Uncategorized
Oral Cancer Detection
Early signs of oral cancer can be easily missed or mistaken for other problems, such as a toothache or a cold. If you notice any changes or lingering symptoms, make sure to contact your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry right away for an evaluation. Oral cancer has an excellent chance of cure if detected and treated early on.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in any part of the oral cavity, including the lips, gums, tongue, inner lining of the cheeks, and roof of the mouth. During the disease’s early stages, you may not notice the subtle signs or symptoms. That’s why we encourage you to maintain your routine dental exams every six months. That will allow us to detect any abnormalities early on.
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer often include mouth or lip sores that do not heal, reddish or whitish patches on the inside of the mouth, lumps or growths, difficulty swallowing, mouth or ear pain, or loose teeth. Patients sometimes report jaw stiffness, crusted or rough areas in the mouth, numbness, a hoarse voice, or a sensation of something caught in the throat. Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily translate to a diagnosis of oral cancer. However, it’s important to schedule a dental exam to rule out any potential problems.
What Are Oral Cancer Risk Factors?
Risk factors for oral cancer include excessive lip exposure to the sun, the use of tobacco products, heavy alcohol consumption, a weakened immune system, and HPV (human papillomavirus). To lower your chances of developing this disease, refrain from the use of tobacco products, drink alcohol in moderation, and keep your lips protected from the sun. Most importantly, don’t forget to schedule your twice-a-year dental visits to allow us to examine your mouth and check for any potential precancerous changes.
How Do We Detect Oral Cancer?
During your dental exam, Dr. Watson will ask you if you have noticed any recent changes in your mouth or if you have any concerns. Your oral cancer screening is a quick, painless, and potentially life-saving exam. Dr. Watson will evaluate the soft tissues in your oral cavity and the surrounding muscles to rule out any abnormalities. If she identifies any suspicious area, she may recommend a biopsy for further investigation.
Oral Cancer Screening Near Me
Contact Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to schedule your routine dental exam and cleaning. Your appointment will include an oral cancer screening to make sure your mouth is free from any precancerous changes. We invite you to experience preventive dentistry at its best. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
What Are the Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Home Teeth Whitening?
If your smile is not as white and bright as you’d like it to be, you’ve come to the right place. Hebron Family Dentistry is proud to offer teeth whitening, today’s most sought after cosmetic dentistry procedure. The safe and effective treatment will leave you with a bright, white, and dazzling smile!
How Do Teeth Become Stained and Discolored?
As the years go by, constant exposure to staining agents in foods and beverages such as coffee and berries can leave your teeth lacking in luster. Moreover, tobacco use, certain illnesses or medications, chips, and injuries can cause teeth staining and discoloration.
What Is Teeth Whitening and How Does It Work?
Teeth whitening involves applying hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel to the surfaces of your teeth. The bleaching agent penetrates the tooth enamel, breaking down the surface and deep stains, revealing a whiter, brighter smile.
The bleaching process is most effective on yellow teeth. Brown and gray teeth, dental restorations, or discoloration due to injury or medications may not show the desired results. If that’s the case, we may recommend other cosmetic dentistry procedures, including dental veneers, cosmetic bonding, or dental crowns.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Home Teeth Whitening
Professional Teeth Whitening: Professional, in-office whitening delivers the best results. After placing a shield to protect your gums, we will apply a peroxide-based gel onto your teeth’s surfaces. We may use a special light to speed up and enhance the whitening process. In-office whitening can whiten your teeth several shades in a single visit, leaving you with a white, sparkling smile.
If you prefer professional whitening at home, we can provide you with safe and effective whitening gel and custom-fitted trays. You may require a few weeks to achieve the dazzling results you desire.
Home Teeth Whitening: There are numerous teeth whitening options available for purchase over-the-counter. Peroxide-based whitening gels or strips work the same way as professional whitening, with the difference being the length of time it takes for these products to deliver any results. You can also find whitening toothpaste brands, which contain mild abrasives that remove some surface stains.
If you plan to use over-the-counter whitening products, we recommend consulting with your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry. While some of these products deliver whitening results, some are sure to disappoint, and others may harm your teeth and gums.
