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Sensitive teeth

What can be done when the teeth are sensitive to temperature?

Recently I have a few teeth that are sensitive to cold.  What can I do to releave this discomfort? 

There are a few reasons as to why the teeth become sensitive to temperature.  If the gums have pulled away from the crown of the tooth and the root is exposed – this can cause some sensitivity.  The root houses the nerve of the tooth and thus the root is exposed to the elements – water and air. 

Sensitive teeth toothpaste

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help.  The main ingredient is potassium nitrate.  This seeps into the tubules of the teeth and can help eliminate the tooth sensitivity.  Using the paste several times a day for several weeks can help the discomfort.  If this does not help you can try rinsing with a fluoride rinse. 

tubules

tubules

Fluoride helps sensitive teeth

A fluoride rinse or toothpaste can be used to help with teeth sensitivity.  The tooth is made up of tiny tubes that run from the outside surface of the tooth to the inside at the nerve.  The fluoride helps to seal these tubes to reduce the sensitivity.  Usually a prescription fluoride is more beneficial because there are more fluoride ions (higher dose) in the prescription.  Ideally to use this fluoride daily for a few weeks and then a person can use a few times a week to manage the sensitivity.  If the sensitivity is from decay or possible trauma then the doctor will have to determine the cause and other treatment will be necessary to eliminate the cause. 

 

What do you say when you talk to yourself?

If you say you are wonderful – can it happen?   I believe so. 

When you talk to yourself what are you saying?  Is it positive?  Negative?  What you think about you become.  If you want your world around you to get better, to be in a great place, than you have to believe it.  You have to profess it.  Ask and it shall be given. 

What we say and think has alot to do with our attitude.  I truly believe that we control our destiny.  The next time you are looking for a parking place try this.  I need a parking place.  I have a parking place right up front – or where ever it is that you want it.

Are you speaking into existance something you don't want?  Than change what you are saying.  Make it happen.

Toothpaste – choices, choices

How do I choose a toothpaste?

When I walk the Oral Care isle of the drug store or supermarket I am amazed at all the different toothpastes to choose from.  Just like bath soap, kitchen cleaners etc.  How does one decide 'the right' product to use?  First and foremost – all you really need to clean your teeth is a brush.  A soft brush.  What you are removing is a 'sticky like' substance -plaque- that has a pudding consistency.  I will get more with the toothbrush later.  So how you choose a paste really depends on a persons needs.  How much to use – a 'pea size' amount, squeezed into the bristles works best.  If you are using more, you are wasting the product. 

Toothpaste Ingredients
Toothpaste

Toothpaste

More often toothpaste has two types of ingredients- active – what makes them work or 'special' to your needs and inactive- what binds them together or makes it taste good, or not necessarily needed.   The ingredients listed below are not indicative to all pastes, but a general list. 

Active Ingredients:

  • Fluoride – is a mineral that has shown to mineralize and strengthen tooth structure
  • Antibacterial agents, most often Triclosan is used to control plaque (bacteria)
  • Desensitizing agents – Potassium Nitrate is used to help with temperature sensitivity
  • Anti-tartar agents – to decrease the amount of tartar/calculus buildup
  • Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) – an abrasive to help clean and also neutralize acid in the saliva
  • Enzymes, to enhance the antibacterial properties of saliva
  • Xylitol, a non-sugar sweetener, which reduces levels of cariogenic (decay causing) bacteria in the mouth and enhances remineralization

Inactive Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Detergent - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate to make the toothpaste foam
  • Binding agents to hold the 'stuff' together
  • Humectants to retain moisture
  • Flavoring, sweetening, and coloring agents like peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, wintergreen, and menthol
  • Preservatives
  • Abrasives for cleaning and polishing

Choosing a Toothpaste

You should choose a toothpaste based on your needs.  If you tend to buildup lots of tartar in a short period of time, then you should try using a tartar control paste and see if this helps to decrease your tartar buildup.  Are you having difficulty with cold or hot temperature than consider a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.  A baking soda paste works well for stain.  Some individuals have problems with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and you might consider a paste without this ingredient. 

No matter what toothpaste you choose, toothpaste will never take the place of a professional dental hygiene cleaning.  Ask your Dental Hygienist what paste she would recommend for you. 

Are you searching for 'just the right place and person' to give you an awesome dental cleaning?  Call Dental Fitness & Spa and schedule for a professional dental cleaning today – 970-214-8420

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance is a money benefit

Dental insurance isn't really insurance – money to cover the cost of a loss.  Dental Insurance is a money benefit – that used to be a benefit provided by an employer- to help their employees pay for 'routine' dental expenses.  

