Shannon Stokes DDS Blog

When it comes to classic movie snacks, popcorn is often the first one to come to mind. Whether you eat it with dessert toppings or classic salt and butter, there’s an endless number of ways to enjoy this treat. As tasty as popcorn is, it can unfortunately have some unsavory effects on your smile. Continue reading to learn about the link between popcorn and oral health.

Does drinking a glass of ice water make your lips? Maybe a hot cup of coffee causes a sudden twinge of pain? You may be dealing with sensitive teeth. It’s normal to have some tooth sensitivity after certain dental treatments, but if the problem is persistent, there may be an underlying issue, like a cavity, gum disease, or weakened enamel. No matter the reason, you don’t have to avoid hot and cold foods or drinks. Desensitizing toothpaste can provide you with the relief you need until seeing your dentist.

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For many kids around the country, summer vacation is drawing to a close. This means getting ready to head back to the classroom by purchasing a new wardrobe, new school supplies, and finishing summer projects. Though it’s important for your little one to focus on having the best school year they can, that doesn’t mean that your work helping them maintain a healthy smile is over. Read on to learn five tips that will help your child keep their oral health in good standing and prevent dental emergencies as they prepare to head back to school.

Nothing is more precious than watching your child’s first tooth break through the gum tissue; however, their first visit from the Tooth Fairy is equally exciting. Between the ages of 6 to 7, most children have their first loose tooth. Until then, the baby teeth act as placeholders for their permanent set, while also allowing them to learn how to eat and speak. Losing a primary tooth too soon can have lasting consequences for their smile. Here’s how to pull your child’s tooth safely.

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When it comes to summer vacation, taking tons of photos is a great way to capture memories so you can look back on them in the future. Since a smile says a thousand words, it’s important to make sure yours is saying the right things. Fortunately, porcelain veneers can help. Read on to learn how this cosmetic procedure can give you the beach-ready beam you’ve always wanted.

So, you’ve taken your first step to a better smile and scheduled a consultation with your cosmetic dentist. Do you know what to ask about during the appointment? You won’t know the best way to improve your smile otherwise, and a poor decision on treatment can have lasting consequences.

If you find yourself at a loss over what to bring up, don’t panic: Here’s a summary of three essential questions to ask during your cosmetic dental consultation and why you should do so.

You’re sitting at the dentist’s office, wearing a bib and twiddling your thumbs, when the chair begins to recline—showtime! As the dentist wheels his chair over to begin cleaning your teeth, without moving your head you steal a quick glance at what he’s holding; it’s small, metal, and sharp, and it immediately makes you uncomfortable. You look away, diverting your glance down towards the tray that is neatly lined with similar metal tools. You recognize one that resembles a small mirror, but the rest look like they could be straight out of a horror film. These tools, as scary as they might be, when wielded in the hands of a skilled cosmetic dentist can help give you a dazzling smile. Here are a few of the most common instruments and what they are used for:

Even missing one tooth can make it tough to speak clearly, chew properly, and smile confidently, as the more than 170 million Americans who are dealing with tooth loss have learned. If those issues sound familiar to you, perhaps you’ve been considering dental implants. And why wouldn’t you? They last for 30 years or more, look natural, and are the only tooth replacement option that preserves your jawbone. In your case, the catch is that you’re pregnant. Can you get dental implants during pregnancy? Keep reading to find out from your implant dentist in Plano.

You’ve decided to go with implant dentures for your new set of teeth and you might be wondering what you’ll experience after you get them. They’ll definitely restore your appearance and natural dental functions, but you want to know what’s involved in the adjustment time. Your local dentist can explain what to expect when adjusting to your new implant dentures in Plano.