Teeth Scaling and Root Planing

For people with mild to moderate gum disease, one of the most effective ways to prevent it from becoming severe is with a procedure known as scaling and root planing. During this treatment, the gums and teeth are thoroughly cleaned all the way down to the roots. Scaling and root planing is a very simple dental procedure that is quite effective in stopping the progression of gum disease.

Why Scaling and Root Planing is Performed

When plaque and tartar is not removed from the teeth, it provides the ideal environment in which bacteria can thrive. This bacteria often irritates the gum, causing them to bleed easily. If you are noticing blood when you brush your teeth, it is an early sign of the gum disease gingivitis. When left untreated, gingivitis can lead to inflammation that, eventually, works its way into the root of the tooth, causing what is known as a periodontal pocket. Bacteria grows in this pocket and can lead to severe gum and tooth damage. Sometimes, the gums start to pull away from the teeth.

Scaling and root planing is performed to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar and clean out any pockets that may have formed. This stops the progression of gum disease and allows the gums to heal.

What to Expect During Scaling and Root Planing

In many cases, local anesthesia is used to numb the gums prior to treatment. Another option is topical anesthetic gel that is delivered directly into the pockets in the gums to minimize discomfort without causing numbness in the lips or tongue.

When the pockets are not deep, there may be no need for anesthesia, and there is little to no discomfort during the treatment. Typically, patients only experience a scraping sensation on the teeth, similar to the sensation of a normal dental cleaning.

Minor cases with relatively shallow pockets can generally be treated in one session, but when deeper pockets are present, and the root surfaces require extensive cleaning, it may be necessary to break treatment up into two to four appointments.

After Your Appointment

You may experience a bit of discomfort following a scaling and root planing procedure. It is also common for the teeth to develop sensitivity to temperature, and the gums often bleed for a few days. Most often, over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen work well to manage discomfort, but sometimes stronger painkillers are necessary. Sometimes patients are required to take antibiotics following scaling and root planing to prevent the gums from becoming infected. This is most often necessary for individuals who are at high risk for developing infection, including people who have impaired immune systems, certain problems or have had major surgery recently.

For the first few days, you may have to avoid brushing or flossing or do so very gently to avoid causing additional pain in tender gum areas. You may also be instructed to rinse your mouth using salt water. With proper dental care following your procedure, your gums will heal and become healthy again.

If you are experiencing bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, you may be in need of scaling and root planing to prevent minor gingivitis from becoming a major problem. To schedule an appointment with the dental professionals right here at Castle Rock Family Dental, give us a call today at (303) 688-2229.

Protect Your Teeth With Mouth Guards

What are mouth guards?

A mouth guard is a dental appliance made of plastic material most commonly used to protect teeth from injury during athletic activities or tooth damage caused by tooth grinding. There are three different kinds of mouth guards available on the market today, although they are not all created equal. We will discuss them below in order of their effectiveness and give you an idea of what you can expect from each in terms of ease of use.

Preformed mouth guards

Preformed or stock tooth protectors are inexpensive and are sold ready to wear. They can be purchased at any sporting goods or drug store but offer limited options in terms of customizability. Although they are recommended for use in sports they are impractical and too bulky to be used as overnight mouth guards to protect against grinding.

Boil-and-bite mouth guards

Thermoplastic mouth guards can often be found on the same shelves as preformed mouth guards, but are a better option for those looking to protect their teeth from nighttime damage due to clenching and grinding. Made from thermo-formable plastic, they are dipped into hot or boiling water to soften them, then placed into the mouth where they are bitten down upon in order to create a mold of the teeth using the tongue and fingers.

Custom-fitted mouth guards

Custom-made mouth guards are designed specifically for your teeth and made in your dentist’s office. At Castle Rock Family Dental, we specialize in this procedure and will make an accurate impression of your teeth, which we then use to mold your custom-fitted mouth guard made of special, dental composite material. Although the custom mouth guard may cost more than stock or boiled mouth guards, there is simply no comparison in terms of comfort and protection, which is why we recommend their use over anything else on the market.

