When to Replace Your Toothbrush

A toothbrush is a primary instrument we need to keep our oral health in optimal condition. Though we may know when to replace old shoes, and old clothes, you may not realize that it’s time to replace your toothbrush. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS encourages patients to get in the habit of replacing a toothbrush several times throughout the year. How often a person changes their toothbrush will depend on several factors, but it’s always good to have a new one on hand.  

According to the American Dental Association, a toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. You should consider replacing your toothbrush sooner if you’ve been sick, or if your toothbrush is kept in close proximity to one that may be contaminated with a virus, or germs. You should always keep your toothbrush away from others to avoid cross-contamination. Be sure to store your toothbrush in a vertical position, with the bristles positioned so that they can air dry.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health or oral hygiene, 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. 

Causes of Filling Failure

When patients suffer from tooth decay, Dr. Dennis Morhart’s Enid dental office is ready to help them. Our fillings are aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, but no filling lasts forever. Recently, scientists have conducted research on what causes fillings to fail, and we want our readers to know when they’re at risk.

Scientists are surprised to find that filling failure is associated with certain gene patterns. Therefore, it is especially important for people whose relatives have poor dental health to monitor their old fillings and maintain regular check-ups. But two of the biggest predictive factors were lifestyle related: smoking and alcohol. The scientists examined male smokers and found that their rate of filling failure was higher than that of male non-smokers. They also found that people of both sexes who consume alcohol have higher rates of filling failure. Because losing a filling is painful and potentially dangerous, we hope our patients will do everything they can to prevent this and will come to us if an old filling becomes sensitive or starts to leak. On a positive note, the researchers also found that white-colored composite fillings work just as well as old grey-colored amalgam ones, making these nicer-looking prosthetics a viable dental health option.

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 Enid Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Thank You for Your Continuous 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.  We would like to thank Bill D. for being an excellent patient and for leaving us positive feedback! If you’ve recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

"I'm happy to have Dr. Morehart as my dentist since 1977. I am always confident and comfortable when he is working on me. I appreciate his kindness and gentleness and his very comforting personality. I am so comfortable at times that I do not even feel him at work. " -Bill D.

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.

Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers are a very common annoyance, but at Enid Dental Care, Dr. Dennis Morehart can provide patients with advice for managing their symptoms. There are, however, some differences between the causes of different kinds of ulcers which are important to know for managing oral health.

Cold sores are ulcers caused by the herpes simplex virus-1, which nearly everybody has. It is transferred through skin-to-skin contact as well as through sharing cups and utensils and lasts for the duration of a person’s life, but ulcer outbreaks are rare and usually clear up after a month. Other ulcers tend to be associated with physical damage to the mouth, which can be caused by misaligned bites and orthodontic brackets rubbing against the inside of the lips. Cankers are large white ulcers which have no certain cause but are hypothesized to be associated with stress and nutritional deficits.

Ulcers of all kinds usually heal on their own, but dentists can advise patients about topical cream to provide pain relief and infection-fighting medications. Dr. Morehart may also be able to identify physical problems in the mouth that are contributing to soft tissue damage.

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.

 

Invisalign Treatment

Whether you’ve had traditional braces once before, or you’re new to orthodontic treatment, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can recommend Invisalign. Invisalign is ideal for adults and teenagers who wish to have a straighter smile, but don’t want to deal with wires and brackets that come with traditional braces. Invisalign provides a better fit, more comfort, and is effective for a wide variety of malocclusion cases.  

Before beginning Invisalign treatment, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS will develop a custom and precise treatment plan for you. Once your aligners are created, they will need to be worn for a minimum of 20-22 hours a day for optimal results. As you wear each set of aligners, the teeth will gradually shift into place. The duration of treatment will depend on the individual case, but the biggest advantage of Invisalign is that you are able to remove your aligners to brush, floss, and eat.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment, 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. 

Braces and Holiday Foods

We hope all our patients at Dr. Dennis Morehart’s Enid dental office enjoy the holiday season. This time of year can be challenging for people wearing braces, which is why we want to help guide them toward safe holiday foods they can enjoy comfortably.

There are two issues to keep in mind: which foods could damage the orthodontic wires, and which foods are safe but have high sugar contents and needs to be cleaned off the teeth quickly. With appetizer platters, it’s best to stay away from hard vegetables as well as dried fruit, but olives, cheese cubes, and pepper slices are safe. Vegetables are generally safe when boiled or baked, and people with braces may be particularly grateful for seasonal treats such as potato pancakes and winter squash.

Main courses such as brisket, turkey, and ham can be made tender enough to not present an issue, but deserts such as pies leave sugary food debris caught in brackets and orthodontic wires. It’s important for people leaving home for feasts and parties to remember to bring their Christmas tree toothbrushes and floss threaders. Also keep in mind that alcoholic drinks and eggnog have high sugar contents and that champagne is acidic, making it wise to drink water while consuming them and to brush teeth soon afterward.

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 Enid Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Diabetes and Orthodontics

Enid’s Dr. Dennis Morehart has kept up with the latest research during his long career as a dentist, earning him the Master in the Academy of General Dentistry distinction and making him proficient in orthodontic therapy. Among the many developments in dentistry during that time is better care for diabetic patients, including those needing orthodontic correction.

Anybody could develop misaligned teeth. People with diabetes are just at higher risk of developing gum disease, which in its most advanced form can erode jaw bone tissue, allowing tooth migration. At the same time, they are more in need of straight teeth, which are easier to clean and therefore less at risk. The problem in the past was determining whether a person with uncontrolled diabetes could manage the increased hygienic challenges of braces. If someone with braces develops periodontal disease, the braces may have to be removed. But with Invisalign, diabetic patients can brush and floss as normal. The system of invisible aligners also puts less pressure on the teeth, making correction an easier process for people who are prone to inflammation. People with diabetes may also be good candidates for normal braces if their blood sugar is controlled. During monthly tightenings, we can ensure that their teeth are still fit to continue correction.

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.