Dr. Kevin Hicks DDS and the team at Hicks Family Dentistry are pleased to provide professional and caring dental services to their patients from Lititz PA and the surrounding communities. Our dental services include: adult, children's, cosmetic, family, general, implant, orthodontic, preventive and restorative dentistry.
A professional hygienist is one of your greatest allies in the fight against gum disease. Plaque hardens into tartar, which is outside the scope of your typical toothbrush and floss to remove. Tartar accumulates below your gum line as well as on the enamel of your teeth, issuing an invite to decay and even gum disease. Only a hygienist can remove all of this! Recent research shows a clear link between untreated gum disease and other life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Which means having your teeth cleaned is one of the most essential reasons to visit your dentist! Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
Children’s teeth are more susceptible to cavities than adults. They frequently do not brush properly, and they eat more times during the day. Consequently, acids, bacteria, and plaque will develop rapidly. If teeth are already not as clean as they need to be, extended exposure to acid (created in the mouth when food particles and residue are present) will hasten the rate of cavity development.
We urge parents to supervise their children’s daily dental routine until they can clean their teeth properly by themselves. We offer instruction on making better nutritional choices to help care for their teeth, and we offer the application of a fluoride varnish to mineralize their teeth to significantly reduce the prospect of incurring cavities. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Sher Warkentin Maintaining good oral care during the holidays can be tough with the bombardment of sugary sweets all season. Counting down to Christmas with an advent calendar is a fun activity for your kids, but if they are filled with chocolate and sweets, it won't be so great for their teeth. Check out these simple sugar-free ideas to fill your countdown instead. Holiday Activity Fun Fill your child's countdown with special moments that they will cherish all year round. For each day of the month come up with a fun holiday activity that you can do together as a family. Some ideas include: watching a holiday movie, going ice skating, building a snowman and looking at Christmas lights. Write down the activity on a slip of paper and tuck one note into each day of your advent calendar. A Puzzling Treat Give your child a fun challenge with a customized puzzle. Draw a picture or write a special message on a blank puzzle. Break the pieces apart and place one puzzle piece in each day of your advent calendar. Every day your child can add the pieces together until they have a completed puzzle revealing a special holiday message or fun activity to do together. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. The remainder of the article details the following:
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Elizabeth SanFilippo Chances are good that visions of cookies, desserts and candy canes may be dancing in your children's heads this holiday season. While you will do what you can to limit their intake of these sugary treats, your kids will probably be eating their fair share of sugar at your family holiday parties. Despite their consumption of sugar, there are ways to keep your kids' healthy teeth and gums in shape and to minimize damage to their dental health. Why Is Sugar Bad for Dental Health? Whether your kids are eating chocolate cake, sugar cookies or peppermint candy, they are ingesting sugar. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth feed on this sugar, and the byproduct is acid. This acid can eat away at tooth enamel, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities. The more time teeth spend exposed to sugar, the higher the risk that your children will face dental health problems. Hard candies, and sticky candies such as taffy and caramel, can be worse for teeth than other treats such as cake and cookies. Brush after Eating a Sugary Treat In general, the ADA recommends that everyone brush their teeth and gums at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time. Flossing should also be done at least once a day. During the holidays, encourage your kids to brush and floss even more than this, particularly right after they finish dessert. If a toothbrush is not handy, the next best thing to do is rinse. Encourage your kids to rinse their mouths with water - not soda or even sparkling grape juice ó which will help wash away sugar, acids and any other food that may be stuck to their teeth. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. The remainder of the article details the following:
KÖR™ WHITENING – THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN TEETH WHITENING
Deep discoloration, such as tetracycline staining, can defeat even the best professional whitening treatments. Which is why we’re pleased to offer a fantastic whitening procedure called KöR Whitening. With this system, even stubbornly stained teeth can become a brilliant white. If you’ve ever been let down by the results from other treatments, you will be astonished by this technique.
If your teeth are only moderately discolored, you can choose the custom whitening trays we produce in our own lab. After the initial appointment, you will be given materials and instructions to complete this safe and reliable procedure at home. Results become visible within 1 - 14 days. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Donna Pleis You already know the value of regular tooth brushing and flossing to the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease, but what you eat can help too. Here are a few tips for healthy teeth involving simple foods that may be more helpful to your dental health than you thought they were. An Element of Strength The mineral, fluoride, plays an important role in building strong teeth and bones, and ultimately protecting your teeth against tooth decay. This is why fluoride has been included in toothpastes like Colgate Cavity Protection and many community water supplies. But did you know it's also found naturally in many foods? Any fluoride you ingest is absorbed and distributed throughout the body, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), though most of it deposited into your bones and teeth. So, to give you and your family's teeth an extra bit of strength now and then, serve up foods with naturally high concentrations of fluoride. Most seafood is a good source of this because oceans are full of natural sodium fluoride. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), tea and gelatin contain fluoride as well. Carrots, beets, canned pork and beans also have significant amounts (who would've thought?), as well as infant formula, juices, canned tomato products and cheeses. And if you like baked potatoes, don't peel off the skin; that's where most of the fluoride is found. You can identify more fluoride-rich foods at the USDA National Nutrient Database. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. The remainder of the article details the following:
As we grow older, the requirements for maintaining good oral health change. At Hicks Family Dentistry, we’re sensitive to the needs of our senior patients. It’s natural for older teeth to lose strength and be more susceptible to damage. Even prior dental work can show the strain of repeated use, becoming prone to fractures and movement. Advancing age means a greater risk for gum infection. After years of caffeine and tobacco consumption, teeth lose their gleam and require professional whitening to bring back their original shine. Some of your medications will decrease the essential flow of saliva through your mouth, and we have products that will relieve this complication. We advocate proper nutrition, daily hygiene, and routine check-ups to help your smile stay dazzling and keep your natural teeth healthy for a lifetime. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
GUM DISEASE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO HEART DISEASE AND EVEN STROKE
Current medical research has exposed gum disease as a major contributor to the onset of strokes, heart disease, and many other life-threatening conditions. In truth, stopping gum disease will make all the difference in your efforts to retain your overall good health.
