teeth

Don’t Do This with Clear Aligners In!

Posted on
Categories: Clear Aligner, Oral Health

Invisible aligners allow you the orthodontic power of wearing braces combined with the flexibility of living life wire and bracket free when you need it most. But in order to get the most out of your treatment, you need to wear them as often as possible. Thankfully, due to their flexibility, wearing them frequently isn’t difficult. But there are definitely a few times when you should take them out.

While Eating

You should never wear aligners while eating. Not only will you not be able to chew your food properly, but you could actually also break your aligner. You could also get food trapped between your aligner and your teeth, making cavities more likely

As a Mouth Guard

Mouth guards are great for protecting your teeth against injury – from teeth grinding while asleep or awake to snoring or even playing sports. But your clear aligners were not designed to protect the teeth in this way. If you do require any of these types of tooth protection, speak to Dr. Lesko about your mouth guard options.

While Drinking Hot Beverages

Hot beverages are a big no-no when it comes to invisible aligners. That’s because invisible aligners can literally melt in your mouth and become misshapen if exposed to hot liquids. Not only will this change the shape of your aligners, but it can also affect the shape of your teeth and derail your treatment!

To learn more about clear aligners and their care, please contact 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

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

Posted on
Categories: Oral Health

Tooth sensitivity can come as quite a jolt to the system, especially if you’ve never experienced sensitivity before. For those who do experience sensitivity, it can easily ruin a favorite meal or activity and keep you from enjoying the things you love. Here are some top causes of tooth sensitivity and how you can stop it.

Brushing Too Hard

It seems counterintuitive that brushing too hard or with too-hard brush bristles is possible, but it is. Not only is it possible, but it can also cause damage to your tooth enamel and in turn cause tooth sensitivity. The solution is gentler brushing and a softer-bristled brush.

Cavities / Broken Teeth

Because sensitivity is caused in the roots and dentin of your teeth, it makes sense that when exposed or injured, these parts of your teeth may have painful, heightened sensitivity. Thankfully, a trip to Dr. Lesko’s office can get your teeth repaired and restored, and the sensitivity should subside.

Receding Gums

Receding gums expose the roots of your teeth at the gum line, causing pain and sensitivity. Often, this can be eased by flossing more frequently, or by getting a gum deep-cleaning procedure. In some more severe cases, a gum graft may be required to repair the gums and re-cover the roots of the teeth along the gum line.

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

What Is Each Tooth Used For?

Posted on
Categories: Oral Health

The full-grown adult mouth has 32 teeth, all of which have their own unique, specific purposes in the mouth. Though they all work together in unison to chew your food, each tooth plays an individual role in the grand scheme of things. Here’s a list of your teeth, and how each one helps your other teeth do their jobs.

The Incisors

The incisors are the eight foremost teeth in your mouth, including the fabled “two front teeth.” These teeth are usually the most visible when you smile or speak, and thanks to their shape are best used for cutting into food. The incisors consist of the central incisors and the lateral incisors, of which you have four – two of each on the top jaw and two of each on the bottom.

The Canines

Canine teeth get their name because of their similar appearance to the sharp teeth of dogs. There are a total of four canine teeth in the adult mouth – two on the upper jaw and two on the lower. The canine teeth flank the incisors on either side. Canine teeth are used for tearing food apart.

The Premolars

There are a total of eight premolars – four “first premolars” and four “second premolars,” which sit next in line to the canine teeth. The premolars are the flat teeth with points called cuspids. Because each premolar has two cuspids, they are also known as bicuspids. Because of their dual shape, bicuspids serve a dual purpose: to both tear and crush food.

The Molars

The teeth located at the very back of your mouth, the molars are your grinding teeth. There are a total of 12 molars in the adult mouth – the first, second and third molars, of which we have two on each jaw bone. The molars are used for grinding and chewing food.

To learn more about your teeth, contact 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

Helping Care for Oral Health

Posted on
Categories: Oral Health

If you are a caregiver for someone ill or elderly, first of all, thank you. Your tireless work is something to be celebrated, whether you get recognition or not. Though your job may have its challenges, it can also be rewarding when you are successful.

One of the many challenges caregivers face is providing oral health care to those they care for. But it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Here are some ways you can make making oral health care a priority for your charge a lot easier.

(more…)

Read More

2019 Dental Resolutions

Posted on
Categories: Oral Health

It’s that time of year again when we cast aside the old and welcome the new – New Year’s resolutions, that is. Whether this year you’re resolving to lose weight, quit smoking or try a new hobby, New Year’s resolutions are admirable goals for anyone to have, especially if they’re for your health. This year, when you sit down to make your resolutions, don’t forget one very important aspect of your life: your oral health. Try these suggestions to make 2019 your best oral health year ever!

(more…)

Read More

The Dangers of Using a Straw

Posted on
Categories: Oral Health

You may have heard news reports recently that drinking from disposable plastic straws available at most restaurants is bad for the planet. That’s because these seemingly insignificant pieces of plastic add up – to the tune of 500 million straws every single day. Worse yet, they’re not biodegradable or recyclable, so those 500 million daily straws sit in landfills. To give you an idea of how much plastic that is, the National Park Service says it could add up to about 46,000 school buses full of plastic straws annually. But it gets worse, because in addition to being bad for the planet, straws can be bad for your oral health too. Here’s why.

(more…)

Read More

Rainbow Teeth? Yes, Really

Posted on
Categories: Oral Health

Here in America, we spend a whopping $1.5 billion annually in our pursuit of whiter teeth. From chewing gum that promises to get teeth whiter to pastes, LED lights, trays, strips and even in-office treatments, there is a product at every price point to get those pearly whites pearly-whiter. But a new trend is sweeping social media that has a lot of people scratching their heads.

(more…)

Read More

Winter Is Coming: Time to Get Teeth Ready!

Posted on
Categories: Oral Health, Teeth Whitening

There’s no question about it, winter is on the way. While we’re all enjoying fall right now, it’s good to be prepared for the upcoming chilly weather and winter season. That includes preparing teeth. One of the biggest issues that comes up with oral health in the winter months is tooth sensitivity. If you struggle with sensitive teeth, here are some possible reasons it happens and some things to help you control and possibly even reverse the sensitivity.

(more…)

Read More