Long Family Dental of Cleburne Blog

Links Between Oral Health and Your Body

February 11, 2014

Are you aware of the links between the health of your mouth and how it relates to the rest of your body? Many people think the mouth can be ignored unless something hurts. The truth is that once something is hurting, it has become more extensive and more extensive to treat. The time to address your oral health is now, when nothing seems to be wrong.

Research has shown time and again there are links between a healthy mouth and overall health. There are multiple health conditions that can be tied back to gum disease or infection in the mouth. Heart disease, diabetes, low birth weight and premature birth all have links to gum disease. The latest research also links rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s to gum disease as well.

If you think of the mouth as a main entry point to the body, it makes sense that the entry way needs to be healthy. Disease in the entryway can lead to health issues inside the body. Bleeding gums or bad breath are indicators that gum disease is present. Seeing the dentist regularly and treating any level of disease that is diagnosed is vital to overall health.

At Long Family Dental, we focus on overall health. Each patient’s medical history is reviewed in depth by the doctors so a customized treatment plan can be created to treat conditions in the mouth and improve quality of life. Call today for an appointment and assure your oral health is optimal.

Drs. Chris and Bob Long Can Help With Your TMJ

January 15, 2014

If you suffer from earaches or find it difficult to open your mouth all the way, you could possibly be suffering from TMJ pain. TMJ pain is something that is very common, but a lot of people do not know what they can do to alleviate their pain. Thankfully, our experienced dentists Drs. Robert and Chris Long are here to help you alleviate your pain.

The temporomandibular joint is located where the lower jaw meets the skull, and it permits your mouth to open and close with ease. There are many things can affect the joint, like stress, high emotions, grinding teeth, and a misaligned bite. The pain associated with TMJ can be sharp and piercing, leaving you orally and physically crippled. Some ways your dentist may help with your TMJ pain is making a mouth guard for you. This mouth guard prevents your jaw from clenching and your teeth from grinding. A custom mouth guard will be made just for you, as everyone’s mouth is different. If left untreated, surgery may be required to repair the damaged joint.

Another way to help with TMJ pain is doing simple jaw exercises and massages. The massages will increase circulation to your jaw, and alleviate some of the pain. The jaw exercises will help you regain control of your jaw muscles, allowing you to open your mouth with ease and prevent clenching.

Having good posture can also help with your TMJ pain. A relaxed jaw and straight back helps align your jaw, releasing a bit of pain. Good nutrition helps as well; try to stay away from hard, chewy foods, take small bites, and alternate chewing between the sides of your mouth.

If you feel as though you suffer from TMJ pain, contact your local dentist, and they will be able to assess your concerns.

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

Dental Implants at Long Family Dental Can Restore Your Smile

December 18, 2013

It’s no secret a lot of people are less than confident when it comes to their smiles. For some, it’s the color of their teeth, and for others it’s the misalignment. For a lot of people, though, it is because they have missing teeth. Though dentures partials are ways to handle the issue, dental implants at Long Family Dental may be perfect for you! Simple and convenient, dental implants can definitely revolutionize your life for the better.

The process of dental implanting starts with a consultation with our experienced dentists. They will be able to evaluate your smile and speak with you about your goals for the future. Once you are considered to be a candidate, the adventure begins. A metal implant resembling a screw is embedded into your jaw bone. This metal implant provides security and stability. Then the abutment is added, which is essentially a support system for the metal implant as well as the crown. After that, the crown is cemented to the abutment, completing your new look!

With a 98% success rate, dental implants will give you back the self esteem you lost, as well as improve your speech and ability to eat. Another plus to getting dental implants is the fact they look very natural. Smoothly blending in with your natural teeth, implants are a sure way for you to look as organic and pure as possible. Contact our office to see if you’re a candidate for dental implants, and start off the New Year with a new smile!

At Long Family Dental, we provide quality general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry services in Cleburneand 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.

Take Advantage of Your Dental Benefits Before 2014

November 27, 2013

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.

Halloween Candy and Your Child’s Smile

October 17, 2013

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.

Teeth Whitening in Cleburne and Midlothian

September 20, 2013

Smiles can become discolored and stained over time for a variety of reasons. If your smile is looking yellowed or dull, you may find yourself trying to avoid the mirror or hiding your smile. There’s no need because your dentist can brighten your smile with teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening is a great cosmetic dentistry solution that can have a substantial impact on the appearance of your smile. If you’ve tried over the counter whitening solutions and been left feeling disappointed by the results, you should give this a try. Professional teeth whitening is stronger and produces better results than other alternatives on the market.

We can even offer take-home whitening trays, making this solution possible for any schedule. Your dentist will fit you for a custom whitening tray that you’ll fill with professional whitening gel and wear as directed. After about two weeks, you’ll achieve maximum results and have a bright, dazzling smile once again.

If your dull or stained smile is bringing you down, give your dentist a call. Teeth whitening is a simple treatment that can have a big impact on the appearance of your smile. You’ll have a smile you can’t wait to share with the world.

The Effect of Sugary Drinks

August 27, 2013

Here at Long Family Dental, we have seen several patients this summer with rampant decay. When asking the patients about some of their dietary habits, one common thread is apparent: Sipping on sugary drinks throughout the day.

Now, for years most dentists have expressed concerns about too much sugar in a diet and how that can negatively impact the health of teeth. The truth is dentists are not anti-sugar! It’s how you consume sugar that has a large impact on your teeth.

Having a soda or Gatorade or energy drink is not the problem. Sipping on it all day long is the problem. If you crave a sugary drink, have one with a meal, or all in one setting, and then stop. It’s having the sugar and acid constantly in the mouth all day, little sips at a time that is wreaking havoc and causing massive decay, in some cases on every tooth!

If you must sip on something all day, make it water! Not only is that healthy for your teeth, but has many other health benefits as well!

Cosmetic Dental Bonding

August 6, 2013

Are you unhappy with the appearance of your teeth? Are small flaws detracting from your smile? Your dentist can help with cosmetic dental bonding. This is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that can revitalize your smile.

Cosmetic bonding is a treatment used to correct minor flaws that are marring your smile. It’s best used to cover up dark spots, stains, misshaped teeth or small gaps. This is a great alternative to porcelain veneers that is also more affordable. Cosmetic bonding uses resin, which is carefully color matched to blend in with the rest of your smile, giving you a natural look.

Your dentist will start your cosmetic bonding treatment by roughing your tooth surface to allow the bonding material to attach to your teeth. A primer agent is used to help the resin attach to the tooth. Once the resin is applied, it is smoothed into place and hardened with a special light. It will be shaped and polished to complete the restoration.

If your smile has some minor flaws that are detracting from the beauty of your smile, your dentist can help. Cosmetic bonding is a great way to help smooth over these minor flaws and enhance your smile. Give your dentist a call to learn more about this great smile solution.

Part 2: The Newest Challenges with Dental Insurance

July 23, 2013

As employers cut the dollars available for dental coverage, the insurance companies are coming up with creative ways to decrease benefits. Some of the challenges we are starting to see are:

Insurance considers x-rays at the basic level of coverage versus the preventive level, so the patient has to pay a deductible and a certain percentage on x-rays which historically were covered at 100%.
Insurance “downgrades” things like porcelain crowns on back teeth or tooth colored fillings on molars, causing the patient to pay more out of pocket.(Most dentists don’t even do silver fillings anymore!)
Even when a pre-determination is sent, insurance doesn’t reveal how they will actually pay once the procedure is completed and a claim sent, causing surprises for the patient after treatment.
Insurance determining a minimum age for x-rays even though a dentist is legally responsible for what is in their patient’s mouths and the conditions that exist.
Insurance only paying for an “alternate procedure” because it is the less expensive way to go, but not necessarily best for the patient’s oral health.

At Long Family Dental, we have experienced all the above and more! We do our best to give our patients an estimate for their dental treatment, but as you can see, it is challenging. Unfortunately, patients don’t understand why the estimate we give them is not always accurate. There are over 1,000 dental codes and it would be impossible to go through each one to find out the coverage and any restrictions individually. And, every time a call is made to the insurance company, there are multiple warnings that the information is not a “guarantee of benefits” and may have limits and exclusions that are only revealed once a claim is filed.

Oral health is an important part of a person’s overall health and many people do not realize how the conditions in their mouth can affect other areas of their health. Our doctors continue to stay abreast of the latest information and research in dental technologies, dental products, procedures and treatments so we can confidently promote optimal oral health. It is discouraging when a patient makes a decision about their dental treatment based on whether insurance will cover it or not, and even worse when a patient becomes upset with the dental office because their dental plan has unique benefit restrictions or limits and exclusions.

Patients should continue to look at their dental insurance as a supplement to their oral health. As the insured, you may be able to find out more about your policies limits and exclusions, but it is our hope that you will still consider what is best for your oral health. This information can only come from your dentist, not your insurance company.

The Importance of Preventative Dental Care

July 9, 2013

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.