Leading Preventive Dentistry in Denver, Co
We now know that your oral health affects your overall health, and we are a proud member of the Wellness Dentistry Network.
Emerging technologies and the growing awareness of the role a dentist can play in the overall health of their patients is transforming our profession. No longer should we remain comfortable with just focusing on the mechanics of repairing teeth – we can and must do more. The Wellness Dentistry Network was founded on the belief that together, we can change the approach to how we interact with our patients, collaborate with each other to share information, and more effectively integrate with other areas of the healthcare model. By doing so, we’re not just elevating the practice of dentistry, we’re changing, improving, and yes, in some cases saving lives. Let us show you how.
Your First Appointment at Governor’s Park Dental Group
For adult patients, the initial appointment involves a comprehensive oral exam. Our dentists will review your medical and dental history and listen to your goals/concerns before inspecting your teeth.
The dental exam is very thorough and consists of:
- checking all of your teeth for decay and defective fillings
- examining your mouth for oral cancer and periodontal disease
- taking the necessary diagnostic x-rays.
A dental hygienist will perform a dental cleaning. Once we diagnose the results of your exam, the dentist will discuss our findings and outline a recommended treatment plan, as well as detail the amount of time and cost associated with your treatment.
Good oral hygiene is important for general health. Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems. Gum disease, infections, tooth loss, and bone loss can result from poor oral hygiene. Good home care and regular cleanings and exams can prevent these problems as well as provide you with a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
At Governor’s Park Dental Group, our patients’ oral health is our top priority. We are here to do anything that we can to assist you in taking excellent care of your teeth and gums. This includes the following (read more below): Saliva Testing, Periodontal Treatment, Root Planing & Scaling (deep cleaning).
A mouthguard is a comfortable piece of athletic gear that fits over your teeth and can help protect your smile as well as your lips, tongue, face, and jaw. New research indicates that mouthguards can even reduce the severity of concussions.
A nightguard is a custom-made acrylic mouthpiece that is worn to protect the teeth from grinding (bruxing) or clenching, mostly occurring during sleep.
What is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a comfortable piece of athletic gear that fits over your teeth and can help protect your smile as well as your lips, tongue, face, and jaw. New research indicates that mouthguards can even reduce the severity of concussions.
A nightguard is a custom-made acrylic mouthpiece that is worn to protect the teeth from grinding (bruxing) or clenching, mostly occurring during sleep.
Many people clench and/or grind their teeth and may not even know it. Some people do this every night, and some only do this occasionally. Occasional grinding does not usually cause harm. When grinding occurs on a continual basis, the teeth can be badly damaged and cause other oral health complications. Chronic grinding can also affect your jaw, resulting in possible hearing loss, cause or worsen TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.
Types of Mouthguards
Ready-Made Mouthguards
You may have seen ready-made mouthguards in a department or sporting goods store. These generic mouthguards are inexpensive and readily available. Unfortunately, because they are not custom-fitted, they may seem bulky and uncomfortable in your mouth. Ready-made mouthguards are secured by closed jaws which mean speaking and breathing may be difficult.
Mouth-Formed Mouthguards
If you’re looking for something that is a little more custom fit to your mouth, you might consider mouth-formed mouthguards. Acrylic, shell liner mouthguards provide a comfortable and secure fit over your natural teeth. Unfortunately, many users report that this mouthguard can have an unpleasant odor or taste. It can also harden over time and lose its flexibility. Another type of mouth-formed mouthguard, the thermoplastic style, can be customized by heating it in water, then biting it. It will take on the shape of your bite. While these maintain their flexibility, they can feel bulky.
Custom-Made Mouthguards
The best solution, custom-made mouthguards are comfortable, practical, and protective. Your dentist or lab technician creates the custom-made mouthguard after taking impressions of your teeth.
Before you purchase any mouthguard, talk to your dentist. Special mouthguards or mouth protectors are recommended for patients with braces, removable bridges or dentures, a protruding jaw, or a cleft palate.
Sportsguards
Helmets, knee pads, shin guards…if you’re an avid athlete or the parent of one, you know the importance of proper protective gear. But did you know that up to 40 percent of all sports injuries involve the face? Protect your smile and mouth with a comfortable, custom-molded mouthguard to dramatically reduce the risk of sports-related oral injury.
While hockey, boxing, and rugby players would obviously benefit from mouthguards, others, like bicyclists, weightlifters, and gymnasts, made the ADA’s list of athletes who need mouthguards. This may sound excessive, but studies show that 13 to 39 percent of all dental injuries are sports related. Because the face is an important part of a person’s image, self confidence, and sometimes success, it’s better to be safe than…toothless!
Before facemasks and mouthguards were required in football, half of all player injuries occurred in the mouth. During the playing season, players had a 1 in 10 chance of mouth injury. Once high schools and colleges began requiring facemasks and mouthguards, the number of injuries reported dropped by 200,000 per year. Naturally, dentists and the ADA recommend mouthguards for adults and children in any recreational activity that poses the risk of injury to your mouth.
The Under Armour Sports Guard is a custom-made plastic appliance worn to protect the teeth. It is to be used during activities that can damage the teeth, such as hockey, football, swimming, bicycling, etc.
The Under Armour Sports Guard can also help reduce the risk of head, neck and brain injury by absorbing and dispersing some of the shock caused by blows to the chin. Considering that the mouth is the most common area of the body to be injured while participating in sports, the Under Armour Sports Guard should be an essential component in your physical activities.
Please click on the following link for more information about The Under Armour Sports Guard:
Mouthguard Care
Always wear your mouthguard during practice and games. Never chew on it because you may weaken the material and decrease its effectiveness. Holes, tears, and damage to the mouthguard may irritate your gums or soft tissue. If you notice damage, replace your mouthguard immediately.
Before and after each use, check your mouthguard for damage and rinse it with cold water or mouthwash. You should regularly clean your guard with a toothbrush and toothpaste or in a solution of soapy water. Be sure to rinse it well and store it in a firm, perforated container. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight high temperatures.
Most importantly, you should schedule regular dental check-ups, including one right before the playing season starts. When you see your dentist, bring your mouthguard and discuss any problems or concerns you may have.
And of course, if you have any questions or concerns regarding Mouthguards or Sportsguards, give us a call at 720-647-2766 so we can guide you in the right direction!
Periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss. Studies have shown that periodontal disease can be a contributing factor to heart disease. We will examine your gum tissues to ensure that gum disease is detected in its early stages. Because bone loss is a significant consideration in determining the outcome of cosmetic treatment, we take the health of your gum and bone tissues very seriously.
A deep teeth cleaning, also known as Root Planing and Scaling, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar deposits from the surface of a tooth, including the tooth root. During this type of cleaning, the roots of the teeth are scaled, allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the root surface. Typically, the deep teeth cleaning requires two visits and most patients are numb for this procedure.
For many patients regular fluoride treatments can be beneficial. In our office, we use a fluoride varnish to deliver an effective treatment that will remineralize and strengthen weakened areas as well as reduce sensitivity for some patients. Current guidelines indicate that follwing the discovery of any new decay, fluoride treatments should be provided at each cleaning appointment for a period of no less than three years.
If you are a tobacco or smokeless tobacco user, you are in primary danger of developing oral cancer. More than 8,000 deaths were attributed to oral cancer in the past year. We are committed to the prevention of oral cancer through early identification of pre cancerous conditions, and provide oral cancer screenings at each preventive care appointment.
Sealants are a protective coating applied to the biting surfaces of teeth after any staining is removed. The sealant protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are most commonly placed on a child’s permanent posterior teeth (molars) because they are more prone to cavities. They can also be placed on adults’ teeth, but most insurance companies won’t cover them.
Do you ever wonder why some people continue to get cavities despite meticulous oral hygiene whereas others who rarely brush and floss do not? Can a person really be cavity prone?
Cavities are caused by a bacterial imbalance in your mouth, and when dentists drill and fill cavities, they are only treating the result of the infection, not the imbalance itself—and the decay returns. For many, it’s a frustrating, reactive approach to oral health, but not surprising. Until recently, dentists were taught that if you remove bacteria with good oral hygiene, you’ll be free of decay. The problem is that it’s just not that simple.
Break the cycle of decay with CariFree. CariFree elevated pH products neutralize decay-causing acids and fix your decay problem at it’s source. Safe to use every day, our non-abrasive products are highly effective and clinically proven to prevent cavities through remineralization.
We embrace emerging technologies and the growing awareness of the role we play in the overall health of our patients. We no longer remain comfortable with just focusing on the mechanics of repairing teeth – we can and must do more. As a member of The Wellness Dentistry Network we at Governor’s Park Dental Group believe that your oral health is directly related to your overall health and we are committed to your well being and providing the best dental care possible to our patients.