Dr. Jennifer Rankin D.D.S.

Dentist

5492 South Parker Road Aurora Colorado, 80015 Show map

About
Contacts & Locations

About

Dr. Jennifer Rankin is a Dentist practicing in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Rankin specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.

Education and Training

University of Iowa

Board Certification

CEREC Certified

Provider Details

MaleEnglish 32 years of experience

Dr. Jennifer Rankin D.D.S.

Dr. Jennifer Rankin D.D.S.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

What do sealants do?
Sealants are a flowable resin material that fill in the deep grooves in the back (molar) teeth to help prevent decay. Toothbrush bristles cannot get all the way into the deep grooves, which means that decay can develop, even with brushing. In a nutshell, sealants are a preventative option to ward off development of decay. In health, Dr. Rankin READ MORE
What do healthy gums look like?
Healthy gums should have a pink appearance to them (not red), be firmly attached to the tooth and not bleed with brushing or flossing. There are variations in color depending upon ethnicity, but firm and no bleeding always hold true. READ MORE
Is gum disease hereditary?
While your family history can give you a predisposition to periodontal (gum disease), your habits and lifestyle choices can influence the development of that either positively or negatively. Avoid tobacco products, eat a diet low in processed foods and high in fruits, veggies, and foods you actually prepare at home (not from a box). Good oral home care including daily flossing and brushing 2-3 times per day as well as seeing your dentist and dental hygienist every 6 months are very important. You may want to consider having your dentist perform a quick 30-second saliva test so that the types of bacteria in your mouth can be evaluated, and if you do have high levels of bacteria associated with periodontal disease, you and your dental team can be proactive to prevent development of the disease. Hope this helps! In health, Dr. Rankin READ MORE
When is a periodontist preferred over a dentist?
There are several reasons to see a periodontist. Below are a few examples: 1. After a deep cleaning and subsequent follow-up treatments, the patient is not responding to treatment and the disease is not stabilizing or is getting worse 2. Advanced bone loss requiring, either generalized or localized, that requires bone grafting 3. Advanced recession where gingival grafts are recommended 4. Placement of implants, especially in patients with periodontal disease While this is not an exhaustive list, it covers the most common reasons to seek a specialist. In all cases, there should be a continued working relationship between the patient, the general dentist, and the periodontist so that the most optimal treatment can be achieved. Dr. Rankin READ MORE
How is TMD diagnosed?
TMD is diagnosed through a series of clinical as well as radiographic examination findings in conjunction with the patient's described symptoms. Risk factors can include inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, fibromyalgia, and more. READ MORE
Does a teeth whitening have long-lasting effects?
How long a whitening lasts depends on the whitening system and also habits such as coffee/tea consumption, smoking, red wine, dark berries, etc. Once you get to the shade that you are happy with, over time you may want to touch up every so often to maintain that shade. READ MORE
Can eating betel leaves cause oral cancer?
From all that I have read, Betel leaves alone appear to have many very positive effects. It's when it's combined (quid) that there appears to be a potential increase in cancer, but the studies I have seen are on animals, not humans. READ MORE
How do you know when you need a dental crown?
Crowns are recommended for several reasons: a significant portion of the tooth is broken off, multiple fractures in the tooth structure, existing restoration encompasses more than half the natural remaining tooth structure, tooth has had a root canal. Most of these are identified by the dentist and with intra-oral imaging, you, as the patient, can see some of this as well. There are some symptoms you may notice that would indicate your tooth may need a crown. The most notable is discomfort on biting down and sometimes there is more discomfort on release of the bite versus biting down itself. Pain on biting can also mean an abscess. If you have any concerns, I would recommend making an appointment with your dentist to catch any potential problems early. In health, Dr. Rankin READ MORE
Are there any home remedies to treat dry mouth?
Here is a link to information put out by mayo clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/expert-answers/dry-mouth/faq-20058424 Hope this helps! Dr. Rankin READ MORE
Is it okay to swallow the gel applied for a mouth ulcer?
Yes, it is OK to swallow the gel. Typically, medications that are safe to be placed in the mouth are safe for ingestion in small amounts. Jennifer Rankin, DDS READ MORE
