Little Rock Family Dental Care Blog

Home Remedies for Temporary Tooth Pain Relief

June 22, 2015

We’ve all experienced tooth pain before. Most likely, it was at a time when we aren’t able to get to our dentist’s office right away; maybe because of work, school, prior commitments or your dentist just doesn’t have immediate availability. This post is going to help you explore different ways to alleviate your pain temporarily so that you can make it to your dentist appointment without the relentlessness of tooth pain throughout the day(s) leading to your dental visit.

Some of these tactics you may have heard of before, others you’re probably reading about for the first time. Either way, they are worth trying because we all know that tooth pain has the capacity to be some of the most uncomfortable pain you can experience (especially with how often we use our mouths throughout our day by eating, talking, brushing our teeth etc.).

1.) Garlic – It contains natural antibiotics and other medicinal qualities. There are a couple of ways to leverage the effects of garlic. First of which is to mix a garlic clove (or garlic powder) with table salt. You may apply it directly to the affected tooth or you may chew on 1 or 2 cloves predominantly with your affected tooth. This is most effective after several days of doing it. (more…)

What is Dental Bonding and How do I Know if I Need it?

May 19, 2015

You’ve probably heard of the term “dental bonding” before; it’s used to fix a myriad of different dental issues. In a lot of cases it’s used cosmetically to repair the aesthetic of a tooth (or teeth). In those instances a dentist will use what is called “tooth colored composite resin.” In other cases though, dental bonding serves as a function, protecting a tooth from further decay, sensitivity or to replace enamel. Even the simplest of things that you routinely go to the dentist for are fixed up through dental bonding or dental filling; like cavities. But that is not the only example of it. Before we get into listing the reasons for the procedure, let’s just explain what it is and how it’s done.

If you’re experiencing sensitivity or pain in your back teeth (ones that aren’t visible), your dentist will use what is called a “filling;” you’ve heard this associated with cavities. If the tooth in question is in the front of your mouth and is seen, then they will perform a “bonding” technique. (more…)

How Should You Be Caring for Your Children’s Teeth?

May 6, 2015

Tips for ages 0-5

Some parents may not know all of the intricacies behind caring for their children’s teeth. For example, oral care should be started before the first tooth even appears. From healthy gums come healthy teeth. Between juices and milk there are a lot of sugars that can contribute to harmful bacteria that build up in your child’s mouth (just like adults). So, it’s imperative that this list of helpful tips be read, recognized and exercised especially during the infancy stages.

1.) After every meal be sure to take a wet washcloth over the gums of your infant to rid of any harmful sugars or acids that could contribute to damage to the gums. Even babies can develop tooth decay before the teeth are visible. The first dentist visit for your child should occur close to and by their first birthday. (more…)

The Importance of Including Your Gums in Your Oral Hygiene Regimen

April 28, 2015

A lot of people know that it’s important to take care of their gums as well as they take care of their teeth. What a lot of people don’t know is how to make sure that they’re doing that.

But first, why are your gums so important? One reason is that periodontal disease (gum disease/gingivitis) is present in more than 50% of adults, and a lot of those people don’t even know that they suffer from it. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of bone loss which can lead to teeth falling out. It’s amazing the amount of people that ignore the signs of gingivitis, most commonly bleeding gums. People will go day in and day out spitting blood into the sink after they brush their teeth and ignore it without talking with a professional. If one day you started bleeding from inside your ears, would you ignore it? Probably not. Bleeding gums are no different and should not be taken lightly. (more…)

The Science Behind the Smile

March 26, 2015

A Guide to Understanding What Makes You Grin

It’s pretty reasonable to assume there is a scientific explanation for most everything in the world and it’s no different for smiling! It’s not something we think about often. It’s a visceral reaction that at its most effective times requires little to no thought. It’s not a learned behavior and is intrinsically one of the first expressions we have as newborns, sometimes within the first two hours of birth.

Would it be surprising to know the average adult smiles around 40 times a day? That’s good! This means they’re authentic, and an authentic smile has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and your heart rate; it truly is the best medicine. And guess what? Even a “fake” smile has been proven to improve your mood; it tricks your brain into thinking you are indeed happy. The better you feel the better the people around you will feel. Smiles are contagious, so spread the love! (more…)