Dallas Dentist Discusses Gum Contouring

Posted November 2, 2012 by Dr. Truong

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.

Too Much Gum Tissue

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.

Gum Contouring for Gum Recession

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…)

Dallas Dentist Provides Fun Halloween Candy Facts

Posted October 25, 2012 by Dr. Truong

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.

Candy Facts (more…)

Oral Hygiene Over the Years from Your Richardson Dentist

Posted October 19, 2012 by Dr. Truong

Over the last several centuries, the field of dentistry has seen incredible advances. There have also been certain oddities in dental hygiene products. Any interest in brushing your teeth with cupcake, eggplant, or bacon flavored toothpaste? Your Richardson dentist shares some interesting moments in dental history. (more…)

The Inside and Out of Dental X-Rays, From Your Richardson Dentist

Posted October 11, 2012 by Dr. Truong

Many people harbor concerns that they will be exposed to too much radiation if their dentist wants to give them x-rays. The concept of a camera that can take a picture of the inside of your teeth is understandably difficult to fathom. What you may be surprised to find out, however, is that our bodies naturally give off small amounts of radiation every single day. In fact, if you sleep next to someone, you are receiving as much radiation from them over a year as you would from a set of dental x-rays at a six month exam. Your Richardson dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, explains why radiation from x-rays is nothing to feel concerned about. (more…)

Richardson Dentist on Tooth Decay Fighting Lollipops

Posted October 4, 2012 by Dr. Truong

As Halloween approaches, children are sure to expose their teeth to massive amounts of candy. Lollipops are one of the worst treats for propagating tooth decay. Teeth are literally bathed in sugar as a lollipop is consumed over a longer period of time than most candies. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar to create acid, weakening enamel, and infecting teeth with decay. Imagine if there were a Halloween treat you could pass out to the neighborhood children that would actually fight tooth decay. Your Richardson and Dallas dentist, Dr. Truong, explains how an amazing discovery called Keep 32 might impact dentistry, and candy consumption, in the future.

What is Keep 32?

Exciting new research is being conducted by Jose Cordoba of Yale University, and Erich Astudillo of Universidad de Santiago, in Chile, that can potentially eradicate the bacteria that cause cavities. Keep 32 is a chemical that only requires 60 seconds of exposure in the human mouth to kill Streptococcus mutans.The molecule, not only targets S mutans, but could prevent cavities from ever starting in the first place. A bacteria-free environment can be maintained for several hours after the initial 60 second exposure. (more…)

Richardson Dentist Says Protein Can Fight Gum Disease

Posted September 27, 2012 by Dr. Truong

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, leads to tooth decay. The early stages of gum disease might seem benign, with mildly puffy gums and a little bleeding after you brush and floss. However, when gum disease progresses, it can lead to serious infection and even the loss of teeth. Lately, gum disease has been linked to more serious conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, and pre-term labor. Luckily, ongoing research is leading to new discoveries that might, one day, eradicate gum disease. Your Dallas and Richardson dentist, Dr. Truong, shares the details of one particular study that proposes using protein filled capsules to treat periodontitis (advanced gum disease).

Gum Disease has a New Enemy: Protein

Dr. Steven Little reported on the research at the 244^th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. Laboratory experiments were performed on mice to reach a hypothesis that the progression of infection could be halted. Furthermore, the experiment showed that tissues damaged by gum disease could even be regrown with the use of protein. (more…)

The Parts of a Tooth, from Your Richardson Dentist

Posted September 20, 2012 by Dr. Truong

The importance of your teeth is obvious when you do something like bite into corn on the cob. Beyond the role of breaking food down into digestible particles, your teeth provide the structure for your smile. Confident smiles can affect job performance, relationships, and general quality of life. Did you know that you wouldn’t even be able to whistle if you didn’t have teeth? The part of a tooth that we can see is called the crown, but there’s a lot going on in the roots of your teeth, below the gumline. Dallas and Richardson dentist, Dr. Truong, discusses the anatomy of your teeth.

Tooth Enamel

Can you believe that the second hardest material on earth is the enamel on your teeth? Diamonds are the only substance that is harder. Tooth enamel covers the crowns of teeth, and is designed to protect everything beneath it. The strong barrier is not infallible, however, and can fall victim to chips and cracks from injuries, or chewing things that are too hard, like ice cubes. Food and drinks that produce acid can also damage tooth enamel. (more…)

How Much Do You Know About Fluoride?

Posted September 13, 2012 by Dr. Truong

Fluoride is synonymous with taking care of your teeth. You can find it in most toothpastes and mouthwashes, and for children who aren’t getting enough fluoride, supplemental tablets and fluoride treatments are often prescribed. Fluoride has the ability to strengthen teeth topically and internally. What else do you know about fluoride? Test your knowledge and try this quiz from your Dallas dentist, Dr. Truong:

Fluoride Quiz

1. True or False: Fluoride is a man-made chemical additive.

2. Victims of fluorosis fall into which age category:

Under 6
6-12
70 and older
Any age

3. True or False: Many American neighborhoods infuse tap water with fluoride.

4. Which foods contain small amounts of fluoride:

Fish
Eggs
Meat
All of the above (more…)

Dallas Dentist Offers Kid-Friendly Dental Appointments

Posted September 7, 2012 by Dr. Truong

New experiences can be frightening, and when you are a child, most experiences are new. Being accustomed to regular dental check-ups might evoke fear, but it is important that a child embrace the process of dental maintenance. Your Dallas dentist, Dr. Truong, explains ways that parents and dentists can work together to ensure that children experience positive feelings in connection with dental appointments.

Advice for Parents

While honesty is a great policy between parents and children, there is a time and place for details. Be selective regarding what you tell your child about the dentist. You might feel tempted to share stories of your childhood dental experiences, but make sure you stick to the pleasant memories.

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The Importance of Your Dental Checkup in Dallas

Posted August 26, 2012 by Dr. Truong

Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is an excellent way to help protect them against issues like tooth decay and gum disease, but it is not the only part to a healthy hygiene routine. As vigilant as we can be against plaque buildup and left-behind food debris, there is always a possibility of leaving a little something behind that can affect your oral health. Luckily, there’s hope. Your Dallas dentist Dr. Truong explains the importance and benefits of attending your six-month dental checkup and cleaning.

That Extra-Clean Feeling

When plaque is allowed to remain on your teeth for more than 48 hours, it calcifies, or hardens, into tartar. No matter how persistent you are, brushing your teeth will not suffice to remove tartar. At your Dallas dental checkup and cleaning, Dr. Truong or our talented hygienist will carefully remove residual traces of plaque and tartar, including under the gumline. Often, tartar will accumulate where your tooth meets your gums, and irritate your gums enough to separate from the tooth. This separation creates pockets where bacteria can collect and cause infection. Removing the tartar from under the gums allows the connective tissue to heal and helps prevent gum disease and tooth loss. (more…)

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