Archives for May 2017

If you’re among the very few of us who have never cracked a tooth or had a cavity, congrats! The rest of us are all too familiar with dental restorations like fillings and crowns. When a tooth has been affected by decay a filling is the material that dentists use to replace the infected area and make the tooth functional again. A dental crown is custom made to completely cover the damaged tooth. A crown is also used in conjunction with a dental implant.

Unfortunately, no dental restoration is accident proof. Biting down on a hard piece of food or chewing on a chunk of caramel taffy can loosen a filling. A capped tooth is not immune to further decay which can alter the shape of what was left of the original tooth so that the crown no longer fits in place. When this happens the crown may well fall off leaving the tooth exposed and more vulnerable to sensitivity.

Losing a filling or a crown is quite common but don’t put off getting it fixed, the longer you do the higher the risk for additional damage becomes. If the crown is still intact you may be able to fit it back into place but before you do be sure to clean it out. Use “dental cement” to temporarily secure the crown.

Southlands Dental is concerned with providing patients with a comfortable environment along with excellent care and the best that dental technology has to offer. Call 720-886-0606 today.

If you’re scheduled for a thorough dental exam with Dr. Kalra of Southlands Dental in Aurora you can expect just that. The doctor will do a hands on check of all your teeth and any existing dental work. This is to identify the signs of early tooth decay and to make sure that your fillings and crowns are holding up as well they should be.

Some indications of trouble are not so obvious to the naked eye. That is why Dr. Kalra will order a complete set of x-rays as a follow up procedure to the initial exam for her first-time patients. This fundamental set of radio-graphs will be used as a reference tool to monitor future developments.

Gum disease is an issue for many in the US adult population. Dr. Kalra and her assistant will measure the depth from the top of the gum tissue down to where the teeth attach. If any of these “pockets” are deeper that the norm it could indicate the presence of periodontitis. If the evidence is there Dr. Kalra may recommend a deep cleaning treatment to remove the bacteria that has been trapped beneath the gum-line.

Some dental treatments involve medications that could be hazardous if combined with certain other medical prescriptions. Dr. Kalra will need a medical history including the types of medications you are taking along with the dosage for each.

Be prepared for your dental exam. Arrive on time for your appointment and bring along any required documents or information that the office has requested. Call Southlands Dental @ 720-886-0606.

Bleeding gums is often a sign of gingivitis which is the earliest stage of gum disease, but there are other possibilities. A change in your home dental care routine for instance, could prompt temporary bleeding. Your hygienist may have asked if you’ve been flossing as often as you should and uh-oh, you haven’t so now you vow to do better. Your teeth and gums may be sensitive to the floss at first but they will become accustomed to it in short order and the long term results will be worth the initial discomfort.

Take stock of your toothbrush, particularly the bristles. If they are too hard they may be irritating your gum tissue. Switch to a soft bristle brush and ease up on your brushing technique.

Some medications thin the blood and make the user more susceptible to bleeding gums. Other prescriptions can cause dry mouth which can also over stimulate the gum tissue.

Denture wearers may be more susceptible. Dentures that tend to slip out of place can rub up against the gum tissue causing bleeding and swelling. If your dentures don’t fit as well as they should see your dentist for adjustments.

Genetics may play a role. If gum disease runs in your family you may be more vulnerable yourself. Don’t give into it though, gingivitis can be reversed with proper treatment.

The intra-oral camera has proven most effective in disclosing the early signs of gum disease. Make your appointment with Southlands Dental today, call 720-886-0606.