Dental News & Blog

Tooth discoloration is a common issue that all dental offices encounter.  Typically, patients will present with questions about their smile and will ask, “Why are my teeth darker in color?.  Most of the time, people will be inquiring about their anterior or front teeth as they are the most visible when smiling. Professional teeth whitening is a simple and painless process that can resolve this predicament.  There are several reasons why a tooth may discolor.  Decay may change the color of a tooth.  Trauma may have the same effect on a tooth as well.  There may be internal changes to the nerve of a tooth, which would cause tooth discoloration.

There are many different reasons why teeth may discolor.  Reasons may either be intrinsic, or “within” the tooth structure, or extrinsic, “outside staining” of the enamel of the tooth.  A dentist can usually determine which type of discoloration a person may have after an examination of the teeth.  There are many and varied causes of discoloration, both intrinsic and extrinsic.  Many of these issues can be eliminated or at least reduced after visiting a dentist. Our Dallas, TX Dental Office is proud to offer a full selection of Cosmetic Dental services to help combat any cosmetic issue.

Tooth discoloration issues may be treated with a tooth colored filling, crown, or veneer.  There are advantages and disadvantages to each choice.  Veneers and crowns are more aggressive than a traditional filling.  Altho

More resources on the topic:

• Check out this link from WebMD for more information about tooth discoloration.
• The National Institute of Health also has an article about issues with tooth discoloration.

Contact our office for more information.

Dallas Dental Office News Update, By Dallas, Texas Dentist, William H. Miller
Woodhill Medical Park, 8305 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 235, Dallas, Texas, 75231
Phone: (214) 692-1050

This must be a mistake?  How can flossing and heart disease be related?  One has to do with teeth and the other with my life…  Well, it’s true, and there is an association between flossing, or lack thereof, and heart disease.  Research can now support claims that bacteria within the oral cavity can be associated with heart disease, and flossing, or a professional teeth cleaning, is the solution!

We have to remember that the “mouth and teeth” are connected to the rest of the body.  Blood flows throughout the body, and bacteria in one area of the body can be transported to another area as well.  Research has shown that people with heart issues may also have an unhealthy mouth, including teeth and gums.  By getting the teeth and gums in better shape, the severity and extent of the heart disease can be reduced.

Link Between Gum Disease and Your Heart

Gum disease can be caused by bacteria that form on teeth near the gumline.  Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease.  Gingivitis can have symptoms of redness, swelling, and soreness.  Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease, whereby bone can be destroyed and lost around the teeth.  This can lead to tooth loss.  This can also put one at a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.

But you may ask why?  Bacteria can get into your bloodstream through the gum tissue in one’s mouth.  It then enters your bloodstream and travels throughout your body.  Some research has shown that this bacteria can end up in arteries that serve the heart and possibly clog them. Another possibility is that bacteria cause a constant inflammation in the bloodstream, which can weaken your heart’s response to inflammation.

True?

Some scientists dispute the premise that bacteria from your gums can affect the function and health of your heart.  But there is no doubt that flossing is good for your oral health.  And better oral health contributes to good overall health. Flossing may be a drag to do, but it does help prevent gum disease.

So just remember, when you floss, you are not only keeping those teeth and gums healthy but also reducing your chance of having bad bacteria near your heart.

Dallas Dental Office News Update, By Dallas, Texas Dentist, William H. Miller
Woodhill Medical Park, 8305 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 235, Dallas, Texas, 75231
Phone: (214) 692-1050

Brushing is important. You have to do it. Not brushing will cause unbelievable, and sometimes irreversible, damage. We’ve spoken to you before about how it is possible to brush too much. But now we would like to take a minute to give you some of the basics of brushing your teeth.

Dallas, Texas dentist, William H. Miller, discusses the dental health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum after eating a meal

A memorable movie scene is found in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, when champion chewer Violet Beauregarde eats the forbidden piece of gum and then swells up to giant, blueberry-like proportions as a result. While the dangers of gum chewing outside of Willy Wonka’s world don’t include turning into a blueberry, sugar found in many brands of gum can be dangerous (to your dental enamel, not your human appearance). Thankfully, there is the option of sugar-free gum for those who have a bit of Violet Beauregarde in them, and this sort of gum is not only safe for enamel but even includes health benefits.

Teeth Need a Good Cleaning After Meals

When a meal is over, tiny bits of food cling stubbornly to the teeth, and if left unchecked, the starches and sugars will assist bacteria in the mouth in multiplying and coating enamel with plaque. Although initially soft and easy to remove, plaque can harden into tartar after only a matter of days and is then so cemented that it cannot be removed except by a visit to the dentist’s office. In order to avoid such a condition, it is best to brush one’s teeth soon after eating to be sure all food is eliminated. Since a toothbrush and toothpaste aren’t always on hand, sometimes it’s necessary to turn to chewing gum to save the day!

…. Fact or Fiction?

As a Dallas, Texas dentist, Dr. William Miller is often asked about the concept and possibility of  “teeth in a day”. Typically, this question will come from patients who are missing teeth or patients who feel their current teeth are aesthetically unattractive.

Mouthguards Aren’t Just For Rocky Anymore!

For many of us, the most vivid image that comes to mind when someone mentions a mouthguard is one on the television screen when the camera zooms in on a boxer taking a hit to the face and spitting a mouthguard out. For parents, though, the image they see would be their child with a mouthguard sticking out of the front of their face while they smile from the sidelines of their first big game. But mouthguards do more than protect athletes and provide us with cute pictures. To make sure you don’t wait to get a mouthguard till your teeth are broken, Dr. Miller, a dentist in Dallas, TX, has some convincing reasons to share with you.

The flashing of a smile can often be the first impression someone has of an individual, so making the most of that simple act is something that needs to be taken into consideration when evaluating the process of tooth reshaping.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Your Enamel White by Understanding the Difference Between Composite and Amalgam Fillings

However conscientiously a person may care for their teeth, sometimes cavities do happen, and a visit to the dentist for a filling brings up the question: Which type of material, amalgam (silver) or composite (white), is best for the tooth? Because composite tends to be more expensive than amalgam and often health insurance wouldn’t cover the cost, a person faced with the choice would choose silver fillings out of necessity. After reviewing the options with an experienced Dallas, Texas dentist, Dr. William H. Miller, it was explained that times have changed since composite fillings were first introduced. Now that more research has been done on the benefits of composite filling and its use is widespread, it is more affordable and often covered by health insurance. Choosing between an amalgam and composite filling no longer has to be based on affordability, but rather on health, efficiency, and cosmetic appeal.