From the Office

Even if you are in great dental health, you still have millions of bacteria present in your mouth at any given time. Gum disease can strike those who brush and floss regularly, too, so it is important to educate yourself on how the disease begins and progresses, and what you can do to prevent problems.

Be Proactive About Your Dental Health

So how can you protect yourself against bacteria that attack and degrade your teeth and gums? Your best defense against gum disease is to 1) prevent bacteria from settling by keeping a clean mouth, 2) see a skilled general dentist every 6 months for professional dental cleanings to spot any decay as soon as it starts, and 3) say “yes” to any recommended cosmetic dentistry or neuromuscular dentistry treatments to reduce your vulnerability to disease.

Even if your teeth look and feel super healthy, you never want to skip a dental checkup. If you notice any changes in your dental health, such as a change in how your teeth fit together, bleeding gums, or tooth pain, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Choose a Technology-Savvy Dentist

My Boulder, Colorado dental practice invests in new technology because it gives our patients an edge against the pitfalls of poor dental health. Advanced technology Innovations like the soft tissue diode laser help dramatically reduce bacteria, effectively delivering extra protection against gum disease.

The soft-tissue laser is also used to detect and treat cavities in their early stages, before they have a chance to spread and erode gum tissue. Laser decontamination is the application of this laser to effectively deep clean your gingival pockets, a step used on healthy patients in an effort to prevent disease. Laser therapy is the use of the laser to vaporize diseased tissue, perfect for helping our gum disease patients reduce the impact of bacteria.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can protect yourself from gum disease, my team and I would be happy to sit down and discuss a personalized strategy with you. To schedule a visit, please contact my Boulder, Colorado dental practice at your convenience.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

Flossing doesn’t get nearly the attention that it should. While brushing is integral to removing food particles on the surfaces of teeth, flossing with dental wax is important for removing the tiny food particles that hide between teeth. Both are things you can do to significantly reduce the bacteria count in your mouth, which will help you avoid tooth decay and the dental work necessary to deal with cavities. Brushing without flossing is like washing only your car’s body and leaving the windows dirty. At my Boulder, Colorado dentistry practice, we recommend you floss after every brushing session.

What Flossing Does

Flossing obviously removes food particles, but it also removes microscopic bacteria and plaque that has already begun to form. If plaque is allowed to harden into the substance known as tartar, professional wellness care will be necessary for removal. If left alone, tartar can accumulate dangerous bacteria that will eat away at your precious enamel, cause irritated and swollen gums, and may even cause an infection. It doesn’t take much for a superficial level of tartar to progress to gum disease — which can threaten your tooth root and your jawbone — so every flossing session is of the utmost importance.

How to Floss Correctly

First of all, you should make sure that you choose a floss brand that is easy to use, that doesn’t fall apart, and that you are comfortable with. Many of my patients use the floss picks to avoid the gripping problems.

Extract a decent size piece of floss and wrap it a few times around both middle fingers. Work the floss in the areas between teeth, called the “contacts,” in a gentle back-and-forth motion. Be sure to curve the floss around the base of each tooth (gumline) before pulling the floss out. Once you’ve done this on every contact on the upper and lower arch, rinse your mouth to remove any loose particles.

If you aren’t flossing often, it is normal to experience a small amount of bleeding from the gum tissue. If the bleeding continues even with increased frequency, you may need a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.

Preserve your natural tooth structure and avoid the need for dental restoration with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits. For detailed instructions on the optimal way to floss, please contact my Boulder, Colorado dental office.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry