Grand Prairie Dentist Lists the Advantages of Dental Implants

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Tooth loss can be disheartening and even a bit frightening. After all, it’s not as though you can -simply re-grow lost teeth. You can, however, replace your missing teeth, and today’s replacements are distinguished by the natural way that they look and feel. To learn more about these replacement teeth, read the information below about dental implants provided by your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith.

Benefits of Dental Implants

1.      They’re versatile. Dental implants can aid in a variety of dental restorations ranging from a single-tooth replacement to a full denture. The function of the dental implants is to stabilize the restoration so that it can remain stable in the mouth. Based on the restoration being completed, the number of dental implants may change. For a single-tooth restoration, only a single implant is necessary for a full-mouth restoration, the number of dental implants will increase.

2.      They feel natural. The roots of natural teeth anchor them into the jawbone. The same is true of dental implant restorations, giving these restorations a natural feel. Because they do not rely on surrounding teeth or suction for stability like other restorations, dental implants restorations tend to be very comfortable, and in some cases, patients forget that they are not actually their own natural teeth.

3.      They require no special care. A dental implant restoration mimics a natural tooth. That mimicry continues even to homecare. Patients with dental implant restorations do not have to take any special precautions with them. Instead, they can treat and clean them like real teeth, brushing and flossing as they naturally would and allowing the restorations to integrate smoothly into their lives.

Schedule a Visit with Your Grand Prairie Dentist

Are you missing a tooth or several teeth? Dental implants may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Contact our 75052 dental office today to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Grand Prairie implant dentist, Dr. Smith, by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

filed under: Dental implants, Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist

Arlington Dentist Answers Your Questions about Gum Disease

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Gum disease is a serious threat to the teeth and mouth? However, many people do not know much about how it develops or how to prevent it. Therefore to make sure that you are informed about gum disease and its effects on the mouth, your Arlington dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, is responding to your most frequently asked questions.

What does gum disease look like?

Gum disease has many visual symptoms that you can recognize. However, the symptoms can vary based on how far the disease has progressed. Gingivitis, for instance, may make the gums look red and swollen, while periodontitis can cause pockets to develop between the teeth and the gums. A propensity of the gums to bleed is common of both.

What are the risks of gum disease?

Gum disease increases the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. In addition, periodontitis attacks vital structures that support teeth, and as these tissues and ligaments are damaged, teeth can loosen, causing them to shift and even fall out altogether. Large scale tooth loss is very common, which can lead to problems with jawbone density and even facial collapse.

How can I keep gum disease from developing?

To keep your mouth free of gum disease it is important that you develop good homecare habits. Brush your teeth 2-3 times per day and floss once a day. When brushing, angle your toothbrush toward the gum line to remove bacteria from this area. Also be sure to floss gently and carefully so that you can remove hidden bacteria from between your teeth. Finally, be sure that you keep up with your regular dental cleanings with your Arlington dentist, Dr. Smith. These cleanings are very important because they allow a professional to clean and examine your teeth and gums.

Schedule a Visit with Your Arlington Dentist

If you notice any of the symptoms gum disease, don’t ignore them. Quick intervention can protect your teeth and mouth. Contact our 75052 dental office today to schedule an appointment with your Arlington dentist, Dr. Smith, by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

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Arlington Family Dentist Shares Homecare Tips for the Whole Family

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Do you enjoy smiling and laughing with your family? If so, you will surely want to protect the smiles of your loved ones. Here to help you in that endeavor is your Arlington family dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith. Read below as he shares three tips that can improve your family’s homecare and encourage good oral health.

Tips for Healthier Mouths

1.      Brush as a family. Children can be stubborn when it comes to brushing their teeth. Thus, you may find it useful to brush alongside your little one. By doing so, you can set a good example and establish good oral health habits. In addition, by brushing next to your child, you can help your little one develop proper brushing technique.

2.      Floss gently. Flossing is a very important part of homecare. It allows us to reach areas of our mouths that a toothbrush cannot. By cleaning these areas, we can remove harmful bacteria and lower the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. When flossing, however, it is important to remember that the goal is to glide the floss gently against the edge of each tooth. By flossing too forcefully, you can cause yourself pain and damage your gums.

