It starts off as a beautiful day out with friends and family, until sensitivity strikes at the ice cream shop. It goes away pretty quickly; so no big deal, right? The next thing you notice is that your tooth hurts, and now it doesn’t go away – unless you take ibuprofen, not to worry, right? If this scenario sounds at all familiar, you should stop right here and call your trusted team at Long Family Dental, because things are about to get worse. Next you wake up in the middle of the night to a severe toothache that doesn’t go away, even with medication. These are the signs that you might needs a root canal in Midlothian.
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal in Midlothian
September 27, 2016
Caring For Your Dentures in Cleburne
September 15, 2016
When you’re missing multiple teeth it has a huge impact on the quality of your life. Your diet and nutrition are affected because you can’t properly chew your food, and this affects your digestion and health. You may feel self-conscious about talking or smiling because of your missing teeth, and this impacts your confidence. The good news is that dentures may be the right solution for restoring your smile, and Dr. Bob Long and Dr. Chris Long can help! Here’s more information about wearing and caring for your dentures in Cleburne.
Restoring Your Smile With Dental Crowns in Midlothian
August 20, 2016
Teeth that are worn, fractured or damaged can diminish the appearance of your smile. The good news is that if your tooth is beyond the repair that a dental filling can offer, you still have options to restore your smile with dental crowns in Midlothian. Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long carry on the forty-year tradition of creating spectacular smiles at Long Family Dental in Midlothian, TX. Here’s some more information about what dental crowns can do for your smile.
Options For Replacing Missing Teeth With Implant Dentures in Cleburne
August 5, 2016
Living with multiple missing teeth can feel challenging and hopeless. Chewing and eating becomes difficult, which affects your nutrition and health. Talking and smiling might feel embarrassing, which affects your personal and professional relationships. Did you know that your oral health is also in jeopardy? For over forty years, Long Family Dental has been providing solutions for patients with missing teeth, and we’ve helped them reclaim their teeth and their lives. Learn more about your options for replacing missing teeth with implant dentures in Cleburne.
Your Cleburne and Midlothian Children’s Dentist Knows Healthy Baby Teeth are Vital
September 17, 2015
There are a lot of myths in my profession. For example, a lot of people think that whiter teeth are necessarily healthier teeth — but that’s just not true. And one that really kills me is the myth that flossing just isn’t that important. But if you’re reading this blog post, you probably know that’s a big (dangerous) myth. Here’s a list of some more common dental myths. There is something that’s not on that list, though, and it’s a big misconception we hear all the time — so I’ll add it on here.
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Long Family Dental: The Dentist Midlothian Depends on for Oral Health
July 21, 2015
Your mouth is the main portal to the rest of your body. Therefore, the condition of your oral health affects your overall health. In other words, what happens in your mouth doesn’t necessarily stay in your mouth. Researchers have gathered evidence of the oral-systemic connection and proven that several illnesses and diseases can result from poor oral hygiene. Therefore, the need to take care of your teeth and gums cannot be overstated. With offices in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, the dentists at Long Family Dental and their staff of dental hygienists and dental assistants can help you maintain your oral and general health.
Periodontal disease—or gum disease—along with the bacteria that cause it are the main culprits in systemic diseases that may be linked to oral health. These include, but are not limited to:
Diabetes. That people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have gum disease has been well-known for many years. Now, however, research shows that patients with gum disease have an increased risk of developing diabetes as compared to people with little or no gum disease.
Heart disease. Periodontal bacteria are sometimes the cause of trouble here. The “bad” bacteria that is associated with gum disease can enter your bloodstream, lodge inside blood vessels and lead to blockages, heart attack or even heart failure.
Pneumonia. Germs from periodontal infection can migrate into the neck and chest, and end up in the lungs. People with gum disease can aspirate the bacteria and pathogens associated with this disease into their airways.
