4 Things You Can Do to Help Your Child Avoid Cavities

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Cavities can cause your child pain and discomfort. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help protect your child from these problems. Taking your child to the dentist in Jacksonville, FL, and practicing good oral hygiene at home is important. Here’s what you need to know about helping your child avoid cavities.

1. Stay Up to Date With Dental Appointments

Get your child’s teeth cleaned at the dentist’s office as often as the dentist recommends. The dentist may recommend your child to come in once yearly or twice per year (depending on their age and need). Either way, keep up with these appointments. During these problems, the dentist will clean your child’s teeth and identify ways your child can maintain healthier teeth overall.

2. Brush Their Teeth or Monitor Their Toothbrushing Habits

Until they’re about seven years old, most children aren’t capable of brushing their own teeth very well. They need their parents to brush their teeth for them.

When your child is old enough to brush their own teeth, they still need someone to monitor them to ensure they’re doing the job right and consistently. Stay up to date with your child’s habits. Watch when you see them brushing their teeth, to be sure they’re doing it properly.

3. Encourage Sugarless Snacks

Keep sugarless snacks (like peanut butter crackers and cheese sticks) on hand. Sugarless snacks are better for oral hygiene and can help your child avoid cavities.

4. Encourage Your Child To Tell You About Tooth Pain

If your child is in discomfort because of a problem with their tooth, you want to be the first person to know. Encourage your child to tell you when something goes wrong.

To make an appointment for pediatric preventative dental care in Jacksonville, FL, call Mandarin Dentistry today.

Is It Safe to Get Dental X-Rays? 

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You may have heard that dental X-rays expose you to radiation. This is why your dentist covers you with a special apron when getting dental X-rays: so you can be protected from excess radiation.

If you’re a patient getting treatment from a dentist in Jacksonville, FL, you may have questions about the safety of dental X-rays. The professionals at Mandarin Dentistry can help. We provide dental X-rays, and we’re here to answer your questions. This is what you need to know.

How Do Dental X-Rays Work?

During the dental X-ray, your dentist will put a lead apron on your body. Your dentist may even cover your neck with a special collar to protect your thyroid. Next, your dentist will place a film or sensor inside your mouth, aim the X-ray machine at the side of your face, and take the X-ray.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

Dental X-rays are considered safe. Dental X-rays emit some radiation, but not enough to be considered dangerous. However, dentists do refrain from taking too many X-rays too frequently to help ensure that you are not exposed to more radiation than necessary.

When Should I Get a Dental X-Ray?

Your dentist will let you know how often you should get dental X-rays. Most people get X-rays every year or 18 months, depending on the condition of their teeth.

Are Dental X-Rays Important?

Yes, dental X-rays are an important part of dental treatment. Your dentist will give you dental X-rays in Jacksonville, FL, as needed. Unless you frequently skip these appointments, you will likely not be given X-rays every time you come in. Have more questions about X-rays? Contact the pros at Mandarin Dentistry. We’re here to help!

Dental Veneers 101 – What Patients Want to Know

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Have you considered dental veneers in Jacksonville, FL as an option for cosmetic smile correction? If so, you may have quite a few questions. Take a look at some of the first questions most patients ask about dental veneers during a consultation.

Can you get dental veneers to cover points of decay?

Dental veneers are common and effective for correcting cosmetic issues with the teeth. Therefore, they are not an effective option for covering decay without prior steps to correct the problem. For example, if you have a cavity in one of your teeth, the cavity will be treated and filled. Then, the veneer can be installed. Veneers can also add another layer of protection to protect the vulnerable area where the filling was installed.

How long will new dental veneers last?

Dental veneers can last for several years, but the exact duration varies depending on the type of veneers you have installed. For example, composite veneers can often last around five years, while porcelain veneers may last a decade or longer.

Can you get dental veneers for all of your teeth?

Dental veneers are primarily installed on the front-facing (anterior) teeth, or the teeth that are visible when you smile. Veneers can be installed on any tooth, but it is rare for a dentist to recommend veneers on molars and teeth further back in the jaw. The structure of the material is not well-suited for placement on teeth primarily used for chewing.

Contact a Cosmetic Dentist in Jacksonville for a Consultation

If you are looking to enhance your smile with dental implants, working with an experienced cosmetic dentist in Jacksonville, FL is the best first step. Contact the team at Mandarin Dentistry with questions or to schedule a consultation.

Can a Cavity Ever Heal without Treatment?

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One of the most common reasons for a visit to a general dentist in Jacksonville, FL is to treat a cavity. One question we often receive in our office is, “Can a cavity heal without treatment?” take a look at how a cavity forms and more below.

How a Cavity Forms

Cavities begin to occur when remineralization is not allowed to occur at a rate that sustains the health of a tooth. Just like the rest of the bones in the body, teeth are constantly remineralized. Issues with excessive bacteria, poor nutritional intake, and lack of oral hygiene can impede the process and a cavity starts to form. While the small point of weakness can be invisible to the naked eye at first, with time, the enamel breaks down further and the tooth is affected on a deeper level.

A Look at Remineralization

When a cavity is in its very beginning stages when only the outer enamel has a point of weakness, proper cleaning, nutrition, and monitoring may allow the point of enamel weakness to “heal.” However, this only applies to the most slight enamel disruptions.

Dental Filling Treatment

The best way to treat a cavity and prevent it from growing is to seek dental treatment immediately. If the damage is too deep into the tooth for remineralization to occur, a dental filling will be the only way to protect the tooth for the future. A filling involves removing the damaged material and sealing it with a composite or amalgam filler material.

Discuss Cavities with a Jacksonville, FL Dentist for the Best Advice

All cavities should be carefully evaluated and addressed by a good dentist in Jacksonville, FL. If you have concerns about cavities and decay, reach out to our office at Mandarin Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

Deterring the Myths About Dental Implants and Bone Structure

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Are you considering making a major smile change? If so, dental implants in Jacksonville, FL may be part of the process. While dental implants are highly praised for their effectiveness and longevity, they are still prone to being the topic of several myths. Specifically, quite a few myths exist regarding dental implants and bone structure. Take a look at some of these unfounded myths and the truth behind them.

Myth: You Need a Perfect Bone Structure for Dental Implants

Reality: While a strong and healthy bone structure can support dental implants, it’s not necessary to have a perfect bone structure for treatment. Many patients with bone loss or other bone issues can still be candidates for implants. Modern techniques, such as bone grafting and sinus lifts, can often help build up the bone to support implants successfully.

Myth: Dental Implants Cause Bone Loss

Reality: Dental implants are designed to integrate with the jawbone, a process called osseointegration. When properly placed and cared for, contrary to the myth, implants help maintain bone density in the jaws. The implants stimulate the jawbone just like natural teeth do, which can prevent bone loss rather than causing it.

Myth: Bone Grafting is Always Necessary for Dental Implants

Reality: Bone grafting is not always required for dental implants. It depends on your existing bone density and volume. Many people have sufficient bone structure to support implants without bone grafts. Your dentist will evaluate your bone structure through imaging and clinical examination to determine if bone grafting is necessary for your specific case.

Find Out About Dental Implants from a Jacksonville, FL Dentist

When it comes to bone structure and dental implants, be sure to get insight from a well-experienced Jacksonville dentist. Reach out to our office at Mandarin Dentistry to schedule a consultation.