Bruxism is a condition wherein the patient has a habit of grinding their teeth while sleeping. This can be caused by excess amounts of stress and it is harder to control because the patient is unaware of it. The risk is increased if you have misaligned dentition. Most people with this problem are not able to completely relax and often exhibit poor posture. Research has also shown that bruxism is linked to imbalanced diets and the lack of sleep. Other reported symptoms are anxiety, depression and tension. The patient will also report having insomnia in most cases. The problem is typically more mental than physical.

TMJ problems in general are a result of many different factors. Malocclusion is the common cause of temporomandibular joint issues. If the person favors one side of the mouth for chewing, this can lead to pain due to the lack of balance. This is common in people with periodontal problems or cavities that are sensitive to hot and cold foods. Visit your family dentist right away if you have any of these problems.

A blow to the TMJ can also lead to pain in the area. The patient must have an x-ray to determine if there are any fractures. The hairline fracture is hard to detect and it can cause complications if left untreated.

Many TMJ problems arise because the patient enjoys foods that are hard to chew. Sticky and hard food like steaks and candy are common culprits. These type of food should be consumed in small quantities to avoid pain in the temporomandibular joint area.

Bruxism and other TMJ disorders can be treated. However, prevention is better than cure. Visit Dr. De Paoli regularly to avoid these conditions. Call 972-668-3680 to schedule your next visit.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a condition caused by many possible reasons and it is an embarrassing problem to have. Many people who suffer from it invest in breath spray and mints, but Ernest De Paoli, your Frisco dentist, wants you to understand that the foul smell can be caused by many factors. This is not a disease but a noticeable symptom of a systemic condition in most cases.

Halitosis can occur because of poor oral hygiene, medication, diet, lactose intolerance, periodontal problems, diabetes and even GERD. Tobacco use and xerostomia, or dry mouth, are also possible reasons.

If you fail to have your teeth cleaned regularly by your dentist or have poor oral hygiene, plaque is expected to build up and this provides a great medium for bacteria to hang on to. Those who do not brush or floss properly experience tooth loss, gum disease, caries and bad breath.

Your dentist would also like you to know that the food you eat can cause bad breath. Foods and beverages with overpowering odors like coffee, onions, garlic, and some types of cheese or spices are absorbed into your bloodstream and then transferred to the lungs. In addition, patients on a diet that is low in carbohydrates produce ketones, which can also be a cause of bad breath.

Medical conditions like pharyngitis, tonsillitis, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Sjorgen’s syndrome, rhinitis and even liver or kidney disease can cause this embarrassing condition to manifest. These medical problems have to be resolved by a physician so that the problem will go away.

Dental appliances and dentures need to be cleaned regularly. When food gets stuck in their crevices, halitosis can develop. People with braces who have poor oral hygiene are prone to bad breath and periodontal problems. This is why patients are urged to brush and floss regularly to avoid tooth loss and cavities.

Since the cause of the problem may differ, the most you can do is maintain excellent oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly. If the problem persists accompanied by other signs and symptoms, visit your physician right away.

To learn more about this condition and to schedule your next exam, please call the office of Dr. De Paoli at 972-668-3680.

The seemingly innocent film of bacteria can cause irreparable damage if left to fester in your oral cavity. It thrives on your carbohydrate intake. The bacteria multiply and excrete acidic matter. This causes a degeneration of your enamel and dentin. When your dentinal tubules are open, the bacterium will be able to enter your tooth and this leads to caries formation.

If carious lesions or cavities are left untreated, the bacteria will be capable of entering your tooth’s pulp chamber, which will cause sensitivity. Your dentist might need to perform root canal treatment to save the tooth structure.

You can prevent this from happening by improving your oral hygiene. Remember to brush after each meal. The cervical third of the tooth must be given special attention. Floss the areas in between teeth and invest in fissure sealants if you have pits that are too tiny for the usual toothbrush bristle to enter. Depending on the rate of caries incidence, visit your dentist regularly for cleaning and scaling. Those who are more prone to periodontal disease must make it a point to schedule more dental visits to control the problem.

Gum disease is also caused by plaque build-up. Some people are genetically predisposed to this. In order to prevent the onset of tooth loss, they need to be more vigilant where oral hygiene is concerned. Your oral cavity is the dirtiest part of your body.

Contact the office of Dr. Ernest De Paoli, your dentist serving Frisco, to schedule your next exam and to learn more about home-care tips and tricks that can delay or prevent tooth loss.

Dental stains can be caused by many factors. Red wine, nicotine, caffeine, fluorosis and tetracycline are the most common reasons why people seek teeth bleaching treatments. Aside from being safe, this procedure can be administered to patients who are 13 years of age and older. The solution or gel that is used is nontoxic, plus the patient has the option to perform it at home.

Teeth whitening in Frisco can be performed in the dental office and produce significant results. People were once apprehensive about getting your dentition bleached because they believed that it might cause medical complications. With the innovations in technology, teeth whitening procedures are now safe and produce beautiful results that are guaranteed to last.

Your dentist can perform in-office bleaching that is cured using both heat and light. Instead of waiting for hours, this speedy procedure will only require 30 minutes to one hour of your time. The patient will instantly see drastic results. Those with stubborn stains due to nicotine, tea or tetracycline will require at least one more visit to the dentist. The results of this aggressive yet safe bleaching treatment usually lasts for a number of years and can be prolonged by adhering to proper oral hygiene techniques.

If you would rather bleach your teeth at home, your dentist will make a custom mold of your teeth. The tray will be used to hold the bleaching solution. Since it is custom-made, you will never have to worry about the bleach leaking out. Once the gel is put in the mold, you will be instructed to wear the tray for two to three hours everyday. This must be done for two to three weeks. The gentle solution will produce whiter results with little to no side effects.

Our dental bleaching techniques are the safest options to get the dazzling white teeth that you have always wanted. For further questions about both procedures, do not hesitate to call Advanced Smiles at 972-668-3680 and obtain more information.

Dental Veneers

In the past, the most successful way to deal with gaps between the teeth was through orthodontic procedures. This approach takes a long time, is expensive, and can be uncomfortable. More recently, though, dental veneers are being used to close small gaps between the teeth.

Dental veneers are thin shells made of porcelain. These shells are affixed to the front surfaces of the teeth with a special bonding agent that makes them strong and durable. Better yet, veneers are custom made and color matched so that they look just like your natural teeth. The porcelain used to make veneers also reflects light just like natural enamel, giving your teeth a natural-looking luminescence.

Other Treatment Options

If you have wide gaps between your teeth, orthodontic treatment might still be your best option. Invisalign offers an alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign can correct minor misalignment and minor gaps that cannot be treated easily with dental veneers. Invisalign treatment provides nearly invisible orthodontic treatment with clear plastic trays that gradually move your teeth into the proper position.

The best treatment to correct the gaps between your teeth will depend upon how large the gaps are and what you want your smile to look like when treatment is complete. A consultation with Dr. De Paoli will help you to determine your long-term goals, as well as decide what approach will help you achieve those goals.

If you would like to learn more about how dental veneers in Frisco can close gaps between your teeth to achieve a perfect smile, please contact our office to schedule a visit.

Using fluoride is one of the most important elements of successful dental care. Fluoride helps keep the teeth strong and prevents decay. In addition to everyday brushing with fluoride toothpaste, it is also important to have regular fluoride treatments offered by Dr. De Paoli, a family dentist serving Frisco.

How Fluoride Works

Fluoride helps protect the teeth in several different ways. First, it helps strengthen the teeth by repairing damaged enamel. When enamel is damaged by bacteria, the enamel becomes demineralized, making it weaker. Fluoride helps remineralize the enamel, ensuring that the teeth remain strong. Although fluoride cannot reverse the effects of decay once it begins, it can keep decay from developing by strengthening the teeth in this way.

Fluoride may also actually keep bacteria from growing on the teeth. Although this theory is not yet proven, evidence suggests that fluoride might inhibit bacteria from growing and spreading over the surfaces of the teeth, or might cause bacteria to produce less acid. Acidic byproducts of bacterial activity are what erode the teeth and cause decay. So fluoride might reduce tooth decay in this way, as well as by strengthening the teeth.

Fluoride at Home and at the Dentist’s Office

To ensure that your teeth remain strong, it is important to use fluoride toothpaste at home. Although many cities now add fluoride to their drinking water, this fluoride exposure is not sufficient to keep the teeth healthy. Direct contact with the teeth is important for fluoride to work efficiently. Ask your family dentist to recommend a good fluoride toothpaste or, if necessary, a fluoride rinse for added protection.

Your family dentist might also apply fluoride to your teeth during regular office visits. Typically, a dentist will recommend that fluoride be applied about once a year. Why is this fluoride treatment necessary in addition to regular brushing? Professionally applied fluoride provides a stronger fluoride solution, meaning that it is more effective in protecting your teeth.

If you have any questions about fluoride treatment and how it can help your teeth, please contact Advanced Smiles at 972-668-3680 for an appointment.

The First Part of Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign treatment starts with a consultation and assessment to see how much your teeth need to be moved, how long it will take for the teeth to shift, and what your smile will look like when treatment is complete. This consultation will help you decide whether to pursue treatment with Invisalign, or if another option might work better for you, such as traditional braces.

To begin the actual treatment, your dentist will make molds of your teeth, as well as detailed digital images that represent how your teeth will look after treatment as well as the incremental stages of treatment. These images and molds are used to make the series of trays that will gradually move your teeth into the proper position.

Seeing Results with Invisalign

Invisalign trays are changed about every two weeks, with each tray moving the teeth a small distance. Typically, you will be able to see visible results in four to six weeks. These results might seem minor at first, but small, incremental changes will build up over time to put your teeth into their proper position and give you a straight, beautiful smile.

To find out more about Invisalign and what it can do for you, please contact our office.

Dentist Frisco

Impacted teeth are teeth that are not able to emerge properly because they are blocked by other teeth or because there is not enough room in the mouth. Impacted teeth often need to be removed with surgery, because they become infected. Our dentist in Frisco can help you if you have symptoms of an impacted tooth.

Common Causes of Impacted Teeth

The teeth that most often become impacted are wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars, which typically emerge in the late teens or early twenties. Most people do not have enough room in their jawbones to accommodate another set of molars, so wisdom teeth often emerge only partially or not at all, and subsequently become impacted.

Teeth can also become impacted if the surrounding teeth have moved out of their proper position. This can reduce the amount of room available for teeth to emerge normally. If the offending teeth are not moved back into the proper position, the teeth that have not yet emerged can become impacted.

Treating Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth can be treated in different ways depending upon the cause, location and severity of the impaction. If existing teeth are in the wrong position, your dentist might recommend orthodontic treatment in order to move teeth into the correct place so the impacted teeth can emerge properly, or to prevent the impaction from happening at all.

In many cases, impacted wisdom teeth must be removed because they have become infected, or because they simply cannot emerge. This often requires oral surgery. If you have signs of infection in a wisdom tooth or symptoms of an impacted tooth elsewhere, be sure to tell your dentist right away. If a tooth has become infected, it should be treated immediately to prevent the infection from spreading and causing more serious problems. Untreated infections in the mouth can cause damage to other teeth, as well as to the gums and even to the jawbones.

If you need information about impacted teeth, or are experiencing symptoms of impaction, please contact our office at (972) 668-3680 for an appointment.

How Baby Bottles Contribute to Tooth Decay

One of the most common causes of decay in baby teeth is use of baby bottles. If a child holds a bottle full of milk, apple juice, or another liquid with a high sugar content in his mouth for a long period of time, the sugars from the liquid transfer to the surfaces of the teeth. Bacteria then settle in to consume the sugars, leaving behind acidic byproducts that eat through the enamel, causing decay.

Unfortunately, many parents allow their children to fall asleep with a bottle in their mouths. This practice often leads to the child holding the bottle for hours, sometimes even overnight, leading to a condition called “baby bottle mouth.”

Baby bottle mouth sounds trivial, but in fact it is a serious problem. It can involve extensive, severe decay in numerous teeth, which then must be treated with fillings, crowns, or even removed. Children can be left with damaged teeth, numerous fillings, or no teeth at all during the important years when the permanent teeth are developing and starting to emerge. Having to visit the dentist for extensive work during childhood can also lead to long-term dental anxiety.

Helping Your Child Avoid Tooth Decay

To help keep your child’s teeth strong and healthy, do not allow him/her to hold a bottle in his/her mouth for long periods of time. A bottle with water in it is much healthier and safer for the teeth than one with apple juice or milk. In addition, clean your child’s teeth with a soft cloth or, as she gets older, with a child’s toothbrush. And, of course, be sure to take your child to the dentist for regular check-ups and X-rays.

Teeth Whitening is an easy and effective way to greatly improve the look of your teeth. Brown, dingy, yellowing, or stained teeth can make your smile look unattractive even if your teeth are straight and nicely shaped. Teeth whitening in Frisco can give you your bright, perfect smile back, often in a single visit.

Teeth Whitening in the Dentist’s Office

Teeth Whitening uses a professional-strength bleaching agent to remove stains from the teeth. This agent is strong, but safe, and the dentist will be certain to protect any soft tissues in your mouth that could be irritated during the whitening procedure. Because the dentist can supply adequate protection to your lips and gums, whitening in the office is less likely to cause discomfort or irritation than whitening at home with an over-the-counter product.

Teeth Whitening at your dentist’s office also produces much more dramatic and reliable results than at-home treatments. Often, your teeth will look as many as seven shades lighter after a treatment with professional strength whiteners.

Effect of Teeth Whitening on the Teeth

Teeth Whitening has very few side effects, and is overall one of the simplest and safest cosmetic dentistry procedures available. In some cases, teeth can become more sensitive after whitening. This side effect is more common with over-the-counter whiteners. If you experience increased sensitivity after teeth whitening, be sure to discuss this issue with your dentist.

After whitening, your teeth can stay a lighter shade for quite some time. The amount of time your treatment lasts depends upon how you take care of your teeth and whether you expose them to staining agents. If you avoid nicotine, coffee, tea, dark colored foods, and wine, your teeth are more likely to remain bright and white for a longer amount of time. Periodic touch-up treatments can also help maintain your smile between more intensive in-office whitening. As always, be sure to brush and floss regularly, and visit your dentist for regular checkups to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy.