Going to the dentist is a stressful experience for most people on one level or another. Fortunately for those who suffer the effects of high anxiety over going to the dentist there are several types of sedation therapies that can help.

Nitrous oxide is often nicknamed “laughing gas,” or “sweet air.” It is actually a gas that is often used to relax a patient who is about to undergo a dental procedure. It is known to produce a sensation of well-being, making the patient feel like everything is right with the world.

The patient breathes the nitrous oxide in through a mask that is placed over his nose. After only a few minutes the gas will begin to take effect. Once the patient is totally relaxed the dentist can proceed at a steady pace.

Regrettably, nitrous oxide is not a pain killer so your dentist will still need to inject a local anesthetic to numb the area around the infected tooth, but at least you’ll be more receptive to it.

The effects of nitrous oxide are beneficial for both the dentist and his patient during a procedure and will subside shortly after the mask is removed. The bad news is that you will have to wait awhile for your numbness to go away, but the good news is that there are no after effects with nitrous oxide so you will be able to drive yourself home right after the procedure.

Your comfort and peace of mind is of the utmost importance at Southlands Dental in Aurora. Call the offices at 720-886-0606.

Advancements in preventive medicine and technology are happening everyday. The same is true in the field of dentistry. If we would only take advantage of all the information we now have about how to achieve the goal of having healthy teeth and gums more of us could keep our natural teeth throughout a lifetime.

Brushing is still the only way you’re going to be able to get rid of the plaque that forms in your mouth on a daily basis. With the innovation of the electronic toothbrush came the opportunity for a much more thorough process of brushing our teeth. Comparisons have shown that the rotations of the bristles on an electric toothbrush are increased at least ten times over what you can expect from using a manual toothbrush. Dentists frequently recommend making the switch.

Patients who have been categorized as being highly susceptible to tooth decay can receive specialized fluoride treatments that are concentrated to produce a better result than over the counter toothpastes and fluoride rinses. Treatments are easily applied during a regularly scheduled dental appointment.

Flossing doesn’t just remove food particles that may have gotten stuck between your teeth, you can use a toothpick for that, but the main reason to floss after we brush is to remove the plaque that our toothbrush may have missed. Nobody likes to do it, but interdental cleaners have made flossing much easier, and you can just toss them afterward.

Southlands Dental uses the latest technology available for every service offered. Call 720-886-0606 in Aurora to make your appointment with Dr. Looze.

Prophylaxis is one of the more thorough types of tooth cleaning that you can have done and it can actually help to deter the progression of periodontal diseases.

No amount of brushing and flossing will guarantee that you will get rid of all the plaque causing bacteria living in your mouth. Of course practicing good oral health habits at home is well advised and will definitely contribute to a healthy smile but it will take the know how and experience of a dental professional to spot the beginnings of a problem. Then your dentist or hygienist can use the special technology and instruments at his disposal to get rid of any plaque buildup. A prophylaxis procedure will also remove any stains that your toothbrush might have missed or just couldn’t eliminate.

When plaque is left to harden it will gradually turn to tartar. Part of the prophylaxis treatment will be to remove tartar from above and around the gumline but it will also entail going further under the gumline and into the pockets where harmful bacteria can hide. The last phase in the treatment is called “root planing.” This is when the hygienist goes to the root of the tooth to clean out any remaining bacteria that could contaminate the gums.

Prophylaxis is a preventive measure used to keep a developing case of periodontitis from getting any worse. Having it done can save a patient from having to undergo a more invasive procedure. Call Southlands Dental in Aurora @ 720-886-0606 to make an appointment for your exam.

A successful dental practice is due in part to having an office staff made up of the right kind of people, people who are genuinely concerned about the care and comfort of others. Let’s face it, even though a dentist is there to relieve pain and at times even improve the quality of life for their patients going to the dentist’s office is seldom something that most of us look forward to. Being greeted with a reassuring smile and a manner that puts people at ease can make things a bit easier. Everyone likes to be recognized, so if the receptionist can remember to welcome the patient by name it will make him feel like he is truly part of a dental family.

The waiting area or outer office of a dental facility is the first impression a patient will have of the professionalism of the practice. It will be up to the staffers to see to it that the patients see a clean space with a warm atmosphere. Of course cleanliness is key for any medical office but if patients can also be welcomed with a hot cup of tea or coffee and a morning newspaper or a current magazine that’s all good too.

Dental associates will be smart to set aside the time for individual interviews with prospective staff members. Personal and previous professional references should be as important as computer and phone skills.

Southlands Dental invites you to meet their team on the website, www.southlandsdental.com.

Your smile has a lot to do with the first impression you make on the people that you meet. Fortunately cosmetic procedures have become more available to the general public and are more affordable than ever before so that if you need some improvement you can get it without having to spend a fortune.

There are various over the counter tooth whiteners that work adequately to remove superficial stains. They come in the form of toothpastes and various types of home whitening kits and strips. More traditional home remedies suggest brushing with baking soda and eating foods that increase the production of saliva – sugarless chewing gum is good for that also – and our saliva is what washes away acidic bacteria.

Bleach is commonly used as the main ingredient in tooth whitening formulas, but it is only effective on natural teeth. It will not work on bridge work or crowned teeth, but your dentist may advise alternative dental work.

If you do whiten your teeth and are pleased with the result your next concern will be to keep them looking good. Too much whitening is not advised but if you take care the effects of one treatment should last at least a year. Your dentist will tell you what foods and drinks to avoid in order to prevent further staining and that if you do indulge to rinse with water afterward.

Southlands Dental specializes in cosmetic procedures and can work wonders to enhance your smile. Call today @720-886-0606 in Aurora, CO.

It’s important to replace missing teeth so that the remaining ones will continue to be supported and able to remain in position. One of the more innovative options are dental implants. An implant is a surgically placed screw like apparatus that is attached to the jawbone to take the place of the natural root of the lost tooth. Once the implant is installed your dentist will wait 2-6 months to allow time for it to bond to its new environment and become strong enough to support an artificial tooth restoration. During this waiting period you may be able to wear a temporary crown if the missing tooth is obvious.

Most patients are good candidates for a dental implant assuming there is sufficient bone structure and healthy gums. If you ask your dentist about the possibility of an implant he will do an evaluation to make sure it is a doable procedure in your case. There are no special care instructions after having an implant, but your dentist will encourage you to keep up with your normal oral hygiene routine of brushing, flossing and having regular check-ups.

After your implant has bonded and your new tooth has been installed it will feel as though your natural tooth has grown back. You will find that the confidence that comes with having a healthy smile has also been restored.

Southlands Dental in Aurora, CO is devoted to patient comfort and individual attention. Call 720-886-0606 today for your implant evaluation.

Some patients feel that nitrous oxide is the best thing that has happened in the field of dental procedures. Its inception actually dates back to the 1700’s and can be credited to a man named Humphry Davey. Mr. Davey, experimenting on himself, found that the gas did indeed relieve the pain of his toothache and he was even able to block it out well enough to experience a very pleasant feeling.

Now we know that nitrous oxide should be mixed with oxygen in order to be safely administered. The combination can be adjusted according to the length of the dental procedure. Patients have described the effects as a feeling of being tickled and then being engulfed by a sense of overall contentment. No wonder more people prefer it to any other means of sedation! If a patient under the influence of nitrous oxide starts to experience any bad side effects the dentist can regulate the percentage of oxygen to that of the nitrous oxide. Tolerance levels can increase with more treatments.

A patient receiving nitrous oxide will simply breathe it in through a mask placed over the face. When the dentist turns the machine on the gas mixture will flow through a hose attached to the mask. Some machines are equipped with two masks – one to administer the gas and the other to provide the extra sensation of a pleasant aroma that the patient may enjoy during the procedure.

Nitrous oxide is fast working. Patients report feeling the effects in minutes after the therapy begins, and since there are no after effects patients can feel free to drive themselves safely to and from their dental appointment.

Inhalation sedation may be the only “anesthetic” necessary for some procedures, or it can be used in a procedure that requires an injection as well. It can relax the patient and relieve any anxiety he may have about the needle. It can also be useful for the patient who is prone to gagging.

At Southlands Dental in Aurora patient comfort is of the utmost importance. Dr. Looze and his staff and assistants make every effort to put their patients at ease. Call 720-886-0606 for your appointment.

If you develop a cavity let’s hope that your dentist catches it in the early stages so that the treatment will be simple and as noninvasive as possible. The first step in filling a tooth is to get rid of the decay. Once it is gone the tooth can be restored with any one of a few filling materials ranging from gold to composite resin.

Which kind of filling is right for you? This will be determined by several factors. Your dentist will evaluate your needs considering how much of the natural tooth has been lost to decay, where the tooth is located and what your insurance will cover. Composite fillings for instance, can be made to match the color of your other teeth and are often used to restore a front tooth while a less expensive silver filling can go unnoticed in a back molar.

There are advantages and disadvantages to every type of filling. Even though the aesthetic quality of a silver filling is less, it may well last longer than a composite and it will provide the strength needed for chewing. A porcelain filling is often chosen because of its resistance to staining. A porcelain filling can last for as long as fifteen years, but like a gold filling is a more expensive alternative.

When you have a tooth filled your dentist may recommend not biting down on it for the rest of the day, but after that you can return to a normal dental care routine.

In Aurora, CO call Southlands Dental @ 720-886-0606 for all your dental needs.

If you’ve recently had a reason to look for a new dentist and have found one that you feel will be a good fit for your needs, you should expect to have a comprehensive exam during your first visit with him. Even if you bring records and x-rays from your previous dentist your new dentist will want to make his own evaluations. He will also want to keep his findings from this initial exam in your patient file so that he can compare the changes that he may notice during future exams. You can help things along by taking a copy of your medical history and a list of any medications you are currently taking. Even some over the counter remedies can affect your teeth and gums.

Studies continue to make doctors and dentists more aware of the correlation between general medical health and oral health. They know for instance that a patient with diabetes is more prone to develop gum disease which in turn can make it harder to keep the blood sugar levels under control.

Be straightforward with your dentist. Get off to a good start by telling him about any apprehensions you have that may have been caused by an earlier experience, or if you are especially susceptible to anxiety attacks. Even though the first exam will be complete let your dentist know before it starts if you are experiencing pain in a particular area of your mouth or if your teeth are unusually sensitive.

If you have never undergone an extensive dental exam before you may be surprised when the dentist goes outside your mouth to check your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. That is the joint that controls the lower jaw when you use your mouth to talk or eat. He will also check your neck and face for any signs of swelling.

Southlands Dental in Aurora, CO has the newest technology on hand including the innovative intraoral camera. Call the office @ 720-886-0606 for your exam and don’t forget to schedule a cleaning at the same time.