Who cleans our teeth?
Our trained and experienced team of Houston dental hygienists handles teeth cleaning here at the Medical Center Dental Group.

What tools do they use?
Dental hygienists use a number of tools that have been used in both General Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry for many years. These tools include small hand and rotary instruments. One of these is the tooth scaler. It is used to remove plaque from teeth. A sophisticated tool we use is an ultrasonic tool called a Piezo scaler that cleans, polishes and removes stains.

What else accompanies a dental cleaning?
Houston dental hygienists also brush and floss your teeth with a special toothbrush and toothpaste. The brush has a small, round tip that moves around to clean your teeth, and the toothpaste has a more grainy constitution to scrape residual plaque from tooth enamel.

The dental hygienist also flosses your teeth, partly as part of the treatment, and partly as a demonstration on the proper methods of flossing. Many people floss incorrectly so we always reiterate proper technique when patients come to see us.

Do Houston dental hygienists also check for cavities?
Yes. We take x-rays of your teeth and develop these for close examination by our team of dental specialists. These x-rays are critical to finding smaller cavities that hide in the spaces between teeth, or on the edges of teeth that even dental mirrors cannot easily find.

Does it hurt to get an x-ray done?
No. You do have to hold a piece of plastic in your mouth, but you do not have to bite down on it hard to the point that it hurts.

Is the radiation dangerous?
Not in the minuscule amounts you are exposed to in a tooth cleaning. As a precautionary measure as well, the hygienist also places a blanket over you that shields your body from the x-rays so that only your mouth is exposed during the procedure.

Do you give fluoride treatments?
Yes. We do not prescribe fluoride tablets for children, but we do as professionals carefully administer fluoride as part of a rigorous tooth cleaning. Fluoride, when administered in this fashion, does make teeth stronger and more resistant to cavities.

Does the dentist participate in the tooth cleaning?
Yes. The teeth cleaning are a team effort here at the Cosmetic Dentistry Center of Houston. Dental hygienists and dentists work together. After the hygienist takes and develops the x-rays, the dentist looks at them and goes over the results with you. He or she also takes a close look at your bite (how your teeth fit together).

What do you do if you find a problem?
We minimize the fear factor and demythologize the problem first and foremost. Then we talk about options (normally more than one) to tackle the problem. Then we talk about money and how to arrange for insurance to cover the solution or an in-house payment assistant plan to be arranged.

Labels: dental hygeine, dental hygiene, Houston dental hygienists, houston tooth cleaning, houston tooth whitening, teeth cleaning, tooth cleaning

Braces for children correct a great many problems that plague growing kids. Overbites, underbites, and occlusion are just some of the many dental conditions that braces and functional dental appliances correct. Braces can be used on a child of any age provided they are affixed to permanent teeth. If a child is very young, and still has most of his or her primary teeth, functional dental appliances can be substituted for braces and still achieve impressive results.

Sometimes a child does not even need braces if problems with teeth are detected early on. In the early stages of most problems, a functional appliance is often all that is needed to correct the teeth of a child. One such device is called a space maintainer. It is used after a baby tooth has been lost and the permanent tooth has not yet emerged. A space maintainer can prevent the teeth that surround the gap in the smile from becoming crooked. If placed immediately after a baby tooth is lost, a space maintainer can conceivably make it unnecessary for a child to have braces.

This is not to say that braces are not necessary. Sometimes they are the only option. It is good to understand the challenges of dental hygiene that accompany orthodontics in order to better equip your child for both a healthy and beautiful smile in future years to come.

The downside to braces, however, is that they make the already challenging discipline of dental hygiene even more challenging for children. When a person of any age has braces, it is harder to keep teeth plaque-free and prevent cavities.

Children who are wearing braces need to use a soft toothbrush (so that bristles can reach under the wires and still clean teeth), and they need to use a toothpaste with fluoride. It goes without saying that they need to brush after every meal. The surface of each tooth should be brushed in a circular motion, and extra care must be given to the areas where braces meet the tooth, and where the tooth meets the gums.

