Why Professional Cleanings are Necessary for Optimal Health

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Even if you brush and floss regularly, you will still need a professional occasionally.

While it is important to focus on your diet, limit your bad habits, and take care of your oral hygiene, professional cleanings ensure that you are progressing correctly in your health.

The talented team at Athens Smiles in Athens, TX, is proud to serve the local community with quality dental care services, including professional dental cleaning services so that you can rest assured that you have a professional in your corner helping you smile wider and brighter.

Why You Need Professional Cleanings

Even with a diligent home care routine, plaque and tartar can accumulate on your teeth and gums.

Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth and contains bacteria.

Tartar is a hardened plaque that can only be removed by a professional.

  1. Remove Plaque and Tartar: Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
  2. Prevent Gum Disease: Gum disease is a serious condition that can cause tooth loss and other health problems. Regular cleanings can help prevent and detect gum disease early.
  3. Detect Oral Health Issues: During your cleaning, our dentist will examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer, tooth decay, and other problems.
  4. Personalized Advice: We can provide you with personalized advice on how to improve your oral health.

Your Trusted Quality Dentist

We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure thorough and gentle cleanings. Our experienced hygienists are committed to providing you with the highest-quality dental care.

We look forward to helping you live a happier and healthier life while reducing your time in the dental chair.

During your next appointment with the skillful team at Athens Smiles in Athens, TX, you can be sure you are receiving the utmost care and quality that you and your family deserve.

Should I Get An Electric Toothbrush?

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Electric toothbrushes have been popular for years. If you’re seeking a way to improve your oral hygiene, getting an electric toothbrush could help you. Electric toothbrushes have many features that can improve your toothbrushing experience. 

If you’re thinking about getting an electric toothbrush, but you haven’t decided if it’s the right thing for you, your dentist in St. Athens, TX can help. At Athens Smiles, we help our patients take care of their teeth. Here’s what you need to know. 

Are Electric Toothbrushes More Effective Than Manual Toothbrushes?

Electric toothbrushes can be more effective than manual toothbrushes in several ways. Here are some of the advantages of electric toothbrushes:

  • More strokes per minute. Electric toothbrushes can perform more strokes per minute than manual toothbrushes. This often makes cleaning with an electric toothbrush easier and more effective. 
  • Time your toothbrushing. It’s recommended that you brush your teeth for two minutes each time. An electric toothbrush will time how long you brush your teeth so you can time your toothbrushing correctly. 
  • App that makes recommendations. Some electric toothbrushes have sensors that can monitor your toothbrushing habits. These sensors feed data to an app, where you can see tips about how to brush your teeth more effectively. 

What Should I Look For In An Electric Toothbrush?

If you’re seeking an electric toothbrush, consider your budget and goals for your oral hygiene. Look for toothbrushes that fit your budget. Talk to your dentist to determine which electric toothbrush features would be most helpful to meet your goals for your oral hygiene. The dentist at Athens Smiles will be happy to recommend toothbrush brands and models during your next dental exam in St. Athens, TX. Call today. 

Why General Dental Care is Important For Your Overall Health

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General dental care refers to the regular preventative care and maintenance of your oral health. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is essential, as they are integral to your overall health and well-being. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help prevent dental problems before they become more serious, saving you time and money in the long run.

The professional team at Athens Smiles Dental of Athens, TX, is proud to serve the local community with premium dental services, providing holistic oral care for you and your loved ones.

What is General Dental Care?

General dental care includes services designed to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. This includes regular check-ups, cleanings, and x-rays to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. It also includes treatments for cavities, fillings, and other therapeutic procedures, as well as cosmetic services to improve the appearance of your teeth, such as teeth whitening and veneers.

The Benefits of Regular Dental Care

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can provide several benefits, including:

  1. Prevention of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease: Regular check-ups and cleanings can help identify dental problems early on, preventing tooth decay and gum disease. This can save you from more extensive and costly treatments later on.
  2. Early Detection of Oral Cancer: During regular dental check-ups, your dentist will examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment.
  3. Maintaining Overall Health: Good oral health is vital for your overall health and well-being. Poor oral health has been linked to several health problems, including heart disease and diabetes.

Your Local Quality Dental Care Expert

General dental care is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, preventing dental problems, and promoting overall health and well-being. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can provide several benefits, including preventing tooth decay and gum disease, early detection of oral cancer, maintaining overall health, improving appearance, and cost-effectiveness. During your next appointment with the skilled team at Athens Smiles Dental of Athens, TX, you can be sure you receive the proper care and guidance you and your family deserve.

Think Your Child Might Have a Cavity? What to Know

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Do you think your child might have a cavity? Children are especially prone to cavities because they tend to eat sugary foods, and may not have the manual dexterity to brush their teeth properly. Knowing the signs that your child may have a cavity can help you get them care. For starters, it’s important to see the dentist in Athens TX. Your child’s dentist can help you determine for sure whether your child has a cavity, and if your child does, they can recommend treatment.

Signs of a Cavity

There are many signs of cavities that you and your child should watch for, including:

  • Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
  • Holes and pits in the teeth
  • Brown or black stains on the surface of the teeth
  • Pain when biting and chewing

What Causes Cavities

Cavities are caused by bacteria left on your child’s teeth after eating. Sugar in particular is bad for your child’s teeth, because sugar and bacteria combine to create acid that can cause tooth decay.

This is why it’s so important to ensure that your child brushes their teeth: because when they eat sugary foods (and many children do), they put their teeth at risk for cavities.

What to Do About a Cavity

If your child develops a cavity, or if you think they may have a cavity, it’s vitally important to get their teeth examined by their dentist at Athens Smiles. Call to make an appointment.

How to Prevent Cavities in the Future

To prevent your child from getting cavities, make an appointment at Athens Smiles for a dental exam in Athens TX. We can help your child take care of their teeth, identify cavities in their early stages, and show you how to help your child with tooth brushing.

3 Common Causes of Distal Cavities

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Even though tooth extractions in Athens are avoided as much as possible, sometimes, a tooth decays beyond the point of repair before the dentist can intervene with treatment. While most patients recognize when they have a cavity, distal cavities are harder to see and may progress quickly. Distal cavities are located in the back of the teeth and can have some pretty common causes.

Improper Brushing Techniques

When most people brush their teeth, they pay close attention to the front of their teeth that they can see. It is easy to neglect the not-so-visible surfaces that are on the interior and closer to your tongue. Not hitting these surfaces with the brush can leave bacteria and food residue clinging to tooth enamel where cavities can start to form.

Smoking or Vaping

Smoking and vaping are common culprits behind distal cavities. When you vape or smoke, you are not just pulling heat into your mouth that raises the temperature and promotes cavities, but you are also exhaling smoke or vaping residue that can get trapped on the backside of your teeth.

Lack of Dental Hygiene Appointments

Dental hygiene appointments are done to clean all those surfaces of the teeth that are commonly missed during regular brushing. However, these visits also tackle some of the distal areas of the teeth that can be more prone to decay. Patients that do not get regular hygiene appointments with their dentist can be more prone to distal cavity development.

Protect Your Smile with the Help of an Athens Dentist

With a good preventative care plan with an Athens dentist, distal cavities are less likely to form and go unnoticed. If you believe you have a cavity that needs to be addressed, reach out to us at Athens Smiles to schedule an appointment.