Are Toothaches Preventable?

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The trouble with toothaches is that they have more than one possible cause, and treating one depends on finding out what’s causing it. Luckily, preventing toothaches is considerably simpler, and can often be accomplished with good dental hygiene and regular visits to your Grand Prairie dentist. Most toothaches indicate the presence of a dental disease, like tooth decay and gum disease, and keeping your smile healthy can prevent your teeth from becoming overly sensitive.

Why So Sensitive?

One of the most common reasons for sensitive teeth is the thinning and weakening of your tooth enamel. As the outermost layer of your teeth, enamel is the strongest substance your body produces. Underneath enamel lies the tooth’s main body, a substance called dentin, which feeds sensory information to the nerves and blood vessels at the tooth’s center, called the pulp. If tooth decay or dental damage compromises tooth enamel, then irritants that reach the tooth’s dentin can be felt by the nerves, causing the tooth to ache. Gum disease also leads to sensitive teeth by causing gums to recede from their roots, which aren’t protected by enamel and are directly connected to the tooth’s pulp.

Toughen Your Teeth Up

Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day can help control the bacteria that lead to tooth decay and gum disease, preventing some of the more common causes of toothaches. To fortify your teeth against sensitivity, Dr. Smith recommends ensuring that your enamel remains strong and formidable by following these tips;
  • Use fluoride toothpaste—fluoride bonds to tooth enamel, which is made almost entirely of mineral crystals, to help strengthen it against tooth decay and cavities.
  • Refrain from sugar—sugar and other carbohydrates feed bacteria that convert it into acid. The acid destroys your enamel and deprives your teeth of minerals, exacerbating the destruction of your tooth enamel and facilitating the onset of tooth decay.
  • Don’t skip your checkup and cleaning—regular professional maintenance allows Dr. Smith to periodically inspect your teeth and gums for signs of trouble. Our talented hygienists will also thoroughly clean your teeth and gums of bacteria, plaque, and tartar to help prevent dental diseases from forming.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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Get a Grip on Your Loose Dentures!

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If your denture feels a little loose, then you might try adding a bit of adhesive to tighten its grip on your dental ridge. If that doesn’t work, then you may have to visit your prosthetic dentist again to have your denture remeasured and possibly remade. Patients who’ve worn dentures for several years and longer may be familiar with the phenomenon of loose dentures, which can be especially frustrating since dentures are designed to fit snugly along your gums. However, patients who’ve supported their dentures on a series of dental implants can enjoy their new smiles without worrying about troublesome loose dentures.

Why Do Custom-Fitted Dentures Grow Loose?

When you lose your teeth, the missing crowns, or top portions, are the most visible aspect of your condition. Below your gum line, however, your jawbone also suffers from the loss of your teeth’s roots. Once embedded in your jawbone, missing teeth roots create indentations in your dental ridge. The area around the empty socket is resorbed by your body, which harvests the bone’s minerals since it no longer has to support a tooth root. Without the stimulation of teeth roots, your jawbone can eventually deteriorate and shrink from a lack of adequate nutrients, causing your dental ridge to change shape.

What Your Replacement Teeth Lack

Although dentures are designed to restore your ability to bite and chew by replacing your lost teeth’s crowns, they can do little to address the absence of your teeth’s natural support system. Contrarily, dental implants can be surgically inserted into your jawbone and used to support your dentures, providing your replacement teeth with a foundation similar to the roots of your natural teeth. Instead of adhesives, implants mechanically hold your dentures in place, eliminating the risk of your dentures slipping.

The Multi-Faceted Benefits of Implant Dentures

Keeping a tighter grip on your dentures is the immediate benefit of dental implants, along with the comfort and improved function that accompany that tighter grip. In the long run, implants help preserve your oral health by restoring root stimulation in your jawbone when you bite and chew. The activity helps maintain an adequate flow of nutrient-rich blood to your jawbone and remaining teeth, reducing your chances of future tooth loss due to jawbone deterioration.

About Your Grand Prairie Implant Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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Uncovering the Mystery of Wisdom Teeth

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For many people, wisdom teeth are a bane to their good dental health. They’re often extracted to relieve severe discomfort, and the frequency with which they’re removed may beg the question, why do we grow wisdom teeth in the first place? Although your mouth can function fine without them, the extra set of molars can prove beneficial for those who successfully grow all four of their wisdom teeth without trouble.

