How Often Should a Senior Citizen Go to the Dentist?

Learn what the American Dental Association's answer is to the question: "How Often Should a Senior Citizen Go to the Dentist?".

 

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry   
Erik Hekkert, DDS   
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G   
Castle Rock, CO 80104   
(720) 733-1210   
CastleRockDentistry.com

Dental Intra Oral Camera

Working Together Through Modern Technology
Dr. Hekkert believes he provides the best dentistry to his patients when he works together with them. Through the use of the intra-oral camera, you can see for yourself with a close-up and clear picture of your teeth. It lets you be part of the decision-making process to determine what work needs to be done. You will be pleased to take part in shaping your dental health.

Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry   
Erik Hekkert, DDS   
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G   
Castle Rock, CO 80104   
(720) 733-1210   
CastleRockDentistry.com

Diabetes and Your Mouth # 1 : 4 Signs You May Have a Problem

Diabetes puts you at risk for dental problems. It impairs the ability to fight bacteria in your mouth. Having high blood sugar encourages bacteria to grow and contributes to gum disease. You may have gum disease if you have:

• Gums that are red, sore, bleeding, or swollen, or that pull away from your teeth
• Loose teeth
• Chronic bad breath
• An irregular bite or dentures that don't fit well

The above article is from: WebMD.com

Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry   
Erik Hekkert, DDS   
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G   
Castle Rock, CO 80104   
(720) 733-1210   
CastleRockDentistry.com

Children's Dentistry

Your Child's Dentist Plays an Important Role in Maintaining Their Health

Children's teeth are quite prone to cavities. There are various reasons for this susceptibility. They often eat throughout the day, exposing their teeth to acid more frequently. They do not always brush properly, also increasing acid exposure and leading to decay. 

We recommend that parents oversee their children's daily hygiene for the prevention of cavities to their permanent teeth. Additionally, providing healthier food choices and one application of a dental sealant will greatly reduce the chances of cavities developing.

Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry   
Erik Hekkert, DDS   
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G   
Castle Rock, CO 80104   
(720) 733-1210   
CastleRockDentistry.com

Dental Degital X-rays

No Waiting Time with Digital X-rays

We use digital technology to produce X-ray images. For patients, this means 75% less radiation emitted and no waiting time for image development. Chemicals are not used in the process, so there is no harm to the environment. By just placing a digital sensor in your mouth, we immediately have available a complete image of both your upper and lower teeth.

Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry   
Erik Hekkert, DDS   
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G   
Castle Rock, CO 80104   
(720) 733-1210   
CastleRockDentistry.com

Migraine Headache Dental Treatment

An Alternative in Headache Treatment

We are pleased to provide our patients with a different approach to preventing migraine and tension headaches. The FDA-approved NTI™ device is an oral appliance that relaxes the muscles under the scalp to relieve most headaches. Clinical testing revealed that over three-quarters of headache sufferers had a 77% reduction in occurrences. This drug-free alternative is easy to use, works quickly, and is inexpensive. Be sure to let us help, if you or a loved one suffer from headaches.

Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry   
Erik Hekkert, DDS   
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G   
Castle Rock, CO 80104   
(720) 733-1210   
CastleRockDentistry.com

Scaling And Root Planing: Professional Plaque Removal

Perhaps you’ve been neglecting a good oral health routine. Or, you’ve done your best, but you’ve developed plaque and tartar buildup. A regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is an important part of regular plaque removal for everyone. But if you have risk factors that have caused a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums to harden into tartar, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest scaling or root planing your teeth to remove the buildup. If left untreated, severe tartar buildup along and under the gum line can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which may increase the risk of gum disease.

Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal.

Here’s what to expect if your dentist or dental hygienist recommends these techniques:

• You won’t feel it. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area.
• Scaling: Your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the areas both above and below the gum line.
• Root Planing: Your dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface for gums to reattach to the teeth.

After a scaling and root planing procedure, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and maintain an oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. If your gums are sensitive after the procedure, try a spongy floss, such as Oral-BÆ Ultra FlossÆ, to help prevent painful flossing.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry   
Erik Hekkert, DDS   
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G   
Castle Rock, CO 80104   
(720) 733-1210   
CastleRockDentistry.com

Preventive Dental Care

Gum Disease and Tooth Loss
Gum disease is the number one reason for tooth loss. It can sometimes go completely unnoticed until the infection is at a severe stage. Specific signs are bleeding gums from brushing and flossing or loose teeth. It is important that you come in for treatment at the very first sign of an infection. Nonsurgical treatment can be very successful at reversing this problem in the earlier stages. If you wait until the problem is chronic, surgery may be your only option.

Gum Disease Can Mean More Than Losing Your Teeth
A link between gum disease and serious health conditions has been identified. Heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are afflictions that can arise or worsen in the presence of gum infection. The bacteria in the gums travel throughout the body in the bloodstream, affecting major organs. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that "studies found periodontal infections may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases."

Dentists now consider gum disease as a more serious matter than tooth loss. Of even more concern, the American Dental Association has estimated that nearly 80% of Americans have gum (periodontal) disease at some stage. This is an epidemic percentage! It is important to have regular check-ups to identify such a problem at its earliest stage to maintain overall good health.

Taking Care of the Problem
Is gum surgery the only way to treat periodontal disease? Surgery is almost always successful to reverse the problem, but if treatment is given in the early stages of the infection, nonsurgical methods work very well. With better daily hygiene, the condition is stopped, letting the gums return to a healthy state. Both approaches are generally provided for by most dental plans.

What Can Happen if You Lose a Tooth
Losing just one tooth can cause a variety of other problems. Your chewing isn't as effective as it should be. You won't absorb as many nutrients from your food. With more teeth missing, you may start eating softer, higher-calorie foods, which can add unwanted weight. Your face eventually takes on a hollow look, as the lack of teeth causes bone loss in the jaw. Your speech may sometimes be embarrassing as you slur certain words.

Dental implants are the best solution to regain a full smile and return your confidence. They function just like real teeth and look very natural as they come up through the gums. No one will be able to tell they are not your own teeth – not even a dentist!

Defeating Gum Disease the Easy Way
Dr. Hekkert uses a very effective and painless approach in defeating gum disease. It's an antibiotic called ARESTIN™ that works directly at the site of the infection. It is a powder applied into the spaces between gums and teeth. It contains invisible microspheres that are time-released to be most effective in halting the condition.


New Laser Treatment for Good Health
We are excited to make known that our hygienist now uses a laser for bacterial reduction therapy. What does this mean for you? This dental laser kills the bacteria that infect the gums. It prevents other contamination within your mouth and keeps the infection from traveling throughout your bloodstream.

Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry   
Erik Hekkert, DDS   
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G   
Castle Rock, CO 80104   
(720) 733-1210   
CastleRockDentistry.com