Dr. Sarah Brent DDS and the team at KC Family Dental are pleased to provide professional and caring dental services to their patients from Fairway KS, Kansas City, Roeland Park, Prairie Village, Mission, The Plaza, Mission Hills, Shawnee and the surrounding communities. Our dental services include: adult, children's, cosmetic, family, general, implant, laser, orthodontic, preventive, restorative and sedation dentistry.
The prevention of periodontal disease is simple. Regular brushing twice a day, flossing every day, making healthy food choices, and visiting Dr. Brent twice a year for exams and cleanings are the primary defense against gum disease. Gum disease frequently has minor symptoms that can go unnoticed, so getting your gums checked by our team is especially important. KC Family Dental Sarah Brent, DDS 4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS 66205 Kansas City (913) 220-2209 KCFamilyDental.com
When a patient stands up from the dental chair after restorative care, they are often “numb” for 3 to 5 hours. It’s difficult to talk or eat and their face and lips often feel “fat.” What if that didn’t have to occur? At KC Family Dental, we’re delighted to offer our patients OraVerse™. An astounding product, it reverses the effects of anesthetic after your treatment is complete. It takes approximately 30 minutes for you to return to normal. So, if the thought of being numb for hours after your treatment makes you uncomfortable – we can take care of that for you! KC Family Dental Sarah Brent, DDS 4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS 66205 Kansas City (913) 220-2209 KCFamilyDental.com
An Affordable Alternative for Multiple Missing Teeth
For some of Dr. Brent’s patients who have multiple missing teeth, a bridge may be an appropriate solution. Custom made with the same innovative materials, a bridge is secured on either side with crowns and fills the void area for a return to function and comfort, as well as restoring your full smile. KC Family Dental Sarah Brent, DDS 4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS 66205 Kansas City (913) 220-2209 KCFamilyDental.com
You know good dental habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are available. Please note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist, physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage
of gum disease, an infection of the
tissues around your teeth caused by plaque. If you have gingivitis, your gums
may become red, swollen and bleed easily. You may also
experience bad breath. Because gum disease
is usually painless, you may not know you have it.
You are more likely to develop gum disease if you skip brushing and flossing, use tobacco, have crooked teeth
that are hard to keep clean, are pregnant, have diabetes or take certain
medications. When in its early stages, the disease is still reversible and your
gums can be returned to good health with a professional cleaning from your
dentist, along with daily brushing and flossing. Periodontitis
Periodontitis
is the more advanced form of gum disease, a major cause of
tooth loss in adults. According to the CDC, nearly half of U.S.
adults suffer from it. The disease can be reversed in early stages, but damage
may be permanent the longer it goes untreated. Although you may not be aware of
the gum disease in your mouth, abscesses can develop which
usually painful. Symptoms include bleeding, swollen gums,
persistent bad breath or bad taste, loose
permanent teeth and a change in bite. Your teeth may appear to become longer as
gums and bone recede. There are many treatments available, including deep cleanings known as scaling and
root planing. Talk to your dentist to find out what’s best for you. Thrush
Thrush is a yeast infection
that looks like white film in your mouth. You’re more likely to get thrush if
you have an illness that affects your immune system. This includes people with
HIV/AIDS or cancer, as well as people
using steroids to manage their asthma. People with untreated or uncontrolled diabetes are also susceptible
because sugar in saliva encourages yeast to grow. Thrush is also common in
people who wear dentures. If you have
symptoms, see your dentist. After a scraping to confirm you have thrush, your
dentist can prescribe medicine to clear it up. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Good Habits Can Produce a Lifetime of Healthy Teeth
Introducing good habits early, in an atmosphere that’s comfortable and fun, is a fundamental building block for producing a lifetime of good oral health. Children’s teeth can be extremely susceptible to cavities even at a very young age for many reasons:
Children struggle to brush well on their own. Because of this, it is essential for parents to assist in their child’s daily dental care. This allows for thorough cleaning and encourages the development of proper dental habits.
Little kids like to eat all day long. This habit produces a prolonged exposure to acid (every time you eat you make acid), which may bring about more cavities. A dirty tooth causes the generation of more acid, which increases enamel vulnerability.
The good news is that recognizing poor dietary and hygiene routines, along with applying fluoride to the mineralizing teeth, can considerably reduce the risk of your child developing a cavity. KC Family Dental Sarah Brent, DDS 4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS 66205 Kansas City (913) 220-2209 KCFamilyDental.com
Plaque is a sticky, gooey substance, and while regular brushing can usually eliminate most of it, any that remains can harden into tartar. A typical toothbrush and floss don’t stand a chance against tartar. So tartar continues to accumulate below the gumline as well as on the surface of your teeth. Soon, you risk more serious problems – the potential development of gum disease. Recent research shows a clear link between untreated gum disease and other, more serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Which means having your teeth cleaned by a professional hygienist is one of the best reasons to visit your dentist. In fact, having your teeth cleaned regularly is one of the easiest things you can do to stay healthy! KC Family Dental Sarah Brent, DDS 4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS 66205 Kansas City (913) 220-2209 KCFamilyDental.com
Introducing Soft and Hard Tissue Laser Dental Procedures
FDA-approved dental lasers offer an alternative to standard treatment typically performed with scalpels or incisions. The less invasive the treatment, the better the results and healing times. We can cosmetically treat uneven gummy smile lines, clean and re-contour swollen tissue around crowns, halt gum disease, and heal painful canker sores and mouth ulcers with instant relief. The results are incredible!
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org The right smile can leave you laughing, fill you with joy or make you melt with emotion. But, ultimately, the best smile is one that is healthy and strong. Here are some of the “tooth truths” about how tough your teeth really are ñ and how to keep them that way. 1. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body. The shiny, white enamel that covers your teeth is even stronger than bone. This resilient surface is 96 percent mineral, the highest percentage of any tissue in your body - making it durable and damage-resistant. 2. Your bite is powerful! Did you know your teeth can exert an average of 200 pounds of pressure when you bite down? That’s probably what tempts us to use our teeth as tools from time to time ñ but as your dentist will remind you, that’s one of the worst habits when it comes to preserving healthy teeth. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org. The remainder of the article details the following:
Teeth can last for hundreds of years
Strong as they are, teeth can't heal on their own
Healthy teeth have the power to resist decay, but they need our help
The number of teeth knocked out in America every year is staggering – nearly 5 million! Even sports you wouldn’t normally think of as dangerous present a hazard for your teeth without the proper protection. Unfortunately, the one-size-fits-all mouthguards found in stores don’t always fit very well, so using these can hamper proper breathing while running during sports. On the other hand, custom-made sports mouthguards fit well, protect well, and can be worn for any sport. The American Dental Association advocates wearing custom mouthguards for all sports ranging from acrobatics to wrestling. We can do a mouthguard in the colors of your team. Team discount or team mouthguard fitting party available. KC Family Dental Sarah Brent, DDS 4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS 66205 Kansas City (913) 220-2209 KCFamilyDental.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org Is the satisfying fizz of your favorite sparkling water putting you at risk for tooth decay? Because any drink with carbonation-including sparkling water-has a higher acid level, some reports have questioned whether sipping sparkling water will weaken your tooth enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth where cavities first form). So, Is Sparkling Water Affecting My Teeth? According to available research, sparkling water is generally fine for your teeth-and here's why. In a study using teeth that were removed as a part of treatment and donated for research, researchers tested to see whether sparkling water would attack tooth enamel more aggressively than regular lab water. The result? The two forms of water were about the same in their effects on tooth enamel. This finding suggests that, even though sparkling water is slightly more acidic than ordinary water, it's all just water to your teeth. Tips for Enjoying Sparkling Water-and Protecting Your Teeth
Sparkling water is far better for your teeth than sugary drinks. In addition, be sure to drink plenty of regular, fluoridated water, too-it’s the best beverage for your teeth. Water with fluoride naturally helps fight cavities, washes away the leftover food cavity-causing bacteria feast on and keeps your mouth from becoming dry (which can put you at a higher risk of cavities).
Be mindful of what’s in your sparkling water. Citrus-flavored waters often have higher acid levels that does increase the risk of damage to your enamel. Plan to enjoy these in one sitting or with meals. This way, you aren’t sipping it throughout the day and exposing your teeth over and over again to the slightly higher level of acid it contains.
Sparkling water brands with added sugar can no longer be considered just sparkling water. They are a sugar-sweetened beverage, which can contribute to your risk of developing cavities. So remember-sparkling or not-plain water is always the best choice.
The prevention of periodontal disease is simple. Regular brushing twice a day, flossing every day, making healthy food choices, and visiting Dr. Brent twice a year for exams and cleanings are the primary defense against gum disease. Gum disease frequently has minor symptoms that can go unnoticed, so getting your gums checked by our team is especially important.
