Everything You Need to Know About Canker Sores

Canker sores are irritating wounds in your mouth that make chewing, talking, and even moving your jaw incredibly painful. But you don’t have to suffer forever. Dr. Roopi Kattaura of Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO is specialized in all things relating to the mouth, including pesky canker sores. Here’s everything you need to know about canker sores.

 

What Do Canker Sores Look Like?

Canker sores or mouth ulcers emerge as small shallow open wounds in the mouth. Usually appearing under the lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks, canker sores are red with a thin grey, yellow or white film. 

 

There are three types of canker sores: minor, major, and herpetiform sores. Minor canker sores are the most common type of mouth ulcer. Major and herpetiform sores are rarer, both with longer healing periods Major canker sores may scar as they heal. 

 

Causes

We don’t know exactly what causes canker sores, but your Parker, CO dentist rounded up some potential triggers:

 

Stress
Physical trauma like rough brushing, biting, or metal braces scratching around the gum line

Poor dental hygiene

Acidic and spicy foods
Nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B12
Sodium lauryl sulfate, commonly used in toothpaste

Treatment

Canker sores aren’t serious and certainly not contagious. Usually, these ulcers heal within 7-10 days, but if you get persistent canker sores or experience extreme pain, contact Ardas Family Dental for an appointment today.

 

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

 

 

 

How to Clean Your Retainer

Retainers are essential for maintaining your teeth’s position after braces are removed. These dental appliances are worn lifelong to prevent the natural shifting of teeth. But irregularly sterilizing your retainer can wreak havoc to your oral health. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, Dr. Roopi Kattaura provides professional care for braces aftercare, including retainers. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your retainer clean for an amazing smile.

 

There are three types of retainers on-the-market: Hawley wire, clear and permanent bonded retainers. Each retainer varies in terms of hygiene care.

 

Hawley Wire Retainers:

 

Hawley wire retainers are the standard retainers at Ardas Family Dental. Made of hard acrylic or plastic with a metal wire, these retainers are removable and durable. This is why Hawley retainers are the easiest to clean.

 

The best way to wash your Hawley retainer is under lukewarm water and mild soap. If you notice plaque or debris on the surface of your retainer, don’t be afraid to scrub very gently with a toothbrush or cotton swab.

 

Clear Retainers:

Invisalign and Essix retainers both fall into this category. While clear retainers are also removable, the interior surfaces of the appliance are harder to disinfect. 

 

Like Hawley retainers, sanitize clear retainers soon as you remove them. When dry, bacteria and debris are harder to unclog on the surface of retainers.

 

Permanent Bonded Retainers:

These retainers are the hardest to clean because they’re permanently fixed to your teeth. Usually bonded to the back of the molars, these teeth are difficult to floss between the permanent retainer. Dr. Kattuara of Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO recommends a floss threader to weave between your retainer.

 

Additional Tips:

Retainers need to be handled gently to preserve for long-term use. This means staying away from any harsh cleaners and rough scrubbing. 

 

If you want a deeper clean for your retainer or notice bacteria stuck on the surface, bring your device to our Parker, CO office for special cleaning.

 

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

 

Mouth Guards

Anybody who is an athlete should be wearing a mouth guard to protect their teeth and jaw from serious damage. Mouth guards are designed to keep your teeth and jaw protected from physical contact such as getting hit with a ball and contact from another player.

Mouth guards are customized to fit the patient’s mouths and ensure maximum protection when being active. Everybody has seen the generic mouth guards sold at sporting goods stores, but those aren’t designed to fit individual athlete’s mouths and are usually made of cheap materials and offer little protection. Mouth guards should fit specifically to each patient’s mouth and the best way to get your mouth guard is at your dentist.

No matter how old the athlete a mouth guard is crucial in keeping your teeth and mouth intact. It is important to protect against structural damage to your teeth and jaw as well as injuries lacerations to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. Mouth guards have also been shown to help decrease the risk of concussions which is another reason why they are a must for all athletes.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding mouth guards visit our website at http://www.ardasfamilydental.com/ and to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roopi Kattaura of Ardas Family Dental, visit Restorative Dentist Parker, CO, call 720-459-8420.

New Year Specials

This past year at Ardas Family Dental we saw our amazing family grow with so many new patients. From Dr. Roopie Kattaura and everybody here, we want to thank everybody or the support and trusting us with your teeth. We do our best to care possible for our patients and do everything we can to make sure the experience is a family like atmosphere.

To show our appreciation for our patients, we are offering some specials for both pre-existing and new patients. Right now patients can get a cleaning, x-rays, and a comprehensive exam for just 89 dollars, regular 290 dollar value. We are also offering free second opinion and consultations, along with 100 dollars off any dental treatment. Some exclusion may apply to these specials and can be found on our website.

