Dental Expressions Blog

Dental Nutrition and Halloween Candy: Preparing and Protecting Your Child’s Smile

October 2, 2014

178067812While it’s common knowledge that consuming excessive sugar can lead to tooth decay, some of the lesser known facts about dental nutrition are just as important to keep in mind. This is particularly true for children, whose tooth enamel is softer than that of an adult. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier help parents from throughout OKC protect their children’s smiles from harmful decay. We accomplish this with children’s dentistry that includes routine exams, cleanings, patient education, and preventive treatments like sealants and fluoride.

Dental Nutrition & Your Child

In addition to brushing and flossing your child’s teeth, you can make some small, simple changes to his or her diet in order to further protect against oral health concerns. These include eliminating excessive snacking between meals and offering a glass of water with every starchy or acidic food. If your children can’t wait for mealtime, don’t reach for chips or sweets; instead, try some sugar-free yogurt, a handful of almonds, string cheese, or a crisp apple. These all help to improve enamel’s resistance to plaque buildup.

Halloween Tips for Cavity-Free Smiles

Celebrating Halloween is fun for children and adults alike, and we certainly won’t advise you to eliminate all the joy that comes from trick-or-treating for candy. It’s simply a good idea to limit the type and number of candy treats your child consumes in order to avoid the development of cavities. Steer clear of chewy candies that remain in the mouth for extended periods of time as well as those that are likely to get stuck between the teeth. To give your child’s smile extra protection from cavities this holiday season, call us and ask about how dental sealants and fluoride supplements can protect and fortify his or her teeth.

Schedule Your Visit Today

Halloween is right around the corner and the rest of the fall and winter holidays will arrive shortly after. Keep your child’s smile healthy and looking its best with preventive and family dentistry services at Dental Expressions. We look forward to helping your little one’s pearly whites stay cavity-free not only during the coming holiday season, but all year long. Contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today to schedule your child’s visit, and learn more about how various foods impact oral health. Our state-of-the-art dental practice proudly serves families from communities in OKC, Midwest City, Moore, Norman, and more.

Do You Have Sensitive Teeth?

September 15, 2014

484760977If you have to avoid eating or drinking certain foods and beverages because of tooth pain, you may be suffering from tooth sensitivity.  Sharp pain and discomfort in your teeth from cold, hot, sweet or sour food is not normal. Your teeth are protected by a layer of enamel and gum tissue. Underneath the gum tissue are tooth roots, made of tiny tubes, which lead directly to the nerve of your tooth. If these roots are exposed by a receding gum line, they can allow the stimulus of hot, cold or sweet to reach your nerve directly, causing you pain and discomfort. If you are suffering from tooth sensitivity, make an appointment today to see the experienced dentists at Dental Expressions. Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier proudly serve patients throughout Oklahoma City, OK, Moore, Norman, Midwest City and surrounding areas.

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a variety of factors.

  • Receding Gums- Caused by periodontal disease
  • Gingivitis- Inflamed gum tissue exposes the tooth roots
  • Brushing too hard- Can brush away the enamel and cause gums to recede
  • Cracked Teeth- Cracks can fill up with bacteria and plaque causing gum inflammation
  • Teeth Grinding- Can wear down enamel
  • Plaque- Excess plaque along gum line can cause sensitivity
  • Mouthwash- Acids contained in some mouthwashes can damage the dentin layer of your teeth
  • Acidic Food- Consuming foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, pickles and tea can cause the enamel to erode
  • Dental Work- Some people may experience temporary sensitivity after cleanings or other dental procedures

Preventing and Treating Tooth Sensitivity in Oklahoma City, OK

There are several steps you can take right now to avoid the pain of sensitive teeth. You can start by practicing good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing regularly to reduce plaque. You could switch to a soft bristled brush and de-sensitizing or fluoridated toothpaste. You could also cut down on eating acidic foods and get fitted for a nightguard if you grind your teeth at night. Although you can take these steps, anyone suffering from tooth sensitivity should see a dentist immediately. Tooth sensitivity could be a sign of a more serious problem like periodontal disease. Also, the dentist can help relieve the sensitivity with treatments like fillings, bondings, fluoride varnishes and dental sealants. Make an appointment with the gentle and caring dentists of Dental Expressions today. Dental Expressions currently serves patients in Oklahoma, City, OK, Moore, Norman, Midwest City and surrounding communities.

Say Goodbye to Dental Anxiety with Sedation Dentistry in Oklahoma City, OK

August 15, 2014

147352006We all know that regular visits to the dentist are integral to our oral health and the appearance of our smiles, but for some patients, the thought of undergoing dental work evokes negative feelings like fear and anxiety. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Natalie Frazier and Dr. Colin Holman understand that many men and women need a little extra help feeling comfortable in the dental chair, so we offer a safe and effective solution in the form of sedation dentistry.

How Will Sedation Dentistry Help Me?

When you feel tense or afraid in the dental chair, even the most basic treatments can be unpleasant. Fortunately, oral conscious sedation eliminates these problems in a way that has been proven absolutely safe. You simply take a small pill previously prescribed by our doctors prior to your appointment. Have a trusted friend or family member drive you to and from our office, and discover how much more pleasant your dental experience can be when you feel completely relaxed and comfortable. With sedation dentistry, patients find relief from many common dental concerns, including:

  • A highly sensitive gag reflex
  • Inability to lie still for an extended period of time
  • Anxiety or heightened stress in the dental chair
  • A feeling of fear in response to the sights, sounds, and other sensations of a dentist’s office

Whatever your unique concern is, Drs. Holman and Frazier can help. We won’t begin treatment until we are certain that you are completely comfortable and relaxed.

Finally Relax with Oral Conscious Sedation

If you are one of the countless American men and women who have avoided necessary dental treatment because of dread, anxiety, or worries about discomfort, we want to help. Contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today to schedule your appointment and to learn more about how oral conscious sedation can help you get the care you need and deserve, all while eliminating the negative feelings you may have regarding dental treatment. Our goal is to provide you with everything you need to enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for life. Our OKC dental practice warmly welcomes patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Midwest City, Norman, Moore, and beyond.

Do I Need to Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed? Vital Information from Dental Expressions

July 20, 2014

467995341Many teens and adults wonder if having their wisdom teeth removed is necessary. These third molars, after all, serve no purpose and often cause complications later in life. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Natalie Frazier and Dr. Colin Holman are always happy to sit down with our patients to discuss treatment options and what would best suit their needs. If you are wondering if wisdom tooth extraction is necessary for you, we’d like to help.

When is Wisdom Teeth Removal Needed?

When a wisdom tooth fails to erupt properly, it can actually grow in a variety of different directions, including toward or away from adjacent teeth. In other cases, it may become lodged within the bone of the jaw itself, a situation that may cause immense pain and even damage to the nerves deep within the jaw. In other cases, a wisdom tooth may erupt only partially, creating an opening in the gum tissue through which bacteria may cross and cause an infection. Symptoms of an impacted or infected wisdom tooth include:

  • Localized pain
  • Redness and inflammation of the gums
  • Tenderness and bleeding
  • Foul breath
  • Swelling in the jaw
  • A persistent and unexplained bad taste in the mouth
  • Headaches

It is important to keep in mind that not all patients who have impacted wisdom teeth experience symptoms. Regular checkups at our office will help determine whether or not your wisdom teeth are likely to cause problems before you feel pain or develop an infection.

Schedule Your One-on-One Consultation Today

Whether your wisdom teeth have begun to erupt already or you are concerned that they may be impacted, we are here to help with a comprehensive selection of general, family, and restorative dentistry solutions. Contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today to reserve your appointment with our caring, experienced doctors. We look forward to talking with you, assessing your case, and recommending the treatment plan that best suits your unique needs. Our state-of-the-art dental practice in OKC happily welcomes patients from throughout the surrounding areas as well, including Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and beyond.

Implant Secured Dentures: Give Your Smile a New Lease on Life

June 2, 2014

176958678If you are one of the millions of Americans who relies upon dentures to eat, speak, and smile comfortably, it’s highly likely that you know how uncomfortable they can actually be. While wearing dentures is certainly preferable to living a life without teeth, these dental prosthetics do come with their own set of drawbacks. Fortunately, modern implant dentistry makes it possible for denture wearers to finally enjoy a more natural, lifelike bite and smile. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier offer a comprehensive array of restorative dentistry procedures, including implant secured dentures.

Benefits of Implant Secured Dentures

Over time, a patient who wears dentures finds that their prosthetic may begin to slip when they speak or eat. This is due to the fact that your gums change in shape as the months and years pass, so the prosthetic you rely on to eat and talk must be adjusted accordingly. In addition, dentures can feel uncomfortable, even causing self-consciousness when you speak in social situations. Adhesives and natural suction don’t always work, leaving you wondering when your dentures might move or shift unexpectedly at work, at a dinner party, or anywhere else.

With implant secured dentures, your entire dental prosthetic is affixed to tiny titanium posts that are placed directly within the gum and jaw bone. These dental implants serve as sturdy anchors for your dentures, holding them firmly and comfortably in place. You can finally feel free to eat your favorite foods, speak confidently, and smile openly without a second thought. As with all of our other restorative dentistry procedures, we’ll be happy to discuss each step of the dental implant process with you, answering any questions you may have along the way.

A Revitalized Smile with Implant Dentistry

Whether you currently wear dentures and are interested in learning more about how dental implants can help you or you plan to have extractions performed and want to explore your restorative options, we are here to help. Contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today to schedule your consultation with our team of experienced doctors and staff. We look forward to giving you a real reason to smile! Our conveniently located practice happily serves patients from throughout the OKC area and surrounding communities, including Midwest City, Moore, Norman, and beyond.

Digital X-Rays at Dental Expressions: Only the Best for Our Patients in OKC

May 16, 2014

465217799X-rays are a vital diagnostic tool used to inspect and assess the health of your teeth and jaws at each of your routine dental visits. Though traditional film x-rays have been trusted for decades to provide dentists with an inside perspective of your oral health, modern technology has allowed us to go even further with digital radiography, or digital x-rays. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier offer a wide variety of highly advanced technological advantages to our patients, including digital x-rays.

Benefits of Digital X-Rays at Your Dentist’s Office

There are many benefits of digital x-rays as compared to conventional film x-rays. Whereas typical film x-rays required the use of developing materials and a considerable length of time (during which the patient had to wait for results), digital x-rays are immediately available for viewing on a convenient chairside monitor. You and your dentist can go over the x-rays together, allowing you to gain a better understanding of your oral health as well as your treatment plan.

In addition, digital x-rays are better for the environment and emit up to 90 percent less radiation than regular film methods. This means that you and your family enjoy enhanced convenience, less time spent at the dentist’s office, and better health overall.

Schedule Your Visit Today

Has it been more than six months since you last visited the dentist for a routine checkup and cleaning? If so, it’s time to schedule your appointment and see the difference that our unique approach can make for you! Contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today and speak to Dr. Holman, Dr. Frazier, or any member of our caring, experienced staff. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have, whether they are about our office’s technology, our menu of services, or your oral health in general. Our conveniently located practice happily welcomes patients from throughout the OKC area, including Norman, Moore, Midwest City, Del City, and beyond.

 

Teeth Whitening at Dental Expressions in OKC Gives You a Beautiful Smile You’ll Love!

April 14, 2014

101799276Healthy, luminously white teeth are the building blocks of an attractive and confident smile. If your teeth have grown yellow or stained over time, you may not feel so good about showing off your smile to those who matter most. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry services to bring your smile to beautiful life, including professional grade teeth whitening treatment.

Teeth Whitening in OKC and the Surrounding Areas

If you’ve ever tried whitening your teeth with the over-the-counter products you find at your local drugstore or pharmacy, chances are that you’ve noticed how ineffective they really can be. Strips tend to slide around on the surfaces of your teeth, or they fail to adhere closely enough to deliver the intended effect. Generic trays aren’t custom-fitted to your unique dentition, so the whitening gel you load them with can leak out while you wait. Fortunately, there is a better way of whitening your teeth and brightening your smile.

At Dental Expressions, our dentists trust the powerful yet gentle power of professional grade bleaching gel, utilizing customized trays that precisely fit the contours of your teeth and gums. The high quality formula can effectively lift years of deep, set-in stains from your enamel, revealing a brighter, more attractive smile better than any store-bought product can. Even staining and yellowing caused by tobacco, coffee, tea, wine, and certain antibiotic medications can be corrected with our teeth whitening treatments.

Schedule Your Consultation Today!

If you’ve been longing for a whiter, more radiant smile that lasts, contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today and reserve your appointment with Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier. Our family-friendly office happily welcomes patients from throughout the greater OKC area, including Midwest City, Moore, Norman, Del City, and beyond.

Restore Confidence, Aesthetics and Function with Dental Implants from Dental Expressions

March 12, 2014

177257483Dealing with missing teeth isn’t merely embarrassing in social situations, though the self-image factor is certainly substantial. Individuals who are missing even a single tooth are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease and bone loss in the jaw. Dr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier at Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK offer a variety of tooth replacement options, including dental implants, to repair and rejuvenate incomplete smiles.

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

A consultation at Dental Expressions will help you and your dentist determine which tooth replacement procedure is best for you. If Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier find that you are, in fact, a good candidate for dental implants, you’ll be walked through the steps of the process from beginning to end before the final decision is made. For many patients with one or more missing teeth, dental implants provide the ideal solution to diminished functionality and self-consciousness in one straightforward procedure.

First, a small post made of titanium is placed precisely into the bone of your jaw and the tissue of your gum. This anchor is then topped with a beautifully crafted porcelain crown that has been shaded exactly to match the rest of your teeth. When cared for properly, dental implants can last a lifetime, giving you the ability to enjoy your favorite foods again and smile freely.

Dental Implants for a Complete Smile

Don’t suffer through one more day with missing teeth – life is too short to spend hiding your smile! Contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today to find out how Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier can help you replace your lost teeth with dental implants. Our team also happily welcomes patients from throughout the surrounding communities of Midwest City, Norman, Moore and beyond. We can’t wait to give you back your smile!

Join Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK for National Children’s Dental Health Month

February 6, 2014

 

177817150

Every year in February, the American Dental Association celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OKDr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier observe the annual event as well, emphasizing the importance of quality dental care beginning at a young age. Our comprehensive menu of children’s dental services keep your child’s teeth and gums looking and feeling great, building a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.

We Love Your Child’s Smile!

When kids are young, their minds are like sponges; they take in the world around them and learn how things work at an appalling rate. This is among the many reasons that it’s so important to introduce them to the world of oral health and hygiene as early as possible – an ideal time is typically around two years of age. When your child comes in for his or her first visit to Dental Expressions, we’ll provide a fun, engaging and welcoming experience that sets the tone for pleasant appointments in the future.

Aside from examining and cleaning your child’s teeth and gums, we’ll look for any signs of decay or other problems and provide corresponding treatment as necessary. Fluoride treatments are extremely useful for fortifying young, newly developed teeth and sealants help protect against cavities. If your child plays sports, we can even create a custom athletic mouth guard to defend against injuries while they play. Our goal is to preserve your child’s precious smile and to get them excited about their dental health!

Protect Your Kids’ Pearly Whites

Though keeping your child’s teeth healthy and strong is a priority all year round, we think that National Children’s Dental Health Month is an ideal time to get a great start for 2014. Contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today to find out how our caring, compassionate team can help protect and preserve your child’s smile with our comprehensive children’s dentistry services. We also proudly serve families from throughout the surrounding communities, including Norman, Midwest City, Moore and beyond. We look forward to giving your little ones something to smile about!

What You May Not Know About the Effects of Sleep Apnea

January 24, 2014

494282527It’s common knowledge that snoring can be incredibly annoying, but did you know that this noisy nuisance can also be indicative of a common sleep disorder? Sleep apnea, a condition that causes intermittent lapses in breathing during sleep, can lead to a variety of seemingly unrelated health problems if left untreated. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Frazier and Dr. Holman can help you understand everything you need to know about sleep apnea and its treatment.

Complications of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Aside from chronic daytime fatigue associated with a lack of deep, restful sleep, sleep apnea can potentially lead to a multitude of health issues of great concern. Because the affected patient actually ceases breathing for up to 10 seconds at a time, blood oxygen levels can quickly drop to dangerous levels. This can lead to high blood pressure, or hypertension, in the lungs and throughout the rest of the body as well. Approximately 50 percent of people with sleep apnea suffer from hypertension.

Other complications associated with sleep apnea include:

  • Disease of the blood vessels and coronary arteries
  • Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Respiratory distress and failure
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Irregular heart beat

Fortunately, there are ways to combat the effects of sleep apnea, thereby greatly reducing your risk of developing these and other complications. Talking with your dentists at Dental Expressions can help you determine whether or not you would benefit more from a snoreguard (an oral appliance that opens up your airways at night) or another therapy (like a CPAP machine).

Getting the Help You Need

If you or your partner snores loudly or experiences trouble breathing at night, it’s possible that sleep apnea is the cause. Contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today and find out how Dr. Frazier and Dr. Holman can help you discover the sleep apnea treatment that best suits your individual condition and lifestyle. We also serve patients from throughout Midwest City, Moore, Norman and beyond. We look forward to helping you get a better, healthier night’s sleep!

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