Friendly Dental Tips and Guidance

When it comes to dental hygiene, you know you should be faithfully brushing your teeth before you start your day and before bed at night, but instead you may give a quick 30 second scrub around your mouth and assume you’re hitting all the areas you should. You tell yourself mouthwash is for mornings when you don’t even have time to brush, and you’d prefer to forget about flossing altogether! Rather than get in a tizzy about the dos and don’ts of dental hygiene, here are four questions to ask your hygienist the next time you visit your dentist: What kind of toothbrush and toothpaste is best for me? How often do I really need to floss? [...]

Getting kids excited about brushing their teeth isn’t always easy. If you’ve ever had to negotiate, bribe, or beg your child to brush, you’re not alone. But what if brushing didn’t feel like a chore at all? What if it became something your kids actually looked forward to doing? At Pickett Family Dental in Keller, TX, we know that developing strong oral hygiene habits early is key to a lifetime of healthy smiles. The trick is making dental care engaging, playful, and age-appropriate—so brushing becomes part of your child’s routine in the most positive way possible. Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you turn brushing and flossing into a fun, rewarding experience for your kids. Let [...]

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and wished your smile were brighter, straighter, or more balanced, a smile makeover consultation might be exactly what you need. Whether you're dealing with chipped teeth, discoloration, gaps, or just want a more confident look, a smile makeover can transform not only your teeth—but the way you feel about yourself. At Pickett Family Dental in Keller, TX, we believe that the best smile makeovers begin with a thoughtful, in-depth consultation. This initial appointment is the first step toward creating a smile that’s tailored to your goals, your lifestyle, and your natural features. Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after your consultation—and why so many patients say they wish they had [...]

For many families, life moves fast. Between school, work, sports, and everything in between, it’s easy to let certain appointments slide—especially ones that don’t seem urgent. But when it comes to your family’s health, biannual dental checkups are not something you want to postpone. These twice-a-year visits are essential for preventing problems before they start, keeping your teeth healthy, and ensuring everyone in your household maintains a bright, confident smile. At Pickett Family Dental in Keller, TX, we believe preventive care is the most important part of dentistry. Skipping checkups may save time in the short term, but it often leads to bigger issues (and bigger bills) down the road. Here's why those biannual appointments should always stay on [...]

When it comes to creating a flawless smile, cosmetic dentistry offers several options to enhance your teeth’s appearance. Two of the most popular solutions are veneers and dental bonding. Both can fix chipped, discolored, uneven, or slightly misaligned teeth—but they’re not interchangeable. Understanding the key differences between veneers and bonding will help you make the best choice for your goals, lifestyle, and budget. At Pickett Family Dental in Keller, TX, we specialize in helping patients choose the right cosmetic dental treatment for their unique smile. Let’s break down the pros, cons, and ideal candidates for veneers and bonding so you can make an informed decision. What Are Veneers? Veneers are thin, custom-made shells of porcelain or composite [...]

Imagine being able to replace an entire arch of missing teeth with just four strategically placed dental implants. That's the heart of the All-on-4 technique. It's an innovative alternative to traditional dentures, suitable for both the upper and lower jaws. The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. By placing two implants at the front and two at the back of your jaw, angled for maximum support, All-on-4 offers a stable and secure foundation for your new smile. One of the standout features of All-on-4 is the possibility of immediate loading. This means that on the same day as your surgery, you can walk out of the dentist's office with a full set of temporary teeth [...]

Oral cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, but early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Many people overlook the early warning signs, dismissing them as minor dental issues. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking professional evaluation can make a crucial difference in survival rates. At Pickett Family Dental, we conduct oral cancer screenings as part of routine dental exams to ensure that any concerning changes are identified as early as possible. What is Oral Cancer? Oral cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the mouth, tongue, gums, cheeks, lips, and throat. It can develop in anyone, but certain lifestyle factors and medical conditions increase the risk. The disease can spread rapidly if not caught [...]

Here in the United States, less than half of all adults have all of their natural permanent teeth. Once you reach the age range of 40 to 64, that number drops to under one-third. Nearly one in five adults over the age of 65 are edentulous or missing all of their natural teeth. The most common reason for this is tooth decay and dental carries. Losing even one tooth can make you feel self-conscious and affect your jaw, facial structure, eating, and even speaking clearly. Thankfully, there are several tooth replacement options to fit your personal need. The main teeth replacment options are: Dental implants Same-day dental crowns and bridges Implant-supported dentures Partial dentures Complete [...]

When it comes to protecting your teeth from cavities, brushing and flossing are essential—but even with the best oral hygiene habits, certain areas of your teeth can still be vulnerable. That’s where dental sealants come in. This simple, painless treatment provides an extra layer of protection against decay, especially for children and teens. At Pickett Family Dental in Keller, TX, we recommend dental sealants as an effective way to prevent cavities and maintain long-term oral health. Here’s everything you need to know about this quick and effective preventive treatment. What are Dental Sealants? Dental Sealants are thin, plastic materials that are bonded to the pits and fissures or affected areas of our teeth. It forms a protective [...]

Implant-retained dentures are one of the best options for replacing teeth. While we typically recommend implant-supported dentures over implant-retained dentures, implant retained dentures provide some of the benefits associated with implants while reducing the cost closer to that of dentures. Dentures are usually the most affordable way to replace missing teeth, especially when most, if not all of the patients teeth are missing. However, there are a lot of disadvantages of traditional dentures. Disadvantages of Traditional Dentures Dentures shift often Known for causing mouth sores Usually require dental adhesives Eating tough and sticky foods can be a problem Trouble speaking clearly Dentures can always fall out Maintenance and daily cleaning With all these disadvantages, [...]