Pickle Parade & Palooza

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Have a penchant for dressing all in green on St. Patrick’s Day? Looking for something fun to do in the community? If you happen to like pickles, too, you’re in for a treat. Get ready to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with others in the Mansfield area with a ton of exciting festivities. And a lot of pickles. Did we mention the pickles?

What Is It?

The event is a day of celebration including a list of exciting activities the entire family can enjoy. More formally named “The St. Paddy’s Day Pickle Parade and Palooza” this event is held in honor of the holiday itself, while giving a nod to Mansfield’s very own “Best Maid Pickles.” Wondering what to expect? Look over the following for a preview:

  • Pickle juice drinking contest
  • Live music
  • A lively parade
  • A pickle run
  • A free showing of “Annie” at the Farr Best Theatre

Where Is It?

The event will be held at a variety of venues in downtown Mansfield, TX. Learn more here.

When Is It?

The 4th annual event begins March 12th and lasts through the main celebration day on March 14th (an all day event).

Who May I Contact with Questions?

You may call  817-276-4200 with your questions.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Community Events, General Dentistry

How Sleep Apnea Affects Relationships

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If you suffer from extreme snoring and have recently found out that sleep apnea also affects your nightly rest, you may assume this is a problem that primarily impacts your own life. However, we encourage you to consider how sleep apnea affects relationships in your life. Even patients who are currently single may assume since they are not waking up a significant other, the problem is solely their own but this is simply not the case. Learn more about how treatment may help you protect your connections with other people in your life:

Second-Hand Symptoms

For those of you who currently have a significant other sleeping next to you every night, you need to think about the main event that wakes you up each night and how that affects your partner. Every time you wake up gasping or choking for air, the person sleeping next to you likely wake up, too. If that’s hundreds of times per night that you’re waking up – it’s hundreds of sleep interruptions to the person next to you. The common symptoms of sleep apnea will affect you both, potentially including headaches, moodiness, trouble concentrating, and exhaustion. Seeking treatment may protect the daily comfort of both you and your partner.

You Have Co-Workers, Families, and Friends

You interact with people quite often in your life. Sometimes it’s someone you’re close with, like a family member or friend. Sometimes those people rely on you for work or projects, particularly in your career. Perhaps you are raising children and have other lives to consider every single day. When you are fatigued, moody, and uncomfortable, your relationships may suffer. You may find that others don’t understand your quickness to anger. Your work may not be up to par because you cannot focus. Making it through your daily errands may even become problematic. Sleep apnea affects relationships by turning you into an exhausted person. Seek treatment today to protect your connection with those you care about most.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Sleep Apnea

TMD: True-or-False Quiz

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If suffering from daily discomfort in your jaw or surrounding area has simply become a normal part of your life, we encourage you to speak with us about TMD treatment. The longer you ignore the signs of a jaw problem, the greater your chances of experiencing long-term damage that we may otherwise easily prevent with effective care. By learning more about TMJ disorder (TMD) and what to expect from treatment, you may find yourself experiencing great relief and the ability to enjoy an improved quality of life. Learn more below:

TMD Quiz: True or False?

  1. True or False: Your TMJs are types of teeth located in the back of your mouth.
  2. True or False: Severe trauma is the only underlying cause of TMD.
  3. True or False: TMD symptoms include a variety of problems in your jaw joints as well as discomfort that radiates out as far as your shoulders.
  4. True or False: You may experience locking, clicking, popping, and other frustrating symptoms associated with TMD.
  5. True or False: We offer non-invasive treatment with oral appliance therapy to improve your comfort and oral health.

Quiz Answer Key

  1. False. TMJ is short for “temporomandibular joint” or your jaw joints. You have one on either side of your head, acting as a sort of hinge that connects your jaw to your cranium. You may open and close your mouth and move your jaw from side to side because of these joints.
  2. False. There are many underlying causes that may contribute to the development of TMD. While trauma – or a serious impact – may be one cause, other problems like bruxism (teeth grinding), stress, and misalignment may also result in jaw joint function problems.
  3. True. Your jaws support a great deal of pressure, particularly when you chew. Many muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue surround and support your TMJs. This means that when your jaw joints are not functioning well, discomfort may spread outward into your face, your neck, and your shoulders.
  4. True. When your TMJs function beneath their potential, noises and displeasing sensations may occur.
  5. True. You may be able to enjoy relief from symptoms and protection against long-term damage by wearing a custom-fitted mouth guard.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Preventive Dentistry, TMD

Mulch Madness in Mansfield

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Are you a gardening enthusiast? Do you feel particularly strong about taking care of your soil and plants? Wish you could find a way to keep weeds at bay, promote more fertile soil, or to keep your soil moist? A little mulch might help – which you probably already know. And if the idea of picking up free mulch to keep your garden and landscape healthy and looking beautiful sounds like a pretty fantastic experience, then join your fellow community members in Mulch Madness in Mansfield for an enjoyable and beneficial time.

What Is It?

This event is open to residents of Mansfield – you may need to bring some identification with you that proves you’re a resident, so carry along your driver’s license or some other form of ID. You will also need to bring your own containers to fill with mulch. Keep in mind that staff will be present to assist you in loading the mulch.

When Is the Event?

Mulch Madness will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2015 from 8:30am to 12:00pm.

Where Is It?

Bring truck or trailer to the following address:

24 N. Mitchell Rd
Mansfield, TX 76063 

Who May I Contact with Questions?

For more information, call 817-276-4250 or send an email to [email protected]

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Community Events, General Dentistry

Bruxism Quick Facts

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Has anyone ever mentioned to you that they can hear you grinding your teeth? Perhaps you wake up in the morning with some discomfort in your jaw. You may be suffering from a treatable disorder called bruxism, or teeth grinding. While you may think to yourself, “A lot of people grind their teeth, I’m sure it isn’t serious” – think again. What seems like a simple inconvenience can cause you a great deal of daily discomfort as well as long-term damage. Wondering if bruxism effects you and whether our non-invasive treatment can improve your quality of life? Consider the following facts:

Quick Facts About Bruxism

  • This disorder is characterized by grinding or clenching your teeth.
  • Many people primarily grind their teeth in their sleep, so patients often have a hard time pinpointing the cause of their discomfort.
  • Friends or significant others may point out that they have recognized your grinding, though you are unaware that you are performing this habit.
  • You may suffer from tooth damage as a result of the tremendous pressure placed on your teeth. This can include flattened, worn-down tooth surfaces and tooth sensitivity. You may also experience fractures or breakages.
  • Bruxism often places pressure on your TMJs (temporomandibular joints – or jaw joints) which may lead to TMJ disorder and chronic jaw discomfort.
  • You may suffer from ear aches.
  • Your teeth may become loose.
  • We may treat bruxism with preventive measures to address symptoms, while preventing the long-term damage associated with this disorder.
  • Treatment is non-invasive and comfortable. You will wear an oral appliance, much like a soft mouth guard, while you sleep at night. It will prevent your top and bottom teeth from touching, while cushioning your bite – this will prevent grinding and clenching.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Bruxism, Preventive Dentistry

Oral Cancer and Screenings: Quick Facts

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You probably don’t like thinking about oral cancer, which is exactly why we encourage you to visit us regularly for visual oral cancer tests. When it comes to this progressive disease, we have the capacity to recognize early changes in the lining of your mouth often long before you recognize a change. By allowing us to monitor your health over time, particularly once every six months, you make early detection possible. The sooner we see you and diagnose a concern, the greater your chances of enjoying a full, efficient recovery. Wondering what to expect and why screenings are so significant? Look over the following facts:

Facts About Oral Cancer and Visual Tests

  • We will screen you for oral cancer every time you visit us for a dental checkup, thoroughly examining your oral cavity for signs of change.
  • This type of cancer is serious and may become fatal. However, when caught in its earliest stages, it is typically quite treatable. Early treatment yields a greatly improved treatment success rate.
  • We encourage you to schedule an appointment with us immediately if you notice any of the common signs of oral cancer, which may include: significant weight loss, your teeth seem to shift in their alignment, ear pain or aching, a sore throat that doesn’t seem to go away, voice changes, or other abnormalities that you cannot explain.
  • Risk of disease increases in patients over the age of 40.
  • Risk of disease also tends to become greater as a result of tobacco use, sun exposure, and a family history of oral cancer.
  • Rest assured, we offer compassionate care and will answer all of your questions and concerns during your visit.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Oral Cancer, Preventive Dentistry

Teeth Whitening FAQs

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Are you ready to achieve a beautiful white smile while saying goodbye to discoloration, staining, or a darkened appearance? Fortunately, teeth whitening can dramatically whiten your smile, so you feel confident about the way your smile looks. We realize you may not be so sure, however, about whether this treatment is for you. You may even have some questions that you would like answered before moving forward with this cosmetic solution. While we always invite you to ask questions during your visits, we hope you will look over the following FAQs and answers in the meantime to determine whether whitening may offer you the improvement you desire for your smile.

FAQs About Teeth Whitening

Question: Can I whiten my teeth at home?

Answer: Yes. And while you may be swayed by the over-the-counter (OTC) options you see at your local drugstore, we encourage you to choose our professional teeth whitening systems instead. Our formulas are created to safely whiten your teeth, protecting against damage and sensitivity unlike OTC products. You will wear custom-fitted trays that you will fill with bleaching gel once daily over the course of two weeks. The result will be a dramatically lightened smile up to seven shades whiter.

Question: Do I have to wait two weeks for a brighter smile?

Answer: No, for patients in a rush who can spare approximately one hour to spend in our chair, we offer in-office whitening. The Zoom! Whitening system we use requires the use of a bleaching gel and a special light that activates the lightening process. Within this single visit you will achieve a smile up to ten shades whiter than when you walked in.

Question: Who makes a good candidate for teeth whitening?

Answer: First, you will need to have a desire for a whiter smile. Whether you suffer from allover discoloration, yellowing, or concentrated stains, our systems will address your needs. To qualify for treatment, you will need to be seeking cosmetic treatment for your natural teeth – whitening will not work on prosthetics like crowns. In addition, for severe staining, we may suggest an alternative solution like porcelain veneers.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth whitening

Why Your Child Needs Dental Sealants

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If you have been practicing brushing and flossing with your child at home and scheduling preventive dental visits, you are doing a wonderful job. However, we often find that parents wonder if there’s anything else they can be doing to protect the oral health of their children. In this case, our top answer usually includes a suggestion to choose dental sealants to protect hard-to-reach teeth from plaque and tooth decay. Wondering what to expect from this treatment and why your child needs it? Look over the following information:

Sealants Are Effective

When it comes to agreeing to dental procedures, complex treatment can often cause people to hesitate. However, dental sealants require a very simple procedure and offer wonderful benefits. We encourage you to choose this preventive solution for your child for the following reasons:

  • Sealants provide a barrier over your child’s hard-to-reach teeth, which often have a multitude of fissures and grooves where bacteria can easily hide – this can quickly lead to a cavity
  • Dental sealants last for five to 10 years in most cases, which means your child will enjoy long-term protection against tooth decay on back teeth
  • Your child will feel better about his or her efforts in home hygiene when back teeth remain cavity-free for an extended period of time
  • Nobody will be able to detect that your child has sealants except for a dental professional

The Process Is Simple

Applying sealants is easy, so you won’t have to worry about your child’s comfort. We will clean your little one’s teeth to prep them. Then, we will carefully paint a layer of plastic over the chewing surfaces of your child’s molars. We may use a special light to accelerate the drying process. And it’s that simple. 

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Family Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry

Animal Extravaganza Week? Yes, Please.

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Do you love everything and anything to do with animals? Do you have trouble imagining anything more exciting and adorable than a week dedicated solely to our furry, feathered, or scale-covered friends? Then you may feel a bit overwhelmed when you learn about Animal Extravaganza Week in Mansfield.

About the Event

A week of celebrating animals – it’s sure to be a good time for the entire family. You can expect to visit a variety of venues around town that are participating in the excitement. The list of activities includes the following:

  • Movies at The Mac: Showing of 101 Dalmatians on Tuesday, March 10. Tickets cost $2 per person.
  • Craft Party: Animal craft fun time and snacks at the Mansfield Activities Center on Wednesday, March 11. Tickets cost $5 per person.
  • Raptors of Texas: You will be able to view a variety of birds, such as owls and falcons, at The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center on Thursday, March 12. Admission is free.
  • Critterman: See the wilder side of the animal kingdom, such as a hissing cockroach, with Critterman on Friday, March 13. Tickets cost $5 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult – admission for parents is free.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Community Events, Family Dentistry

Digital X-Rays: Your FAQs

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When it comes to providing our patients with the comfort they deserve, one of the ways we ensure this is with the use of advanced technology like digital X-rays. While you likely have a solid understanding of what this type of imaging is used for – it gives us a closer look at the internal workings of your oral cavity – you may find that you have some questions. From wondering what makes this type of X-ray different from conventional ones to feeling curious about the benefits, we are happy you are interested and would like to answer some of your most frequently asked questions below:

FAQs About Digital X-Rays

Question: What makes them “digital” instead of conventional?

Answer: The process relies on the use of computer technology rather than film development.

Question: So this means you won’t need to develop the X-rays?

Answer: Yes. Rather than using film and chemicals that pollute the environment and create waste, we will simply upload the image into our computer. Fortunately, this means digital X-rays offer a green, earth-friendly solution to capturing images of your mouth.

Question: Do they emit less radiation?

Answer: Yes, this is one of the very exciting benefits.

Question: Is the process the same?

Answer: It is similar, but not identical. Unlike conventional X-rays that require you to close your teeth on bitewings, this is much simpler. We will place a small sensor comfortably in your mouth in a variety of locations to take your X-rays. The process is quick.

Question: What are the benefits of having the X-rays loaded into your computer?

Answer: This makes everyone’s lives much easier. First, we can quickly begin showing you what we see happening in the inner workings of your mouth. Also, we may very easily take a closer look at the X-rays using computer software and can even send them via email if you need to see a specialist.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.

filed under: Checkup, Patient Comfort