Mansfield Dentists Say Chocolate Might Be Good For Your Teeth

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Have you been noticing a decidedly large amount of candy available at your local stores lately? It’s that time of year – the onset of the holidays. First, our children will be tempted by door-to-door candy collection on Halloween night. (And let’s not pretend we won’t be sneaking a handful ourselves). Then the rest of the year’s holidays will offer an onslaught of other sugary delights. Will you be keeping up with bi-annual dental cleanings for you and your family? Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, invite you to brush up on your cavity knowledge before the sugar binges ensue.

Sugar is Only Part of the Cavity Conundrum

Have you ever looked at a child’s Halloween candy haul and said, “that’s enough sugar to keep a dentist in business for a year?” Many people believe that sugar contacting your teeth is the sole cause of tooth decay. Sugar definitely plays a big part in the cause of cavities, but there would be no tooth decay without the bacteria known as Streptococcus mutans. These bacteria feed on sugar, and turn it into lactic acid. Acid is what weakens tooth enamel, and allows tooth decay to happen. Normally tooth enamel, the hardest substance in your entire body, can keep the inner workings of your teeth protected. When sugar-fueled bacteria have their way, however, cavities  become imminent.

All Candy is Not Created Equally (more…)

filed under: Family Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry

Your Mansfield Dentist Quizzes You on Teeth Grinding

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Grinding your teeth can be a subconscious reaction to stress and anxiety, a result of an abnormally aligned bite, or a side effect of extremely crooked teeth. In some cases, an orthodontist might need to be consulted to help realign the jaw. Many times, the solution is simply a mouthpiece from your dentist that you wear at night, while you sleep. Here’s a quiz from your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Harris and Dr. Jones, to see how much you know about the nightly grind.

Teeth Grinding Quiz

Q1. What is the medical term for grinding your teeth?

A. Bruxism

B. Bruxitis

C. Fluorosis

D. Dentitis

Q2. True or false – Most cases of teeth grinding occur during the day in moments of great stress.

Q3. True or false – Teeth grinding is annoying, but harmless.

Q4. True or false – Chewing gum too often can lead to teeth grinding. (more…)

filed under: Family Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry

Mansfield Dentists Express the Importance of Good Oral Hygiene for School Success

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Now that the newness of going back-to-school has worn off, little things in our schedules can fall by the wayside. We might be tempted to give our children “just five more minutes” of sleep when they beg for it, but if that extra time translates into neglecting oral hygiene, we should think twice. Brushing and flossing are as important to overall health as any other element of the morning routine. In fact, poor oral health can actually lead to lower grades and diminished performance in school. Your Mansfield dentists explain the importance of keeping children’s teeth in tip-top shape.

Dental Decay in Children

The November 2011 issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, reported that dental decay is the most common source of tooth pain in children. Preventing tooth decay is the ideal situation for avoiding childhood toothaches. Once tooth decay has begun, quick attention is important to keep cavities from going deeper. When undiagnosed, or ignored, tooth decay can enter  the pulp of teeth, leading to sometimes excruciating pain, more invasive procedures, and possible tooth extraction. (more…)

filed under: Family Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry

Foods That Reduce Plaque

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Sugar is a sworn enemy of healthy teeth. Any food that contains large amounts of sugar will increase the production of plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that adheres to your teeth, and can turn into tartar if left to harden. The presence of plaque and tartar on your teeth will result in tooth decay, over time. You know what foods to stay away from in order to avoid cavities. Are there foods that are actually good for your teeth? Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, would like to inform you of a few culinary options that actually reduce plaque.

Raw Vegetables to Eliminate Excess Food Particles

Plaque is a mixture of food particles and bacteria. Munching on raw vegetables like carrots, celery, cauliflower, and broccoli, can actually remove food particles while you eat. These nutritional dynamos also take extra effort to chew. Chewing increases saliva production. Ample saliva adds to the elimination of food particles in the mouth, and also helps to neutralize acids.

Olive Oil to Fight Bacteria

Consider dipping those raw veggies in olive oil. Researchers at the University of Madrid discovered anti-cavity properties in olive oil by connecting low tooth decay and gum disease rates in the people that lived in towns that manufactured the oil derived from olives. Oleuropein is the name of the anti-bacterial compound in olive oil that not only has the ability to stop the bacteria that cause gum disease, but also bone loss. Additionally, the fat molecules in all oils help neutralize acids and prevent plaque from forming. (more…)

filed under: Nutrition, Preventive Dentistry

Mansfield Dental Associates Provide Care and Convenience for Patients

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Dr. S. Blair Jones has been providing comprehensive dentistry to patients in the Mansfield area for over 28 years. Dr. Seth Harris joined the practice last year, and has recently expanded his hours. With dedication to their patients, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris have recently unveiled a new service called Patient Connect 365, to make the lives of their patients more convenient.

What is Patient Connect 365?

Have you ever been late to, or forgotten, an appointment? The details of life can become overwhelming, and sometimes you just need a reminder. That’s why we are now using a service called Patient Connect 365, which will email and text patients to remind them of their upcoming appointments.

Patients who sign up for the Patient Connect 365 program can access our secure Mansfield Dental Associates account online. With access to our patient connect portal, you can:

  • View your appointment history
  • View your treatment history
  • Request appointments without having to pick up the phone
  • Access insurance and financial information
  • Make payments

We strongly encourage our patients to create their own free account at www.patientconnect365.com. Registration is quick and easy.

