Are You Brushing Effectively?

Have you ever gotten a diagnosis of a cavity or gingivitis from your dentist despite your vigilant oral hygiene routine? During your routine cleaning, has the dental hygienist told you that there are some spots you seem to be neglecting? Certain areas are commonly missed by many people during brushing, so you are not alone. However, missing these spots during brushing can lead to a buildup of bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Even skipping just one part of your mouth can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Here are some basics on making sure you effectively brush:  (more…)

Can Adults Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a thin protective layer of biocompatible material applied directly to your teeth. The sealant protects the enamel of your teeth from harmful bacteria and acid. The sealants can cover nooks and crannies created by the surface of the teeth preventing plaque and bacteria buildup from eroding the enamel. Dental sealants are often used on children’s teeth, as they are higher risk of developing cavities due to their less thorough hygiene and possible candy habits. Are dental sealants appropriate for adults? The short answer is yes. Some adults that are susceptible to tooth decay due to genetics or health issues may get a recommendation from their dentist for dental sealants.  (more…)

Toothache? Some Things To Think About

A toothache can feel like it came out of nowhere. One minute, you feel fine and the next minute you are dealing with some serious pain. Toothaches can be caused by several different things. Some of these causes can be serious, some can be not-so-serious, and some causes can be not-so-serious with potential to quickly turn into serious. How do you know which of these three blurry categories does your toothache fall under? When can it wait and when is it necessary to get into to see the dentist as soon as possible? (more…)

Protecting Your Tooth With A Filling

Prevention is the most important part of dentistry. The second most important part is regular checkups, which can provide early treatment of problems. Tooth decay can usually be prevented with good oral hygiene, mindful nutrition, and regular professional cleanings. Even with our best effort, tooth decay can still occur and cause cavities in our teeth. Teeth grinding, genetics, and dry mouth can all increase our risk for tooth decay despite our good efforts. A cavity can and should be treated with a dental filling to prevent it from spreading deeper within the tooth. (more…)

Mansfield Library’s Solar Eclipse Viewing

One of the biggest astronomical events in a decade will happen on August 21st: a total solar eclipse. The last time that a total solar eclipse happened over this much of America was in the year 1979. A complete solar eclipse is a moment when the moon, sun, and earth all line up causing the moon’s shadow to cover the appearance of the sun. To see the moon’s path completely obscure the sun, you must be within the path of totality. The path of totality is a thin ribbon stretching only about 70 miles wide spanning across the United States. The path of totality will not be over North Texas, so our viewing will be of a partial solar eclipse. The eclipse will last just a couple of minutes. (more…)

The Benefits Of Dental Bonding

Do you have minor imperfections in the appearance of your teeth? Does a small chip or crack make you feel self-conscious when you smile? Does that one tooth that is smaller than the rest of your teeth bother you? Do you find yourself staring at the tooth that is oddly shaped compared to the rest of your smile? If any of these questions ring true to you or they are similar to questions you ask yourself, you may benefit from dental bonding. Dental bonding is a conservative and cost-effective cosmetic option that can alter the size, shape, or appearance of your teeth.  (more…)

Which Cosmetic Option Is Right For My Teeth?

If you feel afraid to speak for fear of someone seeing your teeth or if you hide your smile behind a closed mouth, you need a smile upgrade. Your smile should make you feel confident and ready to take on the world. Cosmetic dentistry is the art of upgrading your smile’s appearance while conserving as much natural tooth as possible. Cosmetic dentistry can be performed on healthy teeth in an effort to get you that smile that makes you feel confident. Your dentist can help you determine which cosmetic procedure is right for you, but being knowledgeable about your options is never a bad thing.  (more…)

Good Food For Your Oral Health

Mindful eating and healthy choices can not only improve your waistline; they can improve your oral health. Your mouth is the first stop for the food entering your body. Bad choices make a big impact on your mouth’s health. Sugary food and drinks lead to cavities. The bacteria in your mouth feeds on sugar and carbohydrates to create acid. The acid erodes the enamel decaying the teeth. Dark sodas, coffee, and tea can stain the teeth. Sticky food can cause problems for any restorations. One wrong bite with food that is too crunchy can lead to a cracked or chipped tooth. We know the problematic foods, but what food and drinks are good for our oral health? (more…)

Root Canal Treatment Can Save A Tooth

Hearing that you need a root canal treatment may not be the best news you get, but it does mean that your tooth can be saved from extraction. A root canal treatment is most often needed when decay or damage has reached the inner pulp of your tooth. Often when decay is left untreated, it continues to make its way further into the tooth. Once it is deep inside the tooth, it can cause an infection. This infection can cause quite a bit of pain, and it can also spread to other parts of the body.  (more…)

Extraction As A Last Resort

Your dentist’s main priority is to do everything feasible to save your tooth. However, there are some circumstances where that is just not possible, and a tooth must be extracted. Wisdom teeth extractions are common due to overcrowding or infections that wisdom teeth can cause. Some extractions are the result of an injury caused by an accident. In these situations, the damage is so severe that extraction is necessary. In many cases, decay has been left untreated and the only remaining option is dental extraction. Severe decay can be prevented with good oral hygiene and early diagnosis and treatment.  (more…)