This two-part article series takes an introductory look at cavities and gum disease before moving on to discuss the basics of a sound oral healthcare routine.

Everyone wants beautiful teeth and a sexy, confident smile. But are you putting in the necessary effort? You can’t expect your hair to look healthy and luscious without washing, conditioning and brushing it daily. Why would you expect anything else from your teeth and gums? Professionals in Colorado Springs cosmetic dentistry see patients every day that want to improve the appearance of their teeth. But the majority of these cases need to be rerouted to the periodontist because they present with advanced oral bacterial infections! Without the proper care and attention, your teeth will become discolored and decayed with time, explains the Colorado Springs cosmetic dentist. When this happens, no amount of cosmetic treatment will provide you with the long-term aesthetic results you want!

Is it a matter of neglect? Or are people truly ignorant about oral health and what it takes to keep your teeth and gums in great shape?

Colorado Springs Cosmetic Dentistry: A Look at Your Mouth under the Microscope

You’ve been told ever since you were a child that you need to brush your teeth twice a day, morning and night, says the Colorado Springs cosmetic dentist. You were also told to stop eating so much candy if you want to avoid cavities. But short of this logic, do you really understand what cavities are, how they are formed and how they put your teeth at risk? Cavities are essentially holes in the enamel of your teeth. These holes are caused by the acidic dissolution of the minerals that make up your teeth, explain professionals in Colorado Springs cosmetic dentistry. The food and drinks we consume naturally contain acids, especially fruits. But the real source of trouble is bacteria.

Our mouths are teeming with these microscopic organisms; millions and millions of them. No amount of brushing or flossing will ever totally eliminate bacteria from your mouth. These legions of tiny creatures, together with the wastes they excrete, form a whitish, sticky substance that accumulates on our teeth between brushes, explains the Colorado Springs cosmetic dentist. This substance is called plaque. The good thing about this revolting bacterial muck is that it can be cleaned off, but it requires regular and thorough brushing and flossing, explain professionals in Colorado Springs cosmetic dentistry.

Colorado Springs Cosmetic Dentistry: Proper Oral Hygiene

 

Bacteria are everywhere: on the crowns of your teeth, in the tiny spaces between your teeth, on your gums, on your tongue and in the grooves and crevasses between your teeth and the gum tissue. This is why flossing is such an important part of any oral healthcare routine, stresses the Colorado Springs cosmetic dentist. It’s not enough to just brush your teeth. If you want to get rid of all the plaque in your mouth, you need to brush your teeth, your tongue and your gums and you need to floss in between your teeth; getting beneath the gums where bacteria are left to flourish unchecked. What happens when bacteria is left in place? They feast upon the food that passes between your lips three times a day and produce waste products that are acidic and high in sulfurous compounds, explains the Colorado Springs cosmetic dentist.

The acid begins dissolving your dental enamel, forming cavities that offer the perfect holiday retreat for these micro-organisms; literal sanctuaries where they can be safe from the roving bristles of your toothbrush. Further acid production widens these cavities; essentially breaking the tooth down, explain professionals in Colorado Springs cosmetic dentistry. Without professional intervention, the entire tooth will eventually become decayed beyond reparation and will either require a root canal procedure or extraction.

But that’s not where this story ends, cautions the Colorado Springs cosmetic dentist…

Colorado Springs Cosmetic Dentistry: Stay Tuned

To find out more about your oral health and how unchecked bacterial activity leads to the development of aggressive infection and periodontal (gum) disease, stay tuned for the second installment of this two-part article series on Colorado Springs cosmetic dentistry.