Xylitol and Teeth

Xylitol has become quite popular in the dental industry and for good reason – it protects your teeth and prevents cavities. Simply put, xylitol is an all-natural sweetener similar to sugar that wreaks havoc on bacteria in your mouth. Xylitol stops tooth-eating acid attacks in their tracks and less acid means healthier teeth and a healthier smile overall. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS encourages the use of xylitol, because of its unique and clinically proven dental benefits.

Unlike sucrose, (regular table sugar), the main culprit associated with tooth decay, xylitol is not broken down by the most prominent decay-causing bacteria, to produce acid. When used appropriately, xylitol starves these particular bacteria to the point where it is almost like removing sugar from your diet completely. Xylitol is equal in sweetness and volume to sugar and can be consumed through chewing gum, candies, and dental products. The result is a healthy smile that you can be proud of.

If you have further questions about the dental benefits of xylitol, please give us a call. To learn more about our services we provide at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS here in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213. 

Are You Ready for Your Close-up?

With instant photo sharing taking over the internet, you always want to have a camera-ready smile. Because of all the coffee, wine, smoking, and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance can make pearly whites hard to achieve. At the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS we can improve your smile with a tray whitening system that is completed in two steps. However, if there is any reason you can’t go the cosmetic route at this moment, we will provide you with these tips that will give you a photogenic smile no matter what.

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.


• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.


• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

If you desire a brighter smile, please give us a call. To learn more about our whitening services, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS here in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213. 

Crown Lengthening

Occasionally, a tooth may become so decayed or injured that work needs to be done on it below the gum line. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS here in Enid, OK performs crown lengthening on patients who need this type of dental work done.

The crown of a tooth is the part that is visible; outside of the gums. A crown lengthening procedure lengthens the crown by exposing more of it. Dr. Morehart does this by removing part of the gum tissue. First, Dr. Morehart will make incisions to pull the gum tissue away from the tooth. He will then stitch down the gum line into a new location so that more of the tooth is exposed. If a dental crown is being placed to fix a broken tooth, the gums must heal before the crown can be placed. This is because as the gums heal, they tend to shrink, so a crown placed right away may be misplaced later.

For patients who have excess gums that make their teeth appear short, Dr. Morehart can also perform crown lengthening. This condition is often referred to as “gummy smile”. Dr. Morehart will create an even gum line that exposes more of the tooth.

To learn more about crown lengthening, call our office at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. You can also click or call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK.

Make Sure You Are Brushing for 2 Minutes!

To really get a good cleaning, you should be brushing your teeth for about two minutes. Do you brush yours for two? Many patients only brush their teeth for a few seconds without really realizing it. Take some of our tips for making sure you are brushing for a full two minutes. In addition, make sure you see Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in our Enid, OK dental practice for routine professional cleanings!

Brushing your teeth two to three times per day is so important to remove bacteria, however if you are only doing a quick sweep, you are leaving tons of the bacteria in there. Start by breaking your mouth into four quadrants; the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. Brush each quadrant for thirty seconds. This ensures that you are getting an even brushing and also doing a good job.

Another great way to ensure you are spending enough time is by investing in a toothbrush that has a timer. Many electric toothbrushes and some manual ones have timers that buzz or beep when you have hit two minutes. For an entertaining way of brushing, keep a music player in your bathroom. Play your favorite song and jam out until it hits the two-minute mark.

Brushing your teeth may seem like a simple task, but it is vital to your oral health. To schedule your next dental cleaning with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call our office at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

Keeping White Teeth White

Keeping a white smile can be more difficult than it seems. While brushing your teeth helps in a big way, there are other factors that go into keeping a white smile. Here at the office of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, we offer professional teeth whitening to get you started, however, take some tips for keeping those teeth white!

As mentioned before, brushing your teeth is a huge factor in have a bright smile. Make sure you are brushing two to three times per day. In addition, do not skip flossing! The bacteria and other debris that can become stuck in between teeth contribute to plaque and stains. Floss once per day.

Using tobacco is a habit that has a major effect on your health. Not only is it terrible for your oral health and your overall health, but it also stains teeth over time. Whether you smoke it or chew it, it’s time to quit!

When eating dark foods like blueberries and soy sauce or when drinking dark liquids like tea or cola, be sure to rinse your mouth out afterwards. This will help wash away the stain-causing debris and keep it from sticking to your teeth. Sip dark liquids through a straw so that it minimizes how much of the liquid will touch your teeth.

To find out more about our professional whitening system, contact the office of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK by calling (580) 237-2213. You can also reach us through our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

Choosing the Right Toothbrush for You

When brushing your teeth, it is important to not only have the right technique, but also the right supplies. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS of Enid, OK wants to make sure all of his patients have the proper knowledge about brushing their teeth. Take some tips for choosing the right toothbrush for you!

Toothbrushes may seem like a simple choice, but these days there are a lot of options. Let’s start with the most obvious difference: manual vs. electric. Studies have shown that as long as the brusher is doing a good job, an electric toothbrush does not clean teeth any better than a manual toothbrush. However, for patients who have trouble using their hands like those with arthritis, an electric toothbrush may get them a better cleaning. This is because they do almost all of the work; they just need to be held in the right place.

Next, you will want to make sure that your toothbrush has a small enough head. A large toothbrush head may have a ton of bristles but it you cannot maneuver it around all the corners of your mouth, you will not be cleaning your teeth properly. In addition, a good grip will also help with maneuvering the toothbrush around.

Next, you want to be sure that you are not using stiff bristles. These can irritate the gum tissue; causing recession. Stiff bristles can also wear down on enamel causing teeth to become cavity prone and sensitive.

To schedule your next dental cleaning with Dr. Dennis Morehart, call our Enid, OK dental office at (580) 237-2213. Appointments may also be made through our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

Types of Tooth Extractions

At the dental office of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS we understand that your permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime. However, there are a number of reasons (aside from wisdom teeth) why tooth extraction may be needed. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. Other reasons include a crowded mouth, infection, or risk of infection. Once Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS decides whether you’re a “tooth extraction candidate” he will make you as comfortable as possible before he performs the procedure.

If you need an extraction, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS will first take an X-ray of the area to help plan the best way to remove the tooth. Once this is done, he will perform one of two extractions: a simple extraction, which is performed on a tooth that can be seen in the mouth or a surgical extraction that is used if a tooth has broken off at the gum line or has not emerged into the mouth yet. During a tooth extraction, you can expect to feel pressure, but no pain depending on the type of anesthesia you are administered.

If you believe you have a tooth that may need to be extracted, please give us a call. To learn more about the 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.