The Power of a Crown!

Keeping in trend with Royal announcements this week, check out this new smile we were honored to deliver to a patient this week. Needless to say they are HAPPY! And so are we. What a powerful, beautiful update to their smile!

How did we do it? —> Dental CROWNS!

Curious what CROWNS are? Read below!

Dental crowns also known to some as Caps, are often hard to distinguish from natural teeth because of recent innovations. The state of the art dental crowns today that are used in our office rarely have any metal in the composition. The new dental materials available are so strong that metal is rarely required. These new dental materials zirconia and lithium disilicate have been game changers in enabling us to create strong beautiful smiles for our patients. As a result, these crowns do not have an unsightly dark edge as the older crowns once did. These crowns blend in seamlessly with your smile. Bruxzir crowns are a type of zirconia crown often used and IPS e.max crowns are a type of lithium disilicate crown we use. These crowns often come with a guarantee against fracture. Each of these crowns are custom made to meet the aesthetic and functional needs of the patient.

If you have any questions, we would love to answer. Please give us a call at 817-281-4801!

~Dr. Williams and Team

BAD Habits to BREAK!

Everyone develops bad habits at some point and they can all be broken!

When our bad habits affect our oral health, the results can be extremely painful on both our bodies and our wallets. Below are some habits which can harm your mouth and should be avoided as much as possible if you want to keep your smile in tip-top shape!

Please let us know how we can help provide solutions to break these bad habits!

~Dr. Williams

1. Not brushing
2. Skipping flossing
3. Not rinsing after eating
4. Lack of tongue cleaning
5. Eating too many sweets
6. Consuming too many sugary drinks such as sodas or sports drinks
7. Crunching ice
8. Smoking and tobacco
9. Playing sports with no mouth guard
10. Babies: falling asleep to a bottle
11. Using teeth as tools to open packages, etc.
12. Constant snacking on starchy foods
13. Chewing on pens/pencils
14. Nail biting
15. Brushing teeth too hard
16. Not visiting a dentist

 

Which Came First: The Brushing or The Flossing?

We may never know which came first in the age old question regarding the chicken and the egg, BUT, when it comes to your oral hygiene habits, there is a clear answer to the order of business.

Dr. Williams says:

“Eat/drink, Floss, Brush and Say Your Prayers!” 🙂

Simple enough!

Wondering what TYPE of floss is the best to use? There are so many choices out there but his favorite are Glide Floss Pics followed by Plackers.

Questions? We are happy to help! Give us a call at 817-281-4801.

~Dr. Williams and Staff

Nobody Likes Dog Breath!

Your four-legged friends deserve to have good oral hygiene, too, and that is up to you as the owner! Below are some tips on how to best care for their teeth!

~Dr. Williams & “Sugar”

Mythbuster Monday: FLOURIDE is BAD for you!

MYTH! Flouride in the right quantities is wonderful! Flouride helps to control the amount of acid in your mouth. It is one of the best cavity fighters to help keep the whole family’s teeth strong — no matter their age! Over the past 20 years, because of fluoridated water, we have cut the amount of cavities in school aged children in half! That is AWESOME!

So, the myth is busted! Flouride is safe and effective for your smile!

If you have a question you would love to have answered, feel free to comment below, send us a message on Facebook or give us a call at (817) 281-4801. We are happy to help!

~Dr. Williams 🙂

Cut out the sugar…You’re sweet enough already!

1. Add more Fat. Fat fills you up, helps control and turn off hunger hormones and satiates you longer. Add healthy fats like avocado and hemp seeds to your smoothies and diet.
2. Limit Artificial Sweeteners.
3. Cut back on sodas, fruits and sports drinks.  Soft drinks are packed with sugar (some up to 10 teaspoons per can) and additives. Flavor mineral or regular water with fruit!
4. Avoid sauces and dressings with added sugar. Make your own sugar-free dressings and sauces with fresh ingredients.
5. Read Labels. Even food that looks healthy and organic can contain large amounts of sugar. The shorter the ingredient list, the easier it is to find hidden sugars and know exactly what you’re getting and watch
6. Clean out your pantry! Get rid of processed, unnecessary packaged foods. Many times you can bust your sugar habit simply by not having these things around.

 

The Ugly Truth about Oral Cancer

This year, approximately 48,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer and around 9,500 of those diagnosed will die from it.

Oral cancer is dangerous, can go unnoticed and even be painless. The good news is however, that your Dentist can, in many cases, see or feel the precursor tissue changes, or the actual cancer while it is still very small, or in its earliest stages.

Have you been screened? Your dentist should be checking for signs of oral cancer.
Not sure if you have been examined? –> Talk to us! Screening for oral cancer is a routine part of our exams and cleanings. We want you to live a long, healthy life; so, take care of yourself!

~Dr. Williams
📞817-281-4801

Could you have Gingivitis?

WHAT is Gingivitis? 

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness and swelling of the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. Though it can be fairly common, it is important to take seriously and treat promptly. Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss.

Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of gingivitis. However, other causes can include smoking or chewing tobacco, older age, dry mouth and poor nutrition.

SYMPTOMS of Gingivitis

• Swollen or puffy gums
• Dusky red or dark red gums
• Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss
• Bad breath
• Receding gums
• Tender gums

How to PREVENT Gingivitis 

Good oral health habits, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental checkups, can help prevent and even reverse gingivitis. Also consider healthy eating habits as well as utilizing a Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush for daily gum maintenance. 

Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo…with many toothbrush options, how do you know?!

When you go to the store to pick out a new toothbrush, are you overwhelmed by ALL of the options?! Over your lifetime, you will spend nearly 1,000 hours brushing your teeth! So, you might as well find one that gets the job done effectively and comfortably!

Our #1 pick is ALWAYS a Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush. Always. It does the BEST job at cleaning, plaque removal and overall tooth and gum health. We cannot recommend it enough.

If you prefer a manual toothbrush, consider the following when making your decision:

• Any toothbrush you choose should have soft bristles. Hard bristles may cause gum tissue to pull back from teeth, which can expose the tooth root and lead to increased sensitivity to heat, cold or certain foods and drinks.
• Select a toothbrush head size that can easily fit into the mouth and can brush one to two teeth at a time (the general size is 1″ long and ½” wide).
• Powered toothbrushes don’t clean teeth any better than regular toothbrushes. However, if a powered toothbrush motivates you to clean your teeth more often and for the required length of time, it is worth the investment.
• Powered toothbrushes are better choices than manual toothbrushes for anyone who needs assistance brushing teeth, including people with arthritis (or any condition that may limit mobility), anyone wearing braces or people with misaligned or uneven teeth surfaces that make a thorough cleaning more challenging.
• Replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head for a powered toothbrush) as soon as the bristles begin to look worn or frayed (usually every three months). A worn toothbrush does not do a good job of cleaning your teeth. Remember always to replace your toothbrush after an illness.

If you are shopping for a child, select a toothbrush with the following characteristics:

• Soft bristles (for gentle cleaning)
• Very small heads (designed for baby teeth)
• Large handles (easier for children to grip)

(How Do I Choose and Use a Toothbrush? Academy of General Dentistry.Some information courtesy of the American Dental Association.) 

As always, ask us if you need help! We are more than happy to assist!

~Dr. Williams

Ways To Give Back!

There are so many great ways to volunteer and give of your time, energy and resources throughout the holiday season. Here are some ideas to get you started…

The Stewpot

thestewpot.org

What it is: This safe haven for local homeless and at-risk individuals provides resources for basic survival needs as well as opportunities to start a new life. 

What they need: Volunteers to serve approximately 1,000 meals and pour beverages seven days a week in the
Second Chance Cafe. 

How to volunteer: Contact meal and volunteer services director Ashlee Hueston at ashleeh@thestewpot.org or 214-382-5919. Include the size of your group, your preferred meal service time, and days of  the week. 

North Texas Food Bank

web.ntfb.org

What it is: Each day, the North Texas Food Bank provides 170,000 meals for hungry children, seniors, and families through a network of more than 1,000 programs and 262 partner agencies. 

What they need: The food bank relies on volunteers to help in the pantry, distribution center, and other efforts, but their greatest need is food to make up the 62 million meals they distribute a year.  

How to volunteer: Host a canned-food drive. Individuals, groups, and organizations of all sizes can rally to contribute. For the handbook, how-to-get-started checklist, and list of most-wanted items, check out the “donate food” section of the website. Contact the team at cfd@ntfb.org or 214-270-1996 with questions. 

The Salvation Army DFW Angel Tree

dfwangeltree.org

What it is: The Angel Tree started in 1979 as a way to spread the holiday spirit to children in need. Now, hundreds of trees are scattered around town in local malls and organizations. The trees enable families and individuals to fulfill Christmas wishes for 50,000 people who can’t afford to on their own. 

What they need: Volunteers to help with collecting donations, as well as donors to adopt those in need by selecting an angel tag from a tree. A list of items will be included on the angel, and donors drop their gifts back to the tree by the date listed on their tag. 

How to volunteer: Go to participating shopping centers and organizations (a list is on their website) from Nov. 6 to Dec. 9 to find your angel. For more information about volunteering, contact christmassupport_dfw@uss.salvationarmy.org. 

VNA Holiday Gift Project

vnatexas.org

What it is: VNA helps the elderly maintain their independence. They provide the popular Meals on Wheels program as well as the Holiday Gift Project, which facilitates the delivery of 4,000 toiletry items on Christmas.

What they need: The VNA collects donated toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, lotions, shampoo, socks, and washcloths. They also rely on volunteers to help with inventory, collect donations, wrap items, and deliver gifts. 

How to volunteer: Host a private wrap party and bring the requested items to the VNA to wrap and decorate with friends. Or attend one of two wrap parties on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or Dec. 10 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the VNA Haggerty Center. 

Toys for Tots

dfwtoysfortots.org

What it is: The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve puts on this annual event to collect new toys to distribute as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children. 

What they need: Volunteers to sort toys in the warehouse and distribute them to the approved agencies.  

How to volunteer: Visit the website to complete the Gratuitous Service Agreement and email to dfwtoys4tvc@yahoo.com. A volunteer coordinator will contact you with available shifts. Or donate a new, unwrapped toy. Check the website for drop-off locations. 

Wilkinson Center Food Pantry Holiday Drive

thewilkinsoncenter.org

What it is: The Wilkinson Center is a poverty rescue and prevention agency for the working poor that provides a food pantry as well as adult education services and a family literacy program to help those in need gain employment and empowerment. 

What they need: The food pantry accepts food donations year-round, but during the holiday months they are especially in need of canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned tuna and chicken, soups, stews, and spaghetti sauce. 

How to volunteer: You can drop off your items at the food pantry by Dec. 17. Contact Adrienne O’Connor at 972-284-0301 or adrienne_oconnor@
wilkinsoncenter.org to schedule a drop-off. 

Home for the Holidays

spca.org

What it is: The SPCA of Texas raffles off 20 custom-made, one-of-a-kind doghouses built by architects and contractors. They are on display from Nov. 16 through Dec. 7 at NorthPark Center. Plus, the agency will have adoptable cats and dogs ready to find their forever homes. 

What they need: Families and individuals ready and willing to adopt a new dog or cat. Already have a pet? Volunteer your time by working the event. 

How to volunteer: Head to NorthPark Center anytime from Nov. 27 to Dec. 23 from noon to 6 p.m. to find your future furry friend. Or enter the raffle from Nov. 16 through Dec. 7 for a chance to win a doghouse. Check out spca.org/volunteer to find out how you can help with the event.

Christian Center of Fort Worth

http://ccofw.org/

(Haltom City)-This agency has a need for a variety of volunteers to help low-income families in Tarrant County.  Contact them at 817-834-5595 to find out more information.

Community Enrichment Center

http://www.thecec.org/

(North Richland Hills) offers a variety of volunteer opportunities including; boxing and delivering food at the food pantry, GED tutoring, greeting neighbors getting food, childcare, sorting donations at our second hand shop, tutoring children, helping search for jobs and update resumes, tax assistance program, budgeting classes, empowering seniors, computer intake specialists, food and toy drives, adopting a child or family at Christmas. We have several special events including “Back To School” and “Family Christmas Event” when we need volunteers to guide families through the event.

Community Storehouse

http://www.communitystorehouse.org/

(Keller)-They have many opportunities for volunteers to get involved. Throughout the year, they need volunteers to help them sort clothing, assist in their food pantry or office, and also help them with programs such as their Summer Reading Program, Back to School Program, and Christmas House.