At Stone Creek Dental, we’re ready to welcome every member of your family to our general dentist office. Our doors are open if you’re new to the community or want to try a new dentist. We accept patients of all ages at our office. We create an environment where you feel comfortable and safe to get the care you need.
We don’t want to be the same run-of-the-mill dentist office you’re used to. Our team dedicates itself to getting to know our patients personally and ensuring you always feel welcome. When you become a patient at Stone Creek Dental, you’re joining our dental care family. All of our treatment is personalized to each individual. Our Denton, TX, office offers an array of general dentistry services.
Dental Care for the Whole Family
We do an initial visit for the family to learn more about you. We’ll review your medical and oral health history and any goals or things you want to work on with your smile. Our job is to ensure you’re comfortable here and that we’re focusing properly on your needs.
Your Baby’s First Dental Visit
Even though they’re temporary, primary teeth are important for your child’s oral development. You should bring your child to the dentist within six months of their first tooth erupting or before they’re a year old, whichever comes first.
Primary teeth are crucial to both speech development and eating. Sounds work by your tongue hitting the teeth in certain positions. If there are issues with primary teeth, your child may struggle with speech. They also might be unable to eat a healthy, varied diet if they can’t consume certain foods.
We’ll teach you how to brush your baby’s teeth efficiently so that you can keep those teeth healthy. Seeing your child regularly allows us to monitor the growth and development of your child’s mouth and catch any issues early.
Keeping Up With Growing Smiles
Children’s mouths are always changing. They’re losing their baby teeth and getting new ones while their jawbone is growing too. With a dedicated family dentist, children are here every six months. We take x-rays and do a full oral examination to know the current status of their mouths. Then, we can see everything that’s changed since their last visit.
Children are most notorious for getting cavities. Their diets are higher in sugar, and they aren’t as adept at brushing their teeth. We may recommend dental sealants. They’re painted over the existing tooth structure to provide an extra layer of protection between the tooth enamel and bacteria and debris.
We’ll also check on how straight the teeth are and if they’re erupting in the right positions. Many adolescents need orthodontic treatment. Depending on the age, we can provide Invisalign treatment in our office. In other instances, we may need to recommend them to a respected orthodontist that we trust.
Dental Care for Seniors
Just like children, seniors also have unique oral healthcare needs. Our dental needs become different as we age. Our teeth naturally discolor with age as the dentin layer becomes more exposed. You have years worth of lifestyle habits and consuming things that can stain your teeth. Whitening treatment can take years off of your smile.
Seniors are also more likely to face tooth loss. Missing teeth can impact your self-esteem and cause difficulties with eating and speaking. We offer multiple options to replace missing teeth. Whether you’re missing one tooth or multiple, there are solutions to bring back your smile.
Practicing Preventative Care
Preventative care is the foundation of your oral health. It’s important to focus on preventative care instead of reactive care, which only occurs when a problem arises. For preventative care to succeed, you have to be dedicated both in the dentist office and when you’re at home.
At home, brush and floss at least twice a day. If possible, brush and floss after every meal. These activities remove food particles and debris from around and between your teeth. It attracts less bacteria, meaning less plaque and tartar buildup. You’re at higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease without brushing your teeth. Bacteria feed on food particles, emitting an acidic byproduct that damages your tooth enamel. A healthy, balanced diet also does wonders for your teeth.
But just taking care of your teeth at home isn’t enough. Brushing and flossing at home can’t reach all of the little nooks and crannies in your mouth. Some areas can only be cleaned with specialized dental tools. Regular visits to our office allow us to get into those places and eliminate the buildup. Without regular dental visits, you can brush and floss diligently at home yet still be at high risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
We perform thorough dental exams at your regular appointments as well. Conditions like gum disease and oral cancer have early symptoms that are hard to recognize. They aren’t painful. These conditions get more intensive with time, and early intervention makes them much easier — and less expensive — to treat. We have years of training and advanced diagnostic tools to help catch these problems in their earliest stages.
Improved General Health and Well-Being
Preventative dental care has impacts outside of just your oral health. Studies show that oral health is connected to various systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Your mouth is a gateway to many different systems in your body. If harmful bacteria enter there, the impact can be felt all over the body.
