Once you’re an adult, you don’t have to worry about cavities anymore. Right? Wrong! It’s true that you should have mastered oral hygiene techniques, but there are different factors that can contribute to cavities that weren’t a big issue during childhood. What are some of the things that put you at risk for cavities once you’ve reached adulthood, and what can you do about them?
Diet
Often your diet is worse as an adult without even realizing it, and what you eat and drink directly affects your teeth and gums. Sugar is the biggest offender and all types of sugar counts, not just the obvious candy or sodas. Limit your consumption of juices, milk, crackers, sweetened coffee, fruits, and vitamin or energy drinks.
Grazing
Many people tend to “graze” on foods and drinks all day long. If you snack frequently, you’re giving bacteria a constant supply of sugars to mix with and damage your mouth. Even though it’s tempting to sip on coffee or soda all morning, it’s better to drink it in one sitting. Also consider using a straw to avoid your teeth completely.
Receding gums
If your gums pull away from your teeth, your tooth roots can be exposed to plaque. Older patients with gingivitis, or gum disease, are more likely to form cavities. If the roots of your teeth are uncovered, you are more susceptible to plaque buildup and tooth decay.
Previous fillings
Fillings you received earlier in life can contribute to adult cavities. The filling may weaken with time, allowing bacteria into any cracks. Your dentist will check existing fillings for wear and replace them if needed.
Medical conditions
People with lower saliva flow due to various illnesses are at higher risk of cavities. Cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation are at more risk, as are smokers. People with limited manual dexterity may be unable to clean their teeth sufficiently.
Ways to decrease your risk
Brush with a fluoride toothpaste after meals, floss daily, and rinse with a fluoride mouthwash. See your dentist twice a year, and also inquire about fluoride treatments.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Shreveport dental office.
You might have the idea that visiting the dentist isn’t that important in the overall picture of your health, but you’re wrong. Establishing a relationship with a good dentist is key to being healthy, and seeking treatment from a family dentist is a great way to spread that good health throughout your whole family.
Family dentists provide treatment for all ages. Dentists suggest that kids should begin visiting the dentist around their first birthday so that they can become adjusted to the environment and learn about proper hygiene. It’s helpful for little ones to go to the same dentist from the start, as they become comfortable with the staff and office. In theory, kids are able to go to the same family dentist their whole lives!
Adults, teenagers, and seniors are all able to visit the family dentist as well. These professionals are trained and experienced in handling dental conditions throughout all age ranges, from filling cavities common in the younger crowds to cosmetic treatments for the middle-aged to dental implants or gum disease in older adults. One dentist and one convenient location makes it easy on the whole family.
Dentists suggest getting checkups every six months for optimum oral health. That way examinations can catch and treat problems early, before they have a chance to worsen into serious issues. Professional cleanings keep your teeth healthy and looking great. Regular checkups can also improve your overall health, as studies show there’s a strong link between gum disease and issues like heart disease, diabetes, or stroke. Expectant mothers are also at higher risk of complications if they have gum disease. Oral cancer is another thing family dentists watch for during checkups. Chances of recovery are greatly increased when oral cancer is detected early.
The importance of having a family dentist cannot be downplayed. The smiles and the health of every member of your family will benefit.
Do you live in Shreveport or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
Life sometimes seems as though it is zipping by, and that time is running through our fingers at an alarming pace. If you have children, this seems to be more true every year. Multiple children can mean multiple schools, appointments, lessons, meetings and plans. If you are feeling like the family taxi service, you can take steps to simplify your life by finding a family dentist to serve the oral health needs of you and your entire family.
Family dental practices have arisen out of necessity for convenience of appointments and out of the outstanding dental treatments that can be achieved with a long-term relationship between a dentist and a patient. A dentist who has known a patient since childhood carries the knowledge of that patient’s teeth during formative years, and as a result, can offer the most complete treatment possible for that patient.
Several dentists for your family leaves you driving across town, from one place to another, stuck in traffic, putting wear and tear on your vehicle. Your time is too valuable to spend this way. A family dentist can make all of the appointments for your family in one block, sometimes congruently, making things so much more convenient for you.
Sometimes the most difficult parts of parenting occur in a waiting room. Children get bored and squirmy; they need to be up and moving, engaged in age-appropriate activities. No one understands this more than a family dentist. A family dentist will have a waiting area full of toys, games and books to occupy children. Because you also need some pampering, they will often have complimentary beverages like coffee, tea or water. Some have massage chairs, headphones or video screens with movies you can watch while you wait.
You deserve the comfort and convenience a family dentist will bring to you and your family as well as the excellent oral care you expect from any quality dentist.
Take the first step towards optimal oral hygiene. Reserve your dental appointment at our Shreveport dental office now and experience personalized care.
If you’ve been wearing dentures for a while, you may have some complaints. They might fit poorly and shift or click when you talk or eat. Poor fit can lead to discomfort and sores in the mouth that worsen over time, or they can collect food underneath them, leading to bad breath.
If this sounds familiar to you, there might be alternatives for you. One of the newest developments in dentures is the pairing of standard dentures with dental implants. The dental implants are placed directly into your jawbone, providing the kind of stability only previously offered by natural teeth. Dentures fixed in the mouth with dental implants become something new: hybrid dentures.
Dentures that utilize dental implants as their anchors are very stable. They enable denture wearers to enjoy foods previously denied them, such as crisp, healthy foods or chewy cuts of meat. Eliminating the food restrictions present for many denture wearers allows them to eat a wider variety of foods, helping to reduce the risk of poor nutrition and the poor health associated with it, including digestion difficulties.
Because of this increased stability, the denture itself can be made smaller. A standard denture covers the roof of the mouth completely, inhibiting the taste and texture of foods. A denture designed around dental implants, however, has an open roof and facilitates a greater enjoyment of foods of all kinds, as well as a more natural feel for your tongue.
Dental implants also stimulate bone by mimicking natural tooth roots. This stimulation allows the bone to continue to be strong and alive, whereas the bones of the face can begin to shrink once a tooth has been extracted. This bone shrinkage leads directly to poor denture fit. Dental implants used with dentures avoid this issue.
If you are a denture wearer and you’d like to see some changes in how your dentures fit, talk to your dentist to see how using dental implants can improve your denture experience.
Do you live in Shreveport or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
There is no quicker or easier way to dramatically improve the look of your smile than professional teeth whitening. Your dentist probably offers several whitening options and can advise you about the most appropriate type of whitening treatment to ensure your brightest, whitest smile. No matter which whitening treatment you and your dentist decide will be best, there are several tips you can follow to help you achieve the ideal result:
- Have any existing dental problems treated prior to whitening to avoid side effects or complications.
- Schedule a professional teeth cleaning prior to your whitening appointment to remove buildup of plaque or tartar you cannot remove with home cleaning, and provide the best surface for the whitening treatment.
- Begin brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste several weeks before whitening to limit the sensitivity that can sometimes result from whitening agents.
- If you are extremely prone to dental sensitivity, check with your dentist about taking a painkilling medication before your whitening appointment.
- Consult with your dental office to determine how much time you should allow for your whitening appointment.
- Refrain from eating or drinking anything except water for at least one hour after the completion of your whitening treatment, and avoid ingesting foods and beverages that contain stain-causing agents for no less than 24 hours.
- Make sure to attend any follow-up appointments with your dentist.
- Maintain excellent home oral care habits to extend the life of your whitening procedure.
By following these tips, you can boost the results of your professional teeth whitening treatment and face the world with beautiful, bright smile!
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Michael Woolbert & Dr. William Hall is accepting new patients from Shreveport and the surrounding area.
There are a number of reasons that dentists or oral surgeons recommend surgery, but facial injuries are probably the most unexpected and alarming cause. Maxillofacial injury, or facial trauma, refers to any injury to the mouth, jaw, and face. Most of these injuries result from sports, car accidents, job accidents, violence, or an accident at home. Let’s learn about oral surgery resulting from facial trauma.
Broken bones are a common type of serious facial injury. Fractures can occur in the upper or lower jaw, cheekbones, palate, and eye sockets. Injuries in these locations may affect vision and the ability to eat, talk, and breathe. Hospitalization is often required for treatment, which is similar to that for fractures in other parts of the body. The bones must be lined up and held in place to allow time to heal them in the correct position. Because casts are not possible in facial injuries, the surgeon may use wires, screws, or plates to treat fractures. Sometimes healing takes as long as six weeks or more.
Even though some facial injuries are worse than others, all of them should be taken seriously. They affect an important area of the body, so it is recommended to seek treatment from an oral surgeon to make sure you receive optimum care. Even if stitches are all that’s required, it’s best to have them performed by an oral surgeon who can place them exactly as needed to produce the best results.
It’s no surprise that the best solution for facial injuries is to prevent them in the first place. Oral surgeons suggest consistent use of mouth guards, seat belts, and masks and helmets as required. Improvements have been made to safety gear to make these items more comfortable and efficient, so there should be no excuses for not using them to protect yourself and avoid injuries that can lead to oral surgery.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Shreveport dental office.
