Gum Pain or Tooth Pain? Why Is It Sometimes Hard to Tell?

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When a tooth begins to decay, bacteria can spread and eventually infect your dental pulp. The dental pain symptoms can vary between dull and sharp; in one spot or all over your mouth; chronic or intermittent. When you have sudden dental pain you may find that it is triggered by something such as pressure or extreme temperature exposure. With all of the nerves and tissues in your mouth sharing the same tight spot, it’s no wonder that it may be difficult to ascertain where the pain in your mouth is stemming from. Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, will impart you with knowledge to try to better solve the mystery of the source of your dental pain.

Gum Tissue Abscesses

Occasionally, infection in a tooth or the roots of teeth can spread all the way up to the periodontal ligament. This can end up causing problems with gum tissue, such periodontal pockets resulting in a painful gum abscess. When you present with an abscess of gum tissue or a tooth, you can probably pin-point the source more easily, because the pain will probably be more localized. Infection that starts in the tooth but then spreads to the gums is called a primary endodontic-secondary periodontal problem. (more…)

filed under: General Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry

Tooth Sensitivity Research in the Sea

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People with extreme teeth sensitivity end up having to give up certain foods and drinks because of the discomfort. Sour, sweet, very cold, and very hot foods and beverages can result in a shooting pain going through teeth and gums. The underlying layer of teeth beneath the hard protective layer of tooth enamel is called dentin. If tooth enamel damage, tooth decay, or gum disease occur in someone, dentin holds tubules which lead to the pulp of teeth, allowing sensations to reach the nerves. The result is tooth sensitivity. Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, will highlight the results of a research study that focuses on eradicating tooth sensitivity.

Prevalence of Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth enamel damage and gum disease are very common. Whether you’re an avid soda drinker, don’t brush and floss diligently and regularly, eat too much sugar and high-carbohydrate foods, or simply have a genetic propensity, cavities and periodontitis are a common factor in the dental health of Americans. Scientists Quan-Li Li, Chun Hung Chu, along with a team of researchers, noted that as many as 3 out of 4 people have tooth sensitivity. Toothpastes and sugar-free gums that claim to reduce sensitivity are on the market, but the results aren’t always amazing. Li, Chu, and their colleagues have focused their research on discovering a substance that can rebuild tooth enamel and dentin at the same time.

Multi-pronged Remineralization

Quan-Li Li and Chun Hung Chu focused on nature to seek a remedy that could prevent the tooth sensitivity which afflicts millions of people around the world. The (more…)

filed under: Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

Your Mansfield Dentists: Sugar in Soda Causes Cavities

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We hear more and more about the unhealthy amount of sugar in soda. The sugar and caloric content are higher than one may suspect. In fact, a 12-ounce can of Coca Cola has 39 grams of sugar alone, the equivalent of 9 1/3 teaspoons of sugar. Drinking sugary beverages are one of the main causes of cavities. Sodas and juices are some of the most sugar-filled beverages one can find. Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, treat tooth decay and a variety of other dental issues with compassionate, expert care. They would like to discuss what sodas and juices can do to our teeth.

How Cavities Form

The bacteria in our mouth thrive on the sugar from the foods and drinks we consume. The bacteria will form a sticky plaque that clings to teeth. You may experienced this thin layer of film on your teeth after drinking a soda. Bacteria produces this acid that can eat through the hard, white coating on the outside of our teeth, the enamel. This creates a hole in our teeth, a cavity. (more…)

filed under: Cavities, Mansfield Dental Associates, Nutrition

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Dental Implants True/False Quiz with Your Mansfield Dentist

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Dental implants are quickly becoming the leading choice for replacing missing teeth. They perform and feel like one’s natural teeth. This is tied to their unique use of a prosthetic tooth root. Dental implants actually replace the missing tooth root with a titanium root. The jawbone fuses to the tooth root in a process known as osseointegration. The connection between bone and implant mimics the bond between natural roots and bone. This is what gives dental implants independent support; they do not rely on surrounding teeth for support. Your Mansfield dentists perform both traditional dental implants as well as mini implants. Take their True/False quiz to learn more about dental implants.

Questions

  1. True or False. Replacing a missing tooth is beneficial because it prevents significant bone loss in the jaw, crooked teeth, and a problematic bite.
  2. True or False. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris provide mini implants, also referred to as MDI Denture Stabilization System.
  3. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris can immediately connect dentures to mini implants so you do not need to return for another appointment.
  4. True or false. Dental implants can last a lifetime.

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filed under: Dental Implants, Implant Dentures, Missing Teeth

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Mansfield Dentists Answer Questions On Teeth Whitening

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Research shows that many adults feel that whiter teeth will advance their career. They also perceive whiter teeth to be advantageous with members of the opposite sex. Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris, utilize cutting edge technology with their in-office whitening treatment, Zoom! whitening. Zoom! lightens your teeth up to ten shades in just one hour. They also offer customized whitening trays for patients who prefer to whiten at home. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris now answer some common questions about teeth whitening.

Q: How do I know if I am a good candidate for teeth whitening?

A: Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris will thoroughly inspect your teeth to be sure that teeth whitening is appropriate for you. If you possess cavities or signs of gum disease, your dentists will correct these prior to approving you for teeth whitening.

Q: What are the steps for the Zoom! whitening treatment?

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filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Mansfield Dental Associates, Teeth whitening

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Black Coffee May Fight Cavities

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Black coffee may not be as bad as you think. New research shows that a certain type of coffee bean used in 30 percent of the world’s coffee disables the bacteria that causes plaque. Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris follow the latest scientific trends in dentistry. They utilize cutting-edge technology to provide stellar dental care in their calming Mansfield office. They would like to share the study’s findings regarding the possible use of black coffee in fighting cavities.

Details of the Study

Scientists in Rio de Janeiro’s Federal University produced bacterial biofilms that cause dental plaque. They then collected extracted baby teeth that they exposed to an extract from Coffea canephora, a bean that is used to create a third of the globe’s coffee. They discovered that the coffee crippled the plaque-producing biofilms. Plaque can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, so this discovery means that coffee may be beneficial in fighting cavities as well as gum disease. The researchers were hoping to identify natural products such as food and drink that can enhance oral health.

All Things In Moderation

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filed under: Gum Disease, Plaque

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Say Goodbye to Migraines with Sleep Apnea Treatment

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Migraines are a frustrating condition that can wreak havoc on our work and social lives. Migraines are severe headaches that sometimes appear along with nausea or vision problems. While some may try to cover up the problem with a pain reliever, Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris urge patients to consider the underlying causes of migraines in order to treat the issue rather than simply its symptoms. Some migraines have been tied to breathing problems that occur during sleep. Your Mansfield dentists treat patients for a variety of dental issues including sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which individuals stop breathing several times each night. Read on to learn what you can do to obtain better sleep as well as what your dentists can do.

Some Methods to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

  1. Try to keep your nose clear of mucus. Use nasal saline, nasal dilator strips, allergy medications, or decongestants to maintain good breathing through the nose. If you sleep with a stuffy nose, your tongue is more likely to fall back and cause problems.
  2. Don’t eat anything within 3-4 hours of bedtime. You want to avoid food because it may cause reflex in your throat, causing your throat to become disturbed.
  3. Do not sleep on your back. This may cause your tongue to sink back because of gravity.
  4. Avoid alcohol within 3-4 hours of bedtime. Alcohol is a depressant, and it may relax your throat to the point that it may lead to arousals or disruptions.
  5. Try deep breathing exercises or yoga to ease stress and soothe your nervous system. You can even do some deep breathing while waiting at red lights.

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filed under: Mansfield Dental Associates, Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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Eating a Nutritious Diet Protects Oral Health

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We all know that eating a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables is good for our hearts, bones, and muscles. However, you may not realize that eating a healthy diet also impacts oral health. The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics released a paper last year about the relationship between nutrition and oral health. More recently, the Academy of Nutrition’s website published a practice paper that elaborates the earlier findings. Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris, provide comprehensive dentistry in a comfortable dental office. They support these findings regarding the significance of nutrition and would like to share them with their patients.

A New Role for Dentists

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filed under: Mansfield Dental Associates, Nutrition

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FAQ: Dental Fillings with Your Mansfield Dentist

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It’s the words no one wants to hear at the dentist, “You have a cavity. You will need a dental filling.” We are all bound to get a cavity from time to time, but your Mansfield dentists are here to answer your questions about dental fillings and make the entire experience as stress-free as possible. Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris now answer some frequently asked questions about dental fillings.

Q: How do cavities form?

A: The bacteria in our mouth consume the sugar and starches left from the food that we eat. They then produce an acid byproduct that eats through the hard white coating of our teeth, the enamel. This creates a hole, a cavity.

Q: How can I prevent cavities in the future?

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filed under: Dental Fillings, Dental Hygiene

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Your Mansfield Dentists Focus on Oral Cancer Screening

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Most people view dental check ups and cleanings as simply an opportunity to get their teeth polished and treated for cavities.  Your Mansfield dentists, Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris, offer another crucial and potentially life-saving element at each dental check up and cleaning: an oral cancer screening. Oral cancer refers to cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and throat. If oral cancer is caught early, it is considerably more treatable. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris would like to discuss the steps of their oral cancer screening as well as some of the ways patients can protect themselves from the disease.

Steps of an Oral Cancer Screening

Dr. Jones or Dr. Harris will begin by asking you if you are experiencing any issues or have any questions. If you have encountered any white sores or splotches in your mouth that won’t go away after 14 days, please inform our doctors. Or, if you have difficulty swallowing or chewing or have felt hoarse or numb in the mouth, mention these as well. Then, our doctors will delicately probe around the gums, lips, tongue, and entire oral cavity to check for sores, lumps, or other irregularities.

Benefits of Oral Cancer Screenings

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filed under: Mansfield Dental Associates, Oral Cancer

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