Make New Year's Resolutions for Your Teeth

A new year is quickly approaching, so if you are like most people, you may have already started to think about making your New Year's resolutions. It is common for people to resolve to quit bad habits, save more money or start exercising. Those are all great, but what about promising to take better care of your teeth? It is easy to take your teeth for granted, but they actually play a major role in your overall health and they have a direct effect on a number of body systems. Making a New Year's resolution to keep your teeth healthy will go a long way towards keeping you healthy and giving you a healthier, brighter smile throughout 2018.

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Making a New Year's resolution to eat healthy is one of the most important things you can do for your dental health. Poor nutrition can affect your immune system and increase the risk to a variety of oral disorders, including gum disease. The natural antioxidants and nutrients found in fruits and vegetables help improve your body's ability to fight inflammation and bacteria as well as provide protection for your teeth and gums.

Quit Tobacco Products

Making the decision to quit using tobacco products is one of the most common New Year's resolutions. The use of tobacco can cause oral cancer, throat cancer, tooth discoloration and gum disease. In fact, people who smoke or chew tobacco are twice as likely to lose their teeth as those who don't. The good news is your risk of tooth loss significantly decreases after you quit using smokeless tobacco and your dentist can remove the discoloration to give you a brighter smile.

Keep Brushing and Flossing

One of the most important things you can do to protect your teeth from gum disease and tooth decay is to have a solid brushing and flossing routine. For a healthy, bright smile, you should brush your teeth at least twice per day and floss at least once per day. Without proper oral care, you may develop gum disease or experience tooth loss. Plus, not taking care of your teeth and gums can have a significant effect on your overall health, including increasing the risk for heart disease.

One of the most important New Year's resolutions you can make for a healthier smile is to visit your dentist regularly. Routine visits to the dentist can help prevent oral health problems before they start. The start of a new year is also the perfect time to make a resolution regarding the dental services you have been putting off. If you have been living with pain in your teeth and gums or are fed up with hiding your smile because of staining, schedule a dental appointment today and we can help you stick with your New Year's resolution of having a whiter, brighter and healthier smile.

KOR Whitening Offers Improved Teeth Whitening Results

Keeping your teeth white can be a challenge, especially if you regularly eat or drink foods and beverages that cause stains, such as coffee or tea. Thankfully, there’s a new and easy way to get rid of these stains and have brighter teeth again. At Kingsland Dental, we’re now offering KOR Whitening Deep Bleaching System. This innovative teeth whitening product is convenient to use and is strong enough to remove tough or severe stains. Here’s a closer look at how it works and the types of benefits it provides.

Whitening Process

The KOR Whitening system features customized trays with whitening gel containing oxygen, which your teeth absorb. This leads to the breakdown of stain molecules, including those from tetracycline and other difficult stain-causing substances.

What to Expect

When you let your family dentist know that you want to use KOR Whitening, you can expect to do the following:

• Visit your dentist to have teeth molds created in order to have comfortable trays made for your mouth.
• See your dentist after the trays are made so you’ll learn how to wear them.
• Wear a KOR Whitening tray every night for two weeks as you sleep.
• Visit your dentist for a follow-up appointment to check your results and discuss home maintenance to permanently keep your teeth white.

Benefits of KOR Whitening

KOR Whitening trays provide a number of advantages, including:

• Comfort. KOR Whitening trays are thinner than other types of trays, making them more comfortable to wear. They also cause little to no tooth and gum sensitivity, unlike other forms of whitening.
• Convenience. KOR Whitening trays are worn at night, so you don’t have to worry about trying to wear them as you’re going about your day.
• Improved results. KOR Whitening trays are able to whiten teeth by an impressive 16 shades or more, and these results are often permanent as long as you follow home maintenance procedures afterwards.

Interested in learning more about your whitening options? Give us a call at (281)646-8888 or request an appointment and ask your dental hygienist!

Oral Health Stocking Stuffers

The holiday season is here, which means that you will be looking for the perfect stocking stuffers for friends, relatives, business associates, and others. Dental hygiene products are the best stocking stuffers because they can help dental patients to fight plaque and dental disease in between dental cleaning visits. They can be amazing tooth whitening supplements after a patient receives a professional whitening, as well. Furthermore, dental hygiene stocking stuffers can give travelers the products they need to have fresh vacations and business meetings. The following are some top oral hygiene stocking stuffers for the current year:

• Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield

• Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield mouthwash is an elite mouthwash that fights bacteria for up to 12 hours. The product kills 99 percent of mouth germs on contact and continues to fight against diseases such as gingivitis. Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield has proven to reduce plaque significantly as well as freshen the breath without the burn of alcohol. The consumer-friendly mouthwash comes in three powerful flavors, which are Peppermint Blast, Wintermint Rush, and Spearmint Surge.

• Oral-B Complete Deep Clean Ultra Floss

• Dental floss is a necessity for any person who wants to maintain above-standard dental hygiene. Oral-B Complete Deep Clean Ultra Floss is a special product that stretches to fit between all of the teeth. Additionally, the floss removes food and plaque that is stuck below the person’s gum line. Oral-B Complete Deep Clean Ultra Floss is the perfect product for fighting gingivitis.

• Crest 3D White Glamorous Mouth Rinse

• Crest 3D White Glamorous Mouth Rinse could be a perfect stocking stuffer for a person who wants to maintain a white smile after a professional treatment. The rinse has special triple action formula that whitens teeth, kills germs, and protects the surface of the teeth from new stains.

• Philips Sonicare HX3351/02 Battery Operated Toothbrush

• The Philips Sonicare HX3351/02 battery operated toothbrush is a travel-size toothbrush with an advanced high-velocity dynamic cleaning system. Regular dental patients and patients with braces can receive maximum teeth cleaning from this device.

The aforementioned items are perfect items to slip into the stocking of people who are adamant about dental hygiene. You may also stuff their stockings with the number to a reliabledental team for their continued care.

Athletes and Oral Health

The rigorous dietary plans and exercise regimes could place athletes at a disadvantage where oral health is concerned and for more reasons than one. Protein boosters, high energy drinks, dietary supplement, and weight control meals mostly contain high sucrose and high acid contents that actually wear the finish off the tooth’s protective surface – the enamel.


Combining Upscale Dental Care with Athletic Regimes

Sports group experts, high profile athletes, athletic medication professionals, and dental advisors all agree and support the fact that money, time and effort is vital for maintaining the superb level of performance displayed by athletes.  They also state that basic oral care regimes can be implemented to improve overall dental health while maintaining prime functioning for athletes and stay within the budget.  Ordinary procedures like improved brushing skills and high fluoride toothpastes would deter toothaches which lead to head and neck pains that make sleeping and training virtually impossible.  The collaborative effort of proper oral care and standard dietary and training are what make the difference between gold or silver winners.

Child Athlete Dental Protection


It is recommended that every athlete, regardless of age, sex, or performance level, should have a mouth guard as part of their equipment.  All athletes should purchase and use mouth guards from the time they begin any type of sport.  The ADA works in connection with dentists and offers valuable information in their brochure, entitled Sports Safety, to inform parents and children about facial protection.

Kingsland Dental Group: Dentist with a Passion for Quality Care


For more than 30 years, Kingsland DentalGroup has served clients with the most comprehensive dental care available. We provide our clients with innovative dental techniques to keep their teeth healthy and looking great. Whether you are interested in taking preventative measures or looking to correct any “wear and tear”, we can help. Not only do we provide the basics like tooth cleaning, fillings, and checkups, we also provide:

• Full smile makeovers

• Dental implants

• Use laser dental technology

• Repair damaged teeth

• Provide KOR, the most innovative technique in tooth whitening

• The KOR tooth whitening system is the newest innovation in tooth whitening treatments.  This procedure is effective on teeth which were formerly thought to be incurably stained.  This safe, comfortable process will have your teeth looking brand new.

• Provide non-surgical gum therapy

• Perform root canals

• Insert porcelain inlays and onlays

If you have any question or would like to make an appointment, give us a call at (281) 646-8888 and one of our staff would be happy to help!

The 5 Best Oral Care Products

Keeping your mouth healthy requires more than one cleaning every six months. Even if you regularly focus on your oral care, a good toothbrush and toothpaste along with a dedicated flossing routine is just the foundation of oral health. Here are five of the best oral care products you may not know you need.

Gum Therapy
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, depending on how you look at it), gum disease is often painless, so its advance can go undetected for some time. Your family dentist may offer a procedure called scaling and root planning to help reverse the damage done by gum - or periodontal - disease. During this procedure, your hygienist will clean between teeth and gums down to the root, so you may need anesthetic. Since it’s a non-surgical intervention, it’s a good step to try first.

