Should I Get a Custom Mouthguard for Sports?

May 31, 2023 8:00 am
Published by Vero Dental

A nightguard protects your teeth and jaw from damage if you grind your teeth and clench your jaw as you sleep. An athletic mouthguard is meant to protect your teeth, lips, and mouth when playing contact sports or engaging in high-impact physical activity. Whether you play recreational soccer on the weekends or you’re a regular at the boxing gym, a custom mouthguard for sports will help keep your smile safe while you work up a sweat.

Benefits of a Sports Mouthguard

The main benefit of wearing a mouthguard is that you can participate in an athletic activity without worrying that you might wind up breaking, cracking, or losing a tooth if you fall or get hit in the face. Some sports’ organizations require a mouthguard as part of the uniform, like football. But even if you or your child aren’t required to wear a mouthguard, it’s not a bad idea to wear one anyway as a buffer if an accident occurs.

While many sporting goods stores sell generic one-size-fits-all plastic mouthguards or boil-and-bite mouthguards, a custom mouthguard made by your dentist is the best option. A custom mouthguard is specially made to fit snugly against your teeth for optimal protection. It is also more comfortable to wear, which makes it easier to talk and breathe than if you were wearing a bulky store-bought mouthguard. Athletes are more likely to actually wear an oral appliance if it is comfortable!

Custom Mouthguards in Denver, CO

Do you need a custom mouthguard to protect your smile for an athletic activity? The first step in getting your custom mouthguard is to visit our office. We use an iTero scanner to create an incredibly precise digital impression of your mouth, which will then be sent to a dental lab. When your mouthguard is ready, you’ll come back in to try it on and we’ll evaluate whether it needs any adjustments.

Please contact our team to schedule an appointment at Vero Dental in Denver, CO!

5 Signs You Should See a Denver Emergency Dentist

May 17, 2023 8:00 am
Published by Vero Dental

While some dental issues can wait until your routine checkup, others require immediate attention. Here are a few signs that it’s time to see your emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Cracked or Broken Tooth

A crack or break in a tooth allows bacteria to reach the sensitive inner layer of your tooth, called the pulp, that has blood vessels, connective tissue, and your tooth’s nerve. It’s important to seek attention quickly for a cracked or broken tooth to prevent additional damage and infection.

Severe Pain or Swelling

Pain and swelling can indicate a number of dental issues, including serious infection and tooth decay. While it’s OK to use over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses to help relieve your tooth pain, you should still call your emergency dentist to schedule an appointment.

Loose Adult Teeth

Loose adult teeth can happen as a result of oral trauma or gum disease. No matter the cause, if you notice that one of your adult teeth is feeling loose, call us immediately! Catching the problem early may allow us to save your tooth.

Damaged Dental Restoration

If you notice that your bridge or crown is dislodged or even fallen out completely, call us for an emergency appointment. We can repair your restoration to restore your oral function and prevent damage.

Uncontrollable Bleeding

Persistent bleeding could indicate gum disease, vitamin deficiency, or a serious blood disorder. If your mouth won’t stop bleeding, reach out quickly to schedule an emergency appointment.

Emergency Dentist in Denver, CO

You can trust that our qualified team at Vero Dental will take good care of you if you need emergency dental care in Denver, CO. If you are unsure whether or not you require immediate assistance, call our office ASAP and we can advise you on your best next steps.

Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Do I Need Dental Bonding, Veneers, or a Crown?

April 24, 2023 8:00 am
Published by Vero Dental

Preventive dental care emphasizes maintaining healthy teeth and gums to prevent issues from developing. Restorative dental care involves fixing the structure or health of damaged or compromised teeth. And cosmetic dental care improves the aesthetics and appearance of teeth. Our team can help you decide whether you only need preventive care or if your teeth would benefit from a restorative treatment, such as a dental crown, or a cosmetic enhancement, like dental bonding or veneers.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are caps that can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain and metal. While a dental crown can be used to hide an irregularly shaped or a severely discolored tooth, it is generally utilized as a restorative solution. It is bonded in place to cover the top of a cracked, broken, or decayed tooth to restore and strengthen its structure, or to complete a bridge or dental implant.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is when we apply tooth-colored resin to a tooth to improve its shape and appearance. This simple, quick procedure doesn’t require multiple visits nor extensive preparation of a tooth. Bonding is best for minor defects like small chips or little gaps between teeth.

