The Ins & Outs of Fluoride

The Importance of Fluoride

What can fluoride do for your dental health? Fluoride is an important part of preventative dental maintenance. It wards off dental cavities by allowing your teeth to become stronger against acids in the mouth. These mouth acids are caused by plaque bacteria which become mixed with sugar. When this happens, vital minerals that the teeth need to stay strong are diminished. This process, called demineralization, leads to tooth decay if the minerals are not replenished.

Fluoride for Children

Fluoride not only repairs the surface damage of the enamel, it strengthens developing teeth as well. According to Web MD, when fluoride is given to children younger than six, the fluoride actually becomes a part of the healthy development of their permanent teeth. They explain further by saying that it is important for children to receive topical fluoride treatments from 6 months to 16 years of age.

 

Fluoride Treatments

There are several groups of patients which may benefit the most from fluoride treatments performed at their family dentist. Oral care specialists have fluoride treatments in their offices with much higher concentrations than are available over the counter. If you or someone you know has the following conditions, it may be especially beneficial getting fluoride treatments from the family dentist:

• Those who already have gum disease,
• Individuals who have had cavities before,
• People suffering from dry mouth conditions,
• Dental patients who have braces, bridges, or crowns.

Fluoride treatments are typically covered by insurance for children 1 or 2 times a year and are an affordable addition to adult cleanings as well.

Fluoride and Safety

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in water and different types of foods. Many people wonder about the safety of fluoride in their water supply. City drinking water generally is not at risk of having too much fluoride. Higher levels of natural fluoride are found more often in well water. Is fluoride completely safe? According to Web MD, fluoride is safe when used at the dose intended. However, fluoride can be toxic when ingested in high doses. For this reason, keeping fluoride products out of the reach of little hands is an important precaution. However, used responsibly as an appropriate part of an oral care regimen, fluoride can be both beneficial and safe.

Ready for Fluoride?

Ask your dentist or dental hygienist what options are right for you! They might recommend that you have a fluoride treatment in the office or they might suggest a few brands of tooth pastes that contain fluoride for daily use. The perfect time to ask is at your next dental cleaning. Give your teeth some TLC and request an appointment or give us a call at 281-646-8888.

Sources: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/fluoride-treatment

Introducing Dr. Maria Messing

Please join us in welcoming our Endodontist, Dr. Maria Messing, to the Kingsland Dental family!

Dr. Messing was born and raised in Mexico City where she earned her degree in dentistry from the Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico in 2006. After practicing general dentistry for a few years, Dr. Messing moved to Houston to pursue her dream of becoming an Endodontist. After participating in the preceptorship program at the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston, she was admitted to the Endodontic Residency where she earned her Master in Dental Science Degree in Endodontics. Dr. Messing is married and has one daughter. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, loves to travel and has a great interest in nutrition and meditation.

Dr. Messing will be in our office all day on Tuesdays and every Friday morning. We are very excited to welcome Dr. Messing to our group and to further provide our patients with exceptional dental care! For appointment requests, please fill out an appointment request or give us a call at (281)646-8888.

 

Introducing Dr. Sarah Kessler

Kingsland Dental would like formally to introduce the newest addition to our family, Dr. Sarah Kessler!

 

Dr. Kessler grew up in Mansfield, Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning her BA in Biology. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the 2003 Class of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School.

 

After graduation from dental school, she ran a successful practice in Houston for several years before she decided to spend time at home with her young children, Will, Zak and Finlee Bea. In those years, Dr. Kessler became an ovarian cancer survivor, encouraged her husband, Robert, to launch his own energy research company, and became a CrossFit enthusiast! 

 

Dr. Kessler enjoys meeting her patients’ dental needs with a high quality of personal and professional service, and she looks forward to offering evidence-based care to her patients at Kingsland Dental Group.

We are so thrilled to have Dr. Kessler as part of our team! Dr. Kessler is seeing patients on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

To make an appointment, please feel free to contact our office 281.646.8888 and we will be happy to help!