Teeth Whitening Near Me
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about our safe and effective professional teeth whitening. We are committed to utilizing cutting-edge procedures and techniques to deliver stunning results. Are you ready to transform your smile? Call us and schedule your appointment today!
Why Is It So Important to Have Regular Cleanings and Visits with My Dentist?
Regular dental exams and cleanings are vital components of preventive dentistry, a field dedicated to the prevention of the onset and progression of dental disease. If you haven’t had your teeth professionally cleaned or your mouth examined lately, we, at Hebron Family Dentistry, urge you to visit our Hebron, KY office for the quality preventive care you need to maintain long-term healthy smiles!
How Often Should You Schedule Your Regular Cleanings and Dental Visits?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends scheduling your dental visits at intervals determined by your dentist. Most of our patients with healthy teeth and gums require preventive dental visits every six months, while patients with gum disease or are at a higher risk of tooth decay may need more frequent preventive care.
Why Are Regular Cleanings and Dental Visits Necessary?
We cannot understate the critical role routine dental care plays in maintaining your optimal oral health. Professional cleanings dramatically decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, cavities, and bad breath (halitosis). They also help prevent periodontal (gum) disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Dental exams, on the other hand, allow your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry to identify any condition in the earliest stages when most treatable, preventing the need for costly and involved treatments down the road.
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is not only important to your oral health but also impacts your overall health. Studies show a connection between periodontal disease and a host of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
What Happens During Your Visit?
During your appointment, we will evaluate every aspect of your oral health. A physical exam and x-rays will help uncover any underlying concerns, including early tooth decay, chips, cracks, infections, or bone loss, to name a few.
Your visit will also include professional dental cleaning, during which our hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar buildup from around your gum line and between your teeth, then use a gritty polisher to remove any plaque or tartar left behind. The last step is professional flossing to ensure that no plaque or tartar remain between your teeth.
Oral Hygiene Practices at Home
Caring for your teeth at home is another critical component of prevention. We encourage you to brush and floss regularly to remove plaque and prevent it from hardening to tartar, which only a professional dental cleaning can remove.
Quality Preventive Dentistry Near Me
Dr. Watson and her outstanding team at Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, invite you to schedule your routine dental exam and cleaning. Together, we will ensure your smile stays healthy for many years to come! Call us today!
How Safe are Digital Dental X-Rays?
Dental x-rays have long been integral to preventive and diagnostic dental care. Today’s modern technology provides safer and more detailed images of the teeth and surrounding structures using digital dental x-rays. The question many of our patients have is, how safe are digital x-rays?
What Are Digital Dental X-Rays?
Digital radiography utilizes cutting-edge technology to capture dental x-rays. At Hebron Family Dentistry, we use sensors and phosphor plates instead of traditional x-ray film to take and store high-quality digital images. We can view and enlarge these images on a computer screen, allowing us to detect potential problems and address them before they progress.
Why Do Dentists Take Digital X-Rays?
Digital dental radiographic records, or digital x-rays, are essential preventative and diagnostic tools that provide us with valuable information not visible during visual dental exams. They detect hidden abnormalities, allowing us to create effective treatment plans for long-term oral health. Early diagnosis and treatment of dental conditions can prevent the need for costly and involved procedures down the road.
What Conditions Do Digital Dental X-Rays Reveal?
Digital x-rays reveal a wealth of information, including decay and cavities between teeth, infections, cysts, abscesses, bone loss, abnormalities of the jawbone, problems inside a tooth or below the gum, cancerous and noncancerous tumors, poor tooth and root positions, to name a few.
How Often Do You Require Digital X-Rays?
The frequency of digital x-rays depends on your dental history, unique needs, oral hygiene practices, age, and risk of developing dental disease. Most patients require a series of digital x-rays during their initial visits to our office and once or twice a year to detect any new dental problems. If, however, you experience pain or have symptoms of a problem, you may need additional x-rays to outline a prompt and targeted treatment plan.
How Safe Are Digital Dental X-Rays?
Digital x-rays are far safer than traditional ones. They reduce your exposure to radiation by about 90 percent as compared to the already low exposure of conventional x-ray equipment. Moreover, we take all the necessary precautions for added protection, including taking x-rays only when indicated and using lead shields to protect your body.
