Treating Bleeding or Swelling Gums
Unfortunately, up to a third of Americans think it’s normal to see some blood in the sink after brushing and flossing. Although this is common, it’s not normal. It’s a sign of gum disease. Minor gum disease, gingivitis, can lead to painful, bleeding, or swelling gums. These can be uncomfortable and unattractive. Gingivitis can also progress to periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis is when your gums are badly infected, resulting in bone loss around your teeth, infections that can spread to your blood or elsewhere in your body, and eventually tooth loss. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. If you have bleeding or swelling gums, it’s best to get treatment before it’s too late. Visiting Your Dentist If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, it’s time to go now. Gum disease is often associated with hardened plaque deposits, called tartar or dental calculus, that build up around the gumline. These deposits cannot be removed by you at home, and they can provide shelter for bacteria that are infecting your gums. Your dentist can also evaluate your gums and decide whether you need aggressive treatment or simple changes to your oral hygiene routine will be sufficient. Changing Your Oral Hygiene One of the things you can do to improve the state of your gums is to change your oral hygiene habits. You can do this even before going to the dentist, but don’t consider these changes a substitute for seeing your dentist. Some changes to consider: Make sure you’re brushing at least twice a day Make sure that every time you brush, you brush for at least two minutes If your teeth still don’t feel clean after brushing, try switching to an electric toothbrush Floss every day Floss before brushing to ensure toothpaste penetrates between your teeth Your dentist may also recommend other changes, such as using a mouthwash, changing your toothpaste, or other suggestions. Reducing Bacteria below the Gumline If your gums are seriously infected and you have lost significant amount of bone around your teeth, your dentist may recommend periodontal treatments to remove bacteria that are building up around your tooth root. There are many ways to do this, from manually scraping the deposits away and smoothing the tooth root to reduce the amount of bacteria that can attach there to lasers that can be used to sterilize these areas. Your dentist will talk to you about which one is best in your case. To learn more about your gum disease treatment options, please contact Ascent Dental in the Cherry Creek area of Denver today.
Things to Know about Tooth Whitening
If you are considering tooth whitening, here are some things to keep in mind so you can make the right decision about your tooth whitening solution. Tooth Whitening Compounds Are Safe for the Teeth, but Not for the Gums Most tooth whitening approaches use a form of peroxide, which attacks the organic molecules that cause staining. It can also attack organic molecules in your gums, leading to irritation and receding gums. If you are using an at-home whitening solution, don’t get it on your gums. When a dentist performs tooth whitening or provides you with whitening trays, they are designed to protect your gums. Professional Tooth Whitening Compounds Are Much Stronger Than Over-the-Counter (OTC) Options Tooth whitening gels used in a dental office may be five times stronger or more than the over-the-counter whiteners you find at the drug store. OTC Whiteners May Rely on Abrasives or Acid to Whiten Teeth Because they are not allowed to be as strong, OTC whiteners try to get more whitening by using abrasives to scrape away stains (as well as enamel) or acid (that can also damage enamel) to remove organic compounds that cause stains. Over the long-term, these may make your teeth yellow as they thin the enamel and let the dentin underneath show through. Sensitivity Causes and Prevention Teeth sensitivity after tooth whitening is often caused by the removal of organic molecules that may block the tiny tubules that run from your tooth pulp to the tooth surface. When these are opened, your teeth are exposed to more temperature fluctuations. Many new professional whiteners contain compounds that reduce sensitivity. If you would like to learn more about tooth whitening options, please contact Ascent Dental in the Cherry Creek area of Denver for an appointment.
