Blog | Boulder Dentist | Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Diagnosing and Treating Your TMJ Pain

TMJ pain

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research it is believed that over 10 million Americans are affected by Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD/TMJ) and joint pain. If you are having TMJ pain in your jaw or the muscles that control the movement of your jaw, or if you hear a popping or clicking noise when chewing, or opening and closing your jaw, you may have fallen victim as well. Dr. Ania and her friendly team can help diagnose your TMJ pain and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Joint Pain

Millions of Americans experience chronic or episodic pain every day. In fact, some studies suggest that around 100 million Americans have chronic pain. This pain comes from many conditions or diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis and more. When you think of pain, you may think of this major conditions. However, joint pain in your face is something that happens to millions of people as well. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that an estimated 10 million Americans have pain from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. This term is usually shortened to “TMJ” or “TMD”.

TMJ Pain

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. Saying that you have “TMJ pain” is like saying you have KJ (knee joint) or EJ (elbow joint) pain. TMJ was originally named because of the belief that this disorder largely originated in the joint itself. However, recent knowledge shows that the true cause of joint problems in this area actually originate elsewhere. That is why TMJ is also referred to as “TMD”, which means “temporomandibular disorder”.

There are many names for TMJ pain such as “craniomandibular disorders” (CMD), “craniofacial pain disorders” (CPD) and temporomandibular dysfunction. However, TMJ has still been the most-used out of all the terms. So, what is it?

jaw pain

Temporomandibular Joint

There are 360 different joints in your body. The temporomandibular joint is located in your head by the temporal bone and the mandible (hence the name “temporomandibular). This is the joint that connects this bone to your mandible. This is also the joint that moves when you eat, chew, speak and more. This joint acts like a sliding hinge when you move and you have one of these joints on each side of your face.

There are several reasons you may develop pain in this area. You could have a genetic factor that causes you weakness and pain in this area. You could have arthritis developing in this area, as many joint disorders stem from arthritis complications. However, it is also possible that you have a jaw injury or that you are grinding your teeth at night or clenching your jaw.

Diagnosing Your TMJ Pain

We see patients on a daily basis that have pain due to tooth decay or other oral health issues. Although TMJ is not an oral health issue, it is something that we help treat, as it has to do with opening and closing your mouth. You will have symptoms that are quite common among other patients with the same problem. Some of those symptoms include:

Tenderness or pain in your jaw
Pain in the area of one or both of your temporomandibular joints
Pain around your ear but not exactly in your ear
Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
Locking of your joint, which makes it difficult to open or close your mouth

All of these symptoms are not something that you should just live with, as you should not naturally have pain or tenderness in your face or jaw. You body sends your brain signals of pain to tell you that something is amiss. The NIH reports that between 5% and 12% of people have TMJ pain. There are solutions for fixing your TMJ pain today and you can do it by simply coming to Dr. Ania’s office for an evaluation.

Relieving Your Pain Today

The many signs and symptoms of TMJ/TMD often lead patients to seek a dental consultation. Many other seek help from a medical doctor, which will generally result in them receiving an anti-inflammatory drug, pain medications or tranquilizers. As a dental office, we believe that TMJ pain should be treated in the most conservative manner possible, and surgery should always be the last resort for this kind of pain. Drugs from a doctor will mask symptoms. However, we want to relieve your TMJ pain for good. We have found that the primary problem can often be traced to a poor occlusion in your bite instead of a problem with the joint itself.

Joint problems are frequently related to a misalignment of the teeth, which in turn causes a misaligned joint. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the dynamic relationships related to the physiologic range-of-motion and body posture. We look at the bite and alignment of your teeth and examine your teeth to see if you are clenching them or grinding them at night. We also see if alignment is good so that you’re not straining the area where your temporomandibular joint is. For some patients, we can provide mouthguards and bite guards that they can wear at night to help relieve pain and pressure. For others, we can refer you to a proper orthodontist, otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor), oral surgeon or other professional.

Get Rid of TMJ Pain

You don’t have to live your life with TMJ pain! Come see us at Dr. Ania’s office for an evaluation and we can either help you in-office or refer you to the specialist that can best serve you. If you have jaw pain, call our office today at 303-443-0998!

Posted: December 18, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Composite Fillings Keep Your White Smile Intact

composite fillings

Despite your best efforts, sometimes cavities strike. But, when they do, you do not have to sacrifice the look of your smile with a mouth full of metal. Composite fillings can preserve the natural look and strength of your smile when repair is necessary. Our composite resins are composed of ceramic and plastic compounds that are strong enough to withstand the pressures of chewing, biting and grinding. These tooth-colored fillings are blended to match the exact shade of your tooth for a seamless smile. Composite fillings can repair portions of teeth that are routinely exposed to preserve your shiny, white smile. See what composite fillings can do for you today!

Tooth Decay Is a Chronic Problem

Did you know that tooth decay is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases among adults and children? You may know tooth decay by one of its other names: “cavities” or “dental caries”. All of these terms are used interchangeably to describe the decay and erosion of your tooth enamel over time. Most people have tooth decay, or at least have had it fixed in the past. Studies, such as one by the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, found that 91% of U.S. adults had dental caries.