Good Oral for Good Overall Health
To avoid these and other health concerns, Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long recommend that an effective oral hygiene routine be followed at home, as well as regularly scheduled dental exams and cleanings. At least twice a day, brush your teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush. (Hard bristles can scratch your teeth’s enamel.) Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle against the gum line and brush in small circular motions. Be sure to brush the outside, inside and biting surface of each tooth, using a short back-and-forth motion. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too, to remove bacteria that can cause bad breath. A good brushing should take at least two to three minutes.
Finally, floss between your teeth at least once a day. Use about 18 inches of floss and gently move the floss up and down between teeth, guiding the string with your thumbs and index fingers. Advance the string of floss and move from one tooth to the next.
Call Our Office Today
In addition to your at-home oral hygiene practice, Long Family Dental would like to see you twice each year for checkups when we’ll clean your teeth, remove plaque and tartar, check the health of your gums, examine for tooth decay and complete an oral cancer screening. The dentist Cleburne, TX, trusts also conveniently serves patients from Waxahachie, Burleson, Joshua, Red Oak, Mansfield and Cedar Hill and beyond.
Best Dentist, Burleson, TX
July 3, 2015
Finding a new doctor can be more painful than going to the doctor, but if you’re in need of excellent dental care in the Burleson, TX area, Long Family Dental has you covered. Our dental team is dedicated to family. Succeeding the original Dr. Long are his two sons Dr. Bob and Dr. Chris long. Our team is dedicated to making your family feel like they are part of our family. Each time you visit us, you’ll receive the best possible service and care. We’ve been treating patients in the Burleson area like family for more than 40 years. Call to schedule an appointment at one of our two convenient locations today.
General and Preventive Dentist, Waxahachie
Our dentists are great at what they do, and that starts with the basics. Preventive dentistry is essential to maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile for life. Regular checkups and teeth cleanings at Long Family Dental combined with a great at home hygiene plan will set you on your way to a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Our state-of-the-art facilities near Waxahachie make it possible for us to find and treat numerous minor dental health concerns before they can affect your overall health. Our dentists also have years of combined education and experience in a variety of dental specialties so you don’t have to worry about referrals or finding a specialist. We are the specialists. General dentistry services include checkups, hygiene appointments, fillings, laser decay detection, dental sealants and more.
Restorative Dentist, Joshua
If your preventive dentistry measures aren’t enough, we’re here to restore your smile. Trauma, tooth decay, or gum disease can leave your smile less than perfect, but there are restorative dentistry services to help preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible. Our skilled dentists provide root canal therapy, dental implants, dentures, crown and bridge replacement, and even same day crown placement.
Cosmetic Dentist, Midlothian and Cleburne
If your smile is less than dazzling, Long Family Dental has an array of cosmetic dental treatments that can transform any smile from ordinary to extraordinary. Dull, stained, crooked, cracked, broken or missing teeth? We can help remake your smile. Our cosmetic dentists can perfect any smile. From adding a little sparkle with our convenient take home whitening treatments, or a complete smile transformation with porcelain veneers, let us put a radiant smile on your face. Have a big job interview or meeting coming up? Dazzle with a smile makeover from Long Family Dental.
Visit Us Soon
Whatever your dentistry need, let Long Family Dental help you. In addition to our preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry options, we also offer sedation dentistry for dental anxiety relief, TMJ treatment, and sleep apnea treatment. Our two convenient locations in Midlothian and Cleburne, TX make it easy to get the care you need. Call to schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from surrounding areas including Waxahachie, Burleson, Joshua, Red Oak, Mansfield and Cedar Hill and beyond.
Wake Up to Sleep Apnea Therapy at Long Family Dental
March 15, 2015
Good morning! How’d you sleep? Did you have sweet dreams or do you have memories of someone shouting, “stop snoring”? Are you refreshed and ready to start the day when the alarm goes off, or do you need to hit the snooze button a few times? If you snore and snooze, then you may have a condition called sleep apnea. Long Family Dental, with offices in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, can help you get a good night’s sleep with sleep apnea therapy.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that causes breathing to temporarily cease during sleep. This may happen 100s—yes, 100s—of times a night. In addition to snoring, other symptoms might include awakening with a gasp for breath; daytime exhaustion; morning headaches or sore throat; and compromised concentration and motor coordination. In fact, some auto accidents can be attributed to sleep apnea. And beyond these symptoms, sleep apnea has also been connected to other ailments including high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity and low infant birth weight.
