Yes, an essential part of a regimen for good oral health is home care, but did you know….? There are some surprising statistics and little known facts about the way you care for your teeth that you may find both interesting and helpful in achieving your goal.

Brushing is important but how you go about it can make all the difference. It has been determined that most people spend less that one minute out of their day brushing their teeth even though dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day for two minutes at a time.

Some people think that covering the bristles of their toothbrush is the best way to keep it clean. The truth is that bacteria thrive in a dark moist environment which you would be providing by putting a cap over your toothbrush. Better to let your brush air dry in an upright position. Sharing a toothbrush holder with someone else means risking sharing their germs as well.

Most people keep their toothbrush in the bathroom near the sink for convenience sake. That’s fine, but remember that little saying “don’t brush where you flush.” The rule of thumb is that you should store your toothbrush at least six feet away from the toilet, and put the lid down before you brush to avoid contamination from the spray.

Enjoy some of the comforts of home that Southlands Dental provides or feel free to bring your own DVDs or musical selections to make your visit more relaxing. Call the office @ 720-886-0606 to schedule your appointment today.

The dental concerns that most people experience over the various stages of a lifetime are most likely to lie within the three basic fields of preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry.

Preventive dentistry is concerned with trying to ward off an issue before it can arise. It includes everything from the fight against cavities to defending against tooth loss and involves the cooperative efforts of both professional and home care. A regimen of brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings, is at the essence of preventive dentistry.

Restorative dentistry deals with treatments and therapies that work to revitalize a tooth that has been impaired. Among the many procedures associated with restoration are fillings, root canals and deep cleanings to manage periodontal disease.

Technological advances have helped to increase the demand for cosmetic dentistry procedures. People are becoming more aware of the many benefits that it can provide, tooth whitening being one of the most popular.

Some procedures that fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry can also be characterized as restorative. Porcelain veneers, implants and crowns are used to repair or replace damaged teeth as well as to give patients a new and improved smile.

Settle into a dental home that can provide an extensive range of services and cater to the needs of all of your family members. Meet Dr. Kalra and his staff of experienced professionals at Southlands Dental in Aurora. Call 720-886-0606 today.

Parents try to keep their kids away from consuming too many starchy foods and sugary drinks in the effort to reduce the number of childhood cavities that they will have. Unfortunately, mom and dad sometimes tend to ignore the importance of maintaining a healthy diet for their own benefit.

It is important for your overall good health to eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet, but there are certain foods that are particularly good for your teeth and gums.

When we think of having strong bones and teeth two basic elements may come to mind. Fluoride has been called “nature’s cavity fighter,” and as that became more and more evident fluoride has been added to most of the drinking water supplies of the cities and suburbs across our nation.

Most people can get an adequate dose of fluoride just by turning on the tap but those who are more susceptible to tooth decay can benefit from the extra fluoride that is found is some over the counter toothpastes and mouth rinses. In-office fluoride treatments and prescription toothpastes are available for higher risk patients who suffer from gum disease or who have had extensive dental work done.

Calcium is another contributing factor in the consideration of healthy adult teeth. Cheese and yogurt are both rich in calcium and since they are also low in sugar content they go to the top of a list for foods that are good for our adult oral health.

The reviews that patients have posted on the Southlands Dental website www.southlandsdental.com are certain to encourage you to call 720-886-0606 for your own appointment with Dr. Kalra.

You may not naturally associate a dental issue with your eating habits or your digestive system but there is a correlation there. If you are normally able to eat pretty much anything you like including crusty breads and crisp veggies consider yourself lucky but if you should suddenly experience difficulty chewing certain foods it may be a sign of trouble. Pain when chewing is a prime indication of a cracked tooth. It could also be a symptom of tooth decay or a sign of early gum disease. Take note of these indications and let your dentist know if they persist.

Trouble chewing thoroughly can mean that you are swallowing larger pieces of food that are harder to digest. If you’re having more bouts of indigestion than usual consider that it may be related to a problem with your teeth or gums.

Smoking or any other form of tobacco use increases your risk for gum disease. If you have been diagnosed with periodontitis smoking will only aggravate the condition. Maintaining your good oral health is one more in a long list of reasons to kick the habit.

The status of your general well being can have a specific effect on your oral health. Some medical conditions influence our immune systems so that we have a harder time fighting off the harmful bacteria that can lead to tooth decay or gum disease. Certain medications may also have an impact.

Make an appointment with Southlands Dental for a complete exam and professional cleaning. Call the office @ 720-886-0606 in Aurora.

Want whiter teeth? Just go out and buy a whitening kit and your troubles are over – or not. There are a few things that can go wrong when using an over the counter tooth whitening product.

The whitening strips or the trays that hold the whitening mixture are obviously not custom made and if they don’t fit you properly it can affect the results. The whitening compounds found in the kits that you buy on the market aren’t as strong as those used by a dental professional. If your stains are too extreme an average strength dose may not be enough to get the job done.

If you feel that you have followed the directions provided in your home whitening kit and everything seemed to go well except for the fact that your teeth didn’t look any whiter afterward, there may be another reason.

