L. King Scott, DDS Blog

TMJ disorder, or TMD, is a condition that can be caused by a variety of incidents including traumatic accidents like car crashes and sporting injuries. What many patients don’t realize is after they receive emergency medical care, they’ll need to visit their dentist in Monroe for an additional examination. Many medical professionals overlook TMJ damage in these cases, and in order to prevent additional damage to your joints, neck and facial muscles, and teeth, you’ll need to receive treatment from a dental specialist.

About three-fourths of Americans currently have some form of dental insurance, according to the National Association of Dental Plans. However, many people aren’t quite sure exactly how dental insurance works. As a result, they might end up overpaying for the care they need, or even not getting that care at all. Here are some dental insurance basics to help you understand how your plan works and what kind of coverage you can expect.  

Have you been experiencing headaches, jaw pain, and chronic interrupted sleep? Although your first thought may be to shrug it off, these could be symptoms of a much bigger issue, like bruxism. According to the American Sleep Association, this habit of unintentionally clenching or grinding your teeth affects 10% of adults and 15% of children in the U.S. alone. If you think you may be suffering from this condition, then it is important to seek treatment before it irreparably damages your teeth. Read on for common causes and how your dentist can help.

Skipping your dentist appointment may not seem like an issue at first. After all, you don’t feel any pain or discomfort. There’s nothing wrong with your teeth. Why should you spend time at the dental office? Many adults avoid going to the dentist because of a variety of reasons including inconvenience, forgetfulness, fear, or embarrassment. The truth is that if you don’t have regular checkups or cleaning, any small issues you have could turn serious and even become a dental emergency. Read on to learn what your dentist near Monroesays can happen if you avoid your dental visits.

Keeping dental instruments and equipment clean is important in any situation, but it is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can be so dangerous, dental offices have taken many extra steps to limit the possibility of spreading the virus in the office. Being extra thorough when cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing surfaces and instruments is one of them. Your dentist can tell you exactly how they are sterilizing their equipment to protect themselves and their patients.

Many people don’t often think about replacing their toothbrush. If it seems to be working well and doing its job, you may think there’s no need to buy a new one. However, there are many good reasons to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If you aren’t replacing yours regularly, you may be overdue to get a new toothbrush.

Over the last few weeks, several states have either extended or put into place shelter-in-place orders in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. In Louisiana, people are making an effort to leave their home less, and only go out if they need essential supplies or are required to work. Instead of risking your health in an effort to ease your toothache, here are five at-home remedies made from ingredients that you may be able to find in your pantry from your dentist in West Monroe.

Has something seemed a little off about your smile lately? Have your teeth been looking a little more yellow than you would like them to? Maybe you’ve tried over-the-counter teeth whitening strips before, but they didn’t quite deliver the results you wanted. Are you destined to suffer through having stained teeth forever? Not at all, thanks to professional teeth whitening from your dentist. Dental-grade whitening treatment has helped unleash the potential of countless smiles, but will it work for you? Keep reading to find out.

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The last place you want to have missing teeth is in your smile line. Not only is it easily noticeable, but it also makes it harder to bite into food and speak clearly. Dental implants are considered the “gold standard” for replacing missing teeth, but how effective are they when the absence is in the front? To find out if an implant will still work, continue reading.

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With the new year fast approaching, now is a great time to act on your desire to restore your smile to its former glory. If you are considering dental implant treatment, be sure to ask your dentist if he or she is able to perform full implant treatment in-house. Why? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about dental implants and why you should partner with an implant dentist. (more…)