Coffee and Dental Health

Can drinking coffee actually be good for your teeth? According to Boston University researchers, it is highly possible. In a 2014 study conducted by the university's Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, it was determined that coffee drinkers are not compromising their dental health. According to their findings, even habitual coffee drinkers are not at an elevated risk of tooth bone loss. In addition to this, coffee contains beneficial antioxidants which may improve overall health and actually help fight gum disease.

About the Study

This Boston University study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, involved 1,152 white males, ranging from 26 to 84 years of age. Data were collected over a period of 30 years in order to determine what effects coffee can have on tooth loss. This study on the relationship of coffee and tooth decay is of great significance. This is mainly because it is the first long-term study to examine the relationship between coffee consumption and dental health. Drinking lots of coffee isn't likely to give you a sparkling white smile, but it appears that it doesn't affect whether you will need dentures down the road or not.

Antioxidants in Coffee

Medical Daily reports that coffee may even prevent tooth decay. DMD graduate Nathan Ng states, "We found that coffee consumption did not have an adverse effect on periodontal health and instead may have protective effects against periodontal disease."

Nearly two-thirds of Americans are habitual coffee drinkers. Medical Daily says that coffee is the source of most of America's daily antioxidant consumption. It reports that both regular and decaf coffee contain various antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

According to WebMD, coffee contains special antioxidants called quinines. These antioxidants become even more potent during the roasting process. WebMD indicates that the ingredient that may be of particular benefit to dental health is known as trigonelline. This compound is what prevents dental caries and is the same thing that gives coffee its distinctive aroma.

Beware of Add-ins!

While there are plenty of benefits to drinking coffee, there are a couple ingredients that will combat the benefits of your morning cup of joe: milk and sugar. Excessive milk adds unnecessary fat content. For those that just like a splash of milk may not have a problem but there are some of us that just a splash of coffee in our milk. If you fall in that category, opt for a non-fat milk or milk substitute to cut down the fat. Another negative add-in is sugar. Sugar is what feeds the bacteria in your mouth. Drinking sugary drinks all day can lead to tooth decay resulting in cavities and expensive restorations or even tooth loss. These sugary drinks include coffee. Instead, opt for a sugar substitute or, if you enjoy your coffee with regular sugar, make sure to brush and floss 30 minutes after.

Worried About Staining?

Lucky for you, there are plenty of options along with regular brushing and flossing to keep your teeth pearly white. There are plenty of whitening toothpastes and whitening products at your local pharmacy or grocery store. For a more professional whitening, we carry professional grade Crest whitening strips as well as the KOR whitening system at our office. For more details, visit our website or give us a call at (281)646-8888.



 Source

http://dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/10680-coffee-may-fight-gum-disease http://www.medicaldaily.com/drinking-coffee-may-curb-gum-disease-new-periodontal-disease-treatment-299610 http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-buzz-on-coffee

Refer a Friend, Enter to Win a Whitening Kit!

Enter to Win a Crest Whitestrips Kit!

 

For every friend of yours that comes to see us this month you will be entered to win a free Crest Whitestrips Supreme Professional Whitening Kit (an $80 retail value)! All your friends have to do is write your name in the "Referred By" section of their new patient paperwork at their appointment. That's it! You will automatically be entered into the drawing at the end of the month!

This promotion will be held every month while supplies last so don't wait! Good luck!

 **Winners will be contacted on the first business day of the following month to claim their prize. The prize will be help for the winner for 1 week (unless special arrangements are made). Should the prize not be claimed within the time frame, the prize will be forfeited. The person you refer must attend an appointment during this month and write your name on their new patient paper work in order for you to qualify. You must also be a patient of record. Each individual referral is equal to one entrance into the monthly drawing. Please call us at (281)646-8888 or email marketing at kvesel@kingslanddentalgroup.com with any questions.

National Popcorn Day!

Popcorn is a universal snack that anyone can enjoy. From sweet to salty and every flavor in between, popcorn is a staple whether you are watching a good movie or just having a snack. But everything good comes with a price! Popcorns price are those pesky kernels that get stuck in your teeth. Not only is it annoying, food debris like popcorn kernels that are left in your gums attract bacteria and could lead to a serious infection. So in honor of National Popcorn Day, here are a few tips and tricks to removing an unwanted kernel from your teeth:

Brush and floss!

First, try brushing your teeth. The bristles are designed to remove debris from your teeth and gums. You can also use floss to get between your teeth and gums. Gently work the floss between your tooth and gums. Use a forward and backward motion or up and down motion keeping the floss against your tooth to dislodge the popcorn kernel. Rinse with water when you are finished to make sure the kernel does not stay in your mouth where it can get lodged again.

No toothbrush or floss on hand? Here are a few more options:

·         Use your tongue: Gently stroke your tongue against your tooth to work the kernel out of your gums.

·         Rinse with water: if you have salt on hand dissolve a teaspoon of water in a glass of warm water and swish it around in your mouth. Regular water may work just fine to jostle the kernel loose but the salt will help ease inflammation of your gums.

·         Use a toothpick or fingernail: remember to be very gentle when using this method. Aggressive use of a toothpick can cause damage to your gums making them even more inflamed and ultimately make the problem worse.

If all else fails or the popcorn is lodged in an area unreachable to you, such as under dental work like a bridge or crown, call our office to see your dentist! It is nothing we haven’t seen before and we have special instruments to get into those hard to reach places. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at (281)646-8888.

So don’t worry about kernels, have your popcorn and eat it too in celebration of National Popcorn Day!

Electric Toothbrushes: Pros and Cons

Today in 1937, Tomlinson I. Moseley invented the first electric toothbrush. While they look similar to today's version, electric toothbrushes have come a long way. If you have been to the dentist recently, your hygienist has likely recommended an electronic toothbrush or at least asked if you have one. This is because there are many benefits to using an electronic toothbrush along with proper brushing and flossing. If you are trying to decide if an electronic toothbrush is right for you, here are the pros and cons:

Pro: Does the work for you.

Because the brush head itself does most of the moving, the actual act of cleaning is mostly automated. The brush head is designed to remove plaque no matter which head type you choose. They are also designed to clean those hard to reach placed like at the gum line and back molars.

Pro: Takes the guesswork out of brushing.

Most brushers underestimate the time they spend brushing their teeth with a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes come with a 2 minute timer that will buzz or beep when time is up. Many brushes also buzz or beep every 30 seconds to indicate it is time to switch to the next quadrant of teeth. As a matter of fact, some toothbrushes go so far as to include Bluetooth. This feature allows you to track the effectiveness of your tooth brushing through an app on your phone. Also, if you have a problem with brushing too hard, there are electronic toothbrushes that will buzz or turn off if you get a little carried away.

Pro: Easy for kids and people with dexterity issues.

For many parents, getting kids to brush their teeth is a pain. With an electric toothbrush, kids will find it easy and maybe even fun to brush their teeth! Also, people with arthritis, limited hand mobility, or other health issues will benefit from an electric toothbrush. While manual toothbrushes require much hand movement to be effective, electric toothbrushes only require you to hold the handle while the brush head does all the work.

Con: Bells and whistles can get expensive.

There are electric toothbrushes out there with an initial cost around $20, however, if you want some of the more special features, you are looking at over $100. While this may seem daunting, the initial cost may save money in the long run. The toothbrush head should be replaced every 3-6 months each costing only $2-5 depending on the type of brush head you like. Also, by using your electric toothbrush for 2 minutes twice daily, your teeth will stay healthier longer. This will avoid costly dental visits to fix or replace decayed teeth.

Con: Some camping trips do not come with power outlets.

Travel ability is tricky when it comes to electric toothbrushes. Some come with a convenient travel case and can hold a charge for a few days however they tend to spend most of their time tethered to a power outlet. This can inhibit their ability to be taken on some trips. Luckily, when you have your teeth cleaned at the dentist, you walk a way with a gift bag containing a manual toothbrush, a travel toothpaste, and floss. This back up toothbrush can come in handy on those trips where it is just not feasible to bring your electric toothbrush.

If you have any more questions about electronic toothbrushes, call us or ask your hygienist at your next appointment!