Dental Checkup & Routine Dental Care

Durango, CO

If you have not been to the dentist in a while, we invite you to schedule your dental checkup with Durango Dentistry. At our Durango dental office, we treat patients of all ages, focusing on improving the health and appearance of our patients' smiles. We understand that not everyone is excited about dental care. We also understand that due to busy schedules, a lack of insurance, or general forgetfulness, people do not visit the dentist with any regularity. If that is you, do not worry; you are not alone. According to USA Today, 34 percent of Americans do not visit the dentist on an annual basis. While this is a large group of people, not having a dental checkup can place you at risk for a variety of health issues. We encourage you to take an hour out of your day for the benefit of your oral health and your future quality of life. To get started, all you need to do is call (970) 259-1646 and schedule an appointment. Our friendly staff will not judge you for your lack of prior dental care but will be happy to get you up to speed again.

You should not book a dental check-up only when there is an oral issue that requires treatment. Many people believe that brushing their teeth and flossing should be enough to keep their teeth in good condition. However, simply brushing your teeth is not enough to keep your teeth free of debris that may cause issues like cavities or gum disease. The biannual appointment with a dentist is an effective preventive measure against dental problems, but the benefits are much more than that.

Routine Dental Care

At Durango Dentistry, we practice routine dental care in addition to performing restorations and addressing any other complex dental issues that you may have. In our Durango dental office, we have found that by taking care of your teeth and planning for routine visits, you can prevent many common oral health problems like cavities, tooth infections, and gum disease. If you want to keep your adult teeth intact, it is critical that you continue to receive routine dental care, regardless of how old you are. Many adults skip their annual dental visit because they associate the need with children and the elderly. As a dentist, we know that the reason many adults lose teeth and have oral health problems with age is because they don't have preventative care visits in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. You only have one set of teeth and we recommend that you do what you can to take care of them now, while you still can. If you haven't visited the dentist in a while, we invite you to call (970) 259-1646 and schedule an appointment for your dental exam.

Age Groups

We treat adults, children, and seniors at Durango Dentistry. Each age group requires a different approach due to dental needs and oral health changing with time. For example, with children the goal is to keep them comfortable and relaxed so that they will enjoy visiting our dentist office and be willing to come back. With children, we go as slowly as necessary to ensure that their appointments are pleasant. Additionally, we focus on keeping their teeth healthy and free from cavities. This often involves additional treatments to strengthen and protect their teeth as preventative measures. We know that it is far easier to keep a child's teeth healthy and free from cavities than to try and get them comfortable with a major dental treatment. If you have children, call (970) 259-1646 to schedule an appointment so that they can stay in good oral health as they grow.

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In adults, we also focus on keeping teeth healthy with preventative care but end up treating a large number of patients that have damaged their teeth and need restorative solutions. With a full set of adult teeth, there are no replacements coming in. If a tooth has become damaged, we can restore it in a way that looks and feels completely natural. It is much easier for the tooth to become cracked or chipped than people think, so we regularly get calls from patients throughout Durango needing an emergency appointment in order to correct the damage. We try to accommodate last minute appointments as much as possible.

Seniors, on the other hand, often struggle with gum disease and oral infections. As people age, their teeth can become weaker and infected more easily. Bone loss is incredibly common with seniors and by conducting regular dental exams, the team at Durango Dentistry can help seniors to have strong teeth and reduce the risk of them falling out. Since over seventy percent of U.S. adults suffer from tooth loss, preventative care is important.

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Why You Need a Dental Checkup

There is a direct link between visiting the dentist and keeping your natural teeth. If you want to ensure that you have a full mouth of healthy teeth, then visit the dentist. Gallup Poll released a study in 2014 finding that the states with the highest percentage of dental visits also had the lowest percentage of adult tooth loss. For example, in Connecticut, 74 percent of adults visited the dentist in the past year, and their rate of adult tooth loss was only 9 percent. On the other hand, only 57 percent of adults in West Virginia visited the dentist in the past year, and 37 percent of adults have complete tooth loss. The correlation is clear and should prompt you to give us a call. If you do lose your teeth, we can help by providing you with replacements in the form of dental implants, bridges, or dentures. Still, there is no need for you to experience significant tooth loss when you visit our office regularly for preventative care. Saving your teeth, after all, is less time-consuming and less expensive.

The following are some of the reasons to visit the dentist regularly for a check-up:

Early detection of dental issues

It is easier to manage and treat oral diseases in their early stages and prevent additional damages. Cases of heart diseases and other health conditions have been linked to oral disease, so visiting the dentist regularly can help keep things in check.

When oral diseases are discovered early before they worsen, they are easier to treat, requiring less expensive and minimally invasive procedures. When patients visit the dental office regularly, they can save themselves the pain and cost of undergoing complex treatment for serious oral health issues.

Dentists will also screen patients for signs of oral cancer, including head or neck cancer. They will feel the head and neck for lumps. They will also examine the oral cavity for signs like sores and red or white patches. The screening may show nothing abnormal, but if it does, it can be life-saving.

Learn more about oral health

During dental visits, dentists will teach patients how to brush and floss their teeth correctly to prevent plaque accumulation that causes oral issues. Certain foods are detrimental to the teeth and gums. Patients will also learn what to eat and what to avoid to keep the teeth and gums healthy.

Cosmetic reasons

The smile makes up an important part of everyone’s appearance. Issues with teeth may cause a loss of confidence in some people. Cosmetic issues like teeth discoloration are often due to agents like medications, plaques, tartar, coffee, tobacco, or wine. Dentists can perform a professional dental cleaning to restore the teeth’ appearance.

Prevent tooth loss

Dental issues like infection and gum disease can lead to tooth loss if not treated on time. If the dentist discovers such issues during an appointment, they will provide treatment immediately to preserve the natural teeth.

Stop bad breath

For patients dealing with persistent bad breath, a dentist's visit for a dental check-up can help track the origin of the issue. A bad smell is often the result of food debris accumulated in crevices or hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity. During the visit, the dentist will perform a thorough cleaning to restore fresh breath.

Another reason to schedule a dental check-up is to make sure that you don't experience a toothache or infection. We treat patients throughout the Durango area and find that toothache can create enough discomfort to cause people to miss work. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 164 million work hours are lost each and every year due to dental-related health issues. If you have a busy schedule and feel you do not have time for the dentist, you definitely need to schedule a dental checkup. Failing to do so could result in a more serious health condition forming and the need to take time off of work. After all, without preventative dental care, you are at a greater risk for tooth decay, infection, and gum disease.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait for Dental Care

While we understand that many people wait to seek dental care due to anxiety, time, or finances, we do not recommend it. Instead, we suggest that you schedule a dental exam at least once every six months, even if you are not experiencing any discomfort. Doing so will allow us to remove any plaque or bacteria that is on your teeth, ensure that you do not have any cavities that are forming, and prevent you from experiencing gum disease. Our goal is to treat you before you have any health issues, and a dental checkup allows us to do so. We welcome you to come in so that we can protect and improve your oral health.

The Benefits of Coming in Now

At Durango Dentistry, we want you to visit our dentist's office at the first sign of discomfort. If you have a slight toothache or irritation in your gums, you can schedule a dental exam. If there is a problem, we can correct it immediately, rather than allowing it to grow and spread. In many cases, we can help you avoid experiencing any significant discomfort by simply removing the decayed area while it is still small. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a dental emergency as an untreated cavity spreads. Fortunately, we make it easy to schedule a dental checkup with our Durango dentist's office. All you need to do is call (970) 259-1646 to schedule an appointment. We will work within your schedule to ensure that you receive the care you need when you need it.

What procedures should I schedule as part of my routine dental care?

When you visit our Durango, CO office for routine dental care, we will do several things. First, we will examine your teeth with a visual inspection. We will look at every single tooth to determine if you have any tooth decay. We will also look at your gums to see if there are signs of gum disease and take images of your mouth to see if you have any infections that are not visible to the naked eye. If we identify anything, we will discuss a treatment plan with you. Otherwise, we will proceed with cleaning your teeth and gums. Depending on your age, we will also recommend specific procedures that can prevent future cavities. For example, we often recommend fluoride as part of routine dental care. Fluoride is a mineral that, when placed on the teeth can strengthen them and reduce the risk of getting cavities by 30 percent. If you tend to get cavities or live in an area that does not have city water, this simple procedure can help you to stay healthy. As a bonus, getting a fluoride treatment is painless and fast.

In children, we often recommend dental sealant as well since sealant can be placed onto teeth with deep ridges and work as a barrier, preventing plaque and bacteria from becoming trapped and causing cavities. In adults, this is not a common procedure, however, if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity there are preventative steps we can take so that it doesn't become worse. Tooth sensitivity normally occurs due to a loss of enamel. This leaves the dentin underneath exposed and susceptible to irritation when you eat or drink. We can perform a bonding procedure to protect the dentin. In order to do so, we will apply a tooth-colored material to the surface of your teeth, shape it, and harden it using a special light. Once done, you will have a natural-looking outer layer that replaces your lost enamel and reduces or eliminates any sensitivity that you may be feeling. This is one procedure that can be easily performed during routine dental care and will often prevent the need for crowns in the future. To learn more about bonding, we invite you to call (970) 259-1646 and schedule an appointment with our Durango dental office.

How often should I visit the dentist?

Many of our patients ask how frequently they need to visit our office for routine dental care. This is an understandable question because most people associate going to the doctor or dentist with visits to stop discomfort or a perceived health issue. Visiting the dentist is a little different. We want to see you when you aren't experiencing any problems so that we can keep it that way. Typically, when plaque and bacteria forms on the teeth, you won't see an immediate problem but if it is left there, you can develop cavities and gum disease. Even small cavities won't always cause immediate discomfort, making it difficult to judge the condition of your mouth at home. This is why you should visit our office twice a year. We can examine your teeth, identify issues while they are small, and treat them immediately. Our team will also clean your teeth at this time so that gum disease and infections can be prevented entirely. If you are a diabetic, you may need to visit our office three or four times per year, depending on how often you have a diabetic episode. This is because uncontrolled blood sugar inhibits the white blood cells ability to fight off infection, including the bacteria in your mouth. At Durango Dentistry, we can treat diabetic patients, while also coordinating your care with your medical physician as necessary. If you are otherwise healthy and not in any discomfort, we recommend that you have a dental exam and teeth cleaning at least once per year.

Does everyone need to visit the dentist?

Yes. At Durango Dentistry, we recommend that everyone visit the dentist at least once per year, regardless of age. Even toddlers need to see the dentist and so do seniors, even ones that wear dentures. This is because everyone is susceptible to getting cavities and gum disease. For example, baby bottle tooth decay can impact two-year-olds that are prone to taking a bottle or juice to bed. Simultaneously, even seniors that struggle with full tooth loss need to visit the dentist to ensure that there are no issues with their gums and that their dentures still fit properly. Tooth loss leads to resorption so the jawbone will change, and this can lead to ill-fitting and uncomfortable dentures. With that in mind, regardless of how old you are or what your situation is – you should visit the dentist for routine dental care.

What steps should I take at home?

Routine dental care must also include good oral hygiene at home. At Durango Dentistry, we recommend that you brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush for two minutes at a time, twice per day. You should purchase a new toothbrush every three months, brush with a fluoride toothpaste, and make a circular motion as you do. Follow this up with flossing once a day, drinking water, and avoiding foods that are high in sugar or acid. This will help your teeth to remain strong and healthy in between dental visits.

Preventative Dental Care

At Durango Dentistry, we provide preventative dental care for patients throughout the Durango area and invite you to schedule a dental exam today. We know that if you have your teeth cleaned on a regular basis, you can decrease your risk of getting cavities or experiencing gum disease. Overall, taking the time to have your teeth cleaned can prevent general discomfort and even tooth loss. If you haven't been to the dentist in a while, now is the time to schedule an exam so that you can prevent many common oral health issues that can negative impact your quality of life. We provide preventative dental care and will ensure that your appointment is a positive one and that you remain comfortable during your dental exam and treatments.

