Dr. Jerit's Dental Blog

Dental Topics

2010-05-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

We love answering our community's questions regarding oral health! Below are 6 of our most commonly asked questions, answered by our hygienist, Teresa!

SHOULD I EAT PRIOR TO A DENTAL APPOINTMENT?

Occasionally our patients will skip the meal before their appointment. Often, a patient reports not wanting to "dirty" their teeth and in other cases, time is simply of the essence! If the appointment is late in the morning or afternoon, they become light headed and faint because of low blood sugar. Please remember to make time to eat following your regular schedule when you have an appointment with us. You'll feel better and not be starving after having dental work completed. If you have concerns about food remnants, we offer disposable toothbrushes so that you go into your appointment feeling comfortable.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY TOOTHBRUSH?

Change your toothbrush whenever the bristles show any sign of wear, including fraying, breakage or spreading. This could be as often as every six weeks.

HOW FIRMLY SHOULD I BRUSH?

Use a gentle, circular motion with a softbristle brush. Remember to be thorough, but gentle. Clean does not have to mean "well scrubbed."

WHAT IS FLOURIDE AND HOW DOES IT HELP MY TEETH?

Some patients get frustrated that they work hard on their home care and yet still get cavities. Cavities are a de-mineralizationof the tooth's enamel. To help keep the enamel strong, the medicine of choice in the dental profession is fluoride. Fluoride can be found in the city water supply here in Frisco; however, the amount is less than the optimal amount needed to help prevent tooth decay. Some bottled water may contain Fluoride so be sure to check the label of your water of choice. Most of us use a tooth paste that contains fluoride, however if you are one that seems to battle tooth decay, Dr Davis may recommend a prescription strength flouride toothpaste for your brushing regimine.

WHAT IS A SEALANT AND HOW DOES IT HELP?

Sealants are a preventive dental procedure that helps to discourage decay on the chewing surface of the molars. Some teeth have deeper anatomical grooves that make it difficult to brush away all or most of the bacteria that causes tooth decay (cavities). By applying sealants to these teeth before decay starts, the deep grooves are altered thus allowing better access for brushing away the bacteria. Sealants do not eliminate all chances of decay, but do help to reduce the chances in chewing surface cavities.

WHY ARE X-RAYS NECESSARY AND HOW ARE THEY HELPFUL?

X-Rays show us decay, bone height and quality, tooth and root malformations, impacted teeth, sinus masses, cysts, tumors and other abnormalities. To be able to fully diagnose your dental needs it is important for Dr Davis to have this important diagnostic tool. We take X-Rays to help keep you healthy.

Our practice hopes these topic discussions help those in our community. It is our goal to help those around us increase their knowledge of dentistry thereby improving oral health!! If you ever find yourself with a dental related question similar to the ones above, please feel welcome to call our office!

Dental Health Month

2010-03-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

February was "Dental Health Month" and in celebration, we took a field trip to a local school. We discussed dental health, introduced our team members and made a few friends along the way! :)

Dr. Davis and Teresa and "Henri" (the "Dental Dog") ...

Dr. Davis, Haylee (his wife) and Allie (his daughter)

Dr. Davis' daughter attends the school where we did the presentation.

Dr. Davis gave a great presentation... anyone would want to brush after this "talk" :)

- In the background from left to right, Teresa (Hygienist), Caitrin (Patient Care Coordinator) and Lori (Hygienist)

Dr. Davis and Henri

From Left to Right,

Lori, Teresa, Caitrin and Haylee D

Thanksgiving Box Distribution

2009-11-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

This past Saturday, November 21, part of our team had the honor of helping Frisco Family Services distribute the Thanksgiving Boxes. Saturday's Roster was as follows:

Haylee Davis - Practice Manager (also wife to Dr. Davis who was on child-care duty for their daughter, Allie)

Caitrin Hill - Patient Care Coordinator

Tiffany Schroer - Dental Assistant

Lori Hosier - Dental Hygienist

Randy Hosier - Husband to Lori :)

Burke Hosier - Son of Lori :)

To my knowledge, the final count was 400 boxes that were donated by our community intended for those in need within our community - isn't that wonderful? Below are some great photos we snapped during our ambitious Saturday -

Randy & Lori Hosier - They made a great traffic directing team!

Our Crew - See Roster Above :)

Caitrin Hill & Tiffany Schroer

Jim Van Brunt (One of our Favorite FFSC Board Members!) & Haylee (Note Burke & Tiffany Schroer in the background... looks like they're working hard while Jim & I pose for this photo... oops :))

L to R - Burke Hosier, Haylee Davis, Tiffany Schroer & Caitrin Hill

Thanks again to each patient who donated items to this cause - the recipients were quite grateful and we all feel thankful that their families will have plenty to eat this Thanksgiving!

Pritchard Family Blood Drive

2009-11-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

Some wonderful friends of our practice, the Pritchard Family, have experienced a road the last two years that no parent wishes to walk. Please read their story and join with them as they give back to the community that enabled them to have a few more precious moments with their little girl...

Donate for Emma!

The second anniversary of Emma becoming an angel just passed on November 1, 2009. Needless to say, our family is still grieving the loss of our precious daughter and sister. Mason (4), Emma's twin brother, and Hannah (3), their baby sister, are doing quite well. However, as a parent it is heartbreaking to watch them grieve, try to understand what happened, and to watch them grow-up without her. We are committed and feel very passionate about this cause. Blood donors like yourself made it possible for us to have a little bit longer with Emma than we may have had otherwise.

Please read the details below, find us and join our group on FaceBook (Emma Pritchard Memorial Blood Drive), schedule an appointment to donate, pass along the information to ANYONE that you know who may be able to donate...just DO SOMETHING to help...Donate for Emma.

Please note that we are holding the blood drive in conjunction with FUMC/Friends in Christ Preschool's Breakfast with Santa. We (the blood drive) will be handing out raffle tickets to those who donate/attempt to donate for prizes to be drawn after the blood drive to places such as Toys R Us, Stonebriar Mall, gifts from LDesigns, Green Peridot Salon, and many more.. We hope you can join us!

Many blessings and thanks,

Monique & J.C. Pritchard Mason & Hannah Pritchard

The Pritchard's Story:

When our 2-1/2 yo twin daughter, Emma, fell ill to pneumonia, it hit her hard and fast. Finding ourselves living out every parent's nightmare, we were told that she had a 50% (at best) chance of survival and that her only chance was to be placed on ECMO (life support). ECMO is wonderful, giving many the time/chance for their bodies to totally rest and heal, as it works as the patient's heart and lungs.

ECMO is a VERY serious treatment and requires a tremendous amount of blood and blood components. Emma was on ECMO for 4-1/2 weeks, but did not survive. When it became apparent that there was NO chance of recovery, we had to make the unthinkable call - to remove her from life support. I held her as she passed away in my arms. Devastating, even more so because nothing was wrong with her except the one thing that could not be repaired-her lungs. They had been destroyed by both bacterial/viral pneumonia.

Very rare, "bad luck" the docs said...NOT what you want to hear. However, we as her parents knew just how fortunate we were to have that extra time with Emma. That time would not have been possible had it not been for the amazing generosity of blood donors - people like you, people like me. Blood donation is now the main cause that I support.

This year our Memorial Blood Drive will be Saturday, December 5. It will be located at Friends in Christ Preschool/FUMC on Preston Rd. PLEASE plan to join us and donate! We can not change what happened, but we can continue to say "Thank You" to society and to try to help in the event that the unthinkable happens to you. God Bless.

3rd Annual Emma Pritchard Memorial Blood Drive

Friends in Christ Preschool's annual Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, December 5, 2009 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

First United Methodist Church 7659 Preston Rd., Frisco, TX

Please Contact: Monique Pritchard at 469-261-4591 FOR INFO

Click Donate Blood, At Mobile Blood Drive enter zip 75034 & sponsor number SPON043232

Thanksgiving Boxes

2009-10-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Our practice is working to build an even stronger relationship with our community. In order to achieve this goal, we have decided to partner with Frisco Family Services Center to give back to those in need. What better time to start this initiative than during the holiday season?

Our first official project with Frisco Family Services is to join in as a Thanksgiving Meal Box sponsor. The Thanksgiving Meal Box program is designed to provide families in need with their entire Thanksgiving Day meal (and breakfast that day, too!). Sponsors are provided a full list of items that must be included in each “meal box.”

As an office, we have already signed up to provide 5 full boxes (which will help 5 families). However, we would like to extend this invitation to you, our patients, so that you may help with this effort if you would like to do so. We hope that with your help our office will be able to donate even more boxes and reach out to even more families.

If you are interested in helping us with this project, the list of needed items are pictured above and can also be found on our Facebook page (if you haven’t already, please become a fan of Jerit Davis, DDS on Facebook). We will be accepting these items in our office if you wish to bring by a donation. You can also contact Frisco Family Services Center - http://www.friscocenter.org/ - to learn more information on ways you can help!

We would like to thank everyone for your support and we look forward to sponsoring many more community events in the future!

"But I just want my free cleaning!"

2009-09-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

When I first began practicing dentistry I made a commitment that I would do my very best to not only treat each patient with the best possible care, but use every opportunity to educate them on how to attain and maintain great oral health. One of the most common services we provide is what is known as a cleaning. So, for educational purposes, I would like to take a moment to explain the reason why we clean teeth in order to treat and prevent periodontal disease.

So often we hear from our patients that they want the “free cleaning” that their insurance pays for and unfortunately we cannot always do that. We would love to provide everyone their free cleaning because to us that would mean good periodontal (gum) health is present. Routine cleanings are indicated only when there is no clinical signs of active periodontal disease. This is not only the standard of care, but a legal requirement put forth by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners which provides the guidelines for which we as healthcare providers are required to abide by. In other words, if a patient has active gum disease and we do not recommend appropriate treatment for said condition then we are now in violation of the law and more importantly to the creed we adhere to as professionals.

Unfortunately, periodontal disease is often overlooked or just flat out neglected. The result? Loss of teeth. I have treated a significant number of patients for full dentures who have rarely had a cavity, but ended up losing their teeth to periodontal disease. It is our responsibility as your dental team to assess your individual dental health and to recommend what we feel is in your best interest to achieve and maintain a healthy mouth.

At your New Patient appointment we will make our diagnostic recommendations based on information and data gathered during the appointment. First, a full set of radiographs (x-rays) are taken followed by intra-oral digital pictures of your teeth, and finally a periodontal evaluation is completed. These measurements of your bone and gum tissue levels along with any signs of inflammation and bleeding allow us to assess what state of health is present in your mouth.

Generally if you have been regular with your cleanings and received proper care in the past, and have good home care, i.e. brushing and flossing, often a routine cleaning to prevent periodontal disease is all that is needed. However, there are times when the Dentist will have to make the recommendation to do a more extensive cleaning; this is known as Scaling/root planing or deep cleaning.

A few of the factors that help the Dentist determine if active periodontal disease is present and Scaling/root planing is the correct recommendation for you includes:

v Amount of tartar/calculus build up that can be seen on your x-rays and teeth

v Depth of your bone measurements (bone loss)

v Amount of bleeding when your gum tissue is touched

v Length of time since your last cleaning

v Other health issues that may be present (diabetes, auto immune diseases, heart problems)

v Medications that you may be taking

v Improper or lack of home care

v Genetic risk factor

Following periodontal disease treatment most people will require a tighter cleaning schedule of every 3-4 months in an effort to maintain a healthy state while others may be able to return to routine 6 month cleanings. Every person is unique and we will always recommend what is best for their individual needs.

Many thanks to one of our hygienist, Teresa Wilson, for her input on this blog. If you have any questions don't hesitate to call or email Teresa or Me!

drdavis@jeritdavisdds.com OR teresa@jeritdavisdds.com

Welcome!

2009-08-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

THE TEAM AT JERIT DAVIS DDS & ASSOCIATES!

This blog has been active for several months but we are just recently putting finishing touches on it in order to begin utilizing this site as an opportunity to engage our patients and others in the Community. Please visit our site regularly to view topics of discussion - many of which have been inspired by the wonderful people who come into our office each day. If you have a topic request, please leave a comment on this blog or email Dr. Davis or Haylee Davis at drdavis@Jeritdavisdds.com OR haylee@jeritdavisdds.com. Your topic request can range from a clinical question (i.e. Describe the purpose of a Crown) or a business related item (i.e. What is the difference between a doctor who is "in-network" or "out-of-network?). We are so thrilled to look forward to the great discussions that will take place on this blog!

They can't pull your teeth, but they can sure cut hair

2009-06-21T13:44:00.001-07:00

If you were fortunate enough to live in the days before modern dentistry, any ailments pertaining to your teeth were likely handled by not your friendly dentist, but your local barber. As American colonization spread westward, barber-surgeon's were often the only source of medical care available to people on new frontier. In fact, even long before there was a U.S.A., barber's had been practicing all sorts of medicine and dentistry for centuries serving not only the common man, but even monarchs.

Today, barber's focus less on their medical and dental skills and more on make us look our best. As a guy, finding the right barber can be quite a daunting task. I have never been one to seek out a salon or your typical 5 and dime cheap spot, but just a place where you can walk in, shake someone's hand, and let them do what they do. I had the same barber for years when I lived in my hometown of Searcy, AR. After college, I moved to Kansas City but even after 5 years was never able to find a barber shop where I really felt at home. My journey for the perfect barber took me from shop to shop. You can probably listen to that old Ray Steven's tune "The Haircut Song" and get an idea of what I went through. At one time, I looked like Bert as in Bert and Ernie. Another time, a barber wanted to be my patient at the dental school, but after a string of no-shows for his appointments, it became awkward to return. I resorted to succumbing to the o-natural look much to the dismay of my wife.

Following my graduate training I relocated south to Frisco, TX. Again, in search of someone to help me tame the wild beast that grows on top of my head, I ventured from place to place often driving miles, enduring gratuitous stories and ultimately found myself in shops where I clearly stuck out when I walked in, sometimes wishing I had my money back. Finally, my wife informed me of an advertisement for a local barber shop opening soon called "The Gent's Place." Upscale and full service, it has a few extras I appreciate and all at a decent price making it an excellent find.

So there you have it, I have finally found a barber shop fit for a dentist - The Gent's Place, Frisco, Texas! :-)

Brush, Brush, Brush

2009-03-01T17:37:00.001-08:00

You know I can remember my mother scrubbing my teeth nightly with the toothbrush every night of my early childhood. Every 6 months it was off to Dr. Schafner's office for a check-up. For that, I thank her. As a matter of fact, that is how I became so interested in the field of dentistry. It was the highlight of my year to visit the dentist. He always made a big deal about how I wanted to be a dentist when I grew up. If I had his address I would mail him a thank you note for taking the time to show some interest in a young persons dreams. I take special care to have those same conversations with the young ones and encourage them to never give up on their dreams.

I understand how difficult it is to keep your kid's teeth clean and cavity free. My 4 year old daughter has a very prominent streak of independence and she always insist she does the brushing. We have a deal... she brushes then I brush. I recommend this to all parents until the children are old enough to use the brush effectively typically around age 6. Teaching kids the right way to brush is just as important how often they do. Rule of thumb is morning and evening and no snacks or drinks other than water afterwards.

Brushing needs to begin even before the teeth erupt. Infants can still collect bacteria and even fungus on the gums, palate, and tongue. Small fingertip appliances that swab the tissues gently work the best. As the teeth erupt, get in the habit of lightly brushing them at least once per day. When the child begins solid food regimens, traditional brushing of the teeth becomes even more important. Although cute at times, it is advisable to avoid refined carbohydrates (sugar) and soda's as this creates habits that can readily cause an uptick in the rate of cavities. Baby bottle decay is a severe form of early childhood cavities caused by the nighttime use of bottles in children who have erupted teeth. As the child sleeps, the bottle stays in and if milk or juice products are present, cavities form very readily. Unfortunately, most of these cases require teeth to be prematurely extracted placing the child at risk for major orthodontic and functional concerns in the future.

As the child approaches their 2nd birthday, the last of the primary molars erupt and the contacts between the teeth begin to close. Flossing becomes more important as the teeth start to touch. Also, it is advisable to begin taking X-rays of the teeth on a routine basis. This establishes great habits that can carry through their lifetime. Kids that visit the dentist regularly tend to be more attentive to their home care and have fewer restorative needs.

So keep them squeaky clean. And don't forget that your teeth are important too :)