Little Rock Family Dental Care Blog

How 3D Digital Imaging is Revolutionizing Dentistry

January 11, 2018

The use of technology in dental practices allows for dentists to be on the cutting edge of changes in the industry. Digital imaging, in particular, has benefited from advances that give dental professionals a better idea of the issues patients might have and better diagnose treatment.

At Little Rock Family Dental Care, we offer digital radiography using the PlanMeca® ProMax® 3D Mid which gives our team more effective imagery for all your dental needs. Take a look below at some of the reasons 3D digital imaging has benefits over traditional X-rays and some ways in which it goes beyond the typical imaging most people associate with their trip to the dentist. (more…)

Dr. Randy Machen of Little Rock Family Dental Care partnered with Women’s Own Worth

August 31, 2017

Dr. Machen partnered with Women’s Own Worth (WOW) to help a domestic violence survivor get their smile back. As featured on THV11, Haley Mcham and her family endured an abusive situation and, with the help of the domestic violence support group and the team at Little Rock Family Dental Care, Mcham can take the first step towards a new life with the help of cosmetic dentistry.

WOW is a 501c3 public charity serving Arkansas. Founder Jajuan Archer and fellow board members created WOW to provide resources and support throughout the state for domestic abuse victims and their families.

Why You Need to Replace Missing Teeth

July 19, 2017

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, about 178 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth and these numbers are expected to grow within the next two decades. It is very important to always replace a tooth that you have lost as soon as possible. It is more than just about the way you look. Rather, it is about the health of your mouth, jaw, and body, which are all designed to work together at peak performance.

When you have a tooth that is missing, this can cause many problems including:

Tooth shifting

Your jaw has space for and is designed to operate with 28 teeth. If one of those placeholders fall out, then the surrounding teeth begin to shift to fill this empty space, resulting in all of your teeth being moved out of alignment. This can cause a biting problem because when the lower and upper jaws don’t meet properly, it can strain and damage the jaw joint. In some cases, the remaining teeth can super erupt and cause increased sensitivity to temperature extremes and sweets. (more…)

What is an Abscessed Tooth?

July 10, 2017

An abscessed tooth occurs when bacteria causes an infection in your gums and even inside your teeth. This creates a pocket of pus that is unable to drain, therefore becoming swollen and painful. This is known as an abscess and it acts as a barrier around the infection to stop its spread. However, if left untreated, the bacterial infection can escalate to other parts of the mouth and affect your overall health.

There are two different kinds of abscesses, including:

Periodontal abscess — An infection between the tooth and gum usually caused by food getting trapped there and poor cleaning of the teeth to get that food debris out. In severe cases, the bacteria can build up and affect the bone.
Periapical abscess — An infection inside the tooth pulp. The pulp is the soft tissue and nerves inside of the root canal, and it can succumb to an infection and begin to die. This type of abscess can also spread to the surrounding bone.

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What to Do if You Have a Chipped or Cracked Tooth

June 10, 2017

The first thing to do if your tooth has a visible chip or if you suspect a crack is to make an appointment to see your dental care professional as soon as possible. As with any oral problem, if you leave it untreated, it can get worse and result in severe complications down the line.

Immediate Care After a Chipped or Cracked Tooth Occurs

For both chips and cracks, you always first want to protect the tooth from further damage before you are able to get into an appointment with a dentist.

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and cover the tooth with either a fresh piece of gauze or dental cement (found at most drugstores). Avoid eating or drinking as much as you can. However, if this is not possible, then try to avoid food and beverages that have extreme temperatures, are high in sugar or acid, or are hard. Also, chew on the opposite side of the mouth that isn’t affected. (more…)