Little Rock Family Dental Care Blog

4 Common Oral Health Problems and How They Can Be Prevented

January 24, 2014

We all know that regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential when it comes to a healthy mouth and an attractive smile, but there is a lot you can be doing in between visits to help prevent small problems—and prevent small problems from turning into big ones.

Here are four common oral health problems and some steps you can take as part of your daily routine to prevent them:

Toothaches

Toothaches can be caused by a variety of different problems, many of which started small. Sometimes a toothache can’t be controlled, such as as a result of an accident, but most can be prevented with good hygiene and regular dental visits.

Bad Breath

When not the result of eating garlic, bad breath is caused by bacteria, especially when it accumulates on the tongue. Again, good hygiene should take care of this problem, including daily tongue scraping. Scraping the tongue will help to remove the bacteria that builds up there. (more…)

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

December 20, 2013

We all know that dental emergencies can happen without warning, and they can be very painful and stressful experiences. It’s not only important to have a dentist who is capable of handling emergency cases, but it’s also critical that you know what to do in case of an emergency.

Many dental emergencies can occur without warning, such as a sudden toothache, while other cases are the results of accidents. Car accidents, falls, and contact sports are common causes of dental emergencies like chipped, cracked, or knocked out teeth.

No matter the emergency, it is always a good idea to call your dentist and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. In most cases, emergency rooms are not equipped or able to treat dental emergencies. However, if you’ve broken a bone in your face or jaw or if you can’t stop a wound from bleeding, you should go to an emergency room. (more…)

Thumb Sucking Can be Bad for Children’s Teeth

November 27, 2013

Thumb sucking is a very natural thing for a child to do, and for many it develops as a reflex. While it can be a useful method for stress reduction and coping for infants, it can become a problem as the child ages and starts developing teeth.

Since thumbs or fingers come in direct contact with teeth that are coming in, they have a direct impact on the growth and future state of the teeth and jaw. Not only could this result in crooked or unhealthy teeth, but it could also have impacts on a child’s speech and/or bite. That means that until the child is old enough for braces, talking or chewing may be difficult or irregular.

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, many children continue to suck their thumbs or fingers past infancy. Some studies show that even in children as young as two years, thumb sucking can have negative effects on the jaw. (more…)

5 Foods to Fortify Your Teeth

November 21, 2013

Since our teeth are the first to interact with the foods we eat, we can’t ignore them when we think about our diets.

Just like the rest of the body, different foods are better for your teeth and gums than others. Some foods contain minerals that help to strengthen teeth, others promote production of saliva to wash away bacteria and plaque buildup, and still others can help to remove food particles that get stuck on or between teeth just through the act of eating them.

Here are just 5 examples of fortifying foods for your teeth:

Water. Depending on where you live, water can be fluoridated, meaning it is treated with fluoride for the purpose of strengthening teeth. Drinking water also helps to wash away bacteria and food particles that stick on or between teeth.

Citrus. Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, and lemons strengthen gums through their high concentration of vitamin C. Back in the days of sailing ships, crews used to eat vitamin C rich foods like limes and sauerkraut in order to prevent scurvy—two of the main symptoms of which are gum disease and the loss of teeth. (more…)

What’s New at LR Family Dental Care?

September 14, 2013

Meet Dr. Robert Tramel and his staff

Its been a great year of growing and we are continuing to strive to be the absolute best dental office in LIttle Rock. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover so here we go!

First of all we want to send out well wishes to Dr. Matt Dover who left our practice in August. He has joined a wonderful practice in Mountain Home, AR that will allow him to be closer to his family. We send our congratulations and best of luck in his endeavors.

Secondly, LRFDC is very fortunate to have added the knowledge and expertise of Dr. Robert Tramel to our dental family. Dr. Tramel has been practicing in Little Rock for more than 31 years. He brought along his highly accomplished and professional staff members, Hygienists; Tammy Bateman and Tonya McDaniel along with assistant Michelle Reynolds and his newest addition, Candace Gardner, all of whom look forward to serving you! Speaking of which, Dr. Tramel will be accepting AR Kids pediatric patients beginning October 1. He accepts most insurances and of course we do offer filing as an office courtesy. In addition, Dr. Tramel wants everyone to know that he and his staff see patients from 7AM til 3 PM on Thursdays, so if you are in need of an early morning or lunch hour appointment. Call our office today. (more…)