Dental News
We all know the importance of brushing, flossing, and regular visits to our Spring Branch dentist to maintain healthy teeth, but your teeth aren’t the only part of your mouth that benefits from good oral hygiene. Your gums require just as much care as your teeth, though many of our Houston family dentist’s patients often overlook proper gum care, leading to gum disease. Here, we’ll explain the signs of gum disease and how our Spring Branch dentist can help you treat and prevent it.
Gum Disease Explained by Our Spring Branch Dentist
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis or periodontal disease, can be a serious issue if left untreated. It usually begins with gum inflammation, or gingivitis, which can be reversed with good oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and regular visits to our Spring Branch dentist. But if ignored, gingivitis can quickly turn into periodontitis, which is a cause for concern not only for your mouth, but also your overall health. With gum disease, the buildup of plaque over time causes the inner layer of the gums to peel away from the teeth, leaving spaces for bacteria to collect and become infected.
Signs of Gum Disease, According to Our Houston Dentist
Should you notice any of these common signs of periodontitis, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our Spring Branch family dentist right away:
- Bleeding gums, especially during brushing
- Halitosis, or bad breath
- Pockets along the gumline
- Swollen gums
- Loose or missing teeth
Since worsening gum disease can be damaging to your oral and overall health, these symptoms should not be ignored. Thankfully, our Houston family dentist can help stop the progression of periodontal disease and identify the presence of infection.
How Our Spring Branch Family Dentist Treats Gum Disease
When it comes to periodontal disease, prevention is the best line of defense. Our Houston dentist uses two techniques to prevent and treat gum disease.
Dental Scaling
Dental scaling is a procedure in which our Spring Branch dentist uses ultrasonic and manual instruments to remove plaque and tartar buildup. The ultrasonic instrument creates vibrations around the teeth that breaks up plaque and tartar, which is then followed by a manual instrument that removes the remaining plaque and tartar. This can be done during your regular dental cleaning with our Houston family dentist
Root Planing
Root planing involves scaling the gums to remove any excess plaque or biofilm, getting into the gums’ root system in order to eliminate bacteria, plaque, and tartar, as well as reduce inflammation. Preventing the progression on gum disease is our Houston dentist’s top priority.
Smiles 4 Texas Can Help You Prevent Gum Disease
The best way to prevent gum disease is by establishing a good oral hygiene routine and scheduling regular visits to our Spring Branch family dentist. If you want to assess the health of your gums, call us today to schedule an appointment and we’ll give you and your entire family healthy, beautiful smiles.
A cavity or bad tooth can cause severe discomfort and affect your daily life. The good news is that damaged teeth can be saved with the help of dental crowns. A type of cap used to protect teeth, dental crowns are an effective way of restoring a tooth’s original size, shape, and appearance. If you’re considering getting a dental crown from a Spring Branch dentist, here are some of its benefits you should know about.
Is a Dental Crown Right for You?
Before determining if a dental crown is right for you, our Spring Branch general dentist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your case. For milder cases, a dental filling will suffice to cover the damaged part of the tooth. Our clinic is committed to preserving the original teeth of our patients as much as possible. Sometimes, a Spring Branch dental crown is the most effective solution to ensure good oral health.
People With Tooth Decay
Dental cavities are tiny openings that develop once the surface of the tooth becomes permanently damaged, usually from poor oral hygiene. When left untreated, cavities may require more serious procedures, such as an extraction or a root canal. When dental fillings aren’t enough to save a decayed tooth, a Houston dentist will recommend a dental crown to give your tooth the protection it needs.
Patients With Oral Injuries
Our Spring Branch family dentist is ready to assist you should a dental emergency happen. Usually, a tooth fracture occurs as a result of physical trauma from an accident. In these cases, the damaged part of the tooth is shaven down in preparation for a dental cap. The replacement crown protects the tooth and gives the appearance as if nothing happened. Dental crowns offer a more durable alternative to fillings and other cosmetic procedures.
Patients With Weakened Teeth
Sometimes, bad teeth can be the result of genetics or old age. Many elder patients come in for a Spring Branch Dental Crown to give them the smile they once had. These patients leave satisfied with their restored appearance and knowledge that their teeth now have the added protection they need. Dental crowns keep teeth safe from chips, crumbling, and decay. They are also more permanent so you can rest assured that you have long-lasting protection.
Get a Spring Branch Dental Crown Today
At Smiles 4 Texas, we are committed to providing you with the best oral care possible. If you have a decayed, injured, or bad tooth, visit our clinic today so that our Spring Branch dentist can conduct a comprehensive assessment. We will go through all the options, including dental fillings, to determine the right treatment course for you. Do not suffer through the discomfort anymore and do not wait for your oral health to worsen. Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced and highly trained dentists.
A beautiful smile begins with clean, healthy teeth, which is why our Spring Branch dentist stresses the importance of good dental hygiene. How we care for our teeth affects many aspects of our overall health, and poor dental hygiene can cause bad breath, cavities, and is even linked to heart disease. Here, our Spring Branch family dentist explains the importance of dental hygiene and how you can be sure your routine is effectively keeping your teeth clean and free from cavities.
Our Spring Branch Family Dentist Explains how Cavities are Formed
Cavities form when bacteria eat away at the tooth and create holes on its surface. We all have bacteria in our mouths, both good and bad. The good bacteria help to keep our teeth healthy while the bad bacteria causes damage and decay. Cavities become more prevalent when the bad bacteria is given a chance to thrive thanks to choices like poor diet—think sugary sodas and processed foods—and inadequate oral hygiene. Once a cavity forms, our Spring Branch dentist must remove it and fill it or it will get larger, possibly requiring more invasive treatment like a root canal or even extraction.
How to Prevent Cavities, According to Our Spring Branch Dentist
The best defense against cavities is proper oral hygiene, which can be achieved by following these steps:
Brush and Floss Teeth Regularly
Our Spring Branch dentist recommends brushing your teeth in the morning, before bedtime, and after each meal. This removes food particles and bacteria, as well as prevents plaque and tartar from building up on the surface of your teeth. Brush in circular motions for 2 minutes before flossing to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth, as well. Children need attentive supervision and guidance in this process to ensure it’s being done properly. Our Spring Branch pediatric dentist would be happy to help teach your child how to brush and floss effectively.
Avoid Unhealthy Food Choices
What we eat has a significant effect on our oral health. Foods containing excess and refined sugar, like sodas and candy, can cause decay and cavities by eating away at the tooth’s surface. Our Houston pediatric dentist encourages parents to closely monitor their child’s intake of junk food and make sure they brush their teeth as soon as they are finished with any sugary treats.
Visit Our Houston Family Dentist Every Six Months
When it comes to proper dental hygiene to prevent cavities, maintaining regular checkups with our Spring Branch dentist should be a priority. These checkups give our Houston dentist an opportunity to check the health of your teeth and gums and identify any potential problems, like cavities, early.
Our Spring Branch Dentist Can Help to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
At Smiles 4 Texas, we believe quality dental care should be accessible for every family. We offer numerous dental services in order to keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright. If you believe it’s time for your next dental cleaning, call us to book an appointment with our Spring Branch family dentist as soon as possible!
If you or your child has a cavity, you may be wondering about the process for removing and filling that cavity. Over the years, dentists have used a number of different materials to fill their patients’ teeth after cavity removal, some of which have evolved and become preferred, while others are no longer used at all. Our Spring Branch dentist offers three common types of cavity fillings, which we’ll discuss here.
What Are Cavities?
Cavities are damaged parts of the tooth caused by a combination of bacteria, excessive sugar consumption, and ineffective hygiene. Our Spring Branch dentist must remove the cavity or else it will become larger, requiring more invasive treatment, like a root canal or dental crown, to address it. The best way to prevent cavities is to enjoy sugary drinks and snacks in moderation, maintain effective brushing and flossing habits, and visit with our Spring Branch family dentist regularly. Kids are more prone to cavities, which is why our Spring Branch pediatric dentist stresses the importance of establishing oral hygiene routines at an early age.
Cavity Fillings With Our Spring Branch Family Dentist
Our Spring Branch dentist fills cavities in our modern, comfortable office using a simple procedure. First, a numbing medicine is applied to the tooth and gums, then our Houston family dentist removes the decay with a small drill. Once the decay has been removed completely, the tooth will be sealed using one of the following materials:
Silver/Amalgan
Amalgam fillings have been used for over a century and are composed of a variety of metals, including mercury. Because they are inexpensive and durable, it remains a popular choice for fillings, though its mercury content is of concern to some patients. Furthermore, the metallic color of amalgam fillings does not match the tooth’s color. For that reason, they are typically used on back teeth only.
Porcelain
Porcelain fillings are a strong and durable dental filling that matches the tooth’s color, making them an ideal choice for cavity fillings needed on teeth that sit near the front of the mouth. They are also free from metal and resistant to stains.
Composite Resin
The most popular choice, a composite resin filling is composed of quartz or glass and resin. They are a safe alternative to amalgam and can be matched to any tooth shade. They last between 5-7 years, at which point they’ll need to be replaced.
Let Our Spring Branch Dentist Give You a Winning Smile
At Smile 4 Texas, your oral health is our top priority. If you believe you have a cavity that needs to be filled, schedule an appointment with our Spring Branch family dentist as soon as possible. The longer it’s left untreated, the more likely you are to face invasive procedures that can easily be avoided. We love making your entire family smile, so come see us soon!
If you have a new baby at home, you’re familiar with the importance of regular visits to your pediatrician, but you might be wondering when your child should start seeing our Spring Branch pediatric dentist. It may surprise you to learn that our Houston family dentist recommends children begin regular checkups as early as six months of age, or when their first tooth erupts. Establishing a dental health routine from a young age has many benefits, which we’ll discuss here.
Your Child’s First Visit to Our Spring Branch Dentist
When your child’s first tooth erupts, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our Spring Branch family dentist. This allows us to examine your baby’s tooth/teeth and gums and identify any potential issues early. Sometimes things like nursing habits, pacifier use, or teething issues may require intervention from our Houston pediatric dentist. If we see any problems, we can discuss preventive measures you can take at home and establish a system of care. We recommend children and adults see the dentist every six months, a routine that will be no different for your baby.
What to Expect at Your Baby’s First Visit to Our Houston Family Dentist
Our Spring Branch dentist sees the first visit with your baby as a way to establish a relationship built on trust and comfort. We’ll ask about your baby’s medical history, including the pregnancy and delivery, as well as feeding habits, and sleep schedule. Once one or more of your baby’s teeth have erupted, our Houston pediatric dentist will examine the teeth, gums, and bite. We also look for any signs of illness, as certain diseases like diabetes, gum disease, some cancers, and even cardiovascular disease may actually show their earliest signs in the teeth. While this is rare, it is important to spot them early so a proper treatment plan can be established.
Our Spring Branch pediatric dentist wants you and your baby to be comfortable when visiting our office, so the sooner you begin dental checkups, the more familiar the experience will be for your child as he/she grows. If you have any questions or concerns, our Spring Branch family dentist encourages you to share and discuss them openly. Our top priority is to promote excellent dental health in a warm, comfortable environment.
Smiles 4 Texas Offers Dental Care for Your Entire Family!
It’s important to prioritize oral health and establish routine dental visits for your children at a young age. As your child grows, we are able to provide a wide range of dental services, such as dental braces, cavity fillings, teeth whitening, and even oral surgery. We also treat adults, as we aim to provide comprehensive dental care for everyone in your family. If you believe it’s time to schedule your baby’s first visit to our Spring Branch pediatric dentist, give us a call! We’re honored to welcome you into our Smiles 4 Texas family!