Custom Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of a tooth-colored material, typically porcelain, that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. This permanent cosmetic procedure changes your tooth’s size, length, shape, and color. Veneers can hide chips that are too large for dental bonding and discoloration that cannot be corrected with professional teeth whitening. More severe structural issues should be addressed with dental crowns.

Comprehensive Dental Care in Denver

If you think you might need dental bonding, custom veneers, or dental crowns, contact us at Vero Dental in Denver. Our team provides all of these services and more at our practice. During a consultation, we can give you our professional recommendation about what your smile needs to shine.

Solutions for Common Denture Problems

April 10, 2023 8:00 am
Published by Vero Dental

Have you lost multiple permanent teeth? Partial or full dentures could be a great option to give you back a beautiful, full smile. While it can take some time getting used to dentures, the good news is there are solutions for common denture problems. Here are some tips!

Trouble with Chewing & Eating

After spending decades biting down and chewing food with your natural teeth, it can feel slightly odd to do it with dentures. Like with everything else, the easier it becomes the more you practice! Start off by eating small bites of soft foods. As you become more comfortable, ease into eating harder foods and larger bites that require more chewing.

Difficulty Speaking

You may not realize how much the position of your teeth affects speaking. If you’re new to dentures, you may find that some normal words are harder to pronounce since your tongue is having to move around your artificial teeth differently than it did before. Try privately reading aloud and singing to develop your confidence.

Dentures Slipping

Some dentures are held in place by suction and the work of the muscles in your mouth. It’s normal to deal with some slippage in the first weeks after you’ve gotten your dentures. If the problem continues and you can’t get the hang of it, ask your dentist about other options. Some patients use denture adhesive or have their dentures fixed in place with dental implants.

Consult with Our Team!

If you’re having a hard time getting used to dentures, please contact our team at Vero Dental in Denver, CO. We’d be happy to check the fit of your dentures and adjust them as necessary for your comfort. We can also give you more tips and tricks when it comes to caring for and wearing your dentures.

FAQ About Periodontal Therapy

March 28, 2023 2:38 am
Published by Vero Dental

At Vero Dental, we offer periodontal therapy for patients who are experiencing gum disease, a common dental disease. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a progressive condition caused by bacteria overgrowth in the mouth. There are multiple reasons why one might develop gum disease, but it’s most likely due to a lack of proper oral hygiene.

What Are the Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Early-stage gum disease, or gingivitis, starts off with bleeding, tender, and swollen gums. Over time, the bacteria that has accumulated along and under the gums causes bad breath and the gums to separate from the teeth. This can lead to gum recession and tooth sensitivity, and eventually tooth decay and tooth loss.

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

The best ways to treat gum disease in its early stages is through deep cleanings and improved oral hygiene at home. During a deep cleaning (also called scaling and root planing), your dental team will meticulously remove plaque and tartar that have formed under your gum line. More advanced gum disease can require antibiotics, laser treatment, or surgery.

Is Periodontal Therapy Expensive?

The cost of treatment depends on how advanced your gum disease is. It’s very important to seek treatment if you have gum disease to prevent the spread of infection, as well as total tooth loss. Vero Dental offers a variety of payment options to keep our treatments affordable, and we will always provide you with a cost estimate of your treatment to ensure it fits your budget.

We Can Help Improve Your Gum Health

If you are experiencing any symptoms of gum disease, contact Vero Dental today to schedule an appointment at our office in Denver, CO. We can explain how periodontal therapy can help you enjoy a healthy smile and improve your quality of life.

Is “Laughing Gas” Safe for Children?

