How Dangerous Are Bleeding Gums?

Posted by

By the time you’re diagnosed with gum disease, the condition has likely been developing for a while. You may have even noticed gingivitis (early gum disease) developing, perhaps without realizing the meaning of its symptoms. For instance, gums that bleed when you brush your teeth can indicate a progressive infection, though many patients consider occasionally bleeding gums normal. Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, warns patients that bleeding is never harmless, and if you notice a little pink in your sink when brushing your teeth, then you should schedule an examination as soon as possible to prevent gingivitis from maturing.

Gingivitis—The Uncensored Truth

You may recognize the term gingivitis from numerous mouthwash and other hygiene commercials. Such advertisements mention germs and how their product can neutralize them, but the limited time slot of a commercial is hardly enough time to explain the nature of gingivitis. The germs they mention produce plaque as protection, and as the sticky film gathers along your gum line, some bacteria can infect your gum tissue, causing it to separate from your teeth (gum recession). Pockets can form between your gums and teeth, allowing hordes of bacteria to collect and cause more damage to your vulnerable gums. The infection, or gingivitis, results in red, swollen, and bleeding gums, which can warn you to seek attention immediately if you’re diligent enough to spot the signs.

Catch Gum Disease in the Act

The goal of your dental hygiene routine and regular visits to the dentist is to prevent dental diseases from forming, or to catch them in their early stages when they’re easiest to address. Aside from checking your gums carefully every time you brush and floss your teeth, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends attending a checkup and cleaning at least once every six months. Routine inspections will allow Dr. Smith to keep a close eye on your oral health and any indications that trouble may be brewing. If an issue is detected, then Dr. Smith will consult with you to determine the most appropriate and effective course of treatment to preserve your smile’s health.

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

Sedation Dentistry Makes Your Visit Stress Free

Posted by


If you suffer from dental anxiety, you are not alone – approximately 9% to 15% of Americans struggle with this fear. Although you may know intellectually that a visit to the dentist is nothing to be afraid of, emotionally, you cannot overcome this hurdle. Even a routine cleaning may become a source of worry and stress, and you may have put off dental treatment for years because of your concerns. Fortunately, Dr. Quinn Smith, your Grand Prairie dentist, understands the stress that dental anxiety can cause. For this reason, he offers gentle, effective sedation dentistry, enabling you to receive the dental care you need with as little stress as possible.

Types of Sedation Available

Dr. Quinn offers three types of sedation, and he will help you select the best method, based on the degree of your anxiety and the treatment you are receiving.
·         Oral sedation: This is the mildest type of sedation, and you may choose this method if you only suffer from mild dental anxiety. Dr. Quinn will prescribe a limited dose of valium prior to treatment. You will take one pill the night before to help you sleep, and you may take another pill the day of your treatment. You should carefully monitor your reaction to the drug and ask someone to drive you to and from the dentist’s office, if necessary.
·         Nitrous oxide: If you select this method, you will breath in a clear, odorless gas delivered through a mask. You will experience a sense of euphoria and calm, and you may feel some heaviness or tingling in your arms and legs. Many patients become talkative and giggly, which is why nitrous oxide is more commonly called “laughing gas.” Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, so you will be able to drive yourself home soon after treatment.
·         IV sedation: If you suffer from severe dental anxiety, or if you are having a lengthy procedure, Dr. Quinn may prescribe IV sedation. This type of sedation induces a “twilight sleep.” You will be able to answer questions and follow instructions by the dental staff. However, when the medicine wears off, you will have very little memory of the procedure, if any. To ensure your complete safety, Dr. Quinn works with a registered anesthesiologist, who will administer the medication. If you select this method, you will definitely need to have a friend or family member drive you home.
Each of these three types of sedation will leave you feeling comfortable and relaxed, enabling you to receive the dental treatment you need to retain your beautiful, healthy smile. 
About Dr. Quinn Smith: Dr. Quinn Smith is a respected and experienced family dentist in Grand Prairie TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter the dental office and offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work. New patients can schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Smith by calling 972-262-5111.

filed under: Grand Prairie Dentist

Grand Prairie Dentist’s Cavity Timeline

Posted by

A cavity is a hole that develops and grows in your tooth’s structure when it’s infected with bacteria. Cavities are also the most widespread chronic disease among people in the United States, affecting over 90% of adults over the age of 60. Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, considers these numbers unacceptable, especially since cavities are highly preventable. For patients who fail to prevent the formation of tooth decay and cavities, Dr. Smith can restore the health and integrity of a decaying tooth, depending on how severe the cavity has become.

Acid Erosion

When dental plaque is ignored, or gets lucky by dodging your toothbrush and floss, it can calcify into tartar and become too stubborn for your toothbrush to remove. As plaque and tartar remain, the bacteria within it can consume sugar and other carbohydrates, then convert them into acid that they excrete onto the surface of your tooth enamel. When exposed to acid, your teeth are depleted of minerals, and the strong, protective layer surrounding your teeth grows weak. Usually, fluoride treatments and improved dental hygiene can reverse acid erosion before enamel is compromised or destroyed.  Dr. Smith can spot the signs of excessive acid erosion during your routine dental checkup and cleaning, and then prescribe appropriate treatment to reduce the risk of cavities forming from poor hygiene.

Cavity Formation

Unfortunately, acid erosion often goes unnoticed, and patients remain unaware of trouble until a cavity forms and their tooth begins to hurt. As bacteria find their way around compromised tooth enamel, they can invade the main body of your tooth, known as dentin. Softer and more vulnerable than enamel, dentin surrounds the nerves and blood vessels of your tooth (pulp), though it doesn’t offer the protection that enamel provides. Dr. Quinn can treat most mild to moderate cavities by removing the infected tooth structure, cleaning and sterilizing the cavity, and then filling it with an amalgam or composite resin dental filling. If the cavity is allowed to grow, the infection may reach the pulp and kill and nerves and blood vessels, and root canal therapy may be necessary to save the tooth and stop the spread of infection.

About Dr. Quinn Smith:

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 Crowns Save Teeth

Posted by

Protecting your teeth from harm is fairly simple when good hygiene is practiced. Brushing and flossing every day controls the bacteria that cause tooth decay, and six-month dental checkups and cleanings allow Dr. Smith to detect and treat early signs of trouble. Unfortunately, prevention isn’t always successful, and dental care for many patients involves repairing injured or infected teeth and protecting them from further harm. With one or more custom-made dental crowns, your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, can help restore your smile after your teeth have suffered damage, or have been treated for cavities. In extreme cases, a dental crown can even replace a lost or extracted tooth without the need for a conventional dental bridge.

The Multi-Purpose Dental Crown

A dental crown is a replica of the top half of your tooth, also called a crown, that rests above the gum line. Usually made from lifelike dental porcelain, dental crowns are designed to imitate your natural tooth’s shape, size, color, and ability to reflect light. Dr. Smith may recommend porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns for increased durability, usually for back molars that are exposed to more pressure. When a tooth is cracked or fractured, it cannot heal itself, and Dr. Smith can place a crown over it to protect the tooth from the pressures of biting and chewing. When tooth decay infects a tooth, treatment requires removing the infected tooth structure and replacing it with a dental filling to stop the spread of the disease. If a significant amount of structure is removed, Dr. Smith may recommend placing a dental crown over it for further protection. As a cosmetic option, dental crowns can also completely conceal a severely blemished tooth and rejuvenate its appearance.

In Extreme Cases (Tooth Loss)

As innovative dental restorations, dental crowns provide lifelike solutions for restoring a damaged tooth. To replace a lost or extracted tooth, Dr. Smith may recommend a dental implant, which is surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace a lost tooth root, topped with a realistic dental crown. As the jawbone heals around a dental implant, it fuses to the implant’s biocompatible titanium surface, making the implant a part of your jawbone (like a natural tooth root). Placing a dental crown on top of the implant creates a replacement tooth that mimics your healthy tooth’s root-and-crown design.

