Shannon Stokes DDS Blog

If you’re like most, you know oral health issues are plenty bad on their own. Those with cavities, gum disease, or tooth infections must face nasty symptoms. Even so, you may not grasp a rather startling fact: several full-body problems are caused by poor oral health. That means neglecting your smile puts your quality of life at risk. As for the details, here are four health conditions that can stem from an unhealthy grin.

Heading to work, school, or anywhere else with your new braces can be overwhelming. But don’t feel like it’s safer to hide out at home because caring for your gear on the go is too complicated. Here’s what you can include in your survival kit to help you care for your Six Month Smiles equipment after you head out the door for the day!

Even if you want a bright smile, you may think teeth whitening treatment takes too long. The process (though effective) wouldn’t deliver the desired results in time. Well, there’s good news – some colors of makeup show off white teeth! The right shades can help your grin look dazzling, offsetting the impact of your tooth stains. As for which ones, your Plano dentist will gladly share a few. Read on to learn how makeup can improve tooth color with good lipstick shades.

One of the most advantageous dental treatments out there for patients with missing teeth is unfortunately also one of the more scary-sounding options. We’re of course talking about dental implants. If you don’t already know, dental implants replace gaps in your smile by anchoring a titanium post to your jawbone. This provides maximum stability and power, but can seem intense.

Fortunately, your dentist is a skilled practitioner. With their implant specialist partners at the helm, you won’t have to worry about unpleasant sensations during your placement. Keep reading for a more realistic look at what the process might feel like for you.

Many dentists consider dental implants to be the ideal way to replace missing teeth because of the unique benefits they provide. Like dentures and dental bridges, they restore your ability to eat and speak like you used to. However, they’re the only prosthetics that are directly embedded into your jaw to keep it active and healthy which maintains your facial structure.

Because of the surgical component, you’ll need to give yourself enough time to recover after your procedure. For many people, that means taking time off work or school. If you want to know how long it’ll take before you can return, continue reading to find out!

You might have heard that traditional dental bridges and dentures don’t exactly feel like real teeth. Although they are more realistic than ever before, they have their limitations because they only replace the portions of teeth above the gums. You’re not out of options. A dental implant is the next best thing to a natural tooth because it mimics both the root and the crown. Here’s what you can expect your new tooth to feel like.

(more…)

Dental crowns are remarkable dental restorations that can provide strength, functionality, and aesthetic enhancement to a damaged tooth. However, many patients wonder: how long will a dental crown last? Well, it depends! If you want to learn more about dental crowns and how to increase their lifespan, read more below.

Your mouth is home to hundreds of species of oral bacteria. Although the thought of germs hiding in your mouth might make you cringe, not all bacteria are bad. Some are crucial for your dental health, while others can harm your teeth and gums. A balance between good and bad bacteria is important. Here’s how much bacteria can be lingering in your oral cavity and what you can do to keep levels under control.

(more…)

If you’re acquainted with dental implants, you’re probably aware of their impressive capability to fully restore missing teeth. Once placed within the jawbone, they can completely rejuvenate the aesthetics, sensation, and functionality of a smile, offering exceptional and unmatched benefits. However, the question arises: is it ever advisable to replace healthy teeth with dental implants, or should one aim to preserve their natural teeth for as long as possible? Keep reading to learn more.

What better way to cool off this summer than to enjoy your favorite frozen treat? Although delicious and refreshing, ice cream can actually negatively impact your oral health. So, before you make a trip to the store or queue up for long ice cream shop lines, take your smile into consideration. Here is the inside scoop on why ice cream is bad for your teeth and how you can minimize the effect it has on your smile.