Friendly Dental Tips and Guidance

Sometimes your teeth need something a little more than a normal cleaning. This is primarily needed when plaque has been able to build up and then harden to form tartar. The main difference between a regular dental cleaning and a deep dental cleaning is what area is being cleaned. A deep clean typically involves removing plaque and tartar below the gum line whereas a normal cleaning is at, and above the gum line. A deep cleaning may be required in order to prevent the development of gum disease, also known as periodontitis. When gum disease starts going below the gum line, the bacteria can get into the periodontal pockets around your teeth. This can lead to receding [...]

I’m an FAGD dentist! What does that mean for you and your family? FAGD stands for Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. Earning Fellowship takes dedication to dental continuing education (CE) beyond graduation. Only about 6 percent of general dentists in the U.S. and Canada are AGD Fellows. When you see a dentist with FAGD after their name, you can rest assured that they care about knowing the latest techniques and best practices in dentistry. AGD Fellows practice these techniques in a classroom setting multiple times a year — not every dentist does this. To become an AGD Fellow, a dentist must: Complete over 500 credit hours of CE. Earn 350 of those 500 credits in live courses. [...]

Did you know that there are different types of dental cleanings? While you and even your dentist may refer to it as just a dental cleaning, there are specific names for different types of cleaning. Knowing these types and what they entail is important so you know what kind of dental services you are getting. If you are unsure, your dentist can easily explain to you about the dental services you are receiving. Prophylaxis Cleaning Prophylaxis is defined as an action taken to prevent disease, especially by specified means or against a specified disease. A prophylaxis cleaning is what is also referred to as just a normal dental cleaning. This is the recommended biannual cleaning to have for [...]

Sprained Tooth Syndrome is caused by strong bilateral opposing vector forces from opposing sides of the ligaments that support the tooth to become stretched and inflamed to the point of creating chronic pain and discomfort for the patient. Strained tooth syndrome is different than simply biting too hard on a hard or tough food and hurting it momentarily. If the pain and discomfort subsides afterwards, then it isn't strained. However, if you notice a dull ache, pain, or soreness when chewing or in your gum pockets along with temperature sensitivity and occasional headaches there could be a sprained tooth. Obviously, it's easiest to check for cavities and other problems by taking x-rays, temperature tests, percuss, [...]

Dry mouth or Xerostomia is a condition where your mouth produces a deficient volume of saliva. This effect on the salivary gland can be a perfect opportunity for bacteria to grow. Ask yourself these questions to see if you may be experiencing symptoms of Xerostomia: Do you feel dehydrated most of the time? Do you always have a dry and sticky feeling in your mouth? Have you been having an altered sense of taste? Do you have bad breath? Are you experiencing sore throat? Most adults have or will suffer from dry mouth during their lifetime. While it may seem not to be a sign of anything serious, it should not be taken [...]

If you're looking for a dentist that accepts Delta Dental in Keller, TX or nearby you and you're in Southlake, Grapevine, Watauga, Fort Worth, or any other nearby city then Pickett Family Dental is an amazing dental office that can provide dental care whil allowing you to use your dental benefits. What Kind of Dental Insurance is Delta? Delta Dental is a PPO or a fee-for-service plan that allows plan members to visit any licensed dentist, anywhere, including Pickett Family Dental in Keller, TX. Is Delta Dental Good Insurance? According to Trusted Choice, Delta Dental was given a 3 out of 5 star rating. The major complaint of Delta Dental is the one-size-fits-all policy. IT's been [...]

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. [...]

Lip Tie Laser Surgery: Get It Fixed, Fast. If you've recently had a baby, you may have noticed while breastfeeding that your baby has a lip tie. This is especially noticeable if your little one isn't latching well and it hurts! If you're noticing any difficulties, flip that upper lip up and check for a lip tie that looks like a thick divider that connects the upper lip to the gums. If this is the case, then your baby has a lip tie and needs lip tie laser surgery (a.k.a. frenectomy) immediately. What is a Frenectomy? A frenectomy is a quick procedure that we offer at Pickett Family Dental that can involve lip tie removal [...]

Sometimes when we have a patient that comes in to our Keller, TX dental office, the patient may need an in depth dental cleaning prior to a typical prophylaxis cleaning. This service is called a debridement and may help new dental patients or those that haven't been to the dentist in years to understand what to expect when visiting the dentist after a long period of time. First off, don't be alarmed or worried that something painful or uncomfortable is required to clean up your teeth. Our dental hygienists are legitimately (our opinion) the best in Texas and trust me we've seen patients with teeth in more dire need of care than yours walk out happy and smiling. [...]

Dental prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed by a dental hygienist to thoroughly clean the teeth. Prophylaxis helps stop the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis in order to reach a maintenance care level of daily oral hygiene. Preventing Gingivitis with Prophylaxis Gingivitis, periodontal disease, and pericoronitis occur when bacteria from plaque aren't cleaned from the teeth and gums completely on a regular basis and have the time to grow and harden. Gum disease becomes a problem because bacteria reach between the gums and the teeth and cause further damage including gum recession and gum loss. It also causes terribly bad breath. These bacterial colonies cause inflammation and irritation which can create a systemic chronic inflammatory response [...]