Women’s Smiles Need TLC, Says Celina and Propser Dentist

Girls may just want to have fun, but what a girl wants – what a girl needs – is to look and feel healthy. Dr. Newton, your Celina and Prosper family dentist, wants you to know, hormone fluctuations during certain phases of life subject women to a higher risk for periodontal disease. As a health-conscious and image-conscious woman, you need to understand the risks you face and how to prevent gum disease.

Red Lips are Sexy, Red Gums Are Not

Gum disease afflicts up to 80% of Americans and is the primary cause for tooth loss in adults. The disease contributes to a heightened potential for many systemic health diseases, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Symptoms of gum disease may be so mild that the condition goes unnoticed. However, some people experience tender, swollen, red or purplish gums. Gums bleeding when you brush and floss may also indicate gum disease.

Puberty, Pregnancy, & Menopause

Girls in puberty, young women during pregnancy, and middle-aged women during menopause can experience hormone fluctuations that contribute to gum disease. Though the hormone peaks and valleys will subside in time, gum disease is a chronic condition. Once you develop gum disease, treatment and maintenance are necessary to deter recurrence. (more…)

Proper Toothbrush Care from Your Celina Dentist

You know that you have to brush your teeth every day to keep your smile healthy. However, your toothbrush needs to be in good shape to clean your teeth. As your toothbrush ages, it is less effective at cleaning your mouth. In this blog, Dr. Newton explains proper care to get the most out of your toothbrush.

When to Replace a Toothbrush

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months (or sooner if the bristles wear out). When your bristles fray, they are no longer strong enough to thoroughly remove plaque from surfaces of your teeth. Furthermore, worn bristles become rough and irritate your teeth and gums. Irritated gums can recede from the teeth, increasing your chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Replacing your brush every three months will reduce the potential of bacterial buildup contaminating your mouth. You should also replace your brush following a cold, virus, or oral infection to avoid becoming re-infected. (more…)

Dental Implants Replace Missing Teeth in Celina

If you’re missing teeth, it’s important to fill in the empty spots in your smile. Missing teeth can make it difficult to bite, chew, or speak naturally. In addition, surrounding teeth may drift into the open space and misalign your smile. Fortunately, Dr. Newton offers sturdy, comfortable dental implants to restore your appearance, confidence, and function.

What are Implants?

An implant is planted into your jaw bone to replace the root of your missing tooth. A biocompatible titanium rod will hold an artificial tooth. Implants are ideal to replace single missing teeth. These prosthetics are non-removable, natural-looking, and strong to withstand normal wear and tear.

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Meet your Celina Dental Team!

At Celina Family Dentistry, we love forming relationships with our patients to provide a comfortable dental experience. Our team acknowledges each of our patients and provides the customized dental care you need. May is Employee Health and Fitness Month, so let’s take a moment to meet your Celina dental team and honor their dedication to keeping your smile healthy.

Your Celina Dentist

Dr. Newton graduated with honors from Baylor College of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Program. She decided to follow her dreams and went on to receive her dental degree and two scholastic honors awards from Baylor College of Dentistry. Dr. Newton offers preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services to help patients feel confident about their smiles. She stays active in the community and holds membership in the Celina and Prosper Chambers of Commerce. Outside the office, Dr. Newton enjoys cooking, watching movies, and spending time with her friends, husband, son, and two dogs.

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Celina Stress Test for Healthy Smiles During Finals

It’s almost time for summer fun, but many North Texas students are stressing about final exams. As you prepare for the end of the school year, keep in mind that stress affects your heart, body, head, and dental health. Dr. Newton’s stress test will analyze your coping habits and show you the best way to protect your oral health during finals.

1. You’ve been studying for hours but you just can’t comprehend the information. How should you react?
A. Take a break
B. Grind your teeth
C. Tense your muscles
D. Clench your teeth

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Preventing Oral Cancer in Celina

The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that about 40,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. While one-fourth of patients diagnosed with oral cancer don’t have any risk factors, the majority of oral cancer cases can be prevented with proper care and diagnosis. This week, April 22-28, is Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, and Dr. Newton would like to decrease your risk of developing oral cancer.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is classified as cancer that occurs in the mouth, lips, gums, cheeks, throat, tongue, or any other area of the oral cavity. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include mouth sores that bleed easily or don’t heal, pain that doesn’t go away, lumps in the throat or cheek, and white or red discoloration of oral tissues.

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Sedation Relieves Dental Stress

Recent research shows that about 50 percent of Americans avoid visiting the dentist due to fear or anxiety. Skipping dental appointments means you are not receiving the preventive care you need to keep your smile healthy. At Celina Family Dentistry, Dr. Newton and our team are committed to patient comfort. We offer a beverage station, free WiFi, and TVs in our office to help patients relax. However, some people still stress about their dental appointments. Today, April 16, is Stress Awareness Day, and Dr. Newton wants you to be aware of the sedation techniques that can help relieve your dental stresses.

Common Dental Stresses

Dental sedation can relax your body to help relieve your dental fears and phobias. Sedation is ideal for patients who experience any of the following conditions:

Fun Uses for Dental Hygiene Products

We’ve had a few rain showers lately in North Texas, but storm season is just beginning. Even if you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, Dr. Newton wants you to keep a healthy smile on your face. Next time it pours, try to entertain yourself with these fun uses for your old dental products.

Clean Your Clothes

You may think laundry is a boring task, but not with your dental hygiene products! Remember to only use an old toothbrush for cleaning around the house—not the current one you use to clean your teeth.

  • Spot Remover: Toothpaste and toothbrushes help remove surface stains from your teeth, but they can also remove stains from other surfaces. Use an old toothbrush and a dab of toothpaste to help scrub stains out of fabric or rub mud off shoes.
  • Fresh Laundry: Adding a cup of mouthwash to your laundry load can help destroy the bacteria in your wash. When you’re done washing your clothes, hang them up to dry using a piece of dental floss as a temporary clothesline.
  • Shiny Jewelry: Don’t forget your accessories! Gently scrub your jewelry with a toothbrush and abrasive toothpaste to help polish your jewels.

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Your Celina Dental Team Introduces New Website and Medical Building

Dr. Newton and your Celina dental team are excited to announce two new updates that are designed to serve you better. Last month, we launched our newly-redesigned website to better inform and educate our patients. Last week, we celebrated our groundbreaking for our new medical office, intended to increase your dental comfort and care.

Our New Dental Website

Our website, localhost/celina, has been reformatted so you can receive all the information you need to know about your dental health. We have made our site user-friendly with an easy navigation and comfortable layout so you can quickly find the material you need. Our new website features a biography section so you can learn about the backgrounds and experiences of our dental team. We have also broken down our services into categories (preventive, restorative, cosmetic, comfort, technology) so you can find the treatment you need.

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Dental Technology Can Save Your Smile!

Modern technology makes dental care more precise, more comfortable, and simpler. Advanced dental tools and equipment can help Dr. Newton evaluate details about your oral health and make more accurate diagnoses and treatments. Here’s how our special technologies can help save your smile.

Detecting Oral Cancer

At your regular checkups with Dr. Newton, she will provide an oral cancer screening. When caught early, oral cancer has a 50 to 80 percent survival rate. Unfortunately, it is not always detected early enough to be treated. Many times, the first sign of oral cancer is a visible sore or bump inside your mouth. Dr. Newton will examine your mouth for any noticeable changes or suspicious areas. In addition to a visible screening, Dr. Newton uses the VELscope tool to further evaluate areas of your mouth. The VELscope will scan your mouth and a blue light will highlight areas of concern. The VELscope screening takes about two minutes and can save your life from oral cancer.

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