February 25, 2023 6:45 pm
Published by Vero Dental

At Vero Dental, we offer mild and moderate dental sedation. So if you struggle with dental anxiety or need an extensive procedure done, sedation dentistry can be a great choice to help you relax and get the care you need! Certain forms of dental sedation are even safe for kids. For example, “laughing gas” is a safe and convenient sedation option for young patients.

What Is Laughing Gas?

“Laughing gas”, or nitrous oxide, is a colorless gas that has a slightly sweet smell. In the context of a dentist’s office, it’s administered through a nosepiece. You inhale the gas as you breathe in through your nose. This medication induces a temporary feeling of relaxation and calm. It’s common to feel drowsy and not remember much of the appointment. Nitrous oxide is also safe for kids, as it is very mild. Your child will be awake but relaxed during their treatment. And its effects wear off when the nosemask comes off and your child takes some breaths of normal air.

When Can Kids Get Dental Sedation?

Many kids struggle with anxiety or sitting still for a long time. Nitrous oxide can be very helpful during procedures like fillings and crowns. If your child has severe anxiety at the dentist, we can also use nitrous oxide during routine cleanings and exams. Please let us know if you’re interested in nitrous oxide for your child.

Dental Sedation for Kids in Denver, CO

We understand that children can feel intimidated or scared at the dentist. Nitrous oxide is a safe sedation option that is very mild and wears off quickly so kids can return to their normal routine right away.

If you have additional questions about how to help your child have a positive experience at the dentist or want to schedule an appointment for them with our team at Vero Dental, please contact our office today!

How to Eat with Dentures

January 9, 2023 7:51 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Though dentures are beneficial for patients missing all or most of their teeth, adjusting to your dentures while eating may take some practice and patience. We’re sharing five tips for how to eat with dentures to make your adjustment easier!

Start with Liquids or Soft Foods

Once you put on your dentures, you may notice excessive saliva, mild soreness, and some difficulty speaking. These temporary discomforts are normal. Drinking liquids or eating soft foods like mashed potatoes, applesauce, smoothies, yogurt, and eggs can make the transition easier. We also recommend you avoid very hot temperatures as dentures can make it trickier to tell how hot a beverage or food item is.

Take Small Bites

After soft foods have been a success, the transition to hard foods may pose a new challenge. It’s best to cut food into small pieces to give you better control of chewing.

Chew with Both Sides of Your Mouth

You may feel like one area of your denture is more stable than another. However, using both sides of your mouth when you chew can prevent your denture from slipping out of place. This can also speed up the adjustment of eating with dentures.

Limit Using the Front Teeth

Using your front teeth to bite into foods can cause the front part of your dentures to take on all the pressure. This can dislodge other areas of the dentures and cause soreness to that section of your gums. Using a strong adhesive is a great way to stabilize your dentures.

Be Patient

Adjusting to dentures can take time. Stay patient, confident, and hopeful! You will eventually be back to enjoying a balanced diet with ease.

Comfortable Dentures in Denver, CO

Whether you’re wearing full or partial dentures, it’s important to be aware that eating with dentures will feel different than eating with all natural teeth. Dentures also require special maintenance and routine visits to the dentist. Please contact our team for more tips on living with dentures and to schedule your next routine cleaning and checkup!

Denture images from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

The Difference Between Dental Bridges & Implants

December 30, 2022 12:47 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Missing teeth can throw a wrench in everyday activities such as confidently interacting with others, eating, and speaking. At Vero Dental, we understand that finding a tooth replacement solution that best suits your smile needs, lifestyle, and budget is important. Luckily, there are many restorative treatments to help patients fill the gaps in their smile. Two common tooth replacement options are dental bridges and dental implants.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth in a row. This versatile dental prosthetic is designed to mimic the natural appearance of teeth. A traditional dental bridge is made up of two crowns on both ends with an artificial tooth sandwiched in between. The crowns attach the bridge on each end to your natural teeth. Bridges can also be connected to dental implants.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are small titanium rods that are surgically placed directly into the jawbone. These bases provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth to attach onto. Once the implants fully fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, a dental crown, bridge, or denture can be put into place on top. Implants are the only tooth replacement method that stimulates the jawbone to help prevent bone degeneration and changes in your facial structure.

