Category: Dental care

In our last blog, we gave some great insights into bad breath and its causes. It is a common problem, but you don’t have to live with it. That is why we are using this blog to share what you can do if you are experiencing bad breath.

Of course, making an appointment with your Beaumont dentists is the best plan, but here some things you can do to combat bad breath.

Use good dental hygiene habits

• This one is probably not a surprise! It will make a huge difference for you, and if it doesn’t totally fix the issue, you will know it’s time to get more help.
• Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Don’t forget to clean between your teeth with floss every day.
• We also recommend rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day.

Stop bad habits

• Things like smoking and chewing tobacco have a devastating effect on your dental health. We know it is easier said than done, but many people have done it, and your dentist can help you.

Visit the dentist regularly

• Your dentist is the most powerful ally your mouth has – beyond you. He or she will be able to identify and treat issues before they get too far, which will save you pain and money!

Drink water

• Drinking water is one of the most effective ways to keep your mouth clear of harmful bacteria and dead skin cells, both of which cause bad breath.

Contact our dentists and oral surgeons today!

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Sometimes, your breath seems like an impossible thing to control. Sometimes it smells fine; other times, it smells awful. We know that a lot of this is connected to what we eat, but if you have bad breath that just won’t go away, it’s a sign that something else is going on.

At Smilepoint Dental, we understand the causes of bad breath, and we know how mortifying it can be. That is why we have dedicated ourselves to providing unmatched dental solutions to Beaumont, Texas. In the next two blogs, we will discuss bad breath and what can be done about it.

Causes of Bad Breath

1. What you eat
   All of the food you eat starts the breakdown process in your mouth, which means your mouth is full of bits of food and the bacteria to break it down.
   Strong-smelling foods actually get into your bloodstream and end up at your lungs, where you breathe them out. This is where you get that persistent garlic smell that doesn’t go away until it has passed through your body.
2. Your habits
   Food left in and around your teeth and gums collect bacteria and create bad breath, which is just the beginning. If you do not floss and brush daily, the bad breath will get worse, and your teeth are at risk for decay.
3. Health issues
   There are a number of health conditions that create bad breath. They include gum disease, dry mouth, pneumonia, diabetes, liver problems, and chronic sinus issues.

Don’t wait until your bad breath starts causing issues. Whether you need a checkup or an emergency dentist, contact the world-class dentists at Smilepoint Dental for professional treatment today!

Read how to prevent bad breath in our next blog!

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

In our last blog, we gave tips for how to handle your dental health while you are pregnant. Being pregnant brings many physical changes, and the last thing you should have to worry about is your teeth. If you care for them well, you won’t have to be concerned.

Our last blog addressed pre-pregnancy and most of during-pregnancy. We have a few more tips for you today!

If you experience morning sickness

• We understand that morning sickness can make brushing your teeth next to impossible. We recommend that you talk to us for bland toothpaste that will get the job done without making you feel worse.
• If you suffer from frequent vomiting, keep rinsing your mouth out. The acid that comes up with the vomit is hard on your teeth, and rinsing it off greatly reduces any chances of damage being done.

Eating for yourself and your baby

• Protect your teeth by avoiding sugary foods. We understand that you may often crave sweet things, so stick with healthy sugars like fruit as much as possible.
• Your baby’s teeth start developing only three months into your pregnancy, so eat a healthy diet with dairy or another source of protein to ensure you baby has strong gums and teeth.

After your pregnancy

• This is the time when you can get any gum problems you may have had during your pregnancy checked out. We recommend that you get checked out whether you had issues or not, just to be able to proceed with confidence.

Contact the world-class dentists at Smilepoint Dental today for an appointment!

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Did you know that when you get pregnant, your dental treatments need to change? Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time, and the last thing you need are dental issues. Unfortunately, the hormonal changes that come with pregnancy increase your chances for gum disease, which can endanger your baby’s health.

In the next few blogs, we will discuss dental care before, during, and after pregnancy.

Before pregnancy:

• Make an appointment before getting pregnant if possible.
• Having your teeth professionally cleaned and your gum tissue examined will give you and your dentist a chance to eliminate oral health issues in advance.

While pregnant:

• Tell your dentist you are pregnant.
• Avoid all major dental treatments during the first trimester and the first half of the second trimester unless you have an emergency. This is such an important time in your baby’s development, it is better to avoid exposing yourself to anything that could influence the baby.
• Avoid dental x-rays. Though new technology has made x-rays much safer than they used to be, it is just better to avoid them.
• While you should avoid most dental treatments, go ahead and have your regular checkups. Remember, hormonal changes during pregnancy heighten your risk for periodontal disease.
• Pay attention to your gums. If you experience tenderness, bleeding, or swelling, make an appointment as soon as possible in order to avoid pregnancy gingivitis.

In our next blog, we will finish up our important tips! At Smilepoint Dental, Texas’s expert family dentistry, we are strong allies for you. We will use all our expertise to help you out.

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Not only is Smilepoint Dental Beaumont’s premier oral surgeon, we are a full-service dentistry for your whole family. When was the last time you had a dentist appointment? In our last two blogs, we discussed eight reasons you should make an appointment with your dentist. One of the reasons was, of course, that you are due for an appointment. All the other reasons have to do with unusual circumstances requiring extra visits beyond your normal checkups. In this blog, we will finish up our list with four more reasons to make an appointment with us.

1. You have a dry mouth.
   Always feeling thirsty can be a sign of a medical issue. It is also a common side effect of many medications. The key here is to not assume it is your medication. Come in and see us – you are better safe than sorry!
2. You use any type of tobacco.
   Tobacco is the cause of many types of oral issues, from bad breath to oral cancer. We are here to help you stay healthy, so make sure you call us today!
3. There are spots and/or sores in your mouth.
   If you have something that seems wrong in your mouth that lasts longer than a week, you should make an appointment to get it examined. Spots and sores are signs that something is going wrong in your body, and it can be anything from bacterial and viral infections or irritation from braces and more.
4. Your jaw hurts.
   If you have jaw pain when you first wake up or open or close your mouth, make an appointment. The same goes for when your jaw pops when it moves.

Healthy teeth are incredibly important to the quality of your life. We believe that it is possible to have great dental health your entire life whether your genetics are in your favor or not. That is why we work so hard to make excellent dental care affordable. We want dental health to start young and last for decades.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

When it comes to your teeth, you want the best care, and you can have it. Thanks to Smilepoint Dental, affordable, quality dental care is possible in Beaumont,Texas.

Though great care is available, sometimes people do not take advantage of it. That is why in our last blog, we went through several reasons you need to see your dentist. And we have more!

1. You have had work done in the past.
   If you have any dentures, crowns, fillings, or dental implants, you need to make sure they are doing their job. Regular appointments with your dentist will save you money, time, and discomfort.
2. You have medical issues.
   Medical issues can affect your mouth for the worse, and you do not need that discomfort on top of whatever you are managing. If you have a medical condition like diabetes, an eating disorder, or cardiovascular disease, get your dentist on your side. It is the same case if you are undergoing medical treatment like radiation, hormone replacement therapy, or chemotherapy. A dentist can be a huge ally for you in these situations.
3. You’re pregnant.
   Pregnancy can actually make preexisting dental issues worse. It is important to keep your dentist in the loop during this crucial time.
4. Eating is difficult.
   It does not matter how long the difficulty has been going – if you struggle to chew or swallow, it is not normal. Give us a call today.

All of us at Smilepoint Dental are committed to providing first class care to every single one of our patients. Call our dentists in Beaumont today!

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We know that your schedule is hectic, especially now that we are in the midst of the holidays. We also know that not many people love visiting the dentist, and that it is easier to use busyness to avoid one of the most important appointments you can make.

That is why we are taking the next three blogs to give you signs that you need to come in and see us. If one or more of these fits you, go ahead and give us a call.

1. You are due for an appointment.
   This one may seem obvious, but it is easy to let things slide, and before you know it, you haven’t seen the dentist in a year and the possibility of you having serious dental issues is skyrocketing.
2. You are experiencing pain.
   If you have any pain in your mouth that just won’t go away, chances are it will just get worse. Give us a call. We want to give you relief!
3. Your gums are acting up.
   If your gums bleed when you brush or floss or if they are puffy, something is up. Additionally, if your family has a history of gum disease, it is even more likely something serious is starting. Let us help.
4. You want to hide your smile.
   Maybe you hardly notice you do it any more, but you do not like people to see your teeth. This may have become normal. It does not have to be! Give us a call and find out just how affordable excellent dental care is!

Contact Smilepoint Dental today for dental care from the best family dentist in Beaumont!

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There are things you can do to make your child comfortable at the dentist. Smilepoint Dental is a family-friendly office, and we love meeting your children. However, the dentist can be unnerving, especially if it is your child’s first appointment.

In our last blog, we explored some strategies for making your child feel more comfortable. We finish up our list here.

