Heart of Texas Smiles General & Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

When is the last time you’ve seen a dentist? If you’re among the 35% of adults who don’t visit a dentist regularly, you’re about to throw hundreds to thousands of dollars in the trash. Your dental insurance benefits expire at the end of the year. With your oral health and overall wellness closely entwined, don’t miss your opportunity to visit your dentist. Here’s how to maximize your coverage to achieve healthy teeth and gums without spending your life’s savings.

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Did you know that 156 million Americans have dental insurance? However, less than 3% of adults meet or exceed their annual limits. Billions of dollars in unused dental insurance benefits are lost every year. You already pay for your coverage, so why not use it? Dental insurance is an investment in reduced costs for the services you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Your first step to a healthier smile is choosing a dentist that accepts your policy. Here’s what you need to know to choose between an in-network and an out-of-network dentist.

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Braces have straightened teeth and realigned smiles for generations, but many people who wore them as teenagers find that their teeth have shifted in the years since their treatment. Fortunately, patients can almost always undergo a new round of braces to straighten things out and have their smiles looking great. Here’s what you should know about undergoing a second orthodontic treatment as an adult.

For those who suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), jaw pain, headaches, and discomfort are the norm. If you’ve looked through the internet for TMD causes, you’ve probably landed on misaligned teeth a few times. If that is the case, can braces be the solution you’ve been looking for?

Well, it depends. Continue reading to learn more about TMD and how braces or other dental treatments can help you finally be free from pain.

Summer is a great time to head outdoors to soak up some sunshine and warm temperatures. However, spending too much time outside can lead to painful sunburns. The summer heat can also affect your smile if you aren’t careful. Here are 3 tips to protect your lips from the sun.

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Dental bonding offers a lot of bang for your buck. It fixes many minor imperfections quickly using a minimally invasive method. It’s a popular cosmetic treatment because it is affordable, effective, and creates natural-looking results. However, the bonding material can change color over time, just like your teeth. If your pearly whites aren’t as bright as they used to be, don’t use teeth whitening products without consulting with your dentist. Here’s what you need to know about using teeth whitening on dental bonding.

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Tooth extraction is an intimidating, but routine procedure that you may have to go through for a number of reasons. Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most common types of extraction that your dentist will perform in their career, so you’re not alone.

So, since you’re going to have the procedure done, how can you eat better to ensure a speedy recovery and avoid the dreaded dry socket? Let’s find out.

August 11^th is National Align Your Teeth Day, a day championed by dentists, orthodontists, and all other professionals in the dental field. The primary goal of this holiday is to promote awareness about the need for proper dental alignment, as well as the benefits that patients gain access to when they opt for orthodontic treatment. With that in mind, here’s more about why you should desire to have a straight and healthy smile, along with a few ways that your trusted orthodontist can help you reach that goal!

One of the most common dental procedures across the entire world is wisdom teeth removal; in fact, it’s basically a rite of passage into adulthood for many of us and sets us up for a lifetime of fewer oral health issues! But if your dentist has recently informed you that it’s time for those teeth to go, you might have a few reservations, especially when it comes to the healing period. Here’s a closer look at the recovery timeline for wisdom tooth extraction and some tips for ensuring a stress-free recovery.

If your wisdom teeth are giving you problems, it’s not something you want to ignore. Evolution has caused the human jaw to narrow, which means you may not have enough room in your mouth to accommodate a third set of molars. If there isn’t enough room to erupt, the teeth can be partially or fully impacted. According to the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 1 in every 10 adults has at least 1 impacted wisdom tooth. Although it may not seem concerning, your health can suffer if the teeth aren’t removed.

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