Cavities are a chronic problem all over the world. One of the reasons could be that it is a silent killer to your teeth. When you eat, sugars in the foods and drinks you consume mix with bacteria in your mouth. This creates a sticky, acidic substance that coats your teeth. You may see this substance if you look closely at your teeth in a mirror. Plaque coats your teeth and works to erode away your tooth enamel because plaque is acidic in nature. Your teeth may be hard, but over time, that plaque can thin out your enamel and cause openings in the tooth. This is when plaque gets inside your soft tooth center and causes rapid tooth decay.

beautiful smile

What Are Composite Fillings?

You may have had a tooth filling in the past that was made of metal. Dentistry continues to advance each year, and metal fillings truly are starting to be a “thing of the past”. This is because composite fillings exist and are much more aesthetically-pleasing for patients. Composite fillings are tooth-colored plastic and glass mixtures that are used to restore decayed teeth. When we remove a cavity, we remove a decayed and destroyed part of your tooth. For your mouth to function properly when chewing, biting, eating, and more, we must fill that area once again.

We do this by creating composite fillings for one or more teeth. Generally, we place a layer of composite filling and harden it with a special light. We do this over and over until the space is filled in your tooth. We shape composite fillings to fit the natural look of your teeth and we match the whiteness to the whiteness of your teeth. If you drink foods or drinks that stain the teeth, composite fillings can change color over time. However, we can also place a clear plastic coating over your composite fillings so that they don’t change color. Composite fillings are amazing and much more prefered over metal fillings because they don’t change the look of your mouth. If anything, they make your mouth better because composite fillings make your mouth healthier and that tooth decay has been removed.

Maintaining Great Oral Health

How well you take care of your mouth is an indication of how well you take care of the rest of your body. Your mouth is also a window to the rest of your body. You put food and drink through it all day long, you talk with your mouth, and you even make a first impression with your mouth via your smile. You want your health to be in tip-top shape so that your smile stays healthy and is something to remember—in a good way. Composite fillings help your oral health because they bond to your teeth to support your remaining tooth structure. They also help insulate the tooth to prevent sensitivity to temperature changes.

The ADA recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day. A good time to fulfill this recommendation is in the morning after eating breakfast and at night before you go to bed. However, you don’t have to just stick to brushing twice a day. Brush as often as you want with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing and flossing are the two best actions you can do to maintain great oral health. Seeing us at least twice a year will also help you to know if you have tooth decay or gum disease and what you can do about them.

A Healthy Smile for Life

It’s not hard to achieve a healthy smile. Brush and floss your teeth everyday and visit your dentist often. If you have cavities, make sure to have them treated as soon as possible. We can do this with composite resins so that your teeth continue to look natural and beautiful. If you would like to know more about our composite fillings, or if you need to schedule your exam, call Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998!

Posted: December 15, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

5 Advantages of Dental Botox

botox

The cosmetic benefits of Botox are already well established, but dental botox uses are starting to gain serious momentum. This is because dentists are experts of the muscle and bone architecture of the face. Their training and experience is steeped in the facial muscles and structures. Their unique training and background equips them with the ability to achieve more precise and natural-looking results than other Botox providers. To properly correct lip lines, puckered chins, and upside down or gummy smiles, it’s important that only the right facial muscles are treated. Failure to do so can result in frozen, strange or awkward results.

What Is Botox?

Many people have heard of Botox before, and many know that it has something to do with removing fine lines or wrinkles. However, many people don’t actually know what Botox is. The name Botox is a registered trademark and name for botulinum toxin A. it is actually a substance that is related to botulism, which is a form of food poisoning. Although that’s surprising, botulinum toxin A has actually been found to help people, but aesthetically.

Botulinum toxin A is a neurotoxin (or neurotoxic protein) that is produced by a bacteria. To put it simply, scientists use that neurotoxin to improve looks, but in a way that will cause certain desired effects in those who use it. One of those effects is paralysis, but don’t let that worry you too much as this paralysis is planned. When someone receives an injection of Botox, the neurotoxins in this substance only temporarily paralyze muscles in that area. If you receive Botox injections on your forehead, then those muscles are temporarily paralyzed and won’t give you that line or wrinkle that you don’t want.

botox injection

What Is Dental Botox?

Each year, more than 6 million people receive Botox treatments. Many receive these from a plastic surgeon or similar professional. We mentioned that you don’t have to worry about the paralysis that Botox gives you because it is a planned paralysis. That is something that only a professional should be doing. Who is the best person to handle a service such as this? A Dentist!

Dentists are experts of the muscle and bone architecture of the face. Their training and experience is steeped in the facial muscles and structures. They have trained for many years and have a background that equips them with the ability to achieve more precise and natural-looking results than other Botox providers. There are many providers out there, but not all have had extensive training, which is something you definitely want with a substance as delicate as Botox.