Their Purpose

A typical adult mouth contains four types of teeth—incisors, canines, bicuspids (premolars), and molars. Incisors and canines rip and tear your food into manageable chunks, while bicuspids and molars grind the food to prepare it for digestion. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, can provide additional chewing power to reduce the wear and tear on your other teeth. In ancient times, these extra molars were likely necessary to consume a rougher diet of raw meat and vegetation.

Their Problem

These days, with a much more forgiving diet and wider range of options for our meals, the typical adult jawbone can only comfortably accommodate 28 teeth, making the four last molars redundant and frequently troublesome. When your dental ridge doesn’t have enough room for them, your third molars will push against the existing teeth as they try to erupt from your gum line. Known as impacted wisdom teeth, they don’t erupt fully from your gums, or not at all, and can damage your other teeth while pushing them out of alignment. Extracting impacted wisdom teeth may be necessary to preserving your smile’s health and integrity.

Their Potential

Even if your wisdom teeth have to come out, they can still prove beneficial to your future dental or systemic health. According to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the pulp (soft tissue in the middle) of wisdom teeth contain a wealth of cells known as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) that are used to create stem cells. Scientists believe stem cells may hold the key to unlocking breakthrough regenerative medical treatments, including growing biological replacements for missing adult teeth. The cache of tissues discovered in extracted wisdom teeth can prove invaluable to researchers in their study of adult stem cells and their potential applications.

About Your Grand Prairie Implant Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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Important Info About Gum Disease Development

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Although not the most common dental disease (that accolade goes to cavities), gum disease remains the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. It affects the soft gingival tissue that protects the roots of your teeth, and when left untreated, the disease can also destroy the jawbone underneath your gums. Though many people are aware of gum disease and the fact that it’s a force to be reckoned with, the truth about its formation and the proper way to address it aren’t always as well-known.

It’s Highly-Preventable for a Limited Time Only

According to recent findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of Americans suffer from gum disease. For people over the age of 65, the number jumps to over 70%. Given its prevalence, you might assume that gum disease is inevitable for some people. Genetics can influence your susceptibility, but the infection that leads to gum disease (called gingivitis) results from poor hygiene and excessive mouth bacteria, not inevitability. As the precursor to gum disease, gingivitis is highly treatable with a deep periodontal cleaning and improved hygiene. If it progresses, then the infection will settle into your gums for good.

You Might Not Know You Have it Until It’s Too Late

Unchecked inflammation is the driving force behind gum disease’s destructive abilities, and is caused by certain oral bacteria that evade your immune system to survive. Gum recession (separation from your teeth), redness, swelling, and occasional bleeding are telltale marks of gingivitis, but discomfort doesn’t usually occur until the disease has advanced significantly. Since they don’t hurt, many patients disregard angry-looking gums and don’t receive treatment soon enough to prevent the onset of full-blown gum disease. Attending a dental checkup and cleaning at least once every six months will improve your chances of early detection by allowing Dr. Smith to periodically inspect your mouth for signs of trouble.

About Your Grand Prairie Implant Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Park Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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Think You Know Tooth Loss?

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Tooth loss is self-explanatory—the loss of one or more teeth. Though the condition is straight-forward, its causes, effects, and the means for replacing your teeth aren’t always as simple as you might expect. With a wealth of experience as a restorative dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith is well-versed in the intricacies of tooth loss. Part of rebuilding your smile after losing a tooth, or several, entails educating you about your situation and your viable treatment options.

Quiz Yourself (True/False)

Tooth loss an anomaly that shouldn’t occur.

True: Though tooth loss is common, and even likely for many people, it isn’t inevitable, nor is it a natural part of aging. On the contrary, it usually results from severe damage or an extensive dental disease. In fact, the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States is gum disease, which is highly-preventable and highly-controllable when detected and treated in time.

Once a tooth is lost or extracted, it can’t affect your other teeth.

False: Extraction is a common practice when a tooth is severely infected, or if its root is fractured. Removing the tooth helps prevent injury and the spread of infection to surrounding tissues. Nevertheless, the tooth’s influence doesn’t disappear with its extraction. With the tooth gone, those that remain have to take up the slack in your bite’s balance. The increased pressure can damage your other teeth, and they may even shift towards the open space to fix your bite’s pressure distribution.

Once a tooth root is lost, it’s gone forever.

True and False: Like the rest of your tooth’s structure, its roots don’t repair themselves or grow back once they’re damaged or lost. However, modern dentistry provides the means for replacing your lost teeth’s roots with the advent of dental implants. The small titanium root devices can be surgically inserted into your jawbone and used to support an appropriate dental prosthetic (i.e., dental crown, bridge, or denture).

