Author: avant8

Do you know anyone who has had their wisdom teeth removed? “Wisdom teeth” is another name for the molars that are at the back of your mouth and grow in during your teen or young adult years. The majority of the population doesn’t have enough room in their mouths to fit their wisdom teeth. Because of the lack of space, wisdom teeth usually end up being removed by way of surgery. Whether or not you still need to get your wisdom teeth taken out, we are here to give you a few of our favorite tips and tricks to having the most successful recovery process possible.

• Think about what you are eating. Making sure you are eating foods that will aid your recovery is essential. Your mouth will most likely be sore after surgery, and you probably won’t have a huge appetite. The best foods to consume while recovering are those that won’t require much chewing and will be safe for your stitches. Soup, mashed potatoes, soft smoothies, pudding, cottage cheese, and apple sauce are all equally yummy and safe foods for recovery! You should also avoid foods that are too hot or could potentially get stuck in the surgery site. It is important to avoid drinking from a straw, as slurping too aggressively may compromise your stitches or the blood clot that protects the wound. The more careful you are with what you eat after surgery, the sooner you will be able to re-introduce your usual favorite foods into your daily diet! 
• Manage the pain carefully. There is a high chance that you will have some pain and swelling in the days immediately following your surgery. One of the best ways to manage this is by using an ice pack. Make sure to ask your dentist about how often you should be using it. It is also important to not directly place ice on your face, as it can result in an ice burn. Pain medication is another way to help your recovery along. Your dentist will be able to guide you in whether you need to be taking over-the-counter or prescription medications. You may also be advised to take antibiotics. Antibiotics will help protect your mouth from infection as the wounds heal. 
• Take your recovery seriously when you get home. It is essential to take precautions when you get home from your surgery to avoid infections and other painful problems. Rinsing with salt water to keep the surgery wounds clean and free of bacteria is one of the most simple and effective things you can do. Make sure you don’t forcefully spit the saltwater when finished, but let it gently fall from your mouth. Your mouth will have some blood in it right after the surgery, so make sure to gently clean the wounds with gauze or a cotton ball after rinsing. It is also integral to avoid dislodging your stitches. This can disrupt the healing process and lead to dry sockets, which are painful and can lead to a prolonged recovery process. Make sure to be gentle with yourself!

While wisdom teeth surgery is common, the recovery still needs to be taken seriously. Being careful about what you are eating, managing your pain carefully, and keeping the surgery wounds clean are three straightforward ways to make sure your recovery period is as quick and simple as possible! You should also listen to and heed any advice your dentist gives you regarding wisdom teeth recovery. If you or someone you know has questions about wisdom teeth removal and recovery, feel free to call us today at (903) 597-3940.

How is the end of the year so close already? The festivities of the last three months of the year often cause us to push our oral health to the back of our minds. We know that going to the dentist may not be your top priority at the moment, but you only have a few months left to use your dental benefits before they expire! It is important to use your benefits while you can, because many plans do not let you roll your benefits over into the following calendar year. To make things easier, we have decided to share three straightforward ways in which you can use your leftover benefits. It’s use it or lose it season!

1. Hygiene. When did you come to visit us to get your teeth cleaned last? If it’s been six months or longer, you are due for a visit with your hygienist. Getting your teeth cleaned twice a year is a very important part of keeping your teeth healthy. Your hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar buildup that can cause more severe dental problems down the line if addressed early on. In addition to this, your smile will feel fresh and bright. If you have remaining dental benefits and haven’t been in for a cleaning recently, what are you waiting for? Schedule with us and use your benefits before you lose them!
2. Big procedures. Are you a person who has wanted to upgrade your smile but hasn’t known where to begin? It’s your lucky day! Right now is the ideal time to get started with Invisalign or even give yourself a full smile restoration with dental implants! The best part is that you will be able to use your leftover dental benefits to cover the costs. Now is the time to take the leap you’ve always wanted to take and schedule your smile upgrade. It’s never too late, and you will be able to…you guessed it, use your benefits before you lose them!
3. Unscheduled treatment. Do you need to schedule that pesky treatment you have been putting off? We know that treatment can be intimidating, especially if you have never had serious dental work done. We promise it will pay off! Whether it be fixing a cavity, getting crowns, an extraction, or any other treatment, we stand by the fact that getting it on your calendar before the end of the year is a good idea. This will solve any pain or discomfort you are having faster, and will also save you money in the long run. If you continue to procrastinate necessary treatment, you may need more treatment in the future. I think you know what this means. Schedule your treatment so you can use your benefits before you lose them!

Whether you need to schedule a hygiene appointment, want to treat yourself to a smile makeover, or have some pesky unscheduled treatment, now is the perfect time to do it! We would love for you to visit us at Tyler Family Dental before the year ends. Call us at (903) 597-3940 to get an appointment with us on your calendar. The clock is ticking, which means it’s time to use it or lose it! Here are some tips for wisdom teeth recovery.
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Are you thinking about whether you want to sign up for dental insurance through an employer or switch from your current plan? Open enrollment season is officially here, and we want to help you find the right dental benefits plan for you and your family. We offer a Membership Plan that is simple and comprehensive. It is subscription-based and covers all your preventative care while giving you discounts on other procedures. Unlike dental insurance, there are no waiting periods, approval processes, deductibles, annual maximums, or other insurance hassles. Best of all, you can sign up in as little as 5 minutes, and your benefits start immediately!

 

At Tyler Family Dental, your oral health is our top priority. We understand that dental work can be expensive and insurance companies are frustrating to deal with. That is why we offer our Membership Plan! Our plan is straightforward, affordable, and offered directly through our office. 

 

We offer three different plans: Child Complete, Adult Complete, and Perio. By signing up for one of these plans, you will be able to save up to $256 per year on dental work! Our plans include:

 

Child Complete ($16/mo. or $192/yr.):

– 2 professional cleanings

– 2 regular exams

– 1 fluoride treatment

– Routine x-rays

– 1 emergency exam

 

Adult Complete ($20/mo. or $240/yr.):

– 2 professional cleanings

– 2 regular exams

– 2 oral screenings

– Routine x-rays

– 1 emergency exam

 

Perio ($32/mo. or $384/yr.):

– 3 perio maintenance procedures & checkups

– 2 regular exams

– 2 oral screenings

– Routine x-rays

– 1 emergency exam

 

In addition to this, all three of our plans include up to 20% off all other procedures completed at our practice and a 5% subscription discount for additional family members.

 

Now is the perfect time to sign up. If you are interested or would like to receive more information, you can visit this link or call us at (903) 597-3940.

 

Not only do we offer a Membership Plan to our individual patients, but we also offer a plan for local businesses! If you are a business owner or an employee of a business looking to offer dental insurance benefits to your employees, our Employer Plan is a great option! 

 

We are a local business and care deeply about other local businesses. We want can help to ensure your business attracts and retains the employees to make it even more successful than it already is. Surveys of US workers report that 88% of job seekers indicate that dental benefits are a key factor in their job choice. Furthermore, 2 out of 3 employees consider dental benefits to be a very or extremely important part of their compensation package. It is safe to say that the better benefits your company offers, the better employees it will attract.

 

We are excited to tell you about our Employer Membership Plan, a dental benefits package revolutionizing what it means to offer dental benefits. Our Employer Plan is unique because:

 

1. It is affordable
2. No deductibles
3. No waiting periods
4. No annual maximums
5. No pre-approvals
6. No paperwork
7.  Simple online sign-up and management

 

This may sound too good to be true, but we promise it’s not. Our Employer Plan is a much better option than traditional insurance because it is provided directly to your company, eliminating the unnecessary costs, hassles, and limitations of 3rd party insurance. As an employer, you can contribute whatever you would like, from $0 to the full subscription price per employee. Company enrollment is fast and simple and plan management is easily accessible through the employer portal. If you’re looking to adopt a straightforward dental coverage plan for your company, look no further. Our Employer Plan is the one for you. If you are interested or would like to learn more, you can reach us at (903) 597-3940.

 

Now is the perfect time of year to sign up for new dental benefits or start a new plan for your company. We promise our plans won’t disappoint and want to do everything we can to provide you with the best, most affordable dental care on the market. Learn about wisdom teeth recovery.

It is Teeth-safe Food Month! Food plays a pivotal role in our lives and is linked to our health in more ways than we can count. Oral health is no exception! Knowing which foods are helpful and which are harmful to your teeth is integral to keeping your smile healthy and bright. 

 

Cavities are one of the most common dental problems, and they are often directly linked to what we eat. One of the most common causes of cavities is the consumption of refined sugar. When consumed, it is broken down by bacteria and turned into acid, which in turn dissolves the tooth enamel. The frequency of sugar consumption is actually more detrimental to your oral health than the amount of sugar you consume in one sitting because of this. So what are some of the safest ways to still enjoy your favorite sugary treats while keeping your teeth safe?

 

• If you want to snack, find substitutes! Many delicious snacks are much better for your teeth than candy and sweets but can still satisfy your cravings for something tasty! Try snacking on berries or yogurt – they are both sweet and good for your teeth!

• Eat sweets at a time you know you will brush soon afterward. Most people will brush their teeth pretty soon after eating a meal. Therefore, this is one of the best times to consume a sweet treat. If you’re snacking on sweets at a random time during the day, you are less likely to brush until later, and the sugar will have more time to sit on your teeth and will be more likely to damage them.

• Avoid having sugar in your mouth for an extended time. Some examples of this are soda and candies you suck on, such as lollipops. If you want to enjoy a sugary snack, a quick dessert like a piece of cake or pie is much better. When you are eating something quickly, the saliva in your mouth will be hard at work washing the debris away. 

 

Having a healthy diet is extremely important for your oral health. The right foods keep your teeth safe and your gums and bones strong. Finding foods you enjoy that are also rich in vitamins is beneficial and not hard to do! Foods containing folic acid, calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin C are some of the best options for strong teeth and healthy gums. Here are some of our favorite picks…

 

• Dairy. Dairy products such as cheese, milk, and yogurt will kill two birds with one stone. They contain both calcium and vitamin B12, which are beneficial to the health of your gums and teeth!

• Dark green leafy vegetables. When people think of calcium, they usually think of milk. However, certain leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collard greens are chock full of calcium and will keep your teeth strong. 

• Beans, seeds, and nuts. These three foods have endless uses and can enhance many meals. They also contain folic acid, which will strengthen the supporting soft tissue in your mouth.

• Meat. Meats such as chicken and fish are versatile and delicious. You can’t go wrong with either because there are so many ways to cook and season them! In addition to this, they contain vitamin B12, which is great for keeping your gums healthy.

• Citrus. Whether you prefer fresh-squeezed orange juice or peeling and eating a clementine, citrus is delicious, rich in vitamin C, and perfect for keeping your soft mouth tissue healthy.

 

Food allergies are unfortunately common, especially when it comes to foods such as nuts and dairy. The food items listed above are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food that is good for your teeth. You have so many choices and will never be bored! Making sure you eat a variety of foods with the above vitamins and minerals will strengthen both your oral health as well as your overall well-being. We can give you plenty of tips on our blog, but it’s always better to come to see us in person! Give us a call today at (903) 597-3940 to schedule an appointment! Learn about a pain-free wisdom teeth recovery.

You’re not alone if you have trouble getting your young children to brush their teeth without complaint. The good thing is there are ways to make your children not only brush their teeth but enjoy it too! We are here to share with you our three favorite ways to get your children to love brushing their teeth!

 

• Make it fun.

There are many ways you can make oral hygiene more exciting for your kids. Try making a brushing playlist of your children’s favorite songs, or even find a couple of dental-themed songs. Whenever it is time for brushing, put this playlist on and join your children in their oral hygiene routine. They will be even more excited if you take them shopping for new toothbrushes! Most stores carry toothbrushes both in vibrant colors and with beloved Disney and other cartoon characters on them. Kids also tend to enjoy the excitement of using electric toothbrushes. There are so many fun and creative ways to get your children to view oral hygiene not just as necessary, but as fun! Before you know it, your kids will be asking when it is time to brush their teeth. 

 

• Teach your children the importance of oral health early and model good oral hygiene yourself. 

Even though they may not understand why they need to do some things, toddlers and younger children tend to internalize the values parents instill in them. Oral hygiene is no exception. If children see their parents consistently brushing and flossing, they will recognize that this should be routine. You can also try creating a specific brushing and flossing time with your children. When they become old enough to take care of their oral hygiene independently, a particular time will already be ingrained in them. It is essential to explain to children the benefits of certain behaviors. Teach them why a healthy smile will lead to a healthy, happy life! You can even throw something in about making the Tooth Fairy happy if you want.

 

• Reward good brushing behavior to reinforce it for your children. 

Children are driven by rewards just as much as they are driven by fun. Rewards don’t have to be big, expensive, or complicated. They could be as simple as adding shiny stickers to a chart every time your children brush their teeth without being told to do so. You could even let your children choose dinner one night of the week if they have been good about brushing their teeth. Rewards, no matter how small, will reinforce good oral health habits in your children.

 

Every child should learn the importance of brushing their teeth. Making oral care fun, educating your children about why brushing is essential, modeling good behavior, and rewarding your children when they are doing well are all ways to increase good brushing behavior and overall oral health. Let’s get brushing! Click here to read about wisdom teeth recovery.

Keeping up with your oral health is extremely important and staying on top of a 6-month checkup. We are here to tell you why!

4 Reasons to Schedule Your 6-Month Checkup

Many people wonder why it is necessary to visit the dentist every six months. Staying on top of your oral health is more beneficial than you realize, and we are excited to share some of our favorite ways to do so. You will want to make sure you have your next dental visit scheduled after reading this!

Overall health

Copious amounts of research has been done regarding the connection between oral health and other types of health issues. It is not widely known that links have been discovered between oral infections and heart disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. How does this happen? Many of these conditions can be detected through your mouth. During your routine dental appointments, your dentist will be able to see these manifestations if they are present. Your dentist’s oral health expertise can detect other issues you may be unable to detect yourself.

Catch problems before they grow

Dentists have unparalleled experience when it comes to catching oral health issues early on. People tend to believe that cavities are accompanied by intense pain and, therefore, are easy to detect. This can be true with certain cavities, but it isn’t always so. In some cases, you may not be able to feel a cavity at all. If you are going to your dentist routinely, painless cavities will be caught and treated before they become worse and result in more difficult and expensive treatment.

Keeping bacteria at bay

Why is leaving plaque untreated bad for your oral health? Plaque is a layer of sticky, clear bacteria on your teeth that is very difficult to keep under control using only your daily brushing routine. This is one of the main reasons why your routine dental cleanings are so integral. If plaque sticks to your teeth for too long, it will harden and become tartar. You cannot remove tartar with your at-home routine. If you let it build up for too long, it can result in infection. Without six-month cleanings, you would be unable to stay on top of tartar and plaque buildup.

Don’t forget your gums

The health of your gums is tied into your overall oral health. It can be difficult to keep up with if you do not possess dental knowledge. During your six-month checkup, your dentist will check the depth of the space between your teeth and gums with a unique tool. If the area is deep, you may have gum disease. Small checkups like this may seem like they won’t change much, but you will be thankful for them in the long run.

Hopefully, you all can gather that your routine dental exams and cleanings are very important when it comes to staying on top of your oral health. If you choose to skip or postpone these exams, you risk developing issues that could cost you more money and time later on. We promise that routine dental appointments are something to smile about! More on wisdom teeth recovery.