Regular professional dental care greatly increases the odds that your natural teeth will last a lifetime, just as they were meant to do. Dentists commonly recommend that patients come in for a checkup twice a year at six month intervals so that any potential problem can be spotted early on and prevented from becoming something more serious. It is important however, to be aware of any changes that may occur in between visits with your dentist.

As you continue with your daily routine of brushing, flossing and rinsing take the time to look for symptoms that could indicate gum disease or tooth decay. Gingivitis is the initial phase of gum disease. It is indicated by redness or swelling, unusual spacing or gum tissue that seems to be separating from the teeth. If you notice an unexplained discoloration in the form of white spots on the surface of your tooth enamel it may mean that an acid attack is underway and could lead to a cavity if left untreated.

When the enamel has been invaded the inner layers of your tooth will begin to be affected. At this stage your teeth will become more susceptible to sensitivity from hot or cold foods or drinks. Don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment, call your dentist’s office asap.

Dr. Kalra and her staff treats the individual needs of each and every patient in the dental family of Southlands Dental in Aurora. Call today @ 720-886-0606.

Dental bonding is multipurpose, it can be used to restore a discolored or broken tooth, to fill in the gap between your two front teeth or as a dental filling. The material can be matched to the color of the natural teeth and is easily one of the less invasive, and more practical of all cosmetic dental procedures. Bonding is best suited for repair to the front teeth, the ones that don’t have to endure as much bite pressure. The procedure is designed to treat teeth that have suffered minor damage as opposed to a more severe trauma.

Bonding material just like natural tooth enamel, will wear down over time but if the proper care is taken it should be expected to last for at least ten years. For best results patients will be advised to continue a daily regimen of brushing and flossing, and are discouraged from eating or drinking anything that may cause additional staining. Certain foods or drinks could deteriorate the bonding resin, those high in acidic content should be avoided to reduce the risk. Biting down on any kind of hard surface can also do damage to a newly bonded tooth, stay away from hard candy or ice cubes.

Let Dr. Kalra of Southlands Dental in Aurora evaluate your needs and explain the many cosmetic dental options available today and which one might be most beneficial to you. Call Southlands @ 720-886-0606 to arrange for an appointment at your convenience.

Bacteria is just another word for the germs that make us sick, right? Well, not so fast, a lot of the bacteria that lives in our mouths is actually good for us. The healthy bacteria helps us fight off the bad.

Probiotics are on the “good guys” list of oral bacteria. They actually trigger the enzymes in the digestive system that processes the foods that we eat. These good bacteria stimulate the salivary glands to produce enough saliva to help to wash away the bacteria that contributes to oral diseases such as periodontitis.

We want to be sure that our mouth is clean and fresh but we also have to be careful not to kill off the good bacteria in an effort to get rid of the kind that can harm us. Cleaning between the teeth – yes, flossing will let you get down to the gum level where a lot of the nasty bacteria thrives. You can also use a tiny brush-like appliance that fits between the teeth to help remove any leftover plaque.

Don’t change your regular brushing regimen, but do brush with the bristles of your toothbrush angled so that they reach into the area where the gums come together with the teeth.

One of the best ways to resist harmful oral bacteria is through diet. The fiber in the skin of an apple for instance, helps to clean the plaque from the surface of your teeth. The crunchy texture of the fruit encourages a healthy flow of saliva.

Talk to Dr. Kalra of Southlands Dental about preventive measures for the care and protection of your teeth and gums. Call Southlands in Aurora @ 720-886-0606.

A dental filling is not only a restorative measure but it can also be used to provide a cosmetic effect for a tooth that has been damaged by decay or casualty. Tooth colored fillings can be made to match the color of the patient’s natural teeth and are bonded directly onto the impaired tooth without having to disturb the enamel.

“White” fillings have been available since the 1960’s. Research and development has over time, improved the material used to formulate the fillings. Today, most dentists use a composite resin consisting of a mixture of plastic and glass.

If decay is present it will be removed and the tooth will be cleaned and primed to receive the filling which will then be shaped to the tooth and hardened with a dental curing light. Slight adjustments may be made just before the filling is smoothed out and polished.

Dr. Kalra of Southlands Dental will do a thorough evaluation of your needs before recommending the type of filling that he feels will be most beneficial. His determination will be based on the location of the tooth, the extent of the damage and the level of stress that the tooth will need to withstand. A rear molar for instance, that does the rigorous chewing may do better with a metal filling. Consult with Dr. Kalra about the options available to you, call Southlands today @ 720-886-0606 in Aurora.

Some people use mouthwash as a regular part of their morning routine – brush, floss, rinse and they’re off. Others only swish after having eaten something spicy that could cause temporary bad breath. The rest of us never use the stuff. So who’s right, who’s wrong or does it matter?

If you’re going to use a mouthwash for whatever reason, make sure it contains fluoride. Studies have determined that a fluoride rinse can help to guard against tooth decay. An antibacterial formula that contains alcohol can destroy the bacteria that leads to infection and gum disease. If your dentist tells you that you may be at high risk in either case the right mouthwash may give some added protection.