To properly correct lip lines, puckered chins, and upside down or gummy smiles, it’s important that only the right facial muscles are treated. Failure to do so can result in frozen, strange or awkward results. Dental botox is basically a Botox treatment done in a dental office, where you are receiving your treatment from someone trained in oral and maxillofacial health. Dental botox is the best and safest way to receive a Botox treatment.

botox

Advantages of Dental Botox

With dental botox, we treat problems related to your oral health. Therapeutic dental botox offers relief for:

Headache pain resulting from muscle tension in the head, face, and neck and/or TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Syndrome
Persistent clenching and grinding of the teeth
“Gummy” smiles due to over-retracted upper lips
Upside-down smiles (as it takes more muscles to frown compared to smiling)
Lip lines and puckered chins

As we mentioned, lines and wrinkles are temporarily paralyzed with dental botox so that you can enjoy a smooth complexion. Dental botox has also been found to be very beneficial and effective for pain that originates from oral health problems. TMJ is a common oral health problem that causes patients pain. This encompasses pain in the jaw or facial muscles. With dental botox, we can paralyze the muscles that hurt so that you are not in constant pain. Bruxism is the name for grinding and clenching the teeth. Dental botox can improve your symptoms by reducing the contractions of the mouth muscles involved in clenching and grinding. If you have any of the issues we listed above, you should see if dental botox could help your symptoms.

Receiving Professional Services

No matter what procedure or service you are seeking to help improve your body, we can’t stress how important it is to receive your care from a professional. Too many people look for services that are the cheapest they can find. However, the adage, “you get what you pay for” is quite true. If something is incredibly cheap (especially when it involves your health), then it’s probably not worth it.

The higher the quality, the more likely it is that the cost will be higher as well. That being said, you don’t have to break the bank to receive quality care for your health. We provide quality services that won’t break the bank and that are solely focused on helping your oral health and overall health be the best that it can be.

See Your Dentist Often

Every single person should have a dentist and see that dentist often. Following the American Dental Association’s recommendation, you should come visit us at least twice a year or more if you have oral health issues. For services such as dental Botox, come see us when you are ready to receive this service. As a professional trained in oral health, Dr. Ania can provide you with quality care that is safe and will keep you healthy. If you want to know more about dental botox, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998

Posted: December 5, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Foods and Drinks that Hurt Your Teeth

hurt your teeth

Did you know that you could be hurting your teeth each time you eat or drink? Everything that passes through your mouth has an effect on your oral health. Plaque is a pesky substance that forms every time you eat. It is a mixture of sugars from the foods you eat mixed with bacteria in the mouth. That plaque works to erode your tooth enamel every day. Certain foods you eat can erode your teeth even quicker and cause harm because of their acidity. Some of these foods include carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, and sports drinks. Find out what foods and drinks can damage your teeth and how you can help protect your smile!

What Is Plaque?

Many people have heard of “plaque” before, but they don’t know what it does. Plaque is a substance that you make right in your mouth. When you eat, bacteria in your mouth mix with sugars in the foods and drinks you consume. That creates a sticky, transparent film that coats your teeth. That sticky film is also acidic, so over time, plaque slowly erodes away your tooth enamel. The way to combat it? Brush your teeth several times a day and floss often. That is how you can remove plaque and prevent it from hurting your teeth.

Foods that Hurt Your Teeth

What you eat can make a big difference in how healthy your mouth is. Some foods damage your teeth because of what they contain or by what you do with that food. Here are some foods that can hurt your teeth:

Ice Chips – Although ice is just hardened water, it can break or chip a tooth if you chew on it. Water gets very hard, and often water in the form of ice breaks teeth or wears them down over time.
Fruits – Whether you have fruits often or fruit juice, they both contain citric acid. Any type of acid is one that you want to watch out for as it will hurt your teeth. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons will damage your tooth enamel and weaken it over time.
Hard Foods – Be careful when eating hard foods such as carrots, nuts, popcorn hulls, hard candies and more, as you could break or chip a tooth.
Sugary Foods – Foods with sugar help make more plaque in your mouth. The more sugar there is, the more plaque you can make. Limit your sugar intake to help keep your mouth healthier.
Chewy Foods – Chewy foods such as gummies, taffy, caramels and more, stick to the teeth more than other foods. That means sugar sits on your teeth for longer, eroding your enamel. Brush your teeth after eating these foods.

Drinks that Damage Tooth Enamel

Not only do you have to be careful about the types of foods you eat, but you also have to watch the beverages you consume. Drinks can also hurt your teeth, and generally do so much more than foods do. The average person needs to drink about half their body weight in ounces each day to stay properly hydrated. In an ideal world, people would drink only water or liquids such as vitamin-fortified milk. However, it’s becoming more common for people to consume sugary drinks such as sodas, juices, and energy drinks instead of water. These types of drinks can quickly damage your teeth.

Different Types of Drinks

There are many types of drinks. Some of the most common drinks are the ones that hurt your teeth:

Sugary Drinks – Sports drinks provide electrolytes, which help keep your muscles working, your energy higher and help you recover better. However, they are full of sugar, which will damage your teeth. Juices aren’t any better either. Always check your drink label for the sugar content and avoid drinks with lots of sugar.
Sodas – One of the worst culprits of drinks that hurt your teeth is soda. These not only are full of sugar, but they also contain carbonation. Carbonation gives you that fizzy pop in your mouth because the CO2 in the carbonation has a chemical reaction in your mouth. This turns that CO2 into carbonic acid, which erodes away your tooth enamel. If you want stronger teeth, skip the soda.
Energy Drinks – Think of these as a step up from sodas. Most energy drinks contain carbonation, although you can find options that are non-carbonated. However, most energy drinks work overtime to hurt your teeth. Energy drinks generally give you a boost of energy through caffeine. Most energy drinks also add in much more sugar than a regular soda would (which is already a lot). Save your teeth and get more sleep or exercise for energy.
Additional Beverages – There are many drinks that can hurt your teeth. Water can hurt your teeth if it is carbonated, because of the acid that is involved. Milk is great for your teeth, as it contains calcium and phosphate, which can help rebuild your tooth enamel. However, chocolate milk is full of sugar, which hurts your teeth. With any drink, always check the label to know what you are actually drinking.

