get-a-beautiful-smile-with-same-day-crowns

Get a Beautiful Smile with Same Day Crowns

Do you have a tooth that has been weakened or damaged? If you answered yes, keep reading to hear about how getting a same day crown with Dr. Ania could help you. 

We have the modern technology to provide you with a same day crown, using digital scanners and in-office milling machines. If you want to restore your beautiful smile but don’t have much time on your hands, same-day crowns could be the best option for you. Crowns help improve the appearance of your teeth and protect your tooth enamel. Here’s how you could benefit from crowns — all in one day! 

What are Crowns?

A crown, also known as a “cap,” works as a protective armor for your teeth and allows you to bite with normal force without concern. Crowns are one of the best ways to improve how your teeth look while protecting the enamel at the same time. These caps are placed on top of the damaged tooth, and are used to restore your tooth when a filling can’t. 

Cleveland Clinic explains that you might need a dental crown if you need to:

  • Protect a weak tooth, whether from decay or breakage, to keep the tooth together if parts of it are cracked 
  • Restore a broken or worn down tooth
  • Cover and support a tooth with a large filling and not much natural tooth remaining
  • Hold a dental bridge in place
  • Cover a misshapen or discolored tooth 
  • Have a dental implant covered
  • Cover a tooth that has been treated with a root canal 

Types of Crowns 

There are four different types of crowns, according to Colgate. They are:

  • Ceramic, which are used for restoring front teeth, and are popular in this area for their ability to look just like your natural tooth. This kind is made of a porcelain-based material.
  • Porcelain-fused to metal, which provides a stronger bond than regular porcelain because it is connected to a metal structure. This type is extremely durable. 
  • Gold alloys, which is a mix of gold, copper and other metals. It provides a strong bond to the tooth, it doesn’t fracture, and it also doesn’t deteriorate the natural tooth. 
  • Base metal alloys, which are made up of non-noble metals that are highly resistant to corrosion, and make for a very strong crown. It also takes the least amount of healthy tooth away before fitting. 

So, what’s the best option? Colgate further explains a few things to keep in mind, like the sealing ability and durability. First, the sealing ability of the all-porcelain crown depends on the condition of your natural tooth. Where with the others, they typically provide a good sealing against leakage. 

As far as durability is concerned, the best is the golden metal alloys crowns. However, any porcelain-based crown tends to be highly resistant against wear. Crowns can last a lifetime as long as you care for them properly, which means having good oral health. 

Same Day Crowns 

Same day crowns are perfect for anyone who wants a beautiful smile but whose time is at a premium. Crowns are a great way to improve the appearance of your teeth and preserve tooth enamel, but the traditional methods of making crowns is time consuming. Fortunately, advanced technology now allows a handful of specially trained dentists to take digital impressions of the patients’ mouths and create the perfect crown right there, at the dentist’s office. Dr. Ania is one of the few dentists in Boulder to offer this fast and effective service. 

A dental crown will require some enamel reduction before it’s bonded to your tooth, so anesthesia will usually be applied to make you more comfortable during the procedure. 

Oral Health

To have the best oral health and keep your crowns for a lifetime, you should have a strict hygiene routine. This means that you should be brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time. Further, you should aim to floss once a day to keep food particles out from between the teeth. Even if you do both of these things, you should still prioritize seeing your dentist often, ideally every six months, to further sustain good oral hygiene. 

Get Same Day Crowns with Dr. Ania

If you want to restore your smile in the timespan of one day, make an appointment to come talk with Dr. Ania about same day crowns. This cutting edge procedure uses state-of-the-art technology to create a perfect crown while you’re sitting in our office. Call us for an appointment today at (303)-872-9940.

 

 

Posted: August 28, 2020 By: Comment: 0

What to Eat or Limit for a Healthy Smile

Not only does our dental hygiene routine play a big role in keeping our mouths healthy, but what we eat does too. What we eat on a daily basis contributes to our health, from our teeth down to our toes. If we’re not eating healthy foods on a regular basis, we’re not doing our bodies any favors. If you want to have the healthiest teeth and gums, here are 10 foods to add into your diet that will not only benefit your smile — but your whole body too! 

5 Foods for Healthy Teeth 

If you’re wanting to improve your oral health, a good place to start is with your diet. Here are 5 dentist-approved foods to help give you a healthy smile: 

1.Water

We all know the benefits of water. It keeps us hydrated, our skin glowing, aids in digestion, and more. However, water, especially when it has fluoride, is the best drink you can consume for your smile. Fluoridated water helps strengthen the teeth and makes them less susceptible to cavities and decay. 

2.Cheese

Add more cheese? Yes, please! Cheese is a good food to add into your meals because of the level of calcium and phosphate they have. Additionally, cheese can also help balance the acidity in your mouth which means less cavities and sensitive teeth. 