Thank you to all of our patients who choose Ardas Family Dental for all their dental needs, we hope you take advantage of our New Year specials and let’s make 2019 the healthiest year for oral hygiene!

If you have any questions or concerns with your oral health visit our website at http://www.ardasfamilydental.com/ and to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roopi Kattaura of Ardas Family Dental, visit Restorative Dentist Parker, CO, call 720-459-8420.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a new system of straightening teeth without the use of conventional braces. A series of clear plastic aligners are utilized to create tooth movement. New technology has developed that can generate a series of aligners with small changes to it and don’t require traditional braces. A new aligner is given to patients every few weeks to continue moving the teeth into the desired position. They are made from a clear plastic or acrylic material and fit tightly over the teeth, but can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing. At Ardas Family Dental we make the aligners so they are virtually impossible to notice, comfortable, and easy to wear.

The use of Invisalign is not recommended for kids who need to straighten their teeth because their mouth and teeth are still developing and require traditional braces. Invisalign is recommended for patients who are fully developed and have only mild to moderate cases of spacing and crowding.

Dr. Roopie Kattaura will be able to diagnose the proper treatment needed to straighten teeth and see if Invisalign is right for you.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Invisalign visit our website at http://www.ardasfamilydental.com/ and to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roopi Kattaura of Ardas Family Dental, visit Restorative Dentist Parker, CO, call 720-459-8420.

Apicoectomy

Occasionally, a tooth infection may be so deep that a root canal cannot clean it completely. This is often the case when pain is still felt after a root canal. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, we can help patients out when a root canal fails to clear up an infection. We do this by performing an apicoectomy.

An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure that cleans out the infection from the other side of the tooth. Instead of reaching into the tooth’s root by way of the crown, an apicoectomy accesses the infection directly through the tooth’s root. To begin the process, your dentist will make incisions in the gums to reveal the root’s tip. Sometimes bone tissue will need to be removed to access the root, so in that case, bone tissue removal will be the next step. Upon access to the root, any infected tissue surrounding the root will be removed. The last few millimeters of the root will also be removed so the root canal can then be cleaned out and sealed again, like during the root canal therapy. The bone and gum tissues are then put back in place and the gums are stitched together to heal.

An apicoectomy can end up saving a patient’s tooth. To learn more about services we provide at the practice, visit Cosmetic Dentist Parker, CO for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, call 720- 459-8420.

Snap-On Smile

Improving your smile can be a huge self-esteem booster. Here at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, we offer Snap-On Smile for patients who want a brand-new smile with as little effort as a snap!

Snap-On Smile is a brand-new, removable set of teeth that you simply snap into place over your existing teeth. They can improve the look of almost any dental imperfection including discoloration, missing teeth, gaps, and cracks. Depending on your specific needs, Snap-On Smile can be created for both upper and lower teeth.

To begin the process of creating your unique Snap-On Smile, you and your dentist will pick the shade and style for your smile. Impressions are then taken of your teeth so that a dental laboratory can create a Snap-On Smile set that fits you perfectly and allows ideal functionality. The creation process will likely take a few weeks, and upon the completion, you will come back to our office and we will show you how to snap in your brand-new smile.

A huge benefit of Snap-On Smile is that you are able to eat and drink while you wear Snap-On Smile. You can also choose to take out your smile while playing sports or sleeping, so you can protect your smile is not-so-ideal situations. Snap-On Smile should also be taken out to care for your natural teeth, underneath them.

If you are looking for an update to your smile, Snap-On Smile might be ideal for you. To learn more about services we provide at the practice, visit Cosmetic Dentist Parker, CO for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, call 720- 459-8420.

Crown Lengthening

Occasionally, a patient will come in with excess gum tissue, a condition often referred to as “gummy smile”. Here at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, we understand that sometimes patients can become self-conscious over “gummy smile” as it makes their teeth appear short. For this reason, and several general dental reasons, we are able to perform a crown lengthening.

Crown lengthening is the process of “lengthening” the crown of a tooth. In actuality, it is actually the process of removing gum tissue. This can be performed for patients with excess gum tissue or in the case where dental work needs to be performed underneath the gumline.

First, your doctor will make incisions to the gums to pull them back. In some cases, this is all that needs to be done to expose more of the teeth. In other cases, the bone tissue there holding the tooth in will also need to be removed. The gums are sterilized and then stitched into place. When a crown lengthening is performed, even if only one tooth needs to be worked on, several teeth in the area will also be lengthened so that the gum line can heal in a natural line.

If you are self-conscious about your “gummy smile” or are in need of dental work below the gumline, trust the professionals here at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO. To set up an appointment, call our office at (720) 459-8420 or visit Cosmetic Dentistry, Parker CO. 

Dental Implants

A dental implant is able to last a lifetime, just like a normal tooth can. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, we offer dental implants as the best tooth replacement option out on the market. Keep reading to learn about dental implants and how they are installed.

