Today’s article focuses on bone health and missing teeth in Fort Worth patients. Our teeth have many essential functions. We need them to chew our food, talk, and smile. But have you ever considered their role in holding up your face? When we lose teeth, the bone around the site of the extraction begins to shrink. […]
Dental Health
Best Practices For A Healthy, Beautiful Smile
Categories: Dental Health
Even if you value a healthy smile, it’s easy to become a bit negligent about smile-friendly lifestyle choices. In today’s post, our goal is for you to assess where you stand and think about whether you could step it up a notch. Committing to oral health best practices can prevent future problems and benefit your […]
Five Facts About Enamel Erosion
Categories: Dental Health
Our teeth work hard and are constantly under assault. It’s no wonder that nature encases them with an armor of enamel—the hardest substance in the body. Sadly, enamel erosion is extremely pervasive, though largely preventable. Enamel’s chief enemies are acidic foods and beverages. Other factors that can weaken enamel or wear it away are some […]
For A Healthier Smile, Stop Doing This
Categories: Dental Health
Chewing sugared gum all day. Cavities, a sore jaw, or broken bridgework may result. If you must chew, select gum with Xylitol. Drinking soda and energy drinks. These sugary, acidic beverages are unusually efficient at damaging enamel. Chewing ice or hard candy. Your enamel is quite hard. But so are ice and hard candy, and […]
Its Better To Prevent A Cavity Than Fill One
Categories: Dental Health
In 1990, Dr. Stephen Ratcliff established Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington. Dr. Ratcliff is an extraordinary dental professional dedicated to preventative dentistry. The goal of preventative dentistry is to keep oral health so that no restorative dental work ever becomes required. In other words, preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and enamel wear. […]
Be Glad Dr. Ratcliff Has X-Ray Vision
Categories: Dental Health
Have you ever had a dental x-ray? It’s not extremely comfortable. You have to put on the heavy apron, hold a stiff piece of film in your mouth and sit really, really still while your dentist’s assistant takes x-rays. Is it really required? Absolutely! No question about it. Your dentist can’t see everything that is […]
3 Ways To Minimize Candy Intake At Parties
Categories: Dental Health
1. Lock yourself in a closet. 2. Sew your mouth shut. 3. Wear a shock collar that’s sensitive to sugar particles. At Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we understand how hard it is to avoid sweets altogether at Halloween and other sugar-filled holidays. We encourage both unfettered joy and healthy living for all of […]
Relax. Your Teeth Will Thank You.
Categories: Dental Health
Most Arlington adults have been warned about the physical effects of stress. Our doctors remind us to protect ourselves from the dangers of un-managed stress by eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep. We know that we shouldn’t try to relieve stress with overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, or compulsive spending. (Even though many […]
Preventing Facial Injuries
Categories: Dental Health
Facial injuries occur all too often in the Fort Worth area. Mansfield Little Leaguers get hit by inside pitches, Grand Prairie construction workers suffer falls and other accidents at the worksite, and Texas motorists sustain injuries in collisions every single day. Accidents at home can also result in serious injury to the face. Serious facial […]
Gritting Your Teeth: Stress And Your Smile
Categories: Dental Health
Doctors have been telling us for years that stress can increase the risk of everything from high blood pressure to depression. But how often do we think about how stress influences our smile? Here are some dental problems linked to stress. Canker and Cold Sores Cold sores are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus. […]
