How Fast are Fastbraces?

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A number of factors contribute to your smile’s good health and function, including how your teeth are situated in relation to each other. Ideally, teeth should grow straight up and down, or vertically, from your jawbone and out through your gums. Orthodontics is a focus of dentistry that involves the study and treatment of teeth that aren’t aligned properly, and orthodontic braces are the conventional method for straightening crooked teeth. Though malocclusion is usually detected and addressed in childhood, while teeth and the jawbone are still growing, it can also affect adults for a number of reasons. To help you straighten your permanent teeth in less time than traditional orthodontics, Dr. Quinn offers Fastbraces®, which utilize revolutionary brackets to reinvent the way braces move teeth.

The Consequences of Crooked Teeth

The first step to straightening your crooked teeth is choosing to straighten them. While you do have the choice of ignoring treatment, untreated malocclusion can lead to a host of serious issues that require more complex restorative treatment. Teeth that jut out at odd angles create hard-to-reach places where harmful bacteria can accumulate, increasing your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and chronic bad breath. Crooked teeth can throw your bite off balance, causing your jaw joints and muscles to grow fatigued trying to keep your bite straight.

The Fastbraces Difference

The science of teeth movement relies on two principles—moving teeth’s crowns and moving their roots. To reposition teeth at more effective angles, orthodontic treatment is often divided into two parts based on these principles. Over the course of about two years, braces move the crowns of teeth first, and then focus on shifting the roots. The unique, triangular design of Fastbraces’ brackets allows them to simultaneously move your teeth’s crowns and roots, reducing treatment time by up to 50%. Most cases only require about a year to complete, sometimes only a few months, so you can enjoy a straighter, healthier smile in significantly less time.

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.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Is Chewing Gum Good or Bad for Children’s Teeth?

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The question has flustered parents, teachers, and children alike for ages—is chewing gum good or bad for a child’s dental health? The habit can undoubtedly be annoying for adults chaperoning groups of gum-chewing children, but whether or not its detrimental to a child’s smile is a complicated question. Some additives, excessive chewing, and a lack of good dental hygiene can make chewing gum a risk, but some types of gum can benefit your child’s natural mouth defenses when chewed in moderation.

Choose the Right Gum

Considered by itself, the act of chewing something edible is beneficial for a number of reasons. The stimulation helps maintain a steady supply of nutrient-rich blood to the jawbone. Chewing also promotes a steady production of saliva, which can help clean your mouth after eating a meal or snack. Made almost entirely of water (over 99%), saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against oral bacteria and the tooth-eroding acids they produce. The sugar in many gum brands can feed these germs, increasing acid production and negating the benefits of increased saliva. Sugarless gum eliminates that risk, and many kinds of chewing gum now contain Xylitol, a naturally-occurring sweetener found in fruits and vegetables that inhibits the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.

Kids Who SHOULDN’T Chew Gum

Reducing the sugar content of chewing gum helps eliminate the increased risk of cavities, but tooth decay isn’t the only complication that can arise from the habit. Children who wear orthodontic braces, or who exhibit symptoms of TMJ disorder (a jaw joint dysfunction), should refrain from the sticky treat. Chewing gum can stick to and damage the brackets and wires of your child’s braces. Constant chewing can exacerbate the symptoms of TMJ disorder, leading to more frequent headaches and migraines, as well as jaw pain and facial soreness. If your child hasn’t been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, but complains of chronic aches and pains that might indicate a jaw problem, then visit Dr. Smith as soon as possible for an evaluation.

About Your Grand Prairie Children’s 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: Children's Dentist

How to Choose the Right Toothpaste

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Toothpaste has been used in some form or other by civilizations as old as the ancient Egyptians. Primitive toothpaste ingredients were…well, primitive, consisting of charcoal, crushed bones, and/or pulverized sea shells. Thankfully, the tube of paste on your bathroom sink is more evolved, but the principles of effectively cleaning teeth remain largely the same. With so many different choices, each containing a different set of ingredients designed for a specific purpose, choosing the right toothpaste might not be as simple as it sounds.

What are Your Needs?

