A healthy mouth is important to able to eat, speak, and smile comfortably and with confidence. However, many adult Americans struggle to maintain good oral health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of U.S. adults have had a cavity in their life, while nearly 50% of all adults over the age of 30 show signs of gum disease. Poor oral health can have a direct negative effect on an individual’s everyday quality of life. If you are searching for ways to achieve and maintain a healthy mouth, consider following the advice of a family dentist below.

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With the right care, you can help to ensure that your teeth stay strong and healthy for a lifetime. Unfortunately, the biggest threat to their longevity involves tooth decay. Although it can easily be prevented, it remains the most chronic disease in children and adults. To help prevent cavities, your family dentist in Fort Smith will recommend the use of fluoride to keep your enamel strong; however, you may want an alternative. While fluoride is often the best option, there is another solution available.
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Do you notice blood-tinged spit in the sink after you have brushed or flossed your teeth? You may think that it is normal, and you are simply pushing too hard; however, this is not the case. Bleeding gums are never normal. In fact, it is often the first sign of gum disease, which is an infection in the gum tissue. Although it is easily preventable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 50% of adults have a form of it. To stop the spread of the infection, it is best to see your family dentist in Fort Smith right away for treatment.
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It’s safe to say that most problems begin as quiet, inconspicuous developments, and then, after a period of time, they suddenly reveal what has been going on in the shadows. Such is the case with gum disease, which is why your family dentist in Fort Smith warns that you should be vigilant in monitoring your oral health to prevent this condition from developing. As you continue reading, you’ll learn some of the warning signs to be on the lookout for and how preventive dentistry can help in your fight against this condition.

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There are a few things that your child may experience that are a “passageway to adulthood.” Some may be high school dances like prom or homecoming, others may be the moment they pass their driving test and actually obtain their license.

Either way, there are a lot of changes that happen as a young adult—even changes that affect their smile. For instance, when you come of age, your very back wisdom teeth will begin developing, which can not only be painful, but they can affect the alignment of your smile.

Learn more about wisdom teeth and orthodontic treatment—two things your teen or young adult may face—in this week’s blog post from your family dentist in Fort Smith.

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With the collective voice of ADA members across the country and the ADA’s digital grassroots tool Engage, they were able to convince Congress to make the step towards providing millions of children the health insurance they need. This program covers medical care and dental care, making it incredibly important to families. With this stopgap spending bill, more money is being put to good use.

This means a great deal to your family dentist in Fort Smith. To learn more about the bill, keep reading to get the details.

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Insurance is notorious for being complicated, bureaucratic, and an all-around headache. Whether it’s for your car, your home, your smartphone, or even for your oral health, muddling through all the fine print of your policy can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, your dentist in Fort Smith wants to help you out! We’re here to explain the basics of how dental insurance works and give you tips on how to maximize your benefits.

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It’s Monday morning and you start your routine like any other day. You pop out of bed, head to the bathroom and wash your face and hands. You reach for the toothbrush and open your mouth, but as soon as your brush touches your gums, you feel a jolt of pain. In that moment, you think back to all those nights where you forgot to brush before bed; now it’s come back in the form of gingivitis. Learn how to prevent your gum disease in Fort Smith from getting worse before it’s too late. (more…)