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Camelia Cooper, DDS, is a general dentist who owns and operates Sweet Tooth Dental Loft in Frisco, which she opened in 2013.

Dr. Cooper answered questions from Community Impact about best dental care practices, the importance of dental care and lifestyle tips for healthy teeth and gums. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

What are a few easy lifestyle habits that promote healthy teeth and gums? Of course we like a good balanced diet but we're into sweets with a name like ‘Sweet Tooth’. We know everybody has a sweet tooth. We like to talk about ways to satisfy it, but pick an alternative that's not as heavy on sugar, or go over tips so sugar doesn't have a chance to sit and do damage to the enamel. When drinking hot dark liquids, you can always use a straw so that it doesn't have as much contact time on your enamel.

Changes are coming to three McKinney ISD schools as renovation projects kick off this summer.

The gist: The McKinney ISD Board of Trustees approved spending nearly $6.86 million on upgrades to school facilities at a January meeting. The three schools that will see improvements are Bennett Elementary, McKinney Boyd High School and Evans Middle School.

Diving in deeper: The funding for all three projects will come from the 2021 bond. All work will begin on the last day of school, which is May 21, per district documents.

Pure Green is coming soon to McKinney, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. 

The specifics: Construction is expected to wrap up in mid-March. The business sells cold pressed juice, steel-cut oatmeal bowls, juice shots, superfood smoothies and acai bowls.

• 4058 W. University Drive, Ste. 160, McKinney

City leaders have approved a maximum price for renovations to the McKinney Performing Arts Center, which are slated to start in February.

The big picture: The McKinney Performing Arts Center closed Feb. 1 for a renovation project that’s expected to finish in fall 2026. Council members approved a maximum price of nearly $9.2 million for the project during a Feb. 3 meeting.

Fort Worth-based Byrne Construction Services is overseeing the project as the construction manager at risk, according to a city document. The funding approved by council includes $261,749 in contingency funds.

Byrne Construction is partnering with Architexas, the Texas Historic Commission and Holos House on the project.

About the project: Planning has been underway for the project since January 2025 when council members approved a $506,750 contract with Architexas for design and architectural work. The renovation will focus on preserving the building’s architectural integrity while addressing infrastructure needs and enhancing the guest experience.

Texas families can soon apply to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling under the state’s new education savings account program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

What's happening: The application opens at 9 a.m. Feb. 4 and is designed to be completed in about 15 minutes, according to the state comptroller’s office. Families can apply through 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Parents must submit information about their family's residency, household income, their children's educational history and each child's special education status, if applicable.

The details: To be eligible for the program, students must:

• Reside in Texas
• Be U.S. citizens or lawful residents
• Be eligible to attend a Texas public school, open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program