Dental Health

What comes to mind when you hear the term “healthy living?” A dinner plate with a grilled chicken breast and steamed vegetables? The sound of your feet rhythmically hitting the ground on your favorite jogging pathway? A cholesterol test indicating that your arteries are doing great? If you pictured a white, healthy smile or a dental x-ray showing no cavities, we salute you.

At Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we urge everyone with a smile (that includes you!) to include oral health in your definition of “healthy living.”

When done correctly and consistently, brushing and flossing are an integral component of everyday oral hygiene. Brushing should be done at least twice a day. We recommend a soft bristled toothbrush to protect your gums. Brush your teeth in small, circular motions for 2-3 minutes and make certain you reach all the surfaces.

Flossing should be done once a day and is needed for reaching the areas where a toothbrush cannot. A wide variety of floss can be found at Lafayette stores, so experiment until find one you like.

I’m Dr. Gordon West of Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry. As a healthcare provider, I am committed to helping each of my patients enjoy oral health and avoid tooth and gum problems that can compromise their all-around health.

And just as some healthcare providers provide cosmetic procedures, I also deliver services that improve the esthetics of your smile. Ask us about porcelain veneers, dental implants, invisible braces, white fillings, inlays/onlays and same-day teeth whitening. For more information, call Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry today at 720-862-3630 or visit https://www.bouldercountysmiles.com/.

Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

720-862-3630

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026

There are basically two ways to handle a chipped tooth: 1. Panic.
2. See Dr. Gordon West right away and get on with life.

Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry can fix a chipped tooth in a jiffy by determining the right solution and expertly preforming the procedure. Decay, missing teeth, braces, even crowns can impact the course of treatment.

Time is often an important factor when it comes to tooth repair so don’t wait, call 720-862-3630 to schedule an appointment. Our address is:
1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado 80026

We’ve been around since 1998 – serving your neighbors in Lafayette  and improving smiles for Boulder County patients.

When Lafayette residents need cosmetic dentistry, we’ve successfully managed their treatment. When Broomfield patients have needed porcelain veneers, we’ve watched happy, smiling patients leave our office. And when you need dental implants, we are happy about the opportunity to make a true believer out of you!

We offer dental crowns, teeth whitening, sedation dentistry and Invisalign clear braces. Trust Dr. West to deliver exceptional results. No panic. No mistakes. No worries.

Relax.

Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

720-862-3630

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026

Our teeth work hard and are continuously under assault. It’s no wonder that nature encases them with an armor of enamel—the hardest substance in the body. Unfortunately, enamel erosion is extremely prevalent, though largely preventable. Enamel’s chief enemies are acidic foods and beverages. Other factors that can weaken enamel or wear it away are some medications, tooth grinding, acid reflux, gastrointestinal problems, chewing ice or other hard substances, and eating disorders.

At Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we educate our patients about how to keep their enamel strong and halt further erosion if some has already developed.

Here are five quick facts about enamel erosion:

1. Enamel is unlike many other tissues in the body; once it has been worn away, it can’t be regenerated.

2. According to the NIH, 41% of teenagers already have enamel erosion. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11132512

3. Vigorous brushing can damage enamel.

4. Diet sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks are just as detrimental as sugared sodas.

5. Dry mouth can weaken enamel because it results in less saliva which helps keep enamel healthy and strong.

If you have already experienced enamel erosion, it’s vital to halt additional erosion. There are several dental procedures that can protect the teeth that have been compromised. Call Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry today at 720-862-3630 to schedule an examination. Dr. West will give you counsel on the best dental treatments for enamel erosion.

Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

720-862-3630

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026

We hope today’s post will alert blog visitors to some harmful oral health threats. At Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry, too often, we treat dental caries and damage caused by the following:

1. Sports Injuries

Many parents send their children out on the playing field with a mouthguard but fail to protect themselves when they participate in activities that put teeth at risk. Talk to us at Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry about custom sports mouthguards for every athlete in the family.

2. Ice Chomping

Lots of us enjoy chewing ice, especially that irresistible pebble ice you can get in some fountain drinks. You may not even be aware that you chew on the ice when you have finished your drink. Breaking this habit can guard your teeth from cracks, chips, and tooth sensitivity.

3. Oral Piercings

Are you someone who expresses your personality with piercings in and around the mouth? We strongly discourage this. In addition to the risk of cracking or chipping, infection and permanent nerve damage can result.

4. Gummy or Sour Candy

Of course all sugary treats are no friend to your enamel, but gummy candy packs a double punch because it is both sugary and clings securely to teeth. Sour candy triggers even more acid production than sugary candy alone. If your sweet tooth is extremely persuasive, chew sugarless gum.

5. Eating Disorders

These complex mental disorders have a host of mental and physical considerations and, for most affected people, cannot be simply wished away with willpower. If you suffer from bulimia or anorexia, we hope you are receiving the appropriate specialized treatment. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to receive a measure of protection for your teeth while you work through the healing process. Dr. West can provide sensitive, discrete oral health guidance for those currently suffering or those who have overcome a disorder but have tooth damage as a result.

What If It’s Too Late?

If you have oral health troubles due to one of these, or for any other reason, there are still ways to heal your smile. Virtually all tooth damage can be treated with advanced dentistry. We pride ourselves on providing solutions to the dental troubles caused by common smile wreckers. However, we are even happier when our patients are able to avoid them and just visit us twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry is located at 1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201, in Lafayette, Colorado. Call us at 720-862-3630 to schedule a consultation.

Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

720-862-3630

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026

You’ve been doing it since you were five. You switch to auto pilot morning and night and get it done. But are you doing it right?

Actually, many people make tooth-brushing mistakes. You may need to tweak your routine to better sustain your oral health and protect your smile from cavities and gum disease.

Here are critical tooth brushing tips:

1. Take your time.
It’s understandable. You want to get it over with and go to bed. Proper teeth cleaning takes time and careful attention. Time yourself the next time you brush – you might be surprised at how quickly you finish. The process should take at least take two to three minutes. It can also be useful to take a different route around your mouth every few days. By changing your process, you approach areas from a different, and possibly, better angle.

2. Don’t forget to floss.
No matter how agile you can be with your brush, it’s problematic to remove the plaque from all those narrow gaps between your teeth. That is where bacteria can easily propagate and start the decay process.

3. Use the right toothbrush.
It is ironic that some people impair their enamel or gums because they brush too hard with a hard brush. Dr. West advises patients to only use a soft brush. If you’ve had gum grafts, you may want to use an extra soft brush.

4. Don’t keep your tooth brush near the toilet.
This is repulsive to think about, but each time the toilet is flushed, bacteria is sent far into the air – even if you close the lid. Keep your toothbrush in a clean place and let it to air dry.

5. Use fluoride toothpaste.
This may seem like a no-brainer but you may be surprised that some oral care products don’t contain fluoride. And you may think it’s only for youth. Not true. Your enamel is continuously under assault from acidic foods and drinks and fluoride helps it remineralize.

Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry: 720-862-3630

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026

Today, we’re talking about the water flosser, also known as interdental cleaner, interdental irrigator, or water jet. The first water-shooting device for cleaning between teeth was invented in the early 1960’s by Colorado dentist Dr. Gerald Moyer and John Mattingly, a hydraulics engineer. The instrument is now known by the brand name Waterpik, though many people use the term generically. Since its conception, many other companies have entered the market with similar products. (Note: Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry does not necessarily endorse any specific brand.)

A water irrigation tool oscillates a stream of water through a small, targeted tube to shoot out bits of food and plaque from around and between teeth. To use it, you put the tube into your mouth, turn it on, and then lean over the sink with your mouth slightly open to let the water dribble out as you direct the stream of shooting water around the gumline, hesitating momentarily at each gap between adjacent teeth.

There have been over 65 studies that have validated the safety and efficacy of water flossing for calculus reduction, plaque biofilm removal, bleeding reduction, inflammation reduction, and gingivitis care.

Should I Use a Water Flosser?
If you don’t floss at all, absolutely. If you have gingivitis, possibly. It may also help you keep your teeth and gums healthy if you have dental bridgework.

First, meet with our team to obtain an oral care treatment plan that factors in your tooth and gum health, physical dexterity, and lifestyle. The following conditions may affect whether or not Dr. West counsels you to use an interdental irrigation device.

Braces or other orthodontic appliances
A physical disability that reduces ability to brush and/or floss
Gum disease
Gums that bleed when flossing
Bleeding around dental implants when flossing
Aversion to flossing
Sensitive teeth

The state-of-the-art dental care in a comfortable environment team at Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry would love to help you learn the best suited processes for keeping your gums pink and healthy and firmly attached to cavity-free teeth. To schedule an appointment, call 720-862-3630.

Sources:
Jacquelyn L. Fried, RDH, MS, “Interdental Cleansing,” The American Dental Hygienist Association, https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/7123_Waterpik_Irrigation.pdf, accessed March 10, 2017
Carol A. Jahn, RDH, MS, “The Water Flosser: Your Tool For Optimal Oral Health,” https://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/pro/education/pdf/Waterpik_WaterFlosser_ContinuingEducation.pdf, accessed March 10, 2017
“Water Flossing,” MouthHealthy (ADA), http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/water-flossers, accessed March 10, 2017

Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

720-862-3630

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026