Cleaning Dentures in Parker, CO

At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, we believe that everyone is entitled to a smile they feel proud of. People who wear dentures are no exception. But although modern dentures are made to fit well and be indistinguishable from natural teeth, many people still hold an outdated perception of them. It’s true that dentures need to be cleaned daily and that this is an adjustment for people who are new to them, which is why we wanted to provide this reminder on denture hygiene.

Dentures, like natural teeth, will fill up with debris whenever their wearer eats. However, some debris will end up in places that can’t be reached with a toothbrush without removing the denture, such as on top of the upper palette. Although patients are typically told to brush their dentures once a day, it may be a good idea to remove them and rinse them off after every meal. When a denture is being brushed, the patient should gently scrub the entire thing, and not just the bits that resemble teeth. Patients should also use a separate toothbrush to clean the inside of their mouths before bed and before putting their dentures back in each morning.

There are a variety of specialty products made for denture cleaning. Many of them are approved by the American Dental Association, although lots of people get good results from simply soaking their dentures overnight in soap and water. However, patients should not use the same products on dentures that they use on natural teeth, since plastic isn’t as hard as natural enamel and can easily be scratched. Patients should also avoid applying denture cleaning solutions while their dentures are still in their mouths. Dentures should be kept submerged in liquid whenever they’re not being worn, but patients should be careful to avoid exposing them to excessive heat, and never run them through the dishwasher or leave them in a case in the sun.

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420.

Tooth Sensitivity in Parker, Colorado

You shouldn’t have to be afraid that cold or hot drinks will sting your teeth. And you certainly shouldn’t be afraid that having your teeth polished will make them sore. But unfortunately, many people suffer from tooth sensitivity. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, Colorado, we work with our patients to keep them as comfortable as possible, and encourage everyone to share any concerns they have about getting dental work done. We hope that if people understand what causes their teeth to be sensitive, they’ll feel more motivated to seek help.

The pulp in each tooth contains a nerve. And although the outside of each crown is made of hard enamel, in between the enamel and the pulp is a porous substance called dentin through which heat is easily transferred. If a tooth is cracked, the pulp could be exposed to infection, but even just a thinning of enamel would leave the nerve more vulnerable to heat transference and pressure. Tooth roots have outer walls made of a substance called cementum, which is softer than enamel, and therefore can be eroded or ground down more easily. Acid or mechanical damage that is eroding enamel could also result in gum recession, exposing cementum.

Toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth is readily available in most stores. It contains chemicals that limit sensations in dentin. However, it has to be applied several times, and the problem may be that the patient is brushing too hard, using a brush with bristles that are too stiff, or skipping over large parts of their tooth surfaces. People with sensitive teeth may also be suffering from acid reflux or bruxism, which is when they clench or grind their teeth in their sleep. Acid reflux can be mitigated by avoiding eating before bed, and an oral appliance called a night guard can keep teeth from rubbing against each other during sleep. We can help people suffering from sensitivity to obtain night guards and get fluoride treatment to further reinforce their enamel.

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.

Caring for a Toothbrush in Parker, CO

 

You may think of your toothbrush as nothing special, but it’s among the most important tools you use to maintain your health everyday. Preventing gum disease and tooth decay is linked to reducing the severity of everything from Alzheimer’s to high blood pressure. But a worn-out toothbrush is more of a hazard than a help, and you need to know how to make a toothbrush last. If you aren’t sure whether your toothbrush is still in good working order, this post is for you.

A toothbrush that is being used twice a day for two minutes at a time will usually last three to four months. You’ll be able to tell when it’s not working by whether the bristles are crushed into a flare. At that point, it’s no longer reaching between your teeth or scrubbing plaque from around your gum line. However, a toothbrush may need to be replaced sooner if you have reason to think it’s been contaminated.

To avoid the growth of mold on a toothbrush, let it dry upright in the open air. Do not keep it in a travel case all the time, and don’t let different people’s toothbrushes touch each other. You should also replace your toothbrush if you’ve been sick. It may be possible to clean a standard toothbrush with hot water, and electric toothbrush manufacturers commonly provide devices for cleaning detachable toothbrush heads. But a toothbrush should never be put in the dishwasher or boiling water, or it will become deformed and bacteria will be able to colonize fissures in its handle.

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.