About Dr. Quinn Smith:

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

Your Guide to Porcelain Veneers

Posted by

What to Expect from Porcelain Veneers

There is a reason that many people would agree that porcelain veneers are among the top cosmetic options for patients today. To get to the heart of the issue, porcelain veneers are versatile, and they yield astounding transformations owing to their realistic appearance. If you are interested in a smile transformation with porcelain veneers, your Grand Prairiedentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, can use veneers to improve many cosmetic problems including gaps, misalignment, discoloration, and damage. The veneers owe their versatility to the fact that they simply hide cosmetic blights behind the new smile they create in attaching to the front surface of teeth. On the other hand, the realism they achieve is a direct result of the quality materials they use, and the knowledge and skills of the dentist who designs them and the technicians who make them. Today’s veneers are so realistic that they are even able to mimic the way that light reflects off of living teeth. Just imagine what that kind of detail can do for your smile transformation.

Receiving Porcelain Veneers

The general time frame for a smile transformation with porcelain veneers is between two and three dental visits. After an initial consultation that will allow your Grand Prairie cosmetic dentist, Dr. Smith, to understand your goals for your smile transformation, Dr. Smith will prepare your teeth to receive the veneers. Tooth preparation involves scraping some enamel from your teeth to account for the thickness of the veneers. Following tooth preparation, Dr. Smith will take molds of your teeth, which he will send to an off-site laboratory. The technicians at the laboratory will use these molds to create a custom set of permanent veneers for you. In the meantime, however, Dr. Smith may provide you with a set of temporary veneers to wear until your permanent ones arrive at our dental office. Once they do arrive, you can return for another dental visit, during which Dr. Smith will bond your permanent veneers in place, after which time your transformation will be complete.

About Dr. Quinn Smith: Dr. Quinn Smith is a respected and experienced family dentist in Grand Prairie TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter the dental office and offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work. New patients can schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Smith by calling 972-262-5111.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentist, Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

What Your Toothache Could Say about Your Oral Health

Posted by

Did you know that a toothache can be an indicator of a serious oral health problem? While it is true that not all toothaches require dental treatment, your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, does recommend carefully monitoring a toothache, whenever you experience one. You should especially pay attention to toothaches that linger for several days as they are more likely to be the result of an oral health problem. Fleeting sensitivities, on the other hand, are more often the result of irritants that become wedged between teeth.

Toothaches and Oral Health Problems

 
Depending upon the characteristics of your toothache, there are several potential problems that could be creating the pain. For example, if your tooth is sensitive most often in the morning, you could have an undiagnosed bruxism (teeth grinding) habit. Because bruxism strips teeth of their enamel and wears them down to the point that they can crack, chip, or break, you should report any symptoms of bruxism to your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Smith, as soon as you discover them.

Other serious oral health problems that a toothache can indicate are a cracked tooth and an abscessed tooth. A cracked tooth will produce a sharp pain when biting. The compression of the tooth causes the crack to widen, and when the pressure is released, the crack will narrow rapidly, resulting in a painful jolt. An abscessed tooth can also cause significant pain. It may be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures as well as pressure. If an abscessed tooth does not receive treatment, the infection within it can spread, and the tooth may require extraction.

General Dentistry in Grand Prairie

Your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, makes a point of emphasizing preventive care to his patients. By preventing oral health problems or intervening early when they do occur, you can save yourself the need for more extensive treatments. Therefore, if you have any questions about a lingering toothache, Dr. Smith, encourages you to contact our Grand Prairie dental office. Doing so could prevent a serious oral health problem from worsening.

About Dr. Quinn Smith: Dr. Quinn Smith is a respected and experienced family dentist in Grand Prairie TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter the dental office and offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work. New patients can schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Smith by calling 972-262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Dental Emergency? No Problem.

Posted by

A dental emergencycan be very scary. However, having a plan in place can help you manage that fear and take care of the problem at hand. Therefore, your Grand Prairie emergency dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, recommends that you look for a dentist who provides emergency services when you are looking for a personal or family dentist. You should also choose a dentist that is conveniently located for you so that an emergency visit does not mean a lengthy drive. When it comes to dental emergency services, your Grand Prairie emergency dentist, Dr. Smith, welcomes patients and non-patients alike. Dr. Smith makes every effort to see emergency patients as soon as possible, recognizing that time is of the essence in an emergency situation. In addition, Dr. Smith is happy to offer advice to patients about taking the initial steps of handling an emergency situation.

Reacting to Dental Emergencies

·         A broken or cracked tooth. When a tooth cracks or breaks, it is in a very vulnerable condition. Thus, you should seek dental care quickly. However, before you attend your dental visit, you may rinse your mouth with warm water to remove some bacteria. You may also take a pain reliever and apply ice to limit any swelling.

·         A severely bitten tongue, lip, or cheek. A severe bite that results in bleeding may require a visit to the emergency room. First, however, apply a damp cloth to the wound. Doing so should stop the bleeding. However, if the bleeding continues, hurry to the emergency room.

·         Severe pain in your tooth. Severe pain in a tooth can indicate a damaged or an abscessed tooth. Both conditions may require quick dental intervention. You should, therefore, notify Dr. Smith and come in for an emergency visit. A damaged tooth may require a dental crown, and an abscessed tooth may require one along with root canal therapy. The worst case scenario may mean an extraction.

·         A knocked–out tooth. When a tooth is knocked out, you need to get it to the dental office as quickly as possible. While transporting the tooth, you should make sure that its root is kept moist. Thus do not handle it by the root and either place it back in its socket after rinsing it, or bring it with you in a glass of water or milk.

About Dr. Quinn Smith: Dr. Quinn Smith is a respected and experienced family dentist in Grand Prairie TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter the dental office and offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work. New patients can schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Smith by calling 972-262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Fight Bacteria with General Dentistry

Posted by

Harmful oral bacteria are the main threat to your oral health. These microscopic pests can attack teeth and even cause gum disease. Thankfully, your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, offers general dentistry to help protect your teeth. However, when it comes to preventive care, the first line of protection lies with you. By brushing and flossing your teeth, you can remove bacteria-ridden plaque, preventing the formation of tartar, a substance that cannot be removed with a toothbrush or dental floss. Plaque hardens into tartar after lingering on teeth for 48 hours. Thus, brushing regularly can greatly improve your oral health.

Unfortunately, plaque may build on teeth despite thorough homecare, which is why your second line of defense, regular dental cleanings from your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Smith, are very important. During these cleanings, hygienists can remove tartar from teeth with special instruments designed to remove the stubborn substance. With tartar removed regularly, the risks of tooth decay and gum disease decrease.

Responding to Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

In the instance that gum disease or tooth decay does develop, it is important to know that you have yet another line of defense against oral bacteria. To respond to tooth decay, your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Smith, will remove the decayed material, cleanse the tooth, and then fill the tooth with a composite resin material. This material will prevent further decay, and it is also white in color, allowing the filling to blend in with your teeth.

For mild symptoms of gum disease, Dr. Smith may recommend changes to your homecare regimen. He may also offer advice on improving the techniques you use to clean your teeth to ensure that you are able to remove plaque thoroughly. Finally, Dr. Smith may suggest one or more dental cleanings to ensure that no tartar is lingering on your teeth. If more severe systems are present, Dr. Smith will discuss the best course of treatment with you.

General Dentistry in Grand Prairie

Having a general dentist is very valuable to your oral health. If you are looking for a dentist to oversee your dental health, consider Dr. Quinn Smith. Friendly, experienced, and knowledgeable, Dr. Smith works closely with his patients, educating them about the best ways to maintain a healthy mouth and putting them at ease should they be anxious about any treatments they may need.

About Dr. Quinn Smith: Dr. Quinn Smith is a respected and experienced family dentist in Grand Prairie TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter the dental office and offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work. New patients can schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Smith by calling 972-262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Grand Prairie Emergency Dentist Discusses Emergency Care

Posted by

In the event of a dental emergency, it is imperative that you contact your Grand Prairie emergencydentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, as quickly as possible. In fact, it may be a good idea to program Dr. Smith’s office number (972-262-5111) into your phone right now so that you do not have to waste time looking for it should an emergency situation arise. However, handling a dental emergency may be about more than getting to a dental appointment quickly. In many cases, there are several things you can do before you even get into a car.

Caring for a Knocked-Out Tooth

If an unexpected blow knocks out one of your teeth, you will probably be in disbelief for a few moments. Eventually, though, panic may begin to set in as the situation becomes more and more real to you. However, it is important that you not panic. By acting quickly, there is a chance that your tooth can be saved. The first thing to realize is that time is of the essence. When a tooth isknocked out, you have a short window of about one hour during which the tooth can be saved. In order to save the tooth, you must locate it, which can be difficult depending upon your surrounding when the emergency occurs. Once you have found the tooth, be sure to pick it up by the crown and rinse it clean with water. Next, attempt to place the tooth back in its socket. If you are unable to replace the tooth in its socket, put it in a glass of water or milk and bring it with you to an emergency dental appointment.

Emergency Care in Grand Prairie

When it comes to an emergency, your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Smith, understands that speed is very important. He, therefore, makes every effort to see emergency patients as quickly as he possibly can. In addition, Dr. Smith also welcomes emergency patients who have never attended our dental office before, providing them with the care that they need in a very important time.

About Dr. Quinn Smith: Dr. Quinn Smith is a respected and experienced family dentist in Grand Prairie TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter the dental office and offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work. New patients can schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Smith by calling 972-262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Arlington Dentist Helps You Freshen Your Breath

Posted by

Having bad breath can make you really self-conscious. Thus, if you are struggling with your breath, you will want to find a solution fast so that you can get back to enjoying your life. Freshening your breath, for the most part, means ridding your mouth of those bacteria that cause bad breath. Thus, your Arlington dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, recommends attending a dental cleaning if brushing and flossing are not working to keep your breath fresh. Harmful oral bacteria are able to attach themselves to teeth by forming plaque, a clear, sticky substance. You can remove plaque with a toothbrush or dental floss to remove these bacteria. However, if plaque is allowed to linger on teeth for 48 hours, it will harden into tartar, which cannot be removed with a toothbrush and floss. Thus, if you are unable to achieve fresh breath, tartar could be the cause, meaning that you should attend a dental cleaning so that a hygienist can remove it from your teeth with special dental instruments.

Common Breath-Freshening Mistakes

In attempting to freshen their breath, many people opt for the ineffective methods and succeed in only temporarily banishing bad breath. Several of these approaches are listed below.

1.      Choosing a mint. Mints may temporarily mask bad breath. However, many of them contain sugar, which will actually feed the bacteria responsible for bad breath rather than eliminate them.

2.      Chewing gum. Just as with mints, many gums contain sugar, which will feed bacteria. However, chewing sugar-free gum does have some merit as it will stimulate saliva production, saliva having bacteria-fighting properties

3.      Using a breath spray. Breath sprays succeed only in temporarily covering up bad breath. The source of the problem will still remain once the spray wears off.

Dental Cleanings in Arlington

Your Arlington dentist, Dr. Smith, welcomes patients of all ages. During a dental cleaning, Dr. Smith will examine your mouth for a variety of oral health problems. Should he find any troubling symptoms, Dr. Smith will discuss your treatment options with you as well as possible preventive measures you may take to preserve your oral health. A big believer, in patient education, Dr. Smith strives to keep his patients informed so that they can maintain healthy mouths.

About Dr. Quinn Smith: Dr. Quinn Smith is a respected and experienced family dentist in Arlington TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter the dental office and offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work. New patients can schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Smith by calling 972-262-5111.

filed under: Uncategorized