Are You Flossing Correctly?

Flossing your teeth is more important to your well-being than brushing. So why do people come up with silly excuses such as, “I’m not coordinated enough to floss,” or “I don’t know how to floss.” After today, you won’t be able to use these excuses anymore, because Dr. Archana Lankupalli of Prosmiles Dental is going to teach you how to floss correctly.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!

If you have questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.prosmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Prosmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-677-8966.

Are You Brushing Effectively?

When you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque – a sticky film that forms on your teeth and contains bacteria. The longer plaque is left on your teeth the more time it has to break down tooth enamel and lead to cavities. As much as we love to see your smile here at Prosmiles Dental, Dr. Archana Lankupalli wants you to keep it healthy and utilize these brushing tips in between professional cleanings.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and don’t forget to floss!

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.prosmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Prosmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-677-8966.

Inlays, Onlays, and Making Partial crowns

After veneers, partial crowns are the smallest type of restoration offered at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth. Dr. Arachana Lankupalli can install restorations as complex as full-mouth dentures, but when only the surface of a chewing tooth is damaged, a partial crown called an inlay or an onlay is usually sufficient.

Molars and premolars have complex surfaces consisting of indentations and raised bumps called cuspids. An inlay fits in between the cuspids; an onlay replaces cuspids as well as indentations. If the chewing surface was lost to tooth decay, Dr. Lankupalli will need to remove the decayed material before making an impression of the patient’s mouth. The impression is sent to a lab where the partial crown is manufactured—usually out of porcelain, although patients may discuss other options. A partial crown usually takes about two weeks to arrive at the clinic, during which the patient will have a temporary crown. When the inlay or onlay is installed, patients will need to care for their teeth as normal but will have a second chance at functional, painless molars.

Dr. Archana Lankupalli operates ProSmiles Dental at 9400 Clifford Street, Suite 110, Fort Worth, Texas, 76108. To schedule an appointment, call 817-369-8000 or visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Never Fear with Lumineers

ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, Texas, is fully-equipped with the top brand products to serve patients’ health and cosmetic needs. Among the treatments Dr. Archana Lankupalli is certified to offer is the application of the patented Lumineers by Den-Mat Labs. These veneers are much lighter and thinner than the traditional model, allowing patients to smile brightly after undergoing a comparatively much less intrusive process.

Like all veneers, Lumineers are manufactured out of porcelain using an impression of the patient’s mouth as a mold. Veneers are designed to fit over the edges and fronts of the teeth, creating an artificial shell which is both whiter than the natural tooth and ideally shaped. Veneers can mask chips, gaps, and slight misalignment as well as discoloration, but the traditional models were so thick they could only be applied after some of the patient’s natural teeth had been sanded down. While the placement of Lumineers does require the patient to undergo a deep cleaning, the shell is so thin that no reshaping of the teeth is required.

If patients are satisfied with the shade of the Lumineers, the entire process of getting them may take only two visits to the clinic. Lumineers are strong enough to allow the teeth to function normally, but the lack of tooth reshaping means they can be removed if the patient ever requires further treatment.

Dr. Archana Lankupalli operates ProSmiles Dental at 9400 Clifford Street, Suite 110, Fort Worth, Texas, 76108. To schedule an appointment, call 817-369-8000 or visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a natural mineral found throughout the earth’s crust and widely distributed in nature and is often added to water to help reduce tooth decay. Research has shown that fluoride not only reduces cavities in children and adults, but it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay before it is even visible. Fluoride could be delivered in different forms, but here at Prosmiles Dental, our doctors can discuss professional fluoride treatments to see if you are a prime candidate.

Fluoride is found naturally in soil, water, foods, and several minerals. When present at the right level, fluoride in drinking water has two beneficial effects: preventing tooth decay and contributing to healthy bones. The type of fluoride we utilize at our practice is called topical fluoride. Topical fluoride is applied directly to and absorbed by the surface of the teeth. It may be applied as a foam or gel after a professional cleaning and can additionally be found in personal oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses.

If you have questions about fluoride or fluoride treatment, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.prosmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Prosmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-677-8966.

Dental Emergencies

Our doctors at Prosmiles Dental are the ones you should call if you have a dental emergency. We understand that accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Any dental emergency like an injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should never be ignored. Whether at home or traveling, the following tips may come in handy until you can get to our dental practice.

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you have a dental emergency, please contact us immediately. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.prosmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Prosmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-677-8966.

Dental Cleaning: Defined

No matter how much you diligently brush or floss your teeth at home, harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that can only be removed by a dental professional. These bacteria can cause gum disease and significantly affect your overall health. Here at Prosmiles Dental, our hygienists will use professional tools to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria build-up that you are unable to efficiently remove yourself.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, it is recommended that a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months. The professional dental cleaning reinforces the home-care oral health regimen of brushing and flossing and gives one of our doctors an opportunity to locate areas in the mouth that may need special attention. During a teeth cleaning, our team of hygienists will thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. Once the surfaces are smooth, polishing is done using a slow speed handpiece with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end. Last but not least, the dentist flosses every crevice between your teeth and may apply fluoride if needed.

If you are overdue for a dental checkup, please give us a call today. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.prosmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Prosmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-677-8966.