Clear braces are an increasingly popular option in orthodontics. They produce excellent results, but are so discreet that some people call them invisible. At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, we offer MTM clear braces.
Unlike traditional metal braces, clear braces have no wires, brackets or rubber bands. They are so subtle that people standing just a few feet away from you may not realize you’re wearing them.
They look a lot like an athlete’s mouth guard. The proper term for this style of braces is “aligner.” They are a customized series of trays made of clear plastic that are worn over your teeth. After about two weeks, you receive the next in the series. And in as little as a year’s time, your teeth are brought into alignment.
One of the things that people like best about clear braces is that they are removable. You can take them out at mealtime, and when you brush your teeth at night. You should wear them while you sleep, however. For the best results it’s recommended they be worn for at least twenty-two hours each day.
At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, we offer MTM clear braces. To find out whether they are right for you, schedule a consultation. We also offer dental implants, and general and family dentistry. Make an appointment with us today.
Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
If you tense up just thinking about going to the dentist, you may benefit from sedation dentistry offered by Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO.
Millions of Americans stress out because they have to see the dentist, so if that sounds like you, you aren’t alone. It is referred to as dental anxiety. There is a more severe form, too, called dental phobia. In both, some people would rather skip the dentist altogether than sit down for a checkup. This puts their dental health at risk.
There are lots of reasons why people develop anxiety or phobia over dental care. It often stems from a bad experience they had with a dentist as a kid. Fear of pain of often involved, as well as a fear of anesthesics and possible side effects.
Whatever the cause, sedation dentistry has helped millions of people get through their dentist appointments. Boulder County Smiles offers three types:
Anxiety reduction. For this, we use acupressure, music, and a relaxed environment to prepare you for the appointment. This is best in cases of mild to moderate anxiety.
Oral conscious sedation. You take a sedative an hour or so before the appointment. You won’t sleep, but will be in a deeply relaxed state. When the appointment is over, someone will have to drive you home.
General anesthsia. Usually done in a hospital, this is the highest form. It’s a good option for those with severe dental phobia, or with special needs.
Whatever your issue is, it is essential that you do not compromise your dental health by skipping the dentist. Sedation dentistry from Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO may be just for you. Our services also include general and family dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!
Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
Flossing is a bit of a chore. It comes after “brushing your teeth” in things a lot of us intentionally forget to do. It takes a little extra time, and if you haven’t flossed in a while, it can even be painful. But the team at Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO is constantly reminding patients to brush and floss … brush and floss!
Flossing is important, You’ll never hear one of us say “don’t worry about the flossing.” It just isn’t going to happen, and for three really good reasons. Here they are:
1. Bad Breath
Bad breath is something we all worry about. It’s part of our appearance, and we are all aware of how that can affect our relationships.
When we meet new people, speak with others in close quarters, or greet a partner, bad breath is on our mind. We worry about how bad breath affects first impressions.
It makes sense, then, that bad breath would be one of the things you might worry about.
Flossing is a great way to help you avoid bad breath.
Flossing your teeth helps reduce plaque buildup between your teeth. It also helps flush out pockets of bacteria. Together, plaque and bacteria can create bad breath.
To reduce your chances of being caught with bad breath, floss every day.
2. Cavities
When bacteria is allowed to concentrate on your teeth, cavities can occur. Plaque buildup is a concentration of bacteria. When plaque is allowed to remain between your teeth it gives bacteria a chance to destroy enamel and damage your teeth. Cavities are damage to your teeth caused by bacteria.
Flossing gets between your teeth where your brush can’t get and helps remove plaque buildup. It also loosens pockets of bacteria that can be removed with a quick rinse.
Flossing will help you keep plaque and bacteria from developing between your teeth. You will have fewer cavities and your visits to Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry will be more productive.
3. Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the softening of your tooth enamel by acids. Acids are created by bacteria when they feast on leftover carbohydrates in your teeth.
Flossing can help you in two ways. First, you will remove leftover food particles so bacteria have less to work with. By the way, the food particles we are concerned about aren’t always visible. Food between your teeth can be microscopic, and that’s why it isn’t good enough to do a quick tongue slide to check your teeth. The particles are too small to see or feel.
Second, flossing will help remove the bacteria from between your teeth, so there aren’t enough left to create destructive acids.
Avoid tooth decay with a regular flossing. How often, you ask?…
At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, we recommend you floss your teeth every time you brush. Our services include general and family dentistry, sedation dentistry, and dental implants. Make an appointment with us today.
Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin coined that phrase in the 1730s as advice for fire safety. But like all timeless quotes, it applies to many more features of modern life, particularly dental health, one of our principal concerns at Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO.
Keeping your smile beautiful and healthy is done most effectively with preventative measures. Some important guidelines are highlighted here.
Make a habit of brushing your teeth. Do it twice a day for 2 minutes. Be sure to use an ADA approved toothpaste and toothbrush.
Don’t forget the floss! Flossing between your teeth daily will do wonders for your teeth and keep your gums healthy too.
Wear a protective mouthguard when participating in an activity where your mouth could possibly be damaged.
Don’t smoke. As if you needed yet another reason not to!
Avoid piercing your lips, tongue, cheek, or any other part of your mouth that someone decided you should shove a metal bar through. Piercings put you at greater risk for chipped teeth, infection and nerve damage. It’s a dicey fashion that you’ll want to avoid.
Stay away from snacks that have a lot of sugar or starch.
Schedule regular dental visits, of course!
At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, helping our patients establish good habits is important. Our services include general and family dentistry, and specialties like dental implants and sleep apnea treatment. Schedule an appointment with us today.
Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
What is your perception of the patient-dentist relationship? Would you characterize it as one-sided? In other words, the dentist examines the patient’s teeth, decides on the course of treatment, and performs the procedure-while the patient is an unimportant participant. That is not the approach, at Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO.
It Starts With The Atmosphere
At Boulder County Smiles, you will recognize the difference when you first walk in our doors. You will discover a pleasant, inviting atmosphere. We don’t push patients through as if they were on an assembly line.
We see you as a whole person, not just an disembodied mouth full of teeth. When we meet with you, you will be able to talk about more than just your oral health. You will discuss your lifestyle, your past dental experiences, your goals, and your concerns. We want to create a long-term relationship with you—it benefits you and helps us do our jobs well.
We Listen
When we examine a patient and find a problem that needs treatment, there is rarely only one solution proposed. We take as much time as necessary explain the options and answer your questions.
By listening carefully, communicating clearly, and asking the right questions, we can fully assess the many vital factors that influence your present and future oral health.
Does This Sound Good to You?
Does patient-focused dental care make sense to you? If so, we invite you to become one of our valued patients. At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, available services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.
Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
Did you know that enamel is the hardest substance in the body? It’s true! This substance, found on the outer surface of your teeth, is meant to last a lifetime. But Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO reminds you that just because it’s super durable doesn’t mean you don’t have to work to take care of it.
Here are some helpful tips for keeping enamel healthy.
1. Pick the right foods for enamel health. It’s no secret that soft drinks impair your teeth, and don’t think that diet sodas are harmless – the artificial sweeteners can also erode enamel over time. There are also other culinary culprits that can do a lot of harm. Sticky, chewy candies should be avoided. Chewing ice is a no-no. And don’t use your teeth as tools. Take a minute to grab some scissors before you rip open that package with your incisors.
On the flip side, foods with calcium can neutralize acid in your mouth and safeguard your enamel. So, enjoy your dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt!
2. Avoid vigorous brushing and use a soft brush. Also, it’s best to brush about an hour after eating, because foods, especially acidic ones, can soften the enamel, thus making it more prone to weakening from brushing. If your teeth are discolored or yellowish, you may feel you need to brush harder. Instead, examine teeth whitening and speak with your dentist.
3. Keep stomach acids in check. If you have a problem with severe heartburn, the stomach acid could be traveling up your esophagus and into your mouth. This acid can erode enamel, so it is essential to talk to your Lafayette doctor about treatment.
4. Talk to us about dry mouth and teeth grinding. Lack of saliva is a major trouble for tooth enamel, and it’s no surprise that teeth grinding can also wear it down. Make sure your dentist is aware if you experience either of these issues.
At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO we want our patients to have the best dental health possible, and enamel health is a critical component. Our services include restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Make an appointment with us today.
Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, we provide confidence and dignity to our patients through cosmetic dentistry.
Many people seem to have it all together with bright eyes and great smiles. We want you to be on the same footing as your friends, colleagues and customers. Wanting to look your best and feel your best is not about vanity, it’s about reality in the professional community. An unforgettable smile creates a favorable first impression and demonstrates polish and attention to detail. These are advantages for people in every field of work.
Popular ways to achieve such a worthy goal might be found in the services we offer at Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette. We offer prepless veneers, teeth whitening, and dental crowns as ways to improve your confidence and security.
