We get a lot of questions at our McAllen orthodontic practice, A Perfect Smile Orthodontics, from patients asking if they can get braces, even though they have missing teeth. The answer is a resounding YES! How Braces Can Help With Missing Teeth There are several situations where orthodontics can help with missing teeth. For example, children can have malocclusions that can disrupt their jaw growth or delay eruption of their adult teeth. In a case like this, early orthodontic treatment can … [Read more...]
How Dental Braces Have Progressed
We’ve come a long way and have made several high tech advancements in the area of orthodontic braces. There was a time that just the mention of braces would make both the parents and the child shudder. Parents knew their child was going to have to endure pain and discomfort. and the child knew he was going to be faced with ridicule for his “metal mouth.” But those days are long gone. By understanding how braces have changed over the years, you as a parent can rest easy knowing that your child … [Read more...]
Are Dental Sealants Necessary For Adults?
Dental sealants are often useful in children, especially those who still have trouble with maintaining proper dental hygiene routines or have a high-sugar diet. However, it is only a misconception that dental sealants are only necessary during childhood. In fact, age may have no impact at all on a patient’s need for a dental sealant. Sealants may be a necessary option for many adults who are considered high-risk for cavities or tooth decay. A dental sealant aims to cover indentions and … [Read more...]
Notch in Tooth Near Gum Line
Whether it’s discovered by a dentist or stumbled upon while brushing or flossing, many people notice a small notch, or dent, in their tooth near the gum line. This notch wears a number of different masks depending on the situation. For some people, the notch is large and causes sensitivity and pain. Some people find that the notch causes consistent pain or seems to have a cavity. For others, the notch goes easily unnoticed and is small enough not to pose cosmetic concerns. However, the severity … [Read more...]
Can the Dentist Tell You Smoke Weed?
Perhaps you’re worried about what your dentist may think of you. Maybe you’re terrified that he’ll tell your mother the real reason behind your increased appetite. Or, the studies that say marijuana causes paranoia are true and it’s just the joint that you smoked earlier. Whatever the reason, you’ve found yourself wondering “Can the dentist tell you smoke weed?” The short answer is no. As long as you don’t come in smelling like a skunk, they can’t tell. But you aren’t looking for a short … [Read more...]
Vital- Preventative Care for the Uninsured
Good dental insurance is very expensive and many students and families have to make do with very limited dental insurance or none at all. If you don't have dental coverage you must become FANATICAL about caring for your teeth. If you did not have medical insurance, would let a cut on your hand get infected and ignore it for month after month? Of course not. We don't let ourselves get dirty and grimy because its bad for our health. Well its a similar deal with your teeth. Here is what … [Read more...]
Dental Emergencies and How To Handle Them
Dental emergencies can be a frightening and painful experience. It’s extremely important that you not ignore a dental problem. Ignoring the problem will only increase the likelihood of permanent damage as well as the risk of needing extensive, and expensive, treatment. It’s not uncommon, however, for someone to be unsure about what counts as an emergency, what they can do to alleviate the issue or what to do if they have an emergency in the middle of the night. The goal of this article is help … [Read more...]
Emergency Dentist With No Insurance
Are you looking for an emergency dentist but you have no insurance? If you can’t afford a trip to the dentist, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Over the past half century, the cost of dental care has consistently risen by nearly twice the average rate of inflation. The HRSA estimates that roughly 108 million Americans lack dental insurance. You may have found yourself wondering if there is any way to obtain free dental care for you and your family. It’s especially important to have your children … [Read more...]
Orthodontics Problems In Children Linked to Bullying
A fascinating acticle linking orthodontic problems to the bullying of children appeared recently in the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. This study found that teeth were the number one feature that increased the likelyhood of child being bullied, followed by strength and wieght. The president of the American Association of Orthodontists, Robert E. Varner, DMD, commented that "A person's smile is very important in communication and interpersonal … [Read more...]
Dental Plaque Defeated by Red Wine?
Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that produce acid, stripping away the covering of the teeth and promoting gum disease and tooth loss. Dentists struggle with gum disease and it is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. I asked a San Antonio dentist one time that if I had to choose between brushing and flossing- which would he recommend? He commented that such a choice is going to be bad for my teeth either way, but in his estimation flossing was more important. Gum disease is a … [Read more...]