Gumline Cavities—How They Form And Tips To Prevent Them

Cavity: a word no one wants to hear from their dentist. The story of cavities goes way back, with their age-old presence proven when a team of archaeologists discovered the teeth of our friend “John,” aged about 15,000 years old. And guess what? John’s teeth were riddled with holes because of cavities.  

 

Cavities are also very widespread today. According to a 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of U.S. adults have had a cavity and about 50% of all adults aged 30 or older have signs of gum disease. Cavities may form in the outer coating and the inner layer of a tooth, or in the gumline. 

 

Causes and complications of cavities—and gumline cavities, specifically 

 

Cavities are caused by an entire ecosystem of bacteria living in our mouths. We actually have more bacteria in our mouth (20 to 100 billion) than the entire human population on Earth! 

 

However, this number shouldn’t scare you, because most bacteria in our mouths are harmless. Bacteria in general feed on the foods and drinks you consume, and as living beings, they grow, move, reproduce and discharge waste matter. Depending on what we eat, and specifically how much sugar we consume, certain bacteria can overpopulate and cause the waste matter that causes cavities. 

 

Jus like us humans, bacteria love sugar. They use it as an energy source, and when they consume it they release byproducts in the form of acids. These acids then stick to and start dissolving the minerals that make up tooth enamel, which is the protective layer of our teeth. Over time, a pit develops in the tooth and a cavity is formed. 

 

Plaque can then build up in those pits as well as in the spaces between your teeth and along the gumline. If left unchecked, it may result in a gumline cavity. 

 

Cavities can have serious and long-lasting complications for anyone, even to children that have not developed their permanent teeth yet. Some of these complications include: 

 

• Damaged or even destroyed teeth 
• Gingivitis or even periodontitis 
• Dental abscesses, where pus-filled swellings can occur to your mouth (a dental abscess will result in severe pain, fever and infection) 
• Weight loss or nutrition problems due to difficulties when eating or chewing 

• Missing teeth, which can affect your appearance and confidence 

 

Who is at higher risk? And how do you prevent gumline cavities? 

 

Gumline cavities and cavities in general can occur to any age, and no matter the number of teeth. Culotta-Norton, former president of the D.C. Dental Society, told Live Science that some groups do have a higher risk for cavities, however, due largely to access to oral care and other factors. These groups include: 

 

• Both children and adults in lower-income families 
• Senior citizens 
• People living in areas where drinking water is not fluoridated 
• People with diseases or medication use that causes a decrease in salivary flow 

• People undergoing radiation therapy 
• People with diabetes 
• Tobacco users 
• Alcohol and drug users 
• People who consume large amounts of carbonated and sugary drinks 

 

The key to prevent cavities is good dental and oral health. The following tips will help you maintain a healthy mouth, and will highly reduce the chances of getting a cavity or a gumline cavity.  

 

Brush, brush, brush! 

 

This is the most obvious tip and we are sure you’ve been hearing it since you were a child. However, now that you know about the billions of little bacteria that inhabit your mouth, we’re hoping you won’t take it lightly!  

 

Brushing your teeth properly can keep your teeth and mouth healthy and strong. Always brush your teeth, taking care to brush down to the gumline, twice a day for two minutes with a soft toothbrush. And don’t forget to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 to 4 months. Finally, clean between your teeth once per day with dental floss to remove plaque that’s hard to reach with a toothbrush. 

 

Also be sure to use a fluoride-containing toothpaste, because according to the American Dental Association, when the fluoride compounds are present in your mouth they can actually make your teeth stronger and prevent cavities. They can even reverse early tooth decay. 

 

Fluoridated water, in particular, can do miracles in preventing cavities for the whole community. Studies have shown that that water fluoridation can reduce the amount of decay in children’s teeth by 18-40%. 

 

Diet and smoking 

 

Remember our friend John from before? John’s cavities were formed 15,000 years ago by the same thing that form our cavities today: bacteria. And although John’s diet did not contain processed sugars, the carbs from his rich in nuts–and–vegetables diet were broken down into simple sugars that bacteria could still feed on. 