Dental Exams and Cleanings

You can protect your teeth through proper brushing and flossing practices. The American Dental Association recommends that every person brush their teeth at least twice a day, if not after every meal. The more often you brush your teeth, the less likely you are to have tooth decay and problems such as gum disease. Patients can also benefit from mouthwash and fluoride treatments.

Mouthwash can kill bacteria that help make plaque in your mouth. Fluoride fights against the damaging effects of plaque. All of these habits promote great oral health. Seeing your dentist for comprehensive exams and dental cleanings twice a year will also help you to know how healthy your mouth is. This is where we can give your teeth a thorough cleaning and teach you tips for better oral care. If you would like to know more about foods and drinks and how they affect your teeth, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998!

Posted: November 28, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Help with Common Dental Emergencies

dental emergencies

Most patients try to be as careful as possible with their oral health. However, dental emergencies inevitably happen to many people. Those who do sports or other physical activities are especially prone to dental emergencies. Some of these include toothaches, broken braces and wires, a cut or broken lip, tongue, or cheek, a broken or fractured tooth, and more. We can help you with all of these dental emergencies, even if you have knocked out a tooth. Learn what you can do when a dental emergency happens and how we can restore your smile once more!

Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is a problem that must receive immediate attention in order to save a tooth. Some of the most common dental emergencies are broken or chipped teeth, or fractured teeth. A knocked-out tooth is also a common dental emergency, and not one that any patient ever wants to have, as they could lose their tooth for good. Other dental emergencies include toothaches, broken braces and wires, and a cut or bitten tongue, lip or cheek. Thankful, dental emergencies don’t happen to everyone often. However, they may happen to every patient once or more in their life. In fact, about 1 in 6 Americans experience a dental emergency every year.

It’s important to know what to do when a dental emergency happens. As always, call the dentist immediately if you have broken, chipped, fractured, or knocked out a tooth. The first hour is critical in saving a tooth. If it is a weekend and we are not in the office, there is always a way to reach us for emergencies. Call our office as soon as a dental emergency happens. If the emergency is severe (like a car accident where you knocked out teeth but also had other injuries), then seek medical attention.

What To Do

There are specific actions you can take with different dental emergencies. Here are some tips after you have called our office for help:

Broken tooth – The first hour is really important for saving a broken tooth. When you break a tooth, rinse the area with warm water. To help with pain and swelling, put a cold compress over the facial area where you lost your tooth. Try to recover broken tooth fragments if possible and keep the fragments in water.

Knocked-out tooth – For this emergency, it’s critical to keep the tooth wet so it doesn’t dry out. Make sure you only handle the tooth by the crown and not the tooth root. Don’t clean the tooth or handle it more than is necessary. If possible, reinsert the tooth into the socket where it was knocked out. Only do this for older patients and not children, as children can swallow a tooth. Hold the tooth in place in your mouth with cloth or a piece of gauze until you receive dental help. If you can’t put the tooth back in its socket, then keep it in a cup of water or milk to keep the tooth alive.

Toothache – Most toothaches are related to tooth decay. Avoid tooth decay with frequent brushing and flossing, as well as seeing your dentist. Toothaches are not something you want to ignore. Call your dentist right away, as you could have an infection that is causing you pain.

Cut or bitten tongue, lip or cheek – If you get a cut or bite one of these areas, apply pressure to the site. Keep doing this if the bleeding has not stopped. If bleeding is in large quantities or doesn’t stop after 15 or 20 minutes, consider going to an emergency room.

Reducing Your Risk

There are ways you can reduce your risk for a dental emergency. Many sudden dental emergencies happen from sports injuries or accidents. However, in many sports it is also required that players wear protective mouthguards to prevent the teeth from being broken or knocked out. Not all mouthguards are the same though. There are stock mouthguards that you can buy at the store. These are ready-to-wear and are one-size-fits-all. That means the guard won’t fit your teeth snug and you can still break teeth in sports. Boil and bite guards are better and can be molded to your teeth, but the fit won’t be as snug as you want.

We believe the Agility Guard is the best sports protection mouthguard you can get. Studies show that athletes can potentially improve their athletic performance by using a properly-designed mouthguard. Why? Because players can focus on the game instead of worrying about protecting their teeth. When accidents do happen, the injuries are not as severe with a mouthguard, or they are nonexistent. That would give any athlete an edge. You can prevent a major dental emergency by simply putting something in your mouth, so it’s worth the few minutes it takes to do so.

A Healthy Smile for Life

To prevent many dental emergencies from happening, you must take care of your teeth! You can do this each day through practicing great oral hygiene habits and wearing protective mouthguards for your teeth. We can help you to know what oral habits you need to make part of your day. We can also fit you for an Agility Guard if you want to improve your athletic performance and protect your smile. If you have lost or broken a tooth and it can’t be saved, we have services such as dental implants and porcelain veneers that are available for you to fix your smile. Simply call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998 and schedule your consultation!

