General Dentistry

Oral Health and Your Heart

Dental and Oral Health Model

For this Wisdom Wednesday, Dr. Sweeney discusses a very popular topic in the dental world: the relationship between cardiovascular and oral health. He explains that 800,000 – or one in three – Americans die every year from heart problems. Additionally, both periodontal and heart issues are linked to serious complications like diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Thankfully, there are various strategies that can help you maintain both your oral and cardiovascular health, from exercising to sleeping well to refraining from smoking. […]

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Social Isolation And Tooth Loss

In a video on our YouTube channel, our Austin cosmetic dentist – Mark Sweeney, DDS – discusses a study performed by NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing.* The research, which was performed over a period of seven years, found that social isolation is closely linked with missing teeth and tooth loss! Check out the Wisdom Wednesday video for more information about this study and professional commentary from Dr. Sweeney: As always, we welcome you to reach out to Austin Dental […]

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How Poor Oral Health Can Cause Weight Gain

On the surface, your oral health and your weight may not seem very connected. However, there are some correlations between poor oral health and weight gain. Your health can come under siege if certain types of bacteria found in the mouth travel to other parts of the body. Among these various health concerns is unintended weight gain. Austin Dental Spa provides a slew of services including laser dentistry and advanced periodontal care, two services that can go a long way […]

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How Your Oral Health Can Impact Memory Loss

As part of Austin Dental Spa’s video series, Dr. Mark Sweeney provides another educational session focused on the link between oral health and memory loss. During the video segment, Dr. Sweeney talks about how the connection between your mouth and memory can impact overall brain function. The first link he explains is the act of chewing. Referencing a study, Dr. Sweeney says nerves beneath your tooth are connected to the brain and can help stimulate neural activity. If someone has […]

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3 Ways Your Dentist Can Improve Your Life

At Austin Dental Spa, Dr. Mark Sweeney truly believes that dentistry can go a long way in improving the lives of patients. As part of Dr. Sweeney’s ongoing video series, he recently provided an entry that details three ways your dentistry can improve your life. Those three ways included using Zoom!® teeth whitening, single-visit dental crowns by CEREC®, and a smile design or smile makeover. Continue reading to learn how those three techniques can improve your life. Zoom! Advanced Power: […]

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Do You Really Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Many have wondered whether getting your wisdom teeth removed is an absolute necessity. The answer is not as simple as “Yes” or “No.” For those who have the room for the extra teeth, no, removing these teeth is likely not necessary. However, for those who do not have the room for more teeth in their mouth, the development of wisdom teeth can cause overcrowding, discomfort, pain, and the need for extraction. Our cosmetic dentist at Austin Dental Spa, Dr. Mark […]

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How Often Do I Need Dental X-Rays?

Dental X-rays allow your dentist to evaluate the health of your teeth and jaw, as well as detect any changes in the positioning of your teeth or bite. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that adults with an increased risk of cavities get X-rays every six months to a year. For those with minimal risk of decay, such as those who have never had a cavity, the ADA advises they may be able to wait as long as two to […]

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Electric vs. Regular Toothbrush

We all know that brushing our teeth is essential for maintaining good oral health, but did you know the type of toothbrush you use is important too? Our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Mark Sweeney, talks about the benefits of using an electric toothbrush versus a manual toothbrush in the video below. Video Image Placeholder For more information, or to schedule your routine checkup with Dr. Sweeney, contact our office!

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Got Pain With Your Wisdom Teeth? Get a Cure

Wisdom teeth that are impacted, meaning that they do not erupt, can be discomforting over time. Many people with impacted wisdom teeth find themselves at their dentist’s office by mid-twenties with complaints of pain and discomfort. In addition, impacted wisdom teeth can crowd surrounding teeth, offsetting your bite. Finally, it is not too uncommon for wisdom teeth to become infected over time.  In fact, infections can become serious so it’s important to address wisdom tooth pain right away. It is […]

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Dental Fillings

DR. MARK SWEENEY: I did my last silver filling, metal amalgam filling in 1995 and it opened up a whole new era in dentistry for me to be able to restore a tooth so that when I was done, it looked just like a regular tooth again. I don’t know how I lived with myself all those years of putting big metal fillings. I had them in my own mouth for 25 years, but what we understand now although that […]

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