Archives for August 2016

Tooth enamel is the most unyielding substance in your body. We put a lot of stress and pressure on our teeth every day just by biting and chewing our food. The enamel is what protects the inner layers of the teeth from cavity causing bacteria that can remain behind. The beverages that we enjoy are often best when served hot or cold. Tooth enamel prevents the sensations caused by these extreme temperature ranges from reaching the nerve endings that lie underneath its surface.

We have to be careful to protect our tooth enamel because once it lost it cannot be reproduced. Limiting sugar intake, using mouth-guards to prevent injury and following a regimen of good oral health habits at home are some of the ways that you can take care of your tooth enamel but professional dental care is also important. By the time you begin to experience pain a dental issue has probably advanced, but if you see your dentist every six months as recommended an earlier diagnosis could mean a less invasive treatment.

Cracked tooth syndrome is a good example of a condition that may go unnoticed without a professional observation. Tiny cracks in a tooth can only be discovered with x-ray analysis or other diagnostic tools that only a dentist has at hand.

Southlands Dental is dedicated to providing personal consideration to every patient who walks into the office. Call 720-886-0606 to arrange an appointment at your convenience.

When you go in for a routine dental exam your dentist will be looking for more than plaque buildup or the presence of a cavity – those are the givens. It is not uncommon for your dentist to spot the symptoms of a disease before your physician does. “The mouth is the window to the body” is a well known quote among dentists and it often proves to be the case.

There are other things about you that your dentist will be able to determine just by examining your mouth, things about your lifestyle for instance. Some patients think that they can fool their dentist into believing that they floss on a regular basis by just flossing the night before an appointment. The truth is that the dentist will be able to tell by the condition of the gums if it was just a one time effort or if the patient flosses regularly.

If you are in the habit of biting your fingernails it will show on your teeth. The constant contact between the upper and lower teeth will tend to flatten the surfaces and can lead to chipped enamel.

Childhood habits can leave lasting impressions. If you were allowed to suck your thumb past a particular age it may well have affected your bite. Adult orthodontic treatments are much more common that they used to be.

You can expect a thorough diagnostic exam from your appointment with Dr. Looze of Southlands Dental in Aurora. Call the office today @ 720-886-0606.

When you go in for a routine dental exam your dentist will be looking for more than plaque buildup or the presence of a cavity – those are the givens. It is not uncommon for your dentist to spot the symptoms of a disease before your physician does. “The mouth is the window to the body” is a well known quote among dentists and it often proves to be the case.

There are other things about you that your dentist will be able to determine just by examining your mouth, things about your lifestyle for instance. Some patients think that they can fool their dentist into believing that they floss on a regular basis by just flossing the night before an appointment. The truth is that the dentist will be able to tell by the condition of the gums if it was just a one time effort or if the patient flosses regularly.

If you are in the habit of biting your fingernails it will show on your teeth. The constant contact between the upper and lower teeth will tend to flatten the surfaces and can lead to chipped enamel.

Childhood habits can leave lasting impressions. If you were allowed to suck your thumb past a particular age it may well have affected your bite. Adult orthodontic treatments are much more common that they used to be.

You can expect a thorough diagnostic exam from your appointment with Dr. Looze of Southlands Dental in Aurora. Call the office today @ 720-886-0606.

There are two stages of gum disease. Gingivitis begins to affect the gums causing redness, swelling and possible bleeding but it can be treated by upping the level of good basic oral health. A strict regimen of brushing and flossing can reverse the symptoms of gingivitis. Ask your dentist about an antibacterial mouthwash to retard plaque buildup.

If gingivitis goes on without treatment it will advance to periodontitis, the second and much more serious stage of gum disease. At this point the gums will start to recede and “pockets” will form where bacteria will collect and cause infection. As theses spaces between the gums and the teeth get deeper the risk increases. Eventually the bone structure will begin to deteriorate until it can no longer support the teeth.

If periodontitis is diagnosed the treatment will consist of scaling and root planing (SRP) or “deep cleaning.” Basically it is a more intense effort to remove plaque buildup which is the at the core of gum disease. An antibiotic may also be administered. SRP is known to be successful in the treatment of periodontitis and is usually achieved over two dental appointments.

A thorough dental exam is the best way to thwart gum disease in the earliest stage. Southlands Dental is proud of the high level of care that they provide to their patients. Call 720-886-0606 to make your appointment today.