Creekview Family Dentistry - Carrollton & Lewisville, TX

When was your last dental checkup? Hopefully within the last six months! But did you know that these appointments aren’t a modern invention? In fact, dentistry is one of the world’s oldest professions, with some of the earliest evidence of dental work, such as cavities being filled, dating back over 7000 years.

Luckily, dentistry today is quite different, and safe to say, a lot more sophisticated and effective!

This time of year doesn’t just signal the start of a new school year – it also means that fall sports are just around the corner! However, did you know that each year, approximately 5 million teeth are displaced from their sockets during sports and physical games?

Not every dental accident can be prevented, but an athletic mouthguard can certainly prevent the vast majority of them. That said, don’t even think about taking the field without one of these trusted devices!

If you’ve ever seen the movie Titanic, you probably remember the part with the giant iceberg – but did you know your teeth are similar to icebergs? Much like how only the top portion of an iceberg is visible above the ocean’s surface, you can only see a portion of your teeth; about two-thirds of them are beneath your gumline!

This hidden portion, known as the root, plays a vital role in dental health and the stability of your teeth. Just another reason to keep your teeth and gums in great shape!

You’ve probably heard that soda isn’t exactly the best beverage for your teeth, since these drinks often contain high amounts of sugar. However, another big problem with soda involves sipping; if you’re slowly drinking a soda, you’re giving it more time to come in contact with your teeth and cause harm!

This means that if you can’t help enjoying a soda every now and then, try to finish it quickly or use a straw, to reduce the amount of contact it comes into with your pearly whites. Of course, you could also simply skip the soda in favor of good old-fashioned water.

Happy National Avocado Day! Did you know that avocados aren’t just tasty – they’re also great for your teeth? They’re packed with vitamins and nutrients such as potassium, which directly benefit your teeth and gums. They also contain folic acid, which helps in cell renewal, therefore strengthening gum tissue!

Today, don’t shy away from having an avocado or adding one to one of your favorite recipes to make it a bit healthier; your smile will thank you!

Did you know that your dominant hand is often tied to which side of your mouth you chew on? Right-handed individuals often chew on the right side of their mouths, while those who are left-handed tend to do the opposite.

But to avoid chronic jaw problems, it is recommended that you use both sides of your jaw as much as possible when you’re eating; your teeth and jaw muscles will thank you!

Most of us can agree that few things are as refreshing as ice cream, a popsicle, or a snow cone during a hot summer day – but what about the resulting tooth sensitivity that occurs?

For many, tooth sensitivity puts a damper on these sweet treats; in fact, they say over 40 million Americans experience tooth sensitivity from time to time. It’s normal to experience temporary sensitivity when enjoying hot or cold foods and beverages, but if the sensation persists for days or becomes severe, don’t shrug it off; it might be a sign of an underlying issue.

Today is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, and there’s no better way to cool off and beat the summer heat than by indulging in a delicious ice cream sundae loaded with all your favorite toppings!

Just don’t forget to brush your teeth afterward; these frozen concoctions have high amounts of sugar, so you’ll want to enjoy them in moderation and stay on top of your hygiene habits in order to maintain excellent dental health.

As the heat begins peaking this summer, you might find yourself thirsty and with a dry mouth a lot more often than usual. But did you know having a dry mouth can actually be harmful to your dental health?

Your saliva helps to keep problem-causing bacteria inside your mouth at bay; this means that if you’re feeling thirsty, give your smile the edge it needs to look and feel its best, and drink a glass of water!

With back-to-school season rapidly approaching, you should know that an estimated 51 million hours of school are missed by children annually due to needing to visit their dentist for a specific oral health problem. This is why preventive dentistry is paramount; this routine care can ensure that your child stays in the classroom and focused on learning!

Of course, preventive dentistry also allows the rest of us to go to our jobs with a bright and healthy smile on our faces!

Do you have children who spend every hour of daylight during the summer playing sports and outdoor games? Or maybe you enjoy them yourself – but no matter if it’s you or your child on the field, you’ll want to ensure that an athletic mouthguard is worn. These small devices are incredibly useful, given that they can prevent serious dental injuries!

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, one of the most reputable dental organizations out there, the average person spends only 45 to 70 seconds brushing their teeth. This is less than half of the recommended 2 to 3 minutes!

But if you see things through, you should spend at least 40 collective days brushing your teeth over your lifetime. That’s quite a lot of protection for your pearly whites!

Hopefully you’re using sunscreen while spending time outdoors this summer, but you should also protect your lips – they’re vulnerable to UV rays, too!

Protect them with an SPF lip balm, wear a hat to cover your face, and also stay hydrated to help them combat the hot weather. Cracked, burned, or bleeding lips are not doing your smile any favors for all of those summer photo ops!

Summertime is the perfect time for selfies! But did you know that almost half of all social media users admit to un-tagging themselves from a photo on Facebook or Instagram because of their smile? Nobody should ever feel this self-conscious! No matter your concerns, the smile you’ve always dreamed of is very attainable with a little help from your trusted dentist.

Do you have any fun trips planned this summer? Many of us find time to take a vacation (or a staycation) during the summer months. However, it’s unfortunately pretty easy to get too busy or distracted to remember to brush your teeth while you’re away from home. Be sure that you’re packing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and anything else you need before your trip; going on vacation does not mean taking a vacation from your dental hygiene.

Let us know where you’re heading this season – and have a nice time!

When was the last time you had a glass of water?

Staying hydrated is important, but drinking water also serves another chief purpose: it stimulates your mouth’s saliva flow! Your saliva is your first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria, meaning that by simply drinking water, you’re very much helping out your teeth and gums. Just don’t substitute water for brushing your teeth!

Happy Independence Day!

While you enjoy the BBQs and fireworks, don’t forget about your dental health. Here’s to celebrating freedom and the freedom to smile confidently!

Plaque doesn’t just build up on your teeth; it can also build up on your tongue! This can lead to a foul mouth odor, as well as several other potential oral health issues. You should gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth to help keep your whole mouth clean and problem-free!

Did you know that brushing your teeth too hard can be just as harmful as not brushing them at all? Overbrushing can wear down the enamel of your teeth, leading to painful sensitivity as well as increased vulnerability to cavities and decay. Both adults and children can have the tendency to overbrush, too.

One easy way to tell if you’re brushing too hard is if the bristles of your toothbrush are being squashed against your teeth – if so, ease up! Your pearly whites will thank you.

Do you ever notice yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth? It might also unknowingly occur during the night while you’re asleep, which can cause your jaw to feel sore when you wake up.

Often, teeth grinding and jaw clenching are related to bruxism, a condition that can lead to worn-down tooth enamel and excess strain on the temporomandibular joints, which connect your jaw to the rest of your skull. These problems won’t resolve on their own and can affect patients of any age; however, with professional intervention, these uncomfortable symptoms can be managed!

Who doesn’t love having fun under the summer sun? Not only is it a great way to pass the time, stay active, and work on your tan, but the UV rays from the sun also help your body produce vitamin D, which is essential for healthy teeth and bones! In this sense, getting some sun will quite literally benefit your smile this summer.

Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen; otherwise, the resulting sunburn will be quite a bummer!

Flossing is just as important as brushing, and it’s a habit you should strive to maintain daily this summer and beyond – and all you need is a pack of trusty, tried-and-true dental floss! But just be sure you’re only using that floss to carry out oral hygiene. As far-fetched as it sounds, in 1994, a West Virginia prison inmate braided a large amount of dental floss into a rope and used it to help escape from prison – he actually tried twice using this method and enjoyed a few weeks of freedom before being caught again!

Needless to say, this isn’t the intended use for floss, and you should stick to using it to clean between your teeth! 😁🦷 ✨

Today we celebrate Juneteenth, a significant milestone in our nation’s history. This day is a reminder of the resilience and strength of those who fought for their rights. Let’s continue to work towards a more inclusive and equitable future!

Our practice would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Father's Day!

Looking for snack options this summer? Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, celery, and other similar items aren’t just tasty and good for you – they’re good for your teeth! They can actually help to clean your teeth as you eat due to their fibrous texture. Plus, they aren’t high in sugars and starches compared to snacks like chips, crackers, cookies, and other unhealthy options.

This summer, it doesn’t hurt to be extra conscious about what you’re eating; your teeth will thank you! What’s your favorite tooth-friendly summertime snack?

We hope your summer is off to a fantastic start! Before you get too caught up in your festivities and fun under the sun, take a moment to recall when your last dental checkup was – we’re now about halfway through the calendar year, so if it’s been longer than six months, it's time to schedule your next visit!

Did you know that the technology for dental implants has been around for quite some time? In 1952, an orthopedic surgeon stumbled across an incredible discovery; while studying bones and regeneration, he found that titanium was able to fuse with the femur bone of a rabbit successfully. He hypothesized that this fusion could be utilized in other fields, such as dentistry – and now, over 5 million dental implants are placed annually in the US alone. Needless to say, dental implants are a groundbreaking innovation!

When we think about things that might potentially stain our teeth, coffee is often the first thing to come to mind. It’s true that this beloved beverage can cause dental staining, but it’s not the only consumable you should be mindful of. Red sauces and wines, blueberries and other kinds of berries, sodas, sports drinks, hard candies, and other similar items can all leave your teeth duller than usual. Remember, enjoying these items in moderation – and maintaining excellent oral hygiene – is a great way to ensure that your pearly whites remain sparkling bright!

Today is National Cheese Day! On this day, we celebrate the thousands of varieties of cheese in all their glory. Not only are certain cheeses absolutely delectable, but some can even help to protect teeth from decay by stimulating saliva flow. Not to mention, cheese is a great source of calcium, which vastly benefits your pearly whites. Celebrate today by indulging in your favorite cheesy delights!

With temperatures on the rise and summer approaching, you’ll probably find yourself cooling off with an iced beverage quite frequently in the upcoming months. But beware of those chilly ice cubes – chewing on them is actually quite harmful to your pearly whites! Biting into ice and other hard objects can damage the enamel layer of your teeth, or even lead to a chipped or fractured tooth.

Rather than chewing on your ice cubes after finishing your drink, ask for a refill to stay hydrated and cool!