Dr. West's Boulder Dental Blog

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised Boulder parents to begin children’s dentist visits before the third birthday. The AAP now advises parents to take their toddler to a Colorado dentist before their first birthday, or about six months after their first tooth appears.

Why? Prevention, prevention, prevention! Sadly, Longmont dentists find advanced tooth decay in very young children.

High-risk children should be seen as early as possible. Following are some of the risk factors:

• Sleeping with a bottle
• Drinking juice continually during the day
• Abnormal tooth development
• Thumb sucking
• Tooth grinding
• A mother with significant tooth decay
• Other health problems

To talk to us about pediatric dentistry, call 720-862-3630. Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry can advise you on your next steps for your pediatric dentistry. We also pamper busy Lafayette parents who come to Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry for general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are between the ages of 25 and 75, we would love to provide you with the most advanced dental care in Lafayette.

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry
1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201
Lafayette , Colorado 80026

http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com

720-862-3630

Our most popular procedure is porcelain veneers, and many of our patient may not know that we offer dental implants.

There is a tooth connection that links osteoporosis and oral health. If you are a woman, you have probably heard about the high rate of osteoporosis in America. The state of Colorado is no exception. Osteoporosis can often progress without any outward symptoms. However, there may be clues in a person’s mouth that indicate compromised bones in the rest of the body.

The following dental and periodontal issues could indicate the presence of osteoporosis:

• Gum detachment
• Ill-fitting dentures
• Jaw bone recession and erosion
• Difficulty with ordinary mouth function such as eating or speaking

There are many Boulder dental professionals that can determine the presence of bone deterioration with x-rays and other diagnostic tools. If we suspect the possibility of osteoporosis, we can refer you to a local medical professional, whether you live in Longmont, Louisville, Boulder or Broomfield.

The experienced dentist at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry is trained in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the oral health problems sometimes associated with osteoporosis. Schedule a consultation in Lafayette by calling 720-862-3630 and we can discuss your dental concerns. While you are here, we can also tell you about the cosmetic dental services we provide. Aesthetic dentistry continues to improve smiles for our friends and neighbors in the Boulder area.

If you suspect you may be suffering from osteoporosis, please see your physician right away. While your dentist can help identify some of the symptoms associated with osteoporosis, you should not rely on your dentist to provide a diagnosis of osteoporosis.

When a tooth is threatened by severe decay, periodontal disease, or damage from an injury, a skilled Lafayette dentist or endodontist must make a judgment call concerning the course of treatment. If the pulp of the tooth is infected or inflamed, a root canal is often the only way to save the tooth.

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry: 720-862-3630

During a root canal procedure (or endodontic treatment) the soft tissue in the root of the tooth is removed. This tissue contains veins, arteries and lymph vessels. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material. The root canal is only the first step in the complete tooth restoration. After the root canal, without a crown, the tooth will become dry and brittle. The final steps are the core build up and crown.

At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we fabricate strong, natural-looking crowns that blend perfectly with the surrounding teeth. With proper oral hygiene and regular visits to a Boulder dentist, a tooth with a filled root can often function problem-free for the rest of a patient’s life.

I am dentist Dr. Gordon West. I have been practicing dentistry since 1998. During that time I have seen hundreds of teeth saved by this effective dental procedure. Root canal therapy at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette has a very high success rate.

Because teeth with infected pulp tissue often cause no symptoms, it is important to have regular dental examinations. I can determine which (if any) teeth have infected roots. If the infection in the soft pulp tissue is left untreated, it can progress to a point where the tooth cannot be saved. Is it time for a thorough dental exam? Call our office at 720-862-3630.

Call Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry immediately if one of your teeth is screaming for attention!