Never Do These 5 Things With Your Teeth!

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Teeth are made to be strong. They can bite into triple decker cheeseburgers, chew tough meat and chew gum without any problem. What they can’t do is serve as another tool in your toolbox. For that, you should be using household bottle openers, pliers or whatever else fits the bill, not your teeth. 

1. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

Your teeth are only meant for certain purposes, and they don’t include tearing open Amazon delivery pouches, ripping packing tape or holding metal items with your teeth to keep your hands free. Doing these kinds of things can cause serious damage.

2. Don’t Chew on Ice

Lots of people chew on the leftover ice at the bottom of their drinks. Ice may seem harmless, but chewing on hard, frozen cubes—especially those straight out of the ice cube tray from your freezer—can crack enamel or dental work. If you do break a tooth, you can get dental restoration in Jacksonville, FL at Dr. Matt Henry.

3. Don’t Bite Your Nails

Nail biting not only wears down your teeth, but it also introduces bacteria into your mouth. This habit can lead to chipped teeth, jaw discomfort, and even gum infections.

4. Don’t Grind or Clench

Many people grind or clench their teeth, especially during sleep or stress. Over time, this can wear down enamel, cause jaw pain, and lead to headaches. A night guard can help protect your teeth if this is a concern.

5. Don’t Use Toothpicks Aggressively

As convenient as they may be, toothpicks can harm your gums and cause irritation or infection. Stick to floss or interdental brushes for safe cleaning between teeth.

Protect your teeth by using them only for eating, and avoid habits that can cause long-term damage. If you’re unsure whether a habit is harming your smile, ask your Jacksonville, FL dentist for advice.

4 Reasons to See The Dentist This Summer

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Is it time to see the dentist in Jacksonville, FL, this summer? If so, it’s important to keep your appointment. Below, we’ve listed four fantastic reasons to see the dentist this summer. Here’s what you need to know about going for a dental exam.

1. Dental Professionals Recommend Checkups Every Six Months

Many dental professionals recommend that their patients visit the dentist every six months to get checkups. Going to the dentist every six months is an important part of your dental hygiene routine. If your dentist thinks you need to see the dentist more frequently or less often, they’ll let you know.

2. Catch Problems Before They Become Serious

Going to the dentist helps catch dental problems before they become serious. Catching problems in their early stages can help prevent you from getting a serious condition like a dental infection or gum disease. Going to the dentist is worth it!

3. Maintain a Beautiful Smile

One way that you can maintain a beautiful smile is by seeing the dentist every six months. If you want to have confidence in your smile, then you should see the dentist as often as your dental professional recommends.

4. Keep Up Your Dental Health

The most important reason dentists recommend coming in for checkups every six months is that seeing the dentist frequently helps you maintain your dental health. This can set you up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Do you need a dental checkup in Jacksonville, FL, this summer? If so, call today to make a dental appointment for the coming months.

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Things to Look For in a Family Dentist

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Choosing the right family dentist in Jacksonville, FL will benefit all the members of your family for years to come. Imagine bringing your young one to the dentist for their first dentist appointment and then watching them drive off from home at age 18 to visit that same dentist. That would be pretty amazing, right? Well, when you choose wisely, as they say, that’s how it can be for your family. Here are key factors to consider:

1. Range of Experience

Look for a dentist with experience in treating all ages. Your family will need everything from fluoride treatments for the little tikes to restorative dentistry for your beloved older generations.

2. Child-Friendly Environment

Sometimes you may have to wait a bit to be seen. It’s times like these that you’ll be grateful for the play castle, array of children’s books and toys to keep your kiddos occupied until it’s their turn.

3. Flexible Scheduling

Busy families need a dentist who offers convenient hours, including evenings or weekends, and can accommodate multiple family members during the same visit.

4. Technology and Modern Practices

You never know what the future holds for your family’s dental health. For all you know, your child will have a tooth chipped during a backyard family reunion and need special treatment to get it fixed. You want to make sure your family dentist has the tools to take care of all eventualities

5. Patient Reviews and Reputation

Online reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations can provide insight into a dentist’s professionalism, patient care, and reliability. Thanks to the internet, it’s a simple task to look up any dentist you’re considering to see what others say.

By prioritizing these factors, you can find a family dentist who meets your needs and fosters a lifetime of healthy smiles for everyone. We hope you’ll choose us as your family friendly dentist in Jacksonville, FL. Contact us today to book an appointment!

Why do Dentists Ask About Medical History?

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Have you ever wondered why dentists ask about medical history? It’s because your medical history is closely connected to overall health and it can inform both your existing condition and your future treatments. Certain medical conditions, medications and past treatments affect your teeth, gums and oral tissues just like they affected the other systems and areas of your body that were treated. To give you an example, the medical condition of diabetes increases the risk of gum disease. Certain prescription medications can cause dry mouth, which makes it more likely that the toothache that made you book an appointment with your dentist in Jacksonville, FL is actually a cavity partially brought on by dry mouth. See how it’s all related? So the next time your dentist asks you those pesky questions about your medical history, now you know why.

Identifying Potential Risks

Some dental procedures carry risks that can be influenced by your health status. For example, if you have a heart condition, your dentist may need to take precautions to prevent infections during dental treatments. For all your dentist knows, you could be taking beta blockers or other drugs that could make it necessary to adjust your root canal treatment. In the same way, patients with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications may require specific adjustments during surgical procedures. Your medical history helps the dentist anticipate and manage these risks.

This is why it’s smart to have a family dentist in Jacksonville, FL, too. When your dentist knows all about your family history of medical conditions, they are better at all the things that they do, like diagnostics and treatment. By understanding your health background, dentists can offer safe, effective, and comprehensive care, ensuring your oral health contributes positively to your general health!

3 Benefits of Routine Dental Visits

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Visiting the dentist should be marked on your calendar once every six months. During these appointments, dentists and dental assistants will examine your teeth and gums, provide a detailed teeth cleaning, and ensure your oral health is in tip-top shape.

Are you due for your next dental checkup? If so, contact the office of Dr. Matt Henry today! With our innovative technology and experienced dental team, we provide high-quality dental checkups in Jacksonville, FL.

Keep reading to learn three benefits of visiting the dentist for routine checkups.

Catch Problems Early

As with most medical issues, early treatment is crucial. This also applies to your dental health. Dental checkups allow specialists to examine your mouth and look for any signs of concern. If they notice something, they can take steps to fix the problem. If you wait too long for a dental checkup, these issues can become much worse—and more expensive to treat.

Save Money

Did you know many dental insurance plans actually include free dental checkups? Visiting the dentist for these appointments is a great and affordable way to protect your health. If you avoid these dental visits, you could develop serious dental issues. Not only can these problems be painful, but treating them is also more costly. Routine dental checkups can save you thousands!

Cleaner Teeth

Are you looking for cleaner, whiter teeth? Then make sure you’re visiting the dentist for routine checkups! Not only does your dentist examine your teeth during these office visits, but they also provide an in-depth cleaning process. They can wipe away stains, remove plaque, and freshen breath. Dentists give your teeth and gums the professional clean they need!

If you want optimal oral health, the office of Dr. Matt Henry is here to help. Call us today to work with the best dentist in Jacksonville, FL!

A Cost-Effective Way to Restore Your Smile

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Are your missing teeth causing you grief? Everyone wants a perfect smile. But a perfect smile can be expensive. So what can you do? Why not ask your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, about getting a dental bridge?

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is an oral device that literally “bridges” the gap where you have missing teeth. That’s why it’s called a bridge. It can replace one tooth or a row of missing teeth.  

The Pros and Cons of Getting a Dental Bridge

Just like anything else, there are pros and cons. Take a look at these pros and cons of getting a dental bridge in Jacksonville, FL. Dental bridges are a cost-effective way to restore your smile.

Pros:

  • Cheaper alternative to other tooth replacement options.
  • Provides you with a natural-looking tooth/teeth.
  • Restores your ability to chew and speak properly.
  • Keeps your nearby teeth from shifting into the gap left by your missing tooth/teeth.

Cons:

  • Tooth decay or an injury could damage the surrounding teeth and compromise your bridge.
  • A bridge could cause the surrounding teeth to crack if they are weak or weakened.
  • Must diligently maintain the proper bridge care and cleaning. Otherwise, plaque and bacteria will build up under the bridge, causing inflamed gums and increasing the chances of a cavity.

How to Take Care of Your New Dental Bridge

Floss and brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. You must clean underneath your bridge with floss threaders or special dental brushes designed for that purpose. Don’t chew your fingernails, ice, or other hard objects. Avoid chewy, sticky, and extremely hard foods. And visit your dentist regularly.

Looking for a Dentist in Jacksonville, FL?

Ready to get your smile back? Please Contact Dr. Matt Henry today. Let us bridge the gap between your teeth and your confidence. Don’t put off smiling another day!

Dental Implants FAQs

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Are you interested indental implants in Jacksonville, FL? If so, it’s likely that you have a lot of questions about this restorative dental treatment. Dental implants have now been used all over the world on millions of patients. They provide a permanent, durable, and attractive solution for those who have lost one or more adult teeth. They are comprised of three parts; a titanium dental implant, a “screw” abutment, and a faux tooth or teeth. Here are more frequently asked questions about dental implants:

How Long Does it Take to Get Dental Implants?

Each case is unique, and there are different kinds of dental implant solutions. If you have no underlying oral health issues, you could get same-day dental implants. In other cases, especially if you need bone grafting, the entire process could take several months. Your dentist will be able to provide details about your individual circumstances when you visit.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

The implant part is made of titanium, which is a state-of-the-art material used for a range of implants, including dental implants, hip replacements, leg implants, and much more. It’s also FDA-approved as a material that is safe for humans. The titanium does not disintegrate or get absorbed into the body. It remains intact forever.

Does it Matter Where I Get Dental Implants?

It matters a great deal. Unfortunately, not all dental services are alike. You should always get dental implants and other dental work from a well-established dentist with experience in dental implants. Trying to go abroad for dental implants is a bad idea, as other countries’ standards for a dental license and treatment are sub-par to those in the United States. You can see from the testimonials about Dr. Matt Henry that we put our patients’ health first!

To learn more about dental implants, why not book an appointment with your Jacksonville, FL, dentist today? We’ll take the time to answer all your questions about dental implants and more thoroughly!

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3 Benefits of Having One Family Dentist

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When you’re looking for a great dentist in Jacksonville, FL, consider the possibility of making that dentist your family dentist. Having one dentist for your whole family offers many benefits that contribute to better oral health and overall convenience for you and your family, including adults and children!

1. The Personal Touch

What a joy it is to walk into a dentist’s office, be greeted by name, and ask how other family members are doing. Having a family dentist can feel like it must have felt like it must have felt in the olden days when there was just one doctor for a whole town. That’s the kind of personal touch you can get when everyone in your family goes to the same dentist.

2. Familiarity With Family Dental Health

When your dentist has the dental health records of everyone in your family, they become very familiar with everyone’s dental health. In some cases, this may even help prevent or diagnose health problems. Examples include a propensity for cavities, gum disease, bite alignment issues, and other things. This will result in better dental health care for you and your loved ones.

3. Trust and Comfort

It’s important to foster trust and comfort in your children about attending the dentist. This will make it more likely that they’ll develop a healthy attitude about oral health and have routine dental visits their whole lives. When your kids know you go to the same dentist they do, they’ll have more trust in the dentist and may even feel more positive about actively maintaining their own healthy teeth.

Dr. Matt Henry would like to be your family’s dentist. We are a family-friendly dentist in Jacksonville, FL, and we work hard to make people of all ages feel welcome. Contact us today to book your appointment!

What to Do Immediately for a Knocked-Out Tooth

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Most people’s first reaction when they knock out a tooth is to put it in some water. That’s the absolute worst thing you could do. Here is what your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, recommends.

What to Do Immediately If You Knock Out a Tooth

Never, ever, ever put a knocked-out tooth in water. Doing so could cause the tooth’s root to burst. You need to get help immediately! And we mean immediately! If you want to save and re-implant the tooth.

But until you can get there, here is what you should do.

  • Handling the Tooth

Never handle the tooth by the root. Only handle the tooth by the crown (top part) of the tooth.

  • Place the Tooth Back in the Socket (if possible)

Rinse it with milk or saliva first if needed. Then, if you can, place the tooth back into its socket. Don’t force it. You can hold it in place by gently closing your mouth. If you can’t put it back in the socket, put it in some milk.

  • Put the Tooth in Some Milk (not water)

Put the tooth in milk. Milk has enzymes that help protect the periodontal ligaments. Make sure the tooth is completely submerged in the milk. Then get to the emergency dentist immediately!

If you do all this within five to 60 minutes or so, chances are your tooth will survive if it has been stored properly. After that, the chances decrease significantly.

Now, you will need some restorative dentistry in Jacksonville, FL.

This applies to adult teeth, not baby teeth, so you can wait for your child’s adult tooth to come in.

Do You Need a Dentist in Jacksonville, FL?

If you knock out a tooth, you will need some dental work to get your mouth back to normal. Contact Dr. Matt Henry today. Our number one goal will be to help you get your smile back. We have a comfortable and inviting office with a team of professionals who love making people smile.

How Thumb Sucking Can Lead to a Dental Disaster

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Most kids suck their thumbs from time to time. But at what point does it become a problem? The answer might surprise you. Your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, will be the first to tell you what can happen if you don’t get a handle on it sooner rather than later.

How Long Is Thumb Sucking OK?

Babies and toddlers suck their thumbs as a self-soothing mechanism. However, if it continues for too long it can cause long-term damage to their mouth and teeth (more about that in a moment).

After six months of age, a child’s thumb-sucking urge should decrease. However, 30% or so continue through their preschool years. A child will usually wean themselves off thumb-sucking around age three. Anything past that could turn into a dental disaster.

How Thumb Sucking Will Affect Your Child’s Teeth

These are some of the dental disasters that could happen if your child continues to suck their thumb past the age of three.

  • Overbite
  • Open bite
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Speech impediments
  • Social impacts (due to being the only one still sucking their thumb)

How to Stop Thumb Sucking

Your family dentist in Jacksonville, FL, has a foolproof solution to stop your child’s thumb-sucking issue quickly. Who would have thought a dentist could help? But they can!

Your dentist can fit your child with a special oral appliance called a palatal crib. A tongue crib (palatal crib) is cemented behind your child’s teeth. It prevents the thumb from reaching the roof of the mouth, reducing the gratification of thumb-sucking.

Do You Need a Dentist in Jacksonville, FL?

If you have a thumb-sucking child past the age of three, don’t wait to talk with your dentist about your options. Contact Dr. Matt Henry today. Our terrific staff understands how to deal with children and their dental issues properly. And we would love to help you fix your child’s thumb-sucking issues before they become a bigger problem.