Replacing Old Metal Dental Work in Mesquite

Posted on May 18, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

One of the benefits of childhood is that children are able to lose their baby teeth and have new ones grow in their place. As adults, we do not have this benefit, meaning we have to be extra careful with our permanent teeth. However, if you have old metal dental work, you probably wish they could be replaced with new teeth that are white instead of silver. For those of you who feel this way, your Mesquite dentist, Dr. Varghese George, offers modern alternatives to replace your old metal dental work. Learn more by reading the answers to the following questions.

The scientific name for old metal fillings is amalgam fillings. Besides being silver and unsightly, why else have they become unpopular?

Amalgam fillings have been found to contain tiny amounts of mercury. And while the FDA has declared the small amounts of it to be generally safe, save for children under six and pregnant women, it is still of some concern to certain people. Furthermore, metal fillings can expand and contract with changes in temperature, causing tooth fracture, secondary decay, and pain.

The modern alternative and more aesthetically pleasing option for fillings is composite resin. What type of material is this?

Composite resin is a resilient plastic material that bonds to the tooth much better than amalgam due to its ability to permeate your tooth’s porous foundation. Better yet, composite resin is completely tooth-colored, so there won’t even appear to be a filling there at all.

Mesquite dental offers crowns composed of porcelain and zirconia. Why is one preferred over the other?

It depends on the location of the tooth in need of the crown. For front teeth, a porcelain crown will be used, making it appear natural and luminous. For teeth that sit farther back in the mouth, zirconia is used because it is slightly more durable, which is beneficial for those hard-working chompers that must withstand stronger chewing forces. Either way, your teeth will be beautiful and protected.

Switch to composite resin fillings and porcelain crowns by making an appointment with Mesquite Dental today. You can reach our Mesquite, Texas office at (972) 285-8020.

Tips for a 4-Week Dental Health Makeover from Your Mesquite Dentist

Posted on May 11, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

Although he wants all of our patients to have beautiful smiles that they’re proud to show off, Mesquite dentist Dr. Varghese George understands that a healthy smile is the foundation for a beautiful smile. Because of this, Dr. George makes it a priority to give our patients all of the information they need to care for their teeth and gums at home. Today, Dr. George wants to discuss the four-week dental health makeover.

Week 1

Focus: Brushing

Brush every morning and before bed. Brushing after meals is recommended.
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid damaging your gum tissue.
Use fluoridated toothpaste. An easy way to choose a quality toothpaste is to look for the American Dental Association’s seal of approval.
Brush all surfaces of your teeth, as well as your cheeks, tongue, roof, and floor of your mouth.
Brush for two to three minutes. Continue reading →

Preventing Childhood Tooth Decay in Mesquite

Posted on May 4, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

Childhood cavities are on the rise for the first time in over four decades according to a Center for Disease Control study. Did you know that 99% of people will have at least one cavity in their life? If cavities go untreated, the decay worsens. Extensive tooth decay is painful and uncomfortable for children. Fortunately, your Mesquite children’s dentist, Dr. Varghese George provides treatments such as fluoride supplements and dental sealants to keep cavities at bay.

Fluoride Supplements

Did you know tooth enamel protects your teeth from cavities? Unlike other parts of your teeth, tooth enamel is not a living tissue and therefore cannot repair itself. Acid from foods and beverages strips important minerals from teeth and weakens tooth enamel over time. When enamel is damaged, teeth are vulnerable to aggressive oral bacteria that cause tooth decay. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel by remineralization. To help protect children’s teeth from cavities, Dr. George may apply great-tasting topical fluoride supplements to the surfaces of teeth. Continue reading →

What’s in Your Toothpaste?

Posted on April 27, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

You know that brushing your teeth at least twice each day is a cornerstone of dental health, but what about brushing your teeth is so effective in keeping your smile clean and sparkling? In addition to the condition of your toothbrush and your brushing technique, the ingredients in your toothpaste have a huge impact on the cleanliness of your teeth. Today, Mesquite dentist Dr. Varghese George wants to discuss what should be in your toothpaste.

What’s in Toothpaste?

Hydrated silica: All toothpastes contain abrasives to gently scrape debris off of the teeth. Hydrated silica is completely safe, which makes it one of the most common types of dental abrasives. Continue reading →

Makeover Your Smile in Two Appointments at Mesquite Dental

Posted on April 20, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

Nowadays, it seems like everyone has packed schedules, running from one place to another and just trying to find a few more hours in the day. Often, this busyness causes certain things like eating healthy and taking care of yourself to take a backseat to the demands of daily life. Mesquite cosmetic dentist Dr. George is here to tell you that you don’t have to sacrifice the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted just because you can’t spend weeks on end in the dental chair. With porcelain veneers, you can have the smile of your dreams in just two visits to our Dallas-Fort Worth-area dentist office.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells made from high-quality porcelain that adhere directly to the front of your teeth to conceal dental flaws and create a dazzling, eye-catching smile. Continue reading →

Dental Crowns in North Texas

Posted on April 13, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

As a family, general, restorative, and cosmetic dentist in Mesquite, Texas, Dr. Varghese George cares for not only the health of our patients’ smiles, but also the appearance of them. For this reason, almost all of the procedures we offer at Mesquite Dental have a health-conscious and cosmetic-conscious quality to them. Dental crowns fall into this category.

