First, clean your instrument. If you don’t clean your instrument regularly, it could harbor bacteria and even mold. When you use it, this bacteria and mold could make you sick. So, make sure to clean your instrument thoroughly and regularly. If you need help doing so, you can research it online. There are many resources available to you!

Second, protect your smile. Some instruments involve putting a lot of pressure on your teeth and lips. This can cause damage if you’re not careful. The best thing you can do is wear a soft acrylic mouthguard when you play. This appliance can keep your smile out of harm’s way. Please talk to your dentists if you need further details about this mouthguard.

To learn more about how to protect your smile when you play an instrument in Royse City, Texas, please contact Royse City Dental Care at 972-636-2417 and talk to a member of our dental team. We are happy to help you in any way we can, even if it’s just by answering your questions!

The post Do You Play an Instrument? Here Are the Tips You Need to Protect Your Smile first appeared on Royse City Dental Care.

How does this happen?
No. 1 Gum disease (or periodontitis) can result from improper brushing and daily flossing.
No. 2 Gum tissue can be affected by nighttime grinding and clenching of teeth as it wears down the enamel.
No. 3 An injury to the mouth can cause gum tissue to recede from the tooth.
No. 4 You may be at higher risk for gum disease if one or both of your parents have receding gums.
No. 6 Brushing your teeth harshly can wear down tooth enamel and gum tissue.
No. 7 If your bite is misaligned (it doesn’t match up), the constant pressure on individual teeth can create gum recession.

4 Steps to Prevent Gum Disease:
No. 1 Use a soft-bristled tooth brush and brush gently but thoroughly. Don’t forget to floss!
No. 2 Use an antimicrobial toothpaste and mouth rinse to reduce the amount of harmful in the mouth.
No. 3 Wearing a night guard can help to prevent clenching and grinding of your pearly whites while you sleep.
No 4 Six month dental cleanings will remove calculus to prevent periodontitis.

You don’t have to let gum disease keep your smile at bay. If you think you are experiencing gum disease, see one of our dentists for an evaluation and begin any necessary treatment. Untreated gum disease can eventually result in tooth loss. We invite you to call our Royse City Dental Care staff at 972-636-2417 today!

The post How Gum Disease Impacts You first appeared on Royse City Dental Care.

Streptococcus is a type of bacteria which lives in your mouth, and every time you eat a piece of food, or drink something, it feeds on the sugars and starches left behind. Then it reacts with the sugars and starches and creates acid. Eventually this acid turns into a sticky film—plaque—that coats your teeth and if left untreated, hardens into tartar.

Tooth decay happens in stages. As the bacterial acid breaks down your tooth enamel, it exposes the softer, sensitive dentin layer underneath. As it strips the minerals from your enamel it causes holes. The dentin, because it is soft, is even more vulnerable to acid erosion. If it is allowed to continue unchecked, it wears down the tooth’s structure until it reaches the pulp, which houses the nerves and blood vessels. Here the bacteria irritate the pulp until is swells, which means you can experience severe toothache and sensitivity, and pain when you chew. If your becomes abscessed, you will have an infection, which is the creation of a pocket of pus as your body sends white blood cells to fight the infection.

To avoid the damaging effects of plaque and the resulting cavities, there are some things you can do:

–Brush and floss at least twice a day.
–Drink water to stay well hydrated by maintaining saliva production to protect your teeth and gums.
–Eat a healthy balanced diet, avoiding excess sugars and starches.
–Visit your dentist at least once a year to remove hardened plaque.

Our dental team at Royse City Dental Care is here to help you keep cavities at bay. Call us at 972-636-2417 if you have any questions or to schedule your next appointment!

The post Plaque and Your Oral Health first appeared on Royse City Dental Care.

Your dentist can generally repair a small chip in a single visit. Even when the chip seems unimportant, your dentist could recommend several services to stop your tooth from suffering more damage.

If your tooth hurts, we recommend starting with over-the-counter painkillers. You can also try rinsing your mouth with salt water. If your tooth is jagged, we try covering it with chewing gum or wax paraffin. Otherwise, your chipped tooth my cut your tongue, lip, or gums. Please avoid chewing on your broken tooth, and if necessary, eat only soft foods.

Do you have more questions? Are you interested in scheduling an appointment with our team? If so, please feel free to contact our office. We are excited to hear from you soon.

The post Coping With a Chipped Tooth first appeared on Royse City Dental Care.