Category Archives: Dental Tips

Solutions for Common Denture Problems

Closeup of hands holding full dentures to replace missing teeth

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.

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How to Encourage Your Child to Brush Their Teeth

Young boy smiles at his mom after brushing his teeth at the bathroom sink

Good oral hygiene is just as important for kids as for adults! We understand that many kids struggle with brushing their teeth. But poor brushing habits can make your child more vulnerable to developing bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Here are some ideas to help your child be more consistent about brushing their teeth every day:

  1. Start Young
  2. Habits started young are more likely to persist as a child gets older. Start cleaning a baby’s gums every night with a damp, soft cloth. As soon as they start getting teeth, brush twice a day with a soft-bristled child’s toothbrush and a tiny smear of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Once your child has two teeth touching, you should begin flossing too. Starting early helps your child get used to the routine and feel of using a toothbrush and floss.

  3. Let Them Choose Their Tools
  4. Children like to feel a sense of control. Letting them choose their toothbrush and toothpaste can be a simple way to help them feel more involved in their oral hygiene. Whenever it’s time to replace their toothpaste or toothbrush, you could bring your child with you to the store to pick their next soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Or you could buy two different toothbrushes and/or toothpaste flavors and allow them to choose which to use each morning and night.

  5. Play a Song for 2 Minutes
  6. Your child may be brushing their teeth twice a day, but are they brushing for the full two minutes each time? To encourage them to brush long enough, play two minutes of their favorite song. This can keep your child more engaged in brushing, especially if you join in and brush your teeth too.

  7. Use an App
  8. There are many brushing apps available for both iOS and Android that are designed specifically for kids. Using colorful characters and music, the timers let your child know how long they should brush each section of their mouth.

Kid-Friendly Dentistry in Denver, CO

Brushing and flossing at home are essential for maintaining good oral health. Your child should also visit the dentist at least every six months for cleanings and exams! Vero Dental sees patients of all ages – including babies – and offers family block appointments for your convenience. Please contact us if you have additional questions about how to encourage your child to brush their teeth or if you want to schedule appointments for your family at our office. We look forward to hearing from you!

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How to Avoid a Holiday Dental Emergency

Holiday lights in the shape of a tree against a night sky at Christmas

The holidays can be full of surprises, but we hope a dental emergency is not one of them for you this season! If you’re taking time off or traveling during the holidays, the last thing you want to worry about is having to make an unexpected trip to the dentist’s office. Here are some tips to avoid a holiday dental emergency.

  1. Avoid Hard Foods
  2. Many dental emergencies involve broken restorations or a knocked-out permanent tooth. If you have sensitive teeth or restorations like crowns, implants, dentures, or veneers, you should steer clear of biting down on hard and chewy candy, crusty bread, and ice.

  3. Pack Your Dental Supplies
  4. If you’re traveling, make sure to bring your soft-bristled toothbrush or your electric toothbrush and charger, toothpaste, floss, floss threaders and dental wax if you have braces, and other dental tools relevant to your oral care routine (such as a water flosser or a special mouthrinse). Don’t take a vacation from your daily oral hygiene! If you don’t brush and floss your teeth, you increase your risk of tooth decay and gum infection.

  5. See a Dentist Before About Any Issues
  6. Schedule an appointment with your dentist before the holiday season to take care of any tooth pain or sensitivity. Then you can relax and enjoy your holiday plans pain-free.

  7. Don’t Bite Down on Non-Food Items
  8. You might be excited to tear into your gifts, but don’t bite down on anything that isn’t food. Hard plastics, wood, and metal can all instantly damage your teeth, so be sure to use your hands or scissors to open up your gifts and packages.

  9. Drink Plenty of Water
  10. Don’t overdo it on the sugar, alcohol, and hot cocoa. Excessive consumption will increase your risk of tooth decay and infection. Drink plenty of water to help wash away sugar and bacteria from your teeth during the times you do indulge your sweet tooth.

