Pediatric Dentists’ Secret to Teaching Oral Hygiene

Pediatric care requires a special touch that not every dentist has the qualifications for.

Children need to feel at ease at the dentist office, and when visiting a dentist for the first time, they likely don’t want to get right to fixing a broken tooth.

Instead, an easy introduction to the dental staff and office helps them to familiarize themselves with the environment, exploring it and seeing that the people there care just as much about them as their family does.

Encouraging Children to Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Children like to learn, though it may not always seem that way. The reason is that they like to learn their way.

Oftentimes this means exploring the world around them and doing whatever they can to interact with what fascinates them at any given moment.

Simply telling a child how to properly brush their teeth may not instill the value or captivate their attention well enough to grasp and adhere to it.

Instead, helping a child learn through play, as in finding a way for them to learn while having fun and enjoying it, is the key to instilling good habits.

When visiting a kid’s dentist in Houston, they need that kind of interactivity to help them learn in a way that engages them.

Showing them how to brush teeth using a model and over-sized toothbrush teaches them a skill but in a way where they may feel like it’s a game.

Show them all the spots to get, encourage them with congratulatory speech when they accomplish a goal, and don’t chastise if they don’t have it quite right.

Making learning fun is one way that pediatric dentists can get children to maintain healthy teeth and gums well into adulthood.

Don’t Play on Fears

If a child needs to visit the dentist for a procedure such as getting a filling, avoid using language that may cause fear, such as “drill” or “cavity.”

Instead, focus on the positives of visiting the dentist. Things like “The dentist will make your tooth stop hurting” and “When you’re done, your teeth will be even stronger!” will go a long way toward boosting their confidence.

Using Familiar Imagery to Relate to the Child

Find some way to relate a procedure to terms the child understands. For example, if a child loves superheroes, a parent could say “The dentist is giving your tooth a suit of armor like Iron Man” instead of telling them that they’re getting a filling.

Or perhaps “A dental crown makes one tooth the king/queen of your other teeth” to use a fantasy reference.

Talking to the child in terms they understand helps them to understand what is happening or what will happen. They can better process the real situation in this manner.

Certainly, as a child gets older, usually into their teens, these methods may no longer be as helpful, but parents can still encourage their child with reminders that the dentist wants to help relieve pain and prevent it from returning.

Reinforce Habits with Repetition

It’s not enough to just teach a child a good habit, even if it is taught in an engaging way.

Repetition is the key to them remembering and following through with it. As a baby, keep up with brushing their teeth for them.

When they are old enough to brush their teeth themselves, do it alongside them. As long as they keep up a constant routine of brushing, flossing, and rinsing, it will ingrain the habit into their minds, and it will become second nature.

Gingivitis Treatment in Houston: Professional or Home Care?

Nearly every American will experience gingivitis at some point in their life. Most of the time it is when they are seniors and their gum line has receded some, but some may experience it sooner.

Gingivitis is caused by bacteria irritating the soft tissue under your gums.

The bacteria can gather under the gum line if you’re not diligent enough about brushing and flossing your teeth.

Bacterial waste matter, known as plaque, is left behind by the bacteria and it can be used as a type of defense, keeping the bacteria in place despite the probing of toothpicks and toothbrushes.

If this plaque is left untouched for a couple of days, it hardens to form tartar, which can be more difficult to get rid of than plaque.

Identifying Gingivitis

Gingivitis’ most common and easily visible characteristic is causing the gums to bleed. They may not ooze blood, but rather you may notice a redness in your saliva when brushing your teeth.

This is often the first sign that people notice, but it is not always the only one present.

Another symptom of gingivitis is swollen or puffy gums. The bacteria is causing the soft tissue of your gums to become inflamed, which makes them swell.

Additionally, some people may notice a tenderness of the gums. This is less common in the gingivitis stage of gum disease, but more common in later stages.

The symptoms of gingivitis are often so mild that many people don’t notice them or pay any mind to them until they either resolve on their own or they advance to periodontal disease.

The only way to officially diagnose gingivitis is with a visit to your Memorial Galleria area dentist in Houston. They will perform a visual examination and based on the symptoms you describe, can determine if it is indeed gingivitis.

Gingivitis Treatment in Houston

When you visit the dentist, they will conduct a good cleaning of your teeth, particularly focusing on the gum line, as this is where much of the bacteria is collected.

They may prescribe a medicated mouthwash in notably bad cases, but most often you will be able to treat gingivitis at home with proper, regular dental hygiene practices.

The dentist will show you the best way to brush and floss your teeth to effectively remove plaque and bacteria that causes gingivitis.

Following this regimented course of brushing, flossing, and rinsing, you can clear away the bacteria and reverse the damage caused by gingivitis. Maintaining the regimen afterward will prevent gingivitis from striking again in the future.

While it is definitely possible to treat gingivitis on your own at home, it’s not recommended that you do so.

A professional evaluation from a dentist can, with knowledge of your medical history, determine a possible alternative source of the disease.

Gum disease can stem from certain other ailments like diabetes as well as some medications. Your dentist should know what health conditions you have and medicines you take to make an accurate diagnosis.

In some cases, a dentist may actually be able to detect an underlying disease before a doctor has officially diagnosed it.

The reason for having a dentist diagnose the symptoms and cause of gingivitis is to treat the root cause.

Improving your home oral hygiene routine is not going to improve your gingivitis situation if it is being caused by another disease.

This is why it is especially important to follow up with your dentist for scheduled appointments and regular checkups every six months.

Toothaches Come and Go. Should I See a Dentist?

Are you ready for a root canal treatment in Houston?

That seems to be a question for anyone who may need one. They try to psych themselves up in anticipation for an uncomfortable experience, hoping that maybe in biding their time the pain will go away.

The truth is, while the pain may go away, it doesn’t mean the damage does. And getting a root canal treatment in Houston is not something to be feared.

Modern medicine has come a long way and with techniques like sedation dentistry and tools like fine tipped drills, the whole process can be pain free.

But the Pain is Gone... Do I still Need to See a Dentist?

Many people think that once a toothache has gone their teeth are fine and they can go on as normal.

In the case of root canal issues, that’s not true. The initial pain you are feeling is the damage being done to the dental pulp, which is a sensitive material carrying the blood vessels and nerves of your teeth.

When the pain goes away, it doesn’t mean your teeth are better. It means that the dental pulp is dead and the nerves no longer work.

It also means that the inside of your tooth is weaker since it doesn’t have the dental pulp to fill it. This can make it more easily fractured.

What’s worse is the abscess created by the dental pulp infection could spread the infection further.

Gum disease could stem from the abscess affecting your gums, and that can lead to tooth loss and bone infections.

What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure in Houston?

When you visit your dentist in the Memorial area, you will first get a visual evaluation and an x-ray to determine the extent of the root canal damage.

The x-ray imaging will show all of the damaged roots and pinpoint the location of any abscesses. Once that is ready, your dentist can begin work on removing the damaged material and abscesses.

Next, you may undergo sedation dentistry to reduce or nullify any discomfort during the removal process.

After that, the dentist will begin drilling into the top of the affected tooth and clearing away all of the damaged dental pulp.

Your dentist wants to preserve as much of the good pulp as possible, so any roots that have not been damaged by decay will be left alone.

Once all of the damaged pulp and abscesses have been removed, the dentist will use gutta-percha, which is a rubber like compound, to fill in the roots that have been cleared out.

On top of that, the rest of the tooth, from the pulp chamber up through the crown, will be filled with a standard filling (the material of which may vary based on availability, allergies, cost, and personal preference).

Don’t Delay; See a Houston Dentist Today

Dental procedures are not as scary as many perceive. Some procedures may be more unpleasant than others, even with sedation, but the results of oral issues can be far worse.

Visit the best dentist in Houston centrally located in the 77057 area for an evaluation, cleaning, and a dental procedure that will leave you smiling.

Choosing the Best Dental Crowns in Houston

If you’ve got a cavity that is too large for a filling to take care of or if you’ve received head trauma that severely damaged a tooth, you may be considering a dental crown as an option to fix your tooth up.

Dental crowns serve many purposes, both practical and cosmetic. They can repair a damaged tooth to make it stronger, provide an anchor point for a dental bridge, or improve the appearance of teeth.

A lot of factors can go into choosing the right dental crown, so how do you choose?

Factors to Consider when Looking for the Best Dental Crown in Houston

What is the best dental crown in Houston? The answer depends on many things. Cause, severity, location, cost, and personal preference all play a role in what dental crown you ultimately get.

The main materials used in dental crown construction include:

●     Resin, which is a cheap, low damage material that prevents excess wear on the adjacent teeth.

●     Gold, a standard for crowns for centuries. Gold crowns rarely cause issues, but remain durable for years.

●     Silver amalgam crowns are also durable and can be used as a cheaper alternative to gold crowns.

●     Porcelain crowns look very natural and are perfect for front teeth.

Choosing one of these materials as the crown for your tooth may depend on several factors.

First and foremost is the material’s availability. Not every dentist will provide all of the materials as an option for crowns.

Next, for most people, is the cost. Some crowns are more expensive than others. Keep in mind, however, that cost isn’t necessarily a reflection of worth, which we’ll get to in a moment.

Another factor is location and reason for the crown.

The reason for the crown may be providing an anchor for a bridge, accommodating a large filling, or saving a tooth from severe damage.

The location of the tooth, whether toward the front or back and in the upper or lower array may affect the material used?

Teeth toward the back require the durability to withstand heavy bite forces while teeth toward the front are more visible.

Lastly is personal preference. Some people may not mind having a metal crown that is visible, but a lot do.

Crowns that look more natural are more expensive, but not as durable. This makes porcelain crowns more suited to front teeth which are visible but not subject to heavy bite forces.

Metal crowns are best for the molars which do most of the chewing. These teeth also aren’t as visible as the front teeth, so patients often don’t mind them being metal.

Cost / Worth Analysis

Does a higher price mean a better crown? Not necessarily.

All of the factors that go into choosing a crown affect the material’s worth.

A resin crown is not very durable, but it does reduce the damage to nearby teeth.

A metal crown is moderately expensive, but is very durable, albeit noticeable.

A porcelain crown is expensive and less durable than metal crowns, but looks natural.

Talk with your Galleria area dentist and discuss the pros and cons of each type of crown to determine which are the best dental crowns in Houston for you.

When It’s Time to See a Houston Periodontist

Advanced periodontal disease is as bad as gum disease gets. All the symptoms and warning signs of the earlier stages have led to this, a point where treatment can be uncomfortable, but it can also be life saving.

Gum disease stems from several possible sources, the most common of which is bacteria gathering under the gum line. It can also be a sign of a different disease altogether, which makes diagnosing the source all the more important.

Why It’s Important to See a Houston Periodontist for Advanced Periodontal Disease

Beyond the ability to treat the disease, which we’ll get to in a bit, gum disease can be an indicator for an underlying problem. Certain medications and other diseases can cause gum disease, so it’s important to know what the root cause is for an effective treatment.

 

If you’re treating the gum disease as though it’s the only problem, but it’s actually being caused by diabetes, you’re not going to effectively treat it and it can keep recurring.

By treating the source, you can prevent the periodontal disease from growing and spreading.

Treating Periodontal Disease in Houston

The early stages of periodontal disease can be reversed with a good, thorough cleaning of the teeth, particularly under the gum-line. Gingivitis, the first stage, can often be reversed at home. Periodontal disease requires dentists scrape the bacteria from teeth.

With advanced periodontal disease, however, a Houston periodontist needs to surgically remove the bacteria, which is so deep under the gum-line that it can’t be removed easily.

Most times, a procedure called open flap surgery is conducted to access the roots of teeth. The roots are where most of the bacteria are gathering, which causes adjacent tissue to become inflamed. By making small slits in the gums, the periodontist can peel back the gums to expose the roots and remove the bacteria.

Additionally, soft tissue grafts may be needed to restore damaged or destroyed gum tissue. The tissue is usually taken from the roof of the patient’s mouth, but guided tissue regeneration can sometimes stimulate the gum tissue cells to grow on their own.

Another major problem with advanced periodontal disease is that the bacteria may have reached and infected the bones of the jaw.

If this happens, the bones can become weak, causing teeth to fall out and other major issues. In order to treat this, the dentist will remove any pieces of bone that are infected and may apply a bone graft to stimulate healing.

Care After Advanced Periodontal Disease Treatment

All of the treatment methods for advanced periodontal disease treatment are uncomfortable. The patient will likely need a few days to recover. However, stopping the spread and reversing the damage of the infection can potentially save the patient’s life.

During the procedure, sedation dentistry can be used to reduce the sensation of pain and discomfort, but it may not eliminate it entirely.

The dentist does not want to cause the patient any pain, but unfortunately it may happen due to the severity and depth of the disease. After the surgery, the patient should rest at home for the rest of the day. Take any prescribed pain medications as directed to reduce discomfort while the mouth heals.

Avoid chewing or biting any hard foods for a while to prevent accidentally causing additional pain or loosening teeth. If any more problems arise after the surgery, contact your dentist immediately for a follow-up appointment.

Don’t Ignore the Signs: Early Periodontal Disease Treatment

Periodontal disease treatment in Houston can do more than improve the appearance of your gums. It can help reduce pain and possibly even save your life.

Nearly everyone will, at some point in their life, develop some form of gum disease. The severity of it varies, but some level is almost always guaranteed.

So how can you stop the spread of gum disease? Regular visits to your Houston dentist in the 77057 area can prevent the onset of a potentially horrible condition.

Early Stages of Periodontal Disease

The earliest signs of gum disease often go unnoticed or are passed off as nothing serious.

They start out with inflammation, redness, puffiness, and discoloration of the gums. Sometimes, patients may not even have any symptoms, or they may be so mild that they don’t pay any mind to them.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, visit your local Memorial Galleria area dentist. The only way to have gum disease properly diagnosed is to have it professionally examined.

Later Stages of Periodontal Disease

As the gum disease progresses, the symptoms may become more noticeable. The gums can change to a purple or bright red color, they may be very tender to the touch, and they can be very swollen. The gum line may also recede as the disease progresses.

By this point, the disease has progressed to a point where you will need a professional intervention from a Houston dentist to stop the spread of the disease.

Periodontal Disease Treatment in Houston

Treating periodontal disease in Houston relies on targeting the bacteria that causes the infection. A deep cleaning is required to remove the plaque and tartar that house the bacteria, even under the gum line.

The primary method used is scaling and root planning. Scaling literally scrapes the teeth clean of bacteria. It can be uncomfortable, so sedation dentistry may be used.

Root planning smoothes the roots of the teeth to remove any grooves that may have formed. These grooves become havens for bacteria as regular cleaning methods can miss them.

The best way to cure periodontal disease is to prevent it. Catching the signs early, especially in the gingivitis stages where it’s much more manageable, and proper oral hygiene will go a long way toward preventing gum disease from taking root.

The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your local Houston dentist every six months and to get x-rays done every 12 months. The regular visit will involve a visual examination and a cleaning to check for signs of gum disease and clear away ay bacteria that could pose a threat to developing gum disease.

X-rays can get a view below the gums finding other issues that could lead to gum disease such as an abscess in the gums. An abscess is full of infected material, and if it infects the surrounding tissue, periodontal disease can develop.

Periodontal Disease as a Result of Other Means

Sometimes periodontal disease can flare up even if the patient is good about their oral health care. Certain diseases like diabetes can cause gum disease. In fact, periodontal disease is one of the earliest symptoms of diabetes, which can help someone catch it very early on.

Certain medications can also cause gum disease. It’s important to share your medical history including prescriptions with your dentist so they can more accurately diagnose the source of gum disease and other issues.

Dental Bridges for Kids: When is it Right?

Losing teeth is a natural part of growing up, but when is a good time to consider a dental bridge for a child in Houston?

For every child, there will come a time when their baby teeth fall out and are replaced by a permanent tooth. Is there ever a reason a child would need a dental bridge?

Natural vs Unnatural Tooth Loss

Everyone loses their baby teeth. That is a fact of life. It is a natural process that provides children with an early set of choppers that clear a path for their permanent teeth to follow as they grow and their oral cavity reaches its final size.

Sometimes the loss of a baby tooth can happen because of an accidental trauma or terrible decay, but these instances of unnatural tooth loss are very uncommon.

There is, however, no natural means of permanent tooth loss. You are supposed to keep your permanent adult teeth for the rest of your life, but they too may come out from an accident or due to decay. So when is it appropriate to replace a tooth with a dental bridge, particularly for a child?

Premature Primary Tooth Loss

If a child loses a baby tooth, also called a primary tooth, as a result of an accident or severe decay, a dental bridge can replace it, but is it really necessary if their adult tooth will come in anyway?

Adult (secondary or permanent) teeth come in at certain times. The first ones come in around age 8 while the final ones may not come in until age 23 at the latest (wisdom teeth).

If a primary tooth is lost well before the time when an adult tooth is ready to take its place, the other teeth may shift to try filling in the gap left.

This will make it much harder and more painful for the adult tooth to come in later. For this reason, a dental bridge or possibly a spacer may be necessary to fill in the gap until the adult tooth is ready.

Spacer or Dental Bridge?

Spacers keep the tooth gap present, but provide an abutment for the adjacent teeth. By providing this abutment, the adjacent teeth will not shift toward the gap.

The spacer is certainly a cheaper option than a dental bridge, but it can leave the child feeling like it is more difficult to speak, eat, or drink properly.

Dental bridges restore the function of the original tooth and the appearance of natural teeth (when a porcelain or ceramic tooth is used). They can be more costly, but that added cost does come with added benefits.

Getting a dental bridge is a better option especially if the lost tooth was a permanent tooth. A lost permanent tooth gets no natural replacement, but a dental bridge can take the place of it and look natural.

What to Consider for a Kid’s Dental Bridge

Getting a dental bridge from a kid’s dentist in Houston means you need to consider a few things.

1.    Is the lost tooth a baby tooth or adult tooth? If it was a baby tooth, you may want to use a spacer instead of a dental bridge. They will cost less and the gap will eventually be filled by a natural tooth later on.

2.    How old is the child? If they are still very young, a dental bridge may not be the best option because they are a fixed size. As the child grows, you would need to get a new bridge every few years until their oral cavity has reached its final size.

3.    What tooth was lost? Was the tooth in the front or the back of the mouth? If in the front, a spacer will maintain the gap but can affect speech and eating or drinking. However, eating can be more greatly affected by a loss of a rear tooth.

With the high bite forces the back teeth endure, you may want to consider a dental bridge back there to prevent accidental tissue biting (inside the cheeks) and uneven bites.

Why Kids Dentists Recommend Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are one of the top recommended procedures by pediatric dentists. Why? Their benefits include preventing cavities and gum disease by making bacteria easier to remove.

And best of all? It’s a non-invasive procedure that doesn’t hurt one bit, meaning kids visiting the dentist have nothing to worry about.

Dental Sealants: The Painless Alternative to Dental Fillings

Nobody likes getting fillings. And any kid who’s ever gotten one can tell you it’s not a fun experience. Sure, in the end everything is much nicer once the cavity is patched up, but leading up to that point is no picnic.

Cavities can cause sharp pains that jolt you awake and they are pretty easy to develop, especially for children. Any kid with a sweet tooth is bound for a cavity at some point in their life unless they stay on top of their oral hygiene. Even with good oral hygiene, cavities can still develop in the molars due to the rough surfaces of the teeth.

In the midst of the rough surface are little grooves that toothbrushes have a hard time reaching. If plaque is able to harden within these grooves, it will protect the bacteria growing there. The bacteria will burrow into the tooth, leading to a cavity.

Dental sealants prevent this from occurring by smoothing out the grooves. A dental sealant is a translucent gel that hardens on the surface of a tooth. In gel form, it easily fills in the grooves of teeth, most commonly molars.

Once the grooves are filled in and the gel hardens, the surfaces of these teeth will be smooth, making them much easier to brush. The process for getting a dental sealant is completely painless, which is one of the top fears of kids visiting the dentist.

This painless application of the dental sealant can save a lot of pain that would come as a result of getting a cavity.

Do Only Kids Need Dental Sealants?

Young adults and older adults can also benefit from dental sealants. The sealant is not, unfortunately, permanent. They will last a few years, but eventually the grooves will reform, and need to be filled again.

And molars are not the only teeth that can develop these grooves. Adults who have a habit of grinding their teeth may be creating grooves on their other teeth, but dental sealants can be used on them as well to prevent cavities from forming.

The Importance of Care and Checkups

Even with dental sealants, people young and old are at risk of developing cavities if they don’t regularly brush and floss.

Regular checkups at the dentist every six months will also prevent cavities, as your Memorial area Houston dentist can perform a deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.

Taking good care of your teeth not only keeps them healthy looking and bright, it also prevents bacteria from causing cavities and infections in your mouth.

You can avoid the pain of a cavity and need for a filling by getting dental sealants in Houston today.

Sedation Dentistry: A Dream in Houston

Sedationdentistry is one of the best tools available to a dentist in Houston. It provides the best method for keeping patients calm, relaxed, and free of pain.

Some dental procedures can be uncomfortable, and some patients are always nervous, whether or not they might experience discomfort. Sedation dentistry can work for both situations.

Relaxing Patients with Sedation Dentistry

At some point in our lives, everyone is a little nervous about visiting the dentist. For some though, that nervousness may prevent them from even going to the dentist.

With that level of anxiety, the patient can most certainly benefit from sedation dentistry. The sedation is perfectly safe and continually monitored to administer the lowest necessary dose to keep the patient relaxed.

For children who are constantly in motion and difficult to keep still, a visit to the dentist can take a lot longer and may require several visits to accomplish a single procedure. With sedation dentistry forkids in Houston, a little bit of nitrous oxide “laughing gas” can calm the child down without causing any negative effects.

The most common side effect to any sedation dentistry is drowsiness, as the sedation, in higher doses, can put the patient to sleep. In many cases, it’s not necessary for the patient to be asleep.

On the contrary, the dentist may need the patient to remain awake to receive instructions such as moving their head or opening their mouth wider.

Some procedures that are more invasive may allow for the patient to be just barely asleep. In this state, the dentist can accomplish a lot of work in a shorter amount of time, and to the patient, time seems to fly by and the procedure is over before they know it.

Taking Care After Sedation Dentistry

While the use of sedation dentistry is perfectly safe, it is strongly advised against driving or operating machinery after using sedation dentistry. The feeling of drowsiness, and possibly feeling “out of sorts” or incoherent, can cause a patient to have delayed reactions.

It is strongly recommended that a friend or family member drive the patient to and from the dental appointment and that the patient get as much rest at home after their appointment.

For patients who use nitrous oxide gas, the effects generally wear off within a few hours, but care should still be taken to avoid any mishaps.

Finding the Best Dentist for Sedation Dentistry in Houston

Some people may just do a web search to find a dentist that is close by in a convenient location. But there can be a lot more criteria that help narrow your search.

A convenient location, such as in central west Houston in the Tanglewood area, can be nice. But also finding a dentist who can take care of both children and adults would be best for families. When looking for a kid’s dentist in Houston, one near a school can also make timing appointments easier.

And of course, you’ll want a dentist that can provide sedation dentistry. Even if you or children feel like you can handle the dentist, it’s always good to have the option for a pain free, dream like dental experience.

Your New Houston Dentist

Searching for the best dentist in Houston can feel like an arduous task. So many dentists in the city, so many references to search through, and so many opinions on who does the best work.

At Naba Dental, the team led by Dr. Rubab Mirza stands on their reputation and commitment to excellence in the community.

Dr. Rubab Mirza emphasizes conservative dentistry, which focuses on preventing tooth decay and gum disease through regular checkups and proper oral hygiene.

She has worked in the dentistry field for over a decade, helping families develop and maintain healthy teeth. Her strength as a pediatric dentist has provided a way for children to feel comfortable in a dental setting with warm friendly faces and an inviting atmosphere.

Finding a Houston dentist that specializes in both adults and children takes more effort in searching due to the extra qualifications needed to be able to treat both. The qualifications for pediatric dentists are considerably more robust, and many dentists who work with children will only work with children.

However, at Naba Dental, the whole family is able to be seen by a single Houston dentist. And with a convenient location in west central Houston, near the Galleria, Memorial, and Tanglewood areas, it’s easier than ever to visit the best family dentist around.

Helping Children Feel Relaxed at the Dentist

The staff at Naba is welcoming and loves to interact with children, helping them feel at ease, particularly when it’s a new place for them.

Familiarity with the staff helps a child’s fear of the dentist and the gentle approach of Dr. Rubab Mirza and her staff keeps them calm through any procedure.

If a child is still uncomfortable with dental visits, sedation dentistry can be used to put their minds at ease. Sedation dentistry provides a completely safe, constantly monitored state of relaxed calm for a child through the use of nitrous oxide gas or IV sedation.

These methods reduce pain and awareness of time, making it seem like the dental visit goes by much faster for the child. And the interactivity between the staff and children makes them feel welcome and part of the Naba family.

Top Dental Services

With an emphasis on conservative dentistry, many procedures are non-invasive, consisting of cleanings, dental sealants, and general oral health checkups. In the event treatments are needed, Naba Dental is fully equipped to deal with any problem.

Repairing decayed teeth with fillings and root canals, fixing a broken tooth, and creating a brand new tooth to replace a lost one are just some of the procedures Naba is capable of. In addition, support services like sedation dentistry are available for patients who are nervous about having a procedure done.

Care for Both Teeth and Gums

Caring for your teeth is only half of the equation. Your gums are equally important, and making sure they are in good health will in turn maintain good health for your teeth. Gum disease can be a particularly devastating problem in its later stages, making conservative dentistry a must to avoid plaque buildup and the onset of periodontal disease.

At Naba Dental, you get the whole package. Affordable dental and periodontal care for the whole family all in one convenient location. 

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Your wisdom teeth are somewhat of a mystery. While many would think anything having to do with wisdom being a mystery sounds strange, it’s still more or less true.

Wisdom teeth are what’s known as a vestigial organ. They are one of several that the human body has, actually. Other vestigial organs include the appendix and the coccyx, known to most as the tailbone.

Vestigial organs are ones that have stuck around with our bodies throughout the centuries despite having lost their original function. No one is entirely sure what the appendix does, though some scientists believe it may have been designed to digest plant matter more effectively.

Your wisdom teeth are another mystery. Everyone has two molars at either end of the upper and lower arrays of teeth, but the third set, and sometimes a fourth set, which come in later in life seem to serve no purpose.

Seeing as teenagers have no trouble chewing food before the wisdom teeth show up between the ages of 17 and 23, it seems like the extra choppers are unnecessary.

It is possible that the extra set (or sets) of molars may have been left over from a time when humans had more elongated faces, rather than their more rounded shape today.

The extra teeth would have been useful for grinding down large bites of food within the larger mouth cavity.        But because our skull shape has changed over the millennia, the extra set of teeth doesn’t always fit.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Houston

As a result of the smaller oral cavities, wisdom teeth sometimes cannot fit in a person’s mouth without pushing against adjacent teeth.

This can lead to toothaches, gum disease, and an uneven bite. Wisdom teeth that remain impacted (partially or totally covered by the gums) can cause gum disease to flare up.

It is for these reasons that Houston dentists often recommend getting wisdom teeth removed. They can be a major burden if there is insufficient room to accommodate them.

Regular visits to the dentist will give your local Tanglewood area dentist a good idea of how the teeth are developing in a child and teen. By age 20, the dentist will know for sure whether the wisdom teeth are going to pose a problem for the patient.

If they are going to be a problem, the best thing to do is to have them removed all at once. The recovery time for wisdom teeth removal is one to two weeks at best, so removing one at a time can be a burden.

If there are only one or two teeth that will cause a problem, then only those teeth need to be removed. The others can be removed as well, but it usually isn’t necessary.

Procedure for Removing Wisdom Teeth

First, your Houston dentist will determine which teeth should be removed. You may have them extracted that day, or it could be scheduled for a later date.

On the day of the extraction, you may want to take some pain medication just before your appointment to reduce discomfort at the start of the operation.

Local anesthetics and sedation dentistry can be used to help lessen the discomfort. Once the teeth are removed, you will be removed from any sedation. The feeling of drowsiness or discombobulation will take up to a couple hours to pass. It is best to have someone drive you home.

When you get home, get plenty of rest. Avoid probing the surgical sites with your tongue or any other object to prevent the sites from bleeding.

If they do bleed, firmly, but gently bite down on a piece of gauze for 30 minutes. You can also use a moist tea bag, as the tannin acid in the tea constricts blood vessels and slows bleeding.

Avoid any strenuous activity for a few days and don’t eat anything hard or crunchy. Swelling should peak around day 3 or 4 and decrease after that.

Affordable, Proactive Family Dentistry in Houston

When is the last time you went to the dentist? If it’s been more than six months, it’s been too long! Keeping up with your regular checkups at your local Houston dentist in the Memorial area will keep your teeth healthy.

 

Dentists strive to prevent disease rather than solely treating it. That is the main purpose of the visit to the dentist.

Proactive care for your teeth means fewer problems to deal with later in life. It also means that if a problem does arise, your dentist will catch it earlier, making treatment much more effective.

Proactive Dental Care

Of course, the first part of proactively caring for your teeth is brushing, flossing, and rinsing your teeth at home. But this is just one part of a very big equation.

Brushing your teeth loosens food particles and bacteria (mostly found in plaque) from your teeth. It also helps strengthens your teeth replenishing the minerals that keep teeth strong.

Flossing also helps to loosen food particles and bacteria, but moreso between teeth and just below the gum line.

Mouth rinses flush out the loose particles as you swish the minty solution around and spit it out.

Unfortunately, even with all of these methods, bacteria can still hide out of reach. One of the most common locations is on top of the molars in the back of your mouth.

