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Back to School, Back to the Grind

September 15, 2012

nightguard In our last post we brought up the start of a new school year, which brings to mind a saying we’re sure you’re familiar with—back to the daily grind. That’s what August and September can feel like as teachers, students, and parents re-structure their time around another school year.

But there’s a big difference between that phrase—“the daily grind”—and a very serious condition known as bruxism. Often triggered by stress, which a new school year can cause, bruxism involves the unconscious grinding of teeth. Patients who struggle with bruxism may grind their teeth anytime, but it’s most common while they’re asleep.

The reason why teeth grinding is something to be concerned about is that all that pressure and motion can injure teeth, as well as the muscle and tissues around the jaw.

But the good news is that teeth grinding isn’t just a problem you have to live with. It can be easily treated with a nightguard from Grand Dental in Nichols Hills. Nightguards are made to prevent teeth from grinding, preserving oral health and eliminating the symptoms of bruxism.

Symptoms of bruxism include:

Sore jaw
Headaches
Earaches
TMJ dysfunction

If you think you might be struggling with bruxism, our doctors would love to help. Call Grand Dental in Nichols Hills today to reserve a visit. With a nightguard, we can help you eliminate uncomfortable systems to enjoy healthier teeth and gums.

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Have You Scheduled Your Child’s Back-to-School Visit?

August 19, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: dental checkup, Dr. Michael Kirk, general dentistry, Grand Dental Nichols Hills, OKC, Oklahoma City — Dr. Michael Kirk @ 3:06 pm

back-to-school dental checkup Over the next few weeks, families in Oklahoma and everywhere else in the country will be facing a new school year. That means that now is when parents will be focused on buying new clothes for their kids, new schools supplies, a new lunchbox or backpack, and more. What can get lost in all that great rush of activity, though, is something that’s very important—a back-to-school dental checkup.

There’s no better time than right now, with school just starting or about to start, to bring your child or teenager into Grand Dental in OKC for a dental visit and cleaning.

Why now?

Because as hectic as preparing for a new school year is, the rest of the year may be just a busy, with homework, projects, and extracurricular activities competing for your child’s time. So why not bring your son or daughter in now, before all of that ramps up?

With a regular dental visit and professional cleaning, our doctors can check your child’s smile for signs of tooth decay or gum disease. These common oral health conditions should be treated as soon as possible. When left untreated, they can quickly worsen, requiring more extensive work and even affecting overall health.

Call Grand Dental Nichols Hills to schedule a back-to-school dental visit for your child. We proudly serve patients from all across the greater OKC area.

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Receive the Care You Need with Sedation Dentistry from Grand Dental Nichols Hills

July 10, 2012

Filed under: Sedation Dentistry — Tags: dental anxiety, Dr. Michael Kirk, Grand Dental Nichols Hills, IV sedation, nitrous oxide, OKC, Oklahoma City, oral sedation, sedation dentistry — Dr. Michael Kirk @ 2:56 pm

sedation dentistry A healthy smile is important, not only for your teeth and gums but for your overall health as well. But as important as visiting the dentist is, strong feelings of anxiety can be enough to keep some from even just a routine exam and cleaning.

Where does this anxiety come from?

It may be linked to a past visit, or it may be related to something else entirely, like a sensitive gag reflex or a neuromuscular condition that makes sitting for long periods unbearable.

Whatever might be keeping you from seeking essential care, our doctors at Grand Dental Nichols Hills can help with sedation dentistry.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses safe and effective means to create a relaxed sense of calm in patients who struggle with anxiety.

There are three common types—nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. Each one works great, but not every type is right for every patient. For patients who would describe their anxiety level as mild or moderate, nitrous oxide and oral sedation may work the best. But for patients who would describe their anxiety as moderate to severe, IV sedation may be what you need. To help our OKC-area patients achieve a deep sense of calm with IV sedation, we work with trained anesthesiologists to ensure your safety as you receive care. Each anesthesiologist we work with is certified and will stay with you during your entire procedure to monitor your vital signs and ensure you remain absolutely safe from start to finish.

Want To Learn More?

If you’ve put off essential care for too long and want to learn more, call our Nichols Hills office today to schedule a consultation appointment. During your appointment we can explain your options and help you decide on a sedation dentistry option that will work best for you. We serve patients from all across the greater OKC area.

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Give Your Smile Extra Protection with Dental Sealants from Grand Dental

June 10, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: cavities, dental sealants, Dr. Michael Kirk, general dentistry, Grand Dental Nichols Hills, OKC, Oklahoma City, preventative dentistry — Dr. Michael Kirk @ 8:10 pm

You may have heard of dentists using dental sealants to help young patients protect their teeth, but did you know that adult patients can benefit from them too? After all, it’s not just children who get cavities in the pits and grooves of their teeth—it can happen to anyone. But with dental sealants, it’s possible to keep teeth healthy and cavity-free.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a thin plastic film that we apply daily to the smiles of our Oklahoma City patients. More specifically, sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of molars in a two-step process.

In the first stage of this process, your teeth will be prepared with a special cleaning and etching solution. Then, after about 15 seconds, we’ll rinse that off, dry your teeth, coat them with our sealant, and then use our curing light to turn that liquid into a hardened plastic that provides a physical barrier for teeth, protecting them from cavity-causing bacteria.

When Should Dental Sealants Be Placed?

Dental sealants can be used to protect molar and premolar chewing surfaces, meaning they can be placed at almost any age. First permanent molars erupt at about age 6. By placing sealants on them shortly after they erupt we can protect them from developing cavities where food and bacteria collect. Second permanent molars erupt later on at about 12 years. As with the first case, the grooves of these teeth are also susceptible to cavities and can benefit from the protection dental sealants can offer.

Want To Learn More?

Do you want to learn more about how you can safeguard your teeth with dental sealants? Call Grand Dental Nichols Hills today with your questions or to schedule an appointment with us. The doctors at our Oklahoma City office serve patients from the greater OKC area.

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Cosmetic Dentistry: Which Services Are Right for You?

May 19, 2012

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Michael Kirk, Grand Dental Nichols Hills, Invisalign, Lumineers, OKC, Oklahoma City, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening — Dr. Michael Kirk @ 8:05 pm

At Grand Dental in Nichols Hills, we offer three great cosmetic dentistry services for patients from Oklahoma City and beyond to take advantage of:

With each one, we can help you achieve the more confident, attractive smile you’ve dreamed. But as effective as each one is, not every service will be right for you. So how can you find out which is just right for your smile?

By coming to see us at our Oklahoma City office!

With just a short visit at with one of our doctors, we can take a look at your smile, talk to you about your expectations, and answer any questions you might have. We can also talk to you about a few services that have restorative and cosmetic benefits. These include white crowns, white fillings, white inlays and onlays, dentures and partials, and dental implants. It may be that one of these will work best for your situation.

Get Started on Your New Smile Today

If you’re ready to improve your confidence by improving your smile, give our Oklahoma City office a call today. With our range of cosmetic and cosmetic-restorative services, our doctors can help you face the world with a newfound confidence in your smile and your oral health.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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