3.Leafy Greens

Add a little more green to your diet to really optimize your dental health. Leafy greens, like spinach and kale, are loaded with antioxidants and vitamins that can help fight cavities and add even more calcium to your diet. Due to this, leafy greens help keep your teeth strong. If you’re tired of salads and want more ways to add in leafy greens, try adding them to smoothies or sneaking them into a soup! You will hardly be able to taste them and still get all the benefits they provide. 

4.Yogurt 

High in good bacteria, yogurt can be a probiotic-filled option to add to your diet. In addition to being loaded with calcium, the good bacteria that comes along with yogurt can help your body in a number of ways. From helping with digestion, to leveling out the bacteria in your mouth, you should be adding more yogurt into your diet for a number of health reasons. It will help fight the bad bacteria found in your mouth, which means it can help fight off cavities and decay caused by an overwhelming number of bad bacteria. 

5.Sugar-free Chewing Gum 

Chewing gum, only the sugar-free kind, can help protect the teeth and gums in-between meals when you don’t have time to clean your teeth by brushing. Did you know that after you eat you are more at risk of an acid attack? Acid is produced by plaque bacteria along with what we eat and drink. After we eat, all of what we consume is just sitting on our teeth. Chewing a sugar-free piece of gum can help the mouth produce more saliva, which is the body’s natural defense against acid. 

Foods to Avoid for a Healthy Smile 

Now that you know some foods to add in daily to help your dental health, let’s discuss the foods that you should try to limit. We’re not saying avoid them altogether, but limiting them will help protect your mouth.

Soda

Soda is loaded with sugar and is highly acidic. All of this combines with the bacteria in your mouth and attacks your teeth. Even if you’re drinking a sugar-free soda, it’s still acidic and can damage your teeth. If you are someone who enjoys multiple sodas a day, try cutting back to just one a day for the sake of your teeth. Eventually, the goal is to wean yourself off to only having a fizzy pop on occasion. 

Hard candy 

Again, the sugar comes into play here, but the main problem is the sticky, chewy nature of most hard candies. The stickiness in combination with the hard texture of the candy not only causes cavities, but it also puts you at risk for a broken tooth while eating them.

Citrus fruits

Fruits in the citrus family like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, are a good source of things like vitamin C, which is good for our immune health, but because they’re highly acidic they’re not good for our teeth. Foods like these fruits can damage our enamel over time, causing tooth sensitivity and other dental problems. 

Makes an Appointment with Dr. Ania

If you have made these changes to your diet but still think your oral health could improve, make an appointment to come see Dr. Ania! Whether it’s for your regular cleaning or you have other dental issues you’d like to discuss, Dr. Ania is here for all of your dental needs. Call today to get on your way to a healthy smile: (303)-872-9940. 

 

Posted: August 19, 2020 By: Comment: 0
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Modernize Your Trip to the Dentist with Laser Dentistry

While not a recent discovery, laser dentistry is still not considered conventional in many dental practices. However, we believe that using lasers in our practice can really help you achieve that healthy mouth and smile you’re looking for. 

Laser dentistry can help Dr. Ania deep clean and remove gum tissue that has been infected by bacteria. Even if you brush and floss like you’re supposed to, sometimes a laser deep cleaning is what you need to clean your gums and get them healthy again. 

Every person’s dental care routine should include brushing and flossing. Not only does this help keep your teeth clean, but it can also prevent cavity and decay. However, cleaning the surfaces of your teeth is only one part of a good dental hygiene routine. Laser dentistry is an incredible advancement in the dental field that allows dentists to deep clean and remove gum tissue that has been diseased by bacteria. Even if you brush and floss like you’re supposed to, sometimes a laser deep cleaning is what you need to clean your gums and get them healthy again. 

What is Laser Dentistry? 

Soft tissue lasers are used in dentistry to help enhance a patient’s gums. The laser performs two main functions:

  1. Laser decontamination, which is a cleaning
  2. Laser therapy, which is the vaporization of diseased tissue

The first mode can even help healthy patients to further reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Did you know that even the healthiest person has millions of bacteria present in their mouth at any given time? Laser decontamination can help reduce the amount of bad bacteria found in the mouth. The second mode, laser therapy, is used on patients who have gum disease. 

Using the soft tissue laser can provide dramatic results in reducing bacteria. This is even more so than what basic handheld dental instruments can. Lasers also prevent bacteria from settling (AKA delayed recolonization). Due to this, gums can heal better after bacterial removal because the tissue is not as susceptible to new bacteria settling in. 

Dr. Ania typically applies the use of lasers in her office to offer a speedy and more pain-free treatment option for certain procedures. In the past, these are treatments that may not have been able to be done. Dr. Ania can treat cold sores that can be irritating and unsightly. Additionally, by using a low intensity, she can reduce irritation and minimize healing time. Further, she also uses lasers to detect and treat cavities, enhance smiles by reshaping the gums, eliminating benign tumors, whiten teeth, and more. 

