You Can’t Afford Cheap Dental Work

Fort Collins teeth whitening

Have you ever gotten a deal on a used car that turned out to be a lemon? After a couple years of continual repairs, you realized that it ended up costing as much as a new auto would have. And after spending all that money, you still have a a lemon.

The same is true of deficient dental work. We at The Fort Collins Dentist will never sell you a lemon.

You have probably received shiny postcard ads that proclaim amazing deals on cosmetic dentistry: porcelain veneers, crowns, white fillings, and dental implants. The prices may be attractive, but be certain you do plenty of research before committing. We aren’t trying to imply that all dental practices that publicize low procedure prices in their ads furnish deficient work—we are just cautioning patients not to decide on a cosmetic dentist based on price alone. Unlike a car, you can’t sell your smile and buy a new one.

We will use porcelain veneers as an example. What can go amiss if you receive substandard porcelain veneers?

The dentist may be inexperienced and make mistakes: improper placement, substandard color matching, bite complications.
The materials may be deficient: unnatural color, prone to breaking, veneers pop off.
The lab techs that create the restorations may turn out poor quality work: unnatural color, poor fit.

During your consultation, you will learn about The Fort Collins Dentist’s years of experience, techniques, specialty training, and the number of procedures performed.  You will learn about the best materials for the restorations and receive specifics about the dental lab we use. We serve patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor and provide a variety of services such as crowns and other restorations. Schedule an 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


4 Oral Ailments To Discuss With Your Dentist

Bad Breath Treatment Loveland

This article is about some of the most common conditions that should be discussed with us, at The Fort Collins Dentist.

There is a solution for each one of these issues.

Tooth Decay. This is easily the most common dental problem. Tooth decay (cavities) occurs when plaque combines with the sugars and/or starches in food to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. We can always do a drill-and-fill, but prevention via regular brushing and flossing is best.

Dry Mouth. Also known as xerostomia, this lack of saliva is very bothersome and can predispose you to a host of dilemmas such as decay and gum disease. It’s a common side effect of prescription medications, so make sure to bring a list of current prescriptions with you to your appointment.

Jaw Issues. If you suffer from jaw pain or notice a clicking sound, be sure to schedule an appointment with us immediately. These symptoms can be signs of a condition called temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.

Teeth Grinding. Known as bruxism, this can damage teeth surfaces. If you’ve been stressed out and find that you’ve been grinding your teeth, discuss it with us. An oral appliance can make all the difference.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, the dental health of our patients is always our top priority. Patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to our office for restorative dentistry, general dentistry, and much more. Please call to 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

 

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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

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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

Cavity Fighting Chewing Gum?

Loveland Oral DentistryAt the Fort Collins Dentist, patients often ask us if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular dental exams. In order to effectively answer that question, we have put together an expansive definition of Xylitol.

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark, but can also be found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners, xylitol is actually helpful for your teeth. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that xylitol restricts the growth of the bacteria that initiates cavities. It also helps curb plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, too! Because it is low on the glycemic index, many of our patients with diabetes enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. For patients that suffer from frequent dry mouth, we recommend xylitol gum or mints as a way of stimulating saliva production, while simultaneously safeguarding against cavities.

So, is xylitol gum just as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing your family dentist regularly? As shocking as this sounds after our definition, it’s actually not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly after meals and get twice-yearly exams and dental cleanings. Xylitol might be good for maintenance, but nothing can replace regular brushing and a professional dentistry.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life. We do this by preventing dental problems before they start. If you postpone dental visits until you feel pain, you risk losing teeth and will probably require more extensive treatment than if the issue were caught earlier. We treat satisfied patients in Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor and offer general dentistry 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

ArticleID 1368

Bad Breath Is No Fun

Bad Breath Is No Fun For Fort Collins Residents

This post from The Fort Collins Dentist takes on an unpleasant topic: bad breath.

Imagine you are starting a new job and are going to meet with your new boss for the first time. Confidence is key to your success. As you reach out to shake the extended hand your broad confident smile exposes rows of pearly white teeth, yet when you open your mouth to exchange greetings you worry about bad breath.

The technical term for bad breath is halitosis. Many behaviors and health conditions can cause or exacerbate halitosis. One of these factors is the food you eat. Onions and garlic are both known for having a potent effect on your breath.

Brushing and flossing daily is a critical step in curing bad breath. Food particles can build up in your mouth and foster bacteria which can cause bad breath. This not only includes the food particles that may get stuck between your teeth, but also the food that collects around your gums or on your tongue. Brushing and flossing daily can help reduce the number of food particles that stay in your mouth and cause bad breath.

Other factors to think about include dry mouth, tobacco use, and health concerns such as infections.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, your dental health is always our top priority. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for general and family dentistry, TMJ/TMD treatment, 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

ArticleID 346

5 Critical Oral Cancer Facts

oral cancer dental checkup Fort CollinsAt The Fort Collins Dentist we want to see our patients at least twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. A checkup can give you real peace of mind, especially since every one we do includes an oral cancer screening.

Lung and breast cancer get a lot of public attention, and rightfully so. But there is less awareness of oral cancer, even though it claims almost 10,000 lives in the United States every year.

