Caring for Invisalign

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS offers Invisalign, the clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of traditional braces. Another perk of clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and don’t prevent you from eating any particular foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes to your diet, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners.  You should remove Invisalign each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and the straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  Invisalign offers its own brand of cleaning solution, and there are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

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

Pain from Braces

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS loves to see smiles transformed with braces.  But we all know braces are a long process, and there is typically some pain and discomfort along the way.  Patients with braces often feel a little discomfort after their wires have been tightened, and patients with new braces usually experience some uncomfortable chafing as their mouth gets used to braces.  These are both normal occurrences and you can ease the pain while getting to your perfect smile!   

With a new set of braces, the insides of cheeks and lips will rub against the brackets and wires.  The soft tissue will toughen as your mouth gets accustomed to the braces, but at first it can create sore spots.  Dental wax is a great defense against this.  Just a small piece can cover the edge of a bracket and relieve any chafing.  After a set of braces is tightened a patient will also feel some pain and soreness.  The patient should eat soft foods right after a tightening if they are experiencing discomfort.  If the pain continues, over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Motrin are helpful.  Please still contact the office if you experience any extreme or long-lasting discomfort.

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

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.