes of Health cite three things:

1. Improved oral health education for the elderly
2. Seniors practicing effective daily oral hygiene
3. Increased access to dental care

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we are committed to providing all of our patients with comprehensive oral health education and care. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for our full range of family and cosmetic dentistry services. Please 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