1.  Chimpanzees have 32 teeth-- the same as most adult humans!
2.  Giraffes do not have any top front teeth-- they are only on their lower jaw! However, they do have 20 inch+ tongues that make up for their lack of front teeth!
3.  Sharks teeth fall out fairly easily, but they typically replace them within a few days.
4.  An alligator can go through 3,000 teeth in its lifetime!
5.  A snail's mouth is about the size of a pin head, but its tongue can have up to 25,000 teeth!
6.  Dog saliva has a very high pH (i.e. it's not acidic.) This helps prevent man's best friend from getting cavities!
7.  An elephant's molars can weigh up to 10 lbs!!!
8.  The largest mammal on the planet, the blue whale, only eats small creatures like shrimp because it does not have any teeth!

Well, the fine folks of the world-wide web claim June is "National Candy Month" (in addition to "National Accordion Awareness Month" and "National Adopt-A-Cat Month.")  Has your little one been getting into a lot of sweets lately? Are they overdue for their dental cleaning and check-up?  If so, give us a call at (719) 550-1010.  It's so much better to catch cavities when they are small!!!

Well, it looks like we've survived another crazy Colorado Spring season of snow and torrential rain, and that means we can finally say Summer has arrived! With Summer comes a lot of fun activities-- camping, hiking, swimming, and of course FESTIVALS.  We had a BLAST at the Rocky Mountain PBS Funfest last weekend. The weather was gorgeous and we loved meeting everyone who stopped-by to say "howdy" and pick-up a free water bottle and toothbrush.  We have a couple of more festivals we will participate in this Summer, and we would love YOU and your COOL KIDDOS to join us!  Here's what we have upcoming:
June 13-14-- SpringsSpree!  This much-loved annual tradition brings out thousands of people to Memorial Park near downtown Colorado Springs. Free local and national concert acts, lots of food, venders selling all sorts of awesome creations, and FREE fun for the whole family! Join us Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm, or Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm!
August 15th-- The Black Forest Festival! This community-based event just North of Colorado Springs in the Black Forest draws folks from all over the region for a fun parade, local artisans, food, and some time in our beloved forest!  Festivities start with a 6:30 am pancake breakfast, followed by the parade at 10:30 am. The festival will run all morning until 3 pm.  Can't wait to see you there!!!

It's hard to believe Summer is around the corner when we have snow currently falling in Northern Colorado Springs!  However, warmer weather and sunny days will soon be upon us, so don't lose faith!  Colorado is known for its many amazing outdoor recreational activities.  Sometimes these activities or involvement in sports, trips to the park and playground, etc., can result in emergency dental traumas.  A few key points for parents and caregivers to remember in the case of a traumatic dental emergency:
1.  Never attempt to re-implant a baby tooth that has been knocked-out!  This can result in a bad infection as well as damage to the permanent tooth bud that is developing in the jaw.
2.  If a permanent tooth has been knocked-out, the best option is to try to re-implant it yourself and then immediately call us to evaluate the damage.  If you are not comfortable re-implanting the tooth, place it in ice cold milk, saliva, or even plain water if milk is not readily available.  Time is of the essence, so call us immediately! (719) 550-1010
3.  It's quite common for toddlers and young children to fall and hit their front teeth.  Since the mouth is very vascular (i.e. full of blood vessels,) these falls can result in quite a "bloody mess!"  Remain calm and contact our office if you are concerned the teeth or gums were damaged.  Things such as root fractures cannot be diagnosed without x-rays, so it's a good idea to bring in your child for an emergency appointment, even if the trauma does not appear too bad.
4.  If your child suddenly has a darkened/discolored front tooth, there is a strong likelihood they have traumatized that tooth at some point.  This discoloration may mean a variety of things, including certain blood pigments have leached through the tooth structure, similar to a bruise.  It can also mean the nerve of the tooth has become necrotic and is there is an active infection!  Once again, a dental exam and an x-ray can usually help us diagnose the cause of the discoloration.
5.  If your child has a dental trauma and has lost consciousness or becomes nauseated and vomits, take them immediately to the emergency room for an evaluation for a concussion or other neurological damage.  After this evaluation with a physician, call our office to address their dental needs.  We want to ensure your child is safe and not experiencing severe, potentially life-altering symptoms!
Hopefully this May winter storm will pass quickly and we can all be enjoying the Colorado sunshine again.  In the meantime, stay warm, drive safe, and let us know if we can help keep your cool kiddos smiling! 

For years dental professionals and pediatricians recommended young children brush with a toothpaste that does not contain fluoride.  These toothpastes are frequently called "Training Toothpastes," as parents and healthcare professionals were concerned with the potentially harmful side effects of a child ingesting too much fluoride if they are unable to spit.  In the last several years, pediatric dentists have noticed an alarming trend in early childhood decay.  This type of decay is particularly aggressive.  Young children who experience early decay are frequently incapable of cooperating for treatment in the dental office, and therefore they require more aggressive and advanced techniques for managing behavior such as conscious sedation and even general anesthesia.  For this reason, our office follows the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD.)  Essentially, a fluoridated toothpaste is recommended from the time an infant gets their first tooth (around 6-7 months of age.)  We recommend infants have their teeth brushed with a tiny "smear" of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.  As the child matures into toddler-hood and beyond, this size is gradually increased to the size of a pea.  With these recommended levels of toothpaste and fluoride, your child will experience the benefits of fluoride without any increased risk of any potentially harmful side effects.  Cool Mountain Kids is the best kids dentist office in Colorado Springs. Visit us to read our blog for tips and information on child dental health. Visit the site below for additional information from the AAPD about this topic!