Sleep Apnea Therapy from Long Family Dental
Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long treat sleep apnea with SomnoDent®. SomnoDent is an oral appliance that is custom made according to our specifications after a thorough evaluation. This comfortable and flexible oral appliance is worn at night to shift your lower jaw forward and maintain an open airway while you sleep. Our dentists work closely with your personal physician to diagnose and prescribe the proper treatment for you. If you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have tried a CPAP machine but haven’t been able to stick with it, then ask Dr. Long or Dr. Long about SomnoDent.
Call Our Office Today
If you suspect that you or a loved one might need sleep apnea therapy, then call Long Family Dental to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, as well as the surrounding communities of Waxahachie, Red Oak, Mansfield and Cedar Hill and beyond.
Root Out Pain with a Root Canal from Long Family Dental
January 15, 2015
Root canal. For some people, just the words conjure up thoughts of pain and discomfort. Actually though, a root canal should initiate thoughts of eliminating pain and restoring comfort. That’s what a root canal is designed to do when you have an infected tooth that is causing a toothache. Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long at Long Family Dental, with offices in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, are experienced in root canal therapy that will relieve your pain and preserve your tooth.
Each one of your teeth is actually made up of three layers. The strong outer layer that people see when you smile is the enamel. Next is the dentin, the sensitive middle layer. And the deepest layer is called the pulp, which is comprised of nerve and lymph tissue as well as blood vessels. If this layer is exposed to infection causing bacteria, then a root canal becomes necessary in order to preserve the life of the tooth. Bacteria can spread to the pulp by way of excessive tooth decay, a deep fracture or serious blow to the face.
Symptoms you may notice that would indicate the need for a root canal include:
- Moderate to severe tooth pain
- Swelling around the tooth
- A tooth that is newly discolored
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- A foul taste in your mouth
The Root Canal Procedure
The first step is making sure you are comfortable and the site is adequately anesthetized. Then, one of our dentists will access the pulp in order to clean and disinfect this chamber and its associated canals. Once the infection and any associated debris are removed, the root canals are filled with a biocompatible, anti-bacterial material. The tooth is then sealed and usually topped with a crown for added protection and strength.
Call Our Office Today
If you have a toothache or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please call Long Family Dental today. We proudly serve patients in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, as well as the surrounding communities of Waxahachie, Red Oak, Mansfield and Cedar Hill and beyond.
Maintain Good Oral Health and Repair Your Smile with Dental Implants
November 15, 2014
Just one missing tooth can spell trouble with a capital T. Obviously, there is the consequence to your smile. In fact, for many people a missing tooth can keep them from smiling. But beyond your smile, one or more missing teeth can lead to oral and general health problems. Thankfully, there are dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long at Long Family Dental have restored oral health and many smiles around Midlothian, TX, with the help of dental implants.
To more precisely place dental implants and reduce recovery time, Drs. Long and Long use computer-assisted technology during the procedure. First, a small titanium post is implanted into the bone below the space of the missing tooth. This is allowed to heal for six to 12 weeks during which time the bone grows around the post. Thus, a dental implant has the added advantage of slowing or even stopping bone loss that may occur when the root of a tooth is missing. Once healed, the doctor places an abutment on top of the post. This abutment then holds the dental crown which has the look, feel and function of a real tooth.
But dental implants aren’t only for single missing teeth. Implants are also used to comfortably secure and support implant bridges. Once again, a bridge that is supported by implants has the added advantage of discouraging bone loss. And unlike partial dentures which are usually noticeable—especially when chewing—a bridge with implants feels natural almost immediately.
Caring for implants is much like caring for your other teeth. Brush and floss them as usual and your dental implants will last for years and years.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you or someone you care for has been dealing with the effects of missing teeth, call the office of Long Family to learn more about dental implants. We proudly serve patients in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne.