This article provides instructions for a basic home oral hygiene routine that will help people prevent cavities, gingivitis and gum disease.

On average, people living in the United States spend only about 17 seconds brushing their teeth! In this article, we will explain how maintaining a simple oral hygiene routine will not only protect your teeth and gums from decay and disease, but also leave your mouth feeling amazingly clean and fresh, while decreasing the likelihood of having embarrassingly bad breath. These simple instructions are recommended to be followed 2-3 times daily.

What Routine Should I follow for Basic Oral Hygiene?

• FLOSS! The dental Colorado Springs healthcare community highly recommend that you floss your teeth every single day! This step plays an important role in dental health because, unlike bristles, floss is an interdental cleaner. This means that it cleans the harder to reach spaces between the teeth and the gap between the base of the teeth and the gums. While a mouthwash can kill bacteria that form plaque, it cannot remove the bits of food that can lodge in these places, encouraging bacteria to flourish!

• SCRAPE! Gently scraping your tongue with a tongue scraper will aid in removing the mucus layer which protects bacteria living on your tongue! Be careful not to scrape too violently; be gentle but firm.

• BRUSH! Using a little more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, brush your teeth for at least two minutes, being sure to brush the inside and outside of your tooth row and gum line. Also, cover more than just your teeth! Gently clean the roof of your mouth and the insides of your cheeks. Bacteria are sticky critters and can populate every conceivable surface, nook and cranny in your mouth.

• RINSE! Between brushes, take a mouthful of ADA-approved anti-bacterial mouthwash and rinse for at least 60-90 seconds in order to cover all surfaces. Do not rinse your mouth with water after using a mouthwash. You don’t want to dilute its anti-bacterial action or fresh minty aftertaste!

Remember to keep your bottle of oral rinse and your tube of toothpaste out of the sun and tightly closed. Dentists in Colorado Springs provide a body of evidence advocating that a good oral hygiene routine not only keeps your smile beautiful, youthful and healthy, but it can also help prevent you from developing serious diseases! It is also recommended to go to your local dentist and oral hygienitst for a general check-up and professional cleaning twice a year. Your dentist can offer you routine cleanings which will aid in your effort to keep your mouth and teeth happy, hygienic and beautiful.

A Final Note

Brushing and flossing daily are essential for maintaining a good standard of oral health, but professional cleanings are necessary too! Your home efforts simply aren’t enough to prevent accumulations of plaque from hardening to form cavity-forming tartar. Routine cleanings, also known as ‘prophylaxis’, are designed to preserve dental health by removing harmful bacteria, plaque and tartar from below the gum line, helping to prevent the development and spread of gum disease.

This six-part article series answers questions about four dental procedures that carry a reputation for being the most traumatic and painful: tooth extractions, root canals, orthodontic braces and dental implants.

Welcome to the fourth installment of this six-part article series on the four dental procedures that strike the greatest fear into the hearts of patients! So far, dentists in Colorado Springs have answered your questions about tooth extractions and orthodontic braces. In this article, we shall discuss perhaps the nastiest of the four. The one that has even been woven into the English language to provide a form of hyperbolic reference: root canal therapy.

Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Dentists in Colorado Springs

FAQ: What is ‘root canal therapy’ and why is it necessary?

Dentists in Colorado Springs Answer: Endodontic – meaning ‘inside the tooth’ – therapy, otherwise known as a ‘root canal’ is a procedure recommended by dentists in Colorado Springs when the living tissue inside a tooth has become infiltrated by bacteria and infected. Because this tissue is surrounded by the rigid structure of the tooth, there is no way for your body to push the toxins out, as would be the case with an infected sore on your skin. Only intervention by dentists in Colorado Springs can save this tooth from the decay that will eventually claim its life.

FAQ: What does root canal therapy involve?

Dentists in Colorado Springs Answer: Endodontic therapy essentially involves the sterilization of a damaged and/or infected tooth. Dentists in Colorado Springs do this with a selection of very fine tools, which they use to remove the collection of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue housed in the pulp chamber and root canals. Once the insides of the tooth have been thoroughly sterilized, they will fill it with inert cement that will minimize the chance of future infiltration and infection. The tooth is then capped with a resilient and durable ceramic material, explain dentists in Colorado Springs (see above image).

FAQ: My dad was in a car accident – he’s fine – but he had to have two root canal procedures performed on his damaged front teeth. Why?

Dentists in Colorado Springs Answer: Sometimes, root canal therapy is performed as a preventative measure, in other words, before a tooth has become severely infected. The reason it is recommended is because the damage tooth in question is at a substantial risk of infection in the immediate future. This might be necessary when a tooth has sustained physical trauma in, for example, a car accident or by biting down on something exceptionally hard. By cracking open the enamel and exposing the soft and vulnerable insides of a tooth, the best chance dentists in Colorado Springs will have of saving it is by removing all the pulp and sealing up the tooth against bacteria.

FAQ: Isn’t root canal therapy terribly painful?

Dentists in Colorado Springs Answer: If you had to undergo endodontic therapy without the aid of anesthesia, then yes; endodontic therapy is excruciatingly painful. And when you consider that dentists in Colorado Springs are scraping out the pulp of a tooth – nerves and all – it isn’t hard to understand why. But, just like a tooth extraction, pain is entirely manageable with the help of strong local anesthesia and, post-operatively, prescription analgesic medication, say dentists in Colorado Springs. What patients need to understand and focus on is that a timely root canal procedure can save a tooth on the brink of irreparable decay. It also saves you from the trauma and expense of needing to replace your own natural and superior dental technology with an implant.

Two Important Messages:

There’s another way you can look at the entire situation: An infected pulp chamber is madly painful, say dentists in Colorado Springs. A root canal procedure actually provides relief for patients who are already coping with tremendous amounts of pain, sensitivity and discomfort. It’s not the procedure one needs to be afraid of; it’s actually developing an endodontic infection that patients should be nervous of, say dentists in Colorado Springs. And this is where the second message comes in. Prevention is better than cure. Lifelong thorough oral hygiene and regular dental appointments and professional cleanings go a long way to keep you out of dental surgery!

Dentists in Colorado Springs: Stay Tuned!

To read about the last of the ferocious four – dental implants – stay tuned for the final installment of this six-part article series, courtesy of dentists in Colorado Springs.

This six-part article series answers questions about four dental procedures that carry a reputation for being the most traumatic and painful: tooth extractions, root canals, orthodontic braces and dental implants.

Welcome back to our six-part article series on the four dental procedures with the worst reputation for causing pain and discomfort. As we have already discussed, the reputations of many dental procedures, such as dental implants and tooth extractions, do not always share a linear relationship with reality. Most of the time, they are gravely misunderstood, explain dentists in Colorado Springs. You don’t hear people complaining about how much discomfort they’re in when they undergo heart surgery, or how painful it is to receive a kidney transplant! That’s because these surgeries are necessary and often life-saving. People are too fixated on being grateful for being alive and healthier to complain about pain.

One doesn’t tend to think of a tooth extraction or a root canal as life-saving, but they can be tooth saving! That unfortunately doesn’t stop people from spreading embellished horror stories about the pain a root canal leaves them in. Remember, urge dentists in Colorado Springs, your teeth are irreplaceable assets. Removing a severely decayed tooth can prevent other teeth from succumbing to infection, thus minimizing the damage done to your oral health. A timely root canal procedure can save a gravely infected tooth from hitching a ride on the porcelain express. Sometimes, say dentists in Colorado Springs, a little bit of discomfort goes a long way to save your smile.

So, what about orthodontic braces? How do they save your teeth? Why are they sometimes essential?

Dentists in Colorado Springs: Answering Your FAQ on Orthodontic Braces

Anyone who has ever had to wear orthodontic braces will regale you with stories of sheer terror when the reality of it is that braces become a way of life. You adapt to the feeling of having metal brackets on your teeth and you move on with your day-to-day responsibilities. Sure, there are moments when you can feel exasperated with their appearance or with the ease with which your braces accumulate popcorn kernels. Braces aren’t hugely comfortable and, at times, they can actually be quite painful, say dentists in Colorado Springs. But tens of thousands of kids (and adults) have them placed every year so that they will grow up with straight teeth, a more beautiful smile, unimpeded breathing, and a healthier, more aligned bite. They all survive and so will you.

FAQ: What are orthodontic braces?

Dentists in Colorado Springs Answer: Orthodontic braces essentially consist of an arch wire that is threaded through the brackets of braces that are cemented onto each of your teeth. It is the archwire that – when tightened – applies pressure to your teeth, compelling them to move gradually. These new positions now only allow for less crowding and crookedness, they also promote a better bite, explain dentists in Colorado Springs.

FAQ: Does it hurt to have braces put on?

Dentists in Colorado Springs Answer: The procedure doesn’t hurt. It’s when your teeth begin to move out of their original positions that they can feel very sensitive and painful. This generally starts an hour or more after you have had braces placed or tightened, say dentists in Colorado Springs. It then wanes again after a week or so. Every patient has a different experience, say dentists in Colorado Springs. Some feel as though they’ve stopped a runaway train with their teeth; others are easily able to ignore the discomfort. There are anesthetic gels you can rub into particularly sore gums. If the pain ever gets too much, pop a painkiller.

FAQ: My friend said her braces cut up her cheeks and it was really sore. Can they really do that?

Dentists in Colorado Springs Answer: The brackets cemented to your teeth have edges that can – by rubbing against the soft tissue – cause ulcers to develop on the inner lining of your cheeks. These sores are transient and heal pretty fast. You can buy dental wax to press into the brackets, which helps to dull the edges. By preventing the brackets from rubbing against the sores, it gives them a chance to heal, explain dentists in Colorado Springs. While this is pesky and can make eating uncomfortable, you will get used to your braces. Remember: it’s not for forever!

Dentists in Colorado Springs: Stay Tuned!

To read more about the third of the ferocious four – root canal therapy – stay tuned for the fourth installment of this six-part article series, courtesy of dentists in Colorado Springs.

This article discusses 8 interesting facts about your teeth and general dental health.

Most of what we know and learn about dental health and oral healthcare we have learned from our parents. While dentists in Colorado Springs do their best to promote a greater awareness of oral health, there are still plenty of wives’ tales doing the rounds. Few of us question these myths; the majority of us follow them like lemmings off a cliff. But, the one thing we all seem to have in common is that dental healthcare is not something we pay much attention to outside of our twice-daily brushes. So, in order to expand your knowledge on the tools you rely on so heavily for eating, speaking and looking debonair, here are 8 dental facts about your teeth and general dental health, courtesy of dentists in Colorado Springs.

1. Keeping your toothbrush in a container is actually hygienically detrimental, explain dentists in Colorado Springs. It traps moisture and sets up a warm and humid environment ideal for the growth of bacteria.

2. You should keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible, stress dentists in Colorado Springs. Every time you flush, it sends out a spray of airborne germs and other unspeakable particles, which can settle on the bristles of your toothbrush. Most bathrooms are small, so if you can’t keep your toothbrush more than 6 feet away from the toilet, get into the habit of putting it away in a cabinet, say dentists in Colorado Springs.

3. In 1498, China manufactured the first bristled toothbrush. The bristles themselves came from the hair of hogs, badgers and horses. Don’t worry though… since then, commercial manufacturers (the first of which sprang up in 1938) have gone on to use synthetic fibers.

4. According to dentists in Colorado Springs, 75% of the entire population of America presents with some form or stage of periodontal disease; an acute and chronic oral bacterial infection of the gums.

5. If you drink three or more glasses of juice or soda a day, you are at a 62% greater risk of cavities and tooth decay than other people. Decay, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Having a can of soda may seem harmless, but the amount of sugar and acid in these thirst-quenchers really puts a strain on your oral health, warn dentists in Colorado Springs. Especially if you drink them frequently.

6. Toothpaste can be delicious, especially those bubble-gum flavored ones you had when you were a kid. But did you know that toothpastes, when swallowed regularly, can cause fluoride toxicity? Best to teach your kids to spit after a good brush, advise dentists in Colorado Springs.

7. If you don’t replace your toothbrush after a bout of flu, you can actually re-infect yourself. Stubborn germs can remain in the bristles of your toothbrush, so it’s always best to change them after a run in with illness, say dentists in Colorado Springs. In fact, you should be changing your toothbrush every three to four months as a rule.

8. Newborn babies do not carry the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay in their pink little mouths. Bacteria are generally transmitted from mother to child. The modes of transmission are kisses, sharing food, blowing on hot food before giving it to your child, etc. There’s no way you can really prevent it, say dentists in Colorado Springs, so make sure you maintain excellent oral hygiene and teach your kids about it from as young an age as possible.

This three-part article series takes a look at the various microorganisms that live in our mouth and how we can best manage and control them, effectively helping to prevent gum disease.

Welcome to the third and final installment of our series on oral bacteria. With the guidance of dentists in Colorado Springs, let’s take a look at some final interesting facts about the legions of microbes populating our mouths.

Common Conduits for Oral Bacteria

Did you know that lipstick, lip balm, band instruments, drinking glasses or any other item that comes into direct contact with the mouth is a conduit for bacteria and other infectious microbes? According to Colorado Springs dentists, you could be exposing yourself to potentially harmful microbes simply by sharing some lip balm with a friend! It’s never easy to deny a friend something they want, especially if it’s as seemingly innocent as lip balm, so the decision you face is whether to come across as mean or minimize your risk of swapping infections.

Tip: Tell them you recently suffered a nasty bout of stomach flu. That’ll solve your problem fast!

Antibacterial Mouthwashes Get the Thumbs Up for Addressing Halitosis

Anti-bacterial mouthwashes get the thumbs up from the ADA in their ability to combat bad breath, or halitosis. Apparently, most of these anti-bacterial mouthwashes offer a therapeutic benefit in reducing the numbers of oral bacteria that leads to plaque formation and ultimately, conditions such as gingivitis and bad breath. While not even a good swig of Listerine can prevent bad breath caused by eating too much garlic and onion, it can help to mask bad breath stemming from other causes. Remember, mouthwash doesn’t address the cause of bad breath, only the symptom. If you believe you suffer from halitosis, book an appointment with your dentist and get to the root of the problem.

Another Reason to Love Green Tea

Did you know that research has associated the consumption of green tea with healthier gums and cleaner teeth? Whether this is because the people who drink green tea tend to be more health conscious, or because the properties of the green tea itself are beneficial to oral health remains to be seen.

They’re Not All Bad Guys!

“Not all bacteria are bad for you,” explain Colorado Springs dentists. Many of the species of bacteria in your mouth are critical to the maintenance of good oral health. How? Certain species of bacteria secrete substances that actually kill off the bad kinds of bacteria. In fact, clinicians are trying to develop new toothpastes that make use of the “good” oral bacteria in trying to eliminate the “bad” kinds that lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Plaque Under the Microscope

So as it turns out, bacteria aren’t invisible. In large enough numbers, you can actually view the legions of microorganisms that inhabit your mouth. Did you know that plaque IS bacteria? That whitish sticky substance you scrape off your teeth with your fingernail, especially after a sweet snack, is composed entirely of oral bacteria! Just one tooth can host up to 500 million bacteria. And, of course, plaque is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease. This is why it’s so important to brush and floss regularly and thoroughly.