What are Dental Crowns?

Often referred to as dental caps, dental crowns restore strength, function, and appearance to a damaged tooth. Generally, dental crowns are placed when a tooth has been damaged by decay, injury, or infection, or has undergone root canal therapy. Continue reading →

Your Child’s First Dental Checkup and Cleaning in Mesquite

Posted on April 6, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

Mesquite children’s dentist Dr. Varghese George understands that children aren’t miniature adults. At Mesquite Dental, we take into account that the smiles of our young patients are still growing, so we try to instill a dedication to quality oral health at a young age while providing the highest quality comprehensive dental care possible.

The First Visit

At your child’s first visit to the dentist—which should occur by his or her first birthday—Dr. George will examine your child’s mouth to assess development and address any concerns or questions you have. More than anything, your child’s first dentist appointment is centered on introducing your child to the sights, sounds, and smells of the dentist office. We know that lifelong habits often begin at an early age, so we will make your child’s first dentist appointment as pleasant as possible to set the stage for positive dental visits and quality oral health in the future. Continue reading →

Celebrate National Nutrition Month with Your Mesquite Dentist

Posted on March 26, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

Proper nutrition is important to our wellbeing. Food is an energy source for our bodies. More than likely, if you’re eating processed or fatty foods, you probably feel fatigued. Inadequate nutrition starves your body from absorbing important vitamins and nutrients it needs to function harmoniously. Although Dr. Varghese George is an experienced general and cosmetic dentist, he cares about the overall health and wellbeing of his patients.

Achieve a Balanced Diet

To achieve a balanced diet, patients should evaluate their eating habits. When patients scrutinize what they eat, they typically learn that they are not consuming enough vegetables, fiber, or lean proteins. Additionally, our patients often learn that the foods they consume regularly are not as healthy as they may seem. We encourage our patients to read the nutritional labels on all foods and beverages before consuming them.

Increase Vegetable and Fruit Intake

Studies show that people who eat plenty of vegetables have lower incidences of cardiovascular illness, diabetes, and obesity. You should consume at least two and a half cups of vegetables and one and a half cups of fruit every day. Vegetables and fruit are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that nourish your body and provide sustainable energy. Continue reading →

Your Mesquite Dentist Discusses Foods that Harm Your Teeth

Posted on March 19, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

Many people watch what they eat for reasons other than oral health. For example, you may avoid a morning bagel and cream cheese or skip mixed drinks with friends on the weekend to reduce your caloric intake. However, what you eat and drink also affects your oral health. Dr. Varghese George and our team at Mesquite Dental urge our patients to watch out for sugary and acidic foods and beverages. Acid weakens the protective layer of enamel around your teeth while sugar acts as a source of food for harmful bacteria in your mouth. Enamel damage is permanent and leaves your teeth susceptible to decay. Many of our patients are unaware of which foods and drinks contain high sugar content and acidity. In fact, some foods that may seem healthy are actually harmful to your teeth.

Acidic Foods and Beverages

Citrus fruits – Lemons, oranges, and limes are naturally acidic
Pickled Vegetables – The brine used to pickle vegetables is very acidic
Soda – Both clear and dark sodas contain phosphoric, citric, or ascorbic acid Continue reading →

Bad Dental Habits to Avoid

Posted on March 12, 2012 by mesquitedentalnews

From a young age, our parents and dentists explained to us how to brush and floss our teeth. We learned that oral hygiene is important for preventing problems such as gum disease and cavities. For the most part, people work hard to preserve their oral health; however, patients often pick up bad habits over the years. Dr. Varghese George and our staff at Mesquite Dental explain why these habits are bad for your teeth and oral health.

Chewing Ice Cubes

Chewing on anything that isn’t food is normally bad for your teeth. When you chew on pen caps, ice cubes, or anything else, it creates microscopic fractures in your tooth’s enamel layer. Over time, these cracks in your enamel become larger. Your enamel protects your teeth from cavities. When your enamel is damaged, bacteria attach to the vulnerable structures of your teeth and begin to eat through the dentin, causing cavities.

Flossing Improperly or Forgetting to Floss

Flossing is an extremely important part of a daily oral hygiene regimen. Flossing helps remove debris between the teeth and prevent gum disease. If you forget to floss or floss your teeth improperly, you increase the likelihood of tartar building up along your gum line. Tartar buildup contributes to gum disease and cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. Our dental hygienists use special handheld tools to remove tartar. Continue reading →