From the Office

I see a wide range of tooth and gum problems day in and day out. And the fact is that many of the issues my patients run into could have been prevented with better home care and regular dental visits. My team and I simply can’t stress enough how important the role of regular maintenance is in keeping your smile healthy.

Good wellness care involves a comprehensive approach to a great smile. It involves several aspects of health, including brushing and flossing, eating healthy foods, visiting us at least twice a year, and coming in when signs of a problem start — not waiting until pain has become unbearable. We are encouraging patients of all ages to take an active role in their dental health, to pay attention to changes in their teeth and gums and recognize signs of a problem. Most importantly, we want everyone who sits in our chair to understand the power of prevention.

I enjoy empowering my patients through age-appropriate education that addresses issues like:

• How bacteria can form cavities
• How missing teeth can lead to jawbone loss
• How dental cleanings significantly reduce dental caries
• How periodontal disease can affect heart health
• How dental crowns and fillings can protect teeth
• How jaw joint problems (TMJ/TMD) and a bad bite can cause tooth loss
• Why tooth-colored fillings are safer than metal ones
• How diet can affect dental health

Once an issue is identified, it is imperative to treat it right away. At our Boulder dental clinic, you’ll find a variety of restoration options designed to keep teeth looking beautiful and functioning exceptionally for many years. As part of our commitment to safety and total wellness, we practice metal-free dentistry with only the best biocompatible dental materials used.

For a more in-depth discussion of our wellness services, please schedule an appointment. We look forward to providing personalized dental care to you and your family.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

Your teeth and gums are precious resources that should be protected, through both diligent home care and respectful dental care alike. At my Boulder dental clinic, my team and I prefer to practice a conservative style called minimally-invasive dentistry. This means we realize that your one set of teeth are irreplaceable and recommend the least-invasive methods first. If there are ways we can solve your problem with less risk, less discomfort, less removal of enamel, etc, we will search for the solution that has the least impact.

Conservative treatments allow us to preserve more of your natural teeth and involve less pain and tooth or gum trauma than more invasive measures. Most of the time this guiding principle is successful and our patients are able to find relief with minor tooth treatment like tooth-colored dental fillings, laser bacterial removal, and other procedures that are easy to undergo and recover from. In cases where additional reinforcement is needed, only then will we recommend the more invasive options such as ceramic crowns, dental implants, and endodontics (root canals).

The principle of minimally-invasive dentistry also translates to the equipment and technology used daily in our office. For instance, our digital X-ray services allow for optimal evaluation of teeth and gums with less hassle, risk and discomfort for our patients. Our dental restoration procedures are performed in the most efficient manner, with advanced equipment, in order to maximize your time and improve comfort while you are here.

If you are not happy with your current dentist and want to find out more about my practice and our minimally invasive style of dentistry, please schedule an appointment today.

Dr. Ania

How much time have you spent educating your children on the importance of caring for their teeth and gums? If you want your little ones to understand their role in keeping their smiles healthy and beautiful, they’ll need much more exposure to dental education than an annual school visit from a dental professional. The story of how cavities form and harm teeth need to be repeated many times before kids can truly grasp what it means to take care of their teeth.

Find Age-Appropriate Methods

The sooner your children learn how to care for their teeth, the better their chances of avoiding dental problems throughout their life. The American Dental Association recommends all children get in to see the dentist within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, and no later than age 1. My team can give you suggestions for age-appropriate ways to demonstrate how teeth become damaged and what your children can do to keep their mouths clean. We’ve found that illustrated materials used repetitively during tooth brushing time work well to ingrain the importance of hygiene and help kids care more about keeping their smiles free of plaque and tartar buildup. When children begin to hit reading comprehension age, integrating fun dental health books into their bedtime routines can also be a big help.

Stay on Schedule With Check-ups

A perfect marriage of great home care and regular dental cleanings can set your children up for a future of dental health. If there are any issues you are experiencing with at-home care, my team and I can help you address them and give you advice for creating a more stable cleaning routine.

During the wellness check, I will also do a neuromuscular evaluation to ensure there are no pressing TMJ problems that may be threatening dental health. In cases where children have neuromuscular issues, there may be things you can do at home to improve your child’s bite, such as using a mouthguard to avoid tooth grinding and jaw clenching or eating softer foods.

Ask Away

As an experienced cosmetic dentist, I continue to take great pride in the work we do for our young patients. If you have any questions about your child’s dental care, please don’t hesitate to call our Boulder family dental practice during business hours to set up an evaluation or consultation.

We’ll make sure we give you detailed instructions on the best ways to keep your children’s teeth clean and cavity-free. For instance, it is not a good idea to give your children anything other than water to drink after they’ve brushed at night, and avoiding soda altogether can greatly minimize risk.

Supervise brushing and flossing sessions to ensure your children are doing a thorough job. Make sure you use soft-bristled toothbrushes and fluoride or antibacterial rinses as recommended. Make sure they see you spending time on your hygiene routine, as well, to reinforce the necessity of consistency.

If you would like to learn more about effective home care regimens for your children, please contact my Boulder, Colorado dental office to set up a personal family dentistry consultation.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry