Summer Dental Tips

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Summer is right around the corner, so what better time to come in for your bi-yearly checkup? Here at Longbranch Dental Center located in Greenville, TX, we want to ensure that you are getting your cleaning and healthy mouth exam before all the summer activities! With our talented dentists and hygienists on staff, we will ensure to give you the best dental health possible before you have fun in the sun. There are multiple factors that go into a healthy mouth and we are here to enlighten you on those.

Tips for a healthy mouth:

  1. Brush at least twice a day.
  2. Use fluoridated toothpaste.
  3. Brush thoroughly.
  4. Floss your teeth daily.
  5. Limit acidic drinks 
  6. Limit sugary foods.
  7. Protect your teeth from injury.
  8. Try to save a knocked out tooth.
  9. Avoid using your teeth for anything other than chewing food. For example, opening cans, food, etc.
  10. See your dentist at Longbranch Dental for regular check-ups.

We know summer can be a busy time for the family so we want to make sure to get appointments for the whole family! Call us today to schedule your checkup at 903-455-4161

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

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Here at Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville Tx,we want to ensure that you are getting the utmost dental care and treatment as possible. That is why for the month of April we want to promote Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Oral cancer occurs in the mouth, throat, neck, and even roof of the month and can be a deadly disease. As stated from the Oral Cancer Foundation, “This year an estimated 51,550 new cases of oral and oropharyngeal cancers will be diagnosed in the US. Of those individuals, 40 percent will not survive longer than five years, and many who do survive to suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties with eating and speaking. The death rate associated with oral and oropharyngeal cancers remains particularly high because the cancers routinely are discovered late in their development.” With that being said, Longbranch Dental Center wants to ensure you are coming in for your exam so we can do a full cancer screening.

Symptoms:

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in your mouth the good news is that they will be very visible. It is important for patients to be aware of the following signs and symptoms. If any of these symptoms are not clearing up in one to two weeks please make an appointment with one of our doctors.

  • Sore, or soreness or irritation that doesn’t go away
    • Red or white patches, or pain, tenderness, or numbness in mouth or lips
    • Lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas
    • Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue

If you are on top of your appointments and make sure to come in for your screenings you are doing the best you can to stay oral cancer free. Here at Longbranch Dental Center, we have extensive technology to ensure we are giving you the clearest results possible.

Call our office today to get you and your entire family in for your annual oral cancer screening at 903-455-4161

 

 

Dental Awareness Month- Back to School Appointments!

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Backpack? Check. Lunchbox? Check. Teeth cleaning? Check!

They say you are never fully dressed without a smile, so why not give your child a beautiful white smile to wear for their first day back to school?

The new 2018 school year is sneaking up on us and you have been given the ever-growing, back-to-school to-do list that every parent dreads. There is one important thing that the teachers did not include on that list: a back-to-school dental checkup.

Here at Longbranch Dental Center we always say it is good to have routine dental visits, but what makes back-to-school checkups so important is that it can help prevent common dental diseases found in school-age children. Cavities are known to be one of the biggest obstacles that children face and according to the ADA (American Dental Association), it causes them to miss “more than 51 million school hours each year”.

So if you want to keep those cavities and the other dental diseases at bay, here are some tips to have a successful dental checkup to ensure your children’s teeth shine as bright as their future:

  • Brush! Brush! Brush! It’s important to encourage your child to brush twice a day for two minutes to keep those cavities away. Brownie points if your child brushes before their appointment!
  • What time is it?? Naptime! Make sure you don’t schedule your child’s dental appointment during their naptime or your day at the dentist will be most challenging. Also, take into account if your child is cranky or had a bad day, they might not have the energy to make it through the appointment.
  • If one of your children has gone to the dentist before and it’s their younger sibling’s first time, schedule the older child to go first to act as a role model and show the younger one how it’s done.
  • If it is your child’s first time, it’s important to remember to stay strong and stay calm if your child starts to be uncooperative because if you scoop them up and walk out of the office, the next visit will be much harder. Give the doctor time to try and positively turn the visit around.

Once the appointment is underway, make sure to ask the dentist some of the following questions:

  • How is my child’s overall health?
  • Will my child get their teeth cleaned today?
  • Will my child be given fluoride?
  • Does my child need an x-ray or a mouth guard for sports?
  • What are Sealants?

Now your child is ready to go back to school, but make sure to grab your dentist’s card because accidents are bound to happen whether your child is in sports, recess, or just walking down the school hallways. You can place these cards in your purse or in your child’s backpack just in case of emergencies. Maybe while you’re there you’ll even want to sign up for an appointment yourself.

Call Longbranch Dental Center today to schedule you and your child’s next dental appointment! (903) 455-4161

Is a dental implant right for you?

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Have you lost a tooth due to accident, injury, or illness? If so, a dental implant is a good option to replace missing teeth!

A dental implant is made of medical-grade titanium that is surgically implanted into your jawbone. A dental crown is placed on top of the implant, with the end result looking like a natural tooth. Dental implants are a more secure solution for replacing missing teeth than dentures because they are fixed in place and can’t be removed like dentures. Dental implants can also be more durable than dentures.

If you elect to have a dental implant inserted, dental surgery may be required. But, the doctors at Longbranch Dental are highly trained in oral surgery and will work hard to ensure a smooth procedure. The entire process can take up to six months but the end result is well worth the wait!

The first step in a dental implant procedure is to insert a titanium screw into the jawbone. The doctor then creates a permanent bond between the implant and the jawbone. A temporary oral appliance will be worn while the jawbone and the implant post heals. The healing process can take several weeks or months, depending on how quickly the jawbone bonds to the implant post.

Once your mouth has healed, you will return to our dental practice in Greenville for a custom crown to be placed on top of the dental implant post. The end result is a natural looking tooth and a beautiful smile!

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, call Longbranch Dental at 903-455-4161 Our friendly staff will answer any questions and set up a consultation with the doctor!

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

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Here at Longbranch Dental Center, we want to ensure that each of our patients are aware and preventative of oral cancer. Oral and oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the mouth and upper throat) unfortunately kills nearly one person every hour of every day each year. Of the people diagnosed with these types of cancers, 40 percent will not survive longer than five years. However, many who do survive oral cancer suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties with eating and speaking. It is a serious disease that is sometimes not taken seriously and Longbranch Dental Center wants to ensure that every patient is aware and regularly gets cancer screenings.

The main issue we face today with oral cancer is the death rate associated with oral and oropharyngeal cancers remains particularly high because the cancers routinely are discovered late in their development. Fortunately, when oral and oropharyngeal cancers are detected and treated early, mortality and treatment-related health problems are reduced. That is why Longbranch Dental Center Care is here to help each of our current and new patients be proactive in their screenings. We want to ensure that everyone lives a happy and healthy life, while being aware and proactive!

In between dental visits, it is important for patients to be aware of the following signs and symptoms, and to see a dentist if any of these symptoms proceed.

  • soreness or irritation within the mouth
  • red or white patches, or pain, tenderness, or numbness in mouth or lips
  • lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas
  • difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue
  • a change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth

If you have any of these symptoms please call Longbranch Dental Center to make an appointment with one of our dentist professionals. If you are not experiencing any symptoms we still recommend that you receive annual oral cancer screenings. Why not be preventative with your oral treatment?

Call Longbranch Dental Center at 903-455-4161 today to get further information about Oral Cancer Awareness Month!

THE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION YOU HAVE TO KEEP!

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A new year is here! While setting your goals for 2018, did you find taking better care of your health at the top of your list? Perhaps you’re one of the more than 30% of people in the U.S. who haven’t gone to the dentist in the last year! Or maybe your 2018 resolve is to have a bright, good-looking smile you’re proud to show? Whatever it is you want to achieve, don’t let the February fallout happen with your resolutions! Keep connected with the New Year spirit and schedule an appointment with Longbranch Dental Center’s, Greenville’s premier dental practice, today!

 

Inside out is what it’s all about.

 

Don’t just want the cosmetic or esthetic benefits of visiting the dentist! A whiter smile is eye-catching but preventative oral health care can add seven years to your life, according to a Wayne State University study. You can have both sides of benefits! Nurture your oral health holistically by scheduling your exams and x-rays each year so you can have healthy teeth and gums for life. It is widely-known that many diseases make their presence known in the mouth; and tooth decay and gum disease that go undetected can equal extensive and costly dental work down the line. Slacking in your oral health maintenance has been linked to heart problems, aggravated issues with diabetes, and even pre-term labor in pregnant women. Be on the defense regarding your dental health. You’ll get fresher breath and can minimize tooth sensitivity and bleeding gums too; that is always a plus!

 

Once you’ve covered your preliminary bases, you can trust you’re in good hands with Longbranch Dental Center for natural looking dental implants, fillings, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, or whitening. Longbranch Dental Center even specializes in sedation dentistry if you’re nervous or know you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you.

 

Schedule an appointment today by 903- 455-4161!

 

Don’t forget to add calcium and fibrous foods to your diet to boost your dental health and of course, don’t forget to floss!

No Dental Insurance? No Worries!

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Dental insurance is a benefit that many people in Greenville aren’t able to take advantage of. If you don’t have dental insurance, Longbranch Dental Center wants to help! We have developed an in-house dental advantage plan that allows individuals and families to receive quality dental care at affordable prices.

Affordable Preferred Care Membership Program

The Preferred Care Membership Program is a dental savings program run by Longbranch Dental Center, not a third-party insurance company. There are no monthly insurance premiums and no insurance hassles!

The Preferred Care Membership Program includes*:

  • Two Dental Cleanings (Healthy Gums)
  • Unlimited Oral Exams
  • Periodontal Evaluation
  • Oral Cancer Screening
  • Unlimited Digital X-Rays
  • Intraoral Camera Exam

As a bonus, members will receive a 10% discount on the following services:

  • Additional Dental Cleanings
  • Esthetic Procedures
  • Periodontal Disease Care (Non-Healthy Gums)
  • All General Dentistry Procedures

The Longbranch Dental Center’s Preferred Care Membership Program will save families a significant amount on their dental care by eliminating the high costs and hassles associated with billing insurance companies. With the Preferred Care Membership Program, your dental care is in the hands of Longbranch Dental Center doctors and staff. We offer high quality dental care at discount prices. Our goal is to help keep family dentistry affordable.

Membership Fees*

  • $150 Adults
  • $110 Children (12 and under)

Plan Benefits

  • 10% discount on all general dentistry procedures
  • No yearly maximum
  • No deductible
  • No pre-existing exclusions

Please note restrictions do apply and this can not be combined with dental insurance, other discounts, or other promotional offers.

If you are in need of dental work, then contact Greenville’s best dentist today. Longbranch Dental Center has been serving Greenville since 1971 and is family owned and operated. Call us today!

Family-Friendly Dental Care in Greenville, TX

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For residents in Greenville, TX looking for a dentist for the entire family, then look no further than Longbranch Dental Center. For over 40 years, Longbranch Dental Center has been one of the best Greenville, TX dentists, providing a variety of dental services in a comfortable atmosphere.

At Longbranch Dental Center, we are committed to providing trusted and caring dental excellence for the entire family. Our services include sedation dentistry for apprehensive patients, porcelain veneers for a move-star like smile, bridges and crowns, root canal therapy, composite tooth bonding to fix chipped or cracked teeth, teeth whitening for a sparkling smile, preventive dentistry with cleanings and oral cancer screenings, emergency dental care, and children’s dentistry. We are also one of the only dental practices in the area to have an on-site denture lab.

Dr. Ronald Weaks founded Longbranch Dental Center in 1971. As a trusted dental practice, he has seen the Greenville community grow and prosper. Today, he is joined by his son, Dr. Mike Weaks, and Dr. Alan Brunelli and Dr. Victoria Hall.

For patients that are apprehensive about visiting the dentist, Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, TX, offers sedation dentistry. This type of dentistry allows the patient to become very relaxed so that the best Greenville, TX dentist can perform necessary dental work without the patient feeling anxious. Longbranch Dental Center offers three levels of sedation dentistry — nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas” is the mildest form of sedation dentistry. Oral sedation is administered using a pill, and many patients have even fallen asleep during the procedure. IV sedation is administered by an anesthesiologist and your vital signs are monitored throughout the entire visit.

New Patient Welcome

If you are looking for a new dentist, look no further than Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville. For a limited time, new patients receive x-rays, exam and cleaning for only $69. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

April Is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

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Help Prevent Oral Cancer With Screenings at Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville

During the month of April, Longbranch Dental Center is helping to raise awareness about oral cancer by offering oral cancer screenings with every dental exam. The Oral Cancer Foundation predicts that approximately 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. With early detection and diagnosis, this deadly disease can be caught and treated with an oral cancer screening at your Greenville dentist.

Important Facts to Know:

  • Oral cancer strikes approximately 40,000 American adults annually
  • Smoking, using tobacco, and heavy drinking are prime risk factors for developing oral cancer
  • Over 25% of adults diagnosed with oral cancer don’t drink heavily or smoke
  • Regular visits to our Greenville dentists at Longbranch Dental Center can lead to early diagnosis and treatment

The main risk factors for developing oral cancer is smoking, tobacco use and heavy drinking. However, the fastest growing patient profile developing oral cancer are young, healthy, nonsmoking adults due that have the HPV virus.

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of oral cancer. These symptoms include:

  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • A sore throat that doesn’t heal
  • A white or red patch or a lump on the inside of the mouth, especially if it doesn’t heal in a few days
  • Tongue pain, jaw pain, or jaw stiffness that doesn’t go away

At Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, we perform oral cancer screenings during our routine dental exams. It is important to point out to our Greenville dentist if you have, or are currently experiencing any of the symptoms of oral cancer. If a problem is found, our dentists will perform a biopsy and send the sample to a local lab for analysis. if a problem is discovered, we will provide a recommendation to a oral cancer specialist.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in scheduling an oral cancer screening in Greenville, contact Longbranch Dental Center today or request an online appointment.

Dental Emergency? Call Longbranch Dental Center Today!

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A dental emergency can be a scary situation. Don’t panic! If you have lost a filling, cracked or broken a tooth, or had a tooth knocked out, contact Longbranch Dental Center today. We offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies.

If you have experienced any of the following, you may be experiencing a dental emergency:

  • Accidental tooth knockout
  • Cracked tooth
  • Jaw injury
  • Lip or tongue bite with excessive bleeding
  • Loose tooth
  • Lost filling or crown
  • Painful swelling not caused by an injury
  • Sudden toothache

If you have a dental emergency, below are some tips to help care for the tooth until you can see our Greenville dentist:

  • If you have lost a permanent tooth, call our Greenville dental practice immediately. Until your appointment, keep your tooth moist at all times by placing it in-between your cheek and gums, in a glass of milk, or purchase a tooth preservation product.
  • If you have cracked a tooth, immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. This will help clean the area of harmful bacteria. Use a cold compress on your face to help minimize swelling.
  • If you have bitten your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water. Use a cold compress on the area to minimize swelling.
  • If you experience a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean any bacteria from the area. Gently floss to remove any food caught between the teeth.
  • For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues.

Don’t put off going to the dentist if you are in pain or experiencing any of the above symptoms. Our Greenville emergency dentist can quickly diagnose the problem and recommend the best treatment plan to get you out of pain and back to enjoying your daily activities.