About Your Grand Prairie Implant Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Park Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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Life with Dental Implants

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One of the benefits of visiting a dentist who’s skilled in multiple disciplines is that you can find a wide range of expertise within the same office. As a highly-experienced restorative and implant dentist, Dr. Gregory Wright can help you care for, treat, improve, restore, and rebuild your smile, regardless of the state of your oral health. When you’ve lost one or more teeth to extensive dental disease or damage, replacing them is vital to your smile’s integrity. With dental implants, Dr. Wright can replace your lost teeth’s roots, as well, providing unmatched, lifelike stability for your replacement teeth.

Revisiting Implants

Dental implants are among the most recent innovations in modern prosthetic dentistry. Unlike other dental devices, they replace the roots of your teeth that extend into your jawbone. A dental implant is crafted from biocompatible titanium, which your jawbone fuses to as it heals, and possesses a connective abutment that protrudes through the gum line. Your dental crown, bridge, or denture can be secured to these abutments, providing a root-and-crown structure that mimics your natural teeth’s design.

How to Care for Implants

Dental implant-supported prosthetics resemble your teeth in more than one way. For instance, caring for them is similar to maintaining a healthy natural smile. Although the titanium implants and porcelain replacement teeth aren’t subject to cavities, gum disease and other dental issues are still a relevant threat. Brush and floss with fluoride toothpaste to reduce the risk of cavities to surrounding teeth, and to eliminate the germs that accumulate behind the protection of dental plaque. The rule of thumb is to attend a dental checkup and cleaning at least once every six months, but Dr. Wright may recommend a more frequent schedule, depending on your exact needs. With proper care and maintenance, your implanted root devices can and should last a lifetime, but your replacement crown, bridge, or denture may need replacement, usually after ten or fifteen years (sometimes longer).

About Your Grand Prairie Implant Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Park Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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Why Does Your Breath Stink? You Might Be Surprised

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If you just ate a plate full of garlic, or if you “forgot” to brush your teeth this morning, then your bad breath probably isn’t much of a mystery. Aside from strong foods, one of the most common reasons for bad breath is the bacteria that dwell in your mouth. Some oral germs result in tooth decay, and some facilitate gum disease, but others release volatile sulfur compounds that persistently foul your breath. If you practice good hygiene and still experience bad breath, then you might be surprised to find the reason behind it.

Other Reasons for Bad Breath

CERTAIN MEDS

Prescription medications don’t directly cause your breath to stink, but dry mouth is a common side-effect of many medicines. Dry mouth describes a drastic decrease in saliva, which is your mouth’s way of naturally rinsing away food particles and bacteria. Your saliva also slows while you sleep, explaining why bad breath is so common when you first wake up in the morning.

RESPIRATORY ISSUES

Bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and other respiratory infections that involve nasal or sinus secretions can cause bad breath. A common cold could also be the reason if your nose is stuffy and dripping. If your bad breath persists after your respiratory illness clears, then visit Dr. Smith as soon as possible to determine the cause.

INSUFFICIENT CARBS

When you don’t consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates, your body turns to fat and protein as a source of energy. In this state, referred to as ketosis, your body will release chemicals into your bloodstream and breath that cause strong, persistent odors. The smell won’t go away with brushing, flossing, or strong mints and chewing gum, like other causes of bad breath might.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced family and children’s dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Park Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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Are E-Cigarettes Better for Your Smile?

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In light of the numerous effects that smoking can have on your dental and overall health, many people have successfully made the great effort to quit the habit. Over the last few years, many others have turned to innovative electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, as an alternative way to receive nicotine minus the other chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Considering the fact that a burning cigarette produces over 7,000 chemicals, a lot of which are carcinogens, eliminating the excess can help eliminate many of the risks associated with smoking; but is your smile really safer with the switch?  

What About E-Cigarettes?

An e-cigarette is a battery-powered device that converts liquid nicotine into water vapor. Although one of its main ingredients, nicotine isn’t a major contributor to the health issues linked to tobacco. Nevertheless, no scientific evidence exists to suggest that e-cigarettes are completely harmless to your dental health, and Dr. Smith advises you not to smoke at all to best protect your oral and physical health.