Posted: November 20, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Prevent Stained Teeth

stained teeth

What you eat not only determines how healthy you are, but it may also determine how your smile looks. Many people eat and drink foods every day, not realizing that some of those foods are slowly turning their teeth gray or yellow over time. If you have noticed that your teeth are not as white as they used to be, it could be that you’re staining your teeth by what you’re eating. Around 80% of Americans start their day off with coffee. This is actually one of the worst culprits when it comes to stained teeth. Teas, sodas, wine, acidic juices, and more can all play a role in the color of your teeth. Let us help you know what foods and drinks to avoid to prevent stained teeth and how you can get a whiter smile today!

Foods and Drinks Cause Stained Teeth

For most people, food and drinks are the substances that cause stained teeth. Having poor oral health hygiene can also cause stained teeth, but this is usually more decay than staining. Some foods are bad for your teeth because they lead to tooth decay. Those foods include citrus fruits and drinks as well as sodas, carbonated drinks (including sparkling water), and sweet treats. Other foods that are considered healthy are major culprits of stained teeth. How do you know what foods will stain your teeth? You can generally know by the color they are. Blueberries, blackberries and pomegranates are all foods that can seriously stain your teeth. They naturally have rich dyes, which can dye your teeth as well.

A good tip for knowing if a food or drink will stain your teeth is how well you can remove it from clothing if you spill it. Reds, purples, blues, blacks and other dark colors will stain your teeth. This includes red wine and other beverages that use red, purple or dark dyes in them. However, white wine can also stain your teeth in a way. It’s acidic content makes small pockets and fissures in your teeth where other foods can then come in and stain your teeth even darker. Also watch out for foods such as beets, soy sauce, tomato sauce, and grape and cranberry juice. If you avoid many (or all) of the foods that lead to stained teeth, then your tooth discoloration is probably due to aging teeth or your oral health habits.

What About Coffee?

Coffee is not only one of the worst drinks for your teeth, but is one of the most consumed beverages out there. About 83% of Americans start their day off with at least one cup of coffee, but a large percentage of those have multiple cups of coffee throughout their day. However, coffee leads to stained teeth, as it contains something called “tannins”. This is an acidic polyphenol that stains and discolors the teeth. Plus, because it’s acidic in nature, that acid can erode away your tooth enamel, especially if you drink it every day. If so, make sure to wait 20-30 minutes after drinking to brush your teeth, as you don’t want to brush your teeth while an acidic substance is still on the teeth. That would actually brush away more tooth enamel.

A close cousin to coffee, tea will cause stained teeth as well. Why? It also contains tannins that lead to discoloration. Studies show that the type of tea you drink will also determine what color discoloration your teeth have. Green tea can make your teeth appear gray over time and black tea will lead to stained teeth that are more yellow. Some studies also suggest that higher-quality teas and coffees will stain your teeth less than low-quality ones, so take that into consideration when choosing what you drink.

Teeth Whitening

Everyone is bound to have stained teeth eventually. In fact, even if you have invested in whitening services before, that whiteness starts to fade after about 7 years. Whitening your teeth is a great way to change their color to beautiful, brilliant white. Even severely stained teeth can improve their color with teeth whitening. This is a service best done when received in-office, as a dentist is the one giving you the treatment. Dentists are skilled to provide a uniform layer of whiteness, whereas over-the-counter treatments can sometimes yield undesirable results. Plus, teeth whitening can be done in just one appointment, which makes it a great option to brighten your smile before important events.

A White Smile that Lasts

There are several ways you can prevent stained teeth. One way is to cut out the foods and drinks that lead to stains in the first place. However, many people won’t want to cut out those foods forever or at all. Using a straw with your drinks can help reduce the beverage’s contact with your teeth. This will reduce your risk for stained teeth. When it comes to coffee, drinking from a straw is better than sipping from a cup. Also drinking from a to-go lid can help minimize coffee’s contact with your teeth without you having to suck the drink down. Avoid tobacco and alcohol use, as both of these substances stain your teeth very quickly.

There are only so many ways to prevent stained teeth. You may not even realize that your teeth are stained until they have significantly changed color. One of the best ways to prevent stains is to brush and floss your teeth several times a day, especially after ingesting foods and drinks that stain easily. We can help you to know the status of your oral health and if you have stained teeth at your biannual checkups and cleanings. To schedule yours, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998!

Posted: November 15, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Why You Need an Oral Cancer Screening

oral cancer screening

The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that someone dies from oral cancer every single hour in the United States. Cancer comes in many forms and occurs in many areas of the body, but most people don’t think about their oral health when it comes to cancer. Thousands are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and 1 in 5 end up dying from it. However, the good news is that oral cancer is preventable if detected and diagnosed early. That’s why it’s so important to visit the dentist often for comprehensive examinations, dental cleanings, and an oral cancer screening. Protect your health today and have your screening!

Oral Cancer: What Is It?

Cancer can happen in any part of the body. In fact, the National Cancer Institute reports that there are over 100 different types of cancer. Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. The NIH reports that your salivary glands have many different types of cells that can become cancer. You are constantly producing saliva to aid you in digestion and keeping your teeth healthy and clean. However, cancer cells can form and turn into oral cancer. The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that there are almost 50,000 cases of oral cancer each year (about 49,750). Over the years, research shows that about 1 in 5 people will eventually die from oral cancer.