What should be done for a chipped "baby tooth"?
The biggest concern is if the baby teeth were pushed upwards, as this could cause potential damage to the permanent teeth that are under the gum/bone as this time. If the baby teeth were not moved from the original position, then I would monitor them for changes in color (usually a grayish hue). The color change indicates that the nerve is damaged and dying and can result in an abscess. The abscess can negatively impact the permanent teeth. Outside of the chips being an aesthetic concern, if your child is not experiencing any discomfort, the chips do not need to be repaired. In any case, I would recommend visiting your dentist so that a baseline assessment can be obtained. Sincerely, Dr. Rankin READ MORE
How can I stop my husband from grinding his teeth in his sleep?
There is not a straightforward answer to this issue. There are a variety of reasons he may be grinding including potential sleep apnea. Initially, I would have him see his dentist for an evaluation. Sometimes, an occlusal guard is sufficient to protect the teeth and decrease the grinding at night. However, if the problem is associated with sleep apnea, then he needs to see his physician. The MD can order a test to evaluate sleep apnea. So, in short, your husband needs to make an appointment with his dentist and/or MD. Over-the-counter mouth guards are not recommended as these often increase the grinding. Jennifer Rankin, DDS READ MORE
What calcium supplements do you recommend for my son's calcium deficiency?
I, personally, am not a fan of isolated supplements unless they are used short term to treat a specific issue. Our bodies better able to absorb nutrients from food than from supplementation. There are many non dairy sources of calcium including: Spinach Kale Okra Collards Soybeans White beans Some fish, like sardines, salmon, perch, and rainbow trout Foods that are calcium-fortified, such as some orange juice, oatmeal, and breakfast cereal Plant milks (almond, soy, etc) often provide the same or more calcium than milk. Calcium absorption from calcium pills is poor and can lead to development of kidney stones so I will re-enforce trying to obtain the calcium from food. I hope this helps. READ MORE
How often should you floss?
I would disagree with the recommendation not to floss every day. When done correctly, flossing is very effective in reducing bacteria and plaque between the teeth and just under the gum line. This in turn leads to healthier gum tissue and reduced decay between the teeth. If you are unsure if you are flossing correctly, be sure to ask your dental hygienist to demonstrate proper technique. READ MORE
Swollen and localised pain after done a deep cleaning; is this normal?
You should continue brushing and flossing, but I recommend that you make a follow up appointment to see your dentist to re-evaluate the area. Swelling is not typical after scaling and root planing. READ MORE
Loose tooth
It is important for you to go to your dentist. Typically we will assess the status of the tooth now and monitor it over time. Additionally, it may be indicated to stabilize the tooth to prevent too much movement. READ MORE
Can I do teeth whitening with a front half fake incisor?
I would recommend whitening first to see what shade you are able to get the adjacent teeth lightened to and then do a crown. Crowns and fillings do not whiten. Hope this helps. Dr. Rankin READ MORE
Why am I so exhausted after removal of infected root canal molar?
There may be several reasons for the "crash" you are experiencing, but the main thing to remember is that the mouth and body are connected. Generally people do not realize the oral-systemic connection, but it is real. Depending upon how long you had the infection, yes, your body may still be trying to recover. Were you on antibiotics and if so for how long? This may have disrupted your gut bacteria which is a primary player in the immune system. It is important to get not only that gut bacteria back into balance but also your immune system. This can be done through proper nutrition and possibly the addition of a probiotic. If you are still feeling down after 3 weeks total, I would consult with your MD to be sure there is not an underlying medical issue. If nothing is found to be medically wrong, I would seek out a professional nutrition experience (this could be a dentist, functional medicine doctor, naturopath and the list goes on). I hope this helps. READ MORE
Are electric toothbrushes any better for the teeth?
Electric toothbrushes, when used properly, definitely do a better job in cleaning teeth compared to a manual brush. Hope this helps! Dr. Rankin READ MORE
Will frequent teeth cleanings remove spots from my teeth?
It depends on if the stains are superficial or related to development of the teeth. Cleanings will remove superficial staining as will whitening products. You may also want to consider an electric toothbrush if you are not already doing so. Hope this helps. READ MORE