Save a Tooth
Getting a tooth knocked out is hardly a run-of-the-mill occurrence, but should it happen to you, Save-A-Tooth gives it the best chance of being re-implanted successfully. Especially if you live with young children, who’s rough and tumble ways heighten the chances of this happening, having Save-A-Tooth on hand can reduce the dental costs associated with getting a false tooth by upping the chances that the real one survives.

Bridges
Missing a tooth can cause problems speaking and eating, as well as jaw strain when your mouth has to work too hard to compensate for the missing tooth. Bridges correct tooth gaps by attaching to the teeth on either side and filling them with sturdy, natural-looking teeth. Bridges improve the health of surrounding teeth and jaws, and since only a dentist can remove them, they won’t fall out.

Flouride Gel
Akin to the fluoride treatments you receive at the dentist’s office, brush-on fluoride gel allows you to give your teeth the same anti-cavity protection at home. It is intended for use after you brush your teeth, and not as a toothpaste replacement. Ask your hygienist for home fluoride options at your next visit.

Invisalign Braces
Straight teeth result in more than a pretty smile; they also reduce the chances of tooth decay and loss, gum disease and jaw problems, among others. When you’re older, however, few things sound less appealing than a mouth full of metal, especially if you work with professionals. Instead, try Invisalign, which straightens your teeth without people knowing. While targeted cleaning and flossing do help, dentists recommend straightening teeth when possible.

Dental Hygiene Month - Chew!

Can Chewing Gum Really Help Prevent Cavities?

Chewing gum can be fun, but did you know that it can also help you with your oral care? Studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for twenty minutes after eating can reduce the risk of tooth decay. 

How Does It Work? 

Bacteria form on your teeth, and the longer they are there the more likely they are to secrete an acid. This acid is what causes cavities and tooth decay. Brushing and flossing is one way to rid these bacteria from your mouth, but there is another way too — saliva. 

Saliva is capable of washing away food remnants and other debris that are in your mouth, thereby neutralizing acids to help prevent erosion of tooth enamel and getting rid of bacteria that cause tooth decay. Your saliva also contains nutrients such as calcium, fluoride and phosphates; these nutrients work together to strengthen tooth enamel. 

The best way to increase the flow of saliva in your mouth is by chewing, which is where the gum comes in. With each bite your mouth will produce more saliva, and the more saliva there is the more debris and bacteria that will get pushed out of your mouth. 

Look For the ADA Seal 

Don't reach for your nearest packet of bubble gum thinking it will keep cavities at bay. You want to make sure the gum you pick is sugar free. Sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay, so chewing sugary gum would be counterproductive.

The easiest way to pick a gum that's not going to end up causing you more problems than it solves is to look for the American Dental Association seal on the package. The ADA tests gum to make sure that it is good for gums and prevents plaque acids from building up. The organization only approves gums that contain Xylitol, a natural sweetener, rather than sugar.

Gums that don't have the ADA seal aren't as effective. Be sure to ask your family dentist if you are unsure about a gum's quality. Most dentists have a few brands of their own that they know work well for oral hygiene.

Keep Brushing

Remember that gum isn't a substitute for brushing and flossing. There are some bacteria that gum can't take out, especially when it settles in between the teeth. It is important to continue brushing twice per day with fluoride toothpaste and to use floss and mouthwash for those hard to reach areas. Use gum along with your daily routine to keep your mouth clean and acid free.

If you have any questions about your hygiene then consult your dentist. It's good to take an active role in your oral hygiene to prevent long term problems. 

Dental Hygiene Month - Rinse!

This week in Dental Hygiene Month we are focusing on the third step in the Daily 4: Rinse!

Mouthwash is a great dental hygiene tool that can help to prevent oral health issues like gingivitis. When combined with the powers of flossing and brushing, mouthwash can help to effectively fight against tooth decay and to promote healthy teeth and gums. Using mouthwash with brushing and flossing, can also reduce bacteria, plaque, and prevent gingivitis. Read on to discover. Below are some of the best brands and additional benefits of using mouthwash on a regular basis.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

• Freshens breath – Mouthwash is a great dental tool because it can help to temporarily reduce bad breath. This powerful rinsing aid helps to kill the bacteria that are associated with bad breath. 
• Prevents plaque build-up – Mouthwash has been known to help keep plaque from building up on your gums, the surface of your teeth, and in-between your teeth. 
• Removes particles – Did you know that mouthwash can be used after you've eaten to help remove food particles? That's right—using mouthwash as part of your daily dental hygiene program can help to ensure that loose food particles are thoroughly removed from your mouth.
• Aid in the prevention of cavities – One of mouthwash's best features is its ability to aid in the prevention of cavities. Mouthwashes that contain fluoride can also help to strengthen your enamel.