10 Tips for Whiter Teeth
Discolored teeth can make you look unhealthy or prematurely aged. Here are 10 good tips for keeping your teeth looking whiter and healthier. 1: Fake It with a Tan or Lipstick If you can’t get your teeth white, you can always try making them look whiter. Certain shades of lipstick as well as a tan can make your teeth look whiter by comparison. 2: Quit Smoking Cigarette smoke discolors your front teeth unevenly and quickly. These stains are hard to conceal, and though they respond to teeth whitening, they come back in a short time. Worse, smoking threatens your oral health, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth loss. It even makes it up to 10 times more likely that dental implants will fail. 3: Stop Binge Drinking Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol daily can improve your overall health, but drinking too much can stain your teeth. Red wine and dark beer are obvious culprits for tooth staining, but even white wine and pale beer are acidic and can stain teeth, effects that worsen over long drinking sessions that can dehydrate you and thus reduce saliva production. Mixed drinks also contain staining compounds or highly acidic ingredients. And if you make yourself sick, stomach acid is very bad for your teeth. 4: Use a Straw When drinking acidic or staining beverages, you can drink them through a straw to reduce the contact they have with your teeth. 5: Rinse with Water Now, you’re not going to be drinking your hot coffee with a straw, but you can reduce the amount of staining if you rinse your mouth with water after finishing a cup of joe. This is also a good way to follow up a soda or any meal. It’s better than brushing right after eating, which can erode softened enamel. For maximum effectiveness, you can rinse right away, wait half an hour, then brush. 6: Finish Meals with Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables Crunchy fruits and vegetables can remove food particles clinging to your teeth. They can also help you produce more saliva, which helps neutralize acids from bacteria feeding on food. 7: Or Finish with Dairy Dairy can also help neutralize acid in your mouth. Milk is a natural buffer solution that helps keep the pH at a level where enamel won’t be damaged. Cheese and yogurt are even better. The bacteria cultures in them have been shown to reduce the activity of harmful bacteria in your mouth, resulting in reduced risk of cavities or gum disease. 8: Visit Your Dentist Regularly In addition to your regular daily oral hygiene, regular visits to your dentist can help keep your teeth clean. Your dentist will also give them a gentle but polish that can help them look whiter. 9: Skip OTC Whiteners Over-the-counter whitening products can be somewhat effective at whitening your teeth, but in general they don’t do a good job. Ill-fitting trays and strips that give incomplete coverage tend to whiten only part of your teeth, leaving yellowish stains at the margins. They also don’t do a good job of keeping the whiteners off your gums, which can lead to irritation and bleeding. 10: Get Professional Whitening If you are still unhappy with the color of your teeth, professional teeth whitening can help. In-office whitening is good for a start, but professional-strength take-home treatments give the best long-term results. If you want to whiten your teeth in Denver, please contact Ascent Dental in Cherry Creek.
Why Oral Hygiene Is Important
Oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your health on a daily basis. It can have an impact not only on your oral health, but on your entire body. Oral Hygiene Can Prevent Periodontal Disease Periodontal disease is when your gums become infected. Bacteria start out clinging to the surface of your teeth, but if they can develop enough of a protective biofilm, what we describe as “plaque,” they can begin to grow colonies below your gum line. The plaque at the gum line can harden, making it impossible to remove with normal brushing and flossing, and this hardened plaque then becomes a protective shelter for bacteria to grow and develop more. Periodontal disease is accompanied by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. As bacteria grow into your gums, they attack the bone and ligaments that hold your teeth in place. You will notice your teeth starting to loosen. At this point, you are beyond the help of normal hygiene and you need to see a dentist. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the US, but it also threatens your entire body. Effects of Gum Disease on Your Body Gum disease has been linked to many dangerous health conditions. Bacteria enter your bloodstream and spread throughout your body. There are studies linking periodontal disease with preterm delivery and low birth weight. Research suggests that periodontal disease can contribute to kidney failure, and that kidney problems also make periodontal disease worse. Periodontal disease has also been linked to heart disease and stroke. Weaker evidence even suggests a connection between gum disease and impaired lung function. Oral Hygiene Protects Your Teeth Oral hygiene can also help protect your teeth from cavities and their potentially deadly consequences. When a cavity progresses inside your tooth, resulting in an infected tooth nerve, what is called an abscessed tooth, the infection can spread to other parts of your body, such as your sinuses and even your brain. Thousands of people visit the emergency room and dozens die every year as a result of such infections. Don’t neglect your oral hygiene. Make sure you brush and floss at home. Make regular appointments with your dentist to ensure you are getting professional cleanings that can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you are overdue for a dental appointment, please contact Ascent Dental in the Cherry Creek area of Denver today.
