Dental Bonding

Patients in Greenville, TX with cracks or gaps in their teeth are turning to dental bonding to restore their smile. Dr. Christopher Emuedue of Greenville Family Dentistry has become the go-to local dentist for bonding procedures. Unlike veneers, which are manufactured in a laboratory and require a customized mold, bonding can be done in a single visit.

Dental bonding is not just used to repair teeth that are cracked or damaged, it is also used to repair decayed teeth, improve discoloration of teeth and even change the shape of teeth. The procedure for dental bonding is non-invasive and quite simple. Patients are not required to be sedated for the procedure. Dr. Emuedue will utilize a shade guide in the beginning to match the resin color to the natural color of your teeth so it looks perfectly natural.

After selecting the proper shade, Dr. Emuedue will begin the bonding process. It begins with abrading or roughening the surface of the tooth. The tooth will then be coated lightly with a conditioning liquid. This liquid will help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. Once the tooth is prepared, Dr. Emuedue will simply apply the tooth-colored putty and mold it to the proper shape and size. The material is then hardened with an ultraviolet light. The final step is polishing the area to give you a fresh, vibrant smile. The bonding process typically takes 30 minutes to an hour. When it comes to maintenance, bonded teeth should be treated just as your regular teeth. They can be stained by tea, coffee and cigarettes just as normal teeth so regular brushing and flossing is highly recommended.

If you are interested in this affordable, effective dental procedure, set up an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue by calling (903) 455-6701. For more information on dental bonding or any other procedures at Greenville Family Dentistry, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com.

Diet and Dental Health

To prevent cavities and maintain good oral health, your diet – what you eat and how often you eat are important factors. Changes in your mouth start the minute you eat certain foods. This is why it’s important to make sure that you are eating the right ones. Dr. Christopher Emuedue may not be able to monitor your diet, but he can tell you how yours affects your dental health and what foods to eat to keep those teeth healthy.

Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars and carbohydrates from the foods you eat to acids, and it’s these acids that begin to attack the enamel on teeth, starting the decay process. The more often you eat and snack, the more frequently you are exposing your teeth to the cycle of decay. The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts, and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth.  Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits and vegetables. These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of sugars they contain, and stimulate saliva flow that helps wash away harmful acids.

For more information about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Smoking and Your Oral Health

Mark Twain once said, “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.” It’s not easy, but if you’re a smoker, you’ve seen the warning on cigarette packages that advise against quitting because it reduces serious risks to your health. Sure enough, studies have found that tobacco use may be one of the biggest risk factors in the development of periodontal disease. At Greenville Family Dentistry, we can’t force you to put the pack down, but we can tell you how smoking affects your oral health.

Smoking and other tobacco products can lead to gum disease by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. More specifically, it appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. This interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections and seems to impair blood flow to the gums which can affect wound healing. Tobacco’s greatest threat to your oral health in addition to periodontal disease is its association with oral cancer. Quitting is the only way to decrease your risk of tobacco-related health problems.

For more information about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Taking Care of Baby Teeth

Daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant’s first tooth appears. However, to help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry recommends regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sweet things, like formula, are in contact with the teeth. To help prevent it, do not put your child to bed with a bottle of formula or a sugary drink.

Many parents think baby teeth aren’t important because they’re eventually replaced with permanent ones. However, these first teeth preserve the spacing for the permanent ones and help your baby chew and talk. If not cared for properly they can decay, leading to a gum infection called gingivitis, which can affect the spacing of permanent teeth. As soon as teeth erupt, you can start using a bit of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. You can increase this to a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when your child is three-years-old. Brush gently all around your child’s baby teeth using a soft brush. You should brush your baby’s teeth until he or she is old enough to hold the toothbrush themselves.

If your child is old enough for a dental exam, please give us a call. For more information about pediatric services in addition to other services we provide at the practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Dangers of Dental Plaque

Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches), are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This is why it’s important to schedule regular dental checkups twice a year with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry, to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

When left untreated, plaque buildup leads to gum disease. The first sign of gum disease is gingivitis and you’ll know you have it when you spot blood in the sink after brushing your teeth. Gum disease has been linked to conditions such as diabetes, dementia, as well as cardiovascular disease. We want you to stay as healthy as possible, so to keep plaque under control, brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. In addition, use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

If you are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. For more information about oral health as well as the services we provide at the practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Vitamin D Can Protect Your Teeth

At Greenville Family Dentistry, we want you to hang on to your permanent teeth for a lifetime and if you’ve been supplementing your diet with foods that contain Vitamin D, then you’re more likely to do just that. You are more likely to get your source of vitamin D from drinking milk and exposing yourself to the sun, but how does the vitamin itself protect your teeth?

Studies have shown that vitamin D decreases bone loss and improves tooth retention and that dental cavities or decay can actually increase if vitamin D levels drop. There are three vitamin D super foods: salmon, mackerel, and mushrooms. Other food sources of vitamin D include cod liver oil, tuna canned in water and sardines. For those who don’t like fish, you can get your vitamin D supplement from milk, yogurt, beef, egg yolks and cheese.

For more information about oral health as well as the services we provide at the office, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Causes and Treatment for Sensitive Teeth

 

The good news is that sensitive teeth can be prevented by scheduling regular dental checkups at Greenville Family Dentistry, the bad news is that your teeth are likely unhealthy if they are already sensitive. You get sensitive teeth when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath, called the dentin. This can happen if you brush too hard, develop gingivitis, grind your teeth or use tooth whitening products. 

In healthy teeth, a layer of enamel protects the crowns of your teeth – the part above the gum line. Under the gum line a layer called cementum protects the tooth root. Under both of these layers is the dentin which is less dense than enamel and cementum and contains microscopic tubules. When dentin loses its protective covering, these tubules allow heat and cold or acidic and sticky foods to reach the nerves inside the tooth, resulting in hypersensitivity. The type of treatment will depend on what is causing the sensitivity, but practicing a good oral hygiene routine and brushing with a desensitizing American Dental Association (ADA) approved toothpaste should help reduce pain in the nerve. 

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call. For more information about oral health as well as the services we provide at the office, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

The good news is that sensitive teeth can be prevented by scheduling regular dental checkups at Greenville Family Dentistry, the bad news is that your teeth are likely unhealthy if they are already sensitive. You get sensitive teeth when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath, called the dentin. This can happen if you brush too hard, develop gingivitis, grind your teeth or use tooth whitening products.

In healthy teeth, a layer of enamel protects the crowns of your teeth – the part above the gum line. Under the gum line, a layer called cementum protects the tooth root. Under both of these layers is the dentin which is less dense than enamel and cementum and contains microscopic tubules. When dentin loses its protective covering, these tubules allow heat and cold or acidic and sticky foods to reach the nerves inside the tooth, resulting in hypersensitivity. The type of treatment will depend on what is causing the sensitivity, but practicing a good oral hygiene routine and brushing with a desensitizing American Dental Association (ADA) approved toothpaste should help reduce pain in the nerve.

 

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call. For more information about oral health as well as the services we provide at the office, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.