Gum disease is a serious disease that could lead to tooth loss. The good news is that it’s treatable. Also called periodontitis, gum disease occurs when bacteria grow inside the mouth, leading to tissue damage. Poor oral hygiene is a leading cause of gum disease. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque starts to build up on the teeth. This plaque then hardens into tartar, which can only be removed professionally by a Spring Branch general dentist. So when do you know if it’s time to see a dentist? Read on to find out.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

The first indicator of periodontitis is red, swollen gums. Inflammation starts across the gum line and spreads inside the mouth. Your gum feels tender and may even be painful. You may also notice your gum line receding and separating from the teeth. Since gum disease is caused by bacteria, a typical symptom is bad breath. Hardened tartar may cause a foul smell. Your teeth may also feel extra sensitive, especially when drinking cold beverages. A serious complication of gum disease is wiggling or loose teeth. This means that the disease has spread to your bones.

Who Is At-Risk for Gum Disease?

A Houston dentist will tell you that patients with bad oral habits are the most prone to periodontitis. Smokers may also find it harder to recover from gingivitis, which is the condition that could lead to gum disease. Certain medical conditions also increase the risk of this disease. Cancer, HIV, and diabetes all affect the immune system, making tissue repair harder and infection more likely. Hormonal changes, such as menopause and puberty, make gums more sensitive. Finally, some medication may disrupt saliva production and cause abnormal tissue growth.

How to Treat Gum Disease

Our Spring Branch family dentist always tells our patients that preventing gum disease is better than treating it. However, if the condition has developed, Smile 4 Texas will be there for you to provide you with the best dental care. We are more than happy to give you a personalized experience in your treatment journey. Our Spring Branch general dentist may recommend one or more of the following below.

• Deep Cleaning. Our dentist will go under the gum line and use special instruments to make sure all the damaged tissue is treated.
• Medication. You may be prescribed an antibiotic gel or an enzyme suppressant to treat the gums.
• Surgery. For severe cases, surgery may be the only option. Gum graft surgery and flap surgery seek to repair the gum line and bone.

Contact Our Spring Branch General Dentist to Treat Gum Disease

Smile 4 Texas offers a wide range of dental services to suit our patients’ needs. We believe in providing the best dental experience. We are experienced in treating patients of all ages, even young children. If you have any of the symptoms of periodontitis above, don’t wait any longer. Schedule an appointment with our Spring Branch general dentist so you can be on your way to excellent oral health.

Dental braces continue to evolve over the decades to make dental correction a more effective and comfortable process. Smiles 4 Texas helps our patients achieve straighter, more beautiful smiles to make them feel more confident. Read on to know more about dental braces from a qualified Spring branch family dentist.

Who Can Benefit From Dental Braces?

Patients with misaligned or crooked teeth can benefit from our dental services. Overcrowding and gapped teeth are common issues that can be corrected with braces. Our clinic also improves bites by correcting underbites and overbites. Braces are not just for cosmetic reasons. They also ensure better oral health by preventing bacteria in gaps and helping a patient chew more properly. 

Types of Braces

Our Spring Branch family dentist offers different types of braces to correct a wide range of dental issues. Below are the treatment options that our Houston general dentist will recommend depending on your needs.

• Metal braces: These are traditional braces that have been around the longest. Metal braces are an inexpensive yet effective way of improving your teeth. They have the strongest pull and are recommended for patients with more serious dental issues.

• Ceramic braces: Some patients prefer ceramic braces because they match the color of their teeth. These types of braces stand out less, but they are slightly more expensive. Ceramic braces are also very effective but aren’t as strong as metal braces. This is why they are ideal for more moderate cases.

• Invisalign: Considered a breakthrough in modern orthodontics, these clear braces are for patients with gapped and crooked teeth. Invisalign is recommended for milder cases. They can be removed during the day so patients can go about with no major changes to their appearance.

What Can I Expect From My Treatment?

Each patient may have a different experience, which is why our Spring Branch general dentist will make a thorough evaluation of your condition. It is important to come in for your monthly visits until you finish your treatment.

• Duration of treatment. The typical length of treatment is from 18 to 24 months. The exact duration will depend on the severity of your condition. This is a small amount of time compared to the lifetime of beautiful smiles you will have.

• Monthly visits. You will be required to come in at least once every month. During your visits, our Spring Branch Family Dentist will make adjustments to keep your progress consistent. Our dentist may also tighten some wires and reposition brackets.

• Mild discomfort. While you are sitting on the dentist’s chair, you will not feel any pain. A few hours after your adjustment, you will start to feel a slight pressure. This means the braces are working and your teeth are being pulled into alignment.

Contact Our Spring Branch Family Dentist

Smile 4 Texas aims to give your family the best dental experience possible. Whether you come in for diagnostics or more involved treatments, we make sure to treat you with utmost courtesy and professionalism. If you are interested in getting dental braces, call us today! Our skilled and highly trained dental team is ready to serve you.

Regular dental visits are an important facet of your overall health, as routine cleanings with our Spring Branch dentist not only keep your teeth healthy, but they also identify potential problems early before they require invasive procedures to correct. Should a visit to our Spring Branch family dentist uncover the presence of cavities or other issues that require intervention, you're likely wondering if your dental insurance plan will cover the cost of treatment. Here, we’ll explain how dental insurance works and how you can decide which plan may be right for you.

What is Dental Insurance?

Dental insurance is a way to lower the cost of treatment with our Spring Branch family dentist that you would otherwise pay without dental insurance. There are two types of dental insurance: HMO and PPO dental insurance. 

HMO Dental Insurance

HMO plans require you to visit a dentist that is in the provider’s network in order to receive benefits. This dentist will become your primary dentist, meaning all routine care and referrals must originate from this dental practice. 

PPO Dental Insurance

PPO dental insurance, on the other hand, allows you to choose from a wider variety of dentists in your area in order to receive coverage for dental treatment. You may even be able to see a dentist that is out of network if you’re willing to pay a bit more. This is especially beneficial for patients who have already established a relationship with our Spring Branch dentist, but have a change in policy for whatever reason. Thankfully, Smile 4 Texas accepts most major PPO dental insurance plans and can work with you if not.

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

If you have PPO dental insurance, what is covered at our Spring Branch family dentist depends in large part upon your specific plan. PPO dental insurance is divided into three types of coverage: preventative, restorative, and orthodontic care, each of which is discussed in more detail below.

Preventative Care

This refers to regular dental cleanings with our Houston dentist every six months, as well as annual x-rays. Most plans cover these entirely, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket. Some plans even include fluoride treatments or sealants that prevent cavities and other issues that may lead to expensive treatments.

Restorative Care

If our Spring Branch dentist finds a cavity or sees the need for a root canal, crown, bridge, or other treatment that is designed to correct an existing issue, this is known as restorative care. Most PPO dental insurance plans cover part of these expenses, but typically not all. 

Orthodontic Care

Some plans will include coverage for malocclusion issues that require braces or Invisalign treatments, so it’s wise to include this type of coverage when shopping for dental insurance if you suspect someone in your family will require orthodontic treatment.

Smile 4 Texas Accepts Most Major Insurance!

We accept the most popular insurance companies available as well as Medicare/Medicaid recipients. We can also work with you to provide options to make sure you get the smile you want if your coverage is not as comprehensive as you had hoped. It’s also important to note that you renew your dental plan each year, so be sure to take advantage of your coverage before the year ends, as it can cover some much-needed dental work. Call us today to schedule an appointment with our Spring Branch family dentist and learn what type of coverage your plan provides! 

Your teeth and gums require unique care and attention to remain beautiful and healthy. So in addition to regular brushing and flossing habits, twice-yearly visits to our Spring Branch family dentist are an important part of your oral hygiene routine. And since schools are out for the summer, now is the perfect time to schedule a Spring Branch dental cleaning for you and your family. 

Visit our Spring Branch Dentist Every Six Months

Regular dental cleanings with our Houston family dentist will ensure a beautiful smile and establish lifelong oral health. This is true for infants and children, too, as kids are prone to cavities, which should be caught early. Our Houston pediatric dentist recommends that children begin twice-yearly dental checkups as soon as their first tooth erupts, which is usually around six months of age. From that point forward, everyone in your family should receive dental cleanings with our Spring Branch pediatric dentist. This allows us to catch certain problems—like cavities—early, before they become a bigger issue. Untreated cavities can grow larger, leading to extensive decay that may require a crown. Sometimes unaddressed dental decay can lead to infection and even tooth extraction. 

What to Expect at Your Spring Branch Dental Cleaning

Here’s what to expect at a dental cleaning with our Houston dentist:

Step 1: Oral Examination and X-Rays

Our dental hygienist will use a small mirror to see all your teeth’s surfaces and check for signs of decay or inflammation. If it’s been more than a year since your last dental x-rays, we’ll take new images to identify any decay that may be difficult for our Spring Branch dentist to see otherwise.

Step 2: Scaling

Plaque and tartar build up can lead to serious issues like gum disease, but it can only be removed by our Houston family dentist. We’ll use a small instrument to scale the plaque and tartar that has accumulated along your gum line and between your teeth.

Step 3: Deep Cleaning and Flossing

Our Spring Branch family dentist uses a round, electric toothbrush and gritty toothpaste to deeply clean your teeth and brush in places you may not be able to reach at home. Once your teeth are clean and polished, we’ll floss to remove the plaque and particles between your teeth.

Step 4: Fluoride Rinse 

Fluoride can strengthen teeth and offers long-term protection against cavities, so we complete the dental cleaning procedure with a fluoride rinse that comes in flavors kids love!

Step 5: Dental Checkup

Once the hygienist has completed the procedure, our Spring Branch Family dentist will review your x-rays and examine your teeth and gums. If we spot any problems, we’ll discuss them with you and determine the best course of treatment for you or your child. 

Schedule Your Spring Branch Dental Cleaning at Smile 4 Texas Today!

We know life can get busy and sometimes regular visits to the dentist can be difficult to schedule, but our convenient location and early evening appointment slots make it easier than ever to care for your teeth and gums. Call us to book your dental cleaning with our Spring Branch dentist and protect your smile!