A Final Note

Living with bacteria is a fact of life. There are billions of them in our mouth and a good oral hygiene routine serves to keep them under control. Most of these bacteria are good for us, while only a few are bad. So, look after your teeth and book regular appointments with Colorado Springs dentists and you should be able to keep your mouth clean. Visibly clean, that’s it!

This four-part article series discusses the problems, challenges and repeat expenses associated with denture wearing, some of them as serious and potentially fatal as malnutrition.

Removable dentures have long been the teeth replacement technology of choice for patients who have lost most or all of their original adult teeth; a state referred to as edentulism. However, just because dentures have been the most popular choice, does not mean they offer the best solution! With the ceaseless development of sophisticated dental implant technology and surgical protocols, specially trained and experienced Colorado Springs dentists are able to offer more and more edentulous and near-edentulous patients a brand new set of teeth that are fixed, non-removable and far more functional, durable and aesthetic than removable dentures.

Why Do People Still Opt for Removable Dentures?

The question then is: why do people still choose removable dentures? Unfortunately, most patients can’t see the benefits beyond the greater initial price tag for dental implants. Short and long term benefits aside, they would rather pay a few hundred dollars to have dentures placed than a few thousand to have dental implants placed. What these patients aren’t aware of is the fact that dentures come with their own hidden costs and repeat expenses that, in the long term, make them the costliest teeth replacement solution on the market! The worst part, however, is that these costs and expenses aren’t only financial in nature, but take a severe toll on quality of life and in values that are irreplaceable, such as your youthful smile aesthetics.

In this four-part article series, Colorado Springs dentists shall delve deep into the problems and challenges associated with denture wearing. At the same time, they will compare this archaic technology with newer methods of teeth replacement and explain how and why dental implants offer a far more sophisticated and comprehensive solution to rampant tooth loss. Let’s start with one of the biggest problems associated with denture wearing.

Removable Dentures and Jawbone Loss

Your teeth provide an indispensible service to the bone tissue in which they are anchored. Just like the muscles in your body require exercise to remain strong, so too does bone. The roots of your teeth are responsible for “exercising” the jaw and they do this by transmitting all the forces associating with biting, grinding and chewing directly into the underlying bone tissue. Removable full or partial dentures only replace the visible portion of missing teeth – the crowns – allowing the jaw to atrophy and waste away from disuse. Wearing dentures actually accelerates the rate of bone loss. What does this mean for the patient?

• Denture Refitting: As the shape of the jawbone changes, old dentures will fit less and less until a patient requires a new set of dentures to be fitted. This initially occurs once every few years, but accelerates in frequency the longer you wear dentures for. Add up the costs of denture refitting and in the long run you’ve got yourself a mighty expensive teeth replacement solution!

• A Loss of Youthful Appearance: The loss of bone volume in the jaw has a devastating effect upon one’s natural youthful facial contours. Instead of a strong and definite jawbone line, elderly denture wearers tend to have sagging skin around the oral cavity and a sunken and aged appearance. “Denture wearing is incredibly aging to one’s appearance,” explain dentists in Colorado Springs. “And once this hard tissue is lost, it’s incredibly costly, traumatic and painful to replace, if at all!”

Then there’s the fact that wearing dentures compromises the success of alternative treatment solutions, such as dental implants. But we’ll save that for Part 2 of this article series.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about what Colorado Springs dentists have to say about the real price of removable partial and full dentures, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series.

This article discusses what orthodontic braces are, the benefits of braces and provides a list of problems braces can fix.

Smiles are contagious; this is a simple fact. No matter how grumpy you are or how bad a day you’re having, when someone smiles at you, you smile back. With that small flash of teeth, for one brief moment, your worries fade.

That is unless you are hiding your smile behind your hand because you don’t want to share your crooked teeth with the world. It is this very thing that the orthodontist in Colorado Springs seeks to change, by aiming at giving you a smile that you can be proud of.

Isn’t It Too Late For That?

A common misconception is that dental braces are only for children or teenagers. Truth be told, orthodontic braces are becoming increasingly popular among adults who are looking at improving both their appearance and their oral health by straightening their teeth.