Procedures Using Lasers 

In addition to cleaning and removing infected tissue, many dentists have started using lasers in many different dental procedures. Colgate lists a few of the procedures that use lasers to be: teeth whitening, setting restorative materials like crowns or fillings, detecting tooth decay, and more. Here’s a little bit about how the lasers work in these procedures: 

  • Teeth whitening: dentists use laser whitening to help lift stubborn stains off the teeth in a faster manner than other traditional whitening methods. 
  • Crowns or fillings: lasers can help a dentist remove tooth decay and prepare cavities for filling. They can also help prepare a tooth for a root canal and etch the enamel so a filling can easily bond to it. 
  • Reshaping gums: for aesthetic reasons, a dentist can use a laser to help reshape your gums in addition to ridding them of bacteria. 
  • Cold sores or ulcers: a laser can help treat overly tight muscle attachments in the mouth, oral ulcers, and cold sores. 

Risks of Laser Dentistry

Any risks associated with laser dentistry are typically minor, especially if you are receiving the treatment from an experienced professional, like Dr. Ania. Healthline mentions small risk of this procedure could include: damaging tissue if the wrong wavelength of power level is used, and eye damage if protective eye wear isn’t used. 

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Choosing laser dentistry over handheld instruments is just another way you can receive modern dental care. Dr. Ania uses lasers to remove only diseased tissue, which means surrounding tissue that is healthy won’t be affected. This treatment is good for quick healing, because of their ability to instantaneously seal the blood vessels. Light energy sessions typically do not cause bleeding. Due to this, the patient to resume the rest of their day immediately following their appointment 

Make an Appointment with Dr. Ania

Are you interested in modernizing your dental visit? Make an appointment to learn if laser dentistry is the right fit for you. Using lasers can make all the difference for the look and feel of your mouth. Make an appointment now by calling us at (303)-872-9940. 

Posted: August 13, 2020 By: Comment: 0
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Is Botox Really Used in Dentistry?

For years, people have used Botox and filler to regain a youthful facial appearance, while not losing their ability to show facial expression. An attractive smile can boost your confidence, help with pain, and improve your overall image.  However, while many people are aware of the cosmetic benefits of Botox, most don’t know that there are dental benefits to Botox too. The use of this treatment has become widely popular, with an estimated 11 million people worldwide having used Botox. This makes it one of the most common non-surgical cosmetic procedures. 

What is Botox? 

Botox is an FDA-approved purified protein which is injected into targeted muscles and temporarily blocks nerve signals that cause muscle movements. This essentially relaxing the muscle, which reduces or eliminates fine lines and wrinkles. Within 3-5 days of the Botox injection, the treated facial muscles become temporarily relaxed, causing the overlying skin to lay flat and unwrinkled. The facial muscles next to the ones we treat contract in a normal fashion, allowing facial expressions to continue on as normal. The injections don’t take long to do at all, and they’ll remain effective for 3-6 months. 

What are Fillers?

As we get older, our skin loses collagen, which means we lose hyaluronic acid too. Collagen and hyaluronic acid add structure and volume to the face. This means when we lose it as we age, our skin can sag and wrinkle. Dermal fillers and smooth, injectable gels made from hyaluronic acid, so it can add volume to deficient areas and restore your face to a natural, youthful appearance. 

The American Academy of Facial Esthetics explains that fillers are also used for lip augmentation and are used by dentists for high lip line cases, uneven lips, and to make the perioral area more esthetic. They further mention that dentists are the true specialists of the face, much more so than many other health professionals. Due to this, dentists are extremely qualified to help you with your Botox and filler needs. 

Is Botox Really Used in Dentistry?

People are aware of the cosmetic benefits of dentistry. It can help people hide their fine ones and wrinkles, but more and more people are beginning to see the benefits of Botox for help with a number of conditions. The US National Library of Medicine has featured a study that details Botox can be used in dentistry to help:

  • TMJ and bruxism – In patients with TMJ disorder, they typically experience symptoms like facial pain, joint sounds, headache, neck and jaw pain, and more. Botox can help by relaxing the muscles involved, which can help stop the muscles from tightly clenching which can cause a lot of the pain associated with TMJ. 
  • Aesthetic dentistry – Botox and filler can provide volume to areas around the mouth, like the lips, which can help create proper lip lines and smile lines. Dermal fillers can help fill out the lips and folds in the face that have sunken in due to lack of collagen and fat. 
  • Denture patients – Botox helps patients who are having trouble adjusting to new dentures feel more comfortable with them. 
  • Orthodontic patients – Botox can help prevent relapse of orthodontic treatment in patients with stronger muscle activity.  This can help reduce the intensity of the muscle.
  • And more! 

