Dental Health

For optimal dental health, all Arlington, residents should be visiting their dentist twice a year for consistent cleanings and exams. This is a good time to make sure that you are brushing and flossing properly. It is also important that you discuss issues related to dental health. Make sure to tell your dentist about any […]

Though thin and partially translucent, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body and has the important job of protecting teeth from constant use and the continual assault of chemicals in food and drink. Enamel also protects tooth nerves from hot and cold food and beverages. That’s why enamel loss often causes tooth sensitivity. […]

Periodontal disease in Texas is more common than you might think, and can be cured with varying degrees of treatment depending on the severity. What is periodontal disease? According to this article on Wikipedia, periodontal disease is ‘the name of a collection of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth.’ Periodontal […]

The most common times people stop to brush their teeth are morning and night – either before or after breakfast, after dinner, or at bedtime. Common concerns that come with this routine involve hiccups in the schedule, from family life, shift work or exhaustion. Sometimes after dinner isn’t super cut and dried. Many Grand Prairie […]

Our teeth are unlike other parts of the body in the fact that they can’t be regenerated. Superficial cuts in the skin subside without a trace, infections are wiped out with antibiotics, broken bones mend, and inflamed tissues recede. Unfortunately, cavities can’t be healed. Decay can be halted in its progress, but scientists are still years away […]

One common excuse often given by people who don’t floss is that the practice is difficult to fit into their daily schedule. If you’ve found this to be true, and feel like you are too busy to floss, here are some suggestions for when to fit this vital dental health habit into your day. The […]

Many of Dr. Stephen Ratcliff’s patients walk in for family dentistry, restorative dentistry, or cosmetic dentistry. Many for routine checkups and cleanings. Most really want to know if they are brushing properly. Having patients come for treatment and leave with questions answered – from which toothpaste to buy to proper tools and techniques – is […]

If you have tooth sensitivity or pain when you chew with your back teeth, the surfaces may be damaged. One option for restoration is the use of an inlay or onlay made of metal, composite resin, or porcelain. Inlays are very strong and shaped to precisely fit a hole in a damaged tooth. The choice […]

Soft drinks, soda, pop. No matter what you call it, it seems that these days it’s the dietary villain of choice. Today in the Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry dental blog, we are going to give you yet another important reason to avoid this ubiquitous drink. For dental health, soda deals a double punch […]

During routine dental examinations, your dentist may look for signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer refers to cancers in the tongue, mouth, lips, jaw, and throat. Many dental patients don’t realize the seriousness of oral cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 39,000 people will get oral cancer this year.1 Consider this sobering news […]