Floss Is Boss

FLOSS IS BOSS

 By: Elizabeth Dunkleberger DDS

According to a national survey, over

one quarter of people tell white lies to their

dentist about flossing. (Pssst... We see

through them every time.) In fact, 7% of

people would rather hear the sound of nails

on a chalkboard than floss. 18% would rather

wash dishes. 9% would rather do their taxes!

The real truth is, flossing is a critical part

of your daily oral hygiene routine and should

never be skipped.

Commit to flossing for just two minutes

during your bedtime routine and you’ll have

a clean, fresh, healthy mouth… Something

we all want!

Elizabeth Dunkleberger DDS

9557 S. University suite 101

Highlands Ranch, CO

80126 

303-470-8484

Your Teeth Are Precious

Your Teeth Are Precious

By: Elizabeth Dunkleberger DDS

Let us help you keep them that way

Tooth loss causes two significant threats to your oral and overall health.

#1 Teeth stimulate your jawbone with tiny movements, so tooth loss

means less stimulation ... which results in bone loss ... which means

unattractive physical and cosmetic consequences. That’s why it’s

important to save a tooth compromised by decay or trauma by

strengthening and protecting it with a crown instead of extracting it.

#2 Lost teeth impact the way your remaining teeth fit together and the

way they function. Neighboring teeth shift into the space left behind

which will result in a crooked gapped smile. Without opposing

teeth, chewing efficiency is diminished which invites a multitude of

complex issues that can cause pain, a decline in nutrition, and issues

with speech and self-esteem.

The solution? Tried and true crown and bridge treatment will help keep

your teeth properly aligned and maintain your ability to eat, talk, and smile

with confidence ... helping you to stay physically and mentally healthy.

Gum Disease Diabetes

Gum Disease

Diabetes

 

By: Elizabeth Dunkleberger DDS

 

A two-way street

Periodontitis is a chronic

inflammation of the gums which

damages tissue and results in bleeding

gums, drifting teeth, and eventually

tooth loss. Alarmingly, those with

periodontitis are at much greater risk

for developing diabetes within 10 years

than those without. This is because the

chronic inflammation that is present

with periodontal disease affects your

ability to regulate blood glucose levels.

Even gingivitis, the precursor to

periodontitis, is a contributing factor

for developing diabetes.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?

n Eat a balanced diet & avoid sugar

n Quit smoking

n Exercise moderately

n Tell us about any changes to your

oral health including loose teeth,

bleeding gums, puffy gums, or

chronic bad breath – all signs of

advancing gum disease.

n Foremost, brush and floss

regularly and keep your regular

appointments with us. Call now

to confirm your next visit!

Crowns and Fillings

Fillings, which are materials used to fill cavities in the teeth, and crowns, which slip over and cover the tops of damaged teeth, sometimes loosen and fall out. This is rarely an emergency, but it can be painful because the exposed tooth tissue is often sensitive to pressure, air or hot and cold temperatures. In some cases, a filling or crown may come loose because decay has developed underneath it. The decay can cause the tooth to change shape and as a result, the crown of filling no longer fits the tooth properly.

What You Can Do

You may be eating, or biting on something hard when you discover that a filling or a crown has become lose or fallen out. You may feel the lost filling or crown in your mouth.
If it's a crown, put it in a safe place and make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you can. You don't want to wait too long because the tooth will be weak and could be damaged more if it is not protected by the crown. Also, when a crown is missing for a long time, your teeth may move. If this happens your crown may no longer fit.
If the tooth is sensitive and you can't get to your dentist right away, here's what you can do:

• If you can reach the sensitive area, apply a little clove oil with a cotton swab. It works well to dull tooth pain. You can buy clove oil in pharmacies and also in the spice aisle of many supermarkets.
• If you have the crown, you may be able to slip it back over the tooth. Before you do that, it's important to clean the inside of the crown as best you can. To hold it in place temporarily, coat the inner surface of the crown with tooth "cement," which you can buy in the dental section of your pharmacy. There are several temporary cements available. Some need to be mixed; others come ready to use. You also can use denture adhesive or even petroleum jelly if nothing else is available. These aren't permanent solutions, but they will help to hold the crown in place until you can see your dentist. You should not use any household glues to hold the crown in place. These products are not safe to put in your mouth and can damage the tooth and crown.
• If you've lost the filling or crown, you can use over-the-counter dental cement to cover the tooth surface. This will help to protect and seal the area until you're able to see your dentist, and can make you more comfortable.

What Your Dentist Will Do

If the tooth is structurally sound and the crown still fits properly, your dentist will clean the area and then replace the crown.
If the tooth has been affected by decay, your dentist will need to prepare the tooth again by removing the decay and then making a new filling or crown to replace the old one.

©2002-2007 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved.
Reviewed by the faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

Preventing Cavities

Preventing Cavities

     Do you or your family members get cavities frequently? Dental research has identified factors that increase your risk of getting decay. Next time you visit the dental office, ask about your risk factors and discuss the best ways to reduce your risks and limit dental decay.

     To prevent your teeth from decaying, you can do two things — strengthen your teeth's defenses with fluoride and sealants, and reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth. 

     Fluoride strengthens teeth by penetrating the tooth structure and replacing lost minerals to repair acid damage. Everyone should brush with a fluoride toothpaste every day. Dental offices sometimes recommend additional toothpastes, gels and mouthrinses for both children and adults.

      Sealants are protective coatings placed over the tops of chewing teeth — molars and premolars. They block bacteria and acids from sticking in the tiny grooves on the chewing surfaces of these teeth. Children should get sealants soon after their teeth erupt into the mouth.

       Although you can never get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth, you can control bacteria by brushing regularly and flossing daily, seeing your dentist and dental hygienist regularly for a thorough cleaning and check-up, and reducing the number of times each day that you consume fermentable carbohydrates.

        Some prescription mouthwashes (those that contain chlorhexidine) can help prevent decay by reducing the number of bacteria in the mouth. Chewing sugarless gums, especially those with xylitol, can help reduce decay and increase the flow of saliva.

Fluoride: The Superhero of Cavity Fighting

Don't Neglect Your Oral Health

Adults 40-60

A white smile is a great accessory for anyone. Talk to your dentist to find out which whitening option is right for you.

 

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We all know life can be busy, but don’t neglect your oral health. Your dental care is just as important now as it was when you were a kid. Untreated dental disease can lead to serious health problems such as infection, damage to bone or nerve and tooth loss. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day and see your dentist regularly. This simple routine can help you remain Mouth Healthy for Life. 

Missing Teeth

Did you know that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth? If you are missing one or more teeth, there are plenty of reasons to correct the problem. Talk to your dentist for more information about improving your smile. 

To learn more, visit our other Adults 40-60 pages on MouthHealthy: 

• Healthy Habits 
• Concerns unique to you
• Nutrition tips 

Then test yourself with the Fact or Fiction Adults 40-60 quiz. Keeping your mouth healthy now can help you stay Mouth Healthy for Life.