Side Effects of Botox

Most patients don’t have any serious side effects with Botox and are able to tolerate it well. However, while side effects aren’t common, sometimes Botox can cause: 

  • Mild pain, swelling, or bruising around the injection site
  • Flu-like symptoms 
  • A headache
  • Upset stomach
  • Temporary eyelid drooping
  • Numbness
  • Malaise 
  • Temporarily unwanted weakness in nearby muscles 

Overall, Botox is a drug that, in small doses, can reduce wrinkles and help treat certain muscle-related disorders. Dr. Ania will talk with you about the risks and any of your concerns. For many patients, the benefits of having the treatment far outweigh the risks. 

Make an Appointment for Botox and Filler with Dr. Ania 

Now you can radiate beauty from the inside out by receiving Botox and dermal filler treatments with Dr. Ania who has been specially trained in total facial esthetics and is a member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE). Dr. Ania is highly trained in the entire anatomy of the head and neck as well as the oral cavity. She can administer your treatments with exceptional accuracy and precision. If you’re in the Boulder, Colorado area, call us! To learn more about the benefits of this treatment, dial (303)-872-9940 now. 

Posted: August 6, 2020 By: Comment: 0
can-a-dentist-really-help-me-sleep-better

Can A Dentist Really Help Me Sleep Better?

Poor sleep can lead to a number of problems like increased blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, and even an increased stroke risk. Sleep apnea is a disorder where a patient will quit breathing on and off throughout the night. If you have this condition, you have options. Here’s how Dr. Ania can help give you a better night’s rest now. 

What You Need to Know About Sleep Apnea

It’s estimated that 22 million Americans have sleep apnea. However, over 80% of those cases are moderate-to-severe and undiagnosed, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. 

Did you know that your rest could be affected by your mouth? You might not think you should see the dentist because you’re not sleeping well, but you should. Your dentist can examine your mouth, neck, and jaw to see if that’s what is affecting your quality of rest. 

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to continuously stop and start while you’re sleeping. Mayo Clinic explains that sleep apnea happens when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. The most common sign of OSA? Snoring. However, that’s not the only sign. You might also see signs of:

  • Chronic fatigue 
  • Noticeable stop in breathing during sleep 
  • Waking by gasping or choking 
  • Dry mouth and sore throat 
  • Headaches when waking up 
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Mood changes, depression, and irritability 
  • High blood pressure
  • Night sweats 
  • Decreased libido 

In addition to obstructive, there are two other types of apneas. There is also:

  • Central sleep apnea (CSA) is most commonly associated with severe illnesses, and happens when your breathing is disrupted because of how your brain functions, not because the airway is blocked. Unlike obstructive, with CSA you are able to breathe, but your brain doesn’t tell your muscles to do so. 
  • Complex sleep apnea: which is a combination of obstructive and central. 

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

If you aren’t getting an adequate amount of rest, you are more susceptible to having a compromised immune system, not being able to think clearly, weight gain, increased blood pressure, anxiety, risk of stroke, and more. If you have OSA, these are all concerns that need to be addressed. Dr. Ania offers several options for OSA treatment. 

MicrO2 Sleep Device

The MicrO2 Sleep Device has been designed to successfully treat OSA. This works by reducing night time snoring and mild-to-moderate OSA in adults by holding your lower jaw forward during sleep. By doing this, it prevents your tongue and throat tissues from collapsing into your airway. The MicrO2 Sleep Devices are patient specific to maximize tongue space and the ability to open and close during wear. Benefits of this treatment option include: 

  • DIGITAL SIMPLICITY. The first CAD/CAM milled OSA device, MicrO2 ,is precise, predictable, and easy to use.
  • COMFORTABLE PROFILE. The only OSA device made from control-cured PMMA, it is compact without compromising durability or retention.
  • EASY ADJUSTMENT. Featuring an adjustment method similar to changing aligners, it has a one-piece construction with no moving parts.
  • LINGUAL-FREE SPLINT. The MicrO2 offers a lingual-free design that is intended to offer the patient maximum tongues space.
  • EXPERT DESIGN. The MicrO2 design is based on the clinical expertise of leaders in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine.

SomnoDent 

The SomnoDent is another appliance that is custom-fit to the patient. SomnoDent helps patients by holding the jaw forward in a comfortable position, which helps your tissues relax and prevents your tongue from collapsing. 91% of patients that have used SomnoDent have reported improvement in their quality of rest and life. 

CPAP Machine

Continuous positive aware pressure (CPAP) machines work by blowing a constant stream of air into your throat to keep the airway open. This device works well, however, many people can find it uncomfortable and have trouble getting used to wearing it. This is often only used if your condition is severe. If it’s not, the other treatments are less invasive and can be more comfortable alternatives. 

How Do I Know if I Have OSA?

Dr. Ania can test you for OSA with an at-home sleep test. This is an easy, convenient way to have a doctor gain information all the while you rest in the comfort of your own bed. 

