Archives for November 2016

Don’t hesitate to ask your dentist or hygienist what they think about a dental product that you may have seen advertised and want to know more about. They keep up with many of the newer products that are being introduced to the market every day and are happy to make recommendations.

The one element that must be evident in a product before a dental professional will put his stamp of approval on it is fluoride. After that the choice of taste or consistency is a matter of personal preference. Toothpastes for instance, come in many forms and flavors. You could buy travel sized versions to experiment with until you find one that you really like. The same holds true for mouthwash – just be sure it contains fluoride.

The American Dental Association puts their Seal of Approval on products that they know to be safe and effective. You can find a list of the products that they have acknowledged on the ADA website. There you will find information on toothpastes, mouth rinses, flosses and denture care products, to name a few.

There is a variety of toothbrushes available to suit your likes. In most cases professionals recommend that their patients use a soft bristle brush. It may surprise you to know that harder bristles are not any better at removing plaque than the soft ones are. As a matter of fact, harder bristles can harm soft gum tissue.

Dr. Looze is happy to answer questions from patients who are concerned about providing their families with the best dental care possible. Call Southlands Dental @ 720-886-0606.

It might surprise you to know how important it is to maintain a healthy flow of saliva. Not only does saliva wash away the food particles that may be left behind after we eat but it also gets rid of some of the harmful bacteria that thrives in our mouths, helping to prevent tooth decay.

Many of our favorite foods and drinks are high in acid content. Saliva can neutralize the acids in products like coffee, beer, and citrus fruits so that we can continue to enjoy them. Saliva makes it possible for us to chew our foods so completely that it will be easier for our digestive system to process them.

Our saliva is produced by a number of glands located throughout the mouth. When the salivary glands produce, the moisture makes it easier for us to chew and speak clearly. The chewing action in turn, stimulates the glands to produce more saliva.

You have probably heard the term “dry mouth,” used to describe what happens when our salivary glands fail to provide a sufficient amount of saliva. There is also a condition called “hypersalivation” which is caused by an excess amount of saliva. Your dentist or hygienist can offer ways to relieve the symptoms in both cases and advise you about what you can do and what to avoid to ward off a recurrence.

Read the outstanding reviews about Dr. Looze and his staff posted on the Southlands Dental website www.southlandsdental.com.

Is mouthwash a beneficial tool in the fight against tooth decay and gum disease? That depends on the kind that you use and what results you expect to achieve.

A refreshing splash of flavored mouthwash can be a welcome part of a daily morning routine. It is not however, a cure for chronic bad breath. In fact, mouthwashes that contain a high percentage of alcohol can cause a decrease in the flow of saliva which washes away harmful oral bacteria. Always check the label for alcohol content before choosing a mouthwash.

Fluoride in any form will help to prevent tooth decay. But, even though a mouthwash that contains fluoride is a good source of prevention it is not a substitute for brushing and flossing. A fluoride mouthwash can help to eliminate some bacteria but it cannot remove plaque from the teeth. A sticky bacteria ridden film of plaque buildup can only be controlled by regular professional cleanings.

The best way to be sure of the safety and efficiency of any product that you add to your regimen for good oral health is to look for the American Dental Association Seal of Approval on the package label. Every product that carries this seal has backed up their claims with evidence from regulated studies. A list of approved products can be found on the ADA website.

Ask Dr. Looze of Southlands Dental in Aurora what kind of mouthwash might be of benefit to you. Call 720-886-0606 fro your next appointment.

A dental veneer is one of the most resourceful tools that a cosmetic dentist has at his disposal. A veneer is a super thin coating of porcelain or a composite of materials that is bonded directly onto the surface of a tooth that has been damaged in some way. It could be that the patient has suffered an injury that has cracked or chipped one of his front teeth or maybe discoloration has advanced to the point of embarrassment and he is ready for an improvement. A dental veneer could very well be the answer.

The process of applying a veneer is achieved in stages. As in most cosmetic procedures planning is essential for a successful outcome. The dentist will want to be sure he understands what his patient’s expectations are and discuss the actual realities that can be achieved.

Once the proceeding gets underway the dentist will prepare the tooth to accept the veneer by removing a minute amount of enamel to make up for the fine layer of material that is to come. This step in the procedure is often done without the necessity for any kind of anesthetic but if the patient is vulnerable to sensitivity a local injection is always an alternative.

Talk to Dr. Looze at Southlands Dental in Aurora to determine if a dental veneer is a good option for you. The doctor and his staff of professionals are more than willing to explain the various cosmetic procedures that are available today. Call the office @ 720-886-0606.