Cigarette sales have decreased in the past decade, and at Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, we won’t kid you: we’re happy about that. But some people have switched to smokeless products, on the assumption that smokeless tobacco is harmless. This is absolutely not true. No matter its form, tobacco is deadly. We […]
Oral Health
Health Habits To Keep You Smiling

In this post from Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, we focus on behaviors that influence dental health. Of course, regular brushing and flossing are two important habits for healthy teeth, but there are many more things we can do to keep a healthy smile. Diet Do’s Do eat a nutritious diet with […]
What Is General Dentistry?

If you explored our website before landing on this blog, you have may noticed the term “general dentistry” on the menu, along with other services. “General dentistry” may sound bland, but it isn’t. At Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, it’s your assurance that we can diagnose and treat your most essential issues, […]
New Parents – Educate Yourselves About Children’s Dental Health

Today’s post is for new parents or couples planning for children sometime in the future. An Epidemic of Tooth Decay in Young Children The statistics on early childhood tooth decay are sobering. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 42% of U.S. children between 2 and 11 years old have in their […]
Sleep Apnea Treatment In Arlington

What is sleep apnea? It’s a potentially health-threatening condition in which your breathing periodically stops while you sleep. Suspect you might have sleep apnea? Read through these common symptoms. They may help you determine if you need to go see your medical doctor. Signs of Sleep Apnea Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Insomnia Sleep Deprivation Excessive Snoring […]
Do I Floss My New Tooth Implant?

Do I need to change my flossing technique for a tooth implant? Before you got an implant, hopefully, you were brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. If you wore dentures, you should have been cleaning them with a denture paste and brushing the soft tissues in your mouth. A permanent dental implant […]
Why a Water Flosser Might be a Good Idea

The first water-shooting device for cleaning between teeth was created in the early 1960s by Colorado dentist Dr. Gerald Moyer and John Mattingly, a hydraulics engineer. The tool is now known by the brand name Waterpik, though many people use the term generically. Since its creation, several other companies have entered the market with similar […]
Is The Humble Toothbrush Obsolete?

Are manual toothbrushes obsolete? Would you believe people have been asking that question for more than fifty years? At Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, we assure you that the answer is no. When it comes to maintaining your dental health, an old school manual toothbrush is one of your best friends. “Wait […]
Periodontal Disease Is Linked To Systemic Diseases

When most people think of periodontal disease they think it’s limited strictly to the mouth. Did you know it is also linked to systemic diseases? That’s why our team at Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry believes in educating our patients in the Arlington, Texas area about the merits of maintaining optimal oral health. Oral health […]
7 Steps For A Healthy Smile | Dental Health in Arlington

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin coined this phrase in the 1730s as advice for fire safety. However, like all timeless quotes, it applies to many more characteristics of modern life, particularly dental health in Arlington. Keeping your smile beautiful and healthy is done most effectively with preventative measures. Some […]