Mansfield Dentists Encourage Fresh Breath for the Holidays

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It is always fun to socialize with family and friends during the holidays, but nothing can put a sour mood on the festivities faster than sour breath. Your Mansfield dentists, Drs. Jones and Harris, discuss the most common causes of halitosis and some solutions to freshen your breath this holiday season.

Common Causes of Halitosis

For most people with bad breath, the top culprit is poor oral hygiene. Bacteria naturally build up in the mouth, taking up residence on the teeth, gums, and the tongue. There, they feed on leftover food particles, and then secrete an acidic by-product. This acid is what causes both tooth decay and gum disease. It is also foul-smelling, and is the leading contributor to bad breath. Another common reason people suffer from poor breath is because of the foods they eat. The pungent smell from a number of foods such as garlic and onions comes from natural oils. When the food is digested, these oils—and the smells they produce—can actually infiltrate the bloodstream and end up in the lungs, where they can become mixed up with breath that is being exhaled. While the poor breath is only temporary, there is not much that can be done to mask the smell until the oils have passed from your body. Sometimes, bad breath is caused by an underlying medical condition. Dry mouth, a common side effect of a number of medications, can lead to bad breath, as well as compromising your overall oral health. Other conditions known to produce bad breath are stomach ulcers, sinus infections, and acid reflux disease. If you think that your halitosis is caused by a medical issue, see your primary care physician.

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Mansfield Dentists Discusses Snoring and Sleep Apnea

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No one wants to share a bedroom with a loud snorer. Even though snoring is extremely common, it is hard for anyone to have to sleep though that distinctive sound. However, snoring can be more than just an annoyance. It can be a sign that the snorer has a case of obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, a serious condition that can affect the quality of life of the snorer. Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, explain what causes sleep apnea and what options they can help you with.

The Cause of Snoring

Snoring occurs when the airway is partially blocked during sleep. As the air from the lungs passes over the obstruction, usually soft tissue of the throat, it vibrates. That vibration is responsible for the distinctive noise of a snore. Nearly everyone snores at one point or another, but studies have shown that nearly one-quarter of women and nearly half of men regularly snore.

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Mansfield Dentists Encourage You to Brighten Your Mood

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Even though it is the most joyous time of the year, holiday stress can bring even the most optimistic person down. Being in a funk can cause damage to your basic health, including your dental health.  Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, offer these tips to brightening the holidays – and your smile.

Exercise

Studies have shown that getting out and moving your body has a very healthy effect on mood and outlook. For those averse to going to the gym, a brisk walk about the neighborhood will work just fine. Being out in the sun and fresh air will perk just about anyone’s day up. When you have that burst of energy, it may also encourage you to take care of other elements of your health, such as brushing and flossing more frequently, and making that appointment for a dental checkup that’s overdue. (more…)

Mansfield Dentists: Brighten Your Outlook with Cosmetic Veneers

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A smile can provide a window into a person’s soul. Studies show that smiling can serve as a mood elevator. Additionally, a strong smile displays an aura of confidence. Over the years, smiles can fade due to nutritional choices or habits like smoking or fingernail chewing. Many patients notice tiny lines of their teeth known as craze lines. These lines commonly occur with age. The natural process of chewing can lead to the appearance of these cracks. Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, discuss how to restore beauty to your smile with cosmetic veneers.

Cosmetic Veneers

Around Texas and the rest of the country, people begin their holiday celebrations during this week. Many people might feel inhibited about flashing their smile around the holiday table due to unsightly teeth staining or discoloration. Although teeth whitening might effectively help restore beauty to these people’s smiles, cosmetic veneers can also transform a smile. We use porcelain veneers in our Mansfield dentist office. Porcelain looks like natural tooth structure. We can repair the appearance of minor gaps between teeth, tiny cracks, or substantially stained teeth with cosmetic veneers. Placing veneers will require two visits. At the first visit, we will prepare the tooth enamel for the application and bonding of the veneer. Veneers fit on top of teeth like a fingernail.

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Mansfield Dentists Discuss Tooth Care for Pilgrims

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With the holiday season rapidly approaching, many questions could swirl about how pilgrims and American Indians went about their respective oral care routines. In today’s society, most people worry about filling their serving table with a smorgasbord of delicious treats. A roasted or fried turkey generally graces the center of the table, surrounded by starches, vegetables, and sweets. In the days of pilgrims, Thanksgiving dental care probably looked a little bit different. Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, discuss tooth care for pilgrims.

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Mansfield Dentists Discuss TMD and Bruxism

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Many people suffer from a condition known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD). One common cause of TMD involves grinding or clenching teeth. As the holiday season approaches, more and more people could experience increased levels of stress and anxiety. Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, discuss how they can diagnose and treat TMD.

What causes Bruxism?

People grind teeth for a few different reasons. Many people simply consume too much caffeine prior to bedtime. If you wake up and experience jaw tightness, the cause of your bruxism could involve caffeine consumption. Minimize your sugar and caffeine intake after 4 pm to reduce the effects of caffeine-related bruxism. Many patients whom use tobacco and alcohol products also increase their risk of bruxism-related TMD.

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Mansfield Dentists: Vacations, Business Trips, and Airplane Toothaches?

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Planning a vacation or business can trip can cause an extreme amount of stress. Packing luggage, finding a parking spot, and moving through airport security can all prove stressful enough without the addition of a toothache. Many people report toothaches when they fly, but the types of pain experienced can vary. Your Mansfield dentists, Drs. Jones and Harris, discuss why people suffer from toothaches when they fly.

Under Pressure

The simplest explanation for the reason behind airplane toothaches involves cabin pressure. The practice of gum chewing or yawning acts as a way for people to balance their body’s internal pressure during time of rapid change. Most people report their worst tooth pain during an airplane’s climb or descent. Sinus pressure commonly causes tooth pain. Air traps itself in the human body in various areas. When an airplane rapidly changes altitude, the body attempts to relieve this pressure by expunging air.

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Mansfield Dentists Discuss Why Dentists Test Blood Pressure

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Dental checkups typically occur once every six months. Assessing patients’ dental health twice yearly enables dentists to detect any problem areas and develop treatment plans. Dentists or hygienists usually administer blood pressure tests to patients. Testing blood pressure in dental offices occurs for a number of reasons. Mansfield dentists, Drs. Jones and Harris, outline the reasons behind dental blood pressure tests.

Detecting Problems with Blood Pressure Tests

Many patients visit their dentist without expectation of learning about overall health problems. However, thanks to blood pressure tests administered during dental visits, hypertension detection can occur. Many patients visit their dentist more frequently than their primary care physician. Often, dental hygienists provide the first diagnosis of hypertension for patients.

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Your Mansfield Dentists Discuss Sleep Apnea in Pregnant Women

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Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes sufferers to experience snoring and pauses in their breathing during sleep, sometimes up to 100 times per night. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA – a form of the condition in which excess fat tissue narrows the inside of the airway – is prevalent in the obese. Although OSA can occur in non-obese individuals, the study below focuses on obese patients.

The Facts About Sleep Apnea and Pregnancy

  • It was previously believed that more men suffered from sleep apnea, by a large margin, than women. In those studies, eight or nine men were diagnosed with OSA for each woman with the condition. However, recent studies indicate a substantial shift in that thinking. The actual ratio is closer to two to three men with OSA for each woman with the condition.
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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…)