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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.