Dentists in Arlington Texas: Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered! PART 4

This four-part article series answers the questions frequently asked by patients interested in cosmetically improving the symmetry, color or shape of their teeth.

In our previous three article posts, dentists in Arlington Texas have answered questions focusing on cosmetic procedures ranging from teeth whitening and ceramic crowns to crown lengthening, porcelain veneers and the link between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry. In this article, the final installment of the series, we shall focus on FAQs about dental implants in Arlington. This tooth replacement technology is a great example of how the line between cosmetic and general dentistry can, at times, cease to exist altogether!

FAQ: If I’ve lost a couple of teeth over the years, what teeth replacement technology is most recommended by dentists in Arlington Texas?

Answer: Whether you have lost one, many or all of your teeth – and in most cases, regardless of the cause - dentists in Arlington Texas will time and again recommend dental implants. They are the most sophisticated, comprehensive and long-term solution to missing teeth that, unlike any other dental technology, supports a healthy jaw bone.

FAQ: Dental implants in Arlington may be the way to go, but doesn’t it hurt terribly to have them placed?

Answer: It is one of the most unfortunate misconceptions amongst patients that dental implant surgery is acutely painful, say dentists in Arlington Texas. The use of sophisticated computer imaging software enables dentists to perform implant procedures using minimal incisions and sutures, which is the primary source of post-operative pain. Furthermore, you will not be operated upon without the use of local or, in more complex cases of teeth replacement, general anesthesia, assure dentists in Arlington Texas. Patients even have the option to take a sedative prior to the procedure, so that your experience will be as pain and anxiety-free as possible. Sure, it would hurt if you had to place dental implants in Arlington without the benefit of all our modern technologies; protocols and analgesic medications, but then so would getting a filling!

FAQ: What’s the lifespan of dental implants in Arlington? Will they ever require replacement?

Answer: Dental implants in Arlington have a remarkable life span. If placed by qualified and experienced dentists in Arlington Texas and if cared for properly by you, the patient, your new teeth can last several decades, which is longer than any other teeth replacement technology. In fact, some patients have had their dental implants in for as long as 30 years with no sign of failure or need for restoration. Make sure you maintain a high standard of oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly and there’s no reason why you can’t keep a dental implant for just as long, advises dentists in Arlington Texas.

FAQ: I currently wear dentures and was told a few years ago that I’m not a candidate for dental implants because my jaw bone is too thin. Can dentists in Arlington Texas recommend anything else? I hate dentures!

Answer: They certainly can! Modern dental implant protocols enable skilled dentists in Arlington Texas to provide edentulous (toothless) and near edentulous patients with a brand new set of non-removable teeth that look, function and feel like natural teeth. Best of all, with ‘All-on-4’ dental implants in Arlington, they can almost always do this with a single surgery, in a single day! The bone in your jaw requires stimulation or ‘exercise’ in order to remain alive and vital, explain dentists in Arlington Texas. In a healthy jaw, this stimulation is provided by the tooth roots, which transmit the forces associated with biting, chewing and grinding into this hard tissue.

When all the teeth are lost, so too is this stimulation and, as a result, the jaw bone begins to atrophy, explain dentists in Arlington Texas. This can compromise a patient’s candidacy for dental implants in the long run, especially if they have been wearing dentures for many, many years. However, new and advanced dental implant protocols are able to overcome this traditional challenge and almost always without the need for bone grafting surgery first, say dentists in Arlington Texas. If you are interested in having a full set of permanent teeth placed, then speak to your dentist about the ‘All-on-4’ dental implant protocol.

Arlington Cosmetic Dentistry: Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered! PART 3

This four-part article series answers the questions frequently asked by patients interested in cosmetically improving the symmetry, color or shape of their teeth.

Welcome back to this, the third installment of a four-part article FAQ series on Arlington cosmetic dentistry. So far, we have answered some of your pressing questions concerning ceramic crowns, dental whitening and veneers. In this article, we shall continue addressing more of the questions frequently asked by patients who feel that their teeth and/or gums could benefit from the procedures or treatments offered by Arlington cosmetic dentistry.

FAQ: Why pay more money for a professional teeth whitening treatment when there are plenty over-the-counter products to choose from?

Answer: You need only check out the dental hygiene and healthcare aisle of the supermarket to appreciate the sheer diversity of teeth whitening products on the market. And with so many to choose from, why would you spend that little extra money on having a professional Arlington cosmetic dentistry treatment done? The answer is very simple: the concentration of bleaching agent (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) in these over-the-counter products is legally restricted. This is to protect the companies that manufacture these products against liability cases involving customers that have accidentally overused the product and have damaged their teeth and/or gums.

Professionals in Arlington cosmetic dentistry use whitening gels that contain a much higher percentage of the bleaching agent, but because they are qualified and experienced at administering such treatment, they can do so completely safely and with minimal side-effects. The bottom line is that a professional Arlington cosmetic dentistry teeth whitening treatment is going to give you much better, faster and more natural results than any over-the-counter product.

FAQ: What causes teeth staining in the first place and how can I prevent stains from re-accumulating after a teeth whitening treatment?

Answer: Our teeth become stained from the foods we eat and the liquids we drink, say professionals in Arlington cosmetic dentistry. Certain substances, such as coffee, tea, red wine, dark berries, beetroot and dark sodas contribute to dental discoloration, especially if consumed frequently over many years. While many of these indulgences aren’t bad for you, avoiding gradual tooth discoloration or preserving the results of a dental whitening treatment will require you to limit your intake of substances such as coffee, tea and red wine. Tobacco smoking is also one of the top tooth staining offenders, say professionals in Arlington cosmetic dentistry, so you should kick that habit… but that goes for many more reasons than just your smile aesthetics.

FAQ: My gums have grown right over the crowns of my teeth making them look short and stubby. What Arlington cosmetic dentistry procedure would it require to make them look normal again?

Answer: If the gums have grown abnormally over the crowns of your teeth, it could be because they have swollen in response to infection. You could have gingivitis, in which case professionals in Arlington cosmetic dentistry would either take the necessary steps to treat you for a gingival bacterial infection, or they would refer you to a periodontists; a gum specialist. If a little extra gum tissue is something you were born with, or something you’ve had for as long as you can remember, then there is a very straight-forward Arlington cosmetic dentistry procedure that could improve your smile aesthetics. It’s called ‘crown lengthening’ and it involves the removal of a thin strip of excess tissue at the gum line in order to reveal a greater and more natural-looking portion of the underlying tooth crown (see image below).

Arlington Cosmetic Dentistry: Stay Tuned

To read some final FAQ on Arlington cosmetic dentistry, stay tuned for the last installment of this four-part article series!

The Cosmetic Dentist in Arlington: Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered! PART 2

This four-part article series answers the questions frequently asked by patients interested in cosmetically improving the symmetry, color or shape of their teeth.

Back to find out more about what the cosmetic dentist in Arlington can do for your smile? In this article, the second installment of our four-part series, we shall continue answering more of the questions frequently asked by patients who feel that their teeth and/or gums could benefit from the procedures or treatments offered by the cosmetic dentist in Arlington.

FAQ: My teeth are healthy, but they aren’t shaped nicely. Their edges are and always have been somewhat jagged, making my smile unattractive. What would the cosmetic dentist in Arlington recommend?

Answer: Not everyone is born with perfectly straight and even teeth. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that your teeth are unhealthy, or unhealthier than someone who does have beautiful teeth, it can affect the quality of your smile. If the crowns of your teeth are jagged and uneven, as opposed to smooth and straight, you could be considered a candidate for dental veneers, says the cosmetic dentist in Arlington. A veneer is a wafer-thin shell of ceramic material that is custom made to fit the shape of your teeth; jagged edges, chips, cracks and all! During its fabrication, the veneer is made to fill out these imperfections in the tooth structure. Once the cosmetic dentist in Arlington has bonded the veneer to the front of the tooth or teeth requiring restoration (using very hard cement), the result will be a perfectly even and straight tooth! Catherine Zeta-Jones’ smile is a great example of the wonders porcelain veneers are capable of.

