Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common oral health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It ranges from mild gum inflammation (gingivitis) to more severe forms that can damage the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. While poor oral hygiene, smoking, and diet are well-known risk factors, many people wonder: Is gum disease genetic? The short answer is yes, genetics can play a role in your risk of developing gum disease. But that’s only part of the story.

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Veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry option for those looking to achieve a straighter, brighter, and more uniform smile. However, if you’re considering veneers, it’s important to understand the preparation process—including the fact that a small amount of your tooth enamel will need to be removed.

Let’s take a closer look at why this is necessary and how much enamel is typically taken off.

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Whether you’re looking to smooth fine lines, enhance your lips, or add youthful volume to your cheeks, dermal fillers are a popular non-surgical way to refresh your appearance. But to get the best results—and avoid unwanted side effects—it’s important to prepare your skin and body ahead of time.

Here are some simple dos and don’ts to follow before your filler appointment.

Do: Avoid Blood Thinners Before Your Appointment

About a week before your dermal filler session, stop taking over-the-counter blood-thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve), unless otherwise directed by your doctor. These medications can increase your risk of bruising and swelling after treatment. You should also avoid supplements such as vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo biloba, and garlic pills, which can have similar effects.

Don’t: Drink Alcohol 24–48 Hours Before

Skip the wine, cocktails, or beer at least 24 to 48 hours before your treatment. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels and make you more prone to bruising, swelling, and discomfort post-injection. Staying hydrated with water instead will help your skin look and feel its best.

Do: Schedule Smart

Plan your filler appointment at least a week ahead of any major event, photoshoot, or vacation. While downtime is minimal, mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness is possible after treatment. Giving yourself a few days to heal ensures your results look natural and flawless when it matters most.

Don’t: Get Fillers if You’re Sick

Even if it’s just a minor cold or a case of seasonal allergies, it’s best to wait until you’re fully recovered before getting dermal fillers. Illness can impact your body’s healing response and increase your risk of complications. If you’re feeling under the weather, reschedule your appointment.

Do: Communicate With Your Provider

Be sure to tell your provider about any medications you’re taking, allergies, past cosmetic treatments, or medical conditions, including autoimmune disorders or cold sore outbreaks. This information helps them choose the right product and tailor the treatment to your needs.

Don’t: Wear Makeup to Your Appointment

Come to your appointment with clean, makeup-free skin. This helps reduce the risk of infection and makes it easier for your provider to assess your natural facial structure and plan the injection sites. Washing your face a few hours prior to your appointment will ensure a clean canvas.

A Stress-Free Process

A little planning goes a long way in ensuring a smooth, relaxing procedure. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your dental care team with any additional questions or concerns.

About the Practice

At Lakewood Complete Dentistry of Lakewood, CO, your comfort and confidence come first. Led by Dr. Vincenzo Artino, DDS, our practice offers high-quality, comprehensive dental care—including cosmetic services like dermal fillers—in a modern and welcoming environment.

Whether you’re here for routine care or aesthetic enhancement, the Lakewood team is committed to helping you look and feel your best with personalized, expert care.

Give us a call at (720) 605-5898 or book your consultation online.

Cosmetic dentistry has allowed countless patients to enhance their smiles by concealing defects like chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and misshapenness with beautifully lifelike restorations. There are a wide variety of aesthetic dental treatments available, and veneers and cosmetic dental bonding are among the most popular. Here’s a brief overview of how these procedures work as well as a few of their pros and cons.

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While the teeth are usually the most noticeable part of the smile, the gums serve the crucial role of providing them with the circulation, nutrition, and structural support they need to stay healthy and beautiful. Unfortunately, the gums can be compromised by factors like injury and infection, which can lead to serious long-term consequences like tooth loss and possibly dangerous secondary infections like pneumonia and sepsis. Here’s a quick overview of why your gums may be sore and inflamed and what you can do about it.

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Since it first earned FDA approval for cosmetic applications 1989, BOTOX®, also known as botulinum toxin, has quickly become the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States. In fact, the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons estimates that 7.4 million injections were performed in 2022 alone. But what is it, and where did this injectable treatment come from? Here’s a brief history of BOTOX®, and how your dentist can use it to make you appear more youthful!

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If you’ve looked in the bathroom mirror recently and noticed that your face is beginning to show signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sunken cheeks, or sagging lips, you might be starting to worry that your days of looking youthful are behind you – but this isn’t true! With the help of dermal fillers, you can enjoy results that have you looking youthful and vibrant once more. Keep reading to learn a little more about dermal fillers and how they can be used to promote incredible, natural-looking results.

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You want to straighten out your crooked teeth, and you know you have two options for doing so: traditional braces or Invisalign. Many patients find Invisalign to be the more comfortable and convenient treatment, but how long will it take for you to complete it? Weeks? Months? Years?

Truthfully, the exact amount of time you could end up wearing Invisalign aligners varies. Don’t worry, though – this post will tell you what factors could affect your timetable!

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Invisalign attachments are designed to make your orthodontic treatment more efficient by helping to keep your aligners in place. Though they are painless to apply, these “bumps” can cause your teeth to be a bit more sensitive on days when you advance trays. A common question many patients have about them is if it hurts to remove them. Here’s what you can expect from these accessories, and why there’s no need to fear Invisalign attachments at any stage of treatment!

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If you look at the cosmetic dental treatments available today, you might notice that they are safe, administered in sanitary environments, and only minimally invasive if at all. However, people have tried a wide range of methods to pretty up their smiles over the centuries, and many of them would be downright gross or scary by modern standards. Here’s a brief overview of a few primitive teeth whitening treatments to help you appreciate just how amazingly safe and effective modern cosmetic dental procedures are.

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