No matter your age, 25 to 75 – no matter your location from Boulder County to Louisville to Broomfield – we invite you to see our state-of-the-art dental care in a comfortable environment staff and take the step toward that impressive smile you deserve.
Cosmetic dentistry from Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO can transform your personal and professional life. We also offer valuable services like sedation dentistry, and sleep apnea treatment. Schedule an appointment with us today.
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At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, we enjoy sharing information about dentistry and teeth. Some of it is useful, and some of it is just fun to know.
Children’s teeth are soft until about age 10.
A tooth with a crown can still get a cavity.
Your gum tissue is as vital as your teeth.
Some prescription painkillers can increase your risk of dental caries.
Some home faucet water filters remove fluoride.
19 percent of little ones between the ages of 2 and 19 have untreated dental caries.
Heartburn can damage teeth.
Allergies can cause tooth grinding.
Dried fruit is just as bad for teeth as sticky candy.
Tooth enamel cannot repair itself, though dentin and cementum (the substance that surrounds the tooth root) are capable of partial regeneration.
A Harvard-led team used low-powered lasers to activate stem cells and stimulate the growth of teeth in rats and human dental tissue in a lab.
There are about 300 types of bacteria in your mouth.
Chewing sugarless gum after meals can help remove food particles on your teeth. You still need to brush, but if you can’t brush immediately after meals, sugarless gum can help keep your teeth clean.
Cavities often don’t cause pain until they have reached the root and nerve of the tooth. Visit your dentist regularly to prevent cavities or at least to detect them when they are small.
Bone recession can cause tooth loss even if no decay is present.
We hope you have found this post interesting, and perhaps even learned something new about teeth. At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, we provide general and family dentistry, and a range of cosmetic dentistry services. Make an appointment today.
Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
So you want to whiten your teeth? It’s a reasonably-priced way to enhance your smile, look younger, and feel more confident in business or social settings. At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayetete CO, we provide professional teeth whitening.
Here are five things we recommend, when it comes to teeth whitening:
Meet with us for a consultation first. There are several different teeth whitening systems and a consultation will help you identify which procedure is best for you.
It is essential to know that whitening does not affect existing fillings, veneers, or crowns.
During your consultation, decide how many shades lighter you want your teeth to be at the end of the treatment. Depending on the whitening treatment plan chosen, your teeth can be brightened three to eight shades. An in-office procedure achieves a degree of lightening that cannot be achieved with over-the-counter products.
Alternatively, we can customize a take-home kit for you. While this procedure may take longer, it is more affordable and more convenient for many patients.
With any of the teeth whitening systems, tooth sensitivity may be an issue. In most cases, it won’t last for more than a day or so. Let us know if it lasts longer.
This message looks at one a modern miracle: restorative dentistry, available at Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO.
Let’s pretend you are a biomedical engineer working in the field of dentistry before the conception of dental restorations. The men and women of your generation who have missing or damaged teeth want to repair or replace them with a man-made substitute. You have been hired to find or create a material that can be used to manufacture fillings, crowns, and dental bridges.
Consider the physical and chemical requirements of this incredible substance. It must sustain forces of 162 pounds per square inch (PSI), hundreds of times a day – day after day, year after year. It must be resistant to cracking and chipping. But there’s a catch regarding its stability; it must not hurt the enamel on opposing teeth. This material must also maintain its size and shape and be resistant to shrinking.
It must be bondable to living tooth structure as well as other materials needed for specific appliances. It must be biocompatible with the soft tissues in the mouth as well as tooth enamel, dentin, and bone. It can’t trigger allergic reactions in the wearers. It must be corrosion-resistant to the chemicals in saliva, foods, and beverages. It must resist infection regardless of ever-present bacteria in the mouth. And it can’t contain toxic chemicals that could be absorbed into the bloodstream.
And we haven’t even talked about the artistic properties yet. Ideally, this amazing material would match perfectly with real-life teeth in color, opacity, and translucence.
Of course, we know that such a material exists because dental restorations have been around for a long time. At this time, there are multiple materials used alone or in combination including porcelain, ceramic, and metals such as gold and silver amalgam. Though the metals are exceptionally strong and malleable, they don’t meet some patient’s esthetic requirements and are used mainly for back teeth.
It is interesting to note that porcelain, one of the ideal materials used in modern restorations, was created over 2000 years ago in China.
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Clear braces are an increasingly popular option in orthodontics. They produce excellent results, but are so discreet that some people call them invisible. At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, we offer MTM clear braces.