1. Do not try to relate
   Your experiences with the dentist are different than your child’s, and they should be. Relating difficult stories about root canals, extractions, or other negative experiences will trigger a lot of anxiety in your child. Additionally, avoid having your child visit your adult dentist – these offices are often sterile and will give a bad impression to your child.
2. Be ready to be patient with some fussing
   It is both normal and appropriate for children to protest being examined by a stranger. The key is to be calm and follow the dentist’s lead.The dentist may ask you to stay back or hold your child’s hand. The dental care professionals work with children every day, and they know how to help.
3. Do not bribe
   Children are sharp. If you tell them that they will get a treat if they do not cry at the dentist, they will worry about what could possibly happen that would make them cry. Additionally, if you offer candy, you are sending the wrong message to a child who has just had his/her teeth cleaned. Instead, praise him or her for bravery and good behavior. A sticker or a small toy can be great boost once in awhile as well.

Our office is child-friendly and we are each committed to doing whatever we can to make your child comfortable. Make an appointment with our office today!

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Taking your child to the dentist can be quite the production – or it can be simple and calm. A lot of how your child handles the dentist is determined early and by your own behavior. In our next two blogs, we will explore options for making the dentist a comfortable place for your child.

1. Consider a pretend visit
   Depending on your child, a pretend visit to the dentist might be perfect. Pretend to be the dentist. Count your child’s teeth starting with the letter A or the number 1. Even better, hold up a mirror and let your child look at his/her teeth the way a dentist would. You probably should not make drilling sounds or indicate instruments.
   You can also get books about visiting the dentist from your library.
2. Keep it simple
   This is especially important if it is your child’s first visit. Keep a positive attitude and tell your child what he/she needs to know and that’s it. Making general promises like everything is going to be okay. If you child ends up needing a treatment, he/she might lose faith in you and the dentist.
3. Start young
   When your child’s first tooth becomes visible, it is time to start developing a comfortable home for him/her at the dentist. The earlier your child visits the dental office the better. This will prevent a lot of anxiety down the road.

Smilepoint Dental is proud to be Beaumont’s family dentistry. We love meeting your children and keeping their teeth healthy. Contact us today for an appointment with our child-friendly office!

Read Part 2.

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When it comes to emergency dental services, Smilepoint Dental is proud to offer the very best. We know that emergencies never happen at convenient times, so our oral surgeons work very hard to be available to you whenever you need them.

In our last blog, we discussed how to handle few dental problems and whether or not they are emergencies. In this second installment, we will address a few more!

1. Knocked out tooth
   This is an emergency. Preserve your tooth by holding it by the crown and rinsing off any dirt. Do not scrub the tooth or try to remove any tissue that is still attached. You can try to reinsert to tooth in its socket, but if that does not work, you need Smilepoint Dental. Put your tooth in a glass of milk. The milk will preserve it until you can get to our office.
2. Loose tooth
   If you are done losing your baby teeth and you have a loose tooth, you need to call us immediately. A loose tooth will start to die, but if you get into our office quickly enough, we have better chances of saving your tooth. If you are in pain, take an over-the-counter reliever and apply a cold compress.
3. Painful swelling
   Dental pain is one of the worst kinds there is. Swelling and pain in your mouth often indicates an abscess, which is a pocket of infected pus. If not treated, the abscess will lead to a serious infection that can affect not only your gums but your jaw and more. Rinse your mouth with saltwater for relief and give us a call!

Contact Smilepoint Dental today!

Read Part 1 and Part 3.

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Smilepoint Dental is proud to offer emergency dental services to the Beaumont area. We know that emergencies have a way of happening late at night and the weekends. We are here to help!

Sometimes, it is difficult to tell if you are dealing with a dental emergency or not. In our next three blogs, we will explore how to handle different scenarios and whether you need emergency care or not.

1. Cracked or broken tooth
   Biting down too hard on a solid object is just one of the causes of cracked and broken teeth. You need to call Smilepoint immediately. Make sure you rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress.
2. Injury to your jaw
   Even if you merely suspect that your jaw is damaged, you need to make an appointment immediately – damage to your jawbone will translate into dental complications. Apply a cold compress and give us a call!
3. Damaged braces
   Even if the damage is not extreme, give your orthodontist a call. You may learn that the damage is small enough that you can wait for an appointment. However, you may also learn that the damage requires immediate attention. Do not leave this up to chance – make sure you check in!
4. Tongue or lip bite that bleeds a lot
   We have all bitten our tongues and cheeks. You can always clean the area and use a cold compress to lessen swelling. However, if you bleed a lot and the bleeding will not stop, go to the emergency room.

