How Removing Wisdom Teeth can Protect Your Mouth

Wisdom teeth are a tricky situation when it comes to oral health. Everyone is born with three sets of molars (though, some may have four sets), and they come in around certain ages.

The first permanent molars come in around 10 to 12 years of age, the second set shows up between 11 and 13 years, and the third set usually comes in between 17 and 23 years.

This third set of molars is considered to be vestigial, as they are not necessary to live or function normally. Perhaps millennia ago, they were more suited to humans with elongated faces, but now they can be a nuisance at times.

When a person’s mouth is too small to accommodate the presence of the third set of molars, they can grow in at odd angles, or never come in at all, posing health risks.

When It’s Time for Wisdom Teeth Removal

If your wisdom teeth do not pose a health risk, then there is no need to remove them.

As long as you are healthy, your wisdom teeth have already come in (pending you are old enough to get them, of course), fit with the rest of your teeth, and can be easily cleaned as part of your daily oral health routine, feel free to leave those teeth right where they are.

However, if they are only partially erupted or they haven’t come in at all, it’s time to see your Houston dentist about wisdom teeth removal.

There are some dentists that recommend removing the wisdom teeth as soon as possible.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you should bring a 16 year old to the dentist and have the teeth taken out right away.

Regular dental checkups, especially ones with x-rays, check for signs that wisdom teeth will pose a problem. These checkups are best performed before the age of 20.

If it looks like the wisdom teeth will need to be removed, the sooner it’s done, the better off you’ll be.

Wisdom teeth are easier to remove when the roots haven’t fully developed, so pull them out early if you can. Younger patients generally have faster healing times, so the discomfort of surgery will pass sooner.

Symptoms that Indicate Wisdom Teeth Need to be Removed

The American Dental Association has a list of symptoms to watch for when it comes to wisdom teeth.

●     Pain at the end of a tooth array

●     Repeating infections of the soft tissue at the ends of teeth arrays

●     Development of cysts

●     Your second set of molars becoming damaged

●     Gum disease around the third molars

●     Severe tooth decay in the molars

Watch for these signs and if you find them, visit your Houston dentist immediately and consider wisdom teeth removal.

How to Recover from Wisdom Teeth Removal

Have you felt some pain at the back of your mouth, but don’t know what’s causing it? Does it feel like a strong pressure pushing on your teeth?

It could be that your wisdom teeth are trying to come in, but they aren’t coming in properly. Wisdom teeth removal may be the best option.

Minimizing Discomfort Before Removing Wisdom Teeth

On the day of a surgery to remove wisdom teeth at your Houston dentist, take some pain medication (one prescribed by a doctor or dentist works best) one hour before your procedure is scheduled.

Your Houston dentist will use local anesthetics and sedation dentistry to minimize discomfort during the surgery. Taking pain medication beforehand helps reduce sensation a bit sooner.

After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Firmly bite down on a gauze pad that has been placed over removal sites. This will help your body with stopping the blood flow in these areas.

After 60 minutes, carefully remove the gauze pads. If bleeding persists, place fresh gauze and firmly bite down for another 30 minutes.

Don’t vigorously rinse or clean your teeth after surgery. Do not probe the surgery sites with your tongue, fingers, or anything else, as this will slow healing.

It is highly recommended that you do not smoke during the entire course of healing.

After your surgery and for the following day, limit yourself to resting in bed or on a couch. Excessive movement, especially bending or lifting, can increase bleeding.

If lying down, slowly rise to standing. It is possible that you may be light headed after surgery.

Cleaning your mouth is important to prevent an infection from occurring. You may brush your teeth the night after your surgery, but be careful around the surgical sites. Additionally, use a salt water gargle (1 tbsp salt to 8 oz water) to kill bacteria and reduce discomfort.

It is not uncommon for the surgical sites to ooze blood for up to two days, but if bleeding is persistent, firmly bite down on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. The tannic acid contained in tea leaves stimulates blood clotting.

If bleeding continues to be persistent or is excessive, return to your Houston dentist for professional care.

