Gum Care Aware!

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Longbranch Dental Center located in Greenville, TX cares greatly about each and every patient’s oral health. Along with oral health, our dentists want to bring awareness this September to national gum awareness month. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums surrounding the tooth and affects more than half of Americans. Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria and plaque build-up around the tooth and causes major inflammation. Dr. Ronald Weaks wants to provide you with some tips and prevention tools to help keep gum disease far, far away.

  • Brush thoroughly with a soft-bristled toothbrush both in the morning and at night
  • Replace your toothbrush every three months
  • Floss every day- mainly at night
  • Schedule routine dental checkups with our dentists here at Longbranch Dental Center
  • Do not smoke or use tobacco products

Our staff is available to make you an appointment Monday through Friday and book you the most convenient appointment possible. Call us today to get more information on preventing gum disease at 903-225-2024!

Bad Breath? Kiss It Goodbye this July!

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July is here, summer is in full swing, and hopefully, your breath is not! Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a very common occurrence that happens is many people throughout the country. Our dentists here at Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, TX are here to bring awareness to this and show you that is it easily preventable! Whether you have dental implants, sleep apnea, or even fillings, you are able to keep your teeth healthy which inevitably gets rid of bad breath. Our office has provided you with some tips and everyday practices to help kiss bad breath goodbye:

  • Brush after every meal
  • Brush at least once in the morning and once at night
  • Floss once a day
  • Replace your toothbrush every two to three months.
  • Arrange regular dental checkups and cleanings at Longbranch Dental Center

No one wants bad breath this summer, so contact our office today to make an appointment for your biyearly cleaning and to speak to our highly trained dental hygienists and dentists for the best way to care for your mouth. Call today at 903-231-1006

June Marks Healthy Smile Month!

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Longbranch Dental Center located in Greenville, TX is excited to bring awareness healthy smile month in June! The start of the summer months marks awareness and guidance for healthy smiles. The organization is founded by the oral health foundation and by taking part in National Smile Month, you are aiming to create a healthier world around us. This particular campaign aims for positivity and promotes the true value of a smile, not only for physical health but for mental health too which is just as important. Our skilled dentists at Longbranch Dental have three very important tips to keep in mind this month.

  1. Make sure brushing your teeth is the very last thing you do at night and first thing in the morning with a fluoride toothpaste.
  2. Ensure you cut down on the amount of sugary food and drink you have and how often they are consumed
  3. Make an appointment with the doctors at Longbranch Dental every 6 months, or when recommended.

Be sure to keep these tips in mind this summer, and dont forget to make your next appointment with us by calling 903-455-4161

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!

Sweetheart of a Deal!

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This month is the month of love! Is your smile ready?

Do you have plans to celebrate with a loved one this month? Is your smile making you feel less than fantastic?

Here at Longbranch Dental we have exactly the thing to help you have that instant wow factor – teeth whitening!

Maybe you’re not big on Valentine’s Day. The benefits of having a bright, white smile extend far beyond looking great for a holiday! Perception is sometimes everything. Teeth whitening is also perfect for any special occasion or interview, or simply as a confidence boost that will enhance your look and make you feel polished and prepared.

What is it?

Teeth whitening is your solution for stained or yellow teeth! In less than an hour, your smile can be whitened by up to eight shades! It is also enamel-safe, unlike a lot of popular whitening brands you’ll find on store shelves.

Teeth whitening is significantly more effective than traditional whitening methods because of advanced guided light optic technology. You’ll see the results immediately, so you can make an appointment right before your plans or big day, no waiting necessary!

What alternatives are there?

Maybe you can’t make it into the office or you’re wanting something very subtle instead. We have a variety of whitening products that you can take home for similar results!

Call us today so we can help you find what is best for your smile!

(903) 455-4161

Make sure you’re staying on top of your yearly cleanings and exams as well. Having a healthy smile is just as important as having a bright smile.

Schedule an appointment today!

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.