General dentistry and preventative dental care set up patients for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Routine dental visits and at-home oral hygiene are important ways to prevent further dental problems. Thoroughly cleaning the teeth and gums can prevent common problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities.
Dental cleanings and at-home care can remove harmful bacteria that irritate the gum tissue and break down the tooth enamel. At Gunbarrel Dental Center, we provide general dental services and treatments that help patients maintain their smiles in Boulder, CO. Our team can keep patients healthy and improve their smiles with preventative care.
Dental Fillings
We can provide traditional and composite fillings for cavities and tooth decay patients. Composite or white dental fillings are tooth-colored restorations. To ensure that white fillings stay in place, we prepare the tooth, apply and cure bonding fluid to the tooth’s structure, and then place the filling. Composite dental fillings blend in with the color of natural teeth for a seamless look.
Amalgam fillings use a mixture of metal to fill cavities in the back of the mouth. Dr. Barone can safely remove or replace old, damaged, or cracked amalgam fillings. Although metal fillings can become damaged over time, they offer a more durable option for patients with damaged molars.
General Dentistry in Boulder, CO
Dr. Barone is an experienced general dentist who has achieved Fellow status in the Academy of General Dentistry. This is a testament to her dedication to providing the most comprehensive care possible for our patients’ oral health needs. Our general dental services include preventative treatments and dental tools that we offer so patients can receive high-quality dental care:
Emergency Dentistry
If you have a dental emergency, call our dental office for care. Dental emergencies can be sudden, painful dental problems such as a knocked-out tooth, toothache, or broken dental restoration.
Dental Sedation
Has it been some time since your last dental cleaning? Do you avoid the dentist because of anxiety or fear? Dr. Barone offers oral conscious sedation, nitrous oxide, and IV sedation. She works with a local CNA to provide IV sedation. Patients with dental fear or anxiety benefit from dental sedation because it keeps them calm and relaxed.
Family Dentistry
Our dental office provides dental care for the whole family. We offer extensive family dentistry services, from dental sealants and fluoride treatment to dental restorations and cosmetic care. It is important to continue to care for the teeth and gums as you age.
Sleep Apnea
Do you often wake up gasping for air? Do you or your partner snore? You may have sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. Wearing a custom oral appliance can keep the airway open and prevent sleep apnea.
Laser Dentistry
Dental lasers are tools that we use to treat patients with gum disease, tongue-tie, lip-tie, and cold sores. Laser dentistry provides a painless and efficient way to treat the mouth’s soft tissues.
The Importance of Preventative Dental Care
Preventative care is the basis of your oral health. It doesn’t just take place in the dentist office, either. For optimal oral health, you need to take care of your smile properly at home and visit the dentist for regular office visits.
At home, brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once daily. This prevents plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth. Your normal dentist office cleaning is usually only every six months, which isn’t enough for quality oral health. Poor brushing and flossing habits can also give you pretty bad breath. Getting rid of food particles and odor-causing bacteria is done with regular brushing.
Just at-home care can’t completely care for your smile, though. There are certain areas, primarily towards the back of your mouth and other problem regions that you can’t reach with your normal toothbrush. Our specialized dental tools are designed to reach these difficult places. You can brush and floss regularly at home but are still at high risk for tooth decay and gum disease because those areas aren’t cleaned.
Cleaning isn’t the only important part of your regular dental visit. We also perform a thorough oral exam. Serious issues like oral cancer and gum disease have early warning signs that are hard to miss. They aren’t painful, so many patients just brush them off. We’re trained to notice these early warning signs. Early detection of dental issues makes the treatment options less invasive and expensive.
Not only do we have training, but our office has advanced diagnostic tools. X-rays have been an important part of dental exams for years. They can detect things like tiny cavities, tooth decay between teeth, and teeth impacted under the surface. We can see things that even our trained eyes can’t see.
Diet and Oral Health
Your diet plays a big part in how healthy your mouth is. Certain vitamins and minerals are essential for keeping your smile healthy. You should try to avoid certain foods for the best interest of your teeth and gums.
Good Foods for Oral Health
Calcium and Vitamin D are two of the most important things for your smile. Calcium builds strong teeth and bones, strengthening your tooth enamel to protect against bacteria and decay. You can find it in dairy products and leafy green vegetables. Many dairy products are also fortified with Vitamin D. This vitamin works by helping the body absorb calcium better so your smile is better protected.
Vitamin C is another vital element for oral health. Instead of teeth and bone, this helps boost the immune system and resists inflammation and infection. It’s crucial for protection against gum disease. It also promotes collagen production, fortifying soft tissue so the gums don’t inflame and bleed. Fruits like oranges, kiwi, and strawberries contain solid amounts of Vitamin C.
Fresh, fibrous fruits and vegetables are great for your oral health. Fiber is a natural cleanser and helps remove plaque and debris from your teeth. They also require a lot of chewing to break down, causing your mouth to produce a lot of saliva. Saliva is essential for oral health. It helps hydrate your mouth and wash away debris and food particles. It also neutralizes the acids in your mouth that bacteria produce.
However, there may be nothing more important to your oral health than water. It’s essential to stay hydrated and avoid dry mouth. The more water you drink, the more food particles you can wash away and acid you can neutralize. If you drink tap water, it’s also usually fortified with fluoride. Fluoride provides an extra boost to your tooth enamel, keeping it strong.
Foods to Avoid
Sugars and acids are the two worst culprits for your smile. Harmful bacteria in your mouth feed off sugar, releasing an acidic byproduct that causes tooth decay. Things like dried fruit, candy, and even crackers are all culprits. So is regular snacking throughout the day. If you’re constantly eating something with sugar, you’re constantly exposing your mouth to bacteria’s favorite food.
Sugary foods are made worse when they contain acid, like soda. Acid increases the rate of enamel erosion, adding to the acid already brought on by the bacteria. If you consume foods high in acid or sugar, drink water after you’re done to try and wash particles and bacteria away.
General Dental FAQs
Read answers to commonly asked questions about our general dentistry services:
What are common dental emergencies?
Our dental office can treat patients with objects stuck between teeth, tooth pain, broken teeth, lost teeth, and broken or lost dental restorations. We can treat patients’ tooth pain and discomfort while creating new, custom restorations.
Do I have sleep apnea if I snore?
Snoring is often a common indicator of sleep apnea. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Contact our office if you also experience problems staying asleep, frequent headaches and migraines, and other sleep apnea symptoms. Our team can help you determine if you require a sleep apnea appliance.
What do I do if I have dental anxiety?
We encourage patients to contact our office for accommodations. Patients can be accompanied into the exam room and bring their favorite music and headphones during treatment. We can also review dental sedation options if needed for more routine care.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Do you need a new Boulder, CO dentist? Contact Gunbarrel Dental Center today at 720-881-0614 or request a dental consultation with Dr. Barone online. Our dental practice serves patients from Longmont, Boulder, Gunbarrel, and the surrounding areas. Please let us know if you have any current dental concerns or questions about your treatment options. We are here to help you.