Dental Insurance Benefit covers a 'portion of the total cost'
Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

Most dental benefit plans are only designed to cover a portion of the total cost of a patients' necessary dental treatment.  Example:  the dentist recommends a crown for a tooth that has severe decay, but the dental plan only covers the cost of a filling.  This does not mean that you don't need a crown to restore the tooth, only that the dental money benefit is limited to fillings. 

Dental Insurance Benefit for Teeth Cleaning and Periodontal Maintenance

Most Dental Benefit Insurance covers the expense of two 'healthy' teeth cleanings a year - This twice a year visit has no relationship to what a patient might really need.  Many patients need dental cleanings more frequently.  People that build up heavy tartar and plaque should visit the Dental Hygienist every 3 to 4 months for a professional dental cleaning.   People that have certain types of systemic diseases, such as diabetes, sjogrens disease or those taking specific medications, may require more frequent professional dental cleanings with a Dental Hygienist. 

Treat Your Health not Your Insurance Benefit 

When it comes to your health, We treat you like an individual.  Lets' work together to help you come up with your own Professional Dental Cleaning Routine. 

Give us a call at Dental Fitness & Spa  970-214-8420 and start a healthy routine.

What is Periodontal Maintenance?

Periodontal Maintenance Therapy

So you had to have a 'Deep Cleaning'.  Your Dental Hygienist had to anesthetize (numb) your teeth and gums in order to remove calculus (tartar) below and above your gumline.  There was also some diseased gum tissue that had to be removed (currettage).  The roots of your teeth had to be 'planed' (smoothed), bacteria and toxins removed. in order for you to have a smooth surface to clean and maintain. 

Periodontal Disease is not curied – Gum Disease is 'Controlled'

Just like a diebetic takes insulin or a person with high blood pressure takes High Blood Pressure medication – neither of these diseases are curied, they are controlled with medication.  Periodontal Disease is controlled – by starting with a scale and root planing and possibly Gum Surgery.  What happens after the initial 'therapy'? 

Periodontal Maintenance Therapy is ongoing care to try and keep the disease process under control.  The American Dental Association describes Periodontal Maintenance as a procedure following periodontal therapy…. which continues at varying intervals, determined by the clinical evaluation for the life of the dentition (life of the teeth) – this includes the removal of plaque and calculus from above and below the gumline, ongoing evaluation of any remaining pockets, gum pocket irrigation as needed and root planing as needed.

Periodontal Maintenance Therapy Interval

Typically, an interval of three months between appointments is effective, but more frequent appointments may be needed.  As in many other chronic conditions, successful long-term control of gum disease and prevention of tooth loss depends on continual, and possibly life-time maintenance.

What Do Dental Hygienists Do?

Dental Hygienists are Preventive Specialists

As part of patient care services, dental hygienists may:

perform oral health care assessments that include reviewing patients' health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, taking and recording blood pressure and oral periodontal disease evaluations.

Expose, process and interpret dental x-rays;  remove plaque and calculus (tartar)- soft and hard deposits- from above and below the gumline.

Apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and sealants on the teeth;

Teach patients on proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums, this includes plaque control and individualized at-home oral hygiene care/programs;

Counsel patients on good nutrition, smoking cessation, motivating and encouraging patients in on going disease prevention.

Dental Hygienists are attitude adjustment Specialists

Dental Hygienists do not just 'fix' a problem.  A Dental Hygienist must take care to teach without 'talking down' to the patient. 

The Hygienist must be authentic in educating the patient but encouraging in changing habits.

Dental Hygienists do more than just 'Clean Teeth'

Do you need some great encouragement on cleaning your teeth and gum?  When was the last time your Dental Hygienist helped you improve your dental homecare routine?   Give Cheryl a phone call at Dental Fitness & Spa.  She can help you help yourself with a great and easy home care dental routine.  

970-214-8420

 

It’s Time for Your Spring Cleaning!!!

Start off Spring with that Essential Cleaning!!! 

Perfect Dental Care for Uninsured Individuals:

You get the same quality and care at our Private Practice Dental Hygiene office as you would at any other local dental office. We have a supervising dentist, but you don’t have to pay his salary. If you need to see a dentist you may continue to see your provider or we can refer you to a dentist that we would refer a family member to.

Dental Fitness and Spa provides a quality and affordable care that is responsive to the needs of the community of Larimer County. We serve many people from Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Wellington as well as Loveland, Colorado. Let’s work together to keep your oral health in check!

Affordable, healthy smiles begin at Dental Fitness and Spa

Dental Hygiene cleanings include: oral cancer screening, gum measurements, oral evaluation and oral hygiene instructions if necessary. Dentist referral is also available. Dental Fitness & Spa only accepts checks and cash. Payment is due at the time of treatment. Most insurance accepted.

Enjoy a relaxing spa experience in the dental chair. My desire is that you are comfortable, feel welcome and that you enjoy your time here.