Get Better Sleep by Seeing Dr. Ania 

If you haven’t been sleeping well and believe sleep apnea could have something to do with it, make an appointment to come in and see Dr. Ania. The best treatment for sleep apnea depends on the severity, but Dr. Ania will walk you through all of your options so it’s not so overwhelming. Call today to learn more: (303)-872-9940. 

Posted: July 30, 2020 By: Comment: 0
osteoporosis-and-oral-health

Osteoporosis and Oral Health

Osteoporosis is a condition in which a patient sees reduced density and quality of their bones. This condition can also have harmful dental affects because of its impact on the jawbone, which is what supports your teeth. If you have osteoporosis, here’s how it could affect your oral health.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones. Healthline explains the inside of a healthy bone is made up of small spaces and looks a lot like a honeycomb. When a patient is diagnosed with osteoporosis, this means that those spaces are increasing in size which causes the bones to lose strength and density. Further, this makes the outside of the bone grow weaker and thinner. People with this condition are more likely to experience a fracture or bone break while doing simple activities like standing or walking.

Healthline further details the risk factors for developing this condition. The major risk factors can include: 

  • Age – this is often the biggest risk factor. When we’re young, our body breaks down old bones and is able to grow new. However, after a certain age, the body breaks these bones down faster than it’s able to replace it. This leads to loss of bone density and more fragile bones. 
  • Menopause – another major risk factor is menopause Women from 45-55 years old are often to lose bone at a faster rate due to the change in hormone levels. Men often lose bones around these ages too, however, it happens at a much slower rate than women. By ages 65-70, men and women are usually losing bones at the same rate. 

While those are the most common causes, other causes can include being:

  • Female 
  • White or Asian
  • Genetically inclined 
  • Malnourished 
  • Inactive
  • A smoker
  • Low in weight 

Symptoms of Osteoporosis 

People who suffer from osteoporosis can easily suffer an injury from doing simple tasks like walking or bumping into the coffee table. In the early development of this condition, many people won’t even realize they have it until they suffer an injury. However, once the bones are weakened, symptoms can include:

  • Back pain
  • Loss of height
  • Stooped posture
  • Fragile bones 

However, the bones affected aren’t just your hips or wrists, it can also be your jaw. Studies have shown that there is a link between the loss of jaw bone, also known as the alveolar bone, and an increase in loose teeth and tooth loss. This low bone density in the jaw can cause more dental problems as well. It can also cause dentures to not fit correctly and delay in healing from other oral surgical procedures. More often than not, this affects women and their jaws. 

Treatments for Osteoporosis 

Unfortunately, it’s hard to completely heal from this condition. However, the good news is that there are things you can do to feel better. There are medications to help, along with making lifestyle changes to help you feel relief from the pain.

Prevention

Thankfully, you can do a lot to keep your bones strong and healthy as you age. If you’re not doing these already, here’s what you can do to help protect your bones:

  • Supplement vitamin D or get outside and get it from the sunshine
  • Eat a healthy diet. Foods like fish, cheese, and dairy all have loads of vitamin D
  • Quit smoking
  • Exercise to stay strong 

In addition to taking care of your body to protect your bones, you should also protect your teeth to keep them healthy and strong. 

Taking Care of Your Teeth with Osteoporosis 

In addition to everything above, you should focus on taking care of your teeth when you have osteoporosis. A good oral hygiene routine is essential to doing all you can to prevent tooth loss. Ideally, your dental hygiene routine should look like: 

  • Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time 
  • Flossing once a day to remove debris stuck between teeth 

However, one of the most important parts of your dental hygiene routine is seeing your dentist regularly. Getting regular dental checkups can help maintain any problems you already have or treat them altogether, prevent new problems from happening, and get your mouth sparkling clean each time. 

Make an Appointment with Dr. Ania

If you are having jaw problems or other dental health issues, make an appointment today with Dr. Ania. Dr. Ania focuses on your oral health, but also looks at how your oral health relates to other parts of your body. Using biological dentistry, Dr. Ania will consider the whole picture before prescribing treatments to help alleviate chronic pain and stress points. Make an appointment to learn more today: (303)-872-9940. 

Posted: July 23, 2020 By: Comment: 0
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6 Dental Health Tips for Teens

Teens often go through orthodontic care to help correct crooked or misaligned teeth, but dental care for teens goes far past merely correcting their teeth’s appearance. If you have a teen, it’s important to make sure they’ve developed a healthy dental routine that will help keep their mouths healthy as they transition into adulthood. Here are 6 dental health tips for teens.