If you are concerned about your tooth grinding or potential dental injury during sports, I encourage you to give us a call at 303-688-2229 or visit our website. In addition to our contact details you will also find information about our custom-fit nocturnal bite plates and mouth guards as well as the full range of dental care services we offer.

What You Need To Know About Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening Options And Safety

Teeth whitening is an incredibly popular procedure these days and has become a very popular cosmetic dentistry option, with dozens of companies offering a dazzling variety of do-it-yourself whiteners and bleaches that people can use in their own homes. The belief that whiter teeth communicate youth and attractiveness is deeply ingrained in our psyche and causes some people to try any new product that comes on the market in pursuit of brighter, shinier teeth. But, is it safe to go it alone and use over the counter products to attempt to whiten one’s own teeth?

Perhaps the most popular tooth whitening option on the market today is the ubiquitous whitening toothpaste. Although they have become quite commonplace, they have been criticized for being abrasive and wearing away the enamel of the user’s teeth. Furthermore, the hydrogen peroxide which is often used as a bleaching agent in these toothpastes is now thought to be both responsible for weakening teeth and possibly carcinogenic.

Aside from toothpastes, home-use tooth bleaching kits are another popular option for those in pursuit of stain-free teeth. These kits are comprised of trays which the user fills with hydrogen peroxide and wears at night for a length of up to two weeks. Although such kits claim to be able to dramatically whiten teeth the risks associated with the in-home use of hydrogen peroxide over such a long period of time cannot be overstated and people should consider whether or not it is worth it in the long run.

So, are there any safe options for tooth whitening? It may come as no surprise that tooth whitening is best done by the professionals but it needs to be said in a market flooded with DIY products. At Castle Rock Family Dental, we know how to correctly use tooth whiteners and bleaches to prevent damage and over-exposure to potentially carcinogenic chemicals. We also have the facilities to ensure that all procedures are carried out safely, hygienically and effectively—something that cannot be said for an OTC kit you use in your bathroom before going to bed. In fact, when done by a dentist, even a hydrogen peroxide bleaching can be safe because the chemical only comes into contact with tooth enamel, which is not a living tissue. In addition to chemical bleaching we can also offer you the option of laser whitening—an approach that you can get over the counter.

In short, tooth whitening can be a great way to improve your smile, but as with most things, you should leave it to the professionals to get the best results. 

Give us a call at 303-688-2229 or visit our website at http://castlerockfamilydental.com to schedule your appointment today!

TMJ Disorder And TMD Treatment

Ever get pain, soreness or discomfort in your jaw you can't quite place? Pay attention to those pains! Your mouth is one of the most important aspects of your overall health. If you have missing teeth or have teeth that have become infected, those situations can pose significant adverse side effects, but so to can your jaw. If you are experiencing pain in your jaw, this could cause other problems most people often don’t realize. There are a number of signs and symptoms that oftentimes patients don't associate with TMD.

Here at Castle Rock Family Dental, I often hear people refer to jaw related troubles as TMJ. Let's take a moment to clear this terminology up. TMJ is the wrong acronym to use. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint which is the name of the joint where the lower jaw attaches to our skull, and every one has TMJ. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your jaw joint, the proper term is in fact TMD. TMD stands for Temporomandibular Dysfunction, which I think is a more appropriate acronym and term to use when patients are having issues.

TMJ Disorder TMD Treatment
Before & After

As it happens, people suffering from TMD experience a number of signature symptoms. You may be aware if you have TMD with symptoms such as clicking and popping of the jaw joint, headaches, neck pain and back pain, issues as well as grinding your teeth that your spouse might hear while you sleep are all common side effects of TMD. Another side effect is visible wear on someone’s teeth. This wear is caused by grinding your teeth while you sleep to the point that patients often require some form of restorative treatment.

Because there are a number of other symptoms associated with TMD that people aren’t aware of, at Castle Rock Family Dental we offer complimentary consultations. It is through this consultation that I will be able to make you aware of the extent of your disorder and then inform you about an appropriate treatment method that should alleviate your condition. If you’re interested in taking advantage of our complimentary consultation offer, you are encouraged to call our office at 303-688-2229, or you can visit the Castle Rock Family Dental website and schedule an appointment directly from there. Talk to you soon!