Children with braces need to floss their teeth. No exceptions. Toothbrushes simply cannot reach between teeth, so only floss can remove the plaque that causes cavities in these places.

To floss teeth with braces, kids should use a threader and slide it underneath the arch wire. They should then pull the floss between their teeth, pull it into a C shape, and move it around their mouths, flossing both sides of every tooth.

After children have finished flossing, they need to make sure they have not missed any areas. Once they have checked their teeth thoroughly, they should rinse their mouths thoroughly with water.

Reducing foods with sugars will help children with braces prevent cavities. Hard foods like Cornnuts and ice will damage they can damage braces. Children should eat softer foods and cutting harder foods into smaller bites when at all possible.

By watching their eating habits and paying careful attention to their daily dental hygiene, children with braces can keep their mouths healthy and teeth in great condition.

Labels: braces, children with braces, cosmetic dental braces, dental hygeine, flossing, tooth brushing

There are many causes of tooth loss. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself against tooth loss is to take consistent, proactive care of yourself. Failure to take preventative measures can cause your teeth to decay, or it can contribute to periodontal disease.

Preventative care involves more than simply brushing your teeth. You must visit a dentist at least once a year, even if you think your teeth are ok. We recommend you get a full dental examination and teeth cleaning to protect you against the main causes of tooth loss.

You also need to follow a rigorous program of home dental hygiene. This includes a healthy diet, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and flossing. You may not like to floss, but it is one of the most things you can do to prevent cavities. Without flossing, plaque will accumulate between your teeth and give cavity-causing bacteria an environment in which to grow.

While everyone needs to do their practice self care, there are many individuals who must be particularly aggressive in preventing the causes of tooth loss. These people are more at risk because of a number of medical conditions.

Post-menopause in Women
Research has proven that the low estrogen levels (typical after menopause) make a woman more vulnerable to gum disease, (also known as Periodontitis). This condition affects more than gum tissue. Severe cases can also deteriorate the jawbone and cause tooth loss.

Osteoporosis or a Family History of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can diminish the density of jaws, causing teeth to lose their solid foundation and become loose. Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Anyone men who suffers from osteoporosis should see a dentist twice a year for checkups and cleaning and must rigorously pursue home dental care.

Substance Abuse
We often stereotype substance abuse as the use of illegal drugs. However, tobacco and drinking alcohol (both chemicals--and both toxic) can cause tooth loss. Smokeless tobacco is a chemical that places a person at very high risk for tooth loss because it absorbs directly into tissues of the gum. The CDC has published statistics indicating that smokeless tobacco users are FOUR TIMES more likely to suffer from tooth decay than smokers and non-tobacco users.

Genetic Predisposition to Periodontal Disease
Many people are more prone to develop gum disease than others. We do not know exactly why this is so, but their gums will slowly and painlessly begin to pull away from the base of the teeth. If this is not addressed, the supporting bone tissue beneath the teeth will deteriorate and the teeth will become loose.

Misc other Causes
Tooth loss can also happen because the person does not consume enough calcium. The natural effects of aging, a lack of exercise, and, in some cases, an exceptionally slender build are also contributing factors in some people.

If you are among any of these high-risk groups for tooth loss, call our office immediately for a full dental exam. Let our team of dentists recommend a treatment plan that will prevent the cause before we have to treat a major dental condition after the fact.

Labels: causes of tooth loss, dental hygeine, loose teeth, preventative dental care

Dry mouth (Xerostomia) is the lack of saliva caused by a variety of medical conditions, behaviors, and medication side effects. It can alter the taste of food, cause plaque buildup, and increase the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay. Saliva that is produced is often thick or stringy, causing the person to have a hard time swallowing. Dry mouth can cause sore throat and sores at the corners of the mouth that cause the skin to crack.

Healthy salivary glands are supposed to produce 3 pints of saliva daily. In addition to its obvious benefit of helping chew food and assist in digestion, saliva helps clean the surfaces of teeth and prevent plaque buildup. It also contains minerals that work against tooth decay by making it difficult for bacteria to attach themselves to teeth. Also, saliva is alkaline in nature and helps neutralize natural acids that can damage tissue in the mouth.

There are a number of causes for dry mouth. Age is one of them. Saliva production tends to naturally decrease as a person gets older. Other causes include side effects of prescription and over the counter medications. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication frequently cause dry mouth. Also, antihistamines, antidiuretics, muscle relaxers, and high blood pressure meds can produce this condition. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have reported not only a decrease in the amount of saliva in their mouths, but also a change in its consistency as well.

Very often the presence of other health problems such as clinical depression, extreme anxiety that includes panic attacks, and uncontrolled diabetes can cause Xerostomia.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of dry mouth, you need to call our office and schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. He or she will need to study your case history, examine your mouth, and possibly schedule a cat scan on the salivary glands or a blood test. Your dentist will need to also know all medical conditions you face and know about all medications you are taking.

If any medication you are taking is causing dry mouth, it may be possible to switch to another medication or alter the dosage. There are also drugs that help produce saliva that the dentist can help prescribe.

In some cases, lifestyle changes can alleviate dry mouth symptoms. Reducing sugar intake, significantly reducing alcohol consumption (or eliminating it altogether), and quitting smoking often help with saliva production. Avoid illegal drugs, period, especially methamphetamines and marijuana. These last two are notorious for causing dry mouth.

Read more about dry mouth on our main website:

Dry Mouth Treatments
Dry Mouth Symptoms
Dry Mouth Complications
Xerostomia

Call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as you can if you have any symptoms of xerostomia. Also, start practicing good dental hygeine daily in the meantime. Oral hygiene is something that every person with dry mouth also needs to practice diligently. Daily brushing and flossing minimize the possibility of teeth becoming vulnerable to decay.

Labels: dental hygeine, dry mouth, dry mouth symptoms, dry mouth treatment, dry mouth treatments, oral hygeine, saliva, xerostomia, xerostomia causes and treatment

The basics of good dental hygiene have never changed and never well change. A combination of brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups and cleaning can ensure a bright healthy smile for life. You have to do your part to make this work. The dentist can correct almost any problems when you come to see him or her. However, only you can prevent problems.

The best toothbrush to use is one with soft, rounded bristles. Medium toothbrushes and hard tooth brushes can damage gums. Use a toothbrush that is comfortable for you to maneuver, and use a manual toothbrush. Almost all you hear about power toothbrushes is hype.

Good oral hygiene requires using toothpaste that contains fluoride. Other ingredients in toothpaste, such as antibacterial agents, are good, but they are no substitute for fluoride. Tartar control and teeth whitening agents are fine, as well as baking soda, but nothing beats good fluoride toothpaste.

Flossing is another element of good oral hygiene that everyone knows about, but that many neglect to do.
The type of floss does not matter. What is important is to cover all the sides of the tooth and move it below the gum line in the process. Do so until you hear a squeaking sound, which indicates all tartar has been removed.

People make all sorts of excuses about why they do not floss. They say it hurts them, or causes their gums to bleed. These are not valid reasons to avoid flossing. Healthy gums are not hurt by flossing, nor do they bleed. If you hurt when you floss or see blood, call a dentist immediately to get checked out for gum disease.

It is estimated that 80% of all Americans suffer from gum disease, but many of them do not know they have it. Leaving Periodontitis untreated leads to all sorts of complications, including tooth loss and even life threatening conditions such as heart conditions.

Tooth Brushing
Hygiene Supplies & Products
Oral Hygiene
Flossing

It is important to visit a dental office for periodic cleaning and regular checkups in addition to maintaining a regimen of good oral hygiene. Professional teeth cleaning services is something that everyone should have done on a regular basis. Hygienists at the Medical Center Dental Group can screen for tooth decay with x-rays and a special cavity-detecting laser called diagnodent. A standard cleaning session also involves fluoride treatments and careful review of your case history to provide you with personalized at-home care recommendations to maximize the chances of successful daily oral hygiene.

Labels: dental floss, dental hygeine, oral hygeine, Sensodyne Toothpaste, tooth brushing, tooth whitening