  11. Wear a Mouthguard If You’re Playing Sports
  12. If you’re interested in playing contact sports during the holidays, like ice hockey or football, make sure you wear a mouthguard and proper headgear to protect your teeth and jaws.

Emergency Dentist in Denver, CO

While the above tips can help reduce your risk of a holiday dental emergency, sometimes the unexpected still occurs. If you do experience a dental emergency, call our team at Vero Dental for emergency dentistry. We accept a variety of payment options to help make your experience as stress-free as possible. Learn more on our financial page!

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What Can I Do About Sensitive Teeth?

brunette woman with sensitive teeth cringes in pain and touches her cheek against a pink background

If you have sensitive teeth, then you can relate all too well to that sharp feeling of discomfort anytime you eat or drink something that’s too hot or too cold. The great thing is that there are some steps you can take to address the issue and get that much-desired relief. Here’s what you should do if you have sensitive teeth:

Reassess Your Dental Routine

Have a look at your at-home dental care routine. Make sure you’re using a soft-bristled toothbrush so you don’t damage your enamel and gums with a hard-bristled brush. When you’re actually brushing, check that you’re moving the brush in gentle circles, rather than in an aggressive manner. Additionally, start using an anti-sensitivity toothpaste if you aren’t using one already.

Minimize Acidic Beverages

Acidic beverages can cause enamel erosion and make your teeth more sensitive. Try to swap drinks like soda and citrus juices for water whenever possible. You can also rinse your mouth out with water anytime you drink one of these beverages to minimize exposure to the acid.

Consult with Our Team!

Since the cause of tooth sensitivity can vary from patient to patient, your best bet is to schedule a consultation at Vero Dental to find a personalized solution. For example, if you have gum disease, more of your tooth root could be exposed, thus making your tooth more sensitive. We can set up a periodontal care plan for you to improve your gum health. Or if you have bruxism, meaning you grind and clench your teeth at night, then we can fit you with a custom nightguard to protect your teeth while you sleep.

At Vero Dental, our team is here for all your dental needs with our comprehensive dental services, and that includes help managing sensitive teeth. If you’re struggling to find relief from tooth sensitivity, contact us today to schedule a consultation!

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Reasons to Choose a Family Dentist in Denver, CO

Mom and dad smile while holding their 2 daughters outside before going to their family dentist in Denver, CO

When you search for a Denver dentist, you may notice that different dentists have different specialties. Some focus on certain treatments while others only take care of children. Family dentists offer a variety of treatments and treat patients of all ages.

At Vero Dental, your family dentist in Denver, CO, we offer dental care for the whole family! Visiting a family dentist has multiple benefits.

Convenience & Family Block Appointments

When you have multiple practitioners that you and your family visit, it can get confusing. It can also lead to hectic weeks. With a family dentist, you have only one practitioner who cares for the dental needs of everyone in your family. You don’t have multiple names, numbers, and addresses to keep track of when you have one dentist for every member of your family. You can even schedule routine checkups for every member of your family on the same day with a family block appointment.

Comprehensive Services & Extensive Experience

When you choose a family dentist, they have a great deal of experience in various areas of dentistry. Therefore, you receive care from an expert who can meet all your family’s oral healthcare needs within the spectrum of preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency care. Here at Vero Dental, we even offer sedation dentistry to help your family feel relaxed and calm throughout your treatment.

Continuity of Care

A family dentist understands firsthand how the oral health and general health needs of adults and children vary. You’ll be able to see the same practitioner for many years because they are able to provide personalized care to for all age ranges. You don’t have to worry about your children getting older and having to switch dentists, either. At Vero Dental, your child can continue coming to see us even after they turn 18!

Join Our Dental Family!

Vero Dental would be thrilled to be your family dentist in Denver, CO. Contact us today for more information about our comprehensive dental services or to schedule a family block appointment for your whole family.

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