Dr. West's Boulder Dental Blog

Colorado is known for its beautiful smiles, and our local Lafayette community is no exception. Keeping your teeth clean is an important factor in maintaining your beautiful Lafayette smile. One of the benefits of regularly visiting your local Lafayette Colorado dentist is a thorough teeth cleaning and a review of your brushing habits.

Our Lafayette dental hygienist helps you keep your teeth clean by assessing the condition of your teeth, and recommending improvements to your daily teeth cleaning habits. Our Lafayette oral hygienist can also professionally clean and polish your teeth at your regular Lafayette dental check up. You should schedule a regular dental check up every six months.

I am Dr. Gordon West DDS, and I work at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry located in the state of Colorado. We specialize in cosmetic dentistry in the Lafayette Colorado community, including the surrounding areas of Longmont and Louisville.

Cleaning your teeth in Colorado is the simple task of removing plaque (a sticky deposit that gets left on teeth in which bacteria thrives) and tartar (a calcium deposit that forms on teeth and aids in tooth decay). This is done by brushing regularly with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and flossing. Brushing and flossing at least twice each day can keep plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth and results in cleaner, healthier teeth. A regular visit to your local Lafayette dental hygienist will help you stay on top of problems that can go unseen.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting your local Lafayette, Colorado dentist at least once every 6 months for a regular dental check up and teeth cleaning. These regular visits to your Colorado dentist potentially prevent the undetected development of problems that can occur from neglecting to clean your teeth.

To keep that beautiful Lafayette Colorado smile in good shape, come in for a dental check up and teeth cleaning.

Call Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette Colorado to make an appointment. You can reach us right now at 303-665-5335.

Dr. Gordon West

Are you one of the many Lafayette TMJ sufferers? If you are affected by Temporomandibular joint or TMJ disorder, you know how the pain and discomfort can impact your life. Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry TMJ treatment in the Boulder area has helped countless grateful Lafayette TMJ patients manage their TMJ disorder.

The Temporomandibular or jaw joint connects the lower jaw bone to the skull. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include jaw and facial pain, headaches, earaches, neck pain and chewing difficulty. TMJ disease is often associated with jaw clicking, locking or clenching, and can cause tooth damage and bone loss.

Many Longmont, Louisville and Broomfield TMJ patients first sought a possible TMJ diagnosis after trying unsuccessfully to relieve their frequent headaches. Since opening Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in 1998, we have discovered that many people do not realize they have TMJ disorder because it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing the pain. A Colorado TMJ specialist can properly diagnose your specific TMJ issues and recommend an effective course of action.

Because a comprehensive treatment plan is most successful, we work hand-in-hand with a network of Boulder TMJ specialists including ENT doctors, neurologists and physical therapists. There are many facets to this often misunderstood disorder. If you are suffering from jaw pain, we recommend a consultation with Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette.

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry

1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201

Lafayette, Colorado 80026

303-665-5335

At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we take jaw pain seriously.

Hi, I’m dentist Dr. Gordon West, DDS. Most every day, I can be found at my Lafayette area dental office treating dental patients with tooth and gum problems or helping patients prevent them. There are many common medical conditions that pose a risk to oral health.

1) Lafayette diabetes patients with high blood glucose often have a higher risk of dental issues. If you have diabetes, let’s talk. My number is 303-665-5335.

2) A persistent dry mouth due to an inadequate amount of saliva can accelerate tooth decay, cause or contribute to gum disease, and trigger chronic bad breath. Many medications used by thousands of Longmont and Louisville folks, including those for high-blood pressure and depression, cause dry mouth. This side effect is not only unpleasant, it is dangerous. Anti-depressants (especially SSRI’s) and anti-psychotic drugs can also trigger tooth-grinding (bruxism).

3) Acid reflux in children and adults is associated with a host of dental problems such as decay and periodontal disease.

I help many Colorado dental patients prevent problems associated with medical conditions that sometimes seem unrelated to dental health. Regular professional dental care is essential for oral health, and an important part of your overall physical health.

http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com

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 303-665-5335. 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

303-665-5335

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

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: 303-665-5335

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 303-665-5335.

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

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 dental care for children, call 303-665-5335. Children love dentist Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry. We also pamper busy Lafayette parents who come to Dr. Gordon West 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
303-665-5335

General dentists in the Lafayette area are trained in a wide variety of dental procedures. However, sometimes, your general dentist will refer you to a local Boulder specialist, or include a specialist as part of your treatment team.

Following are some of the most common dental specialties found in the Boulder area:

Endodontists
Endodontists specialize in root canal therapy and other procedures involving the root and surrounding parts of the tooth.