Most toothpaste brands contain detergents to create a foam that more effectively cleans your teeth, abrasives that add scrubbing power to the paste, and flavoring to give the toothpaste its minty-fresh taste. Aside from these main ingredients, toothpaste types can vary in their makeup and purpose, and may include;
  • ·         Whitening toothpaste—unlike teeth whitening treatment, whitening toothpaste doesn’t actually brighten your teeth, but contains higher concentrations of abrasives or chemicals to remove minor tooth stains.
  • ·        Fluoride toothpaste—fluoride is one of the most important elements of cavity prevention. As a mineral, fluoride bonds to the surface of your tooth enamel, the protective layer of mineral crystals that surrounds your teeth. Enamel is the first defense against infectious bacteria, and fluoride toothpaste helps keep the barrier strong.
  • ·        Tartar control toothpaste—tartar is a calcified (hardened) form of dental plaque, which contains hundreds different kinds of bacteria. Tartar control toothpaste works to prevent the buildup of plaque and remove plaque that’s already accumulated. However, once tartar develops, it can only be removed by a dental professional during your checkup and cleaning.  

Ask Dr. Smith for Recommendations

As your smile’s professional caretaker, your Grand Prairie family dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, can recommend a specific toothpaste type if your dental health calls for it. For instance, particularly weak tooth enamel can benefit from fluoride toothpaste when used as directed, and patients with minor staining might notice improvement with whitening toothpaste. Dr. Smith can also recommend case-specific hygiene products, like anti-bacterial mouthwash that helps neutralize disease-causing oral bacteria.

About Your Grand Prairie Family Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced 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: Family Dentist

The Secret to Dental Implants

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Dental implants are small prosthetic root devices that are surgically inserted into a jawbone that’s missing teeth. More like natural teeth roots than conventional dental prostheses, dental implants are designed to become a permanent part of your anatomy, providing optimal support for your replacement teeth. By mimicking nature’s own design for your teeth, implants also eliminate the need for dental adhesives, supportive dental crowns (which rest on reshaped healthy teeth), and inconspicuous clasps. An implanted replacement tooth looks, feels, and functions like a healthy, natural tooth, and offers an important array of advantages for your long-term dental health.

What Do You Know About Tooth Loss?

Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, believes that education is one of the most important aspects of good dental care, especially when it comes to how your teeth behave. Losing one or more teeth produces instant visual effects that can slightly diminish your confidence, and the loss may seem like the worst-case-scenario for whatever issue caused it. The truth, however, is that your smile’s destruction continues long after a tooth is lost. The jawbone surrounding the lost tooth’s root is resorbed so your body can redistribute its minerals elsewhere, and the nutrient supply to your jawbone is reduced due to a lack of stimulated teeth roots. Over time, jawbone deterioration can result in further tooth loss and the facial collapse—the visual result of an eroded jawbone.

Biologically Compatible Replacement Teeth

Traditional replacement teeth, such as dental bridges and dentures, can restore your immediate confidence by reestablishing your ability to bite, chew, and smile fully. Like teeth roots, dental implants work behind the scenes, supporting your replacement teeth as they absorb the pressures of biting and chewing. The pressure stimulates the implants, helping preserve your jawbone’s supply of nutrient-rich blood and prevent future tooth loss from jawbone deterioration. By improving their structural support, dental implants reduce complications that are common with traditional replacement teeth, such as denture slippage and the need for constant readjustments to accommodate a shrinking dental ridge.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced 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: Dental implants, Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

What is Dentistry’s Relationship to Sleep?

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As the window into your body, so to speak, your mouth and its health can have a serious impact on your overall quality of life. If asked about the relationship between dental health and sleep, some people might think first of a severe toothache that keeps them awake at night. The truth, however, is that certain oral health issues can disturb your sleep in a more profound manner, or damage your teeth by causing you to grind them together when you’re unconscious. Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Smith, explains a couple of ways in which dental health can help you sleep more soundly and more peacefully.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is a disorder involving tissues in the mouth and throat that relax and collapse into the airway, forcing the patient to stop breathing. After a moment or two, the lack of oxygen causes your brain to panic and your body to wake enough to start breathing again. Loud snoring is a common indicator of OSA; as air escapes through an obstructed airway, the walls in your throat vibrate. Snoring grows louder as the tissues close more of your airway, and then stops as the airway closes completely. If you suffer from OSA, then Dr. Smith may be able to help you find rest with a custom-designed oral appliance that can help keep your lower jaw in forward position while you sleep. The support will help prevent oral tissues from collapsing into your airway and stopping you from breathing.

Bruxism Sleepguards

Snoring isn’t the only thing that might happen while you sleep. Bruxism, or habitual teeth-grinding, typically occurs at night, while you sleep. The pressure can damage your teeth or change their shape, throwing your bite off-balance and placing your teeth an increased risk for further damage or infection. While athletes wear mouthguards to protect their teeth while playing sports, Dr. Smith can design a similar mouthpiece to protect your teeth from each other. A sleepguard will stop you from grinding your teeth together at night, helping you preserve your smile until the underlying cause of your bruxism can be addressed.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced 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: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Cosmetic Improvements for Your Smile!

