Friendly Dental Tips and Guidance

You're familiar with hearing from the dentist that dentists clean off plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums that builds up over time. But, what are they exactly? How are plaque and tartar different? And, of course, how can you prevent them from developing on your teeth and gums? What is Plaque? Dental plaque is a pale yellow biofilm that is soft and sticky that develops on your teeth when food, fluids, and saliva combine with bacteria on your teeth that produce acids and feed off of sugar in your diet. These acids attack your tooth enamel which is the outer layer of your teeth made of a mineral composition that protects the teeth. Plaque buildup [...]

If you're suffering with a dental problem, your Keller Dentist should be your first call. But what if you find yourself with a dental problem outside of normal dental office hours such as on a holiday, weekend, or at night? If you have a severe dental problem that can't wait until normal office hours, you need an emergency dentist or you might possibly need to go to the emergency room. While you're in a rush to make a decision, here's something things to consider: How to Know if it’s a Dental Emergency What Isn’t a Dental Emergency Common Dental Emergencies How to Avoid Potential Emergencies Recognizing dental emergencies is something all adults should prepare for [...]

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and have had the surprise of noticing that one of your teeth is suddenly gray, you were probably shocked and wondered what could cause such a thing. Graying of teeth can happen over time or more suddenly, and at first you might question if your teeth are actually turning color or if you’re just imagining that they are. Unfortunately, it is not terribly uncommon to experience discoloration of a tooth. There are a few reasons for this: Trauma causing discoloration to a single tooth or a few teeth in the same area Issues with tooth development Staining either internally or externally Discoloration due to aging and enamel thinning There are cases where [...]

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 [...]