Digital Dental X-Rays Near Me
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about our cutting-edge x-ray technology for precise and comfortable dental care. We invite you to schedule your routine dental exam and cleaning to maintain long-term healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
How Can Food Choices Affect My Oral Health?
The foods you consume not only affect your overall health but can directly impact the health of your teeth and gums. We, at Hebron Family Dentistry, encourage you to be mindful of what you put in your mouth to ensure you enjoy long-term healthy smiles.
How Does Your Diet Affect Your Oral Health?
Consuming a nutritious diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy smile. Lacking essential nutrients can leave the tissues of your mouth weak and vulnerable to infection, resulting in periodontal (gum) disease, a leading cause of adult tooth loss. Studies show that periodontal disease progresses faster and tends to be more severe in people with poor nutrition.
What Are Mouth-Healthy Food Choices?
Make sure you consume a nutritious diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low or no-fat dairy products. If you’re craving a snack, choose a healthy option, such as raw vegetables, fresh fruit, cheese, or nuts, rather than processed or sugary foods. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to prevent a dry mouth.
What Are Foods Choices You Should Limit?
Sugary treats and sweetened fruit drinks are harmful to your oral health. Plaque-causing bacteria feast on sugars, producing acids that erode your tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay and cavities. Carbonated drinks are also harmful because they contain sugar and are acidic, which hastens the development of tooth decay and cavities. Even diet sodas are detrimental to your teeth because of the acids they contain.
We recommend limiting sticky foods, which cling to your teeth and are hard to clean off. The same applies to starchy foods, such as potato chips or white bread, because saliva breaks them into sugar, resulting in a pasty, sticky substance that lingers in your teeth’s crevices, elevating your risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease. Hard or crunchy foods can also pose a threat to your oral health. They can chip, crack, or even break your teeth, allowing the bacteria to enter the inner layers, resulting in a host of dental problems.
Healthy Oral Care Habits for Healthy Smiles
Make sure to brush your teeth no less than twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Remember to visit Hebron Family Dentistry for your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings to ensure your smile stays bright, healthy, and free of disease.
Quality Dental Near Me
Contact Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about the preventive dentistry services we offer to safeguard your oral health. We are all about ensuring our valued patients maintain bright, clean, and healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
How Can Dental Veneers Transform My Smile?
If you are in search of a cosmetic dentistry solution to transform your smile, you’ve come to the right place. Your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry is proud to offer dental veneers to instantly correct teeth imperfections, with stunning, long-lasting results. Learn more about why veneers are such a sought-after aesthetic procedure at our Hebron, KY office.
What Are Dental Veneers and How Do They Help Transform Your Smile?
Dental veneers are wafer-thin, translucent porcelain shells designed to correct the shape, size, and spacing of teeth and improve their appearance. They provide resilience and strength comparable to natural tooth enamel and deliver dramatic results without the need for complex dental procedures.
Dental veneers offer a conservative cosmetic dentistry solution to improve the appearance of your smile without the extensive tooth shaping that restorations such as crowns require while providing a more aesthetic alternative. They offer incredible results when used to whiten stained and discolored teeth, or correct gapped, worn, chipped, broken, crooked, or misshapen teeth. They also repair teeth worn due to grinding, a condition known as bruxism. Veneers primarily serve a cosmetic purpose. However, in some cases, they are the choice solutions for correcting dental problems such as uneven bites.
Dental ceramic (porcelain) mimics the light-reflecting properties of your natural tooth enamel. We carefully match your custom-made restorations to the color and shade of the surrounding teeth, so they blend in seamlessly with your smile. With a skilled and experienced cosmetic dentist such as Dr. Watson, you can expect beautiful and incredibly natural-looking results.
What Is the Veneers Procedure?
We will remove a thin layer of tooth enamel to make room for your veneers then make impressions of your teeth that our dental laboratory will use to manufacture your restorations. We will place temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth while waiting for your permanent ones. During a follow-up appointment, we will bond your veneers to your tooth surfaces, instantly delivering your perfect smile!
Caring for Your Dental Veneers
Make sure to brush and floss regularly. Avoid habits that can damage or chip your veneers, including nail-biting, eating hard foods, and using your teeth as tools. Don’t forget to visit Hebron Family Dentistry twice a year for your routine dental exams and cleanings to maintain healthy teeth, gums, and restorations.
Quality Dental Veneers Near Me
Contact Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about dental veneers and how they can transform your smile. We look forward to helping you look, feel, and smile your best. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Despite what you may have heard, root canal therapy is not a scary or painful procedure. In fact, it works to relieve tooth pain rather than cause it. Your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry will do everything possible to make sure you are completely relaxed and comfortable during treatment. Our gentle approach and sedation dentistry options will leave you with a positive experience.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
The root canal is the area inside a tooth that houses the pulp tissues and nerves. Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is a virtually painless dental procedure designed to repair and save teeth with inflamed or infected pulp tissue, usually resulting from severe decay, injuries, chips, or cracks. Root canal therapy can also preserve a dead tooth, which is one that no longer has blood flow to it.
A root canal procedure involves removing the diseased tooth pulp and filling the space with a material that helps maintain the structural integrity of the tooth’s root. If not treated, pulp infection and inflammation can cause severe pain and result in complications, which may eventually lead to tooth loss or the need for extraction.
What Are Common Symptoms You May Require Root Canal Therapy?
Symptoms of root canal problems include painful, tender, sensitive, or discolored teeth, or a pimple-like bump on the gum indicating an abscess. In some cases, a root canal problem may not show symptoms. Digital x-rays taken during your routine dental exams will help us detect any damage, allowing us to promptly treat your tooth to prevent complications or potential tooth loss.
What Should You Expect During the Root Canal Procedure?
Dr. Watson will administer a local anesthetic and a sedation option, if required, for your comfort. She will remove the affected pulp tissue, and clean, shape, sterilize, and seal the space. Following your root canal treatment, you will need a dental crown to strengthen the affected tooth and protect it from breakage. Your restoration will look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth.
Caring for Your Treated Tooth
A treated tooth requires the same care as your natural teeth. Make sure to brush your teeth and floss daily, and don’t forget to schedule your routine dental exams and cleanings. Given proper care and effort on your part, a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
Root Canal Therapy Near Me
Contact Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about root canal therapy and how it can save a damaged tooth. With our gentle approach and sedation dentistry options, you can rest assured that your time with us will be comfortable and free of stress. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
What is Orofacial Myology?
Orofacial myology is a specialized discipline that focuses on the evaluation and treatment of oral and facial (orofacial) muscles. Myofunctional therapy is dedicated to treating problems of the face, jaw, and mouth by retraining the muscles to function as they should.
What is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)?
An orofacial myofunctional disorder occurs when an abnormal lip, jaw, or tongue position is present during rest, swallowing, or speech. Problems that result from OMDs may include pain in the face and neck, poor sleep due to breathing difficulties, or ongoing issues after dental surgery or orthodontic work.
What Are the Causes of OMDs?
OMDs often result from extended pacifier use, chronic thumb sucking, prolonged bottle use, lip licking, nail-biting, upper airway obstruction due to enlarged tonsils, adenoids or allergies, or a restricted lingual frenulum. They can also result from muscular and structural differences or genetics.
Signs and Symptoms of OMDs
Symptoms of OMDs include pain or discomfort around the face, jaw, or mouth, pain or impairment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), mouth breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, and poor posture. Signs you need to see an orofacial myologist also include crooked teeth, a crowded mouth, an asymmetrical appearance of the lips or face, tongue thrust, incorrect chewing function, speech sound errors or distortion, and dental abnormalities such as an overjet and open bite. Some patients seeking treatment may not have OMDs, but want to improve an aging facial appearance, without the need for cosmetic surgery.
What Does Myofunctional Therapy Involve?
Treatment by your orofacial myologist involves short exercises, a form of physical therapy that trains your oral and facial muscles to function properly, similar to going to the gym to build up other muscles in your body.
What Are the Benefits of Orofacial Myology?
People of all ages enjoy multiple benefits from seeing an orofacial myologist. Patients report an improved quality of life after treatment without having to resort to surgery. The non-invasive and painless therapy addresses the root cause of the problem, which helps alleviate the OMD symptoms, and also contributes to successful orthodontic intervention. When it comes to children, addressing orofacial muscle problems early on prevents the condition from progressing and allows them to experience normal growth and development.
