ADDRESS : 907 Walnut Hill Drive, Longview, TX 75605-5054
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Dr. Karen Frazer Rea, DDs
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Service is provided in a friendly, professional manner. I am always greeted with a smile and pleasant conversation. Feels more like family versus a doctor's appointment. Keep up the AWESOME ATTITUDE!!!
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Newsletter Archive

Promoting oral health with tips from our family dental practice in Longview

Family dentistry has a focus of preventing as many problems as possible through regular care and education. We understand that our team of dental professionals is only one piece of the puzzle that builds optimal oral health for you and your family. Through our dental practice in Longview, our patients are encouraged to learn more about how to promote oral care at home, for there is more time in between visits that time spent in the dentist's chair.

Adults tend to know exactly what to do to keep teeth and gums healthy. It is in practicing what they know where the challenge lies. When brushing teeth, it is important to remember to give every tooth attention - front, back, and top. The American Dental Association recommends that teeth be brushed for two full minutes, and flossed immediately afterwards. Flossing is just as important as brushing, and can’t be forgotten. If you find this practice unpleasant, consider using a Water Pik device instead of traditional floss. With either method, more bacteria are cleared from between teeth than if flossing is skipped altogether.

As a family dental practitioner in Longview, Dr. Frazer has seen some patients through several stages of life, now providing care to children as well as adults in a family. Our team understands the immense benefit of teaching children excellent oral hygiene practices early. When habits are formed at a young age, children are more likely to retain them as they grow up. What they learn, however, will come primarily from what Mom and Dad have to share. With a few tips, we hope that your teaching process will go more smoothly.

All in a Day's Work

For a child, their primary job is to play. While this may initially look trivial, what children do in their younger years is developmentally beneficial. Through play, children learn much about how to operate in the world. They learn how to interact with others and how to follow instructions without even knowing it. Parents can take this information and run with it when teaching oral hygiene habits, making a game out of taking care of teeth and gums.

This can be done hundreds of ways, and each child may respond differently to certain approaches. Some ideas are to play music while your child is brushing his or her teeth. This creates the habit of brushing for the recommended amount of time. Just be sure no dancing commences when there is a toothbrush in hand.

Seeking some sort of "tooth monster" can also help children begin to understand the point of brushing, which is to eliminate harmful bacteria that weaken teeth and gums. At the end of every brushing session, the monster is captured and teeth are safe for another day.

Your child should also be seen by Dr. Frazer every six months. Contact us to schedule your next visit.
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