The cosmetic dentist in Arlington also uses porcelain veneers to:

• Make short stubby teeth appear longer,

• Camouflage heavy discoloration and staining of the dental enamel,

• Fill in chips and cracks in the tooth structure, and

• Fill in large spaces between teeth.

FAQ: One of my teeth was quite badly damaged in a car accident. I’m scared that the cosmetic dentist in Arlington will want to pull the tooth. Are there any other treatment options?

Answer: It is always the priority of the cosmetic dentist in Arlington to preserve your natural teeth rather than just pull them and replace them with a bridge or a dental implant. No amount of fancy or sophisticated technology can rival the durability and resilience of your own pearly whites! The only circumstance under which the cosmetic dentist in Arlington will recommend the extraction of the tooth is if he or she simply cannot save it. There are, thankfully, many things the dentist can do to rescue a heavily damaged tooth.

First of all, X-rays will be taken to help cosmetic dentist in Arlington diagnose the extent of the damage done to the tooth. If the pulp chamber has become infected, he or she will need to extract the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue that make up the insides of your tooth before sterilizing and filling it with cement. This is essentially a root canal procedure and will be performed under a local anesthetic. The cosmetic dentist in Arlington will then remove the affected and/or decayed portion of the hard tooth structure, file the remaining tooth down to a nub and use molds of your teeth to have a ceramic tooth crown made for you (see image below).

FAQ: My teeth have become quite badly discolored. What procedures are offered by professionals in cosmetic dentistry in Arlington?

Answer: If a standard teeth whitening or deep bleaching treatments are insufficient to remove staining and discoloration, you could have porcelain veneers placed on your teeth. These, explains the cosmetic dentist in Arlington, are wonderful restorations for hiding the damage done to the dental enamel as a result of years’ worth of heavy smoking, coffee-drinking and other deleterious habits.

Cosmetic Dentist in Arlington: Stay Tuned

   

To read more FAQs from the cosmetic dentist in Arlington, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series!

Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington: Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered! PART 1

This four-part article series answers the questions frequently asked by patients interested in cosmetically improving the symmetry, color or shape of their teeth.

Are you 100% happy with your smile?
Do you think your teeth could be a little brighter, a little straighter or a little more symmetrical?
Do you think your gum line could be a little higher or a little lower?
Do you wish your teeth weren’t so crowded, or spaced so far apart?

We’re not all born with perfectly white and even teeth. In fact, the ‘celebrity smile’ we all wish we had is the genetic exception rather than the rule. In any case, almost all those celebrities have had quite a bit of help from cosmetic dentistry in Arlington! If you, like so many others, answered yes to any of the above questions, then this four-part FAQ guide provided by professionals in cosmetic dentistry in Arlington may just provide you with the assistance and direction you need. Regardless of what you were born with, it could just be a simple and straight-forward procedure or treatment that stands between you and your red-carpet-ready smile!

FAQ: What do professionals in cosmetic dentistry in Arlington do?

Answer: Professionals in cosmetic dentistry in Arlington are, first and foremost, qualified dentists. They have all the training, skills and in-office technology necessary to provide you with quality dental healthcare. In addition to this foundation, these dentists have spent further time studying and mastering the various procedures, treatments and technologies necessary to restore and improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth and gums. These would include the placement and maintenance of porcelain veneers, ceramic tooth crowns, bridges and bonding. They also offer dental whitening and soft tissue procedures, such as gum grafts and crown lengthening.

FAQ: Will professionals in cosmetic dentistry in Arlington notify me if I have any serious oral health problems?

Answer: Absolutely! As it was explained in the previous question, professionals in cosmetic dentistry in Arlington are, first and foremost, trained and qualified dentists. If the reason behind your cosmetic imperfection is related to the health of your teeth, they will not perform a cosmetic procedure until any and all of your problems have been treated.

For example, if you wish to benefit from a dental whitening treatment because your teeth have become discolored from, for example, gum disease, professionals is cosmetic dentistry in Arlington will first assess the extent of the damage done by the bacterial infection. They will then treat it with a combination of antibiotic medications and the deep cleaning of your teeth and gums, which involves scaling the calculus (plaque and tartar) from the crowns and roots of your teeth using specialized dental tools. Only once the infection has completely cleared up and your oral health restored will professionals in cosmetic dentistry move forward with a teeth bleaching treatment.

FAQ: What happens if the cause behind a cosmetic imperfection is serious?

Answer: If the cause behind an imperfection compromises your oral health and hygiene in any way, then professionals in cosmetic dentistry in Arlington will always explain to you that treatment is needed first before restoration can take place. Having said this, oftentimes, the cosmetic correction doubles as the treatment! For example, if your teeth are over-crowded, you may be fitted with orthodontic braces, which will not only space your teeth more naturally and in a way that will optimize bite function and dental alignment, but it will correct your smile aesthetics in the process! There are actually very few exclusively cosmetic treatments offered by cosmetic dentistry in Arlington. Most of them will correct functionality AND aesthetic problems simultaneously.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington: Stay Tuned

To read more FAQ on cosmetic dentistry in Arlington, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series!

The Dentist in Arlington TX Discusses Smoking and Your Oral Health, PART 3

This three-part article series takes an in-depth exploration of the short and long term effects of tobacco addiction upon your oral health.

We have so far, in this three-part article series, (1) discussed the impact of smoking on your oral health and (2) provided some recommendations for proper oral health and hygiene care for smokers. In this, the final installment of the series, the dentist in Arlington TX will be answering some of the questions frequently asked about oral health and smoking.

Question: What kind of oral problems does smoking cause?

The Dentist in Arlington TX Answers: Smoking has significant short and long term consequences for oral health and hygiene. These include:

• Bad breath, or halitosis

• Tooth staining and discoloration

• Inflammation of the soft tissues in the mouth, says the dentist in Arlington TX

• Xerostomia, or ‘dry mouth’

• Accelerated accumulation of plaque and tartar

• Increased risk of oral and throat cancer

• Increased risk of oral bacterial infection and periodontal (gum) disease

• Tooth loss

• Bone loss in the jaw, warns the dentist in Arlington TX

• Delayed post-operative healing and a compromised immune system

• Lower success of tooth replacement procedures (dental implants)

Question: How does smoking cause gum disease?

The Dentist in Arlington TX Answers: Smoking increases your risk of developing acute and chronic bacterial infections of the gums in many different ways. First of all, it retards the production of saliva in the mouth, which is your body’s natural defense against bacteria. Smoking also impedes healthy blood circulation to the gums, explains the dentist in Arlington TX, which slows healing while increasing the risk of infection. In general, this habit interferes with the normal functioning of soft tissue cells. Combined with an increase in oral bacterial infection, smokers are left at a much greater risk of periodontal (gum) disease.

Question: What about cigar and pipe-smoking? Are they as bad for your teeth and gums as cigarettes?

The Dentist in Arlington TX Answers: Any kind of tobacco-smoking or chewing is a danger to your oral health. The Journal of the American Dental Association published the results of a 23-year long study, which indicated that cigar smokers experience the same rate of alveolar bone loss and tooth loss as cigarette-smokers. In addition to this, says the dentist in Arlington TX, smokers of pipes, cigars and cigarettes alike are all at the same risk of pharyngeal and oral cancers, as well as tooth discoloration, halitosis and periodontal (gum) disease. And this applies even if you don’t inhale the smoke as is frequently the case with cigar-tokers.

Question: Aren’t smokeless tobacco products safer for you?

The Dentist in Arlington TX Answers: Just like cigarettes and cigars, smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco and snuff, contain a whole lot of chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus. In fact, says the dentist in Arlington TX, many chewing tobacco products contain greater amounts of nicotine than cigarettes! This not only makes it more dangerous for people to enjoy, but also more addictive. One tin of snuff delivers more nicotine than three standard packets of cigarettes!

Other reasons to stay away from snuff and chewing tobacco include:

• They irritate the gum tissue, says the dentist in Arlington TX, causing it to become inflamed and to recede abnormally from the crowns of the teeth. This exposes the vulnerable roots underneath, which not only contributes to an unaesthetic smile, but is also very dangerous for the health of the tooth as a whole.

• Exposed roots provide opportunities for bacteria to migrate deep down into the gums, increasing the risk of infection and disease.

• Exposed roots are also more sensitive to temperature extremes, explains the dentist in Arlington TX.

• Chewing tobacco contains quite a bit of sugar, which causes tooth decay. The American Dental Association found that people who chewed tobacco were four times more susceptible to decay than those that didn’t.

• Smokeless tobacco contains grit and sand, says the dentist in Arlington TX, which contributes to the erosion of your dental enamel.

Question: How can I quit using tobacco?

The Dentist in Arlington TX Answers: Tobacco-use is not only a physical addiction; it’s a psychological one too. As such, different people will experience greater success using different methods to kick the habit. Here are some tips from the dentist in Arlington TX. Singularly, they may not prove to be effective, but used together will certainly help you cope with the various stages of physical and psychological withdrawal. At the end of the day, says the dentist in Arlington TX, you must quit for you and for your health.

• Set a date to quit and stick to it. Try to co-ordinate this date with a period of low stress.

• Tell your co-workers, family members and friends about your initiative to quit smoking, advise the dentist in Arlington TX; even if you are afraid that you may fail. Their help and support will prove crucial.

• Ask the doctor or dentist in Arlington TX about any nicotine replacement products that may help with the initial withdrawal symptoms. There are even certain medications designed to help people quit, but don’t use these without your doctor’s advice.

• Remove all evidence of your past addiction from your car, office and home. These include lighters, ashtrays, cigarette boxes and, of course, tobacco!

• Develop new routines that take you away from the places you use to go and smoke, says the dentist in Arlington TX. For example, go to a different coffee shop during lunch break, avoid the pub while you’re in the throes of breaking away from the addiction and start getting out more. Get away from your old life for a bit, advises the dentist in Arlington TX. Gym more often, go on walks, go to the movies and stay away from smoke-friendly environments. Exercise! It’ll make you feel alive!

• When those craving come crashing in, practice the four D’s:

i. Delay: cravings usually pass in five to ten minutes.

ii. Drink water: this can actually satiate your cravings. It’s also very good for you!

iii. Do something else: distract yourself and keep yourself busy.

iv. Deep breathing: relax and center yourself. Oxygenate your body.

The Arlington Texas Dentist Discusses Smoking and Your Oral Health, PART 2

This three-part article series takes an in-depth exploration of the short and long term effects of tobacco addiction upon your oral health.

“Quitting smoking is easy! I’ve done it a thousand times!”

- Mark Twain

As a smoker, you are aware of the various health warnings provided on cigarette boxes. And yet, in spite of the new, more graphic depictions being printed on the packaging of your favorite anytime past-time, you still manage to maintain a distance between yourself and these health warnings. You’re far too young to worry about heart disease, aren’t you?

But what about your teeth?

You don’t need to be a heavy lifelong smoker to begin to see the impact of this habit on your pearly whites, warns the Arlington Texas dentist. Tooth discoloration, chronic bad breath, gum inflammation, taste and smell impediment, dry mouth and ‘black hairy tongue’ are but a few of the ramifications of an addiction to tobacco smoking.