Swelling usually reaches its peak two or three days after surgery. You can manage swelling with ice packs wrapped in a towel. Place the pack against your cheek next to the surgery site. Do this on and off for about 20 minutes at a time for the first day.

If you are prescribed pain medication, take it as directed. It is best to take some pain medication immediately after surgery so that it has time to work as the anesthetic wears off.

Discomfort generally peaks around 6 hours after surgery. After this point, your need for medication will decrease.

Avoid eating and drinking very hot foods for the first day after surgery. Also, it is recommended you stick to a liquid diet for the first day. Avoid chewing anything until total sensation has returned to your tongue.

Avoid eating any crunchy foods while you are healing. These include nuts, rice, chips, and popcorn. Similarly, avoid using a straw to drink.

In the Days After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Return to your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as you feel comfortable. In the meantime, continue using salt gargles to clean out bacteria around the surgery site without irritating it.

The healing process begins right after surgery, but usually patients start noticing gradual healing after Day 3, when swelling begins to recede.

Bruising may be visible around this time, appearing as black, blue, green, or yellow patches of discoloration. This is normal. Moist heat applied to the area can reduce discoloration.

If anything out of the ordinary happens, such as intense pain or excessive bleeding, contact your Houston dentist to have them check the surgery sites and recommend a manner of reducing these problems.

Home Treatment of Gingivitis in Houston

Gingivitis is the earliest and least harmful form of gum disease, but if it is not addressed within this early stage, it can become much worse over time.

Gingivitis treatments generally involve a deep cleaning to remove bacteria from under and around the gum line. Once the bacteria is cleared out, the gums will heal on their own.

So what’s the best way to treat gingivitis, both at a dentist and at home?

Gingivitis Treatment at Home

There are several methods to combat gingivitis in your daily oral hygiene routine. From the toothpaste you use to flossing and rinsing, every step helps remove and protect against bacteria.

●     Antibacterial Toothpaste
This special kind of toothpaste is specifically designed to attack bacteria. Most toothpaste is to replenish lost minerals to protect teeth, but sometimes you need something with a bit more power.

Antibacterial toothpaste works long after your routine is complete, fighting germs around the clock.

●     Daily Flossing
Flossing removes bits of food that can get stuck between teeth. These food particles become a food source for bacteria when left in place, and it can cause an exponential level of growth.

Toothbrushes aren’t always able to loosen food particles between teeth, so regular flossing is recommended to help out.

●     Antibacterial Mouthwash
Once you’ve brushed and flossed, there may still be little particles of food left in your mouth. An antibacterial mouthwash will kill any germs attached to them or any other surface in your mouth, and will also flush out remaining particles.

Advanced Brushing Techniques to Prevent Gum Disease

You should brush your teeth two times per day, preferably after meals, and brush for two minutes each time.

Hold the toothbrush at a 45° angle to your gums and brush with short circular strokes. Keep the pressure light to effectively loosen food particles and plaque.

Be sure to brush all of the surfaces of your teeth, including inside and outside, as well as chewing surfaces.

When flossing, use about 18 inches of floss. Wind most of the floss around one finger and a short amount around a finger on your other hand.

As you clean each tooth, unwind the floss to a fresh section.

Slide the floss up and down the sides of each tooth in a gentle sawing motion. Curve the floss around the bottom of a tooth as you gently slide it under the gum line to remove plaque.

By performing these methods of cleaning, you will remove a large amount of plaque and bacteria that could cause gingivitis. If symptoms of gingivitis persist after cleaning in this manner, contact your Houston dentist for a professional dental cleaning.

Professional Gingivitis Treatment in Houston

If the above methods and products don’t help alleviate gingivitis symptoms, it’s time to get serious.

Schedule an appointment with your Houston dentist or periodontist to have them examine and treat your gingivitis.

A professional deep cleaning will remove even more plaque and bacteria, which will help immensely with alleviating symptoms. Dentists and periodontists also know specifically what to look for with gum disease, so they’ll know how best to treat it.

If necessary, your Houston dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to fight an infection that’s causing gingivitis symptoms and to prevent more serious cases of periodontal disease.

Advanced Periodontal Disease: Death by Gum Disease

Chances are you’ve never really thought about gum disease killing you. And in all likelihood, it probably won’t, but the possibility is there.

Advanced periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease that has reached deep into the tissue and possibly to the jaw bones.

It is often characterized by receding gums, major changes in the color of the gums, persistent bad breath, loose or loss of teeth, and pockets of pus around the gums.

People usually reach this stage of gum disease by not recognizing and treating the earlier stages.

The Lethality of Advanced Periodontal Disease

On its own, advanced periodontal disease is not lethal. Instead, infections caused by bacteria that also cause the periodontal disease can lead to a lethal heart condition.

Bacterial endocarditis is a disease whereby bacteria in another part of the body enters the bloodstream and reaches the heart, specifically the valves and chambers of it. This bacteria can cause harm to the heart, possibly leading to a heart attack and death.

The overall likelihood of this happening is fairly low, but it should still be considered as a good reason to have a Houston periodontist check for periodontal disease on a regular basis.

Dangerous Diseases Linked with Advanced Periodontal Disease

Advanced periodontal disease is not always the forefront disease. Sometimes it is a symptom of a greater disease, such as diabetes.

Your mouth is a major indicator for your overall health, and some diabetic patients learned of their diabetes through oral problems before being officially diagnosed.

Diabetes, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary fibrosis have all been linked with gum disease. The gum disease is usually a symptom of one of these major diseases, which can all have potentially life threatening scenarios.

Treating Advanced Periodontal Disease to Prolong Life

Treating advanced periodontal disease in Houston is one of the key factors in preventing one of the other diseases from wreaking havoc.

Regular visits to your local Houston dentist every six months as recommended by the American Dental Association will help you catch gum disease very early on at its most treatable levels.

If gum disease does progress to the advanced stage, treatment can be more invasive and uncomfortable. But not treating it will lead to far more disastrous results.

Infections stemming from the disease can spread to jawbones, and from there can enter the bloodstream, leading to a possibility of bacterial endocarditis.

In less severe scenarios, it can cause the bones and tissue hold teeth in place to degenerate, causing teeth to fall out.

Bone and tissue grafts are very uncomfortable, so the sooner you treat advanced periodontal disease, the better off you’ll be.

Avoiding Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease

There are several factors that can increase the chances of developing periodontal disease.

●     Smoking or chewing tobacco

●     High stress

●     Diabetes

●     Poorly fitting dental bridges and crowns

●     Poor fillings

●     Crooked teeth or wisdom teeth that erupt improperly

●     Medications that decrease saliva

Watching for and managing these risk factors will decrease the chances of developing periodontal disease.

In addition to the recommended six month checkups, be sure to maintain proper oral hygiene at home.

Brushing and flossing your teeth twice per day will clear plaque from your teeth and gum line while a mouth rinse will flush it out of your mouth.

Professional cleanings provided by your dentist can get much deeper results, making them more effective, but home care will go a long way toward preventing gum disease.

How to be Completely Relaxed with Sedation Dentistry

If you’re nervous about an upcoming dental appointment, there are a few ways to take the edge off that will leave you feeling relaxed and calm.

Patients who have dental procedures done using sedation dentistry often report that the procedure seems to go by faster and they experience very little or no discomfort at all.

Sedation dentistry is perfectly safe as it is performed by certified dentists and anesthesiologists. They ensure you get only the amount of sedation needed for your procedure and will continually monitor and adjust it as needed.

8 Steps to Relaxing with Sedation Dentistry in Houston

1.    Have a friend or family member drive you to an appointment where you’ll be needing sedation dentistry.

2.    Take a medication prescribed by a doctor or dentist one hour before your appointment to help calm you.

3.    Once in the dental chair, try to relax and make yourself as comfortable as possible.

4.    The dentist or an anesthesiologist will set up the sedation method you’ll be using.

This may be nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or an IV sedation.

5.    Breathe deeply with the nitrous oxide or just lay back comfortably with IV sedation. Allow the effects to calm you.

6.    The dentist will perform the procedure and either they or an anesthesiologist will continually monitor and adjust the level of sedation to keep you totally relaxed and free of discomfort.

7.    Once the procedure is done, they will turn off the sedation entirely.

8.    You will regain full cognitive capabilities as the sedation wears off over the next few hours.

Some sedation like nitrous oxide can wear off quickly, usually within 45-60 minutes.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

●     Fear is virtually eliminated as sedation puts you into a calm and relaxed state.

●     It never takes more than a gentle nudge to awaken a sedated patient.

●     Time seems to go by much faster for the patient.

●     The dentist is able to accomplish a lot of work in a shorter amount of time, especially with patients who may be resistant to treatment, such as children.

●     Pain and discomfort can be totally eliminated through sedation.

Balancing the Intensity of Sedation

In most cases, only a moderate level of sedation is needed for a patient. Prescription pain relief pills or nitrous oxide will dull the senses enough to allow a procedure to be done without pain.

More invasive procedures that take a long time and cause a lot of discomfort are the prime scenario for IV sedation.

IV sedation dentistry is much stronger, and it can be controlled the most accurately.

It can bring people to the brink of consciousness, either just barely conscious or unconscious as needed.

The higher level of sedation means that the patient will unlikely be aware of what is happening, making the procedure seem to pass much quicker and without any pain or discomfort.

IV sedation is continually adjusted to ensure the patient is always at the optimum level of sedation. Too much and they may be unresponsive to the dentist’s instructions, too little and they may become uncomfortable.

This delicate balancing act is a premier trait of the best dentists in Houston, requiring them to be certified to use IV sedation.

Their high level of training grants them the ability to maintain the perfect balance of sedation throughout a procedure, so the patient gets through it quickly and with as little discomfort as possible.

Recognizing the Types of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease affects about 47.2% of the population of the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The level of periodontal disease varies throughout that percentage, however.

The highest percentage of cases would come from mild or moderate periodontal disease, which includes gingivitis. At these stages, periodontal disease treatment is significantly easier, but the longer the disease persists, the more difficult it is to cure.

For adults aged 65 and older, the percentage of affected people jumps to 70.1%, and many of them are at higher risk for severe forms of the illness.

Breaking Down the Severity of Periodontal Disease in Houston

Periodontal disease often starts out with gingivitis. This is the earliest form, but it may sometimes go unnoticed due to its relatively lax nature as a disease.

Sufferers may notice some puffy, swollen gums, or a little bit of blood after brushing, but it can often be treated with proper home dental care.

Sometimes, the disease has no symptoms at all until it reaches a more severe stage.

●     Aggressive Periodontitis
This form of periodontal disease hits quickly in patients who would typically be categorized as healthy.

The effects of it occur quickly, wearing down bone and tissue at a rapid pace.

●     Chronic Periodontitis
This is the most commonly found form of periodontal disease. It can affect people of all ages, but is more common in adults and seniors.

The gums progressively recede as bone and tissue degenerate and will often be inflamed due to a biological response to bacteria around the gum line. Pockets between the teeth and gum tissue form, providing a haven for bacteria to grow.

●     Periodontal Disease as a Symptom
Much less common, and usually starting early in life, this form of the disease is a symptom of a much larger problem, such as heart or respiratory disease and diabetes.

●     Necrotic Periodontal Disease
Often a result of an immune system disease such as HIV, this form of periodontal disease forms pockets of necrotic tissue inside the gums. As the gum tissue dies, the necrosis spreads to ligaments and bones.

Results of Periodontal Disease

When left untreated, periodontal disease can continually break down the tissue in the gums, causing teeth to become loose.

This may ultimately lead to teeth being lost.

If an infection is not treated, the bacteria can reach the bones of the jaw and infect them. This also leads to tooth loss, but the overall effect on general health can be much worse.

Periodontal Disease Treatment in Houston

A professional periodontist in Houston is trained to see the signs of periodontal disease and address them quickly.

It is critically important that patients see their local periodontist at the first signs of periodontal disease to receive effective treatment.

The later stages of the disease are much more aggressive and much harder to treat, especially if the disease reaches the jaw bones.