Consequences of Cigarette Smoke

In its package, a cigarette contains about 600 different ingredients, all of which are government approved for consumption. When burned, however, cigarette tobacco yields an arsenal of toxins and carcinogens (chemicals known to cause cancer). These toxins can interfere with the normal function of your oral tissues’ cells, and facilitate a friendly environment for harmful bacteria by damaging your salivary glands. Issues associated with smoking include;
·         Mouth, throat, and other oral cancers
·         Lung cancer
·         Respiratory infections
·         Aggressive periodontitis (severe gum disease)
·         Tooth loss
·         Jawbone deterioration
If you’d like to learn how you can quit smoking, speak with your Grand Prairie family dentist today. Dr. Quinn can also help restore the damage done to your teeth and gums caused by tobacco use, or refer you to a specialist, if necessary, to address severe health concerns.

About Your Grand Prairie Family Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced family and children’s dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Park Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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Why Teeth Stains Are No Big Deal

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Unlike most other dental issues, all teeth can stain at some point, whether from darkly-pigmented food and beverages or from something more serious, like a dental infection. The good news is that most teeth stains can be addressed with a simple teeth whitening procedure. Using professional-strength bleaching agents, Dr. Smith can brighten your smile in our office, in as little as an hour, or provide you with the tools to improve your smile from the comfort of your own home.

Whiten Your Teeth Your Way

Zoom! teeth whitening is one of the more popular professional teeth whitening systems today. Often referred to as same-day whitening, the in-office procedure can be performed in a single visit, and typically lasts about an hour. After applying the whitening gel to your teeth and protecting your lips and gums, Dr. Smith will use a special light to stimulate the gel. The active ingredients (usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) penetrate underneath enamel to erase the stains on and just underneath the semi-translucent surface. As an alternative to in-office treatment, Dr. Smith can custom-design a set of whitening trays that you can take home and use to apply the whitening agent at your leisure.

For Tougher Stains

Although most teeth stains are relatively minor issues, not all of them can be effectively treated with a teeth whitening procedure. For stains and discoloration that occur in your tooth’s dentin (the main structure underneath your enamel), Dr. Smith may recommend dental bonding, a dental crown, or porcelain veneers to restore your smile’s appearance. If your teeth’schanging color is an indication of a cavity or other dental infection, then Dr. Smith will prescribe an appropriate treatment to address the issue first. Mild to moderate cavities can be treated with white dental fillings made from composite resin (dental bonding), allowing Dr. Smith to restore your tooth while maintaining its natural color.

About Your Grand Prairie Cosmetic Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced family and children’s dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Park Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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Why All Teeth Can Stain

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You’re proud of your smile, so you do all you can to keep it looking as bright and as healthy as possible. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always guarantee that your smile will remain beautiful and blemish-free. A tooth infection, systemic illness, some medications, and habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can dull and stain your teeth in spite of good hygiene. Even the foods and beverages you consume routinely leave their marks on your teeth. Professional teeth whitening can help erase most stubborn surface stains, but understanding the main reasons why food tarnishes your smile can help you prevent some of the most common teeth stains.

Top Teeth Stainers

It might go without saying, but darker foods and beverages are more likely to leave noticeable stains on your teeth. Wine, tea, soda, sports drinks, dark sauces, and sweets are among the most notorious teeth stainers, each containing acids and persistent color molecules that cling to your tooth enamel. As a general rule, if your meal is dark enough to stain your white table cloth, then it can stain your teeth to the same degree.

Molecular Imperfections

Your food owes its color to strongly-pigmented molecules called chromogens that like to adhere to your tooth’s enamel (the semi-translucent layer of minerals surrounding your teeth). Chromogens don’t cling to your teeth easily, but when enamel is weakened by acid, the molecules can gain stronger hold. Many foods are naturally acidic, and others contain sugar and carbohydrates that feed acid-producing oral bacteria. As acids raise your mouth’s pH balance, they sap minerals from your teeth and weaken your tooth enamel.

More than Stains

Aside from allowing chromogens to more-easily stain your teeth, weak enamel also increases your risk of developing cavities. Compromised enamel can allow bacteria to reach your tooth’s main structure and incite an infection. As it progresses, tooth decay can eat away your tooth’s structure, leaving cavities (holes) in your teeth that grow larger until treated. An internal tooth infection can change the color of the bulk of your tooth, or dentin, that lies underneath the enamel, and treating the cavity is the only way to improve the tooth’s discoloration.

About Your Grand Prairie Cosmetic Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced family and children’s dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Park Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentist