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Free Dental Day is a national phenomenon in which many dental offices are participating. It’s a small way to give back to the community and provide people who may not otherwise get dental care with free dental services. 

Mark your calendars for Free Dental Day at Smith Dental Care on February 17th! We are committed to helping East Texas smile, and we hope those in need can check out these services and get the dental care they deserve! 

What Is Free Dental Day? 

Throughout the United States, thousands of dentist offices are joining a movement to provide free dental care for a day. Different offices can choose their date for free care, or they can join a national movement to focus on a specific day. 

On this day, people who need access to dental services can visit the office and get free, high-quality dental services. The goal is simply to make dental care more accessible for everyone and ensure more people can enjoy healthy, happy smiles. 

Each year, millions of dollars worth of services are donated on free service days across the country. Thousands of patients get the care that they desperately need or simply cannot afford. It is our hope that we can give back to the community of East Texas in some small way with our upcoming Free Dental Day on February 17th. 

Why Free Dental Day Is So Important

With the rise in costs for insurance and services, many people don’t maintain dental insurance on a regular basis. More than 75 million adults in the United States have no dental insurance coverage. This means that 75+ million people don’t get routine dental care, cleaning, and other important services. 

It doesn’t mean those people don’t need dental care; it simply means they likely cannot afford it. Due to the gap in coverage, they neglect dental cleanings and visits to avoid the out-of-pocket costs. This can lead to many potential issues: 

• Cavities
• Tooth decay
• Tooth loss
• Misalignment
• Periodontal disease
• Gum disease

When dental care is neglected for too long, it could potentially lead to more extensive and more expensive work needing to be done. And yet, many people will put that off as well because they don’t have the coverage to help with the expenses. 

Without proper dental care, people often struggle with confidence or shame. They want their smile to be healthy, but they simply don’t have the resources to make it happen. That’s where we come in! 

The Value of Quality Dental Care

Realistically, you should see a dentist at least once a year for routine cleanings. The industry recommendation is to get a cleaning every six months. These cleanings are not just to improve your pearly whites; it’s also to check your teeth and your mouth and be proactive with any potential issues. 

If you have cavities, misalignment, or other concerns, the dentist can address those concerns with you and help provide services to correct them. Being proactive with dental care manages your dental health but also could impact your overall health as well. 

Did you know that proper dental care can help to reduce the risks of heart disease related to periodontal disease, diabetes, oral cancer, and kidney disease in some cases? Of course, dental care will not always prevent these things, but it can make a difference. 

A free day to get dental care also contributes to helping improve and protect your overall health.

Experience Free Dental Care with Us on February 17th! 

We are passionate about taking care of smiles within our community. We hope that you will come to see us for your dental care needs on February 17th. We look forward to serving as many people as possible on this day with free dental care. 

Share the date with friends, mark your calendars, and prepare to wow the world with your smile. Contact us today at Smith Dental Care with questions about services, or just show up that day to get the help you need! 

Planning for extensive dental work can be scary. When it comes to full mouth restoration, you know that you are undergoing major work. It requires a little bit of bravery, but the good news is that there are also tools to help you make it through it without as much fear and anxiety. 

Dental office technology has improved through the years, and with sedation dentistry, you can be comfortable throughout your entire procedure. Trust the dental staff to take great care of you while keeping you comfortable throughout the process. Whether you have multiple dental issues that need to be handled or you scheduled full mouth restoration to create a stunning smile, you’ll be taken care of. 

Full Mouth Restoration

The idea of full mouth restoration is taking a mouth that needs total rehabilitation for whatever reason and perfecting the smile. These are major procedures that require comprehensive dental care to accomplish the desired results. From damaged and missing teeth to handling the aesthetics of your smile, there are many details involved in the process. 

Not every restoration process is the same. We all have different stories to tell, and your oral health challenges are unique to you. The dental office can use sedation and full mouth restoration planning to address multiple needs at one time. 

We create a comprehensive solution designed to help you achieve positive oral health, a healthy smile, and a plan that meets your needs. With a holistic approach, we can help you attain the results you desire. 

Full Mouth Restoration Is a Personalized Solution

At Smith Dental Care, we tailor big projects like this to your needs and your wants. It’s a very personal process, and many times there are emotions running rampant on top of the desire for an improved smile. We work closely with you to ensure we can help you meet your treatment goals. 

Every full mouth restoration starts with a consultation and evaluation. This allows us to get to know you. It also gives you a chance to get comfortable with us before the work begins. We will complete a thorough examination, take impressions, X-rays, and digital imaging, and start planning. This exam allows us to assess the current conditions of your teeth and oral health so we can make a plan for the rehabilitation process. 

Once we assess and understand, we can start planning treatment that is based on your needs and your desired outcome. 

Full mouth restoration isn’t always just a single step. Depending on the need, it may require multiple steps or procedures. Most restoration projects include a combination of cosmetic, restorative, and periodontal procedures to complete. 

