Consequences of Missing Teeth

Although tooth loss is typically associated with the elderly, missing teeth can occur in adults for a variety of reasons. Whether you’ve lost a tooth to decay, or injury, tooth loss can rob you of much more than the ability to chew and properly digest food. It can have serious social, psychological and emotional consequences as well. At the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS we don’t want you to experience the consequences of a toothless grin. This is why we offer a wide variety of restorative and cosmetic options to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

The most obvious effect of missing teeth is aesthetic. When a tooth is lost, the facial muscles begin to sag, making you appear older than you are. Additionally, missing teeth will make it more difficult to chew and may even affect the way you speak. The more teeth a person is missing, the more challenging the task to replace them can become. It can also be costly. It is important to have regular dental visits with us to prolong the life of your teeth. 

If you have missing teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Occlusal Adjustment

Misaligned teeth can cause pain and frustration but fortunately, there is often a simple fix. In our Enid, OK dental practice, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can perform an occlusal adjustment. This is just minor adjustments to the uneven areas of the teeth so that they line up better.

Misaligned teeth can cause a misaligned bite. This often results in:

• Difficulty biting and chewing food


• Worn down teeth due to abnormal contact while chewing


• Chips and fractures due to increased pressure and abnormal contact


• Jaw and facial muscle pain

An occlusal adjustment evens out the alignment of the teeth. It creates a bite that lines up perfectly so there are no areas that meet before the rest when the mouth is closed. A dental drill with a filing stone is used to file areas of the teeth after a scan is taken of the mouth. The scan uses advanced technology to pick up on areas that need adjustments. After the adjustments are made, the patient should be able to close their mouths and bite down evenly. Pressure and pain will subside as you are able to close your mouth, bite, and chew evenly.

If you suspect your bite is uneven, be sure to ask us about needing an occlusal adjustment. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS here in Enid, OK, call our office at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

Getting Kids Motivated for Oral Care

Taking care of your teeth is essential for your overall health, even baby teeth. While some kids do not quite understand the importance of good oral hygiene, they should still know how to do a good job. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS wants to encourage all of his pediatric patients to get a head start with creating a routine home oral care plan. Take some of these tips for getting your child excited about taking care of their mouth.

The first thing that can get kids interested in their dental health is letting them pick out their own dental supplies. There are so many fun flavors for both toothpaste and floss. Then let them pick a toothbrush that they will be excited to use. Bright colors and cartoon characters can motivate kids to pick up their toothbrush. They may even enjoy a toothbrush that plays music. The music makes the job entertaining plus it keeps track of their time brushing so that they spend enough time.

Another way to entice kids into taking good dental care is to brush your own teeth with them. For little kids, this helps them see what they should do. Make sure to floss in front of them, as well!

Chore charts help for those who need a little extra motivation. These can be simple; such as brushing twice per day and flossing once per day for so many days in a row gets your child a trip to the park or their favorite dinner.

Starting your kids on a good dental hygiene habit young means they will likely keep a good routine in adulthood. To schedule your family’s appointments with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, call our Enid, OK dental practice at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

Calming Kids' Dental Fears

When kids are afraid of going to the dentist, if that fear is not overcome, unfortunately, it can sometimes lead to dental anxiety that continues into adulthood. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS here in Enid, OK wants all of his patients to feel relaxed and happy during their dental appointments. Take these tips for helping kids feel better about dental visits.

Kids feel safe when they are in familiar territory, which is one reason why you should begin taking your kids to the dentist at a young age. Anyway, kids should begin seeing a dentist as soon as their first tooth appears, or at least by the age of one. If they start as young as possible, kids will feel familiar with the appointments and be less nervous.

For young kids who have never been to the dentist or do not remember going, try creating a pretend dental appointment at home. Have them lie back on a sofa and open up wide while you take their toothbrush and rub each tooth. Pretend to examine the teeth and mention how healthy their mouth will be after the real appointment.

Taking your kids to your own appointment is another way to get them familiar with the building and the staff. Again, familiarity is key, plus your kids can see that you are fine and there is no reason to fear their own dental appointment.

Keeping healthy baby teeth is vital for healthy adult teeth. To schedule your family’s cleaning and examinations with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, call our Enid, OK dental office at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com.