The American Dental Association’s projections show 8 out of 10 people in the United States have periodontal (gum) disease. With such a high infection rate, you would think that gum disease would be handled as a national epidemic, but because tooth loss has long been accepted as being merely unpleasant, the ruthlessness of the disease has been disregarded for far too long. However, things are changing.
The American Academy of Periodontology reports: “Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.” What this means is that when you develop periodontal disease, the bacteria that poisons your teeth and gums can penetrate your other soft tissues, transfer into your bloodstream, and create problems in your heart, lungs, and other necessary organs. If your health is already compromised, gum disease will make things worse. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below is one way that diabetes can affect your oral health. Slow Healing
Have you ever noticed a cold sore or a cut in your mouth that doesn’t quite seem to go away? This can be another way that diabetes may affect your mouth. Poor control of blood sugar can keep injuries from healing quickly and properly. If you have something in your mouth that you feel isn’t healing as it should, see your dentist. To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below are two ways that diabetes can affect your oral health. Change in Taste
Your favorite flavors might not taste as rich as your remember if you have diabetes. It can be disappointing, but take the opportunity to experiment with different tastes, textures and spices to your favorite foods. Just take care not to add too much sugar to your food in an effort to add flavor. Not only can this affect the quality of your diet, it can also lead to more cavities. If you have a persistent bad taste in your mouth, see your dentist or doctor. Infections
Diabetes affects your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infection. One common among people with diabetes is a yeast infection called oral thrush (candidiasis). The yeast thrive on the higher amount of sugar found in your saliva, and it looks like a white layer coating your tongue and the insides of your cheeks. Thrush is more common in people who wear dentures and can often leave a bad taste in your mouth. See your dentist if you think you have thrush or any other mouth infection. To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below are two ways that diabetes can affect your oral health. Gum Disease
Notice some bleeding when you brush or floss? That may be an early sign of gum disease. If it becomes more severe, the bone that supports your teeth can break down, leading to tooth loss. Early gum disease can be reversed with proper brushing, flossing and diet. Research has shown gum disease can worsen if your blood sugar is not under control, so do your best to keep it in check. Dry Mouth
Studies have found people with diabetes have less saliva, so you might find yourself feeling parched or extra thirsty. (Medications and higher blood sugar levels are also causes.) Fight dry mouth by drinking water. You can also chew sugarless gum and eat healthy, crunchy foods to get saliva flowing. This is especially important because extra sugar in your saliva, combined with less saliva to wash away leftover food, can lead to cavities. To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.
We Care About Kids! At Hicks Family Dentistry, we want to relieve your child’s apprehensions before beginning any kind of treatment. You can be confident that your child will receive the latest innovations in children’s dentistry, with techniques intended to lessen their time in the chair, conveyed with caring, thoughtfulness, and compassion. We love encouraging appropriate dental care routines and look forward to instructing children how to keep their teeth healthy for a lifetime. Bring them in for their first dental appointment with us when they are three years old and see why our many happy parents say our office is an appealing place their children love to visit. Whether you have a nervous eight-year-old or a rowdy four-year-old, we are here to help. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
Stop the Devastation of Your Teeth Are your teeth loose or changing position? When you brush or floss, do you experience gums that are prone to bleeding? If so, you should know that these symptoms are the primary indicators that you’ve developed periodontal (gum) disease. In fact, gum disease, not tooth decay, is the number-one reason people lose their teeth. Fortunately, if the infection is treated in the milder stages, it can be reversed with nonsurgical methods. If you’ve been told you need gum surgery, we can help you stop the devastating effects of gum disease. Call us today. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
What is PST? A number of causes can contribute to your gum tissue being lost, leaving the roots of your teeth exposed to risk: growing older, periodontal disease, even brushing too hard. When your gums recede and the root structure of your tooth is uncovered, the risk of decay and other infections increases dramatically.
Previously, gum recession treatments involved removing donor tissue from your palate and suturing it into place as a graft to existing gum tissue. As the soft tissues healed, they would merge together. Although this process is highly effective, it involves considerable mouth discomfort during the healing.
The Chao Pinhole surgical technique is different. A tiny hole is made using a needle inserted into a patient’s gums. Special instruments move through this pinhole to gently loosen the existing gum tissue. These tools gradually enlarge and shift the gumline to protect the bared root structure. Your existing tissue is merely adjusted. No grafts, no stitches, and no incisions! The results are amazing and long-lasting. Ask us if this procedure is right for you.
Progressive Orthodontics for an Individualized Approach When a patient undergoes any kind of orthodontic treatment, continual, gentle force in the direction of the required change will eventually alter the position of teeth. There are many ways to go about this and achieve the desired results.
Traditional braces use the same archwire design and brackets for all patients. But Dr. Hicks uses a new technique that customizes the design of both, so different brackets can be used on different teeth for optimized results. This means faster, more comfortable treatment with better results and improved long-term retention. It also means fewer visits to the dental chair for adjustments.
Standard braces permit Dr. Hicks to employ the most control over how your teeth are straightened. More intricate corrections can be completed using this method. Usually, braces are in place for two to two-and-a-half years. However, everyone requires a specific amount of modification and the time required will change by patient. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
Missing Teeth? Why Not ‘Grow’ New Ones? Dental implants may be the perfect solution for replacing your lost teeth. From the front of your mouth, where they’re highly visible, to the back, where they offer a platform to chew a huge selection of foods, implants can help you obtain a dazzling and healthy smile. Unlike bridges or removable dentures, which are secured above your gums, dental implants are anchored below the gumline. The “tooth” placed on an implant seems life-like, because it pushes through your gums just like your original did – it’s like growing a new tooth! Numerous missing teeth can be restored in this fashion. Even people who’ve lost all their teeth can take advantage of implants, because they can secure their dentures, resulting in teeth that don’t shift when they talk and don’t need to be removed at night.
From implant placement to crown fabrication, we handle the entire process in our office, negating the need for a referral. With the assistance of 3-D cone beam CT digital imaging technology, Dr. Hicks can accurately view a patient’s bone structure and determine the best course of action for placement using guided implant surgery. Call us today and see if this treatment is right for you! Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
Natural-Looking Crowns Made While You Wait Not so long ago, having a tooth restored with a crown took a lot of time and many steps. First, there was the initial appointment for the temporary and casting impressions. Then there was a long interval while another lab molded the permanent crown. Then a second, follow-up appointment occurred for your dentist to place the crown. If it didn’t fit appropriately, then the entire process started all over again.
Thankfully, there have been advancements in technology. Instead of a multi-week timeframe, in a couple of hours you can have your new permanent crown fitted in your mouth. With CEREC™ computer-aided design and milling, the fit will be flawless, the crown will be long-lasting, and the dazzling appearance will simulate the look of a natural tooth. Our patients love this new method for fitting and inserting crowns.
The process is ingenious. With a special digital scanner, a detailed image is captured and exhibited on our computer screen. No more goopy impressions! We then model the restoration and CEREC generates the crown. Next, we insert and bond the restoration to your tooth. Like our other patients, you will be thrilled by how easy this is! An early adopter of computer-aided design and manufacturing of crowns (also known as CAD/CAM), Dr. Hicks has been using this technology for over 10 years. He is also a CEREC trainer, teaching other dentists to use the system in the best combination of technology and art. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
Don’t Hide Your Smile – Remake It! Are you ready for your “close-up”? Do you already possess the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted? If not, let us assist you. We’ll offer you the optimum combination of preventive care, tooth-colored fillings, and restorative procedures to produce ideal oral health and ensure aesthetic appeal. Smile makeovers are extremely affordable and available faster than you might think. Don’t wait any longer to have a smile that makes YOU happy! Stop by our office so we may tell you all the incredible options available in bonding, whitening, crowns, and veneers. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
Dr. Kevin Hicks is pleased to provide beautiful smiles for his neighbors in Lititz and the surrounding suburbs.
Dr. Hicks earned his dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, after earning his bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. Hicks completed a general practice residency at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He formerly served as the dental director at Keystone Health Center. In his over 20 years as a practicing dentist, Dr. Hicks has engaged in ongoing postgraduate education. His recent training in implants and orthodontics allows him to offer you great options to replace missing teeth and give you the smile of your dreams.
Dr. Hicks believes in giving of himself to the community, and in 2004 was named to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Advisory Committee. He was involved in mission work to aid in Hurricane Katrina relief, and in March of 2016 he spent a week in Haiti on a Christian dental missions trip. He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the International Association of Dental Traumatology. Dr. Hicks is an active participant in the community. As a 2012-13 VIP sponsor to the Warwick Youth Hockey Team, he provided all players with custom athletic mouthguards. He and his wife Lora have four beautiful children, having recently adopted their two youngest from Ukraine. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, sports, and spending time with his family. Hicks Family Dentistry Kevin Hicks, DDS 756 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0596 HicksFamilyDentistry.com
THE IMPORTANCE OF HYGIENE VISITS