The Facts

We practice preventative dental care and are regularly asked why it is so important. Virtually everyone is at risk for tooth decay. Tooth decay is so common that it is the number one infectious disease among children in the United States. Additionally, according to the NIH, 92 percent of adults ages 20 to 64, have had a cavity. With odds like these, the reason for having your teeth cleaned become fairly clear. Simultaneously, we know that there is a direct link between visiting the dentist regularly and maintaining your adult teeth as you age. A Gallup study found that in states like Connecticut, where 74 percent of the adult population visits the dentist regularly, complete adult tooth loss is very low – 10 percent. However, in states where people don't visit the dentist regularly, like West Virginia, complete tooth loss is incredibly high (up to 37 percent). The facts paint a bleak picture for those that don't visit the dentist on a regular basis. However, the good news is that you can prevent cavities and tooth loss by simply scheduling preventative dental care appointments. To get started call our office at (970) 259-1646. Our friendly team will be happy to schedule an appointment for a time that works with your job and family schedule so that you can receive the care that you need.

It’s Your Time

According to the Center for Disease Control, around 164 million work hours are missed every single year due to dental issues. If you don't have time for the dentist, this should be cause for concern. Not taking an hour to have your teeth cleaned can cause you to become part of that statistic. If you have a demanding job or a busy life with the kids, you don't have time to be preoccupied with a dental emergency or severe toothache. The only way to prevent one, however, is to brush and floss at home and to visit our office for preventative dental care. A regular dental exam and teeth cleaning takes an hour or less so you can complete it on your lunch break. At Durango Dentistry, we will work within your schedule, making it easy to schedule a dental appointment. We encourage you to take the time now so that you don't have to spend more time dealing with an emergency later on.

Preventative Dental Care Can Save You Money

In addition to helping you avoid a nasty toothache and saving you time, preventative dental care can also save you money. At Durango Dentistry, we can treat your tooth decay or infected tooth, regardless of how minor or severe the problem is. We prefer, however, to identify the problem quickly and before it has the chance to spread and cause you a great deal of discomfort. It is also important to note that if you have a small cavity, all that you will likely need is for the decayed portion to be removed. A filling can then restore the missing tooth structure. While the cost of every procedure depends on the extent of the work being done, a good rule of thumb is that a filling will cost around a third of what a crown will cost. If you are looking to save money, catching a cavity early, when all that's needed is a filling, will provide a significant savings. Unfortunately, those that do not receive regular dental care often wait until the discomfort is so severe that they can't stand it any longer. By this point, the decay or infection is likely to be so severe that a crown will be necessary. Given the higher cost, you could have three fillings for the price of one crown. Therefore, preventative dental care makes financial sense.

Deep Cleaning Can Prevent Tooth Loss

Another way that preventative dental care can save you money is in the realm of tooth loss. A leading causes of tooth loss among adults is gum disease. If plaque and bacteria are left on your gums and teeth, it can become trapped underneath the gum tissue. This can cause them to swell and bleed. During regular dental appointments, we can identify early signs of gum disease and perform a deep cleaning if necessary. Once the plaque and bacteria have been removed, your gums should return to good health. However, if gum disease is left untreated, your gums can start to recede, and pockets can be created in the gum tissue. This will expose your teeth to attack, bone, and tooth loss. At that point, you will be forced to either live with a missing tooth or replace it using dentures, a dental bridge or a dental implant. All of these solutions are effective and can restore your smile. They will, however, cost you significantly more money than what you would spend on a simple teeth cleaning and dental exam. The cost comparison is truly no comparison at all. If you are budget conscious, having your teeth regularly cleaned should, therefore, be a top priority. At Durango Dentistry, we can work with you to create a plan for preventative dental care and address any current health issues that you have so that your dental work is affordable. If you live in the Durango area, don't delay in scheduling your dental exam. Call (970) 259-1646 today.