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Your smile generates some of your most dominant expressions, and aside from your eyes, it’s one of the most noticeable characteristics of your overall appearance. Consequently, the desire to improve your confidence might involve improving one or more blemishes that hinder your smile’s cosmetic appeal. Whether your teeth are stained or cracked, or your gum line isn’t as symmetrical as you’d wish, your Grand Prairie cosmetic dentist can expertly resize, reshape, and rejuvenate the less-than-perfect aspects of your smile. If your smile is overwhelmed by cosmetic imperfections, then Dr. Quinn Smith can combine one or more procedures to create a smile makeover plan designed specifically for you.

Tired of Teeth Stains?

Stains are one of the most common cosmetic blemishes today. Unlike most other dental issues, teeth stains can occur no matter how well you care for your teeth, and can result from food, drinks, some illnesses, and certain medications, among other things. External stains, or extrinsic stains, that occur on the surface of your tooth enamel can typically be eradicated with professional teeth whitening treatment. Our in-office teeth whitening system can erase surface stains and brighten your smile in as little as an hour, while our take-home kit allows you to whiten your teeth at home, over the course of about two weeks. If your stains are deeper than the surface, or intrinsic, then the discoloration might not respond to chemical whitening, and Dr. Smith may recommend cosmetic dental bonding or porcelain veneers to create a new face for your smile.

More than One Blemish?

If stains were the only blemish that teeth suffered from, then cosmetic dentistry would be fairly simple. Unfortunately, smiles are often bombarded by more than one kind of imperfection at the same time, and restoring their appearance might require more than one procedure. Teeth that are stained might also be chipped, oddly spaced, or slightly crooked, and addressing each concern separately might not be an ideal approach. To keep your cosmetic treatment as conservative as possible, Dr. Smith examines your smile as a whole, rather than as separate teeth that require different forms of attention. Dr. Smith will consult with you to determine your exact needs and goals, and to decide which combination of treatments can address your concerns while limiting the disturbance to your healthy, natural tooth structure.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced 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

The Reason Why Teeth Hate Sugar

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Have you ever wondered just how sugar leads to one of the most destructive dental issues, cavities? Most of us are familiar with the warnings about how eating too much sugar can rot healthy teeth. Nevertheless, not many people understand the process, or why sugar’s a threat, and common misconceptions can hinder your efforts at effective cavity prevention. As your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith warns, the real reason why sugar is a threat to your teeth lies with something that naturally inhabits your mouth—oral bacteria, which convert sugar into something more dangerous.

When Bacteria Feed

Your mouth is a forest that, at any given moment, houses about 600 different kinds of bacteria. Notable among them is the germ, Streptococcus mutans, the microbe that consumes sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates, then converts them into organic acid. Like any acid, the one produced by your mouth’s bacteria erodes its target, which, in this case, is the highly-mineralized protective layer of tooth enamel surrounding your teeth. Under normal circumstances, enamel can regain its composure between acid attacks by absorbing more minerals afterwards. When you snack on sugar excessively, however, the constant barrage of acid can erode enamel quicker than it can regain its strength, leaving your teeth vulnerable to cavity-causing bacteria.  

Negating the Effects of Acid

If you believe that sugar, and sugar alone, is the main cause of cavities, you might falsely believe that simply cutting sugar out of your diet should prevent tooth decay. The truth, however, is that S. mutans consume and metabolize other carbohydrates, too, and neutralizing bacterial acid requires controlling bacteria as well as their food. Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is an excellent start, and visiting your dentist regularly will help Dr. Smith keep track of your hygiene’s effectiveness. If early signs of a cavity are detected, Dr. Smith can help you prevent its full formation with adequate early treatment.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced 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: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Keep Your Breath Fresh This Holiday Season

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Even if you don’t plan on being caught under the mistletoe this holiday season, you’d probably still prefer not to deal with embarrassing bad breath while celebrating the holidays. After all, you don’t have to kiss someone for your bad breath to offend them. Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, knows that bad breath can linger for a number of reasons, and regardless of its cause, it can hinder your confidence and interfere with the joy of the season. To help keep your breath fresh this season, and always, Dr. Smith offers a few tips for defeating the common causes of persistent bad breath, or halitosis.

Tips for Consistently Pleasant Breath

  • ·         Brush your tongue as well as your teeth—You might not realize that bad breath is frequently a result of poor hygiene and excessive oral bacteria. The germs responsible for bad breath tend to gather on your tongue, rather than on your teeth. Use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean bacteria from your tongue during your daily hygiene routine and reduce your chances of consistent bad breath.
  • ·         Don’t underestimate your mouthwash—Mouthwash can be a valuable addition to your hygiene routine, rinsing away bacteria and food debris that your toothbrush and floss might not reach. In some cases, Dr. Smith may recommend an antibacterial mouthwash that directly attacks harmful oral bacteria.
  • ·         Eat a well-balanced breakfast before brushing your teeth—When you sleep at night, your saliva flow is reduced and bacteria can gather in your mouth excessively. By the time you wake, your mouth can be overwhelmed with microbes, hence the notorious phenomenon of morning breath. Eating a healthy breakfast helps restart your saliva flow, and makes it easier to remove bacteria while brushing and flossing your teeth.
  • ·        Drink a lot of water—Keeping your saliva flow healthy throughout the day can also help combat the buildup of bacterial plaque on your teeth and tongue. Drinking plenty of water helps keep you hydrated, periodically rinses your mouth, and promotes an adequate flow of saliva throughout the entire day.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced 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: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Routine General Dentistry Can Save Your Smile

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Restoring damaged and diseased teeth is one of the most common reasons for visiting the dentist, along with improving a smile’s appearance through customized cosmetic dentistry. Modern technology has provided the tools to rebuild most smiles with lifelike results, although you would probably prefer not to undergo extensive treatment if you can avoid it. Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, employs a wide variety of general dentistry services to help patients preserve their healthy, beautiful smiles, usually with a focus on preventing issues from developing in the first place.

How Long Has it Been Since Your Last Dental Checkup?

The goal of good dental hygiene is to maintain control of the bacteria that harm your teeth and gums. When they accumulate, these germs form a protective biofilm (you may know it as plaque) that allows them to stick to your teeth. As one of the more frequent forms of general dentistry, your dental checkup and cleaning allows us to thoroughly remove plaque and its calcified form, tartar, from your teeth and along your gum line. During your exam, Dr. Smith will also perform a comprehensive inspection to check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, problems with your bite’s alignment, or signs that might indicate TMJ disorder, bruxism, or obstructive sleep apnea. Your routine screening will also include a close examination of your oral tissues to detect abnormalities that could warn of oral cancer.

The Tools to Protect Your Smile

Knowing your smile is in trouble is only half of the battle. Besides prevention, your general dentist offers a wide array of restorative procedures to help address any problems that he may find. If a cavity is found, Dr. Smith can remove the infected tooth structure and fill the cavity with a dental filling. To treat gum recession or disease, Dr. Smith might recommend advanced periodontal treatment, depending on the severity of your case. Your general dentist is skilled at diagnosing and treating common dental issues, but may recommend a specialist if your dental health is severely compromised.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced 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: Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist

How Dental Implants Prevent Loose Dentures

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If you’ve lost all of your teeth on one or both dental ridges, then chances are that you now rely on a complete denture to restore your mouth’s ability to function (as well as your smile’s pleasing appearance). Made from an entire row of lifelike replacement teeth situated on a comfortable plastic base, dentures have long been the go-to solution for patients who’ve lost most or all of their teeth on the upper and/or lower dental ridges.  Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, often advises patients who need dentures, or any form of replacement teeth, to support their prosthesis on one or more dental implants. As prosthetic teeth roots, implants help provide unmatched support for your new teeth, and help eliminate the common and often-frustrating problem of loose dentures.

Why Dentures Lose Their Grip

As you bite, chew, speak, and smile with your custom-made dentures, they may exhibit wear and tear over the years. However, when dentures that were once designed to fit snugly begin to lose their grip, the problem lies with your jawbone, which begins to shrink as soon as teeth are lost. The roots of healthy teeth facilitate a healthy jawbone by inviting an ample supply of nutrients to it when stimulated by biting and chewing. When a tooth is lost, the bone around its socket is resorbed, and your body redirects the minerals and nutrients intended for that tooth to other areas of the body. Left unchecked, the nutrient deficiency and bone resorption can lead to jawbone degradation, which will cause your dentures to seem too large for your mouth.

The Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants are small root devices that are crafted from biocompatible titanium and surgically inserted into the jawbone, where missing teeth should be. Through a process known as osseointegration, your jawbone will fuse to the implants and create a sturdy foundation that mimics your natural teeth roots. After the healing process (typically about 4-6 months), Dr. Smith can expertly attach your custom-designed denture to the series of implants. The prosthetic roots will give your replacement teeth a foundation as secure as your healthy teeth, as well as restore the stimulation that helps keep your jawbone strong.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced 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: Dental implants, Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist