Fluoride prevents dental decay (cavities)

In 1901 Dr. Frederick McCay a Colorado Springs Colorado dentist is credited with the discovery that fluoride in the water could prevent cavities. What he found in the Colorado Springs area was that many of his patients has mottled enamel that was not very good looking but was free from decay. What was found was the well water in the area had high concentrations of fluoride. In the 1930’s and 1940’s he along with other researchers conducted epidemiological studies that pointed to fluoride as decreasing the rate of decay. The question became… could you get protection from fluoride and not get the ugly teeth (mottled enamel). Denver dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp provide general and cosmetic dental services for their patients in the Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Centennial, Greenwood Village and Ken Caryl area of the Denver Metro area.

To view our dental practice video click the following link Dentist Denver

Where fluoride in toothpastes all began

While the discovery of fluoride in the water decreased the risk of dental decay it was in Grand Rapids Michigan when the clinical trial of dietary fluoride supplements began.  At this time these researches investigated the use of fluoride compounds and their used in toothpaste for decreasing of  or preventing cavities.

How fluoride works

Fluoride works by combining with the calcium in the enamel to form a harder mineral.  This harder mineral is more resistant to the acids that the bacteria form that cause cavities.  The idea here being the harder the material the more resistant to demineralizatin from the  acids the bacteria produce.

Newer re-mineralizing toothpastes

MI paste in addition to the fluoride has calcium in in formulation. In very small areas of decay it is thought that the calcium can remineralize and early cavity.  Noticed how we used the term “early” cavity? Larger areas of decalcification do not remineralize at this time. Even small areas of decay are in most instance going to need a dental filling.

Call our Denver dentist today

Please feel free to contact our office today at (303) 694-9740 and schedule and appointment.  If you prefer to send us an e-mail click the following link Denver Dentist e-mail.

Diagnosis of Cavities or Decay

There are many different methods used to diagnose cavities our Denver Dentists use in the practice of dentistry. G.V. Black the “Father of Modern Dentistry” was the first to describe the detection of dental cavities in the oral examination. around 1800..  His method consisted of cleaning and drying of the tooth and the use of the dental explorer that is still in use over 200 years later. Highlands Ranch dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp provide general and cosmetic dentistry to their patients in the Denver, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Parker, Centennial, Greenwood Village, and Highlands Ranch areas of the Denver Metro area.

to view our dental practice video click the following link Denver Dentist

History of dental x-rays

After Roentgen’s discovery of the x-ray… William J. Morton a  New York physician described that x-rays could be used to identify decay and in 1925 the bite-wing x-ray became the standard of identifying decay or cavities between teeth. Today digital radiography reduces the exposure to our patients by several times of the old traditional dental x-rays.

Modern methods of cavity or decay detection

The use of old school and new school techniques are still in use today.  Today the Diagnodent uses laser fluorescence absorption by bacterial by products in porous carious surfaces to identify cavities.  The Diagnodent can quantify the readings from 0 – 99.  Teeth that have initial lesions can be monitored and if stable in reading lower than “around”30 may be treated with fluoride.  If the cavity begins to increase in its number it may signal the need for a dental filling.

Call today for an appointment

Please feel free to call our Denver dentist today for an appointment at (303) 694-9740.

Thanks to

Thanks to Scott and Matt of US Web Central for their help with our Blogs.  They can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver SEO

Gum disease and Tissue Destruction

Denver Dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp council their patients on the silent destruction that happens with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease (gum disease)causes the following:

• Frequent loss of gum tissue exposing more of your root surface
• Erosion of the bone holding the tooth in the jaw
• Tooth mobility (teeth wiggle back and forth)
• Loss of tooth
• Bad breath
• General fatigue or not feeling well
• Other….

to view our dental practice video click the following link Dentist Denver

Tissue Destructive Enzymes

Tissue destructive enzymes has been the focus of researchers for many years in the development of periodontal disease. Essentially what happens is enzymes degrade the collagen  (fibrous) network in the gum tissue. Dental researchers Fullmer and Gibson (Nature 1966) revealed that collagenase is present in the gum tissue of the patient.  It is this enzyme collagenase that destroys the gum tissue.

Antibiotic use in Periodontal disease

The knowledge on how tissue is destroyed led the Food and Drug Administration to approve the use of a tetracycline class of antibiotic in the treatment of periodontal disease. Doxyxycline is a collagenase-inhibiting antibiotic and  helps preserve the architecture  and form of the gum tissue. This drug combined with brushing, flossing, diet control and quitting smoking are effective in “most” patients with periodontal disease.

Schedule an appointment today

Please feel free to schedule an appointment today at our office at (303) 694-9740.  If your prefer to send us an e-mail please click the following link contact Denver dentist.

Thanks to Scott and Matt of US Web Central for their help with our Blogs.  They can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver SEO.

Parkinson’s Disease and Dentistry Dentist Highlands Ranch

Parkinson’s disease is a common disorder that afflicts many individuals world wide. Our Highlands Ranch Dentists have many patients who have some form of this illness.  For many it is a subtle illness and for other it is exceedingly debilitating. Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp also see patients from the Denver area.

to view our Highlands Ranch and Denver area dentist dental practice video click the following link

Dentist Highlands Ranch

Motor function and Parkinson’s Disease Dentist Highlands Ranch

The physical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease makes daily home care difficult for many. Eye-hand coordination and tongue and cheek control are several of the elements that make effective home care difficult.  Poor or compromised motor function affects approximately half of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

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Closed Labor day Monday September 7th 2009, Dentist Highlands Ranch

Our Highlands Ranch dental office will be closed Monday September 7th for Labor Day. The office will be open at 7:00 Tuesday for scheduling appointments.  When leaving messages on our answering tape most patients leave a phone call back number that is easy to identify.  However… as you guessed… some rattle off their phone number so fast that it is difficult to decipher. This weekend we listened to a call 7 times and combined with  mumbling were finally able to call back.

to view our Highlands Ranch dentist dental practice video click the following link

Dentist Highlands Ranch

Call Tuesday

Please feel free to call an leave a message or call back Tuesday at (303) 694-9740.

If your prefer to send us an e-mail click the following link Dentist Highlands Ranch