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 »
January 18, 2012 by Editor
Scientists have identified more than 700 different specifies of oral bacteria. How much do you know about the germs in your mouth? Take this quiz and visit Dr. Locke to clean the harmful microbes out of your mouth.
1. True or False? A dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s.
2. Which is the best way to store your toothbrush to prevent bacterial growth?
(a) Upright and air-dry
(b) In a closed container
(c) On its side next to the sink
Continue Reading »
Posted in Healthy Living, Oral Health | Tagged central texas dentist, clean mouth waco, dental cleaning waco, dentist central texas, Dentist Waco, germ protection, oral bacteria, spreading germs, tooth decay waco, waco dental cleaning, waco dentist | Leave a Comment »
January 16, 2012 by Editor
Actress, singer, and Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth has a beautiful smile. In her interview with Everyday Health, the celeb revealed how she stays so upbeat and smiling.
Reasons to Smile
As if her Emmy and Tony awards aren’t enough to make a person grin, Chenoweth says she’s always smiling because she doesn’t let stress bring her down. She tries to stay active, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. Everyday Health reports that Chenoweth’s top five smile inducers are her dog, the mall, her car, clean sheets, and taking a walk outside on a nice day. If you figure out what you enjoy doing and what makes you happy, you should have no problem showing off your pearly whites as well.
One other sweet indulgence makes Chenoweth happy, but not her dentist. She confesses that she has a weakness for Coca-Cola. This beverage has tannins that can stain your teeth, acid that can erode your enamel, and sugar that can decay your teeth. If you’re like Chenoweth and can’t live without your soda, make sure you drink it through a straw to avoid direct tooth contact and rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
Posted in Healthy Living, Just for Fun | Tagged Dentist Waco, family dentist waco, great smile waco, healthy smile waco, kristin chenoweth, listerine oral rinse, oral hygiene mouthwash, reasons to smile, waco dentist, waco family dentist, your mouth has something to say campaign | Leave a Comment »
January 11, 2012 by Editor
You may think of fresh, juicy fruits as only a summertime treat, but some fruits are great to enjoy all year long. January 15 is National Strawberry Ice Cream Day, and Dr. Locke encourages you to celebrate the strawberries without the ice cream.
Natural Tooth Whitener
Strawberries contain malic acid, an astringent property that helps remove discoloration on the surface of your tooth. Applying a fresh strawberry and baking soda mixture to your teeth for about five minutes a day can help cleanse your teeth and wipe away stains. Professional cleaning and whitening by Dr. Locke is generally more effective, but eating strawberries at home may help brighten your smile.
Improve Health
Strawberries are rich in antioxidants and nutrients that can keep your body healthy. The fruit is high in vitamin C, potassium, fiber, folic acid, and manganese. The combination of healthy nutrients and antioxidants can help lower your blood pressure, keep your body strong, and improve your heart health.
Be Careful
Although strawberries are a great part of healthy diets, too much may damage your smile. Like most other fruits, strawberries are very acidic. Over time, acidic foods and beverages may begin to dissolve the outer layer of enamel on your teeth, exposing your teeth to greater damage from tooth decay, sensitivity, discoloration, and chips. Strawberries also contain approximately 200 seeds, which can get stuck between your teeth and cause discomfort, pain, and cavities, if not removed.
Sweet Strawberry Treats
Dr. Locke want to warn you about the risk of celebrating Strawberry Ice Cream Day. Ice cream is filled with sugar that can decay your teeth, and the cold temperature may cause sensitivity. Instead, try these other tasty strawberry treats:
- Yogurt: Yogurt has a creamy texture and sweet flavor similar to ice cream, but is also a great source of protein and calcium to help keep your body strong and healthy.
- Smoothies: Blend up a few strawberries and add yogurt or milk to get calcium and the rich strawberry flavor you’re craving, while skipping the sugar.
- Baked Strawberries: Baking your favorite fruit will have the same effect as a warm fruit pie, and is great for the cold weather. You can even top your dessert with a little cinnamon or a dab of whipped cream to help satisfy your sweet tooth.
You can still enjoy your favorite fruits while protecting your smile. Contact Dr. Locke at our dentist office in Waco, Texas, at (254) 776-4888 to schedule an appointment.
Posted in Healthy Living, Nutrition | Tagged central tx dentist, dentist central tx, Dentist Waco, enamel erosion, malic acid, nutrients in strawberries, stained teeth waco, strawberry ice cream, strawberry treats, teeth whitening waco, waco dentist, waco stained teeth, waco teeth whitening, whiten teeth waco | Leave a Comment »
January 9, 2012 by Editor
Approximately 30 percent of people avoid going to the dentist because of fear or anxiety. Skipping dental appointments can increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. If you’re nervous for any of the following reasons, Dr. Locke can help ease your anxiety with oral sedation.
Common Dental Fears
- Fear of Injections: Many people are afraid of needles. Modern techniques, like topical anesthetics, slow injections, and oral sedation, can help calm your body to make you feel comfortable without the pain.
- Lack of Control: You may feel on edge because you can’t control what’s happening inside your mouth. You should never try to solve a serious dental problem at home just because you’re afraid of the dentist. If you don’t understand what’s happening, Dr. Locke can explain every step of the procedure and how it will benefit your oral health.
- Continue Reading »
Posted in Sedation Dentistry | Tagged afraid of dentist, central tx dentist, dental anxiety, dental fear, dentist central tx, dentist waco tx, fear of dentist, general dentist waco, oral conscious sedation, oral sedation waco, waco general dentist, waco oral sedation, waco tx dentist | Leave a Comment »
January 4, 2012 by Editor
Today is National Trivia Day! How much do you really know about oral care? The more you know and understand about your mouth, the better care you will take to protect it. Here are some fun dental facts to test your knowledge.
- William Addis created the first toothbrush while he was in a jail cell in 1780.
- The average toothbrush contains about 2,500 bristles.
- More people use blue toothbrushes than red ones.
- The average person uses 18 yards of floss per year, but should use 122 yards per year.
- About 73 percent of people would rather go grocery shopping than floss.
- Continue Reading »
Posted in Just for Fun, Oral Health | Tagged central tx dentist, dental education waco tx, dental facts, dental trivia, dentist central tx, dentist waco tx, family dentist waco, oral hygiene waco tx, waco family dentist, waco tx dentist, waco tx oral hygiene | Leave a Comment »
January 3, 2012 by Editor
Going out to eat at a buffet restaurant is an easy solution for your family because everyone can choose what they want. Today, January 2, is National Buffet Day. But before you head to the closest buffet for dinner, follow these tips and visit Dr. Locke after your meal to keep your mouth safe.
Make Healthy Choices
A buffet often has plenty of options for you to choose from. However, this may also be a problem. The large dessert display may look very tempting. The fried dishes smell so delicious. Even the salad bar can turn unhealthy if you pile up lots of toppings and fatty dressings. Buffets are easy and convenient, but they’re often also low in nutritional value.
Make good choices as you go through the line. Since there are so many options, you should have no problem eating a healthy, well-balanced meal. Try to choose plenty of fruits and veggies and limit yourself to only one plate of dessert.
Posted in Nutrition | Tagged are buffets bad for you, are buffets good for you, buffet restaurants, central tx dentist, dental cleaning waco tx, dentist central tx, dentist waco tx, family dentist waco tx, healthy buffet choices, how to eat right at a buffet, waco tx dental cleaning, waco tx dentist, waco tx family dentist | Leave a Comment »
December 22, 2011 by Editor
With the New Year less than two weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about making your dental health a priority in 2012.
Looking Ahead to 2012
Your dental insurance benefits renew on January 1, so now is the perfect time to call our Waco dentist office to reserve appointments for you and your family. Remember that most dental insurance policies cover routine dental checkups and cleanings, as well as some restorative and cosmetic dental procedures, so make the most of your benefits in 2012 and receive the dental care you need and deserve.
Holiday Office Hours
We will close Thursday, December 22, 2011, at 5:00pm and reopen at 8:30am on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.
We are now accepting appointments for 2012, so call us at (254) 776-4888 at your earliest convenience to reserve an appointment for next year that fits into your busy schedule. Serving the areas of Hewitt, Woodway, and central Texas, we look forward to seeing you in our office for a post-holiday dental cleaning.
Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones from Dr. Corbet Locke and our dental team! We wish you happiness, health, and lots of smiles in 2012!
Posted in In the Office, Just for Fun | Tagged waco dentist, general dentist waco, sedation dentist waco, Dentist Waco, family dentist waco, sedation dentist hewitt, sedation dentist woodway, dentist woodway, dentist hewitt, hewitt dentist, woodway dentist, family dentist woodway, general dentist woodway, family dentist hewitt, general dentist hewitt, going to the dentist, happy holidays, dental insurance, dental appointment | Leave a Comment »
December 19, 2011 by Editor
Dental care can be confusing, and there are plenty of misunderstandings out there that don’t make it any easier. Dr. Locke can explain anything you don’t understand about your mouth. Here are a few of the common dental myths.
“All tooth stains can be easily removed.”
Your teeth soak in the color from foods, beverages, and tobacco. When your enamel becomes discolored, whitening toothpaste and over-the-counter whitening systems can help remove surface stains. It takes time for these methods to be effective. In most cases, Dr. Locke can professionally bleach your teeth. However, all stains react differently and some stains cannot be removed completely. If the stain goes too deep or the stain won’t whiten, you may have to cover the defects with veneers or bonding. In addition, if you over-whiten your teeth, it will result in more discoloration that cannot be fixed.
Posted in General Dentistry | Tagged benefits of chewing gum, bleeding gums, central texas dentist, chewing gum bad for teeth, common dental problems, dental myths, dentist central texas, Dentist Waco, fluoride is unsafe, general dentist waco, teeth whitening waco, tooth stains, waco dentist, waco general dentist | Leave a Comment »
Older Posts »
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.
