Little Rock Family Dental Care Blog

Dental Veneers or Bonding: What is Right for Me?

November 29, 2016

The appearance of your smile affects everything in your life, from your relationships to your career. Perceptions matter, and having straight teeth and a great smile is a big part of that. There are many options for fixing your teeth that fall under the realm of cosmetic dentistry. Two of the options – dental veneers and dental bonding – are procedures that fix broken or chipped teeth and offer a great aesthetic solution to your smile.

What are Dental Veneers?

A dental veneer attaches to the front of your teeth and is made of a customized porcelain material that matches the color of the surrounding teeth. Unlike painful dental procedures that can improve the appearance of teeth, a veneer is like a “cap” or a semi-translucent shell over the tooth that adjusts the shape and color of the tooth.

Veneers fix many common aesthetic problems in teeth such as:

Spaces between teeth
Chipped or broken teeth
Teeth that have become stained or discolored
Misshapen or crooked teeth

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How Thumb Sucking Affects Teeth

October 15, 2016

Whether done for comfort, due to anxiety, or out of habit, thumb sucking in children can lead to dental problems later in life. Many parents may wish to address thumb sucking at an early age before it becomes a problem, and they would be right to do so.

Parents need to understand how thumb sucking affects their child’s teeth and what can be done to address the issue before it impacts the child’s teeth long-term.

Does Thumb Sucking Harm A Child’s Teeth?

If an infant sucks their thumb, it may not result in any dental problems. Normally, children tend to stop sucking their thumbs as their teeth begin to come in. In some cases this is due to the child developing other coping mechanisms due to language or mobility. However, as a child ages and thumb sucking occurs, it begins to become a concern because it can affect their permanent teeth alignment and their bite. Some studies show that even in children as young as two years, thumb sucking can have negative effects on the jaw. (more…)

Catechins: What Are They & Why Are They Beneficial?

July 29, 2016

You may or may not have heard about what a catechin is, but it is an antioxidant that is well known for its dietary and health benefits. It’s found in a variety of forms (dark chocolate, red wine, açaí berries, pomegranates, goji berries, blackberries, broccoli & spinach), but the highest concentration of catechins are found in green and matcha green tea.

We have talked about the benefits of tea previously, but are going to specifically talk about the benefits of catechins and their overall health benefits. (more…)

Making A Case for High Quality Tea Instead of Coffee

July 9, 2015

High quality tea has been growing in popularity over the past 20 years, which is largely due to its previously unrecognized health benefits. However, did you know that high quality tea also has health benefits for your teeth in addition to overall health?

Tooth Benefits

Most teas, especially green teas, naturally contain catechins, which improve digestion, inhibit viral and bacterial infections, protect against oxidation in your brain and liver, and support healthy gums. Most teas also have significantly lower acidity levels than coffee – high levels of acidity in our bodies is detrimental and can lead to tooth and bone decay.

Just as there are multiple varieties of teas, 1500 give or take (not including herbal teas), there are a variety of benefits. White and green teas have a significantly lower possibility of staining your teeth, and most black teas have chemical properties that prevent plaque-building bacteria from sticking together as easily. (more…)

Pros & Cons of Dental Implants

June 26, 2015

If you’re missing a tooth or needing to have one replaced, dental implants may be a good option for you to look into. There are many reasons implants are appealing options for tooth replacement, but there are also factors that need to be taken into consideration before making a decision since despite their utility, dental implants are not for everyone.

Pros
Pain experienced from eating, speaking, or daily use is often cured with dental implants. There is a very high success rate for procedures of this kind, and with regular maintenance, they have the capability to last a lifetime.

Additionally, modern tooth replacement and dental implant procedures have been common in the dental community for the past 50 years. First-rate dental implants and procedures can be expected, especially from Little Rock Family Dental Care. (more…)