That comes out to about 1 person dying every hour of every day from oral cancer. Some patients will often have a sore or irritation that doesn’t go away. Others will develop red or white patches, or will have pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or lips. Oral cancer sometimes develops lumps or thickening in the tissues in your head or neck, or they cause difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your tongue or jaw. The good news about all of this? Oral cancer is completely preventable if you keep up on your oral health and are screened often. In fact, an oral cancer screening could actually save your life and it takes less than 5 minutes of your time!

What Is an Oral Cancer Screening?

An oral cancer screening is usually part of your comprehensive exam when you come in to see the dentist. During this screening, we will look at all the hard and soft tissues of your mouth. These include the teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, throat and lips. We actually start this screening as soon as you begin talking with us, as speech abnormalities can be a sign of oral cancer starting to form. We listen for a hoarse or raspy voice that could indicate an abnormality in your throat.

Using a light, we’ll thoroughly examine every part of your mouth and the back of your throat. We do this to check for abnormal lesions that we are trained to see, but that you may not notice. You may think that you would feel an abnormal lesion, but these generally are not felt, and oral cancer is not painful in many people, especially in the beginning stages. We also check your head and neck to detect pain in any area where there shouldn’t be pain. If you use tobacco or drink alcohol, we recommend that you stop using these substances, as they significantly increase your risk for oral cancer. With your oral cancer screening, we can detect cancer when it starts and stop it’s progression. An oral cancer screening can literally save your life!

Services You Need Each Year

Besides an oral cancer screening, we recommend that our patients also receive biannual cleanings and comprehensive exams. This recommendation comes from the American Dental Association. Most patients can keep up on their oral health and avoid issues if they see their dentist at least twice a year. However, for patients that know that they have cavities often, or for those who have gum disease, they should see their dentist about every 3-4 months. Why is this? Most of the upkeep of your oral health must be done at home. You must be brushing and flossing every single day to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. However, only dentists are trained to notice cavities and where they are forming, if gums are receding, if the teeth have stuck-on tartar, and more.

A comprehensive exam is the dentist’s chance to get a close-up view of all your teeth, gums, and mouth as a whole. We can evaluate your bite and alignment, signs of decay and gum problems, and problems with the jaw. We can remove stains from your teeth at this time. We’ll also examine all your tooth restorations and past work to make sure the structure of your dental work is still sound. Generally, a comprehensive exam goes hand-in-hand with a dental cleaning. We thoroughly clean your teeth with our special brushes and tools, removing plaque that is stuck in hard-to-reach places. We also polish the teeth, remove tartar, floss thoroughly, and provide you a fluoride treatment. This helps to reduce your risk for tooth decay. When patients come in several times a year, they can know what oral health issues they have and how to avoid problems in the future.

See Your Dentist Often!

If you want to have healthy teeth and a healthy mouth, you have to be diligent with healthy oral habits. Brush and floss your teeth each day. See your dentist several times a year and don’t put off seeing the dentist due to fears or a busy schedule. It’s easy to correct minor problems, but you don’t want to deal with severe oral health problems. If you have concerns with your teeth, or fears about seeing the dentist, we have ways to make your experience informative and also relaxing. Receiving an oral cancer screening is vitally important for your health and could even save your life in the long run. Schedule your oral cancer screening today by calling Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998!

Posted: November 7, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Can You Benefit from a Dental Sealant?

dental sealant

Each and every patient runs the risk of developing tooth decay, especially if proper oral hygiene habits are not established or followed. If your tooth is showing signs of developing a cavity, a dental sealant may be perfect to prevent one from forming. A dental sealant is usually a clear or white, thin plastic coating that Dr. Ania applies to a patient’s tooth. This sealant “seals” away the sensitive parts of your tooth and protects your enamel from further decay caused by food, plaque, and bacteria. If you are prone to cavities or want to simply prevent cavities from forming in hard-to-reach areas of your teeth, you should invest in dental sealants! Let us show you the advantages of dental sealants and how they can protect you from tooth decay for up to 10 years!

Tooth Decay Is a Chronic Disease

Did you know that tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic disease amongst children and adults? This comes from a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people don’t realize that tooth decay—better known as “cavities”—is a disease at all. However, a “disease” is defined as a “disorder of structure or function in a human,…especially one that produces specific signs or symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury.

Tooth decay is caused by plaque. This is an acidic substance made from the bacteria in your mouth mixed with sugars in the foods you eat. That plaque sits on your teeth and erodes away your hard tooth enamel until it can seep inside your tooth and decay the soft center. The key to avoiding tooth decay is to brush and floss your teeth daily, see your dentist for cavity detection and care, and receive a dental sealant.

How Do We Detect Your Cavity?

Dr. Ania’s office uses all of the latest technology to ensure that your mouth can be the healthiest it can be. We utilize lasers in our office to help reverse damage caused by gum disease. Laser dentistry is an incredible advancement in the field that allows us to deep clean and remove gum tissue that has been diseased by bacteria. Laser light is not only effective at combating gum disease though. It is also used to help detect cavities that are present in your teeth. In the past, we had to rely on probing tools and x-ray imaging to detect cavities. However, with x-rays, we could only detect tooth decay once it had become large enough to show up in an image. With probing tools, we can detect areas of sensitivity, but they are not the most effective for detecting cavities.