Your dentist will tell you that some stains are easier to get rid of than others. Most stains that are caused by the foods and drinks that we consume don’t penetrate below the surface of the teeth so that whitening compounds can work effectively to remove them. Some tooth discoloration however, is caused by a weakness in the enamel. A dental professional can evaluate your teeth and find out what may be at the bottom of the problem.

Put your trust in the experienced staff at Southlands Dental in Aurora, CO. Call 720-886-0606 for your appointment.

The consensus of opinion concerning dental implants seems to be that it is indeed the best tooth replacement alternative available today. Satisfied patients agree that once an implant is in place and a crown attached the restoration will function as well as the natural tooth did. But before you get too excited about it be sure that you are a good candidate. If you are in general good health and you have a strong jawbone structure, are a non-smoker and can commit to a dental implant maintenance program you can expect to be evaluated as an excellent prospect.

So what can hurt your chances? Smoking can be a problem because it tends to decrease the flow of saliva which in turn encourages the growth of bacteria in the mouth. In addition, some of the chemicals found in tobacco products have been known to inhibit the healing process after dental implant surgery.

Gum disease can deter a successful implant experience. If you suffer from periodontitis your dentist will most likely recommend that it be treated and controlled before considering implant surgery.

Bone grafting may be an option to build up the structure that is necessary to support an implant. It may delay the implant procedure to give the new bone time to fuse with your own but the result can be well worth the wait.

The staff of Southlands Dental in Aurora headed up by Dr. Kalra, takes a personal interest in every one of their patients. Call 720-886-0606 to arrange for a consultation.

Cosmetic dentistry can give you a new smile for sure and many of the procedures will even make your teeth stronger. Knowing that may make you feel better about spending the money for personal improvement, as if you need a reason!

A composite filling for instance, is only an improved version of the more traditional silver fillings that dentist used to use to restore a tooth. Composites fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry because they are made to match the natural shade of your original teeth and as such are considered an improvement to your physical appearance. Since silver fillings are still available composites are looked upon as a cosmetic option.

Implants have become the most popular choice for tooth replacement. And again, the older options such as dentures are still available and that puts implants under the heading of cosmetic restorations, making them the more expensive alternative. But, gaining the self confidence that comes with not having to worry about your dentures slipping out of place at the most inopportune moments and knowing that you can get back to enjoying the foods that you love makes the investment well worthwhile.

If your tooth has been chipped or if staining can’t be removed by whitening you may want to opt for a dental veneer that can be bonded right onto the enamel. Although it is definitely cosmetic the procedure will reinforce the tooth and make it less susceptible.

Dr. Looze of Southlands Dental in Aurora believes that a healthy smile can do more than enhance your looks. Talk to him about the many cosmetic procedures available today. Call Southlands @ 720-886-0606.

The stage and severity of your periodontal disease will determine the course of treatment. Because plaque buildup is what leads to gum disease it is the first hurdle in the fight to contain the deterioration. Your dentist will most likely recommend a dental procedure known as scaling and root planing.

When plaque is left to collect on the teeth it hardens into a substance called calculus, otherwise known as tartar, which can only be removed with professional dental tools. The scaling and planing procedure will most likely be done by the hygienist in your dentist’s office. It usually requires two or three sessions with a local anesthetic applied to make everybody more comfortable. A follow up appointment will be scheduled for a month or so after treatment to evaluate the effect. Most patients will benefit from more frequent cleanings for a complete restoration of healthy gums.

After a planing and root scaling procedure you may experience some tenderness and slight bleeding in the area. It may be painful to chew crispy or crunchy foods, so a soft foods only diet will be recommended. Future maintenance is essential to the continued health of your gums. You will need to adhere to a regimen of good habits like brushing and flossing on a daily basis and seeing your dentist at regular intervals.

Browse the Southlands Dental website where Dr. Looze and his entire staff of dental professional is well represented. Call the office @ 720-886-0606 in Aurora to make your appointment.

The popularity of having our teeth whitened has brought about a lot of discussion on the subject. Considerations have included the rate of success, the disparity in cost between professional and over the counter whitening products and the time involved in treatment.

We have realized that an in-office whitening procedure performed and overseen by a dentist will be more likely to produce the most effective results. Hydrogen peroxide is the bleaching agent and main ingredient in any tooth whitening compound. The reason that a professional application is more efficient is because the formula used contains a higher strength bleaching component. The process is painless and can be completed in an hour’s time.

The benefit of a professional tooth whitening procedure may for some be overshadowed by the cost. Over the counter bleaching kits are sufficiently less expensive. But, there is a middle ground. A dentist can provide a take-home kit that can be used over two or so weeks time to produce a good result. The bleaching trays that are provided in these kits are custom fit to the patient so that the solution is kept away from sensitive gum tissue. A take-home kit is considerably less expensive than an in-office procedure. Talk to your dentist before deciding on a method of treatment.

Dr. Looze of Southlands Dental listens to the concerns of each and every one of his patients. If you’re considering tooth whitening call the office @ 720-886-0606 to consult with Dr. Looze.

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.