Practice News

Dentist of the Year 2004!

Dr. Tom M. McDougal was honored by the Dallas County Dental Society on Thursday, May 20, 2004, by being named “Dentist of the Year.” Dentist of the Year is the highest award given to a dentist by the Dallas County Dental Society. The criteria includes: contribution to dentistry in private practice; to organized dentistry; giving lectures and writing publications; emphasis on total patient care; service to the community-family, church, service and civic organizations; dedication to the principles of continuing education via post-graduate courses and study clubs; and other activities that indicate character and excellence.

Don't let this be your last visit to our online dental practice. Here's where we provide all the updates to what's happening in our dental practice, our educational facility and our dental laboratory. The field of dentistry is changing every day. You'll learn about the latest techniques, the newest equipment and the best procedures. We'll also regularly provide you with dental health tips to keep your smile gleaming. Thanks for stopping by!

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A Beautiful Smile is a Terrible Thing to Waste
From Dull to Dazzling: Enhancing Your Smile With Aesthetic Dentistry
"Bridging” the Gaps and Wearing a “Crown”: Total Oral Health Renovation

Did you know?

According to a study by the Gallup Organization and Consumer Reports, dentists are among the top five most trusted professionals.

What do powdered fruit, talc, honey, dried flowers, mice and lizard livers have in common? They have all been ingredients in ancient toothpaste and powder. Yum.

Attention Chocolate Lovers…Many dentists agree raisins can cause more tooth decay than chocolate. Sticky foods such as raisins and dried fruits can stay on the teeth longer and contribute to more decay.

According to a study at the University of Connecticut, too much toothpaste early in life is responsible for more than 70% of fluorosis cases (staining or mottling of tooth enamel that develops when children swallow fluoridated toothpaste). Although this problem is only aesthetic, it is recommended children under six only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and be reminded to spit it out after brushing.

Something to Smile About

Caring for your oral health includes regular teeth care and gum care. Neglecting your gums can eventually lead to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, which is a culprit in the deterioration of your overall oral health. Periodontal disease affects 75% of adults over 35 years of age and is responsible for approximately 70% of all adult tooth loss. Since symptoms of periodontal disease oftentimes are unnoticeable, people never realize their mouth is under bacterial attack.

Highly recognized as a greatly progressive disorder, periodontal disease is triggered by preventable factors such as plaque build-up, tobacco use, certain medications and stress, as well as unpreventable measures such as systematic disease and fluctuating hormone levels during puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Research has proven that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.

Periodontal disease begins when the bacteria in the sticky film which forms on the tooth surface, or plaque, causes gum inflammation. If the irritation is ignored, plaque will release toxins breaking down the natural fibers which hold your gums to your teeth, permitting even more bacteria and toxins to invade. Plaque deposits quickly harden into calculus or tartar, which is a rough, porous substance not removable with brushing. Over time, this progression can lead to severe inflammation, bone loss, gum recession and tooth loss.

Symptoms and signs include:

Red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums
Gum recession, or gums pulling away from teeth
Loose or separating teeth
Pus between the gum and tooth
Persistent bad breath
Bite changes
Change in the fit of partial dentures

If you have noticed any of the above signs or symptoms, please make an appointment promptly! Together, we can win the battle against periodontal disease and maintain your wonderful, dazzling smile – gums and all. Now that’s something to smile about.

From Dull to Dazzling: Enhancing Your Smile With Aesthetic Dentistry

Frequently the dental profession is perceived to be performing minor procedural treatment. However, a dentist is actually an artist who can make your smile sensational. Most dentists now practice and perform aesthetic techniques, not just the run-of-the-mill routine cleanings. Aesthetic dentistry seeks to create a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy smile.

Although you may be meticulous about your dental care routine, your teeth still might not look their very best. Drinking coffee, tea or red wine will take a toll on your teeth, causing them to look dull or stained. Aging or the use of some medications can also result in a discolored smile. One easy, safe way to revive your smile from these factors is through whitening.

Plenty of adults are looking towards dentistry to heighten the appearance and function of their teeth. Cracked, chipped or unevenly spaced teeth are easily resolved by procedures such as bonding or veneers. Severely damaged teeth can be repaired with crowns, while bridges and implants are natural-looking options used to revitalize your smile. These methods will not only give you a more beautiful smile, but will also rejuvenate your mouth’s functionality.

If you are not satisfied with your smile and want to take it a level up from dull to dazzling, speak with us about the many smile-enhancing preferences available to you.

“Bridging” the Gaps and Wearing a “Crown”: Total Oral Health Renovation

Face it, we are rough on our teeth. Sometimes we neglect them, take them for granted or simply just abuse them. Between physical activities such as sports or chewing hard substances such as ice, our teeth can get knocked out, broken, cracked or worn down. Forgetting routine dental appointments and ignoring proper cleaning tactics can result in periodontal disease, tooth decay and ultimately tooth loss.

When teeth are missing, your mouth must compensate for the lack of chewing power in that area in order to function normally. So, the chewing force may shift to another part of the mouth, which can cause unwanted spaces and changes in your smile.

So, how do we mend our mouth’s broken ties? By performing proper dental procedures. Smiles can be renovated to look pristine using a combination of crowns and bridges to support or replace lost teeth. A crown snugly covers the complete visible surface of your affected tooth to add strength, durability and tooth stability, while restoring your tooth to its natural shape and size. Crowns can be made of precious metal, porcelain pressed to metal and all-porcelain. A bridge, also known as a pontic, is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill the gaps left by the original missing tooth. The new tooth is then anchored to the two porcelain crowns, renewing your once damaged smile.

The moral of the story is to be nice to your teeth – be diligent with your oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly. Your teeth are hard workers and they deserve to be pampered. But, if the damage is already done, see us immediately. We can decide on the best treatment to restore your smile. Your teeth will thank you for it.