This area has a rough surface, making it easy for bacteria to take hold. Professional cleanings target these areas along with many others to get rid of all possible bacteria.

Affordable Family Dentistry

Finding a dentist that not only takes care of your teeth, but your kids’ teeth as well makes it much easier to protect your whole family’s teeth.

On top of that, finding an affordable dentist makes it that much easier to go on a regular basis.

Naba Dental is Houston’s premier dentist that specializes as an affordable kids dentist in the Memorial Galleria area.

From the first tooth, your family is protected by an expert team led by Dr. Rubab Mirza. Dr. Mirza loves children, and as a pediatric dentist, she is capable of providing them with a incredibly high level of care that encourages and comforts your child through any procedure.

In Depth Care that Identifies and Prevents Disease

The condition of the teeth and gums can tell a lot about a person’s overall health.

With regular checkups, your Houston dentist performs a thorough visual examination of your teeth, and at least once per year, x-rays should also be conducted.

These two methods combined can give clear insight into how a patient is doing and how their oral health is.

If an issue is present, the x-rays may detect an abscess or other issue under the gums. Visual examinations show if the gum line is receding, discoloration of the gums or teeth, and many other aspects.

If you regularly see your dentist, these issues can be caught very early in their development. The sooner issues are caught and treatment is administered, the greater the chances of stopping disease and reversing damage.

Nearly Half of Americans have Periodontitis. Do You?

Periodontal disease affects 47.2% of Americans according to a 2011 report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That percentage also includes 70.1% of Americans aged 65 and older.

That means that almost half of all Americans will experience gum disease in their lifetime. And that 7 out of 10 seniors will experience it.

That is a very high number, but it also includes all form of periodontal disease, from mild to severe.

Most people don’t focus too much on mild cases of periodontal disease in Houston as the symptoms are rarely debilitating and they can often subside with a little extra home care.

However, periodontal disease is a serious threat to people’s health. If left unchecked, it can lead to serious infections, abscesses, tooth loss, and bone infection.

Periodontal Disease Treatment in Houston

Houston periodontists pinpoint periodontal disease through a listing of symptoms described by the patient and a visual examination of the teeth and gums.

Periodontal disease is characterized by:

●     Tender, painful gums

●     Swollen gums

●     Gums that are discolored, usually purple or bright red

●     Loose teeth, or space developing between teeth

●     Pus around the gum line

●     Perpetual bad breath or a bad taste

These are the primary symptoms of gum disease, but it’s important to know that gum disease doesn’t always exhibit symptoms, especially in the early stages.

To treat periodontal disease in Houston, dentists will perform scaling and root planing.

X-rays are taken to determine the extent of the infection under the gums.

Scaling scrapes bacteria off of the teeth. The bacteria has gotten deeply rooted below the gumline and caused the infection to flare up. By scraping it out, your body is able to fight the infection.

Root planing smooths out the roots of your teeth. Any grooves or rough surfaces are prime areas for bacteria to cling to, just out of reach from conventional cleaning methods.

Once the bacteria has been cleared out and the surfaces are smoothed out, the periodontal disease should clear up on its own. Your Tanglewood area dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to fight off any residual bacteria that may be present.

Risks Associated with Periodontal Disease in Houston

There are certain risk factors that increase the chances of developing periodontal disease.

●     Gingivitis
This early form of gum disease can advance to full blown periodontal disease if it is not cleared up in the early stages.

●     Smoking
The chemical found in cigarettes weaken and damage the gingiva (gum tissue), causing it to recede. This allows bacteria easier access to the roots of teeth.

●     Diabetes
Certain medical conditions like diabetes increase the likelihood of developing periodontal disease.

●     Nutrition and Oral Hygiene
Certain foods, especially when mixed with poor oral care, can lead to periodontal disease. Avoid high sugar and acidic foods and drinks to reduce the chance of getting gum disease.

●     Poor Fitting Dental Implants
From crowns to bridges, poorly constructed and ill fitting dental implants make havens for bacteria to collect. They can protect the gum line, allowing the bacteria to hide from normal care.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Taking care of your teeth at home is essential to preventing periodontal disease. But, so too is a visit to the dentist.

See your Memorial / Galleria dentist every six months for a visual exam and cleaning to check for and prevent gum disease. Every 12 months, you should also have x-rays taken to ensure nothing is happening out of sight.