Dentistry Blog

For those who haven't heard, we had some flooding at our office a week ago. While we're sad to be out of our office for the next few weeks, we're working on replacing and upgrading our equipment to the latest, most advanced dental technology and equipment available to us. Our restoration effort will be quick and we'll make sure to keep you updated during the process with updates posts here and on social media. Read the following update as of July 15th, 2019 on our Keller, TX dental office restoration: #RebuildPickettFamilyDental Update July 15th, 2019 While Pickett Family Dental is temporarily being restored and remodeled, we're making major upgrades and improvements to our dental [...]

Bad dental habits are a dime a dozen, and most people are unaware that they do them or of the consequences they have to their overall dental health. Some of them are common nervous habits, such as biting your nails. If you want to know if you have any bad dental habits that you need to kick, then ask yourself the following questions: Do you bite your nails? Do you chew gums? Nail Biting and Dental Damage Nails are harder than you might think and can cause quite a bit of damage over time to your pearly white teeth, even to the point of micro fractures, chipped, and cracked teeth. Over time, chewing on [...]

Tooth decay in children has become a growing problem, where the tooth enamel is destroyed and cavities form. Tooth decay happens over time, and it can be pretty simple to prevent with less than 10 minutes a day of maintenance. Daily oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing can make a world of difference in preventative pediatric dentistry. In fact, tooth decay is the #1 chronic childhood disease and early preventative care can protect children from a world of dental problems in the future! Childhood Tooth Decay and a Solution According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 43% of children ages 2-11 have had dental caries (tooth decay) and 23% of [...]

Multiple Missing Teeth If you have multiple missing teeth, it can feel quite daunting to face the dentist. At Pickett Family Dental we've seen plenty of patients that suffer from dental anxiety and some are even just uncomfortable with the way their teeth look after years without dental cleanings, exams, and regular dental care. With multiple missing teeth however, there are repercussions to not being seen by a trusted dentist. The bony structures within the face can undergo quite a few changes, causing slight disfigurements and sagging faces. If you have missing teeth and you want to feel like yourself again, then Dr. Tyson Pickett is the expert to trust in cosmetic dentistry in Keller, TX. [...]

Summary of Oral Cancer Screenings An Oral Cancer Screening is a specific examination that we perform at Pickett Family Dental preferably at least once a year to look signs of cancer in your mouth. By performing oral cancer screenings regularly, you as the patient have a much better chance of getting the cancer removed and finding a cure. While it's obviously optimal to have a cancer screening at every appointment, it's usually fine to have your mouth checked for oral cancer signs once a year. This can change depending upon family history and your personal genetics and history with cancer. Just because you receive an oral cancer screening doesn't mean that you're guaranteed to not have [...]

There have been a growing number of patients that ask us to explain why fluoride is important in preventing cavities and to the entirety of oral health. So, in this blog we'll discuss how helpful fluoride is in protecting teeth from cavities and defending the mouth against bacteria, plaque, and gum disease. Fluoride: An Overview of Oral Support Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral compound found in water from the weathering of rocks and atmospheric emissions. It's been found to be extremely helpful in in protecting teeth from cavities and supporting good overall oral health. If you're trying to prevent cavities in adults or children, fluoride can assist in protecting the enamel on the outer surface [...]

Red, swollen gums are an extremely common symptom of a deeper underlying cause. Most likely, you have gingivitis, gum disease, or even periodontitis. All of these stem from one tiny issue: bacteria and plaque buildup. But, that tiny place where the plaque begins to grow can cause exponentially more damage than its tiny little self belies. If you're noticing red, swollen gums, especially after brushing or flossing your teeth, then you should visit your Keller, TX dentist. Symptoms Connected to Red and Swollen Gums changes in the way teeth fit together on biting, or in the fit of partial dentures formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums gums that bleed during and after [...]

Do you have sore, swollen or bleeding gums while flossing? When we think about dental health, our minds usually go straight to teeth, cavities, whiteness vs. yellowness, and sometimes finally gum health. Gums however, are usually the first indicator of oral health and can have an impact on your overall well-being. If you notice that your gums begin to bleed while brushing or flossing your teeth, then that's a sign of gum disease and possibly other gum problems. If you notice your gums are bleeding early on before the damage worsens, then you can prevent periodontitis and gum recession. How to Brush Your Teeth In order to properly brush your teeth, it's important to avoid [...]

Grinding your teeth (a.k.a. Bruxism) is fairly common for many people and while if it only happens on occasion it's not detrimental. Grinding your teeth frequently though can cause damage to the teeth and other oral health complications. If you've woken up in the morning with jaw pain or notice yourself stressed and clenching your teeth, then you might need to request a dental appointment to make sure your teeth haven't been damaged. Why Do I Grind My Teeth? It’s a general rule of thumb that if you’re grinding your teeth during the day (and often at night) that it’s due to stress and anxiety. If you suffer from bruxism during your sleep it [...]

Have you ever had the question, "Do I really need to go to the dentist?" Or, maybe you've asked, "Is it necessary to go to the dentist twice annually?" Then there's the self-comforting, "Well my teeth and gums don't hurt." If any of these questions sounds like you, we'd like to share with you why we and most dentists recommend you come back in 6 months. By the way, not everyone gets that same recommendation. If you have a higher chance of getting gum disease or tooth decay, then we'll usually recommend a shorter time period. Possibly even 3 months! The History of the 6 Month Dental Recall The story goes that back in [...]

Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue that envelops the teeth deteriorates or is otherwise pulled back. When this happens, your teeth are dangerously exposed. Gum recession can get to a level where even the roots of your teeth are exposed. The process of gum recession begins when gaps between the gum and teeth are developed, allowing bacteria to build up and cause dental diseases. Because the process of gum recession is slow and gradual, many sufferers of this common condition are unaware that their gums are receding. However, if left unchecked the surrounding tissues and bone structures that make up the teeth and gum will be significantly damaged. With enough damage, your teeth will start to fall out. It [...]

It is a common saying among dentists that the most crucial part of dental care occurs at home. The fact of the matter is that proper brushing and flossing habits, in addition to regular checkups at the dentist, prevent tooth decay and gingivitis/periodontitis (gum disease). We know it can be a hassle, especially when you're running late for work or you just want to go straight to bed and not have to worry about anything else. But the inconvenience of brushing and flossing your teeth each day is insignificant when compared to having to face a dentist's drill. The American Dentist Association (ADA) suggests that you brush two times a day. Your toothbrush should be soft-bristled [...]

Yesterday on February 1st, 2019 the CDC released a morbidity and mortality weekly report to let parents know that your kids might be using too much toothpaste, and it can be dangerous for their enamel and oral health. While fluoride toothpaste is important to prevent tooth decay, many children also get fluoride in the water they drink. Because of this, the CDC says that until the age of six, children shouldn't use more than a pea size of toothpaste on their toothbrush. For kids younger than three years, less than the size of a grain of rice is plenty. CDC Report states children using WAY more than a pea size of toothpaste According to [...]

Dentists recommend using a toothpaste that at the very least has fluoride in it, as this is the main ingredient that prevents cavities. From there, dentists recommend picking toothpastes that have ingredients that fit the particular needs of your teeth. Maybe your teeth are very sensitive compared to other people, or perhaps you want to emphasize whitening your teeth. Whatever your goals and concerns are, you'll want to pick the right toothpaste for the right job. In this article, we'll go over the top toothpaste for each of these categories: Sensitive - If you experience discomfort when brushing, look into this toothpaste. Whitening - Pick this toothpaste if you have stained or yellow teeth and want a [...]

New Lockheed Martin Employee's There's been a large influx of Lockheed Martin employee's into the Keller / Fort Worth area with the new projects and growth happening there. We want to extend a warm welcome and help Lockheed Martin's employee's with dental insurance or not to the area by opening our dental office doors to you. If you need a dental cleaning, have sore gums, a chipped tooth, or even if you need dental implants we guarantee the absolute best care with the friendliest staff in Keller, TX! We look forward to welcoming you to the DFW area! Current Lockheed Martin Employee's Many of us get into habits of seeing the same dentist our [...]

What exactly does a dental hygienist do? Dental hygienists mainly focus on preventative dental healthcare, particularly in the removing of plaque and the preventing and treating of gum disease. Dental Hygienists like Joanie here at Pickett Family Dental are the professional teeth cleaning experts that you see at each regular tooth cleaning. Dental hygienists remove plaque and when necessary, tartar, then polish your teeth to help prevent plaque from building up again. However, their main goal is to help you understand the best way to keep your teeth clean during the next 6 months until your next dental appointment. Plaque is the sticky coating that builds up over time without the proper care, and since no one wants [...]

Smooth teeth indicates that your dental hygiene techniques are successful in removing the plaque or tartar from your teeth. One way to check the smoothness of your teeth is by using the Tongue Test. This intuitive test uses your tongue to check your teeth at the gum line to see if the surfaces are smooth and slick for each tooth. The easiest place to start this test is your upper front teeth, as they are the most accessible for most people. Next you should try to test the more difficult regions, including the lower back teeth on the inside. Another test you can do at home is the Floss Check Test. In this test you [...]

What Is Gum Disease? Gum disease also known as periodontitis occurs when there is an infection of the gum tissue that holds your teeth in place due to poor brushing and flossing habits that allow bacteria and plaque to harden on the teeth, causing severe inflammation (gingivitis). If you think you might have gingivitis, or worse, periodontitis, then you should contact your Keller, TX dentist immediately by calling (817) 431-5514. Signs of Gum Disease Did you know more than 50% of people suffer from gum disease and don't even know it? That's right. Periodontitis can be painless and without noticeable symptoms, causing inflammation and decay in and around your teeth. That's why it's important [...]

Dental Deep Cleaning Dental deep cleaning, also called root scaling and planing (SRP), is a procedure that has been around for a long time. Our dental hygienists will use an ultrasonic instrument or manual scaling tools to remove the plaque (tartar) on the surface of the enamel under the gums that cause chronic irritation and bone loss. This procedure is different from regular cleaning which only cleans along the gum line. Deep cleaning also targets the roots of your teeth to make the cementum on the surface smoother. This will help keep plaque from forming in spaces that are uneven. Why do dentists do deep cleaning? Is it really necessary? Deep Cleaning is a [...]

This is for those who love the hilarious TV show, The Office that aired from 2005 to 2013 here in the United States. In the episode, "The Coup", we can recall that Dwight tells Michael, his boss at the paper company "Dunder Mifflin", that he's going to the dentist one morning.However, rather than going to the dentist, Dwight attempts to steal his boss's position by going over his head to Jan Levinson. She then calls Michael, reprimanding him to get control of his employees. What's Your Dentists' Name? CrentistWhen Dwight gets back to the office after a few hours, Michael sets a trap for him by offering him peanut M&M's with a simple, yet direct "Hey [...]

Most of us can find areas to improve with our daily dental hygiene, and there's no better time to begin making those changes than today. We at Pickett Family Dental hope at the very least you're already brushing your teeth daily with a fluoride toothpaste. But proper dental care includes more than those two minutes a day. Yes, we said two minutes per teeth brushing, and many toothbrushes now come with built in timers to help you brush for the full time. So, to celebrate with new focus and effort, we've put together a list of to-do's to add to your dental hygiene toolkit. What You Can Do To Improve Your Dental Hygiene Brush 2-3 [...]

What are Implant Overdentures? Patients who are missing multiple or all their teeth typically worry about their replacement teeth slipping, loosening, and falling out while eating or talking on a day-to-day basis. While there are adhesives and creams available to help secure the dentures, implant overdentures can provide a more permanent solution. Implant overdentures at Pickett Family Dental can help stabilize and secure teeth, allowing the patient to feel more comfortable as they go throughout their day-to-day life. How Do Implant Supported Dentures Work? While dental implants and dentures both offer options for replacing missing teeth, the process can be combined to maximize the patient's comfort and functionality. At Pickett Family Dental, we specialize in being [...]

For more than 70 years studies have shown that fluoride is important in preventing tooth decay and cavities, especially in children ages 2 to 17. Recently, according to Dental Products Report, researchers associated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry set out to examine the results with children in ages 2-8 and 6-17 with noticeable results of 12 to 30% fewer cavities and tooth decay in those who consistently drank water containing fluoride. NBCI also shared a report of experts questioning the use of fluoride-free toothpaste by the Associated Press showing that without fluoride, there is no added protection to avoiding tooth decay. These studies together, support and show [...]

Wondering what you should do if your tooth filling falls out? First thing to keep in mind is to relax and stay calm. Fillings can fall out and it's not uncommon, although it can be quite surprising. If it happens while eating and you feel something hard that shouldn't be there, just be sure not to accidentally swallow it. Now that you're past the scary part, the next step is simple: Call the Dentist. We're open 5 days a week and we are happy to assist with emergency filling replacements and even temporary fillings if it's especially bad timing and you need a quick fix. How Did My Filling Fall Out? Fillings are [...]