3.      Pick a brushing song or set a timer. If you find it difficult to encourage your child to brush for the entire duration of 2-3 minutes, you may find it useful to pick a favorite song to accompany your brushing time. The song will make it fun for your little one, encouraging him or her to continue brushing. A timer is a good option for older kids who have outgrown a brushing song.

Schedule a Visit with Your Arlington Family Dentist

With the proper homecare habits, you can ensure that your family members maintain healthy mouths. Just don’t forget to schedule dental checkups every six months. These visits involve professional cleanings and examinations that contribute to continuing oral health. If you or your family members are past due for dental cleanings, contact our 75052 dental office today to schedule an appointment with your Arlington family dentist, Dr. Smith, by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

filed under: Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist

Grand Prairie Emergency Dentist Lists Three Useful Tips

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Dental emergencies can create panic, but with the proper preparation, you can minimize your chances of suffering a dental emergency and maximize your preparation should one indeed come to pass. To help you prepare, your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, has put together the following tips.

Preparation Tips from Your Grand Prairie Emergency Dentist

1.      Wear a mouthguard in all relevant situations. If you play a contact sport, you know how much impact your body can take. Unfortunately, your mouth can suffer from this impact if you do not wear a mouthguard. A jarring collision can cause your mouth to snap shut rapidly, inflicting significant force on your teeth, which can break under the strain. There is also a risk that you can severely bite your tongue or cheek. However, if you wear a mouthguard, your mouth will be cushioned in the event of a collision, preventing a dental emergency.

2.      Beware the signs of bruxism. A dental emergency does not always have to stem from a major collision. Bruxism (teeth grinding) can wear teeth down over time, eventually causing them to break. Thus, keep an eye out for signs of bruxism, which include visible wear on teeth, frequent sensitivities (especially in the mornings), and a sore jaw.

3.      Have a plan. Any dental emergency can be made less daunting by having an emergency plan in place. Program the number of your Grand Prairie emergency dentist, Dr. Smith, into your phone so that you will not have to spend precious time trying to find it. Also, keep in mind that there are a few important steps you can take to deal with an emergency before you arrive at the dental office. If a tooth breaks, rinse your mouth with warm water to remove some bacteria. If your tooth is knocked out, find the tooth and handle it by the root. Then rinse it and attempt to replace it in its socket.

Visit with Your Grand Prairie Emergency Dentist

When it comes to a dental emergency, time is of the essence, so if an emergency situation arises, don’t wait to seek dental assistance. Contact our 75052 dental office to talk to your Grand Prairie emergency dentist, Dr. Smith, today by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

filed under: Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist

Grand Prairie Cosmetic Dentist Quizzes You on Cosmetic Blights and Treatments

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A smile can drastically influence a person’s confidence and self-esteem, so if you are unhappy with your smile and constantly find ways to hide your teeth from others, you may be able to transform your life and improve your outlook through cosmetic dentistry. Your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, offers a variety of treatments, so to familiarize yourself with your options, try the following quiz and check your answers below.

Take the Quiz

1.      True or False: Some teeth stains are untreatable.

2.      True or False: You can whiten your teeth professionally in the privacy of your own home.

3.      True or False: The ratio of gums to teeth can drastically impact the appearance of a smile.

Check Your Answers

1.      False. White it is true that teeth whitening treatment is ineffective against intrinsic stains, owing to the fact that the whitening agents are unable to reach the stains deep within teeth, there are other solutions to stained teeth when whitening treatment will not work. Both porcelain veneers and dental bonding can cover stains that cannot be removed, creating blemish-free surfaces for a white and brilliant smile.

2.      True. If you would prefer to whiten your teeth at home rather than in a dental office, your Grand Prairie cosmetic dentist, Dr. Smith, offers take-home whitening kits that feature customized trays and a whitening solution. Patients can simply fill the trays with the solution and wear them over their teeth for a specified time each day. This treatment method takes one to two weeks to show its full results.

3.      True. If too much gum is visible, a smile may appear “gummy.” In instances like this, gum contouring can step in to remove some excess gum tissue and expose more enamel to create a smile that stands out.

Schedule a Visit with Your Grand Prairie Cosmetic Dentist

Are you ready to begin your smile transformation? Why wait a second longer? Contact our 75052 dental office today to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Grand Prairie cosmetic dentist, Dr. Smith, by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentist, Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist

Grand Prairie Dentist: Could Your Toothache Be More Serious Than You Thought?

