Sugar Land Cosmetic Dentist Brings New Life to Tired Smiles

December 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Cosmetic dentistry is sometimes treated like an extra-benefit; nothing could be further from the truth. It is virtually impossible for you to have healthy teeth, and yet not have a healthy smile. Here at your Sugar Land Cosmetic Dentist, it is understood that all the “small” signs of your mouth, from bad breath to discolored teeth, may actually be clues that something is not going right with your teeth. Furthermore, your Sugar Land cosmetic dentist appreciates the power of a beautiful smile; both for the people you meet and for your own self-esteem and confidence.

Cosmetic dentistry entails the entire spectrum of teeth ailments, with teeth bridges and crowns, using the most current materials and techniques, to take care of your chipped, broken or missing teeth. Visit your Sugar Land cosmetic dentist even for relatively simple procedures such as teeth-whitening. This will be done with high-tech lasers that are perfectly safe, unlike the drugstore-variety kits that can leave your teeth feeling too sensitive to enjoy your favorite meals and properly brush. Without using any bleach, your cosmetic dentist will completely erase years of discoloration brought on by any number of factors – without any side-effects.

Other ways to recapture and brighten your smile involve procedures ranging from the fully-reconstructive tooth crown (which can restore decayed teeth to a beautiful white sheen), to invisible dental aligners, which can push teeth back into a uniform smile. The tooth crown can often be a comprehensive procedure that identifies any problems too small to see with the naked eye, and helps your Sugar Land cosmetic dentist map out a plan for restoring your tooth and smile. The dental x-ray used in determining this will spot gum disease and even tumors growing far from view. The dental aligners give both kids and adults an option which was unavailable in the 80s and 90s; you can now have the appearance of a beautiful smile while they work to slowly correct your true smile. Furthermore, they are easy to remove for cleaning and eating, unlike the metallic braces back then.

Don’t let yourself worry about the options you have available for getting a new smile, and keeping you from truly engaging the people you meet. Your Sugar Land cosmetic dentist has the tools to tackle any dental problem and get you smiling with confidence again.

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry Services, Dentists in Sugar Land, Sugar Land Cosmetic Dentist

Questions about Fluoride answered By Your Dentists in Sugar Land

December 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride exists naturally in water sources and is derived from fluorine, the thirteenth most common element in the Earth’s crust. It is well known that fluoride helps prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride prevents the acid produced by the bacteria in plaque from dissolving tooth enamel. Fluoride cannot repair cavities, but it can reverse low levels of tooth decay and thus prevent new cavities from forming. Fluoride is the only known substance that will actually strengthen teeth and make them harder.

2. Does Fluoride Really Make a Difference?

Over the last several years tooth decay has been reduced dramatically due to fluoride. According to the American Dental Association, research has shown that fluoride reduces cavities by up to 40% in children and 35% in adults.

3. How Does Fluoride Help Children?

Children benefit from fluoride both by ingesting it; in a supplement form and by the fluoride found in toothpaste and rinses. Fluoride works best in children while teeth are forming. This helps both primary and permanent teeth. Starting at birth, and until all permanent teeth have fully erupted, ingested fluoride helps strengthen teeth as they are forming. Topical fluoride helps people of all ages. Ask about flouride treatments at your dentists in Sugar Land.

4. Does My Child Need Fluoride Supplements?

Research shows that community water fluoridation has lowered decay rates by over 50 percent, which means that fewer children grow up with cavities. Most city water is fluoridated but if your family uses well water or bottled water, you should have your water tested to see if there is adequate natural fluoride, or if a fluoride supplement is needed. If adequate fluoride is not present, your child may need a prescription fluoride supplement from your dentists in Sugar land.

5. Does Fluoride Benefit Adults, Too?

Topical fluoride helps people of all ages by stopping the progression of a newly formed cavity and preventing root cavities. Fluoride is also helpful for patients with sensitive teeth. At your regular check-up, your dentist will evaluate your particular situation to determine if additional fluoride treatments are needed.

Your family or pediatric dentists in Suagr Land is a great resource for information about dental care and fluoride needs. A dentist can help you understand more about how fluoride affects the teeth, and once all of your child’s primary teeth have come in, may recommend regular topical fluoride during routine dental visits.

Filed Under: Bacteria, Brushing, Cavity, Decay, Dentists in Sugar Land, Fluoride, Permanent, Plaque, Supplement, Toothpaste

Teeth Grinding –See your Dentists in Sugar Land for Help

December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Do you wake up with dull headaches or a sore, stiff jaw? You could be suffering from Bruxism, the medical term for teeth grinding. Once you are told or realize that you are suffering from bruxism, it is important to seek help right away. Not giving it the proper attention will only result in damage to your teeth and lack of thorough sleep. You can go to your Sugar Land dentist to have your teeth and health analyzed.

The most common cause for teeth grinding are stress and anxiety, missing and crooked teeth, and an abnormal bite.

If your bruxism is stress-related, your dentist or physician may recommend professional counseling or other strategies to help you relax. Some other tips that are recommended from WebMD are:

  •  Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as colas, chocolate, and coffee

  • Avoid alcohol. Grinding tends to intensify after alcohol consumption.

  • Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food. Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.

  • Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.

  • Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.

If your bruxism is more advanced, your dentist may prescribe a medicine such as diazepam (Valium). This will be for short- term use, usually one week or so. It should be taken at night before you go to bed to help reduce grinding at night. You also may receive a prescription muscle relaxant to temporarily ease the spasm in your jaw. You may also be fitted for a custom-made bite plate.

If your bruxism is related to tooth problems, your dentist probably will correct tooth alignment. In severe cases, your dentist may need to use onlays or crowns to entirely reshape the biting surfaces of your teeth. The dentist also may make a mouth guard or bite splint that fits your mouth and teeth. This will help prevent further damage to the teeth. In some cases, it may help your teeth and muscles to realign.

If you need more information, contact your dentists in Sugar Land. 

Filed Under: Bruxism, Clenched Teeth, Dentists in Sugar Land, Tooth Grinding