In the first installment of this three-part article series, the Arlington Texas dentist provided an in-depth account of both the short and long term consequences of smoking on your oral health. Now, in this article, the second installment, we shall be focusing more on some helpful oral healthcare recommendations for smokers. Armed with these tips, the Arlington TX dentist hopes that those who have been actively trying to kick the habit (or at least entertaining the idea) will find the resolve to finally do so.

Arlington Texas Dentist: Recommendations

Sure, it’s easy to say “stop smoking,” which is the Arlington Texas dentist’s main recommendation. It’s never too late to reduce and minimize the health risks, so the sooner you do, the less your chance of doing lasting and permanent damage. But quitting is far easier said than done. Most smokers have tried and failed to quit. Most smokers will try many, many times to kick the habit before they finally succeed, remarks the Arlington Texas dentist. Nicotine addiction is only the tip of the iceberg really. Within 72 hours of smoking cessation, all the nasty associated chemicals will have left your body and your physical dependence thereon, beaten. It’s the strong psychological addiction that represents a smoker’s biggest battle, explains the Arlington Texas dentist.

Here are some fundamental oral health and hygiene tips from the Arlington TX dentist for smokers:

• Firstly, it has to be said: Stop smoking or chewing tobacco!

• Be extra strict about keeping those bi-annual appointments with the Arlington Texas dentist and oral hygienist. This will enable him or her to provide the preventative healthcare you need to combat the effects of smoking on your teeth and gums. They’ll also be able to perform thorough checks for oral cancer.

• Maintain a rigorous home oral hygiene routine. As a smoker, you are at a much greater risk of periodontal (gum) disease, explains the Arlington Texas dentist. Due to lower saliva production (the mouth’s natural defense against bacteria), impeded blood circulation and a compromised immune system, smokers will naturally have greater numbers of oral bacteria and therefore, a greater and speedier build-up of plaque and tartar in their mouths. For this reason, it is essential that you brush and floss regularly and thoroughly, advises the Arlington Texas dentist. Also, use a tongue cleaner to scrape bacteria off your tongue and use an anti-bacterial mouthwash as an extra precaution. Complement this routine with regular dental hygiene appointments at the Arlington Texas dentist’s office.

• Learn how to perform a thorough check for oral and throat cancer. According to the Arlington Texas dentist, this involves checking for:

i. Red, white or dark patches on the soft tissues in the mouth (gums, palate, cheeks and on or under the tongue.)

ii. Frequent bleeding in the mouth, says the Arlington TX dentist.

iii. Sores around the mouth, face or neck that persist for more than two weeks.

iv. Numbness, loss of feeling or pain at any location in the mouth, says the Arlington Texas dentist.

v. Bumps, swelling or lumps on the neck, gums, lips, cheeks, tongue, palate or anywhere else in the mouth and on the face.

If any of these patches, sores or bumps do not disappear within two weeks, immediately schedule an appointment with the Arlington Texas dentist. He or she will perform a biopsy on the anomaly to determine whether it is cancerous or not.

Interesting Note: Regular brushing and the fresh, minty, clean feeling it leaves in the mouth can actually help to restrain the urge to smoke, says the Arlington Texas dentist. So, keep a toothbrush and some anti-bacterial mouthwash handy while you battle your addiction and it could provide you with the little extra encouragement you need!

Arlington Texas Dentist: Stay Tuned

Now that the Arlington Texas dentist has provided some tips on how to manage your oral health and hygiene as a smoker, we shall move on to answering some of your frequently asked questions. Stay tuned for the third and final installment of the Arlington TX dentist’s article series on the impact of tobacco use on one’s oral health.

Dentists in Arlington Texas Discuss: Smoking and Your Oral Health, PART 1

This three-part article series takes an in-depth exploration of the short and long term effects of tobacco addiction upon your oral health.

Most smokers, if not all of them, are aware of the health implications of their habit. There is a reason tobacco smoking is considered an addiction. Yet in spite of an understanding of the short and long term consequences of tobacco use and the clamping down of the law on smokers, a significant percentage of the population still lights up every day. Most smokers, when asked, say they want to kick the habit, and have tried to on several occasions. But these attempts have been in vain. If this applies to you, then perhaps dentists in Arlington Texas can provide you with the encouragement you need to finally bridge the gap in your resolve! We all know that smoking causes lung cancer and heart disease, say dentists in Arlington Texas. But understanding the intimate details behind the deconstruction of your oral health and hygiene may just be the shock smokers need to finally put their habit to rest.

In this three-part article series, dentists in Arlington Texas shall be discussing the impact of smoking upon one’s oral health. This first article provides an introduction to the topic by discussing the general and oral health statistics relating to smokers as compared with non-smokers. The second article provides some recommendations for those addicted to tobacco-smoking and the third addresses some of the questions dentists in Arlington Texas are frequently asked about oral health and tobacco-use.

Dentists in Arlington Texas: Some Shocking Statistics

You know it’s bad for you. But did you realize just how much at risk your health was? Here’s something to think about:

•75% of all oral cancers are caused by smoking.

•35% of all cancers are caused by smoking.

•95% of all lung cancer fatalities are caused by smoking.

•Emphysema is found almost exclusively in people who are or have been smokers at some stage during their life.

•Smokers have an increased risk of chest pain, palpitations, stroke and heart disease.

These are just a few of the general health implications of tobacco smoking, warn dentists Arlington Texas. So how does this habit affect the health of your teeth and gums?

Dentists in Arlington Texas: Smoking and Your Oral Health

•Smoking is the primary cause of oral and throat cancers.

•Smoking causes irritation and inflammation of the soft tissues in the mouth (the gums, the buccal lining, the tongue, the soft and hard palate, etc.)

•Smokers are twice as likely to lose their teeth, say dentists in Arlington Texas.

•Smoking causes periodontal (gum) disease.

•Smoking causes the salivary glands to become inflamed.

•Smoking retards the healing process in the mouth, resulting in a greater risk of post-procedural infection.

•Smokers have less success with dental implants and periodontal treatment, explain dentists in Arlington Texas.

•According to the Journal of Periodontology, tobacco-users are four times more likely to develop acute and chronic oral bacterial infections than non-smokers.

Alright, so as a smoker you’re probably accustomed to people lamenting the dire consequences of your habit. You’re probably also extremely tired of hearing about how you’re doomed to an early death, etc. etc. You KNOW what you’re doing is bad for you. It’s not like you haven’t tried to quit! If quitting were easy, you wouldn’t still be smoking would you? Most of the health implications mentioned above are the result of a long term love affair with cigarettes, cigars, pipe-smoking and/or tobacco-chewing. And this can make it somewhat easier for smokers to psychologically distance themselves from it all, especially those that are still in their youth. But smoking has many significant short-term health implications too, warn dentists in Arlington Texas; many of which are MOST undesirable for those that have a pinch of self-esteem…

Dentists in Arlington Texas: Short Term Health Implications

•Smoking is a major cause of bad breath, or halitosis.

•Smoking stains your dental enamel, warn dentists in Arlington Texas, rendering your pearly whites a less attractive shade of yellow and brown.

•Smoking impedes your ability to taste and smell properly, say dentists in Arlington Texas.

•Smoking can cause the development of growths on the tongue, resulting in a condition known as ‘black hairy tongue.’ These growths, which can be green, yellow, black or brown in color, are incredibly unsightly and uncomfortable, explain dentists in Arlington Texas.

•Smoking causes ‘dry mouth’, increasing plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth and gums.

Dentists in Arlington Texas: Stay Tuned

Having discussed the short and long term consequences of tobacco addiction, we shall, in the next installment of this three-part article series, provide some recommendations for smokers. Understanding what you are doing to your teeth and gums is the first step, explain dentists in Arlington Texas. Now you can start thinking about what you are going to do to free yourself from the constraints of your addiction. Stay tuned for the second installment of the series!