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Your Waco Dentist Explains how Smoking Destroys your Oral Health

May 23rd, 2012 by

You’ve probably heard about how smoking affects your overall health and increases your risk of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. But did you know smoking can also greatly damage your oral health? May 31st is World No Tobacco Day, and Waco dentist Dr. Corbet Locke would like to discuss some of the ways that smoking destroys your smile.

  • Stained teeth: Tobacco and smoke form yellow and brown tar deposits on the surface of your teeth.
  • Gum disease: Tobacco irritates your gum tissue, interferes with the normal function of gum tissue, and decreases your ability to fight infection.
  • Plaque buildup: Smoke deposits cause plaque to buildup in your mouth, increasing your risk of tooth decay.
  • Bad breath: Smoke inhalation makes your breath smell.
  • Dry mouth: Smoking decreases saliva production, therefore drying out your mouth and lips. Dry conditions contribute to bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, itchiness, and cracked lips.
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Waco Dentist Dispels Myths about Porcelain Veneers

May 21st, 2012 by

Porcelain veneers are cosmetic restorations that can hide gaps, cover stains, reshape teeth, and conceal other tooth imperfections. Veneers are crafted out of thin pieces of ceramic, and Dr. Locke will attach the veneers to the front of your teeth using a strong bonding material. Your Waco dentist would like to discuss a few tips to remember when considering porcelain veneers.

Myth: One Size Fits All

Your veneers will be handcrafted in a special dental laboratory. Dr. Locke will take impressions of your teeth to determine the correct shape, size, and color of your veneers. A skilled ceramist will then design and sculpt your veneers for your specifications. Your custom restorations will look just like your natural teeth.

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Waco Dentist Helps Prevent Osteoporosis and Tooth Loss

May 16th, 2012 by

Osteoporosis is a health condition that decreases your bone mineral density and weakens your bones—including those in your jaw. It’s Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, and Waco dentist Dr. Corbet Locke wants to see how much you know about osteoporosis and your dental health.

1. What is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults?

A. Periodontal disease
B. Osteoporosis
C. Football injuries

2. Which nutrient helps keep your bones strong?

A. Vitamin C
B. Calcium
C. Fluoride

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Healthy Smiles for Summer

May 14th, 2012 by

It’s time to bring out the shorts, sunscreen, and beach towels. As you prepare for summer, Waco dentist Dr. Corbet Locke wants to make sure your smile is ready for the fun. Be aware of the popular summer activities that may damage your dental health.

Refreshing Swim

Swimming pools contain chlorine and antimicrobial chemicals that kill bacteria in the water, but these additives increase the water’s pH level and destroy your smile. According to The Academy of General Dentistry, the elevated pH level may form a hard, brown tartar deposit on your front teeth. Some studies also show that pool chemicals can weaken and erode your teeth. Additionally, slipping on wet surfaces or diving into shallow water can cause facial injuries, including broken teeth, knocked out teeth, and fractured jaws. Fortunately, Dr. Locke can restore your smile with dental crowns or implants.

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Your Waco Dentist Discusses the Benefits of Tap Water

May 9th, 2012 by

We all know that summer in Texas can be HOT, and it’s important to drink plenty of water to keep your body strong and hydrated. In light of National Drinking Water Week (May 6-12), Dr. Corbet Locke wants to discuss how drinking water can keep your mouth healthy.

Tap vs. Bottled Water

Many people prefer the taste and reusability of water bottles, but your Waco dentist encourages you to drink tap water, instead. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps deter tooth decay. The mineral helps strengthen tooth enamel and replenish lost minerals, which helps prevent cavities. Although you’re exposed to fluoride every day through your toothpaste, about 75 percent of your fluoride intake comes from water and processed beverages. Fluoride is naturally present in water, but many communities add fluoride to drinking water to reach the level recommended for optimal oral health—which is about .7 to 1.2 parts per million. In fact, about 62 percent of the U.S. population has access to an adequate amount of fluoride in their tap water. Community water fluoridation frequently exposes you to small amounts of fluoride every time you drink—just enough to keep your smile healthy.

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Achieving Strong Mental Health in Waco

May 7th, 2012 by

Anxiety and fear may prevent you from visiting the dentist, thereby avoiding the preventive dental care you need to stay healthy. May is Mental Health Month, and Dr. Locke would like to discuss how you can ease your mind and overcome your dental fears in Waco.

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

According to Mental Health America, more than 40 million Americans are affected by anxiety disorders each year. Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that cause people to experience feelings of worry, panic, and terror for no apparent reason. Similarly, a phobia is an irrational fear of something that poses no actual danger. Anxiety may be caused by previous traumatic experiences, lack of control, and fear of the future unknown results. When left untreated, anxiety makes people avoid certain situations. Symptoms of anxiety include:

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Fun Facts About Dental Implants

May 2nd, 2012 by

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, two out of three Americans has at least one missing tooth. As an implant dentist in Waco, Dr. Corbet Locke is dedicated to restoring your smile. Dental implants are planted into your jaw bone to keep your smile full, beautiful, and functional. Here are some fun facts about dental implants.

  • The concept for dental implants traces back to historic times. Archeologists have found that ancient Mayans and Egyptians inserted tooth-shaped shells into empty tooth sockets to replace missing teeth. These ancients must have realized that replacing teeth is necessary for speaking, eating, and maintaining proper alignment.
  • Titanium implants were accidentally discovered. In 1952, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon named P.I. Branemark discovered that a titanium rod naturally fused with the bone of an animal test subject. Titanium was originally used for hip and joint replacement. However, through a process called osseointegration, your jawbone will also grow around the small titanium implant post, maintaining the look, feel, and function of a natural tooth.
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Seven Tips to Relieve Stress in Waco

Apr 30th, 2012 by

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, you’re probably cramming to study for final exams. Staring at textbooks for too long can strain your eyes and overwhelm your mind. Stress may cause headaches, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, poor dental habits, and gum inflammation. To help protect your body and dental health from the effects of stress, Dr. Locke offers these tips to help reduce your tension.

Stress Reduction Tips

  1. Exercise. Exercising helps relieve your frustration and relax your body. It also pumps up your adrenaline and improves your energy and concentration. If you feel overwhelmed, take a break from the books and go for a jog around campus.
  2. Take a bubble bath. When you get stressed, your muscles tense up. A warm bubble bath will help calm your mood and ease muscle cramps. Furthermore, dim the lights, burn a few candles, and listen to the soothing sounds of nature to create a relaxing bath therapy.
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Root Canal Therapy in Waco

Apr 25th, 2012 by

When a cavity or crack in your tooth is left untreated, bacteria can spread deep inside your tooth and infect your pulp. An irritated nerve leads to swelling, pressure, pain, and sensitivity. To prevent the infection from worsening, spreading to other areas, or entering your bloodstream, Dr. Locke recommends root canal therapy to save your damaged tooth. Despite common beliefs, root canal therapy is a comfortable solution to relieve your dental discomfort.

What Happens During a Root Canal?

During root canal therapy, Dr. Locke will remove the infected area of your tooth and seal the nerve chamber. He will then place a durable porcelain crown over the top of the tooth to stabilize it and return full function and appearance to your mouth.

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Understanding Oral Cancer in Waco

Apr 23rd, 2012 by

According to the American Cancer Society, over 40,000 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed this year. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they have oral cancer until it’s too late. In honor of Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (April 22-28), Dr. Locke offers this fact sheet to help you better understand oral cancer.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the mouth. Oral cancer is divided into two categories: oral cavity cancer and oropharyngeal cancer. The oral cavity includes the lips, teeth, gums, lining of the lips and cheeks, front of the tongue, and the floor and roof of the mouth. The oropharynx includes the base of the tongue, soft palate, tonsils, and throat.

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