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When you get a toothache, do you take the pain seriously? Although many times toothaches are fleeting and will go away without treatment, some toothaches can indicate serious problems with your oral health. But what kinds of problems can toothaches signify? And how can you tell whether or not a toothache is serious? Your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, answers these questions below.

Toothaches: More Than Just Sensitivity

While not always the case, toothaches can be valuable indicators that not all is right with your oral health. A tooth that has been damaged by tooth decay, for instance, may ache persistently, telling you that it is unhealthy. Sensitivities in teeth may also be a sign of bruxism, or teeth grinding. Often occurring during sleep, bruxism is a habit of which many people are unaware, and so they inflict damage upon their teeth on a nightly basis. The strain that bruxism places on teeth is tremendous and can eventually wear down teeth and inflict structural damage to them. Before that damage occurs, however, teeth may be sensitive and ache regularly, especially in the mornings.

Diagnosing Your Toothache

The real trouble with toothaches is that it can be rather difficult to tell if the pain is a passing sensitivity or a serious indicator of an oral health problem. There are, however, a few clues that can help you decipher the cause of your toothache. First, upon developing a toothache, you should rinse your mouth with warm water and floss in the area of the pain. Doing so can remove any pain-causing irritants from between teeth and alleviate the ache. If rinsing and flossing do not work and the pain lingers, the cause may be more serious. Recurring sensitivities in the mornings can point to a teeth grinding habit, and a toothache that sticks around day after day may indicate that a tooth has suffered some kind of damage.

Schedule a Visit with Your Grand Prairie Dentist

A lingering toothacheis nothing to ignore, so if your toothache just will not go away, seek dental assistance. Contact our 75052 dental office today to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Smith, by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

filed under: Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist

Grand Prairie Implant Dentist Discusses Dental Implants and the Jawbone

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Because they are used to replace missing teeth, we often think of dental implants as they relate to teeth. However, dental implants can have a dramatic effect on the jawbone and vice versa. Read below as your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, examines the relationship between dental implants and the jawbone.

Tooth Loss and the Jawbone

Did you know that your jawbone relies on your teeth? Bone cells require stimulation in order for bones to maintain a proper density. When density is lost, a bone can weaken and become brittle. Therefore, the role that teeth play in transferring the stimulating forces created by chewing is an important one, and when a tooth falls out, it is cause for concern because the bone cells in the area of the lost tooth are left without stimulation. Following tooth loss, the jawbone may weaken and become unhealthy, unless dental implants step in, that is.

Dental Implants and the Jawbone

When a dental implant is placed, it is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Once in position, the bone will heal around the post of the implant, securing it so that it can anchor a prosthetic tooth or teeth in place. In addition to providing stability, however, the post also acts to transfer the forces of biting and chewing to the bone cells, thereby increasing bone density.

However, the jawbone can affect dental implants just as much as they can affect the jawbone. In order for a dental implant to succeed, there must be enough healthy bone available to support the implant. If there is not sufficient bone, the implant will fail. However, in cases where the bone is not healthy enough to support a dental implant, bone grafting may provide the necessary bone tissue to allow the placement of a dental implant.

Schedule a Visit with Your Grand Prairie Implant Dentist

Are you interested in a dental implant restoration? Contact our 75052 dental office today to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Grand Prairie implant dentist, Dr. Smith, by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

filed under: Dental implants, Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist

Grand Prairie Dentist Quizzes You on Dental Implants

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If you’ve looked into dental restorations, you’ve probably come across dental implants. Information about these restorative marvels floods the internet, making them one of the most talked about features of modern dentistry. But just how much do you know about dental implants? Take the following quiz from your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, and find out.

Take the Quiz

1.      True or False: Anyone can receive dental implants.

2.      True or False: Dental implants have a more natural feel than other restorations because they mimic a tooth’s structure.

3.      True or False: Dental implants can help improve jawbone health.

Check Your Answers

1.      False. Candidacy for dental implants is based largely on the amount of healthy bone available in the jaw. If the bone is brittle, it may not support a dental implant. In cases like these, bone grafting is sometimes an option to provide adequate bone tissue to support the implant.

2.      True. Other restorations rely on nearby teeth or suction in order to remain stationary in the mouth. Dental implants, however, have a titanium post that fuses with the jawbone. The post acts like a tooth’s root, anchoring the restoration in place and giving it a natural and stable feel that closely replicates that of a living tooth.

3.      True. Bone cells require stimulation in order to maintain proper bone density. For the jawbone, this stimulation comes in the form of biting and chewing forces that are transmitted to the bone cells through teeth’s roots. Unfortunately, when a tooth is lost, the bone cells beneath the tooth no longer receive stimulation, unless a dental implant is placed, that is. Because an implant’s post resides in the jawbone, it can transmit the stimulating forces to the bone cells, improving bone health.

Schedule a Visit with Your Grand Prairie Dentist

Have you considered dental implants to replace your missing tooth or teeth? If so, contact our 75052 dental office to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Smith, today by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

filed under: Dental implants, Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist

Grand Prairie Dentist Compares Dentures and Implant Dentures

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Do you find yourself struggling with your dentures on a daily basis? If so, dental implants may be able to transform your life. To illustrate just how transformative implant dentures can be, your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, has created two portraits to compare living with standard dentures to living with implant dentures.

Life with Standard Dentures

A morning with standard dentures may begin with a soft meal. After all, meals that are too tough can cause the dentures to slide all over the place and irritate the mouth. The conversation during breakfast may be halting and difficult. Speaking can be frustrating if the dentures won’t stay steady. Slurring and mumbling are likely to be commonplace as you fight to keep the dentures still and avoid an embarrassing slip. In addition to being soft, breakfast may be a bit bland, lacking a lot of taste, and so even before you step foot out of your door, you may find yourself frustrated.

Life with Implant Dentures

The same scenario can be transformed with the simple addition of dental implants. No longer is breakfast limited to soft food, and no longer is the mouth likely to feel irritated from the friction of sliding dentures. Conversation is likely to be better as well as the dental implants will hold the dentures steady and allow the facial muscles to relax, promoting clearer speech.

In addition, implant dentures also encourage an improved sense of taste. They do so because they, unlike standard dentures, which rely on suction to remain stable, can leave the palate uncovered, thereby restoring the sense of taste. Finally, implant dentures eliminate embarrassing slips. The dentures are anchored into the jawbone by titanium implants, so they are unable to slip or slide.

Schedule a Visit with Your Grand Prairie Dentist

If you are tired of struggling with your dentures, implant dentures can transform your life. Contact our 75052 dental office to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Smith, today by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

filed under: Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist

Grand Prairie Cosmetic Dentist Quizzes You on Several Cosmetic Treatments

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How do you feel about your smile when you look in the mirror? If you are not happy with what you see, have you thought about taking action? There are a variety of cosmetic treatments that can alter the appearance of your teeth to create a smile you can wear with pride. To help you learn about these treatments, your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, has created the following quiz. Try the questions and see what you find out about cosmetic dentistry.

Take the Quiz

1.      True or False: A “gummy smile” cannot be altered.

2.      True or False: Porcelain veneers are sometimes the best option for stained teeth.

3.      True or False: The shape of a tooth cannot be altered.

Check Your Answers

1.      False. A “gummy smile” refers to a smile in which the ratio of teeth to gums leans too far toward the gums, detracting from the smile’s cosmetic appeal. If you are unhappy with your smile for this reason, you can opt for gum contouring, a procedure which uses a soft-tissue laser to remove excess gum tissue and reveal more of your teeth.

2.      True. Not all teeth stains are the same, and one type cannot be removed by teeth whitening treatment. This type of stain is called an intrinsic stain because it occurs within the tooth itself, where whitening agents cannot reach it. For this reason, porcelain veneers, which can mask the stains, are a better option for intrinsic stains.

3.      False. If your teeth are jagged or misshapen, their shapes can be altered by two procedures: contouring and bonding. Contouring removes small amounts of enamel to alter the shape of a tooth, while bonding applies a composite resin to the tooth to add to its shape. Both treatments produce small changes that can improve the appearance of teeth dramatically.

Schedule a Visit with Your Grand Prairie Cosmetic Dentist

If you are unhappy with your smile, don’t wait any longer to take action. Contact our 75052 dental office to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Grand Prairie cosmetic dentist, Dr. Smith, today by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentist, Dentist, General Dentistry, Grand Prairie Dentist