We are finally moved!
5 years ago I started Ascent Dental from scratch with a vision. I selected a great space for that long term vision and began my journey. Fast forward 5 years and here we are, at a brand new facility. Why the move? My 5 year contract expired and renegotions began, unfortunately a deal was not reached. Life goes on. I found another great space and I started over with building a new practice at a new location. (not very far from the old location) This time I got to build it completely from the ground up and exactly how I wanted (the last space was retrofitted). My contractor did an amazing job with helping me get to this point and would like to thank her. (Jo Temmer – Northstar Construction). Be assured we will be here a while (as I signed a 10 year deal. Moving has not been fun (is it ever?), equipment has been minorly damaged and the stresses of construction / moving got between my office manager and I. (she resigned last week) All aside we are back up and running! I look forward to being in this office and treating you. I am assured you will find the new office an improvement and will enjoy it. Thank you for all your patientce. See you soon -Dr. Johnston Here are some pictures of the new space
Electric Toothbrush vs. Regular
It’s possible to get good oral hygiene with both regular and electric toothbrushes. Both types of toothbrushes have benefits, so either one may be right for you. Benefits of a Regular Toothbrush A regular toothbrush has many benefits to recommend it, including: Inexpensive Require no electricity Convenient for travel Often more comfortable to hold These benefits make it the best place to start with your toothbrush. As long as you have a good brushing technique and spend an appropriate amount of time brushing your teeth, there’s no need to move to an electric toothbrush. Benefits of an Electric Toothbrush An electric toothbrush also offers some good advantages: Rotating head can achieve effective circular cleaning motion Smaller head may give better access Timer encourages you to brush for recommended time These benefits may make an electric toothbrush more effective for many people. When to Switch Brushes You should always be making your regular dental visits. When your dentist looks in your mouth, he or she can see how good a job you are doing to clean your teeth. If you aren’t doing well, your dentist may recommend that you try harder to brush for the recommended length of time (minimum of 2 minutes). However, your dentist may recommend that you move to an electric toothbrush if poor cleaning is caused by: Arthritis Hand injury or disease Strong handedness (left or right-handed) that keeps you from brushing properly on both sides Uneven or crooked teeth that may be hard to access with manual brush When your dentist recommends that you switch to an electric brush, you may save yourself significant cost in dental treatment by investing in an electric brush. Better cleaning can reduce your risk for periodontal disease and tooth decay. To learn more about the best hygiene practices for you and schedule a regular dental appointment, please contact Ascent Dental in the Cherry Creek area of Denver, CO.
What to Do When You Chip a Tooth
When you chip a tooth, the most important thing is to see a dentist right away. It’s not always easy to tell whether you’ve done serious damage to your tooth or not, so don’t put off a dental visit thinking it’s just a minor problem. Before You Can Get to the Dentist You may not feel the chip or crack, but it’s likely that your tongue or cheeks will immediately feel the sharp place on your tooth that comes from a break. The first thing to do is get any broken pieces of enamel out of your mouth so you don’t swallow them. Then rinse your mouth with warm water. If you have bleeding, put pressure on the cut areas to stop the bleeding. You can apply a cold pack to the area to reduce sensitivity and swelling. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever. To keep yourself from getting cut by the sharp edges, you can put paraffin wax or sugar free gum on the chip. If it is going to take you a while to get to the dentist, you can put temporary dental cement on the chip to protect the tooth. This is temporary, and only a short-term expedient—it doesn’t mean you can wait to see the dentist! How We Will Fix Your Tooth The proper treatment for your chipped tooth depends on the chip, its cause, and your goals. For minor chips: The quickest and easiest fix for a minor chip is dental bonding. The same material used for white fillings is sculpted onto your tooth to create a lifelike restoration, then it is hardened with a curing light. This can be completed in a single visit. For a longer-term restoration, porcelain veneers are recommended. For major chips (cracked or broken tooth): If the chip, crack, or break has compromised the strength of the tooth or exposed the tooth’s nerve, you may need a dental crown to protect and support the tooth. If the crack was caused by severe decay in the tooth, we may also recommend root canal therapy to remove an infected tooth root. If you have chipped or cracked a tooth, do not wait to get help. Please call (303) 975-6987 to schedule an appointment at Ascent Dental in Cherry Creek. For less urgent questions or appointments, you can email us.
When to Remove Wisdom Teeth
Although most people seem to need their wisdom teeth removed, it’s not always necessary. It’s important to remember that removing wisdom teeth is not always recommended. However, there are many reasons why you might want your wisdom teeth removed, such as: They cause crowding and orthodontic problems They cause pain They have become infected They are hard to clean They are impacted (stuck) and can’t fully emerge Often, your dentist can tell your wisdom teeth will cause problems before they happen. It’s best to listen to your dentist in this case to avoid more trouble later on. Getting Your Teeth Checked You should be visiting the dentist at least once a year from the age of two, and by the time you’re a teen, you should have visits to the dentist twice a year just like an adult. During your regular visits, your dentist will check on the state of your wisdom teeth and look at them for any problems. At about age 16-19 is when your dentist can usually tell if there will be problems with your wisdom teeth. Some people may have obvious signs of trouble earlier than this, while others may not see any problems through their 20s. People who experience no problems with wisdom teeth by the age of 30 may be able to keep them for life. You may have all four wisdom teeth removed at once, or just some of them. Sometimes wisdom teeth left in today may have to be removed at a later date. Some dentists may recommend removing your wisdom teeth before the age of 20 to make it easier, but in reality they can be removed at any age. If you are experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth and want to talk about having them extracted, please contact Ascent Dental in Denver, Colorado today for an appointment.
Choosing the Best Toothbrush
If there’s one piece of personal hygiene equipment you make sure you use at least twice a day, it should be your toothbrush. Brushing your teeth twice a day is crucial to your oral hygiene. You’re going to be using it for the next three months (that’s 180 uses, for those of you that like the numbers), you want to pick one that is comfortable and fits your style. Here are some tips for choosing the best toothbrush for you. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance The American Dental Association seal of acceptance is your sign that a toothbrush meets certain quality guidelines. These include: All components are safe for use in the mouth Bristles are not sharp or jagged The handle material is durable Bristles are secure and won’t fall out under normal use Can be used effectively without special training These basic requirements make the difference between a good toothbrush and a bad one. Bristles and Head Soft bristles are considered best for your toothbrush, because they’re less likely to damage gums or tooth enamel. Pick a tooth brush with a small head that allows you to maneuver it into all the places hwere you need your tooth brush to be. In general, a head less than a half inch wide and one inch long is good for this purpose. Pick What You Like Beyond that, you can make decisions about what you like from a toothbrush. Pick a grip that’s comfortable, a neck that makes it easier for you to reach around and get all your teeth, and a color that pleases you and is easily distinguishable from the brushes of other people in your house. These factors don’t make much difference in the effectiveness of your toothbrush. Should You Select Electric? Considering an electric toothbrush? There is some controversy about whether they’re generally more effective, but there’s no doubt that they help some people get better results. An electric toothbrush may be good for you if: You have trouble brushing for long enough (electric toothbrushes often have timers so you brush long enough) Your handedness means you brush better on one side of your mouth than the other You repeatedly have trouble with gum disease or excessive tartar buildup due to poor brushing Your dentist recommends one Your toothbrush is the primary tool that you can use to ensure your optimum dental health. At Ascent Dental in Cherry Creek, we have many other tools to support your efforts. To schedule your next appointment, please contact Ascent Dental today.
How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?
As with all health recommendations, there is no single rule for how often you should have your regular dental checkups and cleanings that works for everyone. For decades, dentists have generally recommended that people should have routine cleanings every six months or so (twice a year), but this is just a general guideline and may not hold for everyone. In fact, there are some people we know need to see the dentist more often than this to keep their teeth and gums healthy. You Should Visit the Dentist More Often If Some health conditions and lifestyle choices can put your teeth and gums at risk. More frequent checkups can help safeguard your oral health and prevent tooth loss. You may want to visit your dentist more often if you: Have diabetes Are a smoker Have a weakened immune system Have gum disease Have cavities every time you go to the dentist We will talk to you about your health and mouth conditions and whether you should make more regular checkups. Should You Visit the Dentist Now? You may be wondering whether it’s time to schedule a visit to your dentist now. You should see the dentist if you are experiencing: Bleeding, red, or sensitive gums Constant toothaches Temperature or pressure sensitivity Loose teeth Localized hot spot or puss-filled spot on your gums Unexplained headaches that have started recently You should also contact your dentist if you have any other concerns about the health of your teeth and gums. We will talk to you about potential health conditions and whether you should come in to see us. Many dental problems will worsen if left untreated, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. To schedule an appointment with Ascent Dental in the Cherry Creek area of Denver, please call (303) 975-6987 or email us today.
How to Handle a Broken Tooth
If you have injured a tooth and don’t know how severely, it’s time to get to a dentist. You may not feel or hear the tooth breaking, but you may find the small piece of tooth in your mouth, or your tongue may feel the suddenly sharp area left behind by the break. How Quickly Do You Need to Get to the Dentist? Some broken teeth are minor, cosmetic problems that may not need immediate attention. Others are dental emergencies that need immediate treatment. How do you tell the difference? In general, your pain can be a guide: No pain generally means the break is minor and doesn’t require immediate attention Increased sensitivity to temperature and pressure means you have likely broken the tooth deep into the enamel and exposed the dentin, softer material underneath that is more sensitive. Make an appointment with your dentist at the next convenient time. You may paint the broken area with temporary dental cement, often available at drug stores, to reduce sensitivity. Severe pain that is constant and flares when exposed to pressure and temperature changes may mean that you’ve exposed your tooth root. This should be treated as a dental emergency—quick action may be required to save the tooth. Do not try to replace the broken portion of your tooth. If you have the piece and it is large, store it in tepid milk or saliva on your way to the dentist. The piece likely cannot be restored, but it may help your dentist figure out why your tooth broke. How We Will Treat Your Broken Tooth When you have broken a tooth, we will give it an appropriate treatment depending on the severity of the break. Minor cosmetic breaks can be treated with dental bonding or porcelain veneers. For more serious breaks, we may recommend porcelain onlays or dental crowns, both of which can be done while you wait. These will protect your remaining enamel and strengthen your tooth. If your broken tooth compromised the tooth root or was due to decay, you may need endodontic treatment (root canal) as part of your treatment. If you have a broken tooth, please contact Ascent Dental in the Cherry Creek area of Denver for treatment.
The Secret to Keeping Your Teeth White
Healthy teeth are attractive teeth, so if you’re looking out for the health of your teeth with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits you’re already doing a lot to help keep your teeth white and attractive. However, there are also a few more things you can do to keep your teeth looking their best. Crunch a Bunch Crunchy fruits and vegetables help clean your teeth. Finish every meal with a raw carrot, apple, or celery stick, then rinse with water. This isn’t a substitute for brushing, but it can help if you’re not able to brush your teeth in the middle of the day. Sugar free gums is also recommended to help clean your teeth. Like a clay bar used to take dirt off of cars, the gum can trap bacteria and food particles that were stuck to your teeth, and it also stimulates additional saliva production, which kills bacteria and rinses your teeth. Avoid the Stain There are many staining foods and beverages that we consume on a daily basis. Coffee, black tea, red wine, dark beers, and dark sodas are among the worst. Fortunately, there are many non-staining alternatives. Try substituting green tea for coffee and black tea. Drink white wine rather than red and lighter-colored beers instead of dark ones. Try, if possible, to cut soda out of your diet completely. It offers no nutritional benefits, and the acids in soda are damaging to your teeth. If you can’t quit soda completely, drink it with a straw to minimize your teeth’s exposure. Kick the Habit Smoking is one of the worst staining behaviors. Cigarette smoke leaves very visible stains on your front teeth. Smoking is also damaging to your gums and can contribute to gum disease and tooth loss. Getting Rid of Stains If you have stained teeth and you want to reset them back to a whiter shade, Ascent Dental offers many tooth whitening options. If your tooth enamel is thin or deeply discolored, tooth whitening may not be enough, but porcelain veneers can be used to whiten the most discolored teeth. If you live in Cherry Creek or other areas of Denver, Colorado and want to learn more about restoring and maintaining a beautiful white smile, please contact Ascent Dental today.
