Does Alcohol Consumption Affect your Dental Health?

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Alcoholic beverages are a common way to celebrate the holiday season. Are a fan of wine, beer, or cocktails (or perhaps all of the above)? If you have ever wondered how your adult beverage of choice could be affecting your dental health, we can enlighten you with a fun true-or-false quiz on the ways in which alcohol can impact your gums and teeth.

Questions

Q1. True or false – Only 50 percent of people who abuse alcohol have moderate to severe gum disease, and some degree of decay.

Q2. True or false – Oral cancer has no reported relationship to alcohol consumption.

Q3. True or false – Dry mouth is a side effect of alcohol consumption. It can also contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. (more…)

filed under: Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

Questions about Cosmetic Dentistry? We’ve Got Answers!

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The name might seem to imply that it’s all about the looks, but cosmetic dentistry is about so much more than simply looking good. Cosmetic dental procedures such as teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, and even composite fillings can make you look younger, more attractive, more successful, and can even be the edge you need in a competitive work environment. Best of all, improving the appearance of your smile can make you feel like smiling more, which in turn will help you enjoy a healthier, happier outlook on life. Today, Mansfield cosmetic dentists, Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris, answer some of the most frequently asked questions they field from patients.    (more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth whitening

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Do Some Foods Strengthen Teeth?

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While your whole body is a marvel, your teeth and other oral structures are especially interesting. Not only are they the strongest and most-used parts of your body, but under the right circumstances, they can also be the most vulnerable. Keeping your teeth clean by brushing and flossing them twice a day (at least) helps, but they require more than daily scrubbing to stay strong and healthy, like an adequate supply of minerals and nutrients. Fortunately, most of the foods that strengthen and sustain your teeth are found in a typical, well-balanced diet. The trick is to make sure that the healthy foods outweigh the substances that could prove harmful to your dental health.

How to Feed Your Teeth Properly

  • Eat calcium and phosphate—Green vegetables, lean meats (like chicken, beef, and turkey), and most dairy products contain a wealth of calcium and phosphate, both of which are vital to your teeth’s wellbeing. The enamel, or outer layer, of your teeth is almost entirely comprised of mineral crystals, many of which must be obtained from your diet.
  • Take care with sugar and starches—You might be familiar with the warning against sugar causing cavities, but starches and other carbohydrates are equally as dangerous. Oral bacteria, found in dental plaque, consume these nutrients and convert them into acids that destroy tooth enamel, making tooth decay and cavities possible.
  • Drink water more often—It isn’t just good for your body. Water is a natural defense against oral bacteria and plaque buildup, and neutralizes the acids that these bacteria produce. Drinking enough of it also helps you maintain a healthy flow of saliva, which is made mostly of water and helps periodically rinse your mouth throughout the day.

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: Dental Health, Nutrition, Patient Education

Quiz: What is Root Canal Therapy?

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What comes to mind when you hear the words “root canal”? Thanks to rumor and misinformation, many people have a poor idea of what this safe and comfortable procedure actually involves. In reality, root canal therapy is vital for protecting the health and integrity of your smile in the event of an infection or dental abscess.

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filed under: Root Canals

What’s the Big Deal with Mini Dental Implants?

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Whether you’ve worn dentures for years or you’re new to the denture experience, you’ve probably encountered some of the day-to-day problems associated with this removable dental prosthetic. New dentures often have an adjustment period, where the base of the denture plate rubs sore spots on the gums. As dentures age, they become warped and can often slip out-of-place or click when you eat, speak, or laugh. Luckily, there is a viable option out there that can help most denture wearers avoid these common pitfalls: mini dental implants. Today, Mansfield dentists Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris discuss this innovative and accessible solution for people who want independence from ill-fitting dentures. (more…)

filed under: Dental Implants, Implant Dentures, Mini Dental Implants

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Quiz: How Do I Stop Snoring?

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Do you or your significant other have difficulty sleeping due to your chronic snoring? In addition to hindering good sleep, this issue could also be a warning sign of a serious disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, affects millions of people in the United States. By understanding the cause and symptoms, you can start your journey to better, and quieter, sleep.

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filed under: Sleep Apnea

Upcoming Holiday Celebrations

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We still have a week until Thanksgiving, but we can’t help looking ahead to the Christmas season. At Mansfield Dental Associates, your Mansfield dentists,Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, enjoy spreading the word about upcoming community events. The first weekend of December starts the holiday season with a bang, including fireworks and a parade. We hope you and your loved ones can join in the festivities.

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filed under: Community Events

What Happens When You Grind Your Teeth?

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If you’ve learned that your teeth are the strongest parts of your body, you might be confused as to how harmlessly clenching them together can damage them. The truth, though, is that there’s nothing harmless about grinding your teeth, especially if you do it habitually or without even realizing it. Despite the incredible strength of your tooth structure and the enamel that surrounds it, there’s a limit to what your teeth can take. Over time, the constant friction and pressure that occurs when you grind your teeth can lead to excessive tooth wear, cracks, fractures, sensitivity, and an increased risk of decay, among other hazards.

The Phenomenon of Bruxism

  • Experts agree that there is no single, particular cause for chronic teeth-grinding, or bruxism; rather, it’s usually the result of a culmination of factors, like stress and anxiety, or a host of possible dental issues.
  • If you grind your teeth because you’re stressed, then taking measures to relax could help alleviate the symptoms, and a mouthguard could protect your teeth from each other while you sleep.
  • If you grind your teeth because your jaw is uneven or uncomfortable, then you might need an appropriate dental treatment to restore the harmony to your bite. In some cases, bruxism can be a symptom of TMJ disorder—a jaw dysfunction that affects your jaw’s joints, and can cause the muscles around them to spasm.

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, Dental Health, General Dentistry

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Soda and Cavities

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Michelle Obama and other health activists have long touted the dangers of soft drinks in relation to overall health. Not as many activists talk about soda’s effect on one’s dental health. One 12 ounce can of regular Coke contains 9 and 1/3 teaspoons of sugar alone. Bacteria in our mouth consume the sugar from soda and produce an acid that clings to our teeth. This acid byproduct can eat through tooth enamel, the top layer of teeth, and lead to cavities. In today’s blog your Mansfield dentists Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris discuss the rise of soda consumption in today’s youth and what we can do. (more…)

filed under: Allergies and Oral Health, Cavities, Nutrition

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