Taking care of your teeth with regular dentist visits and good brushing habits keeps your smile healthy for life. Cleanings at the dentist and at home stop problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities before they start.
At Gunbarrel Dental Center, we offer dental services that help you keep your smile in top shape. Our goal is to keep your teeth and gums healthy with regular care.
General Dentistry and Preventive Care in Boulder, CO
Dr. Barone is a skilled general dentist who has earned Fellow status in the Academy of General Dentistry, showing her commitment to providing top care. We offer a range of general dental services to keep your mouth healthy:
- Emergency Dentistry: If you have a dental emergency, like a knocked-out tooth or severe tooth pain, call our office right away for help.
- Dental Sedation: If you are nervous about visiting the dentist, we offer sedation options, including oral sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and IV sedation, to help you relax.
- Family Dentistry: We provide dental care for patients of all ages, from children to adults. Family dental services include cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, and more.
- Sleep Apnea: If you or your partner snore or wake up gasping for air, you may have sleep apnea. We can create a custom mouthguard to keep your airway open while you sleep.
- Laser Dentistry: We use dental lasers to treat problems like gum disease, tongue-tie, and cold sores. Laser treatments are gentle and often pain-free.
Dental Fillings
We offer both traditional metal fillings and tooth-colored composite fillings for patients with cavities or tooth decay. Composite fillings blend in with your natural teeth, making them almost invisible. To place them, we clean the tooth, apply a bonding fluid, and then put the filling in. Metal, or amalgam, fillings are stronger and are often used for back teeth. Dr. Barone can also safely remove or replace old metal fillings that are worn out or damaged.
The Importance of Preventive Dental Care
Preventive care is key to keeping your mouth healthy. It’s not just what happens at the dentist’s office, but also how you care for your teeth at home. To keep your smile in top shape, brush at least twice a day and floss once a day. This helps remove plaque and food bits that can cause problems like cavities and bad breath.
While home care is important, it’s not enough. You can’t reach every part of your mouth with just a toothbrush, especially areas in the back. That’s why regular dental cleanings are important. They help clean those hard-to-reach spots and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
When you come in for a cleaning, we also check your mouth for signs of bigger issues, like gum disease or oral cancer. These problems often don’t cause pain right away, so you might not notice them, but we can catch them early. Early treatment means less pain and fewer costs down the road.
We also use tools like X-rays to spot issues we can’t see with the naked eye. X-rays help find small cavities, tooth decay between teeth, and even teeth that haven’t come through the gums yet.
Good Foods for Oral Health
Your diet plays a big part in keeping your mouth healthy. Some vitamins and minerals are especially important for strong teeth and gums, while other foods can cause harm.
Calcium and Vitamin D help strengthen your teeth and bones. You can find them in dairy products and leafy greens. Vitamin C, found in fruits like oranges and strawberries, boosts your immune system and can keep your gums healthy. Fiber-rich fruits and veggies help clean your teeth naturally and make your mouth produce more saliva, which washes away food particles and acids.
Foods to Avoid
Sugary and acidic foods are bad for your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar, creating acids that cause cavities. Foods like candy, dried fruit, and crackers are common culprits. Acidic drinks like soda also wear down your enamel. If you do eat or drink something sugary or acidic, drink water afterward to help rinse your mouth.
General Dental FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about dental care:
What are common dental emergencies?
Dental emergencies can include things like objects stuck between teeth, broken or lost teeth, tooth pain, and broken dental work. If you’re in pain or discomfort, we can help with treatment and repairs.
Do I have sleep apnea if I snore?
Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, but not everyone who snores has it. If you also have trouble sleeping, frequent headaches, or wake up tired, you might have sleep apnea. We can help you figure out if you need treatment for it.
What should I do if I have dental anxiety?
If you feel anxious about going to the dentist, let us know. We can make special arrangements to help you feel comfortable, like allowing a friend to come with you or letting you listen to music during your visit. We also offer sedation options if needed.
Schedule a Dental Appointment Today!
Need a new dentist in Boulder, CO? Call Gunbarrel Dental Center at 720-881-0614 or request a consultation with Dr. Barone online. We serve patients from Boulder, Longmont, Gunbarrel, and nearby areas. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns about your dental care.