Why Cosmetic Dentistry is Important For your Health

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Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. It can influence how you feel, impact your confidence, and shape your overall health and well-being. That’s why cosmetic dentistry is essential in maintaining and improving oral health. Whether it’s enhancing your smile, restoring damaged or discolored teeth, or preventing future issues, cosmetic dentistry can have a profound and lasting impact on your life.

The skilled team at Southern Oaks Dental Care of Beaumont, TX, is proud to serve the local community with premium dental and oral care services so that you can restore your confidence in your happy and healthy smile.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a branch that focuses on enhancing the appearance of a person’s teeth, gums, and bites. It involves a range of procedures, including teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, and orthodontic treatments, to improve the appearance of a person’s smile.

Why is Cosmetic Dentistry Important?

There are many different benefits that cosmetic dentistry can have on your life, and we have curated the list below for your convenience.

Enhanced Smile and Confidence

A beautiful and healthy smile can boost a person’s self-esteem and confidence. Cosmetic dentistry can help achieve this by fixing cosmetic imperfections and improving the overall appearance of a person’s smile.

Beyond the Aesthetic

Cosmetic dentistry goes beyond just improving the appearance of a person’s smile. Many procedures, such as teeth whitening, can also improve the overall health of a person’s teeth and gums.

Preventing Further Discoloration

Specific cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as veneers, can help protect teeth from further staining and discoloration. This helps to make your appearance seem brighter and has profound structural benefits that can allow you to chew better and prevent bacteria and other pathogens from collecting in unwanted places.

Your Local Oral Care Professionals

If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry options, it’s crucial to find a skilled and experienced dental professional who can provide you with the expertise and care you need. Your local oral health professional can help determine which cosmetic dentistry options are suitable for you and help you achieve your desired results. During your next appointment with the proficient team at Southern Oaks Dental Care of Beaumont, TX, you can be sure you are receiving the proper care and guidance that you and your family merit.

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5 Ways to Help Your Child Feel Comfortable at the Dentist’s Office  

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If you have younger children, they may have some discomfort around visiting the dentist. Because the dentist may be a new experience, kids might feel anxious, which can lead to tears. Your dentist in Beaumont , TX is ready to help make your youngster as comfortable as possible. Here are some tips you can use at home, as well.

Let Your Child Choose What to Wear

Let your child wear what they want to visit the dentist. Even if it’s footed pajamas, your dentist won’t mind. Children often feel more secure in certain garments than in others. If your child wants to wear a magic princess dress, a knight Halloween costume or anything else, just allow it.

Bring Teddy Along

You might suggest that your child’s favorite teddy bear or doll go along to the dentist’s office, too. Depending upon the child’s age, maybe teddy has a toothache and needs to visit the dentist? This strategy empowers the child so that they are the ones in charge of ensuring teddy gets the care he needs.

Consider Sedation Dentistry

Your child could also have sedation dentistry in Beaumont, TX. This is completely safe for kids and widely used. It’s mild, and the parent can be there next to the child holding their hand as the mild sedative works and the child relaxes.

Visit More Often

Most anxiety in people is alleviated with exposure therapy. The more you bring your child to the dentist, the more comfortable they are likely to be. Even a quick visit to the dentist to pop in and say hi to the friendly staff on your way to another destination can do wonders with making a child realize that the dentist office is a welcoming and friendly place.

Talk it Out

On the way to and from the dentist office, talk to your child about their feelings if they are willing to. On the way to the appointment, ask what they are afraid of. On the way home, review those fears and have the child acknowledge that those fears did not happen.

The staff and dentists at Southern Oaks Dental Care are professionals at pediatric dentistry. We welcome your child, and will do everything we can to help them feel safe and happy during their visit.

 

What Is Bone Loss, and When Should I Worry?

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Dental bone loss most often happens when you lose a tooth or have it extracted and put nothing in its place. Because the space remains empty, your body reabsorbs the bone beneath the tooth socket. Your dentist in Beaumont, TX, can tell you more about bone loss, including how to prevent it.

Why Does JawBone Material Reabsorb?

Your natural teeth have roots that extend far into your gums and jawbone. And as you bite and chew, this stimulates the bone and causes it to remain healthy. But once your natural tooth and its roots are gone, there’s no longer anything to stimulate growth. As a result, the bone recedes or is ‘reabsorbed’ into the body. This is why your dentist will recommend some type of prosthetic device to replace a missing or extracted tooth. This may come in the form of a dental implant, denture, or other dental device.

Does Dental Bone Loss Cause Problems?

Aside from leaving gaps that affect the appearance of your smile, bone loss will eventually cause other serious problems with facial structure, speech, and the way in which you’re able to bite and chew. These include:

  • Shifting and spreading of the surrounding teeth
  • Speech impediment
  • Open bite (inability to bring the upper and lower teeth together)
  • Pain in the jaw
  • Premature aging

If left untreated, bone loss that’s severe can cause your facial structure to shift or appear ‘collapsed,’ making you look older than your biological age.

What Can Be Done to Treat Bone Loss?

Dental loss caused by missing or extracted teeth is best treated by the immediate placement of a dental implant. A dental implant uses a post that bonds with the jawbone upon which an artificial tooth is set. This keeps pressure on the bone beneath the tooth and provides enough stimulation to keep the bone from receding.

If bone loss has already begun taking place, your dentist in Beaumont, TX, can still help. In severe situations, you may need a bone graft before you can have a dental implant procedure. But eventually, these treatments will stop additional damage from occurring.

For more information on treating dental bone loss in Beaumont, TX, call Southern Oaks Dental Care today.

6 Highly-Effective Ways to Keep Your Gums Healthy

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One of the best ways to maintain an attractive smile is to keep your gums healthy. You can easily keep your gums healthy by adding preventive dentistry in Beaumont, TX to your healthcare routine. Talk with your dentist about what preventive dentistry can do for you. But first, let’s talk about the different things you can do to keep your gums healthy.

Six Ways to Keep Your Gums Healthy

Here are six ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy for years to come.

1. Floss and Brush Twice Daily

Floss your teeth at least once a day and brush your teeth two times each day using a soft-bristle toothbrush. Additionally, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if needed.

2. Brush Your Teeth Properly

Gently press your toothbrush on your teeth. Then brush your teeth by using short vertical strokes on each tooth. Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Ask your dentist in Beaumont, TX to demonstrate the best way to brush your teeth properly.

3. Choose the Right Toothpaste

It’s best to choose a toothpaste that has fluoride and the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.

4. Use the Right Type and Size of Toothbrush

Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles. Your toothbrush should also have a small brush head design so you can get to those hard-to-reach places.

5. Use Therapeutic Mouthwash

There are two types of mouthwash which are therapeutic and cosmetic. Therapeutic mouthwash will help keep your teeth and gums healthy, reduce the speed of tartar build-up, reduce plaque, and remove food particles from your mouth. But remember…using mouthwash isn’t a replacement for brushing and flossing.

Just like your toothpaste, your mouthwash should also carry the ADA seal of approval. Additionally, the ADA doesn’t recommend using mouthwash for children under six years of age.

6. Get Regular Dental Cleanings

Have your dentist clean your teeth every six months. Your dentist will remove plaque and tartar build-up from your teeth to help keep your gums healthy.

What’s Next?

If you need a dentist in Beaumont, TX, please Contact Southern Oaks Dental Care today. We offer a variety of preventive dentistry treatments designed to keep your gums healthy so you can have a beautiful smile for years to come.

What Are Canker Sores? What You Need to Know 

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Canker sores can be painful! Some people get a lot of canker sores, other people get them rarely. If you’re one of those people who gets canker sores quite a bit, it’s helpful to know what causes the canker sores, and what you can do about them. Most important to know is that, if you get frequent canker sores, it’s helpful to work with yourdentist in Beaumont, TX.

Canker Sore Causes

The exact causes of canker sores is unknown, but it’s believed that there are many things that can cause canker sores, including:

  • Stress. Some people believe they get canker sores as the result of stress they’re feeling.
  • Foods. Some foods can cause canker sores for some people. Foods that contain acid and citrus are believed to cause canker sores or make them worse.
  • Injuries. Canker sores can occur when someone bites the inside of their mouth or sustains an injury from a dental appliance.
  • Hormones. Some women get canker sores due to hormonal changes occurring in their body.

How to Prevent Canker Sores

While the exact cause of canker sores is unknown, there are many ways to help prevent them. If you believe that your canker sores are the result of stress, practice de-stressing techniques like meditation and mindful thinking.

If you don’t think that stress is the cause of your canker sores, pay attention to the foods that you eat during and just before you get canker sores. Look for patterns in your eating habits that could indicate a cause.

After an injury to your mouth, keep your mouth very clean. Brush your teeth twice daily, floss regularly and use mouth wash to keep the wound as clean as possible.

If hormones are the cause of your canker sores, you may notice that your canker sores come and go at specific times of the month, or according to your body’s cycles. If this is the case, talk to your doctor.

Avoid Canker Sores – Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Overall, one of the ways you can control your canker sores is to keep your mouth clean! Get your teeth cleaned on a regular basis, to minimize bacteria in your mouth. See your dentist for adental exam in Beaumont, TX.

The Different Types of Sedation Dentistry. Which One Is Right for You?

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Are you terrified when it comes to going to the dentist? If so, you are not alone. But don’t put off going to the dentist because of this fear. There is another way. Talk to a dentist in Beaumont, TX about sedation dentistry.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a method that uses medication to help patients relax when receiving any given dental procedure. There are four different types of sedation used in sedation dentistry.

What Are the Different Types of Sedation Dentistry?

Here are the four types of sedation dentistry that a dentist in Beaumont, TX will most commonly use.

  • Inhaled Sedation

This is a minimal sedation method that involves giving the patient nitrous oxide (sometimes called laughing gas) mixed with oxygen. The patient will breathe the nitrous oxide/oxygen mix through a mask placed over their nose. When it comes to minimal sedation dentistry in Beaumont, TX, nitrous oxide is the most common type used. The gas wears off quickly; therefore, the patient can drive immediately after leaving the dentist’s office.

  • Oral Sedation

Oral sedation dentistry ranges from minimal to a moderate range depending on what’s needed. At the minimal end of the spectrum, the patient is given a pill similar to Valium about an hour before the procedure. If a more moderate dose of sedation is needed, the dentist will give the patient a larger dose.

The minimal sedation dose will make the patient sleepy, but they will remain awake. However, if given a moderate dose, many patients will typically fall asleep during their procedure.

  • IV Sedation

IV sedation is a more powerful form of moderate sedation. IV sedation is administered through a vein. This IV drug enables the dentist to regulate and adjust the sedation levels to his or her patient as needed.

  • Deep Sedation

Deep sedation is administered using general anesthesia. The dentist will give the patient medication that will make the patient partially or totally unconscious during the dental procedure. Deep sedation using anesthesia has to wear off or be reversed using an additional medication to awaken the patient.

What’s Next?

If you are looking for a Beaumont, TX dentist who offers sedation dentistry, please Contact Southern Oaks Dental Care today. We are proud members of this community and will treat you and your family with all the care and respect you deserve.

Why Does Food Keep Getting Stuck in Between My Teeth?

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While it’s fun to eat a juicy steak, slice of pizza, or a favorite snack or dessert, it’s not fun to have these and other foods getting stuck in between your teeth. Annoying to be sure, it could also be caused by certain dental problems that may only get worse if left untreated. If you are experiencing problems with food getting stuck in between your teeth, here are some common reasons for this problem.

Teeth Alignment

If your teeth are not properly aligned, this can be one of the main reasons for food always winding up in the wrong places. In most cases, spaces between teeth are due to how your teeth grew in naturally, although spacing can also result from a chipped tooth, filling that’s coming loose, or other reasons. To correct this problem, braces can be the solution, as can having old fillings replaced. Talk to your dentist in Beaumont, TX for options.

Cavities

Should you notice that you are always getting food stuck in a certain area of your mouth while eating, chances are you may have a cavity that’s the culprit. Notorious spots for food to become stuck, a cavity is the perfect spot for food particles to remain even after brushing. When this occurs, bacteria gets to work on making your cavity worse, which could result in extensive tooth decay if not corrected by your dentist.

Gum Disease

As stated earlier, always getting food stuck in between your teeth could be a sign of a more serious issue. In this case, that means gum disease. If you have had problems with sensitive or bleeding gums but have ignored the problem, what started as gingivitis may have progressed to periodontal disease. When this happens, your gums have started to recede from your teeth, possibly creating what are known as “tooth pockets” that are perfect places for food to get stuck. Unfortunately, these are also perfect places for bacteria to grow. If left unchecked, you may find yourself having fewer teeth where food can become stuck, since this often leads to tooth decay and extractions.

Rather than just view food getting stuck in your teeth as a minor annoyance, schedule a visit with your dentist in Beaumont, TX so that your mouth can be examined for signs of problems that could be more serious.

How Excess Drinking Affects Oral Health

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Excessive alcohol consumption has serious harmful consequences for your oral health. If you have an issue with excessive drinking, you will likely also develop oral health issues. Alcohol can have adverse effects on your teeth, gums, and tongue. Be sure to consult with your Beaumont, TX dentist for help with any of the conditions noted below.

Dryness

Heavy alcohol consumption causes a decrease in saliva production, which limits the ability to clean the mouth with its antibacterial properties. Saliva helps in washing away any sugar, bacteria, or plaque, which helps keep the mouth healthy. Consuming alcohol excessively causes the mouth to dry, making it a fertile ground for the bacteria to thrive while increasing the chances of an infection.

Dental Erosion

Heavy alcohol consumers tend to have increased teeth degradation. The continued use of alcohol over a prolonged duration causes the oral cavity and the teeth to be acidic. This causes the surface of the enamel to dissolve, which increases the vulnerability of the teeth to damage from actions such as clenching and brushing.

Gum Disease (Periodontitis)

Excessive consumption of alcohol is linked to gum disease, also known as periodontitis. This disease is caused by the growth of bacteria in the mouth, which feed on the sugars from the consumed alcohol. The bacteria causes irritation, bad breath, swelling and bleeding. In its advanced stages, periodontitis can result in tooth loss and loose gum tissue. Heavy drinking is also known to influence the microbiome of the mouth, which could lead to gingivitis. Alcohol causes reduced salivary excretion, increasing the risk of getting gingival disease and dental caries.

Tongue Inflammation (Glossitis)

Heavy drinking is associated with inflammation of the tongue and gingiva or inflammation of the mouth corner, also referred to as angular cheilitis. The initial signs of this condition are characterized by a tongue that is smooth and painful. In its advanced stages, the tongue develops a burning sensation leading it to develop a deep red coloring. As the condition progresses, you will also experience painful cracks at the mouth’s corners.

In order to take care of your dental hygiene, it is essential to reduce alcohol intake and maintain proper dental care. Contact your dentist in Beaumont, TX for more information about your oral health.

What You Should Know About Your Teen’s Wisdom Teeth

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If you’re the parent of a teenager, you should know what to expect when it’s time for their wisdom teeth to make an appearance. Your family dentist in Beaumont, TX can answer all your questions regarding your child’s wisdom teeth.

When Should I Begin to Worry About My Teen’s Wisdom Teeth?

First, there’s no need to worry. If your teen has regular dental checkups, your family dentist will alert you when it’s time to address wisdom teeth. Usually, this happens during the middle teenage years, around 16 or 17. Most dentists will find wisdom teeth before they begin to cause problems because they’re very apparent on your teen’s X-rays.

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Cause Problems?

Not at all. Many wisdom teeth erupt without causing any problems at all. If they’re well aligned and if your teen has good oral hygiene practices and regular trips to the dentist, they may not need removal. However, if the wisdom teeth are angled beneath the gums in such a way that they place pressure on existing teeth, your dentist will probably recommend removal.

What Happens If My Teen’s Wisdom Teeth Must Come Out?

Usually, your dentist in Beaumont, TX will refer your teen to an oral surgeon if they need to have wisdom teeth removed. The surgeon will meet with you and your child for an initial consultation before scheduling surgery. They’ll explain the procedure and may ask whether your teen prefers to be sedated during the procedure. Other options may include the use of local or general anesthesia.

Will My Teen Experience A Lot of Pain After Having Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Your teen’s oral surgeon will prescribe pain medication for post-operative discomfort. Generally, the pain associated with wisdom tooth removal is mild to moderate and easily controlled through medication. As long as your teen follows the surgeon’s recommendations for aftercare and follows up when advised, healing should be routine.

If your teen is the right age to begin experiencing problems with their wisdom teeth, schedule an appointment with Southern Oaks Dental Care in Beaumont, TX, today. The sooner we see your child, the sooner we can resolve any issues. And it’s always better to take care of wisdom teeth before they become painful and cause swelling and discomfort. Call today to schedule a convenient time to see one of our friendly dental professionals.

Why Chewing Sugar-Free Gum is a Great Idea

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Sugar-free gum comes in many amazing flavors these days, ranging from basic mint to apple pie. And while it might feel like a sweet treat, it’s actually an excellent dental care tool. Just pop a piece in your mouth and chew for about 20 minutes after every meal to enjoy all the following benefits.

Increase Saliva Production

As you chew each piece of gum, the delicious flavors make you salivate as does the movement of your jaw. The increased flow of saliva then helps wash away food debris before cavity-causing bacteria can chow down. The saliva also helps neutralize acid from the bacteria and can even strengthen enamel by providing a boost of calcium and phosphate.

Reduce Formation of Cavities

When adorned by the ADA Seal, sugar-free gum only features tooth-friendly sweeteners, like xylitol, sorbitol, and aspartame. So, as you chew, the bacteria on your teeth go without their extra dose of sugar, keeping them from growing and thriving.

Then, as saliva production increases while you chew, your risk of cavities decreases considerably. When paired with regular brushing and flossing, chewing sugar-free gum can help reduce your visits to the dentist in Beaumont, Texas, to cleaning appointments only.

Skip the Sugary Snacks

With so many fun flavors of sugar-free gum available, like chocolate mint ice cream, lemon squares, and golden apple, you can always satisfy your cravings in an instant. Then, you can skip the sugar in favor of something a little healthier for your teeth without feeling deprived. Your reward is stronger, healthier teeth – and a confidence-boosting smile – plus all the great flavors in each piece of gum.

Without excess sugar causing cavities on the regular, you can stick to scheduling your routine tooth cleanings in Beaumont, Texas. You’ll likely just need to come in every six months or so to have your teeth checked out and cleaned up to maintain your gorgeous smile.

If you’re ready to make your appointment, give our team at Southern Oaks Dental Care a call today. We’re always available at 409-835-6257 to help you find a convenient time to come into our clinic.