Brushing and Enamel Erosion

So I'm going to tell you something that you may not have ever heard coming from a dentist before: It's possible to brush your teeth too often! Yes, you read that right. We see patients in our office who are overly zealous about brushing their teeth and have actually started to erode their enamel.

Enamel erosion can contribute to gum disease when plaque buildup at the base of the tooth causes the tooth to move away from the gumline. This creates and environment that is prime for the development of gingivitis.

So back to brushing your teeth. I'm not going to tell you it's not important and crucial to your overall dental health. It is! But brushing immediately after a meal, as most of us have been taught since childhood, can damage enamel because saliva produces an acidic substance to help you begin the digestive process when you eat. Ideally, you should brush your teeth about 30 minutes after meals so that the acid has had a chance to neutralize. We encourage our patients to brush thoroughly but gently with soft-bristle brushes or electric toothbrushes instead of scrubbing away with hard bristles - also a practice that can contribute to enamel erosion. Brushing your teeth six or seven times a day can also lead to potential problems down the road. If you think you're brushing too much, talk to your dentist. Practicing good oral hygiene today can prevent costly visits to the gum doctors tomorrow!

A New Perspective on Anxiety

You'd be amazed at how many of our new patients tell us they experience some form of anxiety or fear about visiting the dentist - particularly a practice like ours that specializes in implants and other more "invasive" procedures like bone regeneration and restoration. We get it. We understand that going to the dentist is not something most people look forward to. And we know that dental anxiety is real. But we want to help alleviate that anxiety so our patients can get the treatment that they need without extra stress and tension.

There are a variety of widely accepted coping mechanisms to assist with dental anxiety. These tips and techniques are derived from an understanding of some of the root causes of anxiety and can be implemented at our office at any time. You should never be afraid to speak up and tell your dentist or periodontist that you are uncomfortable or nervous about the procedure so steps can be taken to ensure you have a positive experience.

We understand dental anxiety and fear - and we have a large percentage of patients who experience some degree of nervousness about their appointments and treatments. It's a very common phenomenon and we encourage you to notify us of any concerns when you make your appointment. It's nothing we haven't heard before - and our first priority is you, the patient, and our commitment to making sure you have healthy teeth and gums for years to come!

Periodontal Health and Diabetes

In western culture, most people practice good oral hygiene. We are raised learning to brush our teeth after meals, told to visit our dentists twice per year for cleanings and checkups and learn how to floss at an early age. There are a variety of products on the market (with more surfacing all the time) to improve our oral health and reverse the risk of periodontal disease.

There are a lot of good reasons to practice good oral hygiene and one of the most important is the link between periodontal health and other serious diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These connections are becoming more and more accepted within not only the dental community but the medical community at large with an increasing number of physicians adding questions about dental health and check ups to their new patient paperwork.

At Periodontal Associates, we spend a significant amount of time educating our patients on how gum health can impact overall health and wellness. We encourage you to peruse our website to learn more about gum disease and steps you can take to prevent and correct it. It is one of the most important steps you can take to maintain good health!

The Wellness Hour: Dental Implants

Most people don't think about periodontists as being TV stars, but we've found that one of the most effective ways for us to educate the public about gum disease and periodontal procedures is through our Dental Videos. These videos are short, simple, to the point and very informative about how our practice operates. We are very fortunate to be featured on The Wellness Hour to discuss our procedures and what periodontics involves. We invite you to watch these informative videos to learn more about Periodontal Associates! You might even be inspired to create your own video to talk about your new implants like Dr. Heller's patients, Bob and Mary Jean!

Another kind of recession: Your gumline

Well, we are deep in the thick of tax season once again (where does the time go?) and for many Americans, finances continue to be of the utmost concern due to the seemingly relentless economic recession. For many of us, a shrinking economy and rising gas and food prices are key factors in how we are budgeting our finances. But there is another type of recession we need to be concerned about - one that impacts our overall health and well-being. I'm talking about receding gums, which is often one of the first noticeable symptoms of periodontal disease.

Here at Periodontal Associates, we see a lot of patients who are exhibiting the seven warning signs of gum disease and aren't even aware that these signs are not a normal part of the aging process or overly-enthusiastic brushing and flossing. They are often astonished to learn that they have gum disease and that it can severely compromise overall physical, mental and emotional health. Many patients find themselves facing costly restorative procedures that may have been preventable if their gum disease was properly evaluated and treated at an early stage.

At Periodontal Associates, we are in the position of patient education. Our website is a comprehensive information resource that includes self-assessment tools, visual guides, and how periodontists treat gum disease. We encourage you to browse our website to begin evaluating your symptoms. If you have any signs of gum disease, please contact us right away so we can begin treatment immediately. In this day and age, one recession you can gain control of is the recession of your gumline.

3 Great Reasons to Become a Patient of Dr. Versman and Dr. Heller

3 Great Reasons to Become a Patient of Dr. Versman and Dr. Heller

1.       On your very first visit to our office you will feel a very warm welcome. We think of our patients as a friend and want to help you obtain optimal health through an individualized approach to treatment.  Trust is our number one priority and we will work hard to maintain it. Our trained and experienced staff offers a private consultation to review your needs. We have many years of experience in periodontics and dental implants.

2.       You will feel at ease with what the doctors are recommending for treatment because of their extensive background.

Dr. Versman:

·         One of a few Board- Certified Periodontists in the Denver area.

·         Served a five-year term in the Colorado State Board of Dentistry by appointment of Governor Romer.

·         Past President of the Colorado Dental Association.

·         Past professor at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry.

·         Trustee to the American Dental Association representing Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Hawaii.

Dr. Heller:

·         Current Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry.

·         Past President of the Rocky Mountain Periodontal Society.

·         Present of the North American Society of Periodontists.

·         Past president of the Aurora Dental Society.

·         Fellow member of the American College of Dentists.

·         Chairman of Peer Review Committee, MDDS.

·         Fellow member of the International College of Dentists.

·         Has been practicing Periodontics in Aurora since 1991.

3.       We understand how important it is to you to maintain the health of your mouth.  Periodontal treatment is your first step towards restoring your mouth and teeth to keep them for a lifetime.  Periodontal therapy will also help to improve:

·         Systemic Health

·         Appearance

·         Chewing

·         Elimination of Bad odors and tastes

·         Increased self-esteem and happiness

Our goal is quality in comfort, service and dental care. It’s a goal to which we are committed and a standard which our patients have come to expect. Feel free to call our office in the Denver/ Aurora Colorado area at (303)755-4500, or check out our website at www.periodontalhealth.com.

The New Vice President of the American Dental Association

Dr. Ken Versman was recently elected Second Vice President of the American Dental Association, after serving a four year term as the ADA Trustee for the states of Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Dr. Versman received his dental degree from the University of Illinois and his certificate and masters degree in periodontology from the University of Iowa.  He is currently in full time private practice in the Denver, Colorado area.

He was president of the Colorado Dental Association and has served on the Colorado State Board of Dental Examiners.  For the ADA, he chaired the Joint Committee on International Accreditation, the ADA Diversity Committee and the Future of ADABEI Committee. 

Dr. Versman was in the first fellowship class of the Academy of Osseointegration.  He also has served the Academy in the past by being on the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Education Committee, the ADHOC Reach Out Program Committee, as well as chairing the Lunch for Learning Committee and the Annual Session Table Clinic Committee.

Dr. Versman is also a diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology, and a fellow in the International and American Colleges of Dentistry and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.  He is married to his wife, Linda, for 37 years and they have 2 daughters.