Periodontists
Periodontists practicing treat the conditions affecting gum tissue and the bone surrounding the teeth. If you have gingivitis or more advanced periodontal disease, you may be referred to a periodontist in Lafayette.

Prosthodontists
Repairing damaged teeth and replacing lost teeth is called ‘restorative dentistry’. Prosthodontists have advanced training in procedures involving crowns, dental implants, bridges, veneers, inlays, and partial or complete dentures.

Pediatric Dentists
Infants, young children and teenagers have different dental needs than adults. Pediatric Dentists undergo additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases affecting the youngest population in Lafayette.

Oral Surgeons
Oral Surgeons perform surgical procedures involving the teeth, mouth and jaw. These include dental implants, surgery to repair damage due to injury, tumor surgery, and cleft lip and palate reconstruction.

If you are interested in learning more about these specialties, or have a concern regarding your oral health, please visit us at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry. You will find us at 1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201 in Lafayette Colorado 80026. Please give us a call at 303-665-5335.

-Dr. Gordon West, DDS

Have you ever been eating an ice cream cone when you felt a sudden jolt of pain in one of your teeth? If the enamel is eroded, or the gums have receded, the dentin layer of the tooth is exposed. The substances that cause tooth pain travel to the pulp where the nerves of the tooth are located. Ouch!

Tooth sensitivity can be a signal that something is wrong. It may be caused by periodontal disease or bacteria build-up in a crack in a tooth.

Enamel erosion can be caused by a number of factors including acidic foods and drinks, teeth grinding, or cracked teeth. If your teeth are sensitive following a professional teeth whitening such as the ones we do here at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, the sensitivity will probably be gone in a few weeks.

Surprisingly, one cause of gum recession for our Boulder patients is brushing too hard. That’s right; it is possible to brush too hard!

If you experience constant or intermittent pain in your teeth or gums, call 303-665-5335 right away to make an appointment. Dr. Gordon West takes tooth pain seriously.

At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette, we not only treat tooth sensitivity problems, we also perform entire smile makeovers for cosmetic dentistry patients in the Longmont and Louisville areas. You’ll find us in the 80026 zip code area.

Center for Advanced Dental Care

Run your tongue along the gumline behind your lower front teeth. Do you feel a ridge? This is probably tartar or dental calculus.

Even if you brush and floss regularly, plaque and tartar can gradually accumulate. If not removed, these bacteria-breeding substances cause the gums to become irritated and swollen. Eventually, the gums become detached from the tooth, creating a ‘pocket’. This creates a new space for plaque and tartar to grow. In advanced stages of periodontal disease, the toxins created by the bacteria literally rot the gum, teeth and bone.

At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette, we perform the most thorough dental cleanings possible. Gum disease can be reversed in its early stages.

Our goal is to help our Boulder dental patients prevent gum disease before any damage occurs. Cleanings include root planing and periodontal scaling. Scaling removes the plaque and calculus above and, especially, below the gumline where your toothbrush cannot reach. Planing smoothes root surfaces so it is more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate and grow. It also creates a healthy surface for the gums to reattach to the root if necessary.

To schedule a deep cleaning, call 303-665-5335. We are located at 1140 W. South Boulder Rd, Suite 201 in Lafayette. In addition to providing comprehensive dental cleanings, we create mega-watt smiles for cosmetic dentistry clients. See http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com for more information about our state-of-the-art dental practice.

If you live in the Boulder area and are considering puncturing your lip or tongue, read this:

Infection
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Any opening in the tissue carries the risk of infection. The germs from your tongue and mouth can easily get into your bloodstream. Colorado dentists and doctors are continually treating serious infections caused by oral piercings. Oral infections can be a real problem, and should be a major consideration before getting an oral piercing.

Tooth Damage
It should come as no surprise that having a piece of metal bang around in your mouth can easily chip tooth enamel. Though tooth enamel is amazingly strong, once it’s chipped or cracked, it can only be restored with artificial material. Fortunately, Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Boulder offers many tooth restoration options such as crowns and fillings, but our advice is to avoid the problem if you can.

Prolonged Bleeding and Swelling
The blood vessels in the tongue are often damaged when the tongue is pierced, causing prolonged bleeding and possible build-up of scar tissue. In some cases, the tongue swells up enough to block the airway.

Gum Recession
A number of periodontal disease studies have shown that wearing oral jewelry is linked to periodontal disease which can result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease, or ‘gum disease’, can cause gum recession and exposes the root of your teeth, potentially causing hyper sensitivity and pain. Again, our advice is to avoid the problem right from the start.

These are just a few of the dangers. Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry can give you more information about the risks of oral piercings. If you already have damage, call 303-665-5335 to schedule a consultation.