Oral Piercings and Oral Health

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS understands that oral piercings are a form of self-expression. While we don’t want to discourage you from expressing yourself, we’d like to inform you how oral piercings can affect your oral health. Sometimes we don’t realize that the things we do to “look cool” can be a potential health hazard. As long as your mouth stays frees of infection and your oral health is not compromised, these piercings are allowed to stay in your mouth until you choose to remove them.

Oral piercings are self-explanatory as they include any form of metal in the mouth that isn’t orthodontic related. Oral piercings can be dangerous because your mouth has millions of bacteria, and often, swelling and infection can occur after a new piercing. By choosing to pierce your tongue, lips, or cheeks, you should be aware that you have an increased risk of chipping a tooth. This is because the jewelry can easily bump a tooth when talking or eating. If you already have oral piercings you should be maintaining a rigorous oral hygiene routine to keep the mouth clean. We encourage patients to contact us at any sign of infection.  

If you have questions or concerns about oral piercings and how they affect your oral health, please give us a call. 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. 

Thank You for Your Positive Reviews!

Here at the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS our entire staff appreciates feedback from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Darrel B. for his positive review, but we would like to thank him for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

"I just got an implant to replace some bad teeth, everything went smoothly, and Dr. Morehart got my bite down perfectly the first time without repeat visits. Sara is the bomb, has the gentlest touch I have ever experienced. Dr. Morehart and his team rock!" – Darrel B.

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Childhood Halitosis

At Enid Dental Care, Dr. Morehart and his dedicated staff provide assistance to patients of all ages suffering from halitosis. Children commonly have bad breath because they haven’t yet learned to maintain vigorous oral hygiene, but there may be another problem, or they may have been taught incorrectly.

The most common reason for halitosis is a build-up of bacteria. These can happen on the teeth, as well as the gums and the tonsils. Mouth sores and sinus infections also provide environments for bacteria to thrive in, particularly as the nasal drip from a sinus infection provides bacteria with plenty to feed on. A foreign object stuck in a child’s nose can also trigger nasal drip. Brushing the tongue is the surest way to prevent bacteria build-up at its most common location.

Another common cause of bad breath is dry mouth. Children who breathe through their mouths and who engage in physical play without staying hydrated are at high risk of developing dry mouth, but the condition can also result from certain medications. Anxiety and ADHD are common childhood ailments for which medications often cause dry mouth or directly create bad breath.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Acid Reflux and Oral Health

What does heartburn have to do with teeth? In fact, quite a lot. At Enid Dental Care, Dr. Dennis Morehart observes many kinds of tooth erosion, and one of the most common is that caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as acid reflux or GERD.

Acid reflux happens when the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach opens, allowing hydrochloric acid out of the stomach. GERD describes when this happens at least twice a week. Hydrochloric acid causes painful ulcers in the esophagus and when it gets as far as the mouth it can contribute to the erosion of the gums as well as the teeth and result in dry mouth.

As tooth enamel erodes, teeth become sensitive, discolored, and either pitted or flattened out. Remineralization therapies, such as fluoride treatment, can help protect enamel, but they cannot restore what has been lost. However, Dr. Morehart can reconstruct teeth through methods such as bonding and partial crowns. Patients can lower their risk of acid reflux by reducing their intake of fatty and acidic foods, such as citrus juice and onions, as well as chocolate and alcohol. They may also need to discuss with their general practitioner whether they need to switch out any medications that are harming their oral health.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.