1. Brush and floss properly

Brushing and flossing properly is the best way to prevent plaque buildup that can ultimately cause cavities, tooth decay, and other dental health problems. Teens are just as vulnerable to cavities as children, so it’s important that they establish a good hygiene routine. TeensHealth from Nemours offers these tips for the best routine:

  • Brush twice a day for two minutes each time
  • Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gumline and gently brush from where the tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface. Using short strokes, be sure to brush gently to avoid receding gums and tooth sensitivity
  • Clean the surfaces of your teeth tipping the bristles to fall into all pits and crevices
  • Hold the toothbrush vertical to clean the inside surfaces of the teeth and gums 
  • Using a forward-sweeping motion gently brush the tongue and roof of the mouth to remove bacteria that exists in those places
  • Brush along to your favorite song or use a timer to make sure you’re brushing for the full 2 minutes each time 
  • When flossing, carefully place the floss between each tooth and swipe using a back and forth motion. Gently bring it up towards the gumline, don’t force the floss under the gums

2. Focus of nutrition 

Nutrition is important for teens, not only to help them while they’re growing, but to also keep their teeth safe too. Eating a healthy diet can help decrease risk for cavities, decay, and other dental health problems. Most importantly, limiting excessive sugar and the amount of acidic food and drinks can help protect your teeth. Incorporating more fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and dairy can help provide the adequate amount of vitamins and minerals teens need to keep their teeth and gums strong and healthy.  

3. See the dentist often 

No matter your age, you should be seeing the dentist twice a year. For teens, these visits can help fight cavities and more as they tend to drink more soda and eat more fast food that can be damaging to teeth. Dentists can see the parts of your mouth that you can’t see, so it’s during these visits that those hard-to-see areas can be inspected and properly cleaned. Over 59% of teens will experience cavities in their permanent teeth. This alarming statistic is why teens should be seeing their dentist for cleanings and exams on a regular basis. 

4. Wear a mouthguard 

For teens that participate in sports and other physical activity, it’s important to wear a mouthguard. At your teen’s next appointment, they can be fitted for a mouthguard that is custom fit to their mouth for an appropriate fit. This will help prevent teeth from chipping or breaking in the event the face is hit directly. No matter if it’s a flying ball or an elbow accidentally thrown into the face, a mouthguard can keep your teeth safe and in the mouth where they belong. 

5. Avoid oral piercings 

Many teens want to add new piercings to help with their self-expression. However, oral piercings cause more harm than good. The mouth is full of bacteria that can lead to swelling and infection, according to WebMD. They list the risks of oral piercings to include: 

  • Difficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing 
  • Damage to gums, tongue, and fillings
  • Excessive drooling
  • Difficulty getting x-rays of teeth
  • Increased risk of gum disease, uncontrolled bleeding, infection, and hepatitis B and C
  • Allergic reaction

6. Don’t smoke 

Smoking is not good for any aspect of health, but especially for teeth. Smoking can cause lack of oxygen, gum disease, and tooth loss in teens and adults alike. It’s important that teens never develop the bad habit of smoking, as it will likely cause dental problems for the rest of their lives. 

Call Dr. Ania

If your teen is due for a dental appointment, call Dr. Ania. Here at Dr. Ania’s, we pride ourselves in customizing every aspect of your teen’s dental care, even the cleanings. Our hygienists will spend time educating your teen about their gum health, their dental hygiene, and how they can maintain a healthy smile. To make an appointment click here or call (303)-872-9940.

Posted: July 16, 2020 By: Comment: 0
what-if-you-couldnt-taste

What if You Couldn’t Taste?

We consume foods and drinks to help keep our bodies functioning properly, however, going out for a meal or drink often means much more to us. Meals are a way for us to connect with our families after a long day, coffee runs help us wake up in the morning, and a dessert date is a fun way to get to know someone a little better. The reason we can do all of these things is because we’re able to taste and enjoy what we’re consuming — and we can do that because of our taste buds.

The Taste Buds 

There are five basic tastes according to Colgate: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory. We’re able to taste these while we eat and drink due to the sensory cells in our mouth and throat. These sensory cells, also known as gustatory cells, start working when tiny molecules are released when you take a sip of a drink or a bite of food. These cells are grouped together with the taste buds found on the tongue and at the roof of the mouth. 

We are able to taste — and smell — because of these cells. While tasting and smelling are two different senses, they are intimately entwined, says brainfacts.org. Just think about it: why does the smell of a pizza in the oven or coffee in the morning make your mouth water? The chemicals in food are detected by our taste buds, and when stimulated, the cells send a message to the brain which makes us aware of what we’re tasting. Smell works in a similar way. Specialized cells within the nose pick up odors that stimulate receptor proteins on the sensory cells. In the end, taste and smell come together to allow us to really taste and savor what we’re consuming. 

Taste Bud Changes 

As people age, it’s normal to lose a bit of their ability to taste and smell certain things. Along with age, some people might not be able to use these senses due to underlying conditions like allergies, medication side effects, other dental issues, and more. 

Changes in the taste buds mean that the way we perceive certain tastes can also change her time. A food you once loved can suddenly taste like nothing, or something you once hated you might love now! 

