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.

The color and consistency of your tooth enamel is partially a matter of genetics but is also influenced by your choice of lifestyle habits. The enamel itself is clear in color but the layer of dentin that lies just below is some shade of yellow. The density of your enamel determines how much of that yellow will show through.

Even though you have no control over the thickness of your tooth enamel there are things that you do or don’t do every day that can make a difference. If you want to keep your teeth from staining for instance, there are certain foods that you should avoid.

We all know that red wine and dark colored berries will stain our teeth but so will the tomatoes and the balsamic vinegar that we use to make our dinner salad. Truth be told any acidic foods or drinks are apt to stain our teeth. The good news is that you can counteract some of the risk that goes with enjoying your favorite foods and drinks. For example, you could add a dark vegetable, fresh fruits or a dairy product to the end of your meal to ward off staining and neutralize some of the acids from the other foods you have eaten.

Talk more about how to keep your tooth enamel looking great at your next appointment with a professional hygienist at Southlands Dental. Call 720-886-0606 today.

The best way to teach your children how important it is to get started on a program of good oral health habits is to follow one yourself. Not only will you influence them to take good care of their teeth and gums but you will be doing yourself a favor in the process. Studies have proven that there is a definite correlation between a healthy mouth and overall good health.

The basics that you learned as a child still apply. You may be less vulnerable to cavities as an adult but you are not completely immune. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes at a time, flossing and keeping regular dental appointments will increase your odds of continued oral health throughout the years. There are some particular areas of concern however, that relate particularly to adults.

As we age we will no doubt undergo various dental procedures along the way. It is not uncommon for a cavity to form around a filling that has been in place for some time. Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to monitor the condition of existing dental work so that any needed repairs can be made asap.

Receding gums are often associated with aging. When this happens parts of the teeth that were protected by the enamel are now exposed, increasing the level of sensitivity to hot and cold.

Talk to Dr. Looze and the hygienists of Southlands Dental about other issues that are particular to adult dental health. Call the office @ 720-886-0606.

“Limited research has suggested that even after being visibly rinsed clean, toothbrushes can remain contaminated with potentially pathogenic organisms.” That is a quote from a report on oral health by the Centers for Disease Control and some of those words may sound pretty serious. A pathogen for instance promotes disease and when we think of our toothbrush being exposed we can ponder up all kinds of nasty scenarios. The good news is that there are steps that we can take to keep our toothbrushes free of the pathogens that can make us sick.

First things first. Germs are easily transferred so make sure to wash your hands with warm soapy water before you reach for that toothpaste tube. After you’ve brushed for a full two minutes cleanse your toothbrush with hot water to get rid of excess toothpaste or any food particles that may have been caught in the bristles.

It’s good to share but not when it comes to your toothbrush. If you use the same brush as your roommate or spouse you will be putting yourself at risk from the germs that you will also be sharing with him or her.

Dentists recommend that patients invest in a new brush every 3 to 4 months or more often if the bristles become worn. This rule applies to electronic brush heads as well.

Southland Dental schedules regular patient checkups for the prevention of oral disease. Call 720-886-0606 for your appointment.

If you are a senior experiencing a persistently dry mouth don’t rack it up as just another part of the natural aging process, because it’s not! This kind of dry mouth is a medical condition that should not be ignored.

Some medications result in dry mouth, in fact it is the number one contributor where older people are concerned, but we shouldn’t discount other possibilities. If you are the caregiver or loved one of a senior citizen always be alert for the signs of dehydration, another common cause of dry mouth. It’s easy for an older person to forget to drink enough water every day, but it is essential for those of us who live in high risk climates such as Colorado to do so. Symptoms of dehydration aside from thirst can include headache and disorientation.

The medical term for chronic dry mouth is xerostomia. It causes a decrease in the production of the saliva that washes away food particles and helps to reduce plaque buildup on our teeth. Without a sufficient flow of saliva we are at higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately there are several options for the treatment of dry mouth. The important thing is that the condition be recognized before any significant damage is done.

Dr. Looze of Southlands Dental in Aurora will perform a thorough exam to determine the early signs of dry mouth and address any other issues that may be of concern. Call today @ 720-886-0606.

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic treatment option for people who want a bright and healthy looking smile and it is very effective in most cases. There are some things that we can do however, to prevent our teeth from discoloration. Some of those things involve lifestyle options and the choices we make about what we eat and drink.

A lot of us enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or just to relax after a long day but even white wine can stain our teeth. The acidic content in all wines is what eats away at tooth enamel and exposes the layer of dentin that lies beneath causing its yellowish color to show through.

Fruit is a good source of many of the vitamins that promote nutritional balance in our diet. Unfortunately the intensity of the color in many of the seasonal berries that we love to enjoy have the capacity to stain our teeth. Blueberries, blackberries and cranberries and their by-products, are some of the worst offenders.

As we age so does the dental work that we have had done over the years. An old filling for instance, can darken so much that the appearance of the restored tooth is adversely affected. The best way to keep this from happening is to visit your dentist regularly so that he can repair or restore fillings in a timely manner.

Southlands Dental has been duly recognized for the outstanding service they offer to the residents of Aurora, CO. Call the office @ 720-886-0606 for your appointment.

Mouth-guards come in many forms and are used for a variety of purposes. Adolescents and adults who participate in contact sports or highly competitive events need the protection that a custom fitted mouth-guard can provide. Statistics have shown us that over half of the dental injuries to participants in youth sports games could have been avoided with the addition of a professionally designed mouth-guard.

The favored treatment for sleep apnea, a serious disease that affects a large part of the adult population in this country has been the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. It operates by increasing the pressure of the airflow through a hose that is attached to a mask that fits over the nose or the nose and the mouth. The treatment itself is most effective but the problem is that so many patients find it hard to adjust to the apparatus.

Since the incidence of rejection has been so high for the use of CPAP professionals have turned to the dental community for other alternatives. The industry has responded with the introduction of dental sleep oral appliances, mouth-guards, that can be made to specifically fit the individual and allow him to get a safe and comfortable night’s sleep once again.

Snoring is symptomatic of a sleeping disorder. Not only can the affliction disrupt the sleep pattern of the habitual snorer but it can also have an adverse affect on his sleep partner. Wearing a nighttime mouth guard has proven to be an effective deterrent.

Southlands Dental has several special offers for new patients. Call for your appointment @ 720-886-0606.

Dental patients no longer have to settle for the metal fillings that were the only choice before the advent of dental resin. Resin is composed of plastic and glass that results in a tooth colored material that is ideal for filling the cavities left by tooth decay.

The metal fillings of old contained a high degree of mercury which was suspected to cause various physical issues if it entered the bloodstream. Over time however, technology started to mix other materials in with the metal which lowered the mercury content to a safe level.

Silver amalgam fillings have a tendency to expand and contract when exposed to temperature changes putting some stress on the tooth and creating a higher risk for cracking. A composite resin filling is not affected in the same way.

Naturally enhanced composite fillings are especially favorable for use on front teeth or any tooth in minimal need of restoration. Once the dentist has filled the cavity no one will be able to notice the difference between the affected tooth and the surrounding ones. This is important in maintaining the self confidence of the patient to smile at will and take pride in his appearance.

Tooth colored fillings have a life expectancy of up to fifteen years if the patient follows instructions for home care and sees his dentist at regular intervals.

Dr. Looze of Southlands Dental in Aurora offers his patients the advantage of his 25 years in the dental profession. He continues to hone his skills by taking part in advanced educational programs. Read more about Dr. Looze on the website, www.southlandsdental.com.