Best Foods for Your Teeth
Most of us know that some foods are bad for our teeth, but do you know which ones are the best for your teeth? There are many foods that can support or improve the health of your teeth and gums. Try to incorporate all these types of tooth-healthy food into your recipes. Foods That Clean Your Teeth Proper tooth cleaning is essential to reducing cavities and the need for dental fillings. Some foods are naturally very good at cleaning your teeth. These include your crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery, but also some mildly acidic fruits such as pineapple, strawberry, and others. Remember to rinse your mouth with water after eating acidic foods. Foods That Provide Nutrients for Teeth Just like other tissues in your body, your teeth need nutrition to remain healthy. There are many essential nutrients that can promote your tooth health, including: Calcium—promotes enamel health, found in quinoa, sesame seeds, and dairy products Vitamin D—enhances absorption of calcium, found in many types of fish and soy milk, and is usually added to milk. Vitamin A—essential to the production of tooth enamel. It’s abundant in liver, paprika, sweet potatoes, carrots, and kale. Vitamin C—supports the production of collagen, a structural protein that keeps your gums strong. Found in citrus fruits, of course, but also in strawberries, kiwi, and pineapple. Minerals—many minerals play supporting roles in your tooth enamel, such as magnesium and potassium. Eating quinoa and substituting sea salt for your regular table salt can increase your mineral intake. These are just a few of the important nutrients for your teeth, and there are many more ways to get them. Foods That Suppress Bacteria Tooth decay and gum disease are the result of bacteria living in your mouth. These bacteria excrete acid when they eat, which attacks your teeth and gums. Fortunately, many foods can suppress the activity of bacteria, including: Basil Broccoli Green tea Onions Shiitake mushrooms Wasabi And many others. At Ascent Dental, we look after the health of your mouth as part of your overall health. Your diet is an essential contributor to both your oral health and your overall health. To talk to one of our dentists about how diet can improve your oral health, please contact Ascent Dental in Denver, Colorado today.
Cerec Crowns vs Lab Crowns
CEREC crowns are a wonder of modern dentistry. These crowns can be crafted in our office the same day you come in so you leave with a permanent crown, not a temporary. Convenience Benefits of CEREC Crowns CEREC crowns offer many benefits for our patients. With crowns in the same day, you: Only need to make one visit Do not have to risk failure of a temporary crown Do not have to risk discovery of a less attractive temporary crown Do not need to endure removal of temporary crown Overall, these benefits make CEREC crowns a marvelous addition to our dental arsenal, so we’re happy to offer them. CEREC Crowns Are As Good As Lab-Made Crowns Some people express concerns about CEREC crowns. First, do they look as good as lab-made crowns? Second, do they last as well as lab-made crowns? The answer to both is yes! Some people worry CEREC crowns might not look as good as lab-made crowns. However, our in-office color matching can help us give you a color match as good as the lab. And they are just as polished and made of ceramic with the same luster as your natural tooth enamel. Some people have expressed concerns about the durability of CEREC crowns, but there’s no need to worry about that. This may be the first time you’ve heard of these crowns, but they’ve been in use for over 20 years, so we have a good idea about their durability. Research suggests that they are as durable as lab made crowns, with about 97% intact at five years, and 90% intact at ten years. If you want to get an attractive, durable crown in just one visit, please contact Ascent Dental Group, helping patients in Denver and Cherry Creek, CO.