Best Brands of Mouthwash

There are several good brands of mouthwash that are available for public purchase. They all come in a variety of flavors and types such as alcohol-free. Below are a few: 

• Closys - is alcohol and flavor free and includes a flavor add in so you can control how intense the flavor is if it all. This brand is available for purchase in our office so you do not have to make a separate trip to the store.
• Listerine -  is one of the top recommended and dentist approved mouthwashes. It is a "total care" product that fights gum disease and tooth decay.
• Rembrandt - is an alcohol-free mouthwash. It contains hydrogen peroxide to help fight plaque bacteria that can cause gingivitis.
• Scope - is a popular basic mouthwash that can greatly reduce bacterial growth. Unlike some of its competitors, it doesn't contain fluoride.
• Crest Pro-health - is a good dental mouthwash that can be used to fight bacteria for overall dental health.

It is important to remember that mouthwash is an addition to your daily oral health routine and is not a substitute for brushing and flossing. However, it is a good idea to keep a travel mouthwash with you if you are out and about and need a quick fix!

Through regular brushing, flossing, and the use of a proven mouthwash, you can help to keep your mouth, gums, and teeth healthy and beautiful. If you are interested in learning more about good dental hygiene practices call your local Katy, Texas dental experts today at (281)646-8888. We would be happy to answer any of your questions, make an appointment for a regular dental check-up, or schedule you for a whitening consultation today. 

Dental Hygiene Month - Flossing!

For National Hygiene Month, this week we are going to highlight one of the most encouraged hygiene advice by dental hygienists but perhaps the least followed of the hygiene practices: flossing! 

Flossing for Optimal Dental Health

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing at least once daily for optimal dental health. That is the minimum. The best practice is to floss every time right before brushing teeth.

Who should floss?

With the help of a parent, every child over the age of 2 years old should floss. Everyone else should floss, too. Flossing removes food particles stuck between teeth, but more important, it removes plaque. Plaque develops on the surface of the teeth in places where a toothbrush cannot reach. Removal of plaque is the main reason for flossing.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a substance that sticks to teeth, creating an environment where bacteria love to grow. At first it is soft, but in about two days, it begins to harden. By 10 days, it turns into a very tough substance called tartar. Tartar is difficult to remove and provides the perfect breeding area for bacteria. Tartar is best removed by a professional dental cleaning.

Plaque + Tartar = Gum Disease and More Cavities

Bacteria between the teeth and under the gum line can lead to gingivitis, or gum disease. Bacteria are what cause caries, also known as cavities. When bacteria invade a healthy tooth, they attack the inner, softer part, making a hole (a cavity) in the tooth. Left untreated, the bacteria continue to eat away at the inner part of the tooth all the way down to the root and beyond until the tooth is essentially destroyed. When the root becomes infected, this is very painful.

How to floss?

Pull 18 to 24 inches of dental floss from the floss dispenser. Wrap the ends of the floss around your middle fingers wrapping the majority of the floss on your left hand finger. Hold the floss tightly around each tooth in a C shape; move the floss back and forth in a push-pull motion and up and down against the side of each tooth. Unwrap the floss from your left finger onto your right finger so there is a new, clean area of floss for the next tooth.



When is the best time to floss?

Many people floss three times per day. They will have the best results. Daily flossing is essential. Studies by the ADA show that elementary-school-age children who had a professional flossing — the kind a parent could also do — once each day, at school, had a 40 percent reduction in cavities. This is an amazing difference — close to half of cavities prevented!

Tips:

• Keep some extra floss or floss picks in your purse or at your desk in your office to use after lunch.
• Set an alert on your phone to remind you to floss.
• Pair flossing with another activity. For example, some people brush their teeth in the shower. Put your floss in there too!
• If flossing just seems too hard, get floss picks. They are at almost every grocery store and pharmacy. They are easy to use and handy to keep in your purse or wallet.
• See your progress! Floss regularly for a while and you will be able to see how healthy your gums get. This should be motivation enough to keep up the habit!

If you have any questions, or would like extra advice, give us a call at 281-646-8888 or schedule an appointment with your hygienist!

Happy Flossing!

Dental Hygiene Month - Brushing!

Happy National Dental Hygiene Month!

This week, we are going to focus on proper brushing techniques.

The ADA recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes, with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of the brush should fit the mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.

The proper brushing technique is to:

1. Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gums.
2. Gently move the brush in a circular motion in short (tooth wide) strokes.
3. Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth
4. To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and brush with up and down strokes.
5. Don't forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh!

We recommend a electric toothbrush for optimal results. Not only does it make your job easier by doing most of the work for you, most brands turn off when you press too hard. Pressing too hard can cause gum recession and lead to tooth sensitivity and expensive gum treatments.

Tips:

• Set a timer and make sure you use a full 2 minutes to clean your teeth thoroughly.
• Keep a spare toothbrush and travel toothpaste in your bag or briefcase just in case you forget to brush or end up taking an impromptu trip! (the free toothbrush and toothpaste you get at your dental cleaning would be perfect!)
• Don't neglect your gums! Plaque tends to build up between the tooth and the gums and if left there can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
• Invest in an electric toothbrush! Many people find that is worth it. You can find quality electric toothbrushes for as little as $20 to $120 depending on the features you desire. They come with their own timer, some connect to blue-tooth to map your progress on your phone, and some even light up when you are pressing too hard.

Ask your hygienist to give you feedback on your specific needs at your next dental cleaning. If you do not have a routine cleaning and exam on your calendar, give us a call at (281)646-8888!

Check back next week for flossing strategies and tips!

National Dental Hygiene Month!

October is National Dental Hygiene Month! To celebrate, we are going to give you tips on how to maximize the benefits from your oral heath routine all month long! The ADA focuses on the Daily 4:

Check in all week for guides and tips to maximize your dental hygiene! This week we will focus on proper brushing techniques!

Brushing Off Cold and Flu Season: Tips for Toothbrush Care

Proper dental hygiene habits are important all year long, but good dentistry is even more vital during the winter months when various cold and flu bugs begin making the rounds. Cold and flu season typically starts in October in the United States so it is important to start taking steps to avoid it now rather than later. Practicing effective oral care will help prevent you from catching almost every illness that comes your way, but it all begins and ends at the bathroom sink.

Toothbrush Maintenance

When's the last time you replaced your toothbrush? If you're like millions of other Americans, it may be you don' t remember. But a clean, dry brush is the first defense against the cold and flu bugs of winter. One of the most important steps you can take to avoid catching cold and flu bugs involves the proper care and maintenance of your toothbrush.

The Vertical Rule

Any family dentist will tell you, a damp toothbrush creates the perfect environment for mold or bacteria to flourish. It's important to make sure your toothbrush has the opportunity to dry completely between brushing. And while this is relatively easy to do at home, it can be tricky for travelers. A good rule of thumb is to always prop your toothbrush vertically into a container of some sort, instead of laying it on the sink where water can pool beneath the bristles. At home, you can purchase a toothbrush holder that sits on the counter or some of them even attach to your mirror. If you are traveling, use a cup from the hotel or bring a plastic cup to hold your toothbrush upright.

A Clean Brush is a Happy Brush

The staff at your favorite dental office will be the first to remind you -- remember to rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after brushing. Additionally, it's a good idea to properly sanitize your brush from time to time. A few methods of sanitization to consider that will work wonders to kill the germs or bacteria lingering on your brush include:

• Running it through the dishwasher in the silverware compartment on high heat with no soap
• Soaking it in anti-bacterial mouthwash and thoroughly rinsing before the next use
• Boiling it in water for 3 minutes
• Zapping it in the microwave
• Purchase a UV toothbrush sanitizer that uses a combination of steam and dry heat.

Replace, Don't Reuse

After a bout with any sort of viral or bacterial illness, toss out that toothbrush. Many infectious diseases including strep, oral herpes, and the flu are just waiting for the opportunity to reinfect you through the bristles on your tainted toothbrush.
Most people remember to do what's necessary to keep their smiles looking great -- flossing, brushing regularly, teeth whitening -- but not everyone takes time to stop and think about the state of their toothbrush. The rule is to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months so it is a good idea to replace your toothbrush every time the season changes. If it's been more than a season since you've given your toothbrush more than a cursory glance, it's time to step up your dental game and get a new one.

