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The Difference between Plaque & Tartar from the Dentist Aurora Families Trust

November 13, 2015

Woman chatting on phone and brushing teeth in a towel needs to visit the dentist aurora trustsAlmost every oral health issue starts with plaque or tartar buildup. More than 50% of US adults experience some level of gum disease which is the number one cause of tooth loss, and periodontal disease occurs due to soft tissue irritation caused by plaque and tartar build up. Tooth decay causes cavities, root canal infection, and tooth loss, and begins when acidic plaque and tartar breakdown tooth enamel. Regular preventive dental care from D’Amico & Mauck, DDS in Aurora and thorough at-home oral hygiene are the first lines of defense against these destructive bacteria.
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Achieve Better General Health when you Take Care of your Oral Health at the Aurora Family Dentist

August 12, 2015

diagram of the human body

Have you ever noticed how one ailment can make the rest of your body feel less than its best? For example, when you have a headache, you may feel lethargic and other parts of your body may ache and then you become irritable and then you can’t get your work done and then… well, you get the picture. Your headache seems to spread throughout your body. The same holds true when your oral health is compromised. In particular, your periodontal health plays a critical role in your overall health. For this reason, the Denver general dentistry practice of D’Amico & Mauk spends time at each dental exam assessing the health of your periodontal, or gum, tissue.
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A Fantastic Aurora Family Dentist

June 29, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-512518103If you dedicate countless hours every week driving your kids to practices, meetings, and to hang out with friends, you probably don’t have a lot of spare time. In Aurora, CO, Dr.s Nicholas D’Amico and Matt Mauck can help you save some drive time by caring for the oral health of your entire family. Except for a few extraordinary cases, children don’t need to see a pediatric dentist. Your family dentists Dr.s D’Amico and Mauck are well equipped to meet the dental care needs of your whole family. We can even schedule a block of time in advance for your whole family to receive their checkups and cleanings. Whether you’re interested in pediatric or geriatric dental care, call D’Amico & Mauck to schedule an appointment today. (more…)

Periodontal Disease and Your Overall Health: What’s the Connection?

February 9, 2015

487692979As your trusted Aurora, COfamily dentists, Dr. Nicholas D’Amico and Dr. Matt Mauck want to be sure that you have all of the tools and information you need to keep your smile looking and feeling its best for life. That’s why we’d like to take the time today to talk about a little-known relationship between the health of your gums and the rest of your body; it’s called the oral systemic link, or the mouth-body connection.

Exploring the Systemic Link

When the bacteria that cause periodontal disease enter the bloodstream, they can spread to other areas of the body and cause potentially life-threatening illnesses and conditions. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Coronary artery disease
  • Stroke
  • Cancer of the pancreas, kidney, and blood
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Respiratory infections, including pneumonia
  • Preterm birth and low birth-weight in babies whose mothers have gum disease
  • Dementia

Another interesting correlation was discovered recently in a Scandinavian study that examined the link between athletes and oral health. It turns out that athletes, particularly runners, tend to suffer from more instances of tooth decay and periodontal disease than non-athletes. This is due to a variety of factors, one of which is decreased levels of saliva. Saliva protects your teeth and gums from damaging bacteria, a primary factor in gum disease and cavities.

While your teeth and gums may not be the first thoughts you have when you gear up to hit the gym, it is important to remember that your workout does directly impact your oral health. Fortunately, our team can help you manage the health of your teeth and gums without imposing upon your exercise routine. We’re here to serve as your partners in total wellness, and we’ll always do everything we can to ensure your oral health as well as your overall well-being.

Preserve Your Health with Periodontal Therapy

If you or someone in your family has experienced any of the common symptoms of periodontal disease – including redness, bleeding, sensitivity, gum recession, or loosening teeth – please do not hesitate to contact us at our Aurora, CO dental office today to schedule your visit. Whether you are concerned that you may be suffering from gum disease or you simply have questions about how to prevent it, our team is here to help. Drs. D’Amico and Mauck provide families from throughout Aurora and the surrounding areas with comprehensive general dentistry solutions, including periodontal therapy. We are privileged to serve patients from nearby communities in Denver Tech Center, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Denver, and beyond.

Smoking and Oral Health: More Than Just Yellow Teeth

February 13, 2014

Shutterstock SmokingIt’s common knowledge that smoking can lead to bad breath and stained teeth, as well as a whole host of medical problems that affect various parts of the body. It may surprise you to discover, though, that cigarettes can lead to a number of other, lesser known complications that directly affect your oral health. Dr. Nicholas D’Amico and Dr. Matt Mauck at D’Amico & Mauck, DDS in Aurora, CO want you to be aware of some of the hidden consequences of smoking and what you can do to protect yourself.

Unseen Oral Health Hazards

In addition to causing the obvious cosmetic issues for which they are notorious, cigarettes can wreak havoc on your overall oral health in ways that aren’t so immediately visible. Smokers are, for example, significantly more likely to experience deterioration of the bone within the jaw. Teeth can become loose and even fall out when the supporting structures of the jaw and gums are weakened. Other oral health issues directly associated with smoking include:

  • Higher risk of infection and dry socket after tooth extraction
  • Increased probability that the patient will develop gum disease
  • Longer recovery time following oral surgery or periodontal therapy
  • Higher likelihood that dental implants will fail
  • Inflammation and/or blockage of salivary glands located in the roof of the mouth

As any medical professional will agree, the clear solution to these and other health problems is to quit smoking altogether. However, current smokers can help prevent potentially serious complications by visiting D’Amico & Mauck for regular checkups, cleanings and screenings every six months. Periodontal therapy can aid in the reversal of gum disease caused by years of tobacco use, and professional teeth whitening can lift even set-in nicotine stains.

Reclaim Your Oral Health

Whether you’re a former smoker interested in repairing damage caused by cigarettes or a current tobacco user with concerns about how it may be affecting your oral health, we’re here to help. Contact us at our office in Aurora, CO and schedule your appointment today. We also welcome patients from throughout and around Denver, including the nearby communities in Centennial, Englewood, Boulder, Castlewood, Commerce City and beyond.

What Does Periodontal Disease Have to Do With Pregnancy?

December 25, 2013

Shutterstock Perio Pregnancy

What Does Periodontal Disease Have to Do With Pregnancy?

When you think of gum disease, or periodontal disease, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it swollen gums, bleeding when you floss or increased sensitivity? What about babies? Though a newborn child probably isn’t even on the list of things you think about when you consider periodontal disease, perhaps it should be. Gum disease can actually prove incredibly dangerous to an unborn baby if its mother fails to receive proper treatment. This is why our Drs. D’Amico and Mauck in Aurora, CO offer exceptional preventative dental care to all of our patients, defending against gum disease and other oral health conditions before they cause a potentially serious problem.

The Important Connection

When a pregnant woman suffers from periodontal disease, the harmful bacteria in her mouth can travel through her bloodstream and affect the well being of her baby. In fact, women with untreated gum disease are seven to eight times more likely to give birth to a preterm infant.

Babies born before 37 weeks are at a higher risk for complications like respiratory failure, heart conditions and digestive issues. They may not feed normally and are typically underweight for the first few weeks to months of their lives.

Fortunately, periodontal therapy and routine cleanings are all that it takes to protect yourself and keep your bundle of joy safe and healthy. If you’re pregnant or thinking about making an addition to your family, Drs. D’Amico and Mauck would like to welcome you to our office in Aurora, CO for a cleaning and exam to ensure optimal dental health, for now and in the future. Contact us today to see what a difference our commitment to our patients can make for you. We also serve patients in Parker, Englewood, Denver, Centennial and the surrounding areas.

 

Learn the Symptoms of Gum Disease from Drs. D’Amico and Mauck

December 6, 2013

flossingYou may be surprised to learn that the most common oral health problem patients of all ages experience isn’t something obvious like cavities or bruxism –  it actually doesn’t directly affect your teeth at all! Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) plagues nearly 80% of the population, and while it’s relatively harmless in its earliest stages, it can lead to some potentially devastating consequences if left untreated or unnoticed for too long, including tooth loss. Here in Aurora, Drs. D’Amico and Mauck are committed to providing their patients with all the information they need to keep their smiles happy and healthy, whether they’re at our office or simply brushing and flossing at home. Have you been wondering if you could be suffering from gum disease? Pain isn’t the only indicator of the condition, as some would believe. Here are some common symptoms you can keep an eye out for:

  • Gums that bleed during or after you’ve brushed or flossed
  • Bad breath that isn’t alleviated by brushing/mouthwash
  • A bite that suddenly feels off
  • Teeth that start to feel loose, as though they’re shifting
  • Receding gums (teeth that appear longer)

Additionally, here are some risk factors that can heighten your chances of experiencing gum disease.

  • If you regularly use tobacco and/or smoke
  • If you’ve undergone therapy for cancer at some point
  • If you regularly clench or grind your teeth
  • If you experience stress constantly
  • Poor nutrition

Contact D’Amico and Mauck, DDS, today if you have any questions about the threat of gum disease, or if you’re ready to schedule an appointment. Drs. D’Amico and Mauck offer periodontal therapy that can effectively treat your gums and restore health to your smile. We welcome patients from all over the greater Denver area, including Aurora, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Denver Tech Center, and beyond.

How Does Your Oral Health Affect Your Overall Health?

August 17, 2012

For some, it may still come as a surprise to hear that oral health and overall wellbeing are closely connected, but it’s true. Last December, a report from The Wall Street Journal revealed that what happens to your smile can influence what happens in the rest of your body. In this post, we’d like to focus on two health problems in particular: cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

A Bridge between Your Mouth and Your Body

When we say that your oral health affects your overall health, we’re talking about a specific aspect of your oral health—periodontal disease, which you might know better as gum disease.

How does periodontal disease affect overall health? By creating pockets between the teeth and gums. It’s through these pockets that bacteria and plaque are able to gain access to the rest of the body. You might think of them acting like a bridge, a window, or better yet, a subway. From these pockets, these harmful things are carried to other parts of the body, where they can potentially cause other problems.

The heart, in particular, is vulnerable. That’s because bacteria and plaque from the mouth can irritate the arteries, resulting in the production of a protective plaque that can harden and block the flow of blood. When blood flow is restricted, the result can be a heart attack, among other problems.

The connection between oral health and diabetes is more mysterious. Researchers and medical professionals are still debating whether patients with periodontal disease are more susceptible to diabetes or if it’s the other way around. Regardless, the connection is no less real, and patients with diabetes are advised to pay close attention to the health of their gums.

How can our patients from Aurora and beyond do that? The best way is through great at-home care and with regular visits and cleanings at our dental office. During your regular visit, Dr. Nicholas D’Amico or Dr. Matt Mauck will have the chance to examine your smile for signs of periodontal disease and other serious oral health conditions. We can also offer advice on any follow-up treatment you might need, in addition to helping you improve your at-home routine.

Call us today to schedule your next appointment!