Archive for the ‘Dental Care’ Category
The Importance of Flossing Your Teeth and Gums
Everyone knows they should floss but do you know why? There are a few major reasons flossing is so important. Did you know flossing regularly can prevent not only gum disease but reduce your risk of heart disease too? Below are some of the most important reasons everyone should be flossing.
1. Floss to prevent gum disease: It seems obvious but flossing regularly can prevent gum disease. Gingivitis will be the first sign of gum disease and appears as inflamed gums. If not treated gingivitis can turn to peridontal disease and it’s not pretty. The plaque that gathers on your teeth contains harmful bacteria. Flossing helps remove this bacteria from the gums.
2. Floss to prevent your teeth from decaying: When plaque left on your teeth mixes with sugar and other bacterias in your mouth your teeth can begin to decay. Brushing alone will not remove all of the plaque in your mouth. Leaving plaque between the teeth is in large part what causes cavities between teeth.
3. Floss to prevent tartar build up: Many people are unaware that when plaque is left on the teeth it reacts with saliva’s calcifying properties and become tartar. Those who regularly brush AND floss generally have less tartar build up. No amount of at home dental care will prevent you from creating tartar and removing it is rather difficult. Regular cleaning will help you keep your mouth free of tartar.
4. Floss to prevent bad breath (halitosis): Bad breath is often caused by plaque left between your teeth. Persistent bad breath may also be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay which are also caused by plaque left on the teeth.
5. Floss to reduce the risk of heart disease: It’s true, regularly flossing can reduce the risk of heart disease. Our mouth is a gate way for harmful bacteria to enter our body. Dental plaque contains harmful bacteria that if left in the mouth can make it’s way into the body including cardiac tissue. People who regularly brush and floss their teeth greatly reduce the amount of plaque in their mouth and reduces their chances of heart disease.
There are a number of reasons to floss your teeth on a regular basis. Unsure of the proper way to floss? Ask Dr. Loftus or one of his dental staff to show you how! We are happy to educate our patients on the proper ways to maintain a healthy mouth.
Posted in Dental Care
High Tech Dentistry Helping Us Provide Exceptional Patient Care
Dr. Loftus uses high tech dentistry to provide patients with exceptional patient care. Technological advances in dentistry techniques and dental equipment enable Dr. Loftus to detect dental issues sooner and preventing a bigger problem. From advanced X-ray machines to laser decay detection, we are fortunate to have a variety of state of the art technology to treat our patients.
Detection and identification of dental issues is key to effective treatment. Intra Oral Cameras, Digital X-Rays and Diagnodent a laser detection system, we are able to accurately diagnose more dental issues than ever. Not only are these procedures safer but allow Dr. Loftus to take a closer look at what’s really going on inside your mouth.
We invite you to contact our office to schedule your dental procedure with Dr. Loftus and experience for yourself the level of patient care provided at Amazing Smiles Dentistry.
Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Care
Rapid City General Dentistry
Dr. Loftus is one of the areas leading dentists. His kind caring manner puts even the youngest patients at ease. While Dr. Loftus specializes in smile makeovers, he offers a number of general dentistry procedures as well. Whether you need a thorough cleaning to maintain the health of your teeth or have a cavity that needs attention, Dr. Loftus can take care of all your general dentistry needs.
Dr. Loftus and his staff welcome patients of all ages. We strive to create an environment in which all patients fell comfortable and confident knowing their needs are being taken care of. From patients needing a simple check up to those needed more extensive dental work such as crown Dr. Loftus is sure to pay attention to every detail as he completes your procedure.
If you are in need of a dentist that can handle the dental needs of your children but also your cosmetic dentistry desires, Dr. Loftus can help. Contact our office to schedule your
Posted in Dental Care
What Can You Do To Maintain a Healthy Smile
Studies have shown that our smile is the number one feature people notice outranking our eyes and our hair. If our smile is what makes a lasting impression, don’t you think it’s important to take care of it? Rapid City Dentist Dr. Jeff Loftus has dedicated his life to helping people achieve the smile they deserve and maintaining their teeth. Below are some easy steps to follow at home to ensure your smile is healthy and beautiful.
1) Brush your teeth: This seems like a no brainer but most people only brush their teeth once a day. Brushing after each meal prevents harmful bacteria from making itself at home in the crevasses of your teeth causing decay. This is especially important after dinner. If your teeth are not cleaned after your last meal, the sugars from your food and drink get to sit on your teeth all night while you sleep.
2) Floss: Flossing helps keep your gums healthy. Gum disease not only causes your gums to be inflamed it can also cause bad breath. Not sure of the proper way to floss? Ask Dr. Loftus to show you how. He and his staff are happy to educate you on the proper techniques to take care of your teeth and gums.
3) Think about the things you drink as well as what you eat: We all know that candy is bad for our teeth but do you ever stop and think about what the things you drink are doing to your teeth? Sugary soda and juices can cause just as much damage as sugar filled snacks. If you are going to indulge in a sugary drink, try to brush your teeth right after to avoid damage.
Following these three easy guidelines will help you maintain a healthy smile.
Posted in Dental Care
What is Your Bad Breath Telling You?
Out mouth is home to thousands of germs and bacteria so it is no wonder that our breath may stink from time to time. The foods we eat and the liquids we drink can have an immediate effect on our breath as is the case when eating something full of garlic or drinking strong coffee. But what else could your bad breath be telling you?
For some bad breath is a sign of a bigger dental issue. Bad breath that lasts more than a day or comes back shortly after brushing your teeth may be a sign of tooth decay, gum disease, or insufficient saliva. Additionally poor dental work such as ill fitting bridges or fillings can create spaces in your teeth for bacteria to hide. With proper attention all of these things can be treated.
If you have bad breath and are concerned about the cause, contact our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Loftus. He will get to the root of your Halitosis and work with you to develop a dental plan to be rid of your bad breath.
Posted in Dental Care
Creating Beautiful Smiles with Custom Smile Design
Everyone wants a beautiful smile they can be confident flashing to anyone who may pass by. Unfortunately, the majority of people need help in one way or another in achieving that perfect smile. Rapid City cosmetic dentist Dr. Jeff Loftus offers a wide variety of procedures to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Loftus offers smile design to help anyone achieve that perfect smile.
The term “smile design” applies to the enhancement of a smile using a combination of procedures . There are a number of personal factors that go into designing the perfect smile including the patient’s eyes, lip line, coloring, gum tissue contouring and face. All of these features are taken into account when determining the best procedures for the individual patient.
A smile design may incorporate any number of procedures including a dental bridge, whitening, resin, whitening and more. Our goal is to redesign your smile so that it fits you, is beautiful, strong and natural looking. We will create a smile especially for you that will make you smile for years to come!
Click here to contact our office to schedule your smile design appointment and be on your way to a beautiful natural looking smile.
Posted in Dental Care
Straightening Teeth with Rapid City Invisalign
Everyone wants a beautiful smile. Unfortunately not everyone is born with straight teeth. As we get older and out of our young adult years, the use of traditional metal braces becomes less and less desirable. Rapid City cosmetic dentist Dr. Jeff Loftus offers his adult patients an alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign.
Invisalign is a wonderful treatment for adults who want orthodontic treatment but don’t want the hassle and appearance of metal braces. The treatment requires custom aligners to be worn for weeks at a time. Acting like braces, the aligners will straighten your teeth over time.
Adult patients find one of the best parts about this treatment is the ability to remove the aligners when needed. The treatment usually take about a year but that time frame varies depending on the severity of the crooked teeth. A consultation with Dr. Luftus will help you determine the time it will take to correct your teeth.
We invite you to contact our office to discuss the Invisalign process and determine if you are a good candidate.
Posted in Dental Care
Improving Your Smile with Rapid City Gum Lift
Our smile is one of the first things people notice upon meeting. Knowing your smile is exactly what you want it to be can be a huge confidence booster and it shows. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with the perfect smile and need help achieving one. Those who’s gums are a prominent part of their smile often avoid smiling with their teeth. Using a procedure called a gum lift, Dr. Loftus is able to create a beautiful smile that balances the gums and teeth.
Gum-lifts involve the removal of gum to make the teeth appear longer, and the gum-line more even. Many people who have excess gum covering the front teeth are often self conscious of their smile. In many cases, not only do they have excess gum but their lip exposes there gums when they smile. Men and women who’s gum line is uneven often appear as if their teeth are different lengths. If excess gum is your problem, Dr. Loftus may be able to help using Rapid City gum lifts.
If you would like to discuss your smile and how a gum lift may improve the appearance of your smile, contact our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Loftus
Posted in Dental Care
Rapid City General Dentistry
Finding a dentist you and your family likes can be a difficult task. Rapid City Dentist Dr. Jeff Loftus strives to make each dental patient feel comfortable and relaxed during their entire dentist experience. Providing a number of cosmetic dentistry procedures, Dr. Loftus is able to meet the needs of each member of your family.From cleanings and fillings to crowns and veneers, Dr. Loftus will help you create a smile you love.
Dr. Loftus has a kind and gentle chairside manner that allows patients of all ages to feel comfortable while in the dentist chair. In a spa like atmosphere, patients of all ages are able to drink, snack and watch TV making their procedure go by much quicker. Don’t let fear of the dentist keep you from achieving the smile you deserve.
Contact our office to schedule your dental consultation with Dr. Loftus and see why so many choose him for all of their dental needs.
Posted in Dental Care
High Tech Dentistry – Changing the Way We View the Dentist
Visiting the dentist used to be something most every dreads. The machines were loud, the procedure painful and the results often not that impressive. Advancements in the dental industry have allowed skilled cosmetic dentists such as Dr. Jeff Loftus to improve the care they are able to give their patients.
Technological advances in dentistry and dental equipment, allow us to offer our patients careful, conservative treatment with earlier detection of problems. It also helps us preserve more natural tooth than ever before. Laser systems, digital X-rays and specialized dental cameras have improved the level of comfort the patient experienced during the procedure. Knowing Dr. Loftus uses state of the art technology and the latest in dental techniques puts his patients at ease during their dental appointment.
Contact our office to schedule your appointment and see for yourself how the advancements in dental technology have improved the overall dental experience. Click here to learn more about high tech dentistry.
Posted in Dental Care