Gum disease, in particular, allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream, bringing inflammation and infection to other body parts. Good oral healthcare minimizes the risks of these connective conditions.
A healthy smile eliminates oral pain, which can impact your ability to eat, sleep, and just live your life properly. You can eat a healthy, balanced diet, which benefits all areas of the body. You can consume adequate nutrition and can communicate properly.
The state of your smile can impact your self-confidence. With an unhealthy smile, you focus on keeping it hidden from everyone. You can be comfortable and happy with your appearance. A higher quality of life and psychological well-being are more attainable when you have a confident smile.
Family Dentistry FAQs
Our office treats patients of all ages. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
When should I start taking my child to the dentist?
We recommend you bring your child to their first dental checkup within six months of their first tooth erupting or by when they turn one, whichever comes first. Our office can ensure the teeth are coming in correctly and teach you the best methods to clean your baby’s teeth and gums. Certain tools are used to clean the gentle gums in areas where teeth haven’t erupted yet.
How can I prepare my child for the dentist office?
Talk to your child before the appointment to tell them exactly what to expect. This avoids surprises, so your child won’t be startled by anything. You can also sit with them during their appointment to reassure them. They can watch your treatment to know there’s nothing to fear. Show them the pictures of the environment and our team on our website so they aren’t walking into the unknown. Also, stress how important oral healthcare is and how this will keep their smile beautiful.
Why are children more likely to have issues with tooth decay?
It’s mostly the amount of sugar that they consume. Their diets usually contain more sugar than that of adults. Drinking too much juice or eating too much candy are common behaviors for kids. They also aren’t as adept at brushing their own teeth, making it easier for them to miss crucial areas.
How many times should I brush my teeth in a day?
Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once daily. We recommend brushing and flossing after every meal or snack to avoid lingering food particles on your teeth. These attract bacteria, which produce an acidic byproduct that causes tooth decay. There’s no such thing as brushing your teeth too often.
Should I be using a certain kind of toothpaste?
Look for any toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval on it. That’s how you know a toothpaste is tested and trusted by real dentists. We may recommend certain types of toothpaste if we have concerns about oral health. Fluoride toothpaste strengthens enamel and is ideal if you’re struggling with tooth decay or enamel erosion. Other toothpastes target gum health if you show signs of gum disease.
When should I change my toothbrush?
You should change to a new toothbrush at least every three months. If you notice the bristles fraying, you should replace them sooner. You should also replace your toothbrush after the flu or a cold to eliminate the bacteria or virus that could prolong the illness.
What are the benefits of choosing a family dentist?
Choosing a family dentist office like Stone Creek Dental has many benefits. You can schedule everyone’s visits on the same day, saving you a lot of time. A family dentist gets to know your whole family, tracing dental history and issues, which helps in better treatment. They can treat all ages, from kids to adults, making dental care easy and less scary for younger ones. Kids also learn healthy habits when visiting the dentist regularly with their parents and siblings.
Is fluoride safe for children?
Yes, fluoride is safe for children if your dentist uses it correctly. This mineral helps prevent cavities and keeps teeth strong. Most toothpaste has a safe amount of fluoride for daily brushing. However, too much fluoride can be harmful and might cause spots on teeth.
You should always watch your child while they brush to make sure they don’t swallow toothpaste. It’s also good to check with a dentist about the best fluoride use for your child’s dental health.
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating that your dentist will apply to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They are clear or slightly colored, making them hard to see, but they’re essential in keeping your teeth healthy.
Decay happens most often on surface of these teeth. The sealant forms a shield to protect the tooth’s surface. This shield stops germs and food particles from getting stuck in the grooves and pits of teeth. We suggest putting dental sealants on your kids and teens’ teeth to help prevent cavities.
How can seniors manage dry mouth?
Seniors can manage dry mouth by sipping water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Chewing sugar-free gum is also an option to help boost saliva production. You should use a humidifier at night adds moisture to the air, easing dryness. Avoid alcohol and caffeine since they make dry mouth worse. Opting for alcohol-free mouthwashes can be gentler on the mouth. Regular dentist visits help check on oral health, and seeking medical advice can also ensure their medication isn’t causing dryness.
Schedule an Appointment With Your Denton, Texas Family Dentist
We’re welcoming new patients of all ages to our Denton dentist office. Call our office or schedule an appointment online to get your needed care.