February Dental Month

Are your Two & Four-legged Kids Brushing?

February is a month filled with many holidays such as President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day, Mardi Gras, and many others.  However, February is also a great month in dentistry!  February celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month as well as National Pet Dental Health Month.  Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman do not practice dentistry on pets, but this is still something to celebrate and bring awareness to.  Let us explore how these two topics bring better dental health to the whole family.

During February, The American Dental Association, Denver Dental Association, Periodontal Associates and other dental offices in Denver and nationally rally together during this month to raise awareness among families about the importance good oral health habits in children.

Dental awareness specifically for kids originally began in Cleveland, Ohio in 1941. Then the American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day on Feb. 8, 1949. This single day observance became a week-long event in 1955, and in 1981 the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

 

Local dental societies take great pride in celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month during the month of February.  Dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants throughout Colorado volunteer their time and expertise to conduct oral health screenings and provide educational programs in schools and for community organizations.  In fact, Dr. Eric Beckman worked an entire day giving free exams to children and checked not only for cavities, but for early signs of periodontal problems.  Dr. Beckman was a part of Give Kids a Smile.  This is a campaign that has been running for the past 9 years.  This event was held in Denver, CO on February 3^rd this year.  Dentists like Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman, as well as general dentists, come together to provide free dental care for thousands of children every year.  Give Kids a Smile focuses on providing dental education and services to not just families without dental insurance but focuses on low income families.  

Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman hope to raise awareness about the epidemic of untreated dental disease occurring in Aurora, Denver, and across Colorado and across the country.  Low income families and children are more at risk for dental disease as access to dental clinics is limited for families when they are unable to afford proper transportation or a day off of work.  Not only do financially strained families have difficulty seeing a dental professional, but the education about proper home oral care is lacking.  The average person in Colorado only brushes their teeth for thirty seconds which is less than the recommended two minutes twice daily.

Periodontal Associates is a kid friendly periodontal office.  Although we do dental implants on adults, many kids seek out Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman to deal with receding gums, especially when going through orthodontic care.  Chronic gingivitis is common in children. Gingivitis is when gum tissue swells, turns red and bleeds easily. More aggressive periodontitis is seen in teenagers, but nevertheless, gum disease does occur in children. 

 

Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman do suggest parents to establish proper oral hygiene habits in their children as early as one year old.  Also, it is important for parents to be a good role model for their children to follow, making brushing and flossing more exciting and not a chore.  Lastly, be sure to schedule regular visits to Periodontal Associates for periodontal exams and cleanings.

February is Children’s Dental Health month and to some families, their pets are their children so it is fitting that February is also Pet Dental Health month.  Dogs and cats can have gum disease?  Yes, many pets suffer from gum disease and tooth decay just like us.  According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 85 percent of dogs and cats show signs of oral disease by age four.  Dr. Ken Versman and Dr. Doug Heller both have dogs, and just as they come to Periodontal Associates for their bi-annual cleanings, their pooches also visit their local veterinarian for deep cleanings.  Just like with humans, food particles and bacteria build up in the dogs’ mouths, forming plaque and tartar, which leads to inflamed gums.  With a lack of oral hygiene, periodontal disease can progress into an irreversible condition causing decay, bleeding gums, bad breath, and tooth loss.  This is the same for both humans and dogs, but most people do not realize when their pet is dealing with gum disease until a tooth becomes stuck in their favorite squeaky toy.   Unfortunately, Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman can provide you with dental implants, but your pup would be left with a gummy smile.  The image of a smiling, gummy mouthed dog might be cute, but severe gum disease can lead to infections, sometimes serious enough to cause organ damage or even death.   

Cats also suffer from dental problems.  One significant concern for cats includes tooth resorption. Dental resorption is when the body cells destruct part of a tooth.  It is unknown if this is a result from periodontal disease or an autoimmune disease so it is important to keep your pet on regular oral hygiene maintenance as well as up to date on check-ups.  Whenever these cavity-like defects occur in pets’ teeth, it can become very painful if left untreated.  In most cases, extracting these teeth is best for your furry friend.   However, without proper regular hygiene maintenance dental disease like this and severe periodontal disease can lead to full mouth extractions for your kitty. Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman do not treat cats, but the education they give to their patients is still applicable to their pets, too!

There are many commonalities between oral health for both two-legged and four-legged children.  With each category, good early habits are important in making dental care both fun and tolerable in kids and pets.  Regular cleanings, at home and dental offices, and exams by dentists like Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman or veterinarians are the only ways to prevent gum disease and maintain a beautiful healthy smile.  