Oral cancer claims almost 10,000 lives in the United States every year. If you smoke or have contracted HPV, you have a higher risk for developing oral cancer.

Here are five critical things to know about oral (mouth) and oropharyngeal (back of mouth and throat) cancers.

  1. About 80% of men and women with oral cancer use some type of tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipes).
  2. 40% of those who receive late-stage diagnosis of oral cancer pass away within five years. The survival rate for early stage diagnosis is 90%.
  3. In many cases, it is difficult for someone to detect oral and oropharyngeal cancers on their own, because they can produce indistinct symptoms or no symptoms at all. Any abnormality in the mouth or throat, even if small and painless, should be evaluated by a dentist or doctor.
  4. HPV (the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the US) is the most common cause of oropharyngeal cancer. Of the many strains of HPV, HPV16 is the one most often linked to oropharyngeal cancer.
  5. African American men have a higher risk of dying from oral cancer than do whites.

At The Fort Collins Dentist we screen for oral cancer at every checkup. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for dental implants, complete general and family dentistry, and much more. 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

ArticleID 7438

The Gift Of Oral Health

The Gift Of Oral Health In Loveland

Sometimes our patients wonder why, with all the developments in dentistry, we still send you home with a complimentary toothbrush and roll of floss after a checkup at The Fort Collins Dentist.

It’s true, they do seem a little old-fashioned in our high-tech world. But don’t let their simplicity fool you! These tools are your best friends in preventing cavities, plaque build-up, and gum disease!

When done properly and consistently, brushing and flossing are an important part of everyday oral hygiene.

How To Brush

We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush for at least two minutes. Make sure to get the front and sides of all your teeth, the inside and outside parts, and the chewing surfaces.

When you do the sides, be sure you brush along the gumline. Use a gentle touch, and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle. Replace your toothbrush every three months or so.

Use whatever toothpaste flavor you like best, but make sure it has fluoride in it. Use a pea-sized blob – or more than pea-sized, if you’re so inclined. Too much toothpaste is no big deal, but be sure to use enough!

We strongly recommend flossing, too. Should you floss your teeth before or after you brush? There is no hard-and-fast rule on that, and it may come down to personal preference. We think before is better, but the most important thing is that you do it.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we think that good oral health is a gift that keeps on giving. Our services include complete general and family dentistry. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor also improve their smiles with our cosmetic dentistry. 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

ArticleID 3804

Beware Of Hidden Sugar

preventative dentistry in Wellington

Most of us consume far too much sugar. That isn’t exactly a news flash, but at The Fort Collins Dentist we want to remind you what sugar does to teeth, and what you can do about it.

We get cavities when acids in the mouth attack the enamel and dentin of the teeth. The acid is produced by bacteria in plaque, that sticky film that forms on the surfaces of teeth. When sugar is introduced it interacts with the bacteria in the plaque, and makes the acids, which attack the teeth and cause cavities.

That’s why it is so important to choose food and drink wisely. But it isn’t easy, is it? Sugar seems to be in just about everything. Health experts say the average person in the United States consumes about 19.5 teaspoons of sugar every single day. That is twice as much as is recommended by the American Heart Association!

Knowing how much sugar is in the food that you buy is vital: not just to your teeth, but to your overall health. Reading ingredient labels on processed foods is essential.

Of course, some things are obvious. Eliminate or minimize the sweet stuff, like soda, candy, cookies, cakes, and donuts. Sweet things may seem to make life worthwhile, but there is a high cost.

If you have an incurable sweet tooth, you might try softening the blow by eating more fruit. You’ll still need to brush, of course, but the natural sugars in fruit aren’t as harmful as those in processed foods. If making that change sounds difficult, remember what a wise person once said: we like what we learn to like.

At The Fort Collins Dentist we care about the dental health of each of our patients. So please cut back on sugar, brush your teeth at least twice a day, don’t forget to floss, and see us for a cleaning and checkup every six months. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to us for dental implants, complete general and family denstiry, and much more. Schedule your next 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

ArticleID 2250

Two Hints For When You’re Too Tired To Brush

Timnath gentle dentist

Too tired to touch a toothbrush? We’ve all been there. At The Fort Collins Dentist we have two quick ideas to overcome your exhaustion and pick up your toothbrush.

Idea #1 Drag Tongue Along Teeth

As you lie there in bed after a long hard day and realize you forgot to brush, drag your tongue over your teeth a few times. As you do, visualize plaque: that filmy stuff on the teeth and gumline. It’s loaded with the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Then jump up and give your mouth just two minutes of gentle, thorough cleaning.

Idea #2 Scrutinize the Food You Eat

Another convenient and uncomplicated approach is to pay attention to what’s going into your mouth throughout the day. The higher the sugar content, the sooner the teeth will need a brushing to avoid harm. Swish with water after coffee, tea or soda if brushing isn’t going to happen soon.

Remember that brushing your teeth is an important part of any daily dental health routine. We recommend brushing twice a day, and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We strongly recommend flossing, too.

Be sure to get all over your teeth: the front and the sides, inside and out, and the tops. Use a pea-sized blob of fluoridated toothpaste – or more than pea-sized, if you’d like. Too much toothpaste is no big deal, but be sure to use enough!

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

ArticleID 6830