Over time, skew teeth can cause more of a problem than simply hindering your smile and they do this by affecting your gums, your jaw, your oral hygiene and even the way you eat your food.

What Exactly do Braces Entail?

Orthodontic braces work by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to the teeth in your mouth. This pressure slowly shifts your teeth, repositioning them into the correct alignment. The main constituents of braces are brackets, arch wire, orthodontic bands, spacers and ties:

• Brackets are small squares that are cemented onto to each individual tooth.
• Arch wires are either clear or metal and attach to the brackets. These guide the movement of the teeth.
• Orthodontic bands are either clear colored or metallic and are wrapped around and cemented to each tooth. They serve to stabilize the brackets.
• Spacers are used prior to the placement of orthodontic bands and fit in between the teeth making small spaces in which the orthodontic bands are placed.
• Ties are the small rings or wires that attach the arch wires to the brackets.

This Sounds a Little Uncomfortable…

The truth is that it is initially rather uncomfortable. There is no easy way to shift the position of teeth in your mouth. However, your teeth will feel normal after the initial adjustment period. The orthodontist in Colorado Springs will assess the severity of your case and decide on a plan that best suits you, keeping your best interests and optimum comfort at heart. This being said, you will have to make certain adjustments to your eating and withstand a degree of discomfort before experiencing the overall benefits.

How Do I Know if I Need Braces?

The obvious answer is to visit the dentists in Colorado Springs for a consultation. But here are a few quick checks to help you decide:

• Are your teeth particularly skew or crooked?
• Do you suffer from severe headaches or jaw pain?
• Do you have difficulty chewing?
• Are your teeth wearing excessively or unevenly?

If you have answered “yes” to one or more of these questions you might want to visit your Colorado Springs orthodontist for a checkup, because braces might just be the answer that will help you make the world a better place with your beautiful smile.

This article talks about the benefits of dental implants and explains what the procedure in having them placed entails.

There are many things in life that lead one to ask “But what for?” Take mosquitoes, for instance. What is the possible explanation for such pesky creatures to even exist? Another thing that puts us in a quandary is tooth loss. If your body was built to live for so many years, why were your teeth not made to last a lifetime?

Well, this article won’t provide answers for either of these questions, but it will provide solutions. Maybe not for the mosquitoes (repellant will just have to do), but in terms of tooth loss, dental implants in Colorado Springs have a way of making your life easier.

What are You Talking About?

I’m talking about an innovative procedure that allows you to once again experience a full set of teeth, without the hassle that comes with removable dentures or conventional bridges. Dental implants dentists in Colorado Springs provide a procedure that places titanium screws in your jawbone to which ceramic crowns or a customized fixed bridge is attached. These act as natural teeth. With proper care and oral hygiene, these dental appliances could last you several decades to a lifetime, making missing teeth a mere memory.

Hmmm… Why Don’t I Just Keep My Removable Dentures?

Removable dentures, although effective in helping you eat and smile to a degree, can cause unnecessary pain and discomfort. Their bulky structure often causes pressure on the gums leading to inflammation. Another substantial disadvantage is that removable dentures do not replace the roots of your missing teeth. The jawbone functions similarly to that of a muscle in the sense that a lack of exercise (which is received through the presence of teeth) causes it to atrophy. This causes a decrease in bone volume and ends up changing the shape of your mouth.

Okay, so Explain Exactly How this Works…

Well, it all starts with a visit to your Colorado Springs dentist. In this first consultation your dentist will discuss the various implant procedures and decide on one that best suits your mouth. After the decision has been made, your treatment will begin.

The first phase involves the placing of the dental implant/s. This treatment is performed under either a local or general anesthesia (depending on the complexity of your case and the number of teeth requiring replacement) allowing you to rest easy and go without pain. Once the implants are in place, your dentist will attach a temporary bridge of artificial teeth over the implants to allow your mouth some time to heal.

Your permanent bridge will be attached as soon as the dentist is satisfied that the implants have integrated with your jawbone. This marks the second phase. Once the bridge is attached you can stroll out of your dentist’s office beaming confidence with your new shining smile.

Is That It?

Yes, pretty much! Having had teeth implants placed by a Colorado Springs dental professional, you will be required to have two to three follow up appointments, just to check that everything is healing nicely and to make sure you are comfortable with your new teeth.

After that, you get to move through your day without experiencing the discomfort of removable dentures, knowing that your new teeth are sitting securely in your mouth, offering you a lifetime of smiles and laughter. Now if only there was as good a solution to those annoying mosquitoes.

This article addresses the importance of good oral health and hygiene from as early an age as possible.

Ignoring the advice of your parents seems to be a fashionable trend amongst teenagers. There also seems to be a discernible age gap during which young adults, especially young men, don’t make much effort to maintain personal hygiene, say dentists in Colorado Springs. Coupled with a voracious appetite for all things unhealthy and full of sugar and you’ve got an oral disaster waiting to happen! Thankfully, many teenagers begin to see the connection between going to bed without brushing and the unpleased faces girls make when up close and personal. At this critical intellectual awakening, say dentists in Colorado Springs, they begin to make an effort in their presentation, which begins first and foremost with some vigorous pearly white scrubbing. But many more teens take a little longer to come to the party and before you know it, you’re shelling out money to have cavities filled and teeth capped. Stubborn teenagers, listen up! This is a message to you from dentists in Colorado Springs!

There is Nothing… NOTHING More Unattractive than Bad Breath

Perhaps parents have been phrasing it incorrectly. After all, with every generation comes a new edition of The Complete Dictionary of Further Degraded English Language. Instead of telling your children to “brush your teeth or they’re going to rot and fall out your skull” you should try a less passive approach. Something like: “You know that girl you like? Well, she wouldn’t touch you will a cattle prod if she could smell your breath right now.” Whisper words of social rejection. Plant the seeds of self-consciousness….

Wow! Hold on, bad parent! This sounds incredibly negative! Alright, so this is taking it a bit too far. But when it comes to proper oral hygiene, explain dentists in Colorado Springs, your children need to appreciate that they’re not brushing their teeth to make you, as a parent, happy; they’re brushing their teeth to keep them healthy and looking good. Teenagers know all about the importance of appearance, it’s why they demand pocket money to buy expensive clothing. 

Dentists in Colorado Springs: Reasons to Look After Your Teeth

It’s impossible to feel vulnerable to disease when you’re young, vibrant and have your entire life ahead of you, say dentists in Colorado Springs. It can be so easy to fall asleep without brushing your teeth, to neglect to floss regularly and to skip appointments with the dentist and oral hygienist. But heed this warning, youth of today; your teeth are not invulnerable and they will not last you a lifetime UNLESS you practice a solid oral hygiene routine from an early age, stress dentists in Colorado Springs. Brushing and flossing your teeth may be, like, totally boring, but it will keep your teeth white and attractive so when you smile at that boy or girl you really, really have a massive crush on, they won’t be distracted by the accumulation of plaque, tartar and last week’s lunch festering between them. It will also prevent you from melting the face off your lab partner the next time you yawn. “Hmm, smells like hydrogen sulfide…” *faint*

Most importantly, say dentists in Colorado Springs, looking after your teeth when you’re young prevents oral problems and diseases from affecting you when you get older. Teeth that have already been weakened in your youth by neglected hygiene, an unhealthy diet and bad habits such as smoking, will not stand the test of time. And if there’s one thing your parents can promise you, it’s that a beautiful and healthy smile is not an asset that ever degrades in value.

The Take Home Message from Dentists in Colorado Springs

It’s elegantly simple, say dentists in Colorado Springs:

– Brush your teeth properly, at least twice a day

– Floss every day

– Eat a balanced diet

– Lighten up on the sugar, and…

– See your dentist every six months.

Chicks will dig you.