Taste buds can change for a short period of time, but sometimes taste bud changes are long-term depending on the cause. Healthline explains common reasons that your taste buds can become impaired: 

  • Viral or bacterial infections. Upper respiratory infections can cause your nose to run or become stuffy. These problems can reduce your sense of smell and taste, which could be why loss of taste and smell is a symptom of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. 
  • Medical conditions. Disorders like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s can change a person’s perception of taste. Additionally, some diseases, like cancer, can do the same (especially during treatment). 
  • Nutrient deficiencies. Malnutrition can cause deficiency in vitamins and minerals that we need to be able to use our senses properly. 
  • Nerve damage. When a person has nerve damage along the pathway from the mouth to the brain, they can cause a change in taste buds. 
  • Medications. Some medicine can change your taste buds as a side effect. Most commonly, high blood pressure medication is to blame. 
  • Aging. Like we mentioned above, losing some perception of taste and smell is common as we age. 
  • Smoking. Those who smoke are more likely to experience a change in taste, along with other side effects, due to the carcinogens and alkaloids found in the cigarettes. 

Healing Taste Buds 

Most of the causes, like illness or taking a medication, means that your change in taste is probably short-term. In most cases, normal taste and smell will return once you’re better or quit taking the medication. If the taste buds were damaged due to nerve damage, it depends on the severity whether or not you’ll regain your ability to taste normally again. 

Make an Appointment with Dr. Ania 

If you have noticed your sense of taste dwindling, come see Dr. Ania to learn about your options. We know that enjoying food and drink is an experience and that you want to continue to enjoy your favorite things for years to come. Make an appointment now or call (303)-872-9940. 

Please note: if you have sudden loss of taste and smell and have been exposed to COVID-19, please find your local testing center and hold off on coming to the dentist. 

Posted: July 9, 2020 By: Comment: 0
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Are My Oral Health Problems Genetic?

Did you know that some oral health problems are genetic? Unfortunately, more than just your height and eye color can be passed down to you by your parents. For some families, they run the risk of having increased oral health problems. Here are some common genetic oral health problems and how you can fight them.

Common Genetic Oral Health Problems

While not oral health problems are considered genetic, some are. While family genes can play a big role in oral conditions, other factors like our lifestyles, diets, and more can too. Colgate lists some of the genetic defects that can affect your mouth:

Anodontia

This is the complete absence of teeth. Though it’s genetic, anodontia is extremely rare. 

Hypodontia

This condition is also known as partial anodontia, which is when a person is missing up to five teeth from birth, not including their wisdom teeth. Most commonly missing are the premolars and lateral incisors. Affecting 1 in 18 people, this is the most common dental genetic abnormality.

Amelogenesis

Defective or missing enamel is classified under amelogenesis. Enamel is the protective outer layer of the teeth. This condition can also cause malocclusion or misalignment. Amelogenesis is rare, affecting 1 out of every 7,000-14,000 people. 

Dentinogenesis Imperfecta

This condition results in discoloration of the teeth. With it, the teeth are also more weak and prone to breakage. 

Cleft Lip and Palate

A cleft lip is an oral malformation that occurs during the development of the baby during pregnancy. The result is an improper formation of the roof of the mouth, the lips, or both. 

Gum Disease

In addition to these more-rare problems, common dental health issues like gum disease can also link to genetics. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that research has indicated people may be genetically susceptible to gum disease, even despite having a good oral healthcare routine.  

Common Illnesses that Cause Oral Health Problems

In addition to getting oral conditions from your parents, sometimes other health problems can have negative affects on our oral health and vice versa. Mayo Clinic explains the link between various diseases and oral health:

  • Endocarditis: This is an infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves, and typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from other places of your body, like the mouth, spread through the bloodstream and attach to the heart. 
  • Cardiovascular disease: Though this can be caused by a number of other factors, research suggests that clogged arteries and stroke could be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause. 
  • Pregnancy and birth complications: Periodontitis has been linked to birth problems and low birth weight.
  • Pneumonia: bacteria in the mouth can make its way into your lungs, which can cause pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. 
  • Diabetes: by reducing the body’s ability to fight infection, diabetes can put your gums at risk. Gum disease has been shown to be more frequent and severe in people who also have diabetes. Further research has shown that people with gum disease have a more difficult time managing their blood sugar, however, regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control. 
  • HIV/Aids: Painful lesions are common in those who have HIV/Aids.
  • Osteoporosis: This disease attacks the bones, making them weak. Due to this, osteoporosis patients can have periodontal bone and tooth loss. 
  • Alzheimer’s disease: As this disease progresses, many tend to have worsening oral health. 

