Oral Cancer Awareness Month

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Dr. Roberts and Dr. Fluellen here at Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry in Richardson, TX  are here to provide awareness in the month of April for Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Oral cancer can develop in any part of the mouth including the lips, tongue, cheeks, the floor of the mouth, and can be life-threatening if not treated properly or caught early enough. Our doctors here at Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry want to ensure your dental health is your priority and we will take lab tests and imaging to ensure they are seeing everything correctly. There are many factors that play into the diagnosis of oral cancer and some of those include smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, family history of cancer, and excessive sun exposure.

Potential Symptoms of oral cancer:

• Sore, or soreness or irritation that doesn’t seem to go away
• Red or white patches, or pain, tenderness, or numbness in mouth or lips
• Lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue

  • Bleeding in the mouth
  • Numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face
  • Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily
  • A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
  • Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice

While this diagnosis can be frightening, the best way to stay on top of correct dental health is to come and get your 6-month exam, x-ray, and cleaning as well as your yearly oral cancer screening. Please call our office today to not only make an appointment for you, but for the whole family! We would like to see you all.

Call Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry today for your oral cancer screening at 972-231-8241

Dental Awareness Month- Back to School Appointments!

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Backpack? Check. Lunchbox? Check. Teeth cleaning? Check!

They say you are never fully dressed without a smile, so why not give your child a beautiful white smile to wear for their first day back to school?

The new 2018 school year is sneaking up on us and you have been given the ever-growing, back-to-school to-do list that every parent dreads. There is one important thing that the teachers did not include on that list: a back-to-school dental checkup.

Here at Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry we always say it is good to have routine dental visits, but what makes back-to-school checkups so important is that it can help prevent common dental diseases found in school-age children. Cavities are known to be one of the biggest obstacles that children face and according to the ADA (American Dental Association), it causes them to miss “more than 51 million school hours each year”.

So if you want to keep those cavities and the other dental diseases at bay, here are some tips to have a successful dental checkup to ensure your children’s teeth shine as bright as their future:

  • Brush! Brush! Brush! It’s important to encourage your child to brush twice a day for two minutes to keep those cavities away. Brownie points if your child brushes before their appointment!
  • What time is it?? Naptime! Make sure you don’t schedule your child’s dental appointment during their naptime or your day at the dentist will be most challenging. Also, take into account if your child is cranky or had a bad day, they might not have the energy to make it through the appointment.
  • If one of your children has gone to the dentist before and it’s their younger sibling’s first time, schedule the older child to go first to act as a role model and show the younger one how it’s done.
  • If it is your child’s first time, it’s important to remember to stay strong and stay calm if your child starts to be uncooperative because if you scoop them up and walk out of the office, the next visit will be much harder. Give the doctor time to try and positively turn the visit around.

Once the appointment is underway, make sure to ask the dentist some of the following questions:

  • How is my child’s overall health?
  • Will my child get their teeth cleaned today?
  • Will my child be given fluoride?
  • Does my child need an x-ray or a mouth guard for sports?
  • What are Sealants?

Now your child is ready to go back to school, but make sure to grab your dentist’s card because accidents are bound to happen whether your child is in sports, recess, or just walking down the school hallways. You can place these cards in your purse or in your child’s backpack just in case of emergencies. Maybe while you’re there you’ll even want to sign up for an appointment yourself.

Call Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry today to schedule you and your child’s next dental appointment!  (972) 231-8241

Is a dental implant right for you?

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Have you lost a tooth due to accident, injury, or illness? If so, a dental implant is a good option to replace missing teeth!

A dental implant is made of medical-grade titanium that is surgically implanted into your jawbone. A dental crown is placed on top of the implant, with the end result looking like a natural tooth. Dental implants are a more secure solution for replacing missing teeth than dentures because they are fixed in place and can’t be removed like dentures. Dental implants can also be more durable than dentures.

If you elect to have a dental implant inserted, dental surgery may be required. But, the doctors at Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry are highly trained in oral surgery and will work hard to ensure a smooth procedure. The entire process can take up to six months but the end result is well worth the wait!

The first step in a dental implant procedure is to insert a titanium screw into the jawbone. The doctor then creates a permanent bond between the implant and the jawbone. A temporary oral appliance will be worn while the jawbone and the implant post heals. The healing process can take several weeks or months, depending on how quickly the jawbone bonds to the implant post.

Once your mouth has healed, you will return to our Richardson dental practice for a custom crown to be placed on top of the dental implant post. The end result is a natural looking tooth and a beautiful smile!

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, call Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry at (972) 231-8241. Our friendly staff will answer any questions and set up a consultation with the doctor.

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

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Here at Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry, we want to ensure that each of our patients are aware and preventative of oral cancer. Oral and oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the mouth and upper throat) unfortunately kills nearly one person every hour of every day each year. Of the people diagnosed with these types of cancers, 40 percent will not survive longer than five years. However, many who do survive oral cancer suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties with eating and speaking. It is a serious disease that is sometimes not taken seriously and Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry wants to ensure that every patient is aware and regularly gets cancer screenings.

The main issue we face today with oral cancer is the death rate associated with oral and oropharyngeal cancers remains particularly high because the cancers routinely are discovered late in their development. Fortunately, when oral and oropharyngeal cancers are detected and treated early, mortality and treatment-related health problems are reduced. That is why Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry is here to help each of our current and new patients be proactive in their screenings. We want to ensure that everyone lives a happy and healthy life, while being aware and proactive!

In between dental visits, it is important for patients to be aware of the following signs and symptoms, and to see a dentist if any of these symptoms proceed.

  • soreness or irritation within the mouth
  • red or white patches, or pain, tenderness, or numbness in mouth or lips
  • lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas
  • difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue
  • a change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth

If you have any of these symptoms please call Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry to make an appointment with one of our dentist professionals. If you are not experiencing any symptoms we still recommend that you receive annual oral cancer screenings. Why not be preventative with your oral treatment?

 

Call Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry  at 972-231-8241 today to get further information about Oral Cancer Awareness Month!

Sweetheart of a Deal!

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This month is Valentine’s Day! Is your smile ready?

Do you have plans to celebrate with a loved one this weekend? Is your smile making you feel less than fantastic?

We have exactly the thing to help you have that instant wow factor –  ZOOM!® teeth whitening.

Maybe you’re not big on Valentine’s Day. The benefits of having a bright, white smile extend far beyond looking great for a holiday! Perception is sometimes everything. ZOOM!® is also perfect for any special occasion or interview, or simply as a confidence boost that will enhance your look and make you feel polished and prepared.

What is it?

ZOOM!® is your solution for stained or yellow teeth! In less than an hour, your smile can be whitened by up to eight shades! ZOOM!® is also enamel-safe, unlike a lot of popular whitening brands you’ll find on store shelves.

ZOOM!® teeth whitening is significantly more effective than traditional whitening methods because of advanced LED light activation technology. You’ll see the results immediately, so you can make an appointment right before your plans or big day, no waiting necessary!

What alternatives are there?

Maybe you can’t make it into the office or you’re wanting something very subtle instead. We have a variety of whitening products that you can take home for similar results!

Call us today so we can help you find what is best for your smile!

(972) 231-8241

Make sure you’re staying on top of your yearly cleanings and exams as well. Having a healthy smile is just as important as having a bright smile.

Schedule an appointment today!

Use It or Lose Your Dental Insurance!

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It is that time of the year again to use your dental benefits before they expire! Who would want unused money to go down the drain? Make sure to maximize them while you can!

Here at Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry, we want to remind you to that $1400 worth of unused dental benefits go to waste every year. Typically, Insurance companies will not alert their customers, and most patients are too busy to study how much remains on their policies. We don’t want to see this money thrown away so call us today to schedule your end of year appointment! You can save hundreds of dollars on out-of-pocket expenses by maximizing your dental benefits before December 31st, especially if your deductible has been met.

Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry, located in Richardson, is able to provide multiple services whether you have been putting off that much needed implant, cosmetic, or just a routine cleaning and examination. We are more than happy to get you scheduled for our next available time and date. Today is the day to get your whole family in together to maximize all benefits you have left for 2017! Don’t look back on this year wishing you would have called for that appointment, that’s why Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry is here to help.

Schedule the cleaning and dental work you’ve postponed all year, and start 2018 with a healthy smile! The holidays can cause a busy schedule for your family and we book up quickly for November and December, so don’t wait! Treat your teeth with care now and they will thank you for it in the long run.

If you want to use your benefits, give us a call today at 972-231-8241

National Dental Hygiene Month!

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October marks the beginning of National Dental Hygiene Month! This month is all about bringing awareness to the importance of good oral health and hygiene. It was started by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) ,and they have been spreading awareness since 2009. Here at Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry it is our goal to ensure that you are taking the proper precautions when it comes to your teeth. Did you know that proper brushing takes at least two minutes? Most adults do not even come close to brushing that long! There are multiple aspects that going to dental hygiene but it all starts with correct brushing techniques.

Proper brushing techniques:

  • Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
  • Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
  • Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
  • To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

 

Once the proper brushing has taken place, the next important step is flossing. Many overlook this step, but flossing should be a critical part of your daily morning/nighttime routine. Below are the following steps to ensure you are maximizing the benefits of flossing.

  • Start with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with
  • Holding the floss between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth
  • Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue
  • To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth

 

Remember, here at Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry we want you to showcase your dental hygiene pride not just this month but every day!

Call Fluellen Roberts Family Dentistry at 972-231-8241 TODAY to schedule your appointment during National Dental Hygiene Month!