Although, Periodontal Associates cannot answer all of your questions regarding your pet’s health, we strongly urge you to call our office at (303) 755-4500  or click here with any questions and to set up your next exam or cleaning.  Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman are specialists in treating gum disease for both you and your child.  To learn more, please visit our website at www.periodontalhealth.com. 

5 Surprising Secrets to a Great Smile

This weekend I came across a great article in the Denver Post, Parade section, highlighting foods that may help keep your gums healthy. Thought we would share it with our patients at Periodontal Associates and with you too!

 

Want a Hollywood-perfect Grin? Fill up on these foods.

Healthy gums are the foundation of a dazzling smile. And while brushing and flossing are key, new research shows that eating these five foods can also help keep your gums in the pink. 

1. Salmon:  This fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation all over the body, including the gums. A study found that people who ate the most omega-3's slashed their risk of gingivitis by up to 20 percent. 
2.  Strawberries: They're bursting with vitamin C, which builds collagen, an important component of healthy gum tissue. In fact, people who consume less than 60 milligrams of C each day [the amount in six large strawberries] are 150 percent more likely to develop gingivitis. But stay away from fizzy vitamin supplement drinks; they have been shown to erode tooth enamel.
3. Whole-grain bread: Whole grains contain iron and B vitamins - nutrients essential to gum health. One large study found that eating three servings daily reduced the risk of gum disease by 23 percent. Barley, oatmeal and brown rice count too. 
4. Green tea: Hot or iced, this brew is brimming with antioxidants that kill the bacteria that lead to gingivitis. Bonus: The beverage also wipes out the germs that cause bad breath. 
5. Pistachios: These nuts are rich in the antioxidant CoQ10, shown to fight gum inflammation. If you already have gingivitis, ask your dentist or doctor whether you could benefit from a CoQ10 supplement.

  By Nancy Kalish, Parade supplement Denver Post, July 24, 2011

 

Caring for your teeth and gums...Denver and Beyond

While Vacationing...Gum Disease could be your Unwanted Guest

As the days grow longer and Summer draws closer, thoughts may be turning towards summer vacation plans away from Denver. Whether your idea of the perfect summer vacation includes camping in the mountains, a beach-side cottage by the ocean or lake, or a cross-country trek visiting family and friends along the way -- know that gum disease risk factors are tagging along for the ride.

Gum disease just might be one of the sneakiest diseases taunting Americans worldwide. That’s because it starts in the background without any symptoms to warn you of it's arrival. The disease begins with plaque build up on the surface of your teeth that results in tiny pockets along the gum line.
These pockets then serve as the perfect habitat for the bacteria that causes gum disease. Perhaps the most amazing part is the speed in which this all takes place. Within a two week time span the bacteria in your mouth can more than double if you're neglecting your oral care.
As you prepare for that fun filled vacation, be sure to follow these tips to ensure your gums are just as healthy at the end of your trip as they were when you left:

• Store your toothbrushes in travel containers that have holes for proper air circulation. This airflow will allow the brush to thoroughly dry and discourage the growth of bacteria.
• Store toothbrushes separately to prevent the spread of bacteria from one brush to another
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect the travel containers before and after your trip
• Regularly disinfect your toothbrush while on vacation or at home by washing it in the dishwasher, storing it in the fridge or placing it in a cup of mouthwash
• When traveling abroad brush with bottled water 
• Keep your toothbrush 2-5 feet from the sink and toilet to avoid water contamination
• Always pack extra oral care supplies in case you can’t readily purchase them
• If you don’t have toothpaste, brush with water to remove food and bacteria. Brushing with water alone is better than not brushing at all.
• If you forget your toothbrush and are unable to purchase a new one, wrap a washcloth around your fingertip and rub along teeth surfaces. Finish with  floss and rinse with mouthwash if available. 
• Don’t share a toothbrush! Oral bacteria can be passed from one mouth to another via the brush.

There’s no excuse for letting your oral health decline while on vacation. Stay on top of your oral routine and monitor your mouth closely. If you notice signs of gum disease or any unusual changes you are unsure about contact your dental practitioner right away.

If you're dealing with or suspect gum disease, Dr. Versman and Dr. Heller, Periodontists in Aurora Colorado, treat gum disease patients in the Denver metro area. Call Periodontal Associates at 303-755-4500 or visit us on the web at www.periodontalhealth.com.