Dallas
1050 N. Westmoreland Suite 432B
Dallas, TX 75211214-337-7800
Richardson
722 W. Spring Valley
Richardson, TX 75080972-437-6000
Most people can’t start their day without that first cup of coffee. According to research, Americans consume over 146 billion cups of coffee annually, but is drinking all that coffee good for you? Your Dallas dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, explains why moderation is key in the coffee debate.
Few things cause as much misery as a toothache. As tempting as taking two aspirin and hoping the ache goes away might be, that would be a mistake. Toothaches frequently indicate that there is something seriously wrong with your oral health, and they rarely dissipate until you’ve been to the dentist. Your Dallas dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, discusses some of the more common causes of dental pain and what you should do if you develop a toothache.
For whatever reason, many people don’t make their oral hygiene a top priority. They may understand that they’re putting their teeth and gums at great risk of infection and decay, but they figure they’re doing enough to ensure the problem doesn’t get too bad, and besides, they can get dentures if they lose their teeth. What they may not realize is that oral health can make a significant impact on their overall health. Your Richardson dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, discusses how not maintaining your oral health could harm your entire body.
A common staple of most kitchens, baking soda is, as the name implies, frequently used in baking. However, the white powdery substance has many other useful properties. One such use is as an occasional substitute for toothpaste. Your Dallas dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, discusses the advantages of brushing with baking soda.
Baking soda acts as a natural—and cost-effective—way to remove stains from teeth. When combined with water, the substance can penetrate enamel. Once inside, due to its abrasiveness, it can start to scrape off stains from food and drink. Using hydrogen peroxide instead of water makes it whiten even more effectively. Many find that, over time, brushing with baking soda is just as effective—and far cheaper—than commercial teeth whitening kits available in stores.
During the holiday season, many people might suffer from an increase in stress and anxiety. This time of year presents numerous occasions for unwanted aggravation. Mall parking spots seem like treasured objects and avoiding a long line in every store seems impossible. Your Richardson dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, discusses how stress can show in your mouth.
Many people experience an uptick in stress and anxiety this time of year. However, numerous people remain unaware of their condition. Sometimes, the effects of stress can take a toll on your oral health. Typically, when people suffer from stress, their immune system suffers a performance reduction. When the immune system cannot combat harmful bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, oral health and overall health can diminish.
So you enjoy a nice glass or two of red wine at social events (or every day, depending on how much you enjoy your wine). Research has shown that some compounds related to red wine can actually benefit your oral health, but those compounds do not protect your teeth from red wine stains. With these tips from Dr. Truong, your Dallas area dentist, you can continue to enjoy your glass without the added worry of staining your teeth.
Aches and pains are a normal part of life, but when you experience a serious injury, the pain can take over every waking minute (and make it pretty difficult to sleep, while you’re at it). Severe toothaches can have this kind of all-encompassing power. Your mouth and jaw are such a big part of day-to-day life (talking, eating, smiling) that a radiating pain in that area can make you feel useless. Your Richardson dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, will offer you a few scenarios of what might cause a toothache, and what you might want to do in each case. (more…)
Many people rely on herbs and spices to add flavor to meals without additional fat and sodium. There are more benefits to spices than just adding a kick. Herbs and spices, either fresh or dry, have a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Certain spices have even been shown to help with the inflammation and recession of gums that go along with gum disease. Your Richardson dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, will highlight some of the spices that might help your dental and overall health. (more…)
Gums (also known as gingival tissue) frame your smile and protect the roots of your teeth. You might not realize how important gums are to the look of your smile. People born with uneven gums, or too much gum tissue, however, are ever-aware of how their gums affect the attractiveness of the way their grin looks. Your Dallas dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, explains why many patients opt for a procedure called gum contouring when they feel their gums don’t look quite right.
When people are born with an overabundance of gingival tissue, it can make their teeth look unusually small. You may have witnessed a person cover their mouth when they smile, or try to open their mouth at the bare minimum when they return your grin. Smiles are important in making social impressions and making us feel good. Statistics prove that people with confident smiles make more money in the work place, and have more success with relationships. Everyone deserves a high quality of life, and confidence in your smile is a big part of that. Gum contouring procedures utilize lasers to precisely remove excess gum tissue, and unveil a well-proportioned smile.
Gums that are set too high or have shrunk away can make your teeth appear bigger. This usually occurs as a result of gum disease, but can also be a side effect of menopause. The concerns with gum recession are not purely aesthetic. When infected gum tissue pulls away from teeth, roots are exposed. If roots are directly exposed to bacteria, root canal procedures, abscesses, and potential tooth loss are all possible. When too little gingival tissue is the problem, a gum contouring procedure might be recommended in conjunction with other periodontal therapies, regenerative procedures, and crown lengthening. (more…)
Can you picture 158 trillion individual candy corns? That would be the equivalent of 600 million pounds of candy (and a serious contributor to major tooth decay). This is what Americans purchase annually for trick-or-treating. Tooth decay is a concern when it comes to over-consumption of candy. Your overall health is certainly affected by diet, but sugar plays a particular role in feeding the bacteria that cause cavities. When bacteria binge on sugar, they can create plenty of lactic acid to wear down your protective tooth enamel. As long as you are keeping up with your dental checkups twice a year, and brushing and flossing regularly, you should be able to avoid any long term damage to your teeth. Your Dallas dentist, Dr. Truong, has some fun facts to offer you about candy, as long as you promise to consume your Halloween goodies responsibly.