Taking Care of Your Oral Health

While you can’t prevent every oral health problem, you can take significant action that can help reduce the risk and severity of future complications. To take care of your teeth and gums, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene each and every day. A proper oral healthcare routine at home for most people includes:

  • Brushing your teeth in the morning and right before bed 
  • Using fluoride toothpaste 
  • Flossing each day 
  • Limiting added sugar and acidic food and drinks

However, one of the most important parts of taking care of your oral health is visiting your dentist at least twice a year, or once every six months. Your dentist and their team will examine and deep clean your mouth, looking for signs of problems in areas you might not be able to see. Catching problems early is a good way to keep them from developing into something serious that’s harder to control. Your dentist will be trained to look in those hard-to-see spots for cavities, decay, and more that, if left untreated, could cause tooth loss. 

Call Dr. Ania

While not oral health problems are genetic, some could be. The best way to know is to talk about it with your dentist. If you’re overdue for a dentist appointment, call Dr. Ania’s team today at (303)-872-9940. Prioritizing your health and working hard to keep you safe and healthy during COVID-19, Dr. Ania is here to help keep your mouth healthy and your smile big. Make an appointment now! 

 

Posted: July 1, 2020 By: Comment: 0
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Why Your Migraines Might be Caused by Oral Bacteria

Migraines have always been difficult to understand. With many different factors that could be contributing to your headaches, it can be hard to narrow down the exact cause. If you have migraines, have you considered that oral bacteria could be to blame? Here’s what to know about the bacteria in your mouth and migraines. 

What is a Migraine Headache?

A migraine is a recurring kind of headache that can cause severe throbbing or pulsating pain. Oftentimes, the pain is located on one side of the head. When people get migraines, they most usually happen in four different stages. MedlinePlus explains those stages:

  • Stage 1: Prodrome – this stage happens the day before you get your migraine. Early signs can be food cravings, unexplained mood changes, fluid retention, increased urination, and even uncontrollable yawning
  • Stage 2: Aura – when people have this phase, they tend to see flashing or bright lights or zig-zag lines. This phase can also bring on muscle weakness. Auras typically begin right before a migraine begins
  • Stage 3: Headache – a migraine tends to begin gradually, becoming more severe as it continues. Most people feel throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head. In some instances, people can have a migraine without a headache. When that happens, symptoms can include: increased sensitivity to light, sound, and smell, nausea and vomiting, and worsened pain when you move, cough, or sneeze
  • Stage 4: Postdrome – after the headache ends, many people feel tired, weak, or even confused for up to 24 hours after the fact 

Oral Bacteria and Migraines 

In recent years, there have been more studies focusing on the link that oral bacteria could play in those who suffer from migraines. Many who suffer from a migraine headache often have triggers, like food or caffeine, that can spring the headache on them after they are consumed. 

Researchers have found that, in migraine sufferers, there is a significant more amount of microbes that break down nitrates found in certain foods. CBC explains that these bacteria play a crucial role in processing nitrates so they can be converted into nitric oxide in the bloodstream. This process widens blood vessels and improves circulation. The link to migraines here is that, though this process is good for the cardiovascular system, the abundance of these bacteria can break down nitrates more quickly. When this happens, blood vessels in the brain and scalp dilate, which triggers the migraine. 

Many doctors recommend avoiding processed foods because of this, in hopes that patients can avoid the recurrence of migraine headaches.

Removing Oral Bacteria

Some bacteria are healthy and needed within the body, however, there are many types of bacteria that aren’t needed or good for you. The mouth can contain more than 700 species of bacteria. Some of this bacteria helps keep your mouth healthy and helps you break down food, however, some bacteria can cause tooth decay, gum disease, or even migraines. 

To remove oral bacteria, you need to have a good, consistent dental hygiene routine. This routine should include:

  • Brushing twice a day, two minutes each time. This will help prevent plaque buildup, which can quickly load your mouth full of bacteria if not removed. When plaque isn’t cleaned off the teeth, tartar can form. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist. 
  • Floss once a day. Flossing can help get into those hard-to-reach spots in your mouth and remove food and debris that could be holding onto bacteria. 
  • Rinse with mouthwash. If your mouth doesn’t feel as clean as you like after brushing your teeth, add a mouthwash into your routine. This can help kill bacteria and protect your teeth’s enamel. 
  • Watch what you eat. Foods and drinks loaded with sugar can cause excess bacteria. Bacteria in the mouth thrive and grow on sugar, so when you eat sweets your mouth is building a habitat for bacteria to thrive. 
  • See your dentist regularly. Your dentist and their team can deep clean your mouth and help keep plaque and tartar at bay so your mouth doesn’t hold onto more bacteria than it needs. Plaque and tartar can be hard to see, but dentists are trained to look out for them and can get the build up off your teeth so you leave with a fresh mouth (and hopefully headache-free). 

Make an Appointment with Dr. Ania

If you suffer from migraines and believe it could be due to oral bacteria, come in and see Dr. Ania. Dr. Ania and her team are trained to look out for the harmful bacteria that could be lurking in your mouth, and can remove it at once. Make an appointment online or call today at: (303)-872-9940. 

 

Posted: June 25, 2020 By: Comment: 0

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