Teeth whitening is a popular dental procedure in the Plano area. After all, who doesn’t want a whiter smile? If you are considering tooth whitening, here are some things to keep in mind. Tooth Whitening: Key Findings Whitening treatments can be effective on both extrinsic and intrinsic staining Only natural teeth can be whitened; in…
Dental bonding
Osteoporosis And Oral Health

If you are a woman, you have probably heard about the high rate of osteoporosis in the country, and the state of Texas is no exception. Did you know that many studies have suggested a connection between osteoporosis and oral health? Osteoporosis can often progress without any outward symptoms. However, there may be clues in a person’s mouth…
Cavity Fighting Chewing Gum?

I’m Isabella Mejia DMD of The Plano Dentist in Plano. My patients often ask me if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular dental exams. Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little bit about xylitol: Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch…
Beware Of Hidden Sugar

We counsel our dental patients at The Plano Dentist to watch their sugar intake to prohibit cavities and other health issues. If you are trying to de-sugar your diet, you are probably skipping the usual suspects: candy, soda, and baked treats. But not all sugar is as recognizable as the frosting on a piece of…
How Do You Measure Dental Success?

How do you measure “dental success?” A check-up with no cavities? A perfect smile? A crown that looks as natural as the surrounding teeth? It could mean all those things and many more. For a child, dental success could be defined as a childhood free of cavities, learning daily dental hygiene practices, and gaining an…
Afraid of the Dentist? 5 Ways to Reduce Dental Anxiety

Talk to your dentist There’s something about having information on anything unknown that makes us feel less afraid or at least more confident handling the unknown. If you consider dentistry an unknown topic, maybe you can educate yourself by asking your dentist lots of questions. Find a dentist willing to listen to your fearful thoughts…
How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

As I stand over my sink and meditate the frayed bristles of my best-loved toothbrush, I speculate whether I should replace it. It’s a good question. We all brush our teeth on a daily basis. Like a good pair of jeans, it seems the more we use a toothbrush, the more comfortable it gets. As…
The 4 Stages of Gum Disease

You may be wondering why every so often your gums are red and swollen, or your breath is bad. Maybe you’re just interested in improving your dental health and want to be more aware for your next appointment. Learn about the four stages of gum disease you may be overlooking when thinking of your comprehensive…
What Do You Do If You Get Something Stuck Between Your Teeth?

Individuals get food stuck in and between their teeth all the time. Most of the time it is not an issue to get the food unstuck with floss or a toothbrush and move on with your day. However, once in a while there is a pesky piece of food that seems hardly possible to get…
Saving Teeth at The Plano Dentist in Plano

When a tooth is threatened by severe decay, periodontal disease, or damage from an injury, a skilled dentist or endodontist must make a judgment call concerning the course of treatment. If the pulp of the tooth is infected or inflamed, a root canal is typically the only way to save the tooth. During a root…