With laser light, we use the principle of lightwave reflection to detect tooth decay in a tooth. When this laser light is pointed at a tooth, that tooth will either absorb or reflect the light. For a healthy tooth, the laser light will easily pass through the tooth. However, when there is tooth decay present, the light will be reflected. Laser cavity detection is amazing for decreasing your chances of extensive oral procedures because we can catch decay in its early stages. In fact, we can tell the exact size, shape, and location of a cavity using laser light. This means we can catch tooth decay when it is very tiny, making it easy to provide you a cavity filling.

Preventing Tooth Decay with a Dental Sealant

Dental sealants are excellent tools for avoiding cavities. A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating that Dr. Ania puts all over your tooth. The molars and premolars are the teeth that most need a dental sealant, as these are the ones that do most of the chewing. Your front teeth are more for biting and ripping food, while the back teeth are used to chew. The molars are also the teeth that most commonly have cavities. According to the American Dental Association, a dental sealant can reduce your risk for a cavity by up to 80%.

When you receive a dental sealant, it will bond to your tooth and seal away all the grooves and cracks of the teeth. That will prevent plaque and other acidic substances from eroding away your tooth enamel. These are areas where food can more easily become trapped, and where a toothbrush may have a harder time cleaning. A dental sealant will also help prevent tooth decay from happening inside the tooth that commonly leads to root canals and more extensive procedures. Your dental sealant can last you up to 10 years if you take care of your teeth properly.

The Key to A Healthy Mouth

When it comes to avoiding tooth decay and keeping a healthy mouth, prevention is always key! Many major diseases and chronic conditions can be avoided if you take proper care of your oral health and overall wellness. Creating and following healthy oral health habits will work wonders for avoiding oral health problems. Receiving a dental sealant for a tooth can help protect your tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay from happening. Plus, these sealants last many years! If you want to give yourself the highest chance of avoiding cavities, invest in a dental sealant today. Simply call Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998 to schedule your appointment!

Posted: October 23, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

The Basics of a Cavity Filling

cavity filling

If you’ve ever been to the dentist, then you might also be familiar with cavities. Cavities are also known as dental caries or tooth decay. Tooth decay is one of the most chronic and prevalent diseases among children and adults. We have methods to detect cavities through x-rays and laser cavity detection. Once detected, we can remove the decayed part of your tooth and provide you a cavity filling to fix your tooth like new again. Cavity fillings are small, yet very effective at keeping your tooth intact and stopping more tooth decay from forming. Find out more about cavity fillings, how they’ve changed over the years, and what one can do for your smile today!

What Is A Cavity?

You may known the term “cavity” by the names of “dental caries” or “tooth decay”. All mean the same, and all refer to the decay of your tooth. Tooth decay comes as a result of poor hygiene. Plaque is a mixture of bacteria in your mouth and the sugars in the foods you eat. This mixture creates an acidic substance (which is plaque) that erodes your tooth enamel. If the teeth aren’t brushed and flossed often enough (or properly), then erosion occurs enough to create openings in your teeth. That acidic plaque then seeps inside the tender center of your tooth, where it causes quick decay. This decay is known as a cavity. Many patients won’t even know they have a cavity unless they see their dentist often for an examination or if the decay has become severe enough to cause pain when chewing and other symptoms.

How Do We Detect Cavities?

In the past, dentists could only detect cavities by a few methods: a patient started to experience tooth pain or sensitivity, probing tools found a cavity, or by using x-rays. However, technology now affords us the ability to use laser cavity detection. This is how we know if you will need a cavity filling or not. Laser cavity detection is an amazing advancement that allows dentists to harness the power of lasers to detect tooth decay. Tooth decay generally starts of very small, making it hard to detect until a cavity has grown. We can see cavities using x-ray imaging, but sometimes the small ones go unnoticed until they are large enough to show up on film.

However, with laser cavity detection, laser light can detect cavities and can show us their exact size, shape, and location in a tooth. This pen-like wand scans the surface of each tooth and blasts laser light on each tooth. In a healthy tooth, light passes through completely. However, if tooth decay is present, it will reflect the laser light, allowing us to detect a cavity before it has become severe. Once we detect that cavity, we can then use a cavity filling to stop tooth decay before it becomes more severe.

Treating Tooth Decay with a Cavity Filling

There are several materials you can choose from when it comes to receiving a cavity filling. In the past, metal amalgam fillings were the most popular choice of dentists. These were silver-colored fillings that were a mix of mercury, silver, tin, and copper. This material was used for decades because it is so durable. However, the most popular choice for a cavity filling today is a tooth-colored filling. This tooth-colored cavity filling is also known as a “composite filling”. It’s made from a mixture of glass or quartz filler and looks like a part of your natural tooth. Hence, the reason why it is called a “tooth-colored” cavity filling.

Many patients won’t mind what the material is made from, as long as it is resistant to fracture and is durable. Tooth-colored fillings are just that: durable for many years and resistant to breakage. We simply remove the part of the tooth that has been decayed, and replace it with a cavity filling that matches the color of your tooth. Most patients will not even be able to tell where the cavity occurred, as we preserve most of the natural tooth and its appearance throughout the process. A cavity filling is the most basic way to restore parts of a tooth that has decayed, and is the option most patients prefer instead of more serious procedures.

Good Oral Hygiene

What is the best way to prevent tooth decay from happening? Good oral hygiene! In fact, if you practice good oral hygiene, then you can potentially avoid tooth decay for your entire life. You can also avoid problems such as gum disease, which affects more than 64 million American adults. The American Dental Association recommends brushing the teeth at least twice a day. Some great times to fulfill that recommendation is in the morning after breakfast and before you go to bed. For patients who want an even better chance at avoiding cavities, they should brush about 30 minutes after every meal. Brushing too soon after meals that have acidic foods (citrus fruits, soda, etc.) can erode the tooth enamel.

Be wise when it comes to brushing and make sure you brush each individual tooth all the way to the gumline. Flossing is also an integral part of keeping your oral health in spectacular shape. You should floss your teeth at least once a day. When you do floss, make sure to drag the floss across your tooth surface to collect all the plaque that is caked on. Bring the floss all the way up into your gum line (or under the triangle gum shape between each tooth). That is where food likes to get trapped. By brushing and flossing daily, you can avoid many oral health issues. To be even more vigilant with your oral health, you can add mouthwash and fluoride to your oral hygiene routine.

Prevention Is Key

When it comes to cavities, you never have to have one! Establish good oral health habits and follow them every single day, morning and night. Also, come in to see us for comprehensive examinations and dental cleanings at least every 6 months if not more often. These are the ways to prevent tooth decay and to detect it early-on. Early detection will only require a cavity filling, whereas later detection may necessitate more rigorous procedures. Prevention is key to having a healthy mouth. If you need to schedule your exam and cleaning, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998!

Posted: October 17, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

All About Your Permanent Teeth

permanent teeth

As a dental office, we see teeth all day long. Every person is unique, but a smile is something they all share. Infant teeth are different than adult teeth in size, shape, number and more. An adult will have around 32 teeth while a child will only have around 20 teeth. Those teeth fall into categories such as incisors, canines, premolars and molars. Each tooth has a specific function in the mouth, as do your tongue, gums, and even saliva. It’s important to know about your smile and why you need to have all your teeth for it to function properly. There are over 120 million people that have a missing tooth in the United States alone. Every tooth is vitally important for your oral health and overall wellness. Find out more about your baby and permanent teeth today and what you can do to keep them healthy for life.

Baby Teeth

People aren’t born with teeth immediately. That should be no shocker to most people. Much like everything else a baby must develop, their teeth also come in with time. Their smile is different than an adult smile with permanent teeth as well. Babies start to have teeth come into the mouth anywhere between 4-6 months of age. Those teeth continue to come in up until age 3, when all the teeth should be in the upper and lower jaws. First, the front teeth come in such as the incisors, then some of the molars will come into the mouth and the canines, and so on.

Babies should have a total of 20 teeth, or 10 teeth in the upper jaw and 10 teeth in the lower jaw. These teeth are not permanent teeth, so they will eventually fall out of the mouth. You might notice that a child’s teeth are not fit snugly together. The jaw is continually growing, so the teeth are spaced out to make room for the permanent teeth to come in.

Permanent Teeth

One a child loses their baby teeth, the permanent teeth will start to grow in. This whole process of losing baby teeth and receiving permanent teeth can begin around age 6 or 7 and go up until ages 12-14. It all depends on the child and their genetic makeup. The permanent teeth are called that for a reason: they are permanently in the mouth unless, trauma, tooth decay, gum disease, or age take them away from you.

The average adult has about 32 permanent teeth in the mouth. Some adults only have 28, which depends on how many wisdom teeth a person has. Some have all 4 (giving us the number of 32 teeth), while others have no wisdom teeth. Each mouth is made up of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Those are the teeth in order from the front teeth moving towards the back of your mouth on the upper and lower jaws. Adults have 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars on average.

Tooth Loss in the United States

As an adult, you may have many permanent teeth, but that doesn’t mean you have any to spare. You need every tooth in the mouth to have good oral health. Sadly, tooth loss is on the rise in the United States. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that adults have an average of only 25 remaining teeth out of the original 32. The American College of Prosthodontists also reports that over 120 million people are missing at least 1 tooth and that 36 million in the U.S. don’t have any teeth at all.

Missing even one tooth is incredibly damaging to your oral health! Once one tooth is lost, that part of the jawbone becomes weaker as do the gums. This causes even more teeth to lose support and fall out. Prevent tooth lost at all costs, and seek help right away if you do lose a permanent tooth.

Keep Your Smile Intact with Help

If you’ve lost a tooth recently, then one of your best options is to receive a dental implant. Dental implants are a restorative dentistry option that allows patients to replace their missing teeth with a custom-made one that looks like your natural teeth. This is a long-lasting option to keep the area of your mouth sturdy if tooth loss has occurred.

We prep for your dental implant by inserting a metal post into the jawbone where a tooth was lost. Once this post heals in the jaw, and when it is sturdy, we provide you a custom-made tooth secured to the top of the post. We match the tooth to the color and shape of your smile. Others won’t know you have a dental implant, but you will know because of the strength and support an implant gives you. For patients who take good care of their implants, they can expect to keep them anywhere between 10-20 years.

Good Oral Hygiene for Life

Remember, the best way to keep your smile healthy is to take care of it day and night through proper oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth several times a day and floss them each day as well. Come in to the office at least twice a year to check up on your smile so we can detect if there are any oral health issues. If you are due for your comprehensive exam and dental cleaning, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998!

Posted: October 13, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

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