 

To avoid cavities, you must stop feeding those “naughty” bacteria that live in your mouth with processed sugar. Consume nutritious foods and try to avoid foods and snacks high in sugars as well as sweetened beverages such as sodas and energy drinks. If you have to consume a food high in sugar, brush your teeth shortly after. 

 

You’re probably aware of the negative effects smoking can cause to overall health, too. According to the College of Dentistry, “smoking can do a lot more than just stain your teeth—this unhealthy habit can also lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer.” Try to quit smoking for both your overall and your oral health. 

 

Visit your dentist regularly 

 

Regular dental checkups are another key factor to reduce your chances of getting a cavity or gumline cavity. Your dentist will provide you with professional hygienic cleaning procedures that remove plaque and keep your teeth and gumline secure from cavity risk. In addition, the dentist will examine your mouth and spot other potential risks as well as the early signs of tooth decay. 

 

Treatment for cavities 

 

The idea of having an electric drill in your mouth doesn’t sound terribly appealing to anyone. But let’s get back to our friend John for a second. Archeological findings have shown that about 14,000 years ago, sharpened stone tools were used to remove bits of rotten teeth and cure cavities for John and his friend! We choose to feel thankful to have the tools available today—any drill will trump stone tools to fix tooth decay. 

 

Filling a tooth with materials such as dental amalgam or composite resin is the most standard treatment for cavities in our day and age. Your dentist starts by removing the decayed material with a drill or laser, and then fills the hole in. Cavities along the gumline are treated in the same way. However, based on the severity of the damage to both the tooth and gumline, your dentist may choose another treatment plan, such as crowns or root canals. 

 

Cavities are wide-spread and can cause a lot of complications, but they are also easily preventable. Cavities prevention starts by practicing good oral health from an early age, and decay can be later prevented with a proper diet and regular dentist visits. 

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5 Fun Tips to Tame Kids’ Temptation for Sweets

Sweet treats…a temptation for both children and parents (if we’re honest). 

 

Would you be surprised if we started by reminding you that children love sweets?  

 

Of course not! There’s even scientific evidence out there that shows children don’t just like sweets, they’re biologically hardwired to them. 

 

Julie Mennella of the Monell Chemical Senses Center explains in recent research, “the newborn can detect sweet acutely, and will actually prefer sweeter solutions to less sweet ones. The basic biology of the child is that they don’t have to learn to like sweet or salt. It’s there from before birth.” Monella’s research also demonstrated that sugar helps children tolerate pain, and that it’s a natural pain reliever for them (wow)! 

 

On the other hand, sweet treats are also tempting for parents to use as rewards for their children’s good behavior. Although it’s seemingly the quickest and easiest way to reward your child and will definitely earn a few smiles, there’s a catch here. By using sweets as a reward, we risk building a bad habit for kids because we teach them that sweets can be better than others (by merit of the fact they’re seen as a “special reward”). 

 

We come by our sugar fix naturally, but consuming too much can have shocking effects on your child’s oral and overall health. In this article, we’re going to talk about the dangers of sugar, yes, but (more importantly) the ways to simply cut down the sweets intake (and cravings) of your child.  

 

First things first—how much sugar is OK? 

 

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that children between 2 and 18 years old should all eat less than 25 grams—or six teaspoons—of added sugars daily. And yes, we are talking about refined sugar, not the natural sugar you find, say, in broccoli. 

 

The AHA goes on, “Children and teens should limit their intake of sugar-sweetened drinks, specifically, to no more than eight ounces (or one glass) weekly.” 

 

These recommendations also advise that children under the age of two should have no added sugars at all. 

 

The same AHA publications also drops the handy reminder that the estimated volume of calories a child needs ranges from 1,000 a day for a sedentary two-year-old to 2,400 for active 14-18 years old girls and 3,200 for active 16-18 years old boys. Check the sugar content on foods and drinks, because it will have a direct impact on the number of calories consumed. 

 

According to Miriam Vos, M.D., Ms.P.H, “if your child is eating the right amount of calories to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight, there isn’t much room in their food ‘budget’ for low-value junk foods, which is where most added sugars are found.” 

 

Sweet treats and sugary drinks are rich in calories at the same time that they’re poor in nutrients. Most added sugars can be found in sodas, energy and food drinks, cookies and cakes, ice cream, candies, and other desserts. And no, those don’t form part of the food pyramid. 

 

Consuming foods high in added sugars at a young age has also been linked to other risk factors such as increased risk of obesity, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, dyslipidemia and, of course, tooth decay. 

 

How sugar affects oral health 

 

You (and even your kids) already know that too much sugar will affect oral health. But let’s take a look at the “why.” 

 

To begin with, sugar itself is not the issue, rather what happens after consuming it. Our mouths are full of bacteria, many of which are beneficial to our oral health. When we consume too much sugar, however, the “naughty” bacteria will use it as a fuel and break it up, thus producing acids. These acids will then stick and start dissolving the minerals that make the enamel, which is the protective layer of our teeth. 

 

This “feeding” on the enamel will result in cavities and tooth decay. 

 

How to (realistically) cut back on your child’s sweets consumption 

 

With all those delicious temptations a breath away, and provided that children are biologically hardwired to love sweets, cutting back on candies can be a daunting task for many parents and caregivers. However, the health benefits will be long-lasting and definitely worth the effort. 

 

We even have a list of tips to make the process easier. How’s that sound? 

 

1: Make fruits the first choice to “satisfy sweet” 

 

Fruits can be as delicious as sweets, especially after a short adjustment period where the palette “resets” to natural sugars (at which point fruit naturally tastes sweeter). Plus, fruits are packed with vitamins and nutrients essential for your child’s growth. As if you needed more reason, they also have fewer and healthier calories than foods with added sugar. And last but certainly not least, there is even a connection between a child’s low-quality diet (without fruits) and performance at school.  

 

So, to make more fruit-eating happen:  

 

• Always keep fruits in sight in the kitchen 
• Have a variety of fruits available 

• Find ways to play with your child using fruits (for example, you can create structures by cutting fruits into fun and easy shapes such as snowmen and funny faces—yes, please play with your food) 
• Invent new snacks with fruits (like a fancy fruit salad with a cool name) and prepare them with your child on a regular basis 

 

2: Don’t offer sweets as rewards 

 

As mentioned earlier, the easiest way to reward your children seems to be by offering them sweets. However, you build a bad diet as well as bad habits for children by doing this because you ultimately teach that sweets are more exciting than healthier foods. Consider rewarding your child with something like an activity, hugs and kind words. In addition, you can give your child other no-food rewards like stickers or drawing tools. 

 

3: Drink responsibly! 

 

Sugar-sweetened drinks such as soda contain a lot more sugar than you realize, and they are also high in calories and low-to-nothing in what they offer in nutrition. When your children are thirsty, give them water (and set the crucial example of drinking more of it yourself). 

 

4: Keep sweets for special occasions 

 

If we’re honest, it’s realistically OK for your child to eat candies on Halloween or other special days. Let your child enjoy them, and link candies and other sweets only to special occasions such as Halloween. You don’t have to worry about one day of the year, or even two or three, but you should be careful about the rest. If your child asks for some candy on non-special days, you can consider some, but only in small portions. 

 

 

 

5: Be creative with snacks 

 

Healthy foods may not look as fancy or enticing as candies and sweets. However, with just a bit of creativity, you can make your children love their new snacks! Bright colors and exotic textures can do the trick, both of which are abundant in the world of fruits and veggies. 

 

And back to an earlier idea, you can also play games with healthy foods (gamification, we call it these days), such as encouraging your child to find the amount of total sugars on the Nutrition Facts label in foods to compare them with healthy foods they like. Or how about an apple tasting? Or letting your kids pick out the fruits in the grocery store for the fruit salad party at home? 

 

 

Cutting down your children’s consumption of sweets might look like a tough task. However, the long-lasting health benefits are without a doubt worth the effort. So, arm yourself with patience and a little bit of creativity, and remember that it’s about progress today, not perfection! 

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What You Don’t Want To Read, But Need To See, About Smoking And Your Mouth

The American Dental Association posted a recent video that many won’t want to see, but must—the negative health issues (including fatal oral health complications) that smoking can produce. 

 

The ADA’s video mixes vital facts with gripping visuals to amplify our understanding of the dangers of smoking in the only format many of us are impressed by anymore—video. 

 

The effects of smoking on your oral health goes beyond yellowing of your smile; it causes serious complications, including the very real possibility of oral cancers. 

 

Oral cancer can be aggressive and spread quickly due to the number of blood vessels in your head and neck along with the proximity to your lymph nodes. And while the use of tobacco has been on the decline in the last 20 years, approximately 15% of all Americans still smoke. 

 

Smoking’s effect on the mouth 

 

For many of us, the first thing we notice when someone smokes is the yellow tint to their teeth. The yellow “cooling” is caused by chemicals found in cigarettes that stain the enamel of the teeth. Enamel is one of the hardest substances in the body; however, once it is damaged or eroded, there is no bringing it back. 

 

Infected and receding gums are another sign of a smoker. Smokers are twice as likely to suffer from gum disease as nonsmokers. When the gums are damaged, they can pull away from the teeth and cause the bones underneath to deteriorate. And once the bones break down, it causes instability in the teeth and can cause them to become loose and fall out. This is why many smokers are lacking at least one tooth. 

 

Finally, smoker’s breath is another adverse effect of smoking that virtually all of us are familiar with. Particles from the cigarette are transferred to the mouth where they remain long after you put out the cigarette. These particles can dry out your mouth, which causes bacteria to multiply. The common lack of salvia among smokers spurs this bacteria to attach to the teeth and gum line, too, which is how periodontal diseases are caused.  

 

The most severe complication that can occur due to smoking is oral cancer. It is estimated 80% of those diagnosed with oral cancer are also smokers. Early symptoms of include swelling or lumps around your mouth, red or white lesions in your mouth, and numbness and trouble moving your jaw when talking or eating. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important you seek medical care immediately. 

 

Electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco 

 

Even though you aren’t “smoking it,” smokeless tobacco can still cause significant oral health problems. Just like cigarette smokers, those who use smokeless tobacco are still plagued with bad breath, teeth discoloration and a greater risk of developing periodontal diseases. In fact, smokeless tobacco can increase the risk of periodontal disease even over the rates seen in cigarette smokers. Those who use smokeless tobacco need to visit their dentist more frequently, since oral lesions and other complications can develop quickly and become serious if left unchecked. 

 

Electronic cigarettes are another popular option for people who want to still have the feeling of smoking but—supposedly—without the same concoction of chemicals, and sometimes without the nicotine. These devices have received quite a bit of attention as health professionals determine if they are harmful.  

 

And while these products do have the potential to reduce tobacco use, it is important to remember that no product you inhale is guaranteed safe. Using e-cigarettes can still bring your mouth into contact with nicotine. This can reduce blood flow to the mouth and cause tissues to lose oxygen and nutrients. And when blood vessels contract, it can cause gum line recession and all the other symptoms of chronic cigarette smoking. E-cigarette use can also lead to dry mouth, which allows bad bacteria to multiply and result in cavities or other infections.  

 

If you choose to use e-cigarettes to transition away from smoking, it is important you tell your dentist and continue to go to your regular appointments. Your dentist will be able to spot signs of periodontal disease. 

 

Any time you are inhaling a product—tobacco laced or not—there is the potential for harm to the mouth as well as the throat and lungs. If you are a smoker, it’s important to let your dentist know what type of product you consume so they can screen you more frequently for cancer risks and oral health diseases. 

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What Are The Best Ways To Pay For Dental Costs?

When we talk to some of our patients about the problems they face, whether it comes to dental care or oral health, we continually hear one issue: dental care is a financial burden. 

 

Some of our patients with the most complex cases admit they realized they may need to wait seek care months or years prior to coming into our office. However, the fear of the bill or the inability to pay in the moment results in them delaying care—often to the detriment of their oral health. 

 

The longer care is delayed the more complex the oral health condition becomes. In addition, it can begin to interfere with other bodily systems such as an increased risk of heart disease or complicate diabetes. If you are living in Fort Worth and in need of dental care, but unsure about how to pay, then give our office a call today. In addition, we have outlined ideas below on how to plan and afford dental services. 

 

Enroll in dental insurance  

 

Monthly dental insurance can be an affordable option if you find the plan that works for you. Depending on the benefit structure, some plans can be as low as $25 a month. 

 

While each dental insurance benefit is different, many times preventive care (such as your bi-annual cleaning) will have a very low out-of-pocket cost for the beneficiary. In effect, you’re paying for service with the premiums that will be reimbursed to the dentist by your insurer. 

 

And in addition to generally-covered preventative care, many plans also have annual out-of-pocket limits. If you or your family has had significant dental care costs this year, you might be close to your annual limit. But this doesn’t mean you will be denied services! Instead, you have hit the maximum out–of–pocket you have to pay, and the insurer will now pick up the remainder of needed services. These maximums normally run year to year, so by slipping into the next year will mean the number resets. Take advantage of these plans before the end of each year to stay ahead of bigger dental issues later. 

 

Flexible spending accounts 

 

Flexible spending accounts are a great way to save pre-tax dollars to be used for certain qualified medical and dental expenses. After signing up for an FSA, the money is automatically deposited in an account that you can draw on when you receive a medical or dental bill. 

 

And due to the tax savings, you come out ahead financially. However, unlike a health savings account (HSA) that can be rolled over year to year, an FSA must be spent by the end of the year. If you forget to spend the money, there is no getting it back. 

 

Ask for new patient specials  

 

If you’ve avoided dental care for years due to the cost, then you are probably in the market for a new dentist. Many dentists run new-patient specials that target issues such as missing teeth, deep cleaning services and consultations on other more complex services you might need. Even if it isn’t listed on a dentist’s website, give them a call and ask if they offer any benefits for new patients. 

 

And once you find a dentist you like, ask about referral programs, too! 

 

Discuss payment plans 

 

We understand that complex dental care can be expensive. Therefore, we work with you on options like payment plans to allow you to get work done while paying it back on a schedule that fits your needs. We want to remind our patients that there is nothing shameful about asking for a payment plan. In fact, we would prefer that we have that conversation instead of having to discuss complex care plans that could have been prevented if you would have sought care earlier. 

 

Our goal is ensure that all our patients get quality and affordable dental care. Your health is of the upmost importance to us. Please always feel that you can bring up any issue—including financial issues—with us, so give us a call today! 

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How Oral Health Equals Whole Body Health

The mouth is commonly described as the “window to the body” and your overall health. Did you know that the teeth and gums are sometimes the first indicator that there is a medical problem in another system? 

 

It’s important to remember that your mouth is not a separate entity separate from the rest of your body, rather an intricately intertwined consideration for your total body health. In addition to the mouth highlighting issues with other body systems, problems in your mouth can even cause problems elsewhere in your body. Think of the relationship between total body health and oral health as a two–way street. They both affect the other. 

 

Keep reading as we discuss how our oral health is connected to all aspects of our health.  

 

The connection between mental and oral health 

 

Thanks to mental health awareness and greater transparency and open discussions on the topic, there’s been more research about the connection between oral and mental health in recent years. 

 

The most common mental health conditions that affect oral health are anxiety and panic attacks, depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, self-harm, schizophrenia and psychosis. The varying severity of these mental illnesses can cause neglect of oral health routines which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. To read more about the interaction between mental and oral health, read What DentalHealth.org has to say on the topic. 

 

Oral health and small children  

 

You’ve probably heard about babies catching colds or more serious communicable diseases from adults, but what about catching cavities? That seems almost preposterous! However, researcher has shown that adults who transfer salvia to their baby may be also passing cavity causing bacteria. This can occur through kissing, sharing utensils or sharing bites of food. These germs can start the process that causes cavities even before babies have teeth, so it’s important to avoid sharing saliva with your baby right from the start. 

 

Dry mouth 

 

Side effects of medication are the primary cause of dry mouth. Medications such as and anti- histamines and decongestants—both which are commonly used during North Texas allergy season—can cause a decrease in salvia production. 

 

Lack of salvia and severe dry mouth can lead to serious oral and health complications. First, increased plaque, tooth decay and gum disease can occur in patients. Saliva neutralizes bacteria by limiting bacterial growth and washing away food particles. Other complications include mouth sores, yeast infections in the mouth and split, dry skin around the mouth and lips. Finally, saliva enhances a person’s ability to taste, swallow and digest food. 

 

Many of our older patients complain about dulled tastes, which can be tied back to dry mouth. If a decrease in salvia results in difficult chewing and swallowing, a patient’s nutrition could be affected, causing even more problems. 

 

Immune system 

 

If you are experiencing severe dry mouth (and aren’t on any medications that can cause this side effect) then you might be suffering from an autoimmune disease. Most doctors and dentists commonly associate dry mouth with Sjogren’s syndrome, which is caused by the body attacking the glands that make saliva and tears. Prolonged dry mouth can lead to an increased risk of cavities. In addition, Sjogren’s syndrome commonly accompanies other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. If you are experiencing extreme dry mouth, it’s important you make an appointment with your dentist or doctor. 

 

Is there a connection between heart and oral health? 

 

Studies have shown that there is a link between gum disease and heart attacks or strokes. It’s thought that, since gum disease is bacteria-caused, it can enter your bloodstream where the bacteria attach to the fatty deposits in the heart blood vessels. This condition can cause blood clots and may lead to heart attacks. In the absence of gum disease, scientists have found there is less bacteria in the heart. 

 

Diabetes and oral health 

 

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth that infect the gum tissue and cause plaque. Poorly managed blood sugar—common in those not yet diagnosed with diabetes—causes damage to blood vessels, which leads to oxygen restriction and nutrition deprivation to the gums and bones. Higher glucose levels in salvia create a breeding ground for bacteria. Weak gums and bone will be targeted by the bacteria and result in oral health diseases. 

 

Concerned about your overall health? The first stop might be the dentist! Give us a call today.

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The History of Wisdom Teeth

There are many milestones that mark a coming of age. At 16 you can get your driver’s license, at 18 you’re a legally an adult and most kids then graduate high school and head off to college.  

 

Just like these milestones, there are also several key dental milestones. Your parents remember your first tooth erupting (and the many more that came after), the first tooth you lost, any orthodontic work you had done, and finally getting your wisdom teeth removed. 

 

For the younger generations, most of us remember getting our wisdom teeth out over summer break or between semesters in college. However, removing wisdom teeth hasn’t always been standard. In fact, one common question we get from our older patients who still have their wisdom teeth is if we still need to remove them. Just like with your appendix, wisdom teeth are fine to have until something goes wrong or a risk is identified. And when that happens, it normally requires immediate action. 

 

If you still have your wisdom teeth, it’s important to discuss them with your dentist and determine if they could be doing more harm than good.  

 

Why do we have wisdom teeth? 

 

Sometimes more accurately referred to as our third set of molars, wisdom teeth were necessary once upon a time when our ancestors subsisted on a diet that consisted of tough meats and fibrous roots. In addition, these ancestors had much larger mouths, which could easily fit 32 teeth.  

 

However, as humans evolved and we left the hunter and gatherer lifestyle, our jaws also changed. Thanks to softer foods and more diverse diets, we no longer needed an extra set of molars to help break down food. And with a smaller jaw, 32 teeth could no longer fit properly. Due to this, complications have become common, like teeth that don’t fully erupt and become impacted. Pain and infection always follow. 

 

How did wisdom teeth get their name? 

 

Third molars have been referred to as “teeth of wisdom” since the 17th century and just as “wisdom teeth” since the 19th century. These third molars generally appear much later than other teeth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25 when a person reaches adulthood. It’s generally thought today that they’re called wisdom teeth because they appear so late, at an age when a person matures into adulthood and is “wiser” than when other teeth have erupted. We won’t comment on the “wise” nature of 17 to 25-year-olds, but we’ll agree that these late-erupters definitely come at a later stage of life. 

 

I’m an adult and still have my wisdom teeth, now what? 

 

Dentists and oral surgeons don’t recommend removal just so we have something to do! Instead, we see the problem with wisdom teeth when there is no longer room for them in the mouth, resulting in poor root quality and oddly-shaped or angled teeth. Even if you do have the space in your mouth, there is a higher likelihood that your wisdom teeth could become infected or lead to the development of other periodontal diseases since they’re so far back in the mouth and that much harder to clean. Many times, pulling wisdom teeth is a preventative measure that is done to protect the long-term health of your mouth. 

 

While there is no “correct” time for wisdom tooth removal, the younger you have it done, the easier the healing process. The procedure to remove wisdom teeth varies from patient to patient since sometimes the teeth are impacted or a patient may not have a full set. The procedure shouldn’t be painful with the correct anesthesia, and is almost always done in an outpatient setting. Proper care after the procedure is important to prevent painful side effects like dry sockets. 

 

Removal prior to wisdom teeth causing a problem or resulting in more significant dental work is important. If you or your child still have wisdom teeth and you are looking for a consultation, give our office in Fort Worth a call today!

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Dental Influencers You Should Follow

Have you heard that February is National Children’s Dental Month? 

 

That means it’s the perfect opportunity to highlight one of our favorite social media influencers we follow on Twitter: the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. 

 

If you have little ones in the house or are just curious about best practices for children and their teeth, then follow along at @AmerAcadPedDent for unique insight and one-of-a-kind tips. 

 

Below are some of our favorite tips provided by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. If you have a child or know someone who is looking for a dentist, then give Dr. Ku’s office today! We love working with your family—including down to the littlest ones! 

 

Some of our favorite tweets from major dental influencers this month: 

 

 

Ensuring your children are healthy starts in the womb. While most women assume this means eating healthy, taking vitamins and getting enough rest, it also includes ensuring optimal oral health. Women who have cavities when they are pregnant can pass the bacteria that causes them along to their children, and gum disease can lead to premature birth or low birth weight.  

If you have kids, then you know that they always seem to have an accident at a time when you can’t reach your doctor or dentist. And as we head into the warmer months (which means more play time outdoors and a higher potential for injury), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry provided an easy-to-read overview on what to do in the event of a tooth that is knocked out, a chipped tooth, or excessive bleeding.

This post speaks to something we wholeheartedly believe at Dr. Ku’s office, and which is why we are committed to providing excellent care to even our smallest patients.  

 

Maybe this is why we were named the number-one dentist in Fort Worth by the Fort Worth Star Telegram for the second year in a row.  

 

Creating a dental home for your child creates a familiarity which helps decrease dental anxiety and promote openness.  

When it comes to something as important as your kids’ teeth, parents want to take charge to ensure that everything’s done properly. However, while supervision is important, it is also good to teach being self-sufficiency. This tweet provides a good metric for when your child is ready to floss on their own teeth. When it comes to brushing, you can start even earlier. Let your toddler practice brushing their teeth and then make sure you come in and finish up for them. Creating the habit early will ensure good, lifelong habits. 

As a parent, you have definitely thought about the time missed at school for common maladies like a cold or flu. But children are also suffering from severe oral health problems and missing significant amounts of school, too. Just like good hand washing prevents colds, good preventive oral health helps prevent more severe oral health issues like tooth decay, gingivitis or gum disease. Each of these issues can strike children just as they do adults. 

In addition to this wide range of tips and tricks for parents, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry offers opportunities for continuing education that help keep our practice on the cutting edge. If you have any questions about how we serve children in Fort Worth, then give our office a call today!

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