Call for appointments: 970-214-8420

Cheryl Redmond, RDH
Independent Dental Hygenist
 

 

Bleeding Gums

"I always have bleeding gums when I clean my teeth"

Many people seem to think this is 'ok', to have your gums bleed on a regular basis.  Bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease.  Let me give you an analogy. 

 

Bleeding gums and bleeding skin is not healthy

Imagine you are washing your hands.  You've got some soap and warm water and bubbles are just flowing over your hands.  You suddenly notice blood.  Wow, what is this?  You should be concerned if you do not have a cut on your hands or some other injury that leaves an open area in the skin.  You can get a scrub brush or maybe some more caustic soap, but that will not alleviate the problem – bleeding skin.  You must be a bit nervous or concerned that your hands are bleeding?  If there is no cut in the skin, or injury, why is there bleeding.  Healthy skin should not bleed. 

Why are the gums bleeding?
Bleeding Gums

Bleeding Gums

Healthy gums don't bleed.  If you only clean between your teeth on a monthly basis, weekly basis – then that will have something to do with this bleeding.  This is the same for brushing the plaque or bacteria from your gums.  When your gums bleed, aside from an injury or perhaps a systemic health issue, you have gingivitis or possibly a more advanced periodontal disease (gum disease).   Cleaning the bacteria from your mouth on a daily basis is very important to maintain a healthy mouth which is also important for your whole health.   Bacteria will grow on a constant basis.  The toxins/poop that bacteria produce in your mouth will cause damage to the gums and if allowed to continue can lead to tooth loose.

 

Healthy Gums

What do Healthy Gums look like?

Consider your gums' relationship to your teeth to that of a tree and grass.  The grass must be kept healthy in order to maintain the dirt surrounding the roots of the tree.  If the grass dies and no longer protects the dirt surrounding the roots of the tree, the tree may no longer have the support needed to keep it standing.  One day the tree is leaning and soon just falls. 

Gums should be pink, stippled, and snug around the tooth – like the cuff of a new turtle neck shirt. Stippled means to have little indents in them, like the outside appearance of an orange peel.

  Healthy gums should not bleed when you brush or clean between them.  Even that small triangular    piece of tissue- interdental papilla,  between the teeth should fit firm and flat in the space between the teeth.                                                                           

The tooth is like the tree grounded in the dirt.  If the gums become diseased and that disease (gingivitis) progresses down the tooth into the bone, then the tooth can become loose and eventually fall out of the bone. Gum disease is generally not a painful process.

 

Healthy Gums protect the bone and tooth

Healthy gums help protect the bone that support and anchor the teeth firmly in place.  If you don't nurture them with proper brushing and cleaning between the teeth, eventually gum disease will start to cause damage to the gums and bone that support the teeth.

Do you need help maintaining your healthy gums?
Dental Hygienist

Cheryl

Give Dental Fitness and Spa a call at 970-214-8420 and schedule for a dental maintenance visit.  Cheryl can help educate and teach you how to take care of your teeth and gums.

 

 

 

Cancer and Gum Disease

gum disease

Gum Disease

Cancer treatment can lead to Gum Disease

When the immune system is not functioning properly the body becomes susceptible to all kinds of infections and diseases. Cancer treatments, radiation and chemotherapy can effect the immune system. When this happens the body has a more difficult time in keeping itself in a healthy state. Even when a person eats healthy, exercises, takes plenty of vitamins and practices preventive health measures, their body can succumb to disease due to a weakened immune system.

See your Dental Hygienist for a dental cleaning, X-rays and oral evaluation.  An exam by your dentist to check for existing cavities.  This oral evaluation is to check your teeth for cavities and any signs of infection.  Treating existing infections may reduce the risk of severe complications during chemotherapy therapy – Chemotherapy reduces your body's ability to fight infections.

Gum Disease can become more aggressive during and after Cancer treatment

When a person has a healthy immune system their body generally, can fight an infection in the gums.  Performing good tooth brushing and cleaning between teeth on a routine/daily basis can keep gum disease from attacking your gums.  When the immune system is challenged and unable to fight infections the bacteria in the mouth can cause some aggressive destruction to the teeth and supporting structures (jaw bone).  

Cancer is in remission but gum disease has caused extensive damage to the mouth

The goal is to treat the cancer and bring the patient back to good health.  What the overall goal should be is good health including healthy teeth and gums.  Before you or a loved one embarks on the cancer therapy routine, make sure the mouth is healthy before, during and after treatment.  I know the goal is to have your health/life, but to have that and your teeth and gums is a better goal.

See your Dental Hygienist for a dental cleaning and oral evaluation prior to your cancer treatment.  Your best defense against gum disease is prevention.