February 22, 2012 by Editor
You may think that achieving your dream smile would take many long visits to our Waco dentist office. However, Dr. Locke offers some cosmetic treatments that can improve your smile in only one visit.
Teeth Whitening
Dr. Locke offers the Zoom! in-office whitening treatment to help brighten your smile. The Zoom! system uses a peroxide bleaching agent to remove surface stains and whiten the shade of your enamel. In just one office visit, your teeth can look eight to ten shades lighter. Periodic touch-ups can help keep your smile bright, but overall, you will see a major difference after just one visit.
Bonding
Cosmetic bonding can correct minor tooth flaws in a single appointment. Dr. Locke will apply a composite resin material to your teeth and sculpt it to the ideal shape and size. He will then use a special curing light to harden the material and blend it with your natural teeth. After the bonding has set, Dr. Locke will polish the resin to make your smile shine. During bonding, Dr. Locke will not need to remove any of your natural tooth structure. We can apply the bonding in just one cosmetic dentist visit, but touch-ups may still be required to keep your new teeth clear of stains and chips.
Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry | Tagged cosmetic dentist waco, dental bonding waco, Dentist Waco, hewitt cosmetic dentist, mcgregor cosmetic dentist, smile enhancement waco, teeth whitening waco, tooth-colored fillings waco, waco cosmetic dentist, waco dental bonding, waco dentist, waco smile enhancement, waco teeth whitening, woodway cosmetic dentist | Leave a Comment »
February 20, 2012 by Editor
Your dentist needs to know about more than just the condition of your mouth. Since your oral health affects your heart health, Dr. Locke will also analyze your heart status to determine your chance of risk for other problems. Please be prepared to discuss your health conditions with our team so we can keep your whole body healthy.
Heart Disease
Dr. Locke needs to know if you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that patients with periodontal disease are twice as likely to have heart disease. The harmful bacteria can travel through your bloodstream and spread to other areas. Studies show that the bacteria that cause gum disease are often found clumped in artery plaques. It works the other way around, as well. You can’t feel your arteries hardening, but you will likely notice bleeding gums. In other words, if you haven’t been diagnosed with heart disease, evaluating your gum condition could help prevent any problems to save both your smile and your heart.
Posted in Healthy Living | Tagged dentist hewitt, dentist mcgregor, Dentist Waco, dentist woodway, family dentist waco, general dentist waco, gum disease waco, heart attack waco, heart disease waco, hewitt dentist, mcgregor dentist, periodontal disease waco, waco dentist, waco family dentist, waco general dentist, waco heart disease, woodway dentist | Leave a Comment »
February 15, 2012 by Editor
Studies show that people who suffer from dental pain often have irritability, behavior problems, and decreased focus and performance during the day. If you have a toothache, contact Dr. Locke immediately to treat the problem. However, some home remedies can temporarily relieve the sharp throbbing pain in your mouth.
- Painkillers: Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other over-the-counter painkillers can help sooth inflammation and pain.
- Clove oil: Clove oil has anesthetic and antibacterial properties to help numb the affected area and kill the bacteria that are causing your ache.
- Ice pack: Hold a cold ice pack to the outside of your cheek to help relieve the pain and reduce swelling.
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Posted in General Dentistry | Tagged dentist office waco, Dentist Waco, general dentist hewitt, general dentist waco, general dentist woodway, hewitt general dentist, relieve a toothache waco, sharp pain in tooth waco, tooth pain waco, tooth sensitivity waco, waco dentist, waco general dentist, woodway general dentist | Leave a Comment »
February 13, 2012 by Editor
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists voted Angelina Jolie and Natalie Portman as the most kissable mouths in Hollywood because of their smooth, plump lips. When kissing your Valentine tomorrow, dry lips can be uncomfortable and painful for both parties. Try Dr. Locke’s tips to keep your lips hydrated and desirable.
How Valentine’s Day Can Dry Out Your Lips
Valentine’s Day habits are more inclined to dry out your lips. The colder weather outside makes the air drier, and the lack of moisture in the air can parch your skin and cause it to peel. Furthermore, kissing your loved one stimulates extra saliva production. For your mouth, the extra saliva is useful to help rinse away bacteria. To your lips, however, saliva can be damaging. As saliva dries, it damages the outer protective layer and dehydrates your lips.
Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Healthy Living | Tagged bad breath waco, chapped lips waco, cosmetic dentist waco, dentist hewitt, dentist mcgregor, Dentist Waco, dentist woodway, dry lips waco, family dentist waco, fresh breath waco, hewitt dentist, kissable lips waco, mcgregor dentist, waco cosmetic dentist, waco dentist, waco family dentist, woodway dentist | Leave a Comment »
February 8, 2012 by Editor
Choosing a dentist can be a difficult task because you want to make sure you’re receiving the best oral care possible. Here are a few tips to help you choose your Waco dentist!
- Patient Relationships – Our team is committed to building relationships with our patients built on trust and respect. We are devoted to helping you understand your mouth and encourage you to ask us any questions or address any concerns.
- Patient Comfort – We want you to feel comfortable and confident about your mouth and your visit. If you express fear, embarrassment, anxiety, or any other situation that prevents total relief in the dental chair, ask Dr. Locke about his sedation and relaxation techniques. Sedation dentistry can help relax your body and ease your nerves so you won’t have to panic about your treatments.
- Trained Dentist – You need to make sure your dentist has the training, credentials, and qualifications to treat your mouth. Dr. Locke has over 25 years as a general dentist and is a firm believer in prevention and early diagnosis. He also stays up-to-date with current innovations. His trainings come from the Pankey Institute and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He also maintains an involved membership with the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Texas Dental Association, and other industry organizations.
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Posted in General Dentistry, In the Office | Tagged dentist office waco, Dentist Waco, family dentist hewitt, family dentist mcgregor, family dentist waco, family dentist woodway, finding a dentist in waco, hewitt family dentist, how to find a waco dentist, how to pick a dentist in waco, mcgregor family dentist, waco dentist, waco family dentist, woodway family dentist | Leave a Comment »
February 7, 2012 by Editor
With Valentine’s Day only a week away, you’re probably trying to think of the perfect gift for your sweetheart. Delicious candy, cute stuffed animals, and heartfelt love letters are all traditional romantic treats. Dr. Locke recommends avoiding the chocolate candy this year because it could decay her smile. Instead, try these passionate gift ideas that will keep her smiling.
Spa Day
Help your honey relax with her favorite spa treatments. You could arrange a couple’s massage to spend the day together. If you prefer a romantic, quiet evening at home, consider giving her an aroma therapy gift basket so she can take a relaxing bubble bath. Be sure to include the popular romance scents, like jasmine, lavender, rose, and vanilla.
Posted in Healthy Living, Just for Fun | Tagged beautiful smile waco, dentist gift certificate waco, dentist hewitt tx, Dentist Waco, dentist woodway tx, family dentist waco, healthy valentines treats, hewitt tx dentist, valentines day gift ideas, waco dentist, waco family dentist, what to give for valentines day, woodway tx dentist | Leave a Comment »
February 1, 2012 by Editor
Teeth are commonly associated with one specific color—white! However, one other color has an important role in healthy teeth. The first Friday in February is National Wear Red Day, created to raise awareness for women’s heart health. Let’s take a look at some of the important red items that affect your dental health.
Red Hearts
We’re not talking about the red Valentine’s Day hearts. Your dental health affects your overall body health, including your heart. Heart disease and heart attacks are often linked to periodontal disease. Your oral bacteria can spread throughout your bloodstream and clog your arteries or inflame your tissues. Keeping your mouth clean of harmful bacteria will help protect your heart health.
Red Gums
Your gums should naturally be a pinkish color. Red or bleeding gums are generally one of the first signs of gum disease. If your gums are swollen or sore, visit Dr. Locke immediately to address any gum infection concerns.
Posted in Healthy Living, Oral Health | Tagged bleeding gums waco, Dentist Waco, family dentist waco, gum disease waco, heart disease waco, red gums waco, red wine, stained teeth waco, teeth whitening waco, waco bleeding gums, waco dentist, waco family dentist, waco gum disease, waco red gums | Leave a Comment »
January 31, 2012 by Editor
Children in the U.S. spend about half a billion dollars on chewing gum each year. The sticky treat can coat your teeth with sugar, cause jaw aches, or pull out your dental work. However, it can also relieve ear popping on flights, freshen breath, release stress, and increase saliva production. Dr. Locke can explain why your gum smacking habit may actually be helpful to your dental health.
Increasing Saliva Production
When you chew gum, you are constantly moving your jaw muscles and opening and closing your mouth. This action helps stimulate your salivary glands. Saliva helps wash away extra food particles in your mouth and keep your mouth moist to prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth. Dr. Locke recommends chewing sugarless gum after eating.
Posted in Healthy Living, Nutrition | Tagged bad breath waco, benefits of xylitol, chewing gum waco, chewing sugarless gum, Dentist Waco, dry mouth waco, family dentist waco, jaw aches waco, reduce stress, teeth clenching waco, tmj therapy waco, tooth decay waco, waco dentist, waco family dentist, waco tooth decay, what is xylitol | Leave a Comment »
January 26, 2012 by Editor
We emphasize good oral care at any early age to help you protect your teeth for life, but the proper care doesn’t stop when you get older. As you age, your teeth do too. However, Dr. Locke can address your problems to help hide your common aging difficulties.
Poor Hygiene
Busy schedules may shift your focus away from your everyday hygiene routine. When we say you need to brush and floss daily, that means literally, every single day of your life. As you get older, you may also develop arthritis and limited mobility that makes it difficult to clean your mouth. Electric toothbrushes, floss holders, and other dental tools can make hygiene easier.
Posted in General Dentistry, Healthy Living | Tagged dental health old age, dental implants waco, Dentist Waco, family dentist waco, gum disease waco, missing teeth waco, receding gums waco, smile looks old, stained teeth waco, teeth whitening waco, waco dentist, waco family dentist | Leave a Comment »
January 23, 2012 by Editor
Did you wake up this morning with a dry mouth and bad breath? Experts estimate that about 95 percent of people experience morning halitosis from time to time. If your bad breath is a problem, contact Dr. Locke to help keep your breath fresh.
What Causes Morning Breath?
“Morning breath” is caused by a lack of moisture in your mouth. When you sleep, your salivary glands slow down and produce less saliva. Breathing through your mouth also dries out the back of your throat. Additionally, more than half the bacteria in your mouth live on the surface of your tongue. When you sleep, your tongue naturally makes contact with your throat, spreading the bacteria all over your mouth. Saliva is necessary to keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria. Overnight, oral bacteria thrive in the dry environment and produce a bad odor when you wake up.
Posted in General Dentistry, Oral Health | Tagged bad breath in morning, bad breath treatment waco, bad breath waco, central texas dentist, Dentist Waco, dry mouth in morning, dry mouth waco, halitosis waco, morning breath, waco dentist, what is morning breath, why does my breath smell bad in the morning | Leave a Comment »
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You may think that achieving your dream smile would take many long visits to our Waco dentist office. However, Dr. Locke offers some cosmetic treatments that can improve your smile in only one visit.
