How Hormones Affect Your Oral Health

How Hormones Affect Your Oral Health

We tend to think that oral and overall health exists in completely separate spheres, but that’s not the case at all. What happens in one part of the body can have an effect on what happens elsewhere. That’s true even when talking about hormonal changes.

If you didn’t know it, the rise or fall of hormones can make a patient more vulnerable to a common oral health condition like gum disease. Women are especially vulnerable. For girls entering puberty, women who are taking birth control, pregnant, or entering menopause, chances of developing some form of gum disease are all higher. There’s even increased vulnerability a day or two before the start of a woman’s period.

What does that mean for you?

If you’re a woman, being extra vigilant about your gum health is important. Remember to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. Also, if you’re pregnant or taking birth control, be sure your doctor knows about it. For pregnant patients, more frequent cleanings may be required to keep the teeth and gums adequately protected. It’s also wise to include an antibacterial mouthwash in your daily routine and stick to a balanced diet. A diet high in starch or sugar will only contribute to potential problems with the teeth and gums.

Is it time for your next appointment with Dr. Wade? Call Stonebriar Smile Design in Frisco to reserve an appointment. Our office serves patients from Plano, McKinney, Allen, Dallas, and The Colony.

DNA Testing with VELscope

DNA Testing with VELscope

In our last post, we talked about the surprising connection that exists between HPV and oral cancer. Today, we’d like to focus on a revolutionary tool that’s helping Dr. Wade and her team diagnose oral cancer early.

In a traditional visual exam, doctors are looking for red or white spots that might indicate cancer. But it takes time for these spots to develop, and they typically indicate a more advanced form of the disease. To effectively treat oral cancer, it needs to be diagnosed early, before any spots are visible.

That’s difficult with just the naked eye, but it’s more than possible with a revolutionary tool called VELscope. This tool uses a special fluorescent light to highlight abnormal cells on tissue that might look healthy to the naked eye.

What does that mean for patients? It means an early diagnose and an early treatment. The earlier treatment can be administered, the greater the chance of making a full recovery.

For more information on VELscope and oral cancer, call our Frisco dental office. Dr. Wade serves patients from Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Dallas, and The Colony. Get in touch with us today for an appointment.

The Surprising Link between Oral Cancer and HPV

The Surprising Link between Oral Cancer and HPV

Oral cancer is among the many oral health conditions Dr. Wade looks for in every checkup at Stonebriar Smile Design. But, you might wonder, if you don’t have any of the common risk factors, is that even necessary?

The most common risk factors of oral cancer include tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. So if you avoid both of those, you must be safe, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Recent studies have shown that rates of oral cancer are on the rise in patients who don’t have any of these risk factors. The cause? Human papilloma virus, better known as HPV. And even though we think of HPV primarily in relation to cervical cancer, oral cancer stemming from HPV happens in men and women alike.

There are more than 120 different strands of HPV. Many are harmless, some are not. Some can be transferred with skin-to-skin contact, others are sexually transmitted.

With so many different strands and ways of being transmitted, it’s easy for HPV to slip under the radar, meaning you could be at risk without even knowing it. That’s why Dr. Wade makes oral cancer screenings a regular part of regular checkups for all patients, regardless of the risk factors.

Oral cancer screening at our Frisco dental office are quick, and one could save your life.

Has it been more than six months since your last checkup and oral cancer screening? If it has, call Stonebriar Smile Design today to reserve an appointment. Dr. Wade serves patients from Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Dallas, and The Colony.

10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Smile, Part 2

10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Smile, Part 2

In our last post, we discussed five different ways you can improve the healthy and/or beauty of your smile. Today, we’ll conclude by adding five more, for a total of 10 helpful ways you can make a difference with your own smile.

#6 – Enjoy a nutritious diet

What you eat has a big impact on your oral health. Sugary foods create an acidic environment that damages protective tooth enamel. Other foods, like chicken, cheese, nuts, and milk, can help you build strong teeth. What’s more, healthy foods can help you with other nutrients and minerals that can help you enjoy better overall health. If you have questions about foods that can help you, ask us during your next visit or give us a call now.

#7 – Seek restorative care when you need it

Anxiety can keep patients from seeking important care. Don’t let that be the case with you. If you know you need care, it’s better to see us now, when a less invasive treatment can be done. Our Frisco office is devoted to helping you relax and feel comfortable while visiting our office. That will help as we encourage seeking restorative care when you need it.

#8 – Mouthwash is your friend

Brushing and flossing are important, but so is using a mouthwash. An antibacterial mouthwash can help you protect your smile from gum disease, while a fluoride mouthwash can strength your enamel and protect it from decay.

#9 – Chew gum after meals

We’re talking about sugar-free gum of course. The benefit of chewing gum after meals is that it can help you clean your teeth when you’re in a position when you can’t brush or floss immediately after eating.

#10 – Use xylitol sweetener instead of sugar

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that doesn’t work on your smile the way other sweeteners do. Instead of creating acid, xylitol creates a pH-neutral environment that prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. Look for xylitol gum for maximum effectiveness.

Do you have other questions about how you can improve your smile? Call Stonebriar Smile Design to reserve an appointment with Dr. Wade or to ask a question. We’re happy to provide care to our patients from Frisco, Plano McKinney, Allen, Dallas, and The Colony.

10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Smile, Part 1

10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Smile, Part 1

Our smiles need plenty of care to be healthy and beautiful. In our posts for this month, we’d like to go over 10 different ways that you can improve the health and/or the appearance of your smile. Both are important and can be achieved with diligence on both your end and ours.

#1 - Follow a good oral care routine at home

Having a healthy smile begins at home with regular brushing and flossing. At our Frisco office, we recommend that patients brush at least twice a day. We also recommend flossing at least once. Following this routine can help you keep bacteria and plaque from causing major damage to your teeth and gums.

 #2 – Visit Dr. Wade twice a year

As beneficial as brushing and flossing are, enjoying a healthy smile also takes regular visits with Dr. Wade. During your six-month visits with us, we can complete a thorough oral exam that will tell us how your smile is doing. We can also give your smile a professional cleaning to get rid of deposits of plaque and bacteria. If we find any issues during your appointment, we can get to work right away on a treatment plan to help you 

reclaim your good oral health.

#3 – Indulge in a cosmetic service

A healthy smile is important, but so is a smile that makes you feel confident. At Stonebriar Smile Design we offer a comprehensive range of services, including porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, Invisalign, and more. If you’re considering a cosmetic improvement to your smile, we’d love to talk to you about how we can help.

#4 – Don’t ignore the warning signs

Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary with your smile? Instead of ignoring it, call us instead to set up a consultation appointment. What happens to your smile can have an impact on your overall health and sense of wellbeing. An untreated cavity or case of gum disease can result in the need for more advanced, more invasive care. Help us provide care early by alerting us to potential warning signs.

#5 – Ask questions

When you understand your oral health needs, you can make more informed choices about your care. At Stonebriar Smile Design, our goal is to help you understand how your smile is doing.  We don’t want any of our patients leaving with a question unanswered

For more tips on how to improve your smile, check back with our blog at the end of the month. In the meantime, call Stonebriar Smile Design if it’s time to schedule your next checkup with Dr. Wade. We serve patients from Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Dallas, and The Colony.

Predicting the Future with Oral DNA

Predicting the Future with Oral DNA

In our last post, we talked about the connection between gum disease and heart health. Today, we’d like to highlight a special tool that Dr. Wade uses at her Frisco dental office to help prevent and treat gum disease—it’s called Oral DNA.

This helpful tool uses a small sample of saliva to identify what types of bacteria are in your mouth. It can even tell us if you’re genetically predisposed to developing gum disease.

It’s often assumed that gum disease is purely the result of poor oral health. But that’s not always the case. Patients who are genetically predisposed can still develop gum disease, even if they’re excellent at brushing and flossing. The more Dr. Wade knows about your smile, the more pro-active she can be about providing care.

Early treatment is the best defense against poor health, no matter what condition you’re talking about. One way we’re doing this in regards to gum disease is with a Waterlase dental laser. With laser dentistry, we can provide comfortable, scalpel-free gum disease therapy that will help you eliminate bacteria and plaque below you gum line.

Let us help you take control of your smile’s future with Oral DNA. To find out more about how Oral DNA works, visit their patient information page or call our Frisco office. We gladly serve patients from Plano, McKinney, Allen, Dallas, and The Colony.

Heart Health Month: What’s the Connection between Gum Disease and Heart Disease?

Heart Health Month: What’s the Connection between Gum Disease and Heart Disease?

Now that it’s February, people are going to be turning their attention to matters of the heart. But we’re not just talking about Valentine’s Day. February is also Heart Health Month.

But what, you might be wondering, does the health of your heart have to do with dentistry? More than you might think.

Medical studies have shown that gum disease, a common oral health condition, shares a link with a wide range of conditions in the rest of the body, including heart disease. Heart problems arise when deposits of plaque build up inside the arteries of the heart. If enough plaque buildup forms to completely block the flow of blood, the result can be a heart attack or a stroke.

So, how does gum disease contribute?

The answer isn’t entirely clear, but gum disease does give bacteria and plaque an entry to the bloodstream, and from there to the rest of the body. We’re not saying that the plaque from your mouth is the same as the plaque that ends up in your heart, though. A number of theories on the exact nature of the relationship exist. What’s clear is that gum disease is a contributing factor.

That’s why regular checkups are so vital to enjoying good oral health and overall wellbeing. During a checkup, Dr. Wade will look for signs of gum disease, with treatment to follow if she finds anything.

One tool that she’s using every day to help is Oral DNA. In our next post, we’ll talk about Oral DNA and how it’s helping Dr. Wade provide effective care to her Frisco patients.

Call us today if you’re ready to schedule an appointment with Stonebriar Smile Design. We serve patients from Plano, McKinney, Allen, Dallas, The Colony, and beyond.