General Dentistry Archives - Page 2 of 2

How To Get Your Kids Excited About Oral Care!

July 11, 2014

Almost every parent can agree that getting their children to do what they want them to do is a very difficult task. Whether it is eating healthy foods or going to bed at the same time every night, having your children do what is necessary for their health can be a daunting task. One of those things may be getting them to brush their teeth. Getting children to brush their teeth has been a notoriously difficult task for many parents, and they may be wondering how they can make the experience enjoyable for their kids. Luckily, Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long have some recommendations as to how a daily chore can become a fun activity!

One of the ways you can get your children excited about brushing their teeth is by joining them in the fun! If you children see the way you brush your teeth, they will want to mimic your movements, making it a team effort that is a lot of fun! This is also a great bonding experience between you and your child, as it builds trust and confidence between the both of you.

Another thing parents can do to make oral care fun for their kids is by making it a musical time. Children tend to respond better to music than words alone, so when you make a fun sing along or jingle to coincide with brushing their teeth, it can create a fun, exciting environment. If your child has a favorite cartoon character or superhero, having their toothbrushes match is an easy way to get them to enjoy brushing their teeth. Along with their favorite toothbrush, having tasty toothpaste can also make oral care more enjoyable for your children. There are many types of toothpaste that are specially made for children, so a yummy bubblegum flavor alongside their favorite character on their toothbrush can make all the difference in the world to your child in making sure they take care of their smile!

At Long Family Dental, we provide quality general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services in Cleburne and Midlothian. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment. Dr. Bob Long and Dr. Chris Long are here to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

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Take Advantage of Your Dental Benefits Before 2014

November 27, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Cleburne, dental checkup, Long Family Dental, Midlothian, preventative dental care — admin @ 10:26 pm

Though it may not seem important, taking advantage of your dental insurance before the year ends can save you money in the long run. Because most insurance companies run off of the calendar year, whatever benefits you haven’t used before midnight December 30 is long gone.

Not comparable to your cell phone minutes, your dental insurance benefits don’t roll over to the new year if you have not used them. You work hard for your benefits, and not taking advantage of them before the year is up can possible leave you wasting hundreds of dollars. If you use your benefits before the New Year, you’ll be able to take advantage of your deductible before it resets. It’ll also give you the ability to use up your annual maximums. Another important reason is to take care of any dental woes before they get any worse! Even though it may seem like a small stain or discomfort now, along the line, it can possibly mean a more extensive procedure.

If you are unsure about what your dental benefits may be or when they expire, ask your employer, or use the company handbook as a reference. Either way, being able to use your dental benefits before the year ends is beneficial for your money, and, more importantly, your teeth.

At Long Family Dental, we provide quality general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry services in Cleburne and Midlothian. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment. Dr. Bob and Dr. Chris Long are here to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

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Halloween Candy and Your Child’s Smile

October 17, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Cleburne, decay, general dentistry, Halloween candy, Long Family Dental, Midlothian — admin @ 7:50 pm

Halloween is fast-approaching, so we want to take this opportunity to remind you and your family about candy, sugar and the impact they can have on your child’s smile. It is important to be mindful of the amount of sugar your child is consuming, especially because of the potential impact on their smile.

Children’s teeth are still growing and developing, so they can be especially vulnerable to decay and cavities. Halloween candy is fun and should be allowed, but in a controlled amount. We recommend that after trick or treating is over, that you and your child sort through their candy together. Pick a certain amount of candy that your child is allowed to eat, and pick a certain time for this to happen.

It’s better to snack all at once rather than nibbling throughout the day because each time you’re eating, you’re opening your mouth up to bacteria all over again. Sticky or chewy candies are among the worst for your smile because they stick to your mouth longer than other candies. This gives bacteria a better place to grow and breed.

When you’re having fun collecting candy and celebrating this Halloween, remember to be mindful of what you’re eating and how much. Sugar is fine in moderation. By taking the time to care for your smile, it will last you a lifetime. Call your dentist if you have any questions about decay and cavities.

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The Importance of Preventative Dental Care

July 9, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Cleburne, dental checkup, general dentistry, Long Family Dental, Midlothian, preventative dental care — admin @ 4:02 pm

Many times, patients feel that if they’re brushing and flossing their teeth at home then there’s no need to visit their dentist for their dental checkup appointments. Unfortunately, this really isn’t the case. By neglecting your dental checkups, you’re putting your smile at risk.

Your regular dental checkup appointments are an important part of preventative dental care. By trying to address problems before they’ve had a chance to develop, your dentist can help to protect your smile and keep it healthy. You should visit your dentist every six months for your dental checkup appointment.

These appointments are important because your teeth will be cleaned and checked for signs of any potential smile issues. Also, preventative dental care can help identify concerns such as oral cancer or gum disease before they have done permanent smile damage.

Additionally, many dentists use sealants, a preventative care tool, to help improve the health of your smile. Sealants can be used to cover the pits and grooves in your teeth where plaque accumulates because it can’t be reached by your toothbrush. This is an important way that your dentist can help you to prevent cavities before they even form, rather than just treating them once they form.

Preventative dental care is an important part of your smile care, so start today by visiting your dentist twice a year for your dental checkup. Brushing and flossing aren’t enough on their own to ensure the health of your smile. Your dentist is here to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

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Cosmetic Dentistry Defined

December 20, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: cosmetic bonding, cosmetic dentistry, invisalign clear braces, Long Family Dental, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening — admin @ 6:48 pm

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, cosmetic dentistry is defined as “comprehensive oral care that combines art and science to optimally improve dental health, aesthetics, and function.” Thus, cosmetic dentistry is a term that encompasses anything having to do with the appearance of your teeth.

While it is essential to your wellbeing that your teeth are healthy, it’s also important that your teeth look attractive as well. A smile is one of the first things other people notice about you, so a healthy smile makes a good impression.

There are a variety of different procedures that fall under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry, especially as each individual dental practice defines it a little differently. These are some of the standard types of cosmetic dental procedures.

Teeth Whitening
Invisalign Clear Braces
Porcelain Veneers
Cosmetic Bonding

If you are unsatisfied with the color of your teeth, if your teeth are stained, crooked, or chipped, then cosmetic dentistry could be what you’re looking for. Most dentists will start by having a consultation with you to analyze the current state of your teeth and understand your personal goals for your smile. Then, they’ll create a treatment plan using any number of these cosmetic dentistry techniques to dramatically improve the appearance of your smile.

Cosmetic dentistry is an important type of dentistry as it deals with the day to day appearance of your teeth. It helps enhance the natural beauty of your teeth and gives you a boost of self-confidence. When you feel confident about the appearance of your teeth, you’ll smile proudly and look forward to social interactions. Thus, it’s important to carefully consider your cosmetic dentist to ensure that you will be satisfied with their work. Cosmetic dentistry can affect your life for the better.

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Your Oral Health Matters

October 18, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Cleburne, family dentistry, general dentistry, Long Family Dental, Midlothian — admin @ 7:01 am

A healthy smile is important at any stage of life. That’s because, from the moment your first tooth comes in, your smile is vulnerable. But through regular general and family dentistry, your doctor can help you avoid and treat such common conditions as tooth decay, gum disease, and others.

Prevention Is An Important Aspect of Family Dentistry

There are many ways a general and family dentist can help his patients. One is through dental sealants. As an effective family dentistry tool, dental sealants are applied directly to teeth, protecting vulnerable pits and grooves from harmful bacteria and plaque. Children are often the primary recipients of dental sealants, but adults can benefit from them as well.

Another great general and family dentistry tool is laser decay detection. With this revolutionary tool, a general dentist can quickly scan teeth for even the smallest signs of decay. As a result, cavities can be diagnosed sooner, rather than later, resulting in fillings that preserve more of your natural smile.

As great as dental sealants and laser decay detection are, though, they’re just part of a preventive process that includes twice yearly checkups and cleanings. Through regular checkups and cleanings, a family dentist can watch for changes in your smile over time and can suggest services or home care techniques to improve oral health. What’s more, through a professional cleaning, your teeth can be cleaned more thoroughly can they can be with just brushing and flossing alone.

Make Regular Checkups and Cleanings a Priority

To make sure that you and your family are thoroughly protected, contact your general dentist twice a year, or about every six months, for a regular checkup and cleaning. Through visits like these, your general and family dentist can help you maintain a healthy smile and an improved quality of life.

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