Differences Between Mouthwash in Parker, CO

Store shelves are filled with all sorts of mouthwash, and it’s easy for a consumer to become confused about which they should pick. You may even be wondering whether you should buy any at all. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, we provide for the needs of patients of all ages and with all sorts of conditions. We’re happy to help patients determine what’s best for their own oral care, which is why we wanted to talk about what mouthwash can and can’t do.

Mouthwash may supplement twice-daily brushing and flossing, but it can never replace them. Therapeutic mouthwash kills oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, but cosmetic mouthwash simply masks bad breath. Often, a patient would be prescribed therapeutic mouthwash if they had a tooth injury or were recovering from oral surgery and needed something that could dull their pain as well as provide additional defense against bacteria. Some mouthwashes come with other features, such as providing fluoride to make a patient’s enamel slightly stronger.

There is no evidence that the alcohol in mouthwash increases the risk of oral cancer, but non-alcoholic versions are available. Children under the age of six should not even use non-alcoholic mouthwash, and they should demonstrate that they are able to spit instead of swallowing it so they don’t risk over-exposure to fluoride. However, many people find that keeping some cosmetic mouthwash onhand is helpful for social situations, especially if they wear braces or dentures and can’t rely on sugar-free gum to combat halitosis. Just remember that the tongue needs to be scraped later to remove the source of the odor.

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.

 

Denture Stomatitis in Parker, Colorado

Dentures are vulnerable to somewhat different hygiene concerns than natural teeth and have to be cared for differently. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, Colorado, we want all of our patients to understand how to get the best value out of their oral appliances. Most people don’t find keeping their dentures clean to be a challenge, but there are some things we want you to know.

When dentures are not cleaned regularly, the areas they cover are vulnerable to stomatitis, or yeast growth. Fungus is naturally present in the mouth, but its growth is controlled by antimicrobial enzymes in saliva. When a person wears dentures, saliva may not be able to reach the roof of their mouth or the gum ridge, allowing yeast to grow out of control and for red sores to develop. This can also happen when the corners of the mouth become chapped as a result of poorly-fitted dentures interfering with saliva flow.

Regular brushing is usually sufficient to prevent stomatitis, but because people do not always feel the sores, they have to inspect themselves for them. Patients should brush their gums prior to inserting the denture in the morning and should brush the entire denture twice a day. Specialty toothpaste is made for dentures that won’t scratch their plastic.

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.

National Dental Hygiene Month Observance in Parker, CO

Everyone knows that brushing and flossing are essential, but could your technique use work? October is National Dental Hygiene Month. In honor of it, we at Ardas Family Dental in Parker want to remind our patients of the basics of good oral care.

While people can get good results from electric or manual toothbrushes, a manual toothbrush is only safe if it has soft bristles. Smaller electric toothbrush heads can be used on difficult-to-reach places. Brushing should be done twice a day, in two-minute sessions if using a manual toothbrush. The user should move the brush in horizontal ovals while brushing the outward-facing sides of their teeth and should make vertical strokes on the inward-facing sides. It is important to remember to brush near the gum line; that’s where plaque tends to accumulate. Parents should start brushing their babies’ teeth as soon as the first one erupts.

There are lots of American Dental Association-approved products for cleaning between the teeth. People should never attempt to pick their teeth with improvised devices. When using traditional floss, pull it along the side of each tooth, not just down the gap between them. Remember to floss the backs of your back teeth. You can improve your breath using mouthwash, but daily use of a tongue scraper is also a reliable way of cleaning out bacteria.

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.

 

Choosing between Electric and Manual Toothbrushes at Adras Family Dental

People have a bigger collection of dental hygiene products to choose from than ever before. This is good news for people with highly specific oral health needs, but the toiletries section of the store can also get confusing. This week, we at Ardas Family Dental in Parker are devoting our blog to the differences between manual and electric toothbrushes.

Electric toothbrushes make tens of thousands of brush strokes per minute, in contrast to manually operated toothbrushes, which can only make a few dozen. This creates a risk of overbrushing, but could also cut down on time. Studies have found that when a manual toothbrush is used properly, it is just as good at preventing tooth decay as an electric brush. But manual toothbrushes have to be used for at least two minutes per session, which can especially be a problem for people with motor neuron issues.

Electric toothbrushes are a bigger investment, but some are equipped with Bluetooth technology and apps that can help people with other problems. Besides warning the user if they are overbrushing, they can also point out if the user consistently misses a spot. Some are also designed to teach good hygiene habits to kids through mobile games. If a person frequently needs dental care for tooth decay, an electric toothbrush may save them money in the long run.

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.