Make Your Dentist Happy - Brush Your Teeth the Right Way

Brushing your teeth properly is not terribly complicated but it is important to do it correctly, and the biggest factor in determining whether you are brushing properly is the length of time you spend brushing your teeth. Unfortunately in today’s busy society, people are often hurried in the mornings are rarely spend the appropriate amount of time brushing their teeth. The correct amount of time to spend brushing is at least two full minutes. This may be disconcerting to some and if you were to time yourself with a stopwatch, you may find that two minutes seems like a very long time. There are some difficult areas to reach within your mouth and the best way to reach all of them is with a careful, thorough brushing.

Time is not the only factor to proper brushing however. Technique is also very important. Your focus should be all outer surfaces of your upper teeth, followed by all inner surfaces of your upper teeth. You can then turn your attention the outside surfaces of your lower teeth and then the inner surfaces of your lower teeth. If you make these steps routine, you will find that it is easy to build a two-minute brushing habit. Once the outer and inner surfaces are finished, it is time to focus on the chewing surfaces of your upper and lower teeth, particularly those teeth located far to the back of your mouth.

In order to maintain fresh breath and fewer bacteria in your mouth, it is also a good idea to brush the surface of your tongue, which can also harbor bacteria. Since this bacteria is what causes tooth decay, it is important to remove as much of it from your mouth as possible during brushing.

Here are some important hints regarding the products you use for brushing your teeth.

Your Toothbrush

There are different types of toothbrushes available, which offer a wide range of designs. The shape of the handle and the head are both personal choices, but it is often recommended that a smaller bristle head is best because it allows you to maneuver the brush into those hard-to-reach areas better.
There are also choices you have in terms of the firmness of the brush bristles. These range from hard to soft, and many dentists recommend that soft-bristled brushes do a better job of removing plaque from your teeth.
For many, the best choice is an electric toothbrush because it does a superior job at cleaning your teeth and keeping them free from debris and bacteria.
Your toothbrush won’t last forever and it is important to recognize when it is time to replace your brush, whether you use a conventional toothbrush or a powered toothbrush. When the bristles begin to show signs of visible wear, it is time to replace your brush. You will also want to replace your toothbrush after suffering any illness or cold because the brush can harbor germs that can cause your illness to return.

Your Toothpaste 

Toothpaste products today offer a wide array of choices so there should be something to satisfy just about anyone’s taste, and toothpastes are formulated for specific purposes including plaque fighting toothpaste, tartar control, sensitive teeth toothpaste and even teeth whitening toothpaste.
If you are confused about the best way to brush your teeth and the best products for your particular dental condition, call us at Pearland Family Dentistry today. We will be happy to offer advice regarding your teeth and we can make recommendations for the best techniques and products for you to use to keep your teeth healthy.

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Mouthwash and Rinse Choices

When you consider the number of products available today for dental hygiene, the choices for mouthwash products can be overwhelming. Most people base their choices on products they have used in the past and some evidence suggests that cost is an important factor in people’s selection of mouthwash products. There are many choices of brands for consumers, but there are also different types of products available that are actually designed to treat your mouth differently.

There are three primary groups of mouth rinses to select from. The most common is a mouth rinse that contains Fluoride, followed by a category of anti-gingivitis/anti-plaque products, and finally, there are products for cosmetic purposes. While many of these products are available over the counter, some are prescription only. You should be aware of the differences in these products when shopping for an effective mouthwash or mouth rinse.

Mouth Rinses with Fluoride
Enamel is the natural substance that covers your teeth protecting them from the rigors of daily chewing. It is harder than bone and Fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel on our teeth. Fluoride also helps to prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride is present in the drinking water in many Houston’s developed areas, and almost all toothpaste now contains fluoride. Because of this, fluoridated mouthwash products are likely unnecessary for most people in Houston with a few exceptions. In some cases, certain oral conditions require extra doses of fluoride such as xerostomia, which is an abnormal dryness of the mouth. This can increase bacteria levels in the mouth, which can lead to tooth decay and a fluoridated mouthwash can help correct this problem.

Cosmetic Mouth Rinse
Some mouthwash products are produced solely to provide your mouth with a nice fresh scent. While they may make your mouth smell minty fresh, they do not provide any dental health benefits. Some may argue that these products can kill bacteria, they are not primarily designed for this purpose. Instead, their focus is to offer short-term fresh breath to reduce the effects of halitosis or bad mouth odors. While this helps from a cosmetic perspective, there are no other dental hygiene benefits from mouth rinses without bacteria killing agents or fluoride.

Anti-Gingivitis/Anti-Plaque Mouth Rinse
Bacteria are the main cause of bad breath and the main cause of tooth decay so an effective mouthwash product should ideally get rid of as much bacteria as possible during use. Brushing and flossing are great ways to reduce the chances that bacteria will settle into your teeth, and a follow up with an anti-gingivitis/anti-plaque mouthwash will provide an even greater level of protection against tooth decay because this type of mouthwash is specifically designed to kill dangerous bacteria. For people with serious plaque and gingivitis problems, a prescription strength mouthwash can be also used to kill bacteria and to treat any inflammation from infections.

Pearland Family Dentistry offers the best in dental care and advice to our Houston, TX patients. If you have questions about tooth decay, bacteria, and the mouthwash and mouth rinse products that can help you the most, contact us today for a consultation.

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Dental Sealants for Protection from Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is prevalent among the molars and premolars of most people because these teeth contain small irregularities that are prone to the collection of debris and bacteria. Proper flossing and brushing can help to eliminate the risk of tooth decay effectively on the front teeth, but for teeth located toward the back of your mouth, the risk is higher because it is more difficult to properly care for these teeth due to their natural irregularities. They tend to have deeper crevices and folds in surfaces of the tooth, which act to trap food and food particles that can act as a breeding ground for bacteria. In order to fight against this risk, dental sealants can be used to provide a protective layer for your teeth and prevent tooth decay. A sealant will cover the crevices commonly found in molars and prevent particles from lodging in place.

Who Needs a Dental Sealant?

Those who have a particularly high risk of tooth decay in their molars or premolars are the best candidates for dental sealants, particularly for children or teens. When permanent teeth first emerge, the application of a sealant can help prevent cavities. Baby teeth can be treated with a sealant as well. Ideally, sealants are used for children from age 6 up to teens of age 14. Adults who have no decay or fillings are also candidates for sealants.

How is a Dental Sealant Applied?

The application of a dental sealant to your teeth involves minimal time or effort on the part of your dentist and there is no pain associated with the procedure.

The first part of the process involves a thorough cleaning to ensure that no debris or bacteria become trapped beneath the sealant. Once the cleaning is completed, each tooth must be dried and protected from any moisture and then a mild acid solution is used to make the surfaces of the teeth porous so that the sealant can bond easier. Once this is done, the teeth are once again rinsed and dried and the application of the sealant can begin.

The dental sealant is applied to the teeth by your dentist with a small brush and shortly after the application the sealant will harden and bond to the teeth. Your dentist may use a special light to shine on the sealant to help it harden and bond to the surfaces of your teeth.

How Durable are Dental Sealants?

A properly applied dental sealant can last ten years or more, but as time goes on your dentist will want to check your sealants regularly to see how they are holding up. In the event that sealant is damaged, it can be repaired by your dentist.

If you are looking for the best in dental care, be sure to contact the professional and friendly staff at Pearland Family Dentistry. We can provide you with all of the information you need to make a decision regarding your teeth and dental sealant options

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Flossing Properly – Frequency and Technique

Do you floss regularly and properly? If you are not sure simply ask your dental hygienist, who can quickly deduce whether you are engaging in the recommended flossing routine. A simple examination of your teeth and gums will provide the hygienist with all the information necessary to determine your flossing habits, whether they are good or bad. If your hygienist asks whether you have been flossing, your best response should be an honest one.

Many people floss too infrequently or improperly. Just because someone flosses every day, that does not necessarily mean they are gaining the full benefit of their efforts if their technique is improper. In order to make sure your flossing routine is effective, be sure to exercise care with the following helpful flossing tips.

Use a Liberal Length of Floss

If you are skimpy with the amount of dental floss you use, it will be difficult to floss properly. In order to gain the full benefits of flossing, it is important to use a healthy length of floss each time. For most people this means about 18” to 20” of floss material. Remember that this is well over a foot of floss! If you have concerns, follow your hygienist’s lead on this matter. More floss will help you get the job done properly.

Zig-Zag and Slide the Floss

Some teeth are close together and some are farther apart. When you pull floss between your teeth, particularly tight ones, it is sometimes easier to pull the floss taught until it pops itself between your teeth. Try to avoid this technique and instead, slide the floss back and forth in order to ease it between those tighter joints in your teeth. By using a zig-zag motion your floss will be more effective.

Don’t Ignore Your Gums!

Sliding the floss in between your teeth is important to clear any food particles that are stuck between them but many people neglect those hidden areas between your teeth and your gums and ignoring this area can lead to problems with your gum tissues. It is important to slide the floss down around the base of each tooth where it meets your gums in order to remove food that can be trapped in these areas.

Use Fresh Sections of Floss As You Go

As you floss between your teeth and around your gums, the floss will pick up food particles and bacteria. If you are not advancing along the length of the floss to a fresh length for each tooth, you will simply transfer food particles and bacteria from one tooth to another. This is why it is so important to use the proper length of floss, so you can continually use a fresh section of floss.

Don’t Forget to Rinse!

The flossing process loosens and removes food particles from between your teeth, but they are not all stuck to the floss. Much of this material may be left behind in your mouth so it is important to remove it with a thorough rinsing before you are finished in order to prevent having them wind up back between your teeth.

These simple techniques will ensure that you are flossing properly so it is important to establish a flossing routine. With the correct frequency and technique to your flossing regimen, your dental hygienist may not even have to ask whether you floss.

If you have questions about your flossing frequency or technique, contact as Pearland Family Dentistry today. We are ready to serve the greater Houston, Pearland, TX areas so call our friendly staff with any questions or to schedule your next dental visit.

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Emergencies and your Houston Dentist

If you have suffered any type of injury to your teeth or gums, a dentist should be consulted immediately as emergencies like this can be painful and dangerous to your dental health. Most dental emergencies involve tooth fractures, teeth that have come loose, or which have been completely displaced from their socket. This type of injury is often accompanied by damage to the soft tissues of the teeth and gums in the area of the injury as well from impact, or abrasions with the nearby tooth damage.

If a tooth has been displaced, your immediate concern should be to find the missing tooth. If it has fallen out of your mouth, be sure to clean it and you will want to keep it in a safe place. While you may think it might be a good idea to place it in a container or a small plastic bag, the best place to keep the tooth is in your mouth until you can get to a dentist. Simply place the tooth between your cheek and gum, but do not try to put it back in the tooth socket. This will help to preserve the tooth and if you can get to your dentist quickly, it is likely that the tooth can be put back in place by the dentist.

If you have a tooth that has become loosened, but hasn’t fallen out of the socket, you may likely be able to reposition the tooth to its proper location with your fingers. Use gentle pressure though, as forcing it into place may cause damage to the displaced tooth or the surrounding teeth. Whether you are able to reposition the tooth or not, it is best to see your dentist as soon as possible.

If you have chipped a tooth, your dentist may take one of several approaches to treatment depending on the severity of the fracture. Very small fractures or chips may only need smoothing out, while more significant chips or fractures may require restoration with a composite material.

When a tooth sustains a significant fracture, important parts of the tooth such as the dentin or pulp may have been damaged. Your teeth have root canals that extend down into the roots of your teeth. Within these canals lies the nerves of your tooth and they travel into the pulp chamber of each tooth. This area contains blood vessels and connective tissue for your teeth so a fracture that extends this deeply into a tooth can be very painful. Because the pulp is deep within the body of a tooth, damage that affects the pulp is severe and your dentist may have to complete a more significant and invasive technique to facilitate the repair of your tooth.

If you have a dental emergency, be sure to contact Pearland Family Dentistry immediately. Our professionals can assess your injury, initiate a plan for restoration and stop any pain you may be experiencing. Call us at 832-548-5902 if you need a dentist in Pearland for emergency treatment and put an end to your pain and discomfort.

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Causes and Solutions for Sensitive Teeth

Many are familiar with the pain and discomfort associated with sensitive teeth. This oral problem plagues people all around the world, and it can make the simple exercise of enjoying your favorite foods or drinks a challenge. While this challenge might make life difficult, the good news is that this condition is often treatable.

Tooth pain and discomfort normally associated with sensitive teeth issues arise most often when drinking cold liquids, or while eating hot or cold foods. For some, breathing cold air can also trigger pain. If you experience sensitive teeth issues and the pain becomes unbearable, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Extreme pain could be an indication that the nerve ending is exposed.

In most cases, the cause of sensitive teeth results in a receding of the gums, which normally offer a protective barrier for the roots of your teeth. If your gums become problematic, they may recede and leave the roots exposed which increases sensitivity. This occurs because the exposed tips of the root contain small tubules that provide a conduit to the nerve in the root of the tooth and this can trigger the pain and discomfort associated with sensitive teeth. Those with healthy gums will be less likely to experience issues with sensitive teeth because the gums tend to cover these tubules so there is less exposure to the nerves.

Since healthy gums are so important to the prevention of issues with sensitive teeth, it is important to engage in dental hygiene that promotes healthy gums. One of the most common causes of premature gum wear is excessive pressure while brushing. If you use too much force, damage can occur to the edges of your gums, which would normally protect the roots from exposure. It is important to brush thoroughly but gently to prevent the tearing of your gums.

Your brushing technique is not the only thing related to your brushing that can have an impact on sensitive teeth. You can also utilize a specialty toothpaste formulated with potassium nitrate, which may help with pain and discomfort for sensitive teeth.

If you practice gentle brushing and utilize a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth and your sensitive teeth issues persist, you should schedule an appointment to see come in to Pearland Dentist for an exam.

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Wisdom Teeth Removal

Any time between the ages of 17 to 25, people will notice that their last set of teeth will begin to form toward the back of the mouth and these molars are known as wisdom teeth. Often, these teeth are considered for removal, a topic that can be controversial for many. While wisdom teeth do not pose any inherent danger, they can cause pain or discomfort in some people and for those cases, removal should be considered. In other cases, wisdom teeth function just like normal teeth and do not cause any issues.

There are sometimes complications, which arise as wisdom teeth develop. One of the most common problems occurs when the teeth become impacted. In this situation, the normal procedure is to have them removed, and this can sometimes be accomplished by pulling them, but in other cases, the teeth must be removed by an oral surgeon. If you are a candidate for the removal of your wisdom teeth, a consultation with an oral surgeon will be required.

Consultations for surgical wisdom teeth removal will typically involve a physical exam of your mouth along with x-rays that will tell the oral surgeon everything necessary to facilitate the removal. Once the surgeon has all the necessary information, you will be advised of your options. One of the decisions you will need to make is whether to go under sedation or to undergo surgery with a local anesthesia. With sedation, you will be asleep during the procedure and will have no awareness of what is happening, but under a local anesthesia, you will remain conscious. The local anesthesia produces a numbing of the mouth and gums so you will not feel any pain but you will be fully aware of what is happening.

The process of removing wisdom teeth can sometimes be easy for the surgeon, but in other cases, the effort can be complicated by the size, shape and formation of the teeth. In some cases, the roots of the wisdom teeth are bound to the jawbone in a way that makes them difficult to remove. In either case there will be some pain related to the surgery afterwards, but there should be very little swelling if any. You will be prescribed medication for post-surgery pain management and if you had IV sedation you will not be able to drive yourself home so arrangements will have to be made for your transportation after the surgery.

The healing process is something that will be discussed with your dentist and it is important to follow any written or verbal instructions you receive so that the healing process will go quickly. For the first 24 hours it is best if you are not left alone due to the anesthesia, and your diet will be restricted in order to avoid damage to any of the surgical wounds.

While the removal of your wisdom teeth is a more involved procedure than typical dental visits, it is a very worthwhile procedure for many people as it can eliminate painful problems associated with impacted teeth, or with teeth and gum problems associated with the improper development of your wisdom teeth.

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