Bone infections especially require invasive surgery and occasionally bone or tissue grafts to heal. They can be very painful and slow healing. Catching periodontal disease as early as possible will provide the highest chances of success against the disease.

Preventing and Treating Cavities with Sealants and Fillings

Dental sealants are one of the best ways to prevent cavities after proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing.

Sealants alter the “terrain” of teeth wo reduce the areas that bacteria can hide and cause problems. This aids people in brushing, allowing them to remove more bacteria with each cleaning.

When bacteria gets to be too much for teeth or it manages to hide out of reach of a toothbrush and floss, it can lead to cavities.

Cavities can be fixed using dental fillings, which replenish lost mass within the tooth, strengthening it and protecting the rest of the undamaged tissue.

How Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities

Dental sealants are made from a special resin that is applied directly to a tooth.

This resin is similar to glue, but instead of bonding two surfaces together, it fills in grooves.

Imagine a long bolt with threading all down it. If you were to get dirt into the threading, it can be very difficult to remove.

Conversely, getting dirt on a smooth nail is easy to remove.

The resin used on your teeth would be like coating the entire bolt with resin and letting it harder. It fills in the grooves created by the threading and once dry leaves a smooth, much easier to clean surface.

Bacteria loves to congregate in crevices and grooves. If it can’t be easily reached by a toothbrush or floss, the bacteria can thrive. This is why bacteria is often found on top of molars and along the gumline.

Dental sealants can fill in the grooves of molars and teeth that have grooves in them from teeth grinding or hard foods.

By filling in the grooves, the surface of the teeth becomes smoother, making it much easier to brush.

Since the surface is easier to clean, bacteria don’t cling there as well, reducing the chances of developing cavities.

How Dental Fillings Fix Cavities

When a cavity does form, it can cause a lot of damage to your teeth and can also cause pain.

Cavities expose the inner portions of the tooth, mainly the dentin, to outside stimuli, which can cause the nerves to overreact. Teeth with cavities tend to be very sensitive to heat, cold, and pressure.

Repairing a cavity is a pretty simple task, however. Just visit your local Houston dentist and have it professionally cleaned and filled.

Fillings can be comprised of different materials, depending on the patient’s allergies, budget, or appearance preference.

Metal fillings like silver or gold are more noticeable, but very strong. They are better suited to the molars where higher bite pressures are located.

Composite resins and porcelain fillings look natural and can be color matched to your teeth. They tend to be more expensive, but patients love the natural look.

Allergies to certain materials may affect what kind of filling a patient can get. Most often, they will receive a metal filling for their more sterile properties.

Preventing Cavities in the Future

The best way to prevent cavities is to properly maintain oral hygiene. That means brushing your teeth twice per day, flossing every time you brush and after meals, and use mouth rinse to flush out debris.

It also means that you should visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning. Cavities develop because of bacteria gathering in a small spot, and a good cleaning will clear all of it out.

Bridging the Gap with Dental Bridges in Houston

Dental bridges in Houston remain one of the best ways to replace a lost tooth. They are custom designed in a dental laboratory and are made from the finest materials.

They are perfectly designed to fit the patient receiving it and only that patient. Doesn’t it feel good to know something was made specifically for you?

Losing a Tooth

Tooth loss can come from several different events. Everyone experiences losing teeth when they grow up as baby teeth are replaced with adult teeth.

What’s much less common is losing a permanent adult tooth or prematurely losing a baby tooth due to decay, infection, or an accident.

There are several factors that contribute to tooth loss.

Decay

Decay is the most common reason for losing a tooth.

Poor oral hygiene and a lack of vigilant care can cause bacteria to take over a tooth and decay it to a point where it becomes unusable.

The pulp and dentin inside the tooth may become plagued by bacteria, causing pain and infections.

A badly decayed tooth would most likely be extracted by a Houston dentist. If known beforehand, the adjacent teeth can be prepared for a bridge the same day as the extraction.

Accident

A severe blow to the head, especially near the mouth, can knock a tooth right out. If this happens, it is possible to reattach the lost tooth if it is found, kept clean, and preserved in milk until brought to an emergency dental care clinic.

If the tooth is not found or becomes damaged from the accident, a dental bridge can replace it.

Infection and Medications

Some diseases, infections, and medications can cause tooth loss.

The mouth is a good indicator of health elsewhere in your body. For instance, it can actually provide some of the earliest clues regarding diabetes.

If gum disease, a jawbone infection, certain diseases, and some medications are not monitored carefully, they can cause teeth to loosen and possibly fall out.

Custom Designed Just for You

Dental bridges are not just some one size fits all remedy. Each bridge has to be custom made specifically for the patient.

This is because every person’s teeth fit together a little bit differently. No two people will have exactly the same array of teeth.

That means that a dental lab needs to have specific design instructions to fabricate a dental bridge in Houston.

How do they do this? By using a mold of your mouth.

A cast is taken of your mouth when you need dental implants to ensure the highest accuracy in their arrangement.

The cast is created after teeth are prepped for a dental bridge so the lab can design the bridge exactly how it will need to fit.

The lab then creates a mold that encompasses all of your teeth and how they fit together when your mouth is closed.

Using this mold, they are able to create the false tooth and dental crown anchors by constantly ensuring they are designed to fit with your existing teeth.

The process to create the best dental bridges in Houston can take a little while, which is why it takes a couple visits to get your dental bridge installed.

After the teeth are prepared, you will receive a temporary bridge that will protect the gums and filed teeth until the permanent bridge is completed.

With proper care, a dental bridge can last more than 15 years.

How to Choose the Best Dental Crowns in Houston

Dental crowns can serve a variety of purposes both cosmetic and practical. Cosmetically, they can restore the look of natural teeth after one or more have become damaged. Practically, they can restore function of damaged teeth.

A dental crown generally takes two visits to the dentist to install. The first visit prepares the tooth while the second visit actually installs it.

Practical and Cosmetic Restoration with Dental Crowns in Houston

Most times, someone will get a dental crown to restore their bite, perhaps because it has become painful to apply pressure to the tooth.

Crowns can be used to fix teeth that have been severely damaged by decay or a fracture. When a tooth requires a feeling that is too much for what’s left of the tooth, a crown can be used to strengthen and secure it.

If a patient is getting a dental bridge to replace a lost tooth, dental crowns are used as anchors on the teeth adjacent to the gap.

Even if the damage is not so severe that it requires a dental crown for support and strength, they can be used to improve the appearance of teeth. Certain materials like porcelain and resin can be color matched to the other teeth for a natural look.

Balancing Strength with Appearance

An important aspect to consider when getting dental crowns is the location and function of the tooth being repaired.

Teeth toward the back, like molars, are subjected to high pressures for chewing. This is why most often a molar will be the tooth to fracture.

Teeth toward the front, such as incisors and canines aren’t subjected to the same forces, but they do need to be durable.

Regardless of their location, the proximity of a tooth to be repaired to adjacent teeth must also be considered.

●     Generally speaking, molar crowns should be constructed from metal, including gold, palladium, nickel, or chromium.

●     The type of metal used may vary based on its price point or any allergies the patient has.

The reason these teeth should have metal crowns is that these crowns are the most durable. They can more easily withstand the pressures of chewing.

●     Due to their forefront location, front teeth are most often covered with porcelain, resin, or porcelain-metal crowns.

These teeth are more visible, so patients tend to go for a more natural look. These materials can be color matched to the patient’s teeth for a natural appearance.

●     Teeth that sit in close proximity to adjacent teeth to the point where they touch may affect material choice.

Resin crowns produce the least amount of wear on nearby teeth, so they will prolong the health of your natural teeth better. However, they will also wear themselves out more quickly than any other material.

All porcelain and all ceramic crowns are more durable than resin, but they are still much less durable than metal or even metal-porcelain hybrids. These crowns are also more prone to fractures, which is why it is not advised to get them for molars.

Proper care of dental crowns will prolong their lifespan, helping you get the most out of them. Be sure that your new crown is comfortable before leaving the dental office as well.

If a crown isn’t set properly, it can cause problems like infections. A well set crown will seamlessly be sealed to the host tooth, and will feel like any other tooth. If it isn’t comfortable, let the dentist know so it can be adjusted or a new one can be fashioned.

Root Canal Treatments: Targeting an Abscess

Protecting your teeth may mean more than just preventative maintenance at times. If an injury or decay has gotten the better of you and infected the dental pulp inside your teeth, you might need a root canal to fix things up.

Root canals, despite having a bad reputation, are pretty common procedures that remove damaged tissue from the core and roots of a tooth.

When an infection runs deep within a tooth, it can cause an abscess at the roots. This abscess can put a lot of pressure on the surrounding tissue, making it painful.

If left untreated, the abscess could further spread problems, such as loosening teeth or causing gum disease.

Determining the Extent of Damage

More than likely, x-rays will be needed to see how much damage has been done to the dental pulp in the roots. They will also be used to locate an abscess if there is one.

The x-ray images will show multiple angles of the affected tooth and will be used to map the necessary treatments and filing.

They will also determine if any pulp can be saved.

The x-ray images are crucial to finding and removing all of the infected tissue, as leaving any could cause the infection to rise again, requiring a re-treatment.

Treating an Abscess

To get to the root of the problem, one needs to start at the top. Your Houston dentist will use a drill to open up the top of the tooth.

Once they reach the dental pulp in the core of the tooth, they use a special file to remove all the infected pulp.

At this point, most of the nerve cells in the dental pulp are dead, so there wouldn’t be much sensation. Even still, dentists use sedation and local anesthetics to keep the patient calm and free of discomfort.

After the pulp chamber is cleared, the dentist then focuses on the roots of the tooth.

The roots are small channels filled with dental pulp. They carry oxygen, nutrients, and nerve signals to and from the teeth.

It’s possible that not all of the root channels will contain infected dental pulp. Your Houston dentist will do everything they can to preserve any live pulp remaining.

The abscess, once clear of the bacteria, will be drained to rid the tissue of bacteria causing the infection.

Once the roots and underlying abscess have been cleared, they are filled with gutta percha.

After the gutta percha has been placed and fills the channels and the pulp chamber, a standard filling is used to seal the opening at the top and strengthen the tooth.

After a Root Canal Treatment in Houston

Once the root canal treatment is complete, you should be free of pain. As long as no infected tissue remains, the surrounding tissue will heal.

In a case where a badly decayed tooth required a root canal, it’s possible you may need to return to have a crown fitted atop the remaining tooth. This crown would strengthen the tooth, restoring the ability to eat and drink without pain.

Depending on certain circumstances, the dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to continue fighting against an infection. These will eliminate any lurking bacteria and prevent re-treatment being necessary.

Should a re-treatment be needed, you will undergo essentially the same procedure, but the dentist will take more x-rays looking for any infected root canals that missed the first treatment.

It is very unlikely you’ll need a re-treatment, and even less likely you’d need a second re-treatment if one is already conducted.

Maintaining Your Child’s Teeth throughout their Life

Pediatric dental care in Houston is one of the best methods for preparing your child for a healthy life. Pediatric dentists focus on preventative measures that reduce the likelihood of developing oral diseases such as periodontal disease and they also keep teeth healthy and strong.

Children the world over tend to develop a sweet tooth early on in life and this can have a negative effect on their oral health.

When combined with poor oral hygiene, it can make them a candidate for gum disease and decay.

Taking Care of Your Child’s Teeth

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children visit the dentist for the first time as soon as their first tooth comes in, but no later than 12 months old.

●     This first visit should just be a preliminary examination to check on the development of the teeth as well as to introduce the child to the dental staff.

By avoiding an invasive first visit, such as if a child’s first visit is due to a mouth injury or cavity, it helps the child to build trust with their dentist.

●     The ADA also recommends that children and adults have regular checkups every six months and x-rays once per year.

These checkups and x-rays are also non-invasive, helping to continue building trust, but also monitor teeth development and perform cleanings.

●     After the child’s molars have come in, they should have them sealed.

Sealing the molars is completely painless and helps prevent cavities by smoothing out the grooves of the back teeth, making them easier to brush.

●     Children entering sports programs should visit the dentist to have a custom mouth guard constructed to protect their teeth from injury.

Recreational activities like after school sports programs can be dangerous to partake in. Sudden impacts to the mouth from collisions or being hit by a ball or puck can damage teeth, causing them to be chipped or knocked out.

●     Once they reach their late teens, they should have their wisdom teeth checked to see if there is enough space to accommodate them. If not, they may need to be extracted.

Wisdom teeth erupt from the gums between the ages of 17 and 23, but if there isn’t enough space for them, they can press on other teeth, causing pain or damaging them.

Treating Children with Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry can be used to calm children who are hesitant or fearful about visiting the dentist.

For everything from root canals to fillings, sedation dentistry reduces pain sensation and calms the patient, allowing the dentist to accomplish a lot in a shorter amount of time.

This method can be especially helpful for children who are fidgety as well.

Sedation dentistry for kids requires extensive training and certification, so you can rest assured that your child is in good hands with this safe method of dentistry.

The level of sedation is continually monitored to ensure the patient is right on the cusp of consciousness, so nothing more than a gentle nudge is needed to awaken them.

For procedures that are less invasive, not even that much sedation is needed. The amount is regulated to give them just enough for the dentist to complete all their necessary tasks, and nothing more.

Bringing Conservative Dental Care to the Whole Family

Family dentistry keeps the smiles of you, your spouse, and your children bright for decades to come.

But how do you find a family dentist in Houston that will take care of your whole family with the care and expertise you want?

The best way is to research a prospective dentist and see their level of experience, how they interact with patients, and how they are reviewed by others.

Premier Family Dental in Houston

Naba Dental is owned and operated by Dr. Rubab Mirza, who has over 10 years of experience in the field of dentistry.

She focuses on conservative dentistry and preserving teeth. Taking care of teeth means preventing issues from arising in the first place, and this is Naba’s mission.

In order to provide conservative dentistry methods, it is imperative that patients visit the dentist regularly.

The American Dental Association recommends that people visit the dentist every 6 months and have x-rays taken every 12 months.

These regular checkups give dentists like Dr. Mirza a clear picture of how teeth are developing and being cared for.

Armed with that knowledge, she and her staff can administer the best treatment and keep your teeth shining bright for many years to come.

Starting Young

As a family dental practice, Naba wants to include children in the expert level of care that Dr. Mirza and her team provide.

The best way to do this is to introduce a young patient as early on as possible. The ADA recommends that a child visit the dentist as soon as their first tooth comes in, but no later than 12 months old.

An early introduction allows the child to become familiar with the team, reducing their anxiety during future visits.

Central Location

Naba Dental provides expert care in an easy to get to location. Based within the 77057, 77056, 77063, and 77024 zip code areas, it is easily accessible for families around the Memorial and Galleria area.

This can be extremely beneficial should your family have a dental emergency.

Time is crucial in a dental emergency, and the team at Naba Dental works quickly to restore damaged teeth, lost crowns and bridges, and other dental trauma.

Whether you just like the convenience of a centrally located dental office, or you want to know you’re always within range should there be an emergency, Naba Dental is here for you.

Restorative Care

Though Naba Dental strives to provide top notch preventative care, sometimes restorative work is needed to refresh a smile.

Both cosmetic and practical restorative procedures are available, and they can make it seem like your teeth have not aged a day. And if you need to restore your bite after losing a tooth, bridges, dentures, and crowns can make it happen, all while making your teeth look natural.

Being that conservative dentistry is a primary goal, Naba Dental aims to preserve as much of the original teeth as possible. That means no unnecessary drilling and no removing teeth without reason.

Restoring your smile after an accident or decay has changed it is one of the many ways NABA Dental shows how much they care for their patients.

Restorations fit a variety of budgets and can also restore function, including speech, and the ability to eat and drink without issue. In many cases, restorative dental procedures are also covered by dental insurance.