Extended Office Hours for Dr. Harris

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Seth Harris is now a full-time member of the Mansfield Dental Associates team. Dr. Harris shares our vision of fostering meaningful, lasting relationships with all of our patients. Expanded hours for Dr. Harris include Thursdays from 7:00am to 5:00pm, and Fridays from 7:00am to 2:00 pm.

Our entire team looks forward to helping you maintain your oral health at our comprehensive dental practice. We are dedicated to clinical excellence and devoted to providing our patients with individualized attention and all of the latest technology. Our services include general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, and we are focused on patient comfort.

Call our Mansfield dentist office at (817) 259-1357 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jones or Dr. Harris. We serve patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian, and the 76063 area code.

 

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry

Mansfield Dentist Improves Smiles

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When you don’t feel comfortable with the way your teeth look, the simple act of laughing at a joke or greeting a co-worker becomes something to dread.  September is Self-Improvement Month, and if you feel like your smile needs a makeover, Mansfield Dental Associates offers an array of cosmetic treatment options that will renew your confidence.

The Importance of a Confident Smile

Smiling at someone is a fantastic way to make a connection, a good impression, or just brighten someone’s day.  When your teeth are chipped, missing, or have unattractive gaps, you may tend to avoid smiling altogether.  Not having the confidence to flash someone a warm smile will not only cause you discomfort, but is likely to give the wrong impression to others.  Your Mansfield cosmetic dentists offer a number of dental treatments that will have you smiling again:

(more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry

The Benefits of Teeth Whitening from Your Mansfield Dentists

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Age, food, tobacco use, and poor dental hygiene can cause tooth discoloration. While some of these causes are unavoidable, there are ways to minimize, or even reverse, tooth staining.

Research has shown that 80% of adults ages 18-49 desire a brighter smile. At Mansfield Dental Associates, we encourage you to explore the benefits of having your teeth whitened.

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

  • Professional teeth whitening produces great results. When Dr. Jones or Dr. Harris whitens your teeth, you can expect a huge difference in your smile. The whitening formula is often more effective when you seek professional services, as opposed to buying over-the-counter whitening kits.
  • Teeth whitening can increase self-esteem. Your self-image is important. A brighter smile can make you feel and look more attractive and youthful.
  • Whiter teeth can change the way others view you.  Sometimes your flaws may get the best of you, leaving you worried about your weight or an embarrassing birth mark. When you have a radiant smile, others will likely notice that radiant smile and not much else.
  • Teeth whitening can help with oral hygiene. Teeth whitening will motivate you to maintain your pearly whites (brushing and flossing regularly), so your teeth stay looking fresh.
  • Whiter teeth can help you land a job. White teeth are a must when we think about perfect first impressions. For example, in a job interview, employers will pay attention to how well-groomed you are. Research has shown that people with whiter teeth have a greater chance of landing a job and a better salary.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry

Mansfield Dentists Discuss Cosmetic Bonding

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Confidence is key in today’s world. A bright, healthy smile is one of the best ways to attain the self-esteem you need to get ahead. However, if you aren’t satisfied with your smile, or you think it could use a bit of tweaking, Mansfield Dental Associates are here to help. With our cosmetic dental bonding procedure, we will have you looking your best and ready to face each new day with assurance.

(more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry

Oral Cancer Screening in Mansfield

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At Mansfield Dental Associates, we do more than check the health of your teeth and gums at your dental cleaning and exam appointments. Mansfield dentists Dr. S. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris make it a point to evaluate all aspects of your dental and oral health, and part of this includes an oral cancer screening. Today, we’d like to explain this procedure.

What is a visual oral cancer test?

Like other cancers and oral health conditions, oral cancer is most easily treated when caught in its earliest stages.

Just as its name suggests, a visual oral cancer screening is performed by one of our highly trained and experienced dentists and dental assistants. During the exam, we will assess the soft tissues of your mouth—including the cheeks, roof and floor of the mouth, tongue, and gums—and take note of any areas that appear abnormal in color and/or texture. We will also gently probe your mouth, looking for sores, lumps, rough spots, and other abnormalities in the gums lips, and tongue. If Dr. Jones or Dr. Harris suspects a possibility of oral cancer or another condition, they will take the necessary steps to obtain an accurate diagnosis. (more…)

filed under: General Dentistry

Making Your Dental Care Comfortable in Mansfield

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Mansfield dentists Dr. S. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris take your dental health very seriously. Our team at Mansfield Dental Associates wants to help you live the healthiest and most high quality life possible. We realize, however, that when it comes to choosing a dentist, comfort and quality are equally important. To ensure your comfort and confidence every time you take a seat in our dental chair, we’ve invested in something we call high-tech patient comfort measures. Read on to find out more.

What is High-Tech Patient Comfort?

In addition to keeping you physically comfortable during your appointments at Mansfield Dental Associates, the modern technology we use also makes your dental appointments efficient and your treatment effective and minimally invasive. These things are important to us when it comes to caring for your smile.

At Mansfield Dental Associates, we’re proud to offer you the following technology and patient comfort measures:

  • Digital radiography
  • Intraoral cameras
  • Chairside monitors
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Oral sedation
  • Personalized dental care and a friendly touch (more…)

filed under: Patient Comfort