A Look at Various Restoration Approaches

There are different concepts used for varying needs. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them. 

• Dental Implants - these can replace missing or pulled teeth, providing a permanent replacement that allows your teeth to function as normal and look great in the process. 
• Porcelain Veneers - veneers help to correct imperfections in aesthetic appearance, such as discoloration, chips, cracks, and other issues. 
• Dental Crowns and Bridges - Provide a repair method for damaged teeth without a complete replacement or overhaul. These restore strength as well as function for the involved teeth. 
• Gum Disease - Treatment is personalized to consider things like gum inflammation, infection, and recession. Protocols will vary depending on your situation. 
• Orthodontics - Treatment with the use of braces or invisible alignment devices to help correct misalignment and bite settings. 
• TMJ Treatment - Helps to alleviate pain or dysfunction associated with TMJ

The Role of Sedation Dentistry in Full Mouth Restoration

When you undergo full mouth restoration, sedation dentistry provides a resource to keep you calm during the process. Most procedures can be completed while you are sedated. 

There are different types of sedation available. These are the kinds we use: 

• Intravenous (IV) - sedates through an IV with an anesthesiologist. This provides the deepest possible relaxation by putting you to sleep during the procedure. 
• Oral Sedation - sedation through a pill that will help to relax you but does not completely sedate you. Don’t be surprised if you fall asleep just because you are so relaxed. 
• Nitrous Oxide - this is one of the most commonly used sedation methods in dental offices. It’s also known as laughing gas. This is administered through a nasal mask that calms you and makes you happy during your appointment. 

Work with Smith Dental Care for Full Mouth Restoration

From high-anxiety patients to full reconstruction and major procedures, we provide sedation dentistry to help you stay calm and relaxed through it all. At Smith Dental Care, we provide a wide array of reconstruction services, perfectly tailored to meet your smile needs. 

Contact us today to start the process toward a healthy and confident smile. 

It’s no secret that New Year’s Eve is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. Dr. Smith, Dr. Ogletree, and Dr. Douglas and our team love it too. It’s a fresh start, another year of surviving the crazy world we live in, a time to refocus on the things we want for ourselves, a celebration with those we love … the list goes on.

Dozens of countries welcome the New Year with over-the-top parties and celebrations. Because it’s a public holiday, many offices, businesses, and schools close for the day. As you think about your plans for this holiday, here are some fun facts about New Year’s that might surprise you!

Can you guess what the most common New Year’s resolutions are? You may already have one or two of these on your own personal list. The top five New Year’s resolutions are: to quit smoking, get a new job, lose weight, increase personal savings, and return to school. Just remember that coming up with a concrete plan to reach your goals is the surest way to achieve your resolutions!

About one million people brave the cold to watch the New Year’s Eve ball drop in New York City’s Times Square in person. Yes, that’s one million! This event is one of the most iconic celebrations in the world. People travel from all over just to experience it, but you can watch from the warmth and comfort of your living room.

If you’re not a fan of cabbage, collard greens, black-eyed peas, or ham hocks, you might want to revise your tastes. All these foods are all regarded as lucky fare on New Year’s Day. Unless you’re allergic, of course!

For many people in Mexico and Latin America, eating 12 grapes at midnight is a tradition that brings good luck in the 12 coming months. Most people even make a wish per grape!

Whether you’re celebrating in Tyler, TX or traveling elsewhere to observe the holiday, New Year’s Eve is a time to enjoy the company of your friends and family. Don’t forget to send warm wishes to your loved ones, and snag a midnight kiss with that special someone if you can!

In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality care available to our patients at Smith Dental Care, we proudly screen our patients for oral cancer. The fact is, every hour of every day in North America, someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved.

Oral cancer can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, inside lining of the cheeks, roof of the mouth, and the floor of the mouth. Symptoms of oral cancer may include a sore in the throat or mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal, a red or white patch that persists, a lump or thickening, ear pain, a neck mass, or coughing up blood. Difficulties in chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaws are often late symptoms. While there is no way to predict exactly which individuals will get oral cancer, there are some potential causes we want you to know about. In some cases, it is possible to minimize these risk factors.

• Age (most patients diagnosed with oral cancer are over the age of 40)
• Tobacco use, either from cigarettes or smokeless chewing tobacco
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Persistent viral infections, such as HPV16
• A diet lacking or low in fruits and vegetables

Finding out you have oral cancer can be devastating news. If you are concerned that you might be at risk for developing oral cancer, talk to us about screenings and other things you can do to reduce your risk. Through a routine visual inspection, Dr. Smith, Dr. Ogletree, and Dr. Douglas and our team at Smith Dental Care can often detect premalignant abnormalities and cancer at an early stage, when treatment is both less expensive and more successful, and can potentially save your life. Ask Dr. Smith, Dr. Ogletree, and Dr. Douglas and our team at Smith Dental Care about a screening at your next appointment!