Even though the alcohol in some mouthwash does kill off harmful bacteria it can also make your mouth dry. Saliva benefits your oral health by washing away food debris and cavity causing plaque. If the natural flow of saliva is interrupted its beneficial quality is reduced.

Mouthwash is intended as extra additive for improving oral health, it is not a substitute for brushing and flossing every day. To get the most out of using a mouthwash swish it around for at least one minute and gargle. then spit it out.

Before you decide which mouthwash is right for you see what your dentist has to say on the subject. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Kalra of Southlands Dental in Aurora today. Call the office @ 720-886-0606.

It’s been well documented that women are more likely than men to have annual physical checkups. Studies have found that women are also better about scheduling regular six month dental appointments. Men were found to be a little more lax when it came to home dental care as well. Brushing for a full two minutes twice a day for instance, was not always a high priority among the men who were surveyed.

Everyone should be diligent about maintaining good oral health. That goes double for those of us who may be more at risk for tooth decay or gum disease. Some medications, both over the counter and prescription, can cause a decrease in the production of saliva. If there isn’t enough saliva to wash away harmful bacteria the odds of getting a cavity raise.

Athletics and some recreational activities put us at risk for injury but there are precautions that we can take to protect against it. Wearing a mouth guard when participating in a contact sport is at least as important as wearing a helmet or knee pads. By the way, “contact” doesn’t necessarily refer to another player, connecting with a diving board or a baseball bat can be even more dangerous. Your dentist can custom make a mouth guard for the utmost in fit and stability.

Southlands Dental in Aurora caters to every patient’s particular needs. Browse @ www.southlandsdental.com and call 720-886-0606 to make an appointment.

Over the counter pain relievers for instance, are fine for the temporary symptoms that can be caused by a simple headache or the common cold, doctors often recommend them. Sometimes however, patients need the added strength of a prescription medication. The same holds true for oral health care.

Some dental patients are at higher risk for tooth decay than most. It may be a matter of genetics or it could be the lack of regular professional care. A long term diet of unhealthy foods and drinks can definitely add to the vulnerability. Whatever the reason, these patients will require a more intensive protective plan. A dentist can prescribe a toothpaste that will contain up to four times the amount of fluoride than a non-prescription one does. The extra strength formula will give the patient a much better shot at prevention.

When gum disease has advanced beyond the early stage of gingivitis a deep cleaning procedure known as “scaling and root planing” is normally advised. It is done to clean out any bacteria that has collected in the “pockets” that will form as the teeth recede from the gum tissue. If she sees the need a dentist will apply an antibiotic gel to the area following the procedure. She may also prescribe a pill to reduce inflammation and strengthen the bone structure.

Dr. Kalra of Southlands Dental in Aurora pays attention to the individual needs of every patient that she sees. Call 720-886-0606 for your consultation.

The hub of a tooth is its root canal system. The pulp that contains the nerves and tissues that keep the tooth alive are stored there. When the pulp is damaged by tooth decay or a traumatic injury the restorative treatment is professionally known as endodontic therapy which we commonly refer to as having a root canal.

The term has been known to strike terror in the heart of even the most laid back dental patient, but the actual therapy is really just a more extensive version of a dental filling. The real danger is in delaying the procedure. An invasion of the pulp will cause swelling and pain and can lead to serious infection.

Because root canals are so narrow an endodontic treatment requires the precision of high tech instruments. Thanks to the advancements in dental science, procedures to treat root canal infection has become more commonplace and more patients are able to keep those teeth that once may have been unable to restore.

A lot of the anxiety that patients go through when they are facing root canal therapy is brought on by a fear of the unknown. Dr. Kalra of Southlands Dental in Aurora wants his patients to have a comfortable dental experience. She will take you through the entire process so that you will know exactly what to expect before, during and after the procedure. Don’t put off making your appointment, call 720-886-0606 today.

We all know that too many sweet and starchy foods are bad for our teeth but what are some of the foods and drinks that can actually strengthen our tooth enamel and protect us from decay?

The fight against tooth decay begins in childhood. Each new generation of parents benefits from greater advances in dental technology than the one that came before, but certain basic factors are constant. Sugar for instance, is the enemy of good oral health. Some oral bacteria is harmless, some can even be beneficial but the “bad” bacteria mixes with the sugar content of the foods and drinks that we put into our mouths to form the acid that attacks our tooth enamel.

Unfortunately, a lot of the foods that we like are full of the sugar that is so harmful to our teeth. The resolution may lie in finding healthier foods and drinks to replace the ones that we know can result in tooth decay. The problem is finding replacements that we can live with and actually learn to relish.

Many fresh fruits are naturally sweet. Berries, apples and fresh peaches for instance, are great substitutes for candy bars or cupcakes. Dental patients have reported that after time they actually came to prefer the fruit and that the treats that they used to enjoy had become overly sweet to their taste buds.

A big part of your oral health is associated with your diet, but regular professional care is essential for prevention and early diagnosis. Call Southlands Dental @ 720-886-0606 in Aurora.

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.