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!

National Fresh Breath Day!

August 6th is National Fresh Breath Day! Today is a day to focus on oral health and care. We all enjoy a good cup of coffee or an extra garlic-y pasta dish but our friends might not enjoy our breath afterwords. It is easy to grab a sugary after dinner mint or chew a piece of gum but there are a few things you can do daily to manage your breath odor. In honor of Fresh Breath Day, here are few tips to keep your breath smelling fresh:

1. Don't forget your vegetables!
• Eating water-rich vegetables, such as leafy greens, can help keep your breath smelling clean. This is because the high water content helps with saliva production which reduces the ability of bad smelling bacteria to form in your mouth. 
2. A clean tongue is a happy tongue!
• There are many bacteria traps in our mouths and one big one is our tongues. Gunk gets trapped by the tiny buds causing bad breath. Ask your dentist for suggestions on tongue scrappers or simply brush your tongue (especially the back) with your tooth brush. For those of us with a sensitive gag reflex, try keeping your mouth mostly closed when you brush your tongue. A closed mouth naturally engages our swallowing reflex rather than our gagging reflex.
3. Bring the essentials with you EVERYWHERE!
• Always carry around a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss (and even a tongue scraper) just in case! You never know when a friend will invite you to an Italian restaurant to split a deep dish pizza with extra garlic. Instead of masking the odor with a mint, get rid of bad breath with the right tools for the job.
4. Drink more water!
• As previously mentioned, water encourages saliva production and discourages bacteria build up. Unfortunately, many of us do not get enough water throughout the day. So kill bad breath and dehydration all at once! Keep a bottle of water at your desk or close at hand all day long. When you feel thirsty, don't just take a sip. Count to ten while you drink and when the bottle is empty fill it up again. This will help you get enough water all day long and encourage fresher breath!
5. Say "no" to tobacco!
• Just don't do it. Nothing about tobacco is good for you or your breath.
6. Spend some time with your dentist!
• Schedule regular dental cleanings and exams about every 6 months to maintain optimal dental health. If bad breath is a frequent issue, let your dentist know! It could be a serious issue like periodontal disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist can also give you other recommendations of rinses and toothpastes for your particular needs.

Have more questions and need more answers? Give us a call and make an appointment with one of our wonderful dentists and dental hygienists! (281)646-8888 Happy National Fresh Breath Day!

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.