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

How Dangerous Are Bleeding Gums?

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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

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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

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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

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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