Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

There are a number of health conditions that have consequences for a patient’s teeth and gums, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common. Dr. Stephanie Herbst of Enid Dental Care understands her patients’ needs and wants patients with RA to know they can expect compassionate care for gum disease.

 When people have RA, their immune system attacks their synovium, which is a tissue that lines the joints. The attacked synovium swells up and hardens, sometimes causing joint deformities. Johns Hopkins recently examined the connection between gingivitis and rheumatism. They found that people with RA are twice as likely as the average person to have gum disease and six times as likely to have severe gum disease. It is true that people with rheumatism commonly have limited dexterity and find it difficult to brush and floss. But another study found that synovium and gum tissue share similar cellular structures. This could help to explain why gum disease is common in people with RA who have not yet lost the use of their fingers.

By maintaining regular dental check-ups, people with RA can keep their gum pockets as clean as possible. We can assist them by guiding them toward grips for toothbrushes and prescription throat moisturizers. RA is believed to be caused by genetic and environmental factors, but people can significantly reduce their risk of developing it by not smoking.

Dr. Stephanie Herbst operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit Enid Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Reasons for Extractions

Tooth extractions are a common procedure and usually go quickly and comfortably. But removing a tooth is not recommended lightly. At Enid Dental Care, now under the operation of Dr. Stephanie Herbst, we believe that patients should be fully informed about their health options, which is why we want them to know what kinds of issues would lead to an extraction.

In most cases, extractions are done in response to dental overcrowding. Modern peoples’ jaws do not usually grow large enough to accommodate the wisdom teeth (the backmost set of molars). As a result, the wisdom teeth commonly get stuck while erupting or force other teeth out of the way, ruining their alignment. Other teeth can be impacted, too, and although they wouldn’t usually be extracted, baby teeth might be removed if they don’t fall out and premolars are sometimes removed prior to orthodontic treatment.

There are a number of ways to save teeth that have been infected or injured, but sometimes they or the surrounding gum tissue are so compromised they need to be removed. This could happen if a tooth is cracked at the root. An implant that has become loose also needs to be removed, so patients with artificial teeth need to be especially vigilant about brushing.

Dr. Stephanie Herbst operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit Enid Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Inlays and Onlays

When a tooth becomes damaged due to decay, you’re faced with the decision on how to repair it. Depending on your budget and aesthetic needs, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS or Dr. Stephanie Herbst, DDS can provide you with dental inlays or onlays. In certain cases, inlays and onlays are a non-invasive alternative to dental crowns and are a stronger, longer-lasting solution to repairing a damaged tooth. 

Typically, an inlay or onlay procedure is completed in two dental visits. During the first appointment, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS or Dr. Stephanie Herbst, DDS, will need to prepare the damaged tooth for the restoration. Dental inlays and onlays are the same kinds of restoration, except they cover different portions of the tooth. Once the tooth is prepared, a molded impression of the tooth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory where the inlay or onlay is created. During your second visit, the temporary filling is removed and your inlay or onlay is placed. If cared for properly, the durability of these materials can last for up to 30 years.

If you have questions or concerns regarding inlays and onlays or restorative dental services, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

A Child's First Dental Appointment

At the dental office of Dr. Dennis Morehart, we are proud to serve the families from our community, and we want them to know it’s just as important for children to have regular dental visits.  A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled when the first baby tooth appears, or around the child’s first birthday.  Baby teeth eventually come out, but their growth and development is important for overall oral health for the child and the development of their adult teeth.

Baby teeth should be brushed and cared for like adult teeth, and it’s important to monitor their growth and development.  Missing any tooth for too long can change the development of surrounding teeth and compromise the structure of the jaw bone, but regular checkups can keep a child’s tooth development right on track.  Our dentists are skilled and experienced in administering dental care to children.  If your child has seems nervous about seeing a dentist for the first time, we recommend going through a brushing routine with them at home, and talking about the dental visit before you arrive.  Once we get your child’s oral health off to a great start, we offer a full range of services for child patients including dental cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants.

We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  To learn more about dental care for your kids, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Veneers For A Smile Makeover

Patients of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS are always asking our doctors about the latest cosmetic solutions for their teeth.  Some fixes are recommended just to repair damage or just to whiten, but veneers are the best way to give your smile a total makeover. Veneers are thin ceramic shells that bond directly to the surface of your teeth.  This gives you the opportunity to completely change the appearance of your smile and still look natural.

Patients with cosmetic issues like staining, cracked or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a dazzling smile with veneers. We can make this happen in as little as two visits!  First, your dentist will discuss the shape and look you want for your new smile.  Then an impression of your teeth is taken in order to custom-fit the final product to the surfaces of your teeth.  The impression is sent to a dental laboratory where your custom veneers will be fabricated, which may take up to two weeks.  On your final visit, the veneers are bonded to your teeth for you to wear and enjoy!

To learn more about veneers and all the services we offer, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Interdental Cleaners

Flossing between the teeth is important to remove food particles that have been left behind. If these food particles aren’t removed by thorough brushing or flossing, they will linger and cause bad breath and potentially lead to gum disease. Most of our patients tend to stick with basic floss, but interdental cleaners are gaining popularity. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, would like to explain how an interdental cleaner differs from threaded floss.

Interdental cleaners are thin, round, or cone-shaped devices that come in different shapes and sizes. These devices have a small head with bristles held on by wire, and they are designed to gently be inserted between the teeth. People who benefit from interdental cleaners include those with braces, those who have gapped teeth and for people with limited mobility. Also, if you don’t feel comfortable using floss, an interdental cleaner may be a better option.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental services or oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Why Must We Brush For Two Minutes?

You’ve heard the rule before. The American Dental Association recommends brushing the teeth for at least two minutes, after every meal, to prevent dental diseases and tooth decay. Brushing for two minutes will give your teeth and gums the attention they need and this will boost your oral health overall. If you get bored easily and find it difficult to brush for two minutes, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, suggests utilizing these tips.

Brushing the teeth for two minutes will eliminate more plaque than it would if you were to brush them for 30 seconds. When you brush your teeth, you should be reaching for the front of the teeth, the sides closest to the cheeks, the back of the teeth, and the sides of the molars closest to the tongue. It may help to play a song that lasts two minutes, watch something on TV for that duration of time, or simply time yourself and reward yourself with something healthy once you finish the task.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental services or oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.