At Smilepoint Dental, we are fully committed to meeting your dental needs.Contact us today for an appointment.

Read Part 2 and Part 3.

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At the Smilepoint Dental office in Beaumont, our experienced dentists love working with children. We are all aware of the approach of Halloween and the delight it gives children every year. In our last blog, we discussed a few tips for minimizing dental damage due to candy. Here are a few more:

Set up a brushing schedule

• This one goes hand-in-hand with a tip from our last blog – to set up a treat schedule. Children need to brush their teeth after they eat candy. They should also brush their teeth before bed. Until your child is seven or eight, you should help with teeth brushing. After that, you are good to supervise. This includes kind reminders to older children to brush and floss.

Use disclosing tools

• Disclosing tablets, solutions, and swabs are used to temporarily stain plaque and reveal how much has built up on the teeth. This tool can be very effective for kids because it makes everything so clear.

Make toothbrushing fun

• It is proven that when children like toothbrushes, they are more likely to brush their teeth. You should replace toothbrushes every three to four months, so Halloween can be a great occasion for picking out a new toothbrush. Kids’ toothbrushes feature cartoons and colorful designs. Allowing your child to choose his/her favorite will make a huge difference.

You can also let your children choose toothpaste. Give them the freedom to pick the ones they want – just make sure the one they choose has fluoride.
Bonus Tip: Check your child’s toothbrush every so often. If it does not look worn, your child may not be using it often or well.

Contact Smilepoint Dental today to make an appointment

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Halloween is just over a week away, and we know what an exciting time this is for your family. If you have children, they probably already have their costumes figured out – and so do you! The most exciting part of Halloween for most is the collection of candy – lots of it!

At Smilepoint Dentistry in Beaumont, we know that many cavities are born because of Halloween – eating candy is basically like giving your teeth a sugar bath, and kids are not very good at dental hygiene in the first place. However, we know that completely shutting Halloween down for your family is not going to be effective. We have put together some tips to help you guide your kids (and yourself!) through Halloween’s sugary maze.

Candy vs. Cavities: Do not make your kids choose

• If you deny your children the Halloween experience, you are sending the wrong message. This deprivation will make the candy seem even more tantalizing, which leads to sneaked candy bars or eating too much.
• After trick or treating, lay out all the candy. Let your kids pick a predetermined number of candy bars. Get the rest out of sight – if you do not want to throw them away, you can donate them to a shelter.
• Handling the candy this way teaches your kids that they can control their diets. It also makes it clear that their oral health is directly connected to what they eat.

Set a treat schedule

• Work with your kids to set a time to eat Halloween candy. This ritual will stretch out the candy a lot and teaches two important lessons:
• Eating candy isn’t an all-day feast. Moderation is important.
• Because you are going to eat candy at a pre-determined point, there is no need to think about it the rest of the day.

We will share three more tips in our next post. Contact your family dentist today for the best care in Beaumont!

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Dental surgery can be an intimidating prospect, but we are here to make it easy as possible. Smilepoint Dentistry is home to Beaumont’s best dental surgeons. They are committed to your care. They train extensively – at least four years – and their range of expertise includes whatever is troubling you. There is no better place for you to turn when you need dental care.

When do you need a dental surgeon? Well, because dental surgeons are trained to find and treat defects and diseases of the mouth, jaw, teeth, and gums, you will need one whenever your problem goes beyond what a general dentist can handle. These are things like dental implants, facial pain, wisdom teeth removals, broken jaws, knocked out/broken teeth, oral cancers, and facial cosmetic surgeries. We said they could handle a lot!

Oral surgeons are trained in anesthesia so that they can make your operation as painless as possible. Depending on the procedure, you will have local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is used for small repairs, while general is used for extensive repairs and surgeries.

Smilepoint Dentistry knows how important the dental wellbeing of yourself and your family are. We are committed to providing complete, affordable care with compassion and excellence, and it has paid off: we are a Top Rated Local® Dentist. Not only are we the best, we offer great specials and financing for our services, because we are passionate about making high quality care available to all. Contact us to learn more today!

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Dental emergencies always seem to happen when a dentist is not readily available – like the weekend or during a vacation. We know how terrible dental pain can be, and that is why we are the number-one emergency dentist for Beaumont, Texas.

When do you need an emergency dentist? If you have had tooth pain for more than a few days, you need to give us a call. Tooth pain is often a sign of tooth decay or a dental abscess – an infection at the root of your tooth. We will be able to relieve your pain and prevent the issue from getting worse before your surgery. Another situation that requires an emergency dentist is a knocked out or broken tooth. You can put a knocked-out tooth in a glass of milk to preserve it. The last situation in which emergency dentist is needed is a lost dental crown or filling.

Sometimes, patients put off calling emergency dentists because they are embarrassed about their condition of their teeth. Do not let this happen to you! At Smilepoint Dentistry, we will provide compassionate, excellent care. We are here to relieve your pain and fix whatever is going on – not to chide you about your teeth.

Smilepoint Dentistry in Beaumont is here to be your ally. We are committed to keeping the teeth of you and your family healthy, and we make our care affordable. Check out our financing and specials to see just how affordable it is! Contact us with any questions today.

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Welcome to the blog of Smilepoint Dental, Beaumont’s source for quality dental care. We are a full-service dentist in Beaumont, Texas, and are proud to offer everything from x-rays to oral surgery to cosmetic procedures. We are a family-oriented office, because we believe that dental health begins at a very young age. We are also passionate about being affordable, and that shows in our promotions and financing.

We educate our patients. We believe that knowledge is power, and we want to empower you to keep your teeth (and your family’s teeth) in the best shape possible. Check out our patient education page to learn more about the terms you will hear us use at the office. It is amazing how far dentistry has come – you may find something you need and did not think was available!

We offer a wide array of services. Our highly-skilled dentists know how to give you whatever care you need. You can monitor and maintain the health of your teeth with our preventive general care, which includes x-rays, cleanings, nightguards, sports mouthguards, and emergency care. We also offer restorative procedures like crowns, root canals, and implant restoration. If your smile needs a boost, we offer the cosmetic procedures you need – from smile whitening to tooth contouring.

We are a Top Rated Local® Dentist for a reason. Check out our testimonials to find out for yourself what makes us so great. You can also explore our special offers and financing options. Everyone deserves dental health, and we are here to provide it!

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We’re a Beaumont area dental office and we can’t wait to get to know your family and the Beaumont community. At Smilepoint, we provide general dentistry using state of the art technology at an affordable price. We’re also committed to top-notch service in a friendly and welcoming environment. With new innovations constantly emerging, it’s an exciting time to work in dentistry. Smilepoint understands that great care comes from the best quality doctors and the most advanced technology.

Our Services
We offer general and preventative care, including x-rays, cleanings, sealants, and emergency care; as well as restorative dentistry, including fillings, crowns, and root canals, and cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening and contouring. You can find a comprehensive list of our many services here on our website, and we encourage you to check out the list of our offerings and compare them to competitors to see how our services are comprehensive and fairly priced.

Because we’re a new dentist office, all our technology is state of the art and brand new, and our commitment to staying on the cutting edge of dental practice means that we’re always going to provide you with the most advanced treatment. Between our advanced technology and comprehensive services list, you can count on getting the best possible treatment for any dental needs you might have.

Our Dentists
Smilepoint Dental is led by our two top-notch Beaumont dentists, Dr. Geetika Rastogi, DMD and Dr. Kauser Shereen, DMD. Dr. Rastogi has her doctorate from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine at Boston, and Dr. Shereen has her doctorate from Dalhousie University in Canada. Both our dentists graduated in the top of their class in college and are compassionate and gentle with their hands.

We also have a great team of hygienists and office assistants who are as committed to our goal of high quality and low-cost dental services as our doctors are. Smilepoint is a team committed to a unified vision, and we’re excited to provide you with the best dental services in Beaumont.

Why Us?
We understand that dental care is an important part of a healthy body, but we also understand that dentistry can be stressful and expensive. At Smilepoint, we aim to provide the people of Beaumont with the best care for the least money, we don’t think that you should have to compromise when it comes to quality. Dental health is a 24 hour process, therefore our doctors are available for our patients by phone during non-business hours to answer any pressing questions, concerns, or to give advice where needed.

Our commitment to technology motivates every decision we make, and our team takes great care and pride in staying on top of the field in technology and equipment. You’ll see that dedication to innovation in everything we do, from check-in to check-out, and you can be sure you’ll be getting the best care with the best technology.

We hope you’ll check out our website to see what sets us apart from other dentists in the Beaumont area, and that you’ll come in for a consultation to see in person what makes Smilepoint such a standout in dental technology and patient comfort. See you soon!

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