The Role of a Periodontist in Houston

We all know that we go see a dentist when we need to get our teeth checked out. But did you know that there is a specific doctor for your gums as well? They are known as periodontists.

A periodontist is a doctor who specializes in treating and caring for the gums. Without proper hygiene, the tissue of the gums can become damaged or infected, and a periodontist will work to restore them.

They especially focus on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease, known as periodontal disease in the field.

Caring for the Gums

The gums require just as much care as your teeth. After all, they hold your teeth in place! Most of the time, a general dentist can look after your gums and keep tabs on their health.

However, certain diseases like periodontitis may need to be managed by a certified periodontist. It may also be necessary to see a periodontist if you have a complex medical history, according to a recommendation from the American Academy of Periodontology.

Complex medical histories, such as people with diabetes, need extra care when it comes to the gums. The gums are more fragile than they appear and such serious diseases can lead to gum disease as well.

First Visit

On the first visit to a Houston periodontist, they will research your medical and dental history records. Certain medications can negatively affect the gums, and they need to know if you are taking any of them.

Additionally, they will need to know about any illnesses or conditions you might have.

It is actually possible for the gums and teeth to be an early warning sign of an undiagnosed condition such as diabetes. If you have no history of such afflictions, your periodontist may suggest a medical checkup if they notice something amiss.

Checking out the Gums

When inspecting the gums, a periodontist is looking for

●     Receding gum line

●     How well the teeth fit together when biting

●     Loose teeth

Any of these can be indicators of poor gum health. Additionally, a periodontist may use a probe to check pocket depth below the gums.

Pockets that are too deep below the gums can lead to loose teeth and infections.

Should this occur, a periodontist will help reverse the effects of periodontitis using antibiotics and other treatments. If necessary, you may need surgical treatments to rid of an infection.

Removal and Recovery for Wisdom Teeth Extractions in Houston

No one likes to have a tooth extracted. Dreading a trip to the dentist to remove a tooth may feel almost as bad as the tooth that’s bothering you.

However, once the tooth is removed, it can be a massive burden lifted off your shoulders, or rather out of your mouth.

Wisdom teeth, which are molars at the very back of the mouth, usually don’t come in until around 17 to 23 years of age, but it is possible for them to get stuck, which can cause problems.

Risks Associated with Wisdom Teeth

When a wisdom tooth fails to break the surface of your gums, known as an impacted tooth, it can become painful or even infected.

The primary reason for this occurring is that the mouth is too small to accommodate a third set of molars. Because of this, they may come in at an angle, pushing against other teeth, or not come in at all.

The infections can lead to many other notably worse issues, such as a bone infection, so it’s best to have your local Houston dentist extract impacted wisdom teeth as soon as possible.

When To Remove Wisdom Teeth

The American Dental Association recommends getting a checkup around the age of 20 to determine how well the wisdom teeth are developing. Around this age, the roots are still developing, and if there is an issue, they can more easily be removed.

Fortunately, if the wisdom teeth do need to be removed, it can typically be done right in your Houston dentist office during a single visit. Even better, all four teeth can be removed at the same time to prevent future visits.

During the process of removing wisdom teeth, there can be some pain or discomfort, even with general and local anesthetics used in sedation dentistry. Most of the discomfort is felt after the procedure is completed.

That said, the discomfort will subside and the pain caused by infections will be a thing of the past.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery Time

Pain and swelling are the most common effects felt after removing wisdom teeth.

The points on the gums where the teeth were removed from need time to heal, and they also need to be protected from damage.

Constant prodding with the tongue, chewing hard foods, drinking soda, and other activities could dislodge the blood clot that helps with healing, which prolongs the healing process.

On average, recovery time for wisdom teeth removal is three to four days. It can, however, take up to a week.

Swelling may continue even after a week and some minor discomfort for up to a couple extra weeks. Ice packs and a salt gargle will help reduce discomfort and keep the mouth clean while the sites heal.

Beating Decay before it Controls You: Houston Dental Sealants

Our back teeth are incredibly important. They are the teeth that grind food down to manageable sizes so it can be easily digested. These teeth withstand huge amounts of pressure when crushing certain foods.

And yet, they can be the most fragile.

How? Decay. Tooth decay can easily strike the rear teeth, known as molars, due to their rough surfaces. The surface of these teeth is covered with divots and grooves to aid in grinding or crushing food material.

But these grooves and divots, while useful, can provide a safe haven for millions of bacteria.

When Home Care is Not Enough

Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, every day, you may not be able to fully clean the grooves of your molars. There are too many of them and they can be so small that toothbrush bristles cannot reach inside to scrape away bacteria.

Mouth rinses may help, but they don’t have the raw scraping power that brushes have. And floss can only tackle the spaces in between teeth.

Because of this, dental sealants may be necessary from your Memorial / Galleria dentist.

Dental Sealants in Houston

Dental sealants prevent decay from occurring by keeping bacteria out of those grooves and pits in your teeth.

How do they accomplish this? By filling them.

Dental sealants are made from a thin plastic like material that fills in the grooves, smoothing out the upper surface of the molars.

They are typically applied in 6 steps:

1.    Clean the tooth

2.    Dry the tooth and border it with cotton

3.    Add a solution to increase adherence

4.    Rinse and dry the tooth again, replace cotton

5.    Apply the sealant

6.    Let the sealant dry

Best Candidates for Sealants

So who should be getting sealants for their teeth? Just about anyone, really!

It is especially important for children to visit the dentist right after their molars come in (the first ones around ages 5 to 7, and the second set between 11 and 14 years old). Visiting a kids dentist in Houston for dental sealants will help protect their teeth for up to a decade afterward.

For teenagers and young adults that are prone to tooth decay, dental sealants could be the answer as well, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Dental sealants can last for up to 10 years, after which they can be reapplied. The whole process is painless and doesn’t require any anesthetics; however a kid’s dentist could use sedation dentistry if the child is anxious about the procedure.

Seeking Gingivitis Treatment in 77057

One form of gum disease that can cause bleeding of the gums is known as gingivitis. This form of gum disease is more common earlier on in life, usually during the teenage years.

If it isn’t treated with proper oral hygiene, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, which is the next stage of gum disease.

Gingivitis can easily be identified and treated by your local Houston dentist in the Memorial / Galleria area.

Signs of Gingivitis

Since gingivitis is the earliest form of gum disease, the symptoms aren’t always apparent.

The biggest things to look out for include:

●     Swollen gums, which can be puffy in appearance

●     Discolored gums, usually a milky red and white color

●     Bleeding gums, usually when brushing your teeth or eating certain foods

These are the most common symptoms, but not everyone will experience them all. Some people may not experience any symptoms of gingivitis, which is why it is important to regularly visit your Houston dentist for a checkup.

Risk Factors

Teenagers are more likely to develop gingivitis than any other age group. Teenage girls are also especially susceptible to gingivitis and other gum diseases due to hormonal changes in the body.

These changes can alter the structure of the gums as the body adapts, leaving them vulnerable to infection.

Smoking is another concern that increases the risk of gingivitis. The toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke and other tobacco damage the gum tissue and can lead to gum disease. Even secondhand smoke carries a risk of gum disease.

Gingivitis Treatment in Houston

Fortunately, gingivitis is an easily treated form of gum disease. In fact, it is possible to reverse it at home.

Proper oral hygiene using toothbrushes and toothpaste along with floss and mouth rinse will kill off the bacteria that lead to gingivitis.

But the prime area to focus on is getting rid of plaque, especially along the gum line.

Plaque is the leftover waste from bacteria feeding on the minerals and tissue on your teeth and gums. It is a residue that changes the texture of your teeth from the typically smooth enamel to a soft felt like texture.

In addition to home care, regular visits to the dentist’s office in the 77057 area will more effectively treat, reverse, and prevent gingivitis.

Choosing the Right Dental Fillings in Houston

Restoring damaged teeth has been a mainstay of dentists around the world for quite some time. Dental fillings are one of the most common methods for restoring teeth.

A dental filling repairs damage caused by accidents or decay and strengthens the tooth to prevent further damage.

Dental fillings can be made from several different materials, each with different levels of durability and appearance. Being such a common method of repairing teeth, just about every dentist in Houston is capable of repairing teeth with them.

Dental Filling Materials

Dental fillings are typically made from one of a few different substances:

●     Silver or gold amalgam

●     Composite resin

●     Glass ionomer

Gold and silver amalgam fillings remain a standard filling for their durability. They can withstand strong bite forces that could potentially chip or break other materials.

However, these fillings are generally very noticeable since they stand out against the normally light colored teeth.

Composite resins, porcelain, and glass ionomer fillings are less durable, but they mimic the natural appearance of teeth. Certain fillings may take longer to apply, possibly requiring multiple visits.

Direct and Indirect Fillings

A direct filling can be placed in the tooth as soon as the tooth is prepared. These fillings are completed in a single visit and application at your Houston dentist.

Direct fillings are primarily composed of ionomer or composite filling materials.

An indirect filling includes inlays, onlays, veneers, and partial or total tooth replacement.

For partial and total tooth replacements, indirect fillings involve preparing teeth for crowns caps, or bridges. First, the tooth is prepared and a mold of your teeth array is taken.

After a period of time, the cap, crown, or bridge is completed and placed. It can take two or more visits to complete and indirect filling.

Choosing a Filling Method and Material

There are some key factors to consider with your Houston dentist when choosing a dental filling.

●     How much of the original tooth will remain

●     The location of the tooth being filled

●     The bite force of the tooth

●     The amount of time required to apply a filling (direct or indirect method)

Your local Houston dentist will discuss these factors with you to help you choose which filling material and procedure work best for your situation.