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These days when you go to the grocery store or your local health food store, the number of toothpaste choices on the shelves is overwhelming. With annual sales of more than $1.5 billion, the toothpaste industry has evolved into something most of us couldn’t have predicted. Today there are a dizzying array of flavors, formulations, colors, and other options, making it difficult to know which direction to go in. From trendy packaging and fancy dispensers to products that promise to calm sensitive molars, prevent gum disease, and whiten your teeth in a just a few brushes, it’s not hard to…

It is no secret that certain foods and drinks can have detrimental effects on your teeth and overall wellness, but did you know there are also a handful of foods that can actually whiten your teeth? While there is plenty of propaganda out there blasting the likes of coffee, wine, soda, and other sugar-filled favorites for the damage they can do to the teeth, there seems to be a lack of info on which foods actually support our oral health. Sure, whitening products, flossing, and generally taking good care of our teeth all play important roles in maintaining that bright,…

It turns out that a lot of people have just heard stories, or mentioning’s of root canals, but don’t actually even know what the procedure entails. Some people associate going to the dentist as something scary, but it doesn’t have to be. The best way to face any ‘dentist fears’ you may have, is to just know exactly what to expect. By understanding what you are dealing with, and what you are going to encounter, it will help a bit of any existing fear to diminish. Out of the dental procedures that we have to go in for, for some…

Having one’s wisdom removed is typically a normal procedure that most everyone must go through. Every so often, there is a handful of people whose wisdom teeth begin growing into their mouths in that they are correctly positioned where there is enough room, and they are not causing any pain or other dental issues. But generally, having one’s wisdom teeth removed is just another part of the high school experience and growing into a young adult. The wisdom teeth will either come in without any problems, or they will attempt to emerge and cause pain or begin pushing on the…

A water flosser is a dental health appliance that you can use at home, just like traditional floss. The main reason why most people choose a water flosser is because they do not like string floss or they find string flossing difficult. Flossing is not an alternative to brushing, but an adjuvant to your daily oral hygiene routine, so everyone should have the floss that fits their daily needs. Most water flossers come with a motor with a pump, a water reservoir, and a special water flosser tip. The motor and pump cause a stream of pressurized, pulsating water to…

There are many ways we can hurt our teeth; however, it is important to know when the injury is an actual emergency. With the proper knowledge, when you identify your injury as an emergency, then it is best to contact your dentist right away, if it is within office hours, or go to the emergency room (ER) right away. The first, most common, condition is dental caries, known as cavities. These guys are characterized by destruction of enamel and dentine leading to pain. If a dental cavity are left alone, they will become necrotic. Necrosis then lead to abscesses that…

It can be difficult to explain to a child the significance of brushing their teeth, especially since bacteria and gingivitis are words beyond their full comprehension. Finding a dentist for your child is important, just as important as home dental care. Before we begin with the fun stuff, the first thing we recommend you rule out when your child is brushing their teeth is sensitivity. Some children are sensitive to touch, which makes teeth brushing unpleasant, especially those with autism or attention disorders. If you believe your child's resistance to brushing is linked to a sensitive mouth, ask your dentist…

Our dental staff at Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas in Irving, Texas would love to share the tale of the tooth fairy with you. The tooth fairy has taken America with pride and stride. Did you know that originally, the tooth fairy went looking on the ground for your teeth, not underneath your pillow? Way back when, in early Europe, burying or burning baby teeth was a precaution taken against witches because they believed that if a witch got a hold of one of your teeth, they could have complete power over you. Also, children were taught to…

Flossing is important. You have heard that repeatedly from all dental professionals, your mom, aunt, uncle, grandma, hah! But, it is true. Flossing is not only important for your oral health, it is also important for your overall health. We here at Cosmetics & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas know that even though this fact has been passed down for generations, people are still not flossing. And we get it, flossing is boring and a task. So, let’s make it more interesting. First, it may be fun to go and find the perfect floss. There are some of us who…

The dental family of Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas in Irving, Texas understands the worry associated with being a new parent and then knowing when to take your baby to the dentist. Unfortunately, many American parents do not take their babies to the dentist until they are over 2 years of age, which is later than the recommended. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has recommended that a child visit the dentist by age one or within six months of their first visible tooth. Kids keep their primary, milk teeth for as long as it takes and…