How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Hundreds of different types of bacteria live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other crevices in the mouth. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process. At the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, we want our patients to know that good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay.
When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently – for example, if you frequently eat foods or drinks containing sugar and starches – the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. This will cause a white spot to appear if the minerals have been lost. When this happens, this is a sign of early decay.
You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
• Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.
• Visit Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS for professional cleanings and oral examination.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, 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.

A Guide to How Not to Brush Teeth

We are sure by now that you know how to brush your teeth and do a good job. But are you aware that you can actually brush your teeth wrong and do damage? Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS of Enid, OK wants his patients to understand great dental care to keep teeth healthy. Keep reading to learn what not to do when brushing!

Brushing After Eating
While it definitely helps keep your mouth clean, brushing after eating can also do damage. There are acids in our food that soften our enamel. Therefore, you should wait at least thirty minutes so your enamel has time to re-harden. Otherwise, you may brush away the softened enamel and cause worn-down teeth which leads to cavities and sensitivity. If you are concerned about acid, rinse out your mouth with water after consuming very acidic foods. After thirty minutes, it is good to give your mouth a good scrubbing.

Brushing Too Hard
Another common way to wear down enamel is by brushing too hard. To remove plaque, all you need to do is brush with a light touch and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Stiff bristles or too much force can wear down enamel and irritate gum tissue. Worn down enamel can lead to an increased risk of cavities, sensitivity, and cosmetic issues. Irritated gums can lead to gum recession and sensitivity.

Keep these tips in mind to make sure you are not overdoing it! To schedule your next cleaning and examination with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, call our Enid, OK dental practice or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com.

The Benefits of Veneers

Are you a chronic picture-dodger because you do not like the look of your smile? Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS of Enid, OK can give your smile a complete overhaul with dental veneers! Whether you dislike a gap, a crack, discoloration, or a misalignment, veneers can give you a smile you are proud of.

Dental veneers are ceramic shells that are placed right over your existing teeth and are completely customized to your smile. There are many aesthetic dental issues that veneers can improve on, so be sure you ask us about your specific smile if you are wondering!

To apply veneers, Dr. Morehart will first remove a very small amount of enamel from your teeth, equal to the thickness of the veneer that will replace it. After the teeth are prepared, Dr. Morehart will take impressions of them so that custom veneers can be created. During the creation process, you will wear temporary veneers since the process usually takes around a couple of weeks. When the veneers are ready, they are bonded to your teeth and made sure of functionality. The next time someone takes out a camera, you will be happy to flash your smile!

If aesthetic dental issues are causing you stress, be sure to contact us to learn about options like dental veneers. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, call our Enid, OK dental practice or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com.

Post-Op Tooth Extraction Care

There are many reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted. Tooth decay, gum disease, or even for orthodontic purposes name a few. After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches and you will need to follow strict instructions that Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS will give you. After the surgery, you will need to rest and you should expect the extraction site to bleed a little following extraction. In addition, here are a few things to remember during post-op care.
If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should call our office immediately. Once you return home after the surgery you should rest, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. One of our doctors will prescribe you pain medication, as well as cleaning solution for the extraction site, so if you become sore take as directed. It’s important to limit yourself to soft foods such as gelatin, pudding, yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc. so that the stitches are not punctured. When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw, because the sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process.
If you are experiencing tooth discomfort or have questions about post-op aftercare, 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.

Why Not to Do Your Own Orthoodontics

We at the practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart are proud of the work we’ve done to correct our patients’ misaligned teeth. Last year, the American Association of Orthodontists published a public service announcement warning about the dangers non-professionals attempting orthodontics on themselves, and earlier this year, they released a survey which found that 13% of its members had treated a patient who had done their own orthodontics.

Orthodontic treatment does not take time because the doctor is gouging the patient for payments. It takes time because teeth are alive, and moving them through the jaw bone requires time to let the jaw bone rebuild. Moving teeth at whatever pace a person 3D-printing their own aligners decides suits themselves is likely to cause teeth to come loose or fall out.

Some DIY guides also advise people to make their own orthodontic wires out of household products such as hairbands or floss. This is a bad idea because it will likely put too much pressure on the teeth, risking that they will be cut off from their blood supply. Without brackets, the bands may also slide below the wearer’s gum line.

Our office strives to make our service affordable. Please come to us with your concerns instead of doing something which will hurt you and cost much more.

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.

 

Effects of Thumb Sucking

As providers of pediatric dentistry, we at Dr. Dennis Morehart’s Enid office often advise parents on how to care for their children’s oral health. One of the most common questions we get is at what point a child should break the habit of thumb sucking. That depends on how intense the habit is, but it should end by the time they start losing baby teeth at the latest.

Thumb sucking is a common behavior among babies and toddlers and is usually harmless. However, once the child’s permanent teeth start coming in at around the age of five, the skull bones will fuse together and not be able to spring back from the pressure put on them by thumb or pacifier sucking. This can result in misaligned teeth (especially overbites), misaligned jaws, and deformed oral cavities and bone ridges.

If the child is old enough to understand reason, it is best to include them in efforts to change their behavior. This is because thumb sucking is sometimes motivated by anxiety, and often when the psychological issue is not dealt with, children will substitute thumb sucking with pushing their tongues against their front teeth. This can cause many of the same problems.

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.

 

Safe Sedation with Nitrous Oxide

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS safely uses nitrous oxide, sometimes called “laughing gas,” to control patient pain and anxiety during a procedure. It is not intended to put you to sleep and you will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS may have. Your speech may be slightly slurred, and your responses may be slower than usual, but in general, you will be relaxed and cooperative.

For people who avoid dentists like the plague, sedation dentistry can be used for everything from invasive procedures to a simple tooth cleaning. How it’s used depends on the severity of the fear. To administer nitrous oxide Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS will ask you to breathe normally through your nose, and within a few short minutes, you should start to feel the effects of nitrous oxide. You may feel light-headed or a tingling in your arms and legs. Ultimately, you should feel calm and comfortable.

If you have questions about sedation dentistry or nitrous oxide, 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.