Prepare for the flu season ahead of time

• Get a flu shot
• Have extra toothbrushes to replace the old one
• Stock up on supplies like tissues and medicine
• Wash your hands regularly
• Clean commonly used surfaces regularly

There is no sure way to avoid getting sick so you should to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Then, if you do get sick, you will have the supplies to get better faster and be prepared to take the necessary measures to avoid being re-infected.

What To Do When You Lose a Tooth

When it comes to tooth removal, there are really only two ways to do it: 1) go to your dentist to have a carefully planned surgical procedure to extract the tooth or 2) experience a traumatic event that results in the tooth falling out. Some of the most common ways to lose a tooth include:

• Accidental falls
• Sports-related trauma
• Fighting
• Car accidents
• Biting on hard food

Losing a permanent tooth is always a dental emergency and never something you want to take lightly or dismiss. The sooner you get the tooth and yourself to the dentist, the more likely your dentist will be able to save the tooth. Here are a few things you should do to have the best chance of saving the tooth: 

1. Find the tooth!
2. Pick it up by the crown (top portion) of the tooth , NOT the fleshy root. If the tooth does look dirty, use sterile saline solutions, milk or saliva. Do NOT scrub the root or touch it. You could end up compromising the vital tissue and cause the tooth to die.
3. Preserve the tooth for transport to the dentist in one of the following ways:
• Try to put the tooth back in its socket so it is level with the other teeth. Bite down gently on a gauze or a clean washcloth until you get to the dentist. Be careful not to swallow the tooth.
• If the tooth will not go back in place, put it in a clean container with milk or saline solution. Do NOT put it in water. Water does not preserve the tooth as well which will make it less likely that the tooth can be saved and re-implanted.
• If you do not have a container handy, you can also carry the tooth tucked in between your gums and cheek or under your tongue. Again, be sure not to swallow the tooth.
• If you have a home emergency medical kit, you can preemptively purchase a tooth saving storage device like Save-A-Tooth or EMT Tooth Saver. It may be worth it to have a kit like this handy (especially if you have kids in sports) just in case an accident happens. These kits run at about $12 to $20 and have the potential to save you thousands of dollars replacing the tooth with an implant.
  
  
  
4. Go to the dentist immediately! Here at Kingsland Dental, we always have a doctor on call. Simply call our office at (281)646-8888 to let us know about your dental emergency and that you are on your way. If it is after hours or on the weekend, our phones roll over to an answering service where a live person can direct your call and arrange for the on call doctor to see you. If, for whatever reason, you are unable to reach the dentist, you can always go to an emergency medical hospital.

What if my child's baby tooth falls out?

If a baby tooth falls out, definitely bring them in to see the dentist, however, there really is no point in putting the tooth back in. The best thing to do is comfort your child and make sure they are not in pain. Then, call the dentist for an emergency visit. The dentist will not be able to save the tooth but they can give your child antibiotics to prevent an infection and in severe cases they may give pain relievers to make them feel better. It may also be necessary to get a space maintainer. This device keeps the surrounding teeth from crowding into the newly formed gap and allows space for the future permanent tooth to grow.

What if my tooth does not come all the way out but feels loose?

It is still necessary to visit your dentist. Letting your dentist take a look greatly increases the chances that they can save the tooth from dying or falling out later and make sure that you do not get an infection.

Tips for Prevention:

• Wear a mouth guard when playing any contact sport*
• Avoid fights
• Avoid hard foods such as bones, stale bread, unpopped popcorn kernels, etc.
• Always wear a seat belt

*According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the list of sports with the most common dental injuries includes football, basketball, baseball/softball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, gymnastics, and martial arts. A mouth guard should be a standard part of the uniform for these sports. If you or your child finds that a store-bought mouth guard is not comfortable, you can get a customized one from your dentist.

Remember: Losing a permanent tooth is always a dental emergency. Seeing your dentist as soon as possible gives you the best chance to save the tooth and stave off the possibility of infection. Even if the tooth cannot be saved, your dentist will be able to give you options to replace the missing tooth in order to prevent the open space from effecting the rest of your teeth.

If you have any questions or are experiencing a dental emergency, call us at (281)646-8888.

Sources:

Health Day

Medline Plus