Orofacial Myology Near Me
Contact Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about myofunctional therapy and for you or your family members. Dr. Watson and her team take pride in offering outstanding services to support your oral health and wellness. We look forward to helping you maintain long-term healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
How Do I Maintain Good Oral Health in My Senior Years?
With age comes wisdom, as well as changes in the mouth and general health. The good news is that ongoing oral hygiene practices and routine dental exams can help maintain your healthy, confident smile. We, at Hebron Family Dentistry, are here to support your oral health every step of the way.
Common Dental Concerns for Seniors
Poor dental hygiene practices earlier in life, poor diet, and ill-fitting dental appliances can cause gum (periodontal) disease, as can health conditions such as diabetes or cancer. Gum disease left untreated can progress and damage the bone and tissue supporting the teeth, which can potentially lead to tooth loss.
Older adults are susceptible to developing decay and cavities on their teeth and root surfaces, especially if they have gum recession. Tooth sensitivity can also increase with age, as the gums recede over time, exposing parts of the teeth not protected by enamel.
Dry mouth is another common concern with age and can result from some health conditions or medications. If not treated, dry mouth can lead to tooth and root decay, potentially resulting in tooth loss. Moreover, osteoporosis can develop over time, with bones in the body becoming brittle and prone to fractures. When the bone density in the mouth decreases, the teeth may become loose and fall out.
How to Maintain a Healthy Smile in Your Senior Years
The best way to keep your smile healthy is to prevent oral diseases from developing. Make sure you maintain proper oral hygiene practices, including daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash. Maintain the function of your dentures or bridges by following the care instructions provided to you.
It’s important to limit the intake of sugary or starchy snacks and carbonated drinks and to refrain from using tobacco products. Make sure you drink lots of water to keep your mouth moist and consume a healthy, balanced diet, so you have the nutrients needed to maintain your oral health. Check your mouth regularly for sensitive areas, sores, or any unusual lumps or bumps. If you see anything out of the ordinary, contact our office for an appointment.
We encourage you to keep up with your regular dental exams even if you don’t have any teeth to allow us to monitor your oral health and any restorations.
Senior Dental Care in Hebron, KY
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry to learn more about the services we offer to support your oral health. We look forward to helping you maintain a healthy smile for many years to come. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
What Are Dental Implants?
If you are in search of a restorative dentistry solution to replace your missing teeth, you’ve come to the right place. Hebron Family Dentistry is proud to offer dental implants, the best alternatives to healthy, natural teeth. Our long-lasting restorations will enhance your quality of life, and will leave you looking, feeling, and smiling your best!
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small, screw-like titanium posts we surgically place into the jawbone to replace the roots of missing teeth. They provide a stable and secure foundation to support fixed or removable replacement teeth, bridges, or dentures that we custom-match to your natural teeth. Implants boast a more than 95% success rate, which is significantly higher than any other tooth-replacement option.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Implants have become today’s standard for replacing missing teeth, with their unparalleled comfort and stability. You will restore your natural facial structure, chew with ease, and speak with clarity. Most importantly, dental implants are the only restorations that preserve healthy bone mass by mimicking the function of natural tooth roots and stimulating the bone. They also prevent any remaining teeth from shifting out of alignment, which lowers your risk of developing a host of dental problems down the road. Dental implants are very durable, with the potential of lasting a lifetime with proper care.
Candidates for Dental Implants
Dental implants offer an excellent restorative option for patients missing one or more of their teeth. Most people in good oral and overall health and with adequate bone mass to support the implant are good candidates. If, however, you have suffered bone loss, a bone graft may be necessary to rebuild the bone to allow you to enjoy the many benefits of dental implants.
Caring for Dental Implants Restorations
You must commit to meticulous oral hygiene practices for the long-term success of your dental implant restorations. That includes brushing and flossing regularly, as well as keeping up with your dental exams and cleanings at Hebron Family Dentistry. We will monitor your oral health and ensure that your restorations stay in tip-top shape.
Dental Implants in Hebron, KY
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry to learn more about restoring your smile using dental implants. Dr. Watson and her outstanding team are committed to utilizing cutting-edge technology and techniques to deliver quality, durable restorations. You will love the stunning results. Don’t wait. Call us and schedule your appointment today!