Tooth Replacements in Denver, CO

Are you ready to start your tooth replacement journey? At Vero Dental, our experienced team is committed to helping patients regain beautiful, complete smiles. We offer a wide array of treatments to help restore your smile’s functionality and boost your confidence. In addition to our Dental Savers Plan, our office accepts many forms of payment, including cash, debit and credit cards, dental insurance, FSAs and HSAs, and financing through CareCredit^® and LendingClub. Please contact our office today to schedule your tooth replacement consultation!

Bridge and implant images from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

What Should I Do If My Filling Falls Out?

November 25, 2022 9:46 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Acid from bacteria can strip minerals from a tooth’s enamel, its outer protective layer, and cause temporary weakening. If the tooth is not fortified with additional minerals, it will result in permanent damage to the tooth in the form of a cavity. This is a little hole in your tooth’s structure. An untreated cavity can get worse and cause infection that results in pain and tooth loss. Your dental team will check for cavities, and other dental issues, at your routine checkups and will recommend any necessary treatment. This can involve removing the decay, cleaning the area, and repairing it with a filling.

What Is a Filling?

A filling is a special dental material a dentist uses to literally fill up a cavity to restore a tooth’s strength and full function and to protect the inner tooth from damage. Fillings are typically tooth-colored so you can’t see them. While uncommon, a filling can fall out.

Treating a Lost Dental Filling

If your dental filling has fallen out, then you want to get the area treated as soon as possible. That filling was a barrier that protected the inner part of your tooth from being exposed to bacteria. Without it there, your tooth is more susceptible to decay and infection.

The first thing you should do is call your dentist so that they can bring you in to get a new filling. In the meantime, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication to reduce any discomfort. Try not to chew food in the affected area since you want to keep the tooth as clean as possible. Drink plenty of water and regularly rinse your mouth with a mixture of warm water and table salt.

Restorative Dentistry in Denver, CO

If you have any questions about your smile, please contact Vero Dental today! We provide a variety of restorative dental treatments, including dental fillings, in Denver, CO.

Is Invisalign Right for Me?

October 29, 2022 12:01 am
Published by Vero Dental

Do you want to straighten your teeth? It’s never too late to get a healthier, straighter smile! Invisalign^® is a subtle way to get a straighter smile without most people even noticing you have anything on your teeth. Here’s what you need to know about Invisalign and why it may be a great teeth straightening method for your needs!

What Is Invisalign?

If you haven’t straightened your teeth yet, is it because you don’t want to spend time in metal braces? We get it! Luckily, with Invisalign clear aligner therapy, you don’t have to have noticeable metal brackets and wires disrupting your appearance and irritating your cheeks. Invisalign is a nearly invisible teeth straightening method that utilizes clear aligner trays. These translucent trays can feel similar to a mouthguard, retainer, or whitening trays. Their smooth, clear material means you can continue to smile with confidence while you straighten your teeth.

How Invisalign Works

With Invisalign technology, your dental team will map out an entire treatment plan when you begin your orthodontic journey. You will wear a set of trays for about two weeks at a time. After each two-week period is up, you will swap out your old trays for new ones that will continue to move your teeth even more. With Invisalign, the aligners need to be worn at least 20-22 hours a day. You should only take them out to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth and trays.

Invisalign Candidacy

Responsible patients with mild to moderate misalignment are great candidates for Invisalign. The best thing to do is to schedule an in-person consultation with your certified Invisalign dentist to see if you’re a good match! Your dentist will examine your smile, discuss your goals, and go over estimated treatment costs.

Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re currently looking for an Invisalign dentist in Denver, CO, our team would love to help! At Vero Dental, we proudly offer Invisalign and other cosmetic dental treatments. Please contact us today to schedule an Invisalign consultation at our office!