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!

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!

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.

Back to School!

Its that time of year again! If your children dread dental care both at home and at the family dentist, there are a few tricks to keep them interested in maintaining clean teeth.

Establish An Oral Health Routine

One of the best ways to encourage kids to fit in brushing and flossing after the return to school is to develop a teeth cleaning routine. Designate specific times in the morning and evening for your children to brush and floss. Make them aware that failing to brush and floss on a regular basis will leave deposits of plaque and a sticky film of bacteria and food particles on and around the teeth that can cause cavities and gingivitis. Twenty-five percent of children under the age of five already have cavities.

Oftentimes, it helps for the parent to participate in these activities with his or her children. Kids will be much more enthusiastic about oral health care if their parents are brushing and flossing right alongside them. Cleaning your teeth in the presence of your children will also reinforce proper brushing and flossing techniques. You'll be able to spot their inefficiencies and teach them how to properly clean their teeth instead of waiting for them to be told by the family dentist.

Proper Flossing Technique

Focus on showing your children the proper steps in maintaining oral care. Each evening, your children should thoroughly floss with a very long string of floss. You might even want to encourage them to use two pieces of floss, one for the bottom teeth and one for the top teeth. This way, they won't run the risk of transferring bits of food and plaque from one tooth or gum area to another. Always reinforce that they should never use the same part of the floss to clean between their teeth.

Rinsing and Brushing

After flossing, kids should clean their mouths with mouthwash or water to remove even more food particles. Rinsing after flossing also helps the teeth retain fluoride that is necessary for dental health. After rinsing, the kids should then move on to brushing. Teach them to brush all the way to where the teeth meet the gums. This should be performed in small circular motions and at a 45-degree angle.

Cleaning the Tongue

The final part of the daily oral care process is the scraping of the tongue with a tongue scraper or with their toothbrush. Don't just tell your kids to do it. Explain to them how important a tongue scraper is. It will remove bacteria on the tongue and will also help to prevent bad breath.

These guidelines have been suggested in different order from different people. In the end, all that matters is that each step is done in whatever order recommended for your child's optimal dental health. For more personal instructions for your child's oral care routine or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 281-646-8888 or request an appointment online!