Breckinridge Dental & Orthodontics Blog

Having a beautiful smile gives you the confidence to achieve great things! If your teeth are crooked or overlap, Invisalign in Richardson is an excellent solution for straightening your teeth without having to use traditional braces. Would you like to know more about this innovative treatment? Read on for the answers to all of your important questions.

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One of the most common dental diseases people have is tooth decay. According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics from 2011 to 2012, approximately 91 percent of adults aged 20 to 64 had dental caries at some point. That number inched up to 96 percent once adults hit 65 years of age.

If your dentist in Richardson is telling you that you’re at risk of cavities or that he’s found a cavity since your last visit, you’ll want to read this post on where they come from and how to prevent them in the future!

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We’ve heard it all before. I don’t have time to floss. I always forget. It hurts. I’m no good at flossing. Whatever your excuse is for skipping your daily flossing, it’s time to start up the habit again and stick with it. Most changes to your oral health care routine will have immediate benefits, so you feel rewarded and want to continue. Flossing takes some dedication since the rewards aren’t immediately apparent. For the first few days you are flossing properly, you will likely experience some soft tissue inflammation and discomfort. However, this should improve after about a week of diligent, daily flossing, and you’ll begin to notice improvements in your oral health, especially at your six month exams. Flossing reduces the risk for gum disease and tooth decay. One other change many patients notice when they start flossing daily is improved breath. In this post, we’ll discuss how adding flossing to your at-home preventive dentistry routine can improve your breath and overall oral hygiene.
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If you’re dealing with misaligned, crooked, gapped or crowded teeth, then you’re suffering from a loss of function and a less appealing smile. Thankfully, your orthodontist in Richardson can remedy that by fitting you with custom-made Invisalign aligners. You’re wondering, though, why you need to wear retainers after the treatment process is done. “Shouldn’t the clear trays be good enough?” You wonder. Read on to get the answers you need.

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Did you know that the ancient Egyptians used a mixture of vinegar and pumice stone to remove stains and whiten their teeth? It’s not surprising that they found rudimentary ways to whiten, since a brighter smile makes anyone look younger and more attractive – regardless of what time or place they live in!

Thankfully, we have very different (not to mention more effective) methods for teeth whitening in Richardson today. But if you’ve recently whitened your teeth, you may have experienced a common side effect: sensitive gums. So, what causes this sensitivity and what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out!

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Toothaches are terrible, but what exactly is a toothache? It is a vague term that encompasses any sort of pain in or around a tooth; it isn’t an official diagnosis, and it doesn’t describe the issue behind the discomfort. Specifics are important if you want to resolve your problem in the best way possible! That’s why your emergency dentist in Richardson is here to talk about four different types of pain that constitute a toothache and what they might mean.

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Now that your child has just started their orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist in Richardson probably mentioned which foods they should avoid to prevent an orthodontic emergency from occurring. While it first it can be tough to make these changes, it’s worth it for your child. Eating the wrong foods while wearing braces could cause significant interruptions or damaged dental hardware.

To make the process easier, here are some foods to avoid as well as foods to include more often in your child’s diet.

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While your hygienist may not have their doctorate degree, it doesn’t mean they aren’t helpful when it comes to your oral health. Hygienists go through many years of schooling that makes them incredibly knowledgeable on several dental topics. Whether it’s the best ways to practice oral care at home, knowing which foods are great for oral health, or finding ways to reduce surface stains, your hygienist can answer it.

Before you speak with your dentist in Richardson, give your hygienist a chance to provide some valuable dental knowledge. Here are five questions to get you started.

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Pain, unpleasant as it is, is really our body’s way of telling us there’s something wrong and to take care of it as soon as possible. It’s an early warning system of sorts, without which we would risk serious injury. For example, just think of how quickly you move your hand away from a hot stove!

But what about cavities – do they always hurt? If not, how can we know when to treat them? As a dentist in Richardson, we’ll explain why pain isn’t always a reliable indicator of decay. We’ll also tell you the best way to know if you actually have cavities or not so that you can treat them as soon as possible.

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Oh, the highs and lows of adolescence! Along with the excitement that goes with the first taste of independence comes a not-so-exciting rite of passage: orthodontics. If your pre-teen or teen is like most kids their age, they have a less-than-perfect smile and need to have their teeth straightened. But which option is the best – Invisalign or braces? And what are the main differences between them? As an orthodontist in Richardson, we’ll answer that question and also explain how to help your child have a great experience during the orthodontic process.

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