Dental implants are the most durable option for a tooth replacement that there is. The titanium implant post is surgically inserted into your bone socket, so it is more stable than a bridge or a denture. Plus, they are able to last a lifetime, so with good care, they will not need to be replaced in the future.

To begin the implant process, your dentist will first make an incision in your gum tissue. This will allow access to the bone socket where the titanium implant post is inserted. The implant post will need several months to heal before a permanent crown can be placed, so a temporary crown will be placed at this time. After the healing period is finished, an abutment is placed on the implant post to serve as the base of your new tooth. Then, your custom crown will be permanently cemented into place.

Dental implants are able to last a lifetime with good dental care. A good oral care routine for home includes brushing two or three times per day and daily flossing. Routine visits to your dentist for cleanings and examinations will also make sure the implant stays in good shape.

If you are looking into tooth replacement options, do not pass over the dental implant. To set up a consultation in our Parker, CO office, call Ardas Family Dental at (720) 459-8420 or visit Family Dentist Parker, CO. 

Benefits of Dentures

At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, we provide dentures to patients who have missing teeth but do not want to undergo an invasive procedure such as dental implants. Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth. While these mouthpieces might take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as your natural teeth, today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever before.

If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you ever could without teeth. There are different types of dentures, but they each type offers the same overall benefits. For example, when you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you appear older than you actually are. Dentures can also improve your appearance and smile, because, without support from the denture, facial muscles can sag, making a person look older. If you already have dentures, be sure that you are taking proper care of them.

If you are missing teeth and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit Medicaid Dentist Parker, CO . To schedule an appointment at Ardas Family Dental, call our Parker, CO office at (720) 459-8420. 

How Night Guards Can Help You

Grinding your teeth can wear down enamel and cause jaw pain. Unfortunately, many people who grind their teeth do not know they do it because it happens while they are sleeping. Here at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, we can diagnose night grinding and offer patients a night guard to protect their teeth from further damage.

Night grinding can create painful and sensitive teeth, jaw pain, facial pain, and even tooth damage. Because the enamel is worn down, it can make teeth prone to cavities. Night grinding may also lead to TMJ dysfunction.

To protect the teeth from damage and to cushion the jaw and facial structures, we can provide our patients with a night guard. A night guard is a mouthpiece worn while you sleep. It creates a barrier between the top and bottom teeth; creating a protective cushion. For night grinders, a night guard is essential to maintain oral health and relieve pain.

If you have been told you grind your teeth or if you are waking up with a sore jaw, night guards may be what you need to protect your teeth. To schedule an appointment at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, call us at (720) 459-8420 or visit, Family Dentist Parker, CO. 

Lumineers for a Brand-New Smile

While there are many reasons why someone may be unhappy with their smile, there is a cosmetic option that can work for all of those reasons. Here at Ardas Family Dental, we offer Lumineers to give patients a brand-new smile, no matter what types of imperfections are present.

It’s always nice to be prepared for an event or a picture with a great-looking smile you can be proud of. Dental imperfections like gaps, cracks, misalignments, discoloration and more can affect how you feel about your smile and whether or not you show it off. Fortunately, Lumineers are able to fix the look of dental issues like these and more.

Lumineers are very thin ceramic shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They are permanent, so you are able to eat and use them just like normal teeth. They are, however, able to be completely reversed if that is a desire in the future. Lumineers are stain-resistant and strong. If you take care of them, they are able to look good and last for over twenty years!

Lumineers are completely customized, so we begin by taking an impression of your teeth. We send these impressions, along with pictures and info, to a dental laboratory where your custom Lumineers are created. When ready, your teeth are only lightly etched to aid a strong bond and the Lumineers are bonded into place.

If you desire a brand-new and long-lasting smile, Lumineers might be what you desire. To schedule a consultation with Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, call us at (720) 459-8420 or visit Lumineers, CO. 

Custom Take-Home Teeth Whitening Trays

Whitening our teeth lets us show off our smiles and shine! Even with good brushing and flossing, it can be difficult to keep white teeth. Here at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, we offer custom take-home whitening trays.

While many store-bought whitening kits promise results, they often leave us feeling less than impressed. These custom take-home whitening trays are only available through a dentist, so you know they will offer the best results. We take a mold of your teeth and create the custom tray to look just like an Invisalign tray. We then give you our powerful whitening gel to take home. The trays should be worn every day for a short period of time over a few days’ time.

The custom trays make sure that the whitening gel reaches every corner of your unique smile. Over the course of your whitening treatment, the custom trays are able to whiten your smile by four to eight shades. Results will depend on each patient and their level of staining.

Our custom take-home whitening trays are convenient and powerful. To schedule a consultation with Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, call us at (720) 459-8420 or visit Teeth Whitening, CO.