5 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Smile

Maintaining a healthy smile is important for both the appearance of your teeth and the overall health of your mouth. Here are some tips for keeping your smile bright and healthy:

1. Brush Teeth Every Time You Eat

Proper tooth brushing is essential for removing plaque and preventing tooth decay. Use a toothbrush with soft or medium bristles and a fluoride toothpaste, and make sure to brush for at least two minutes each time. It’s important to brush your teeth thoroughly, including the fronts, backs, and tops of your teeth, as well as your tongue.

2. Floss Daily

Flossing helps to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Be sure to floss at least once a day to keep your mouth healthy. If you find traditional flossing difficult, there are many alternative options available, such as water flossers and interdental brushes.

3. Eat a Healthy Diet

A balanced diet is important for the health of your teeth and gums. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, as these can contribute to tooth decay. Choose foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Water helps to rinse away food particles and bacteria from your mouth, helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Aim for at least eight cups of water a day.

5. Get Comprehensive Dental Care

Regular visits to your dentist in Katy, TX are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile. This might include filling cavities, repairing damaged teeth, or treating gum disease. Don’t neglect your dental care – it’s easier and less expensive to prevent problems from occurring than it is to fix them once they happen.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come. Contact your dentist in Katy, TX today to book your appointment!

Are You Flossing Effectively?

Practicing good oral hygiene requires daily brushing and flossing: Removing the sticky biofilm on the teeth (i.e., plaque) and trapped food particles (i.e., debris) helps the teeth and gums remain healthy. Effective flossing is just as important as brushing because the floss reaches places in the mouth that the toothbrush cannot. Disregarding these areas could result in dental issues, including swollen gums that bleed, which may be the onset of gum disease (aka gingivitis). Left untreated, the gum line may begin to recede.

Effective Flossing Helps Prevent Gum Disease

Using traditional floss incorrectly increases the risk of developing a dental issue (e.g., tooth decay, a receding gum line).

Here is the correct way to use traditional floss:

  1. Brush before flossing.
  2. The floss should be about 24 in (61 cm) long. This long strand ensures the floss is easy to grip and there is a fresh section available when switching from one set of teeth to the next. Using the same section of floss between more than one set of teeth defeats the purpose of flossing: The plaque and debris removed from the first set of teeth is transferred to the next set of teeth.
  3. Loosely wrap the ends of the floss several times around the middle finger of each hand. This anchors the floss.
  4. While holding the floss between the thumbs and index fingers, slide the middle section between two teeth.
  5. Gently move it back and forth, up and down.
  6. Slide a new section of floss between another set of teeth, once again, clear away the debris and plaque using the up and down, back and forth motion.
  7. Repeat these actions with each set of teeth.
  8. Swish mouthwash or water around. Then spit it out.By spitting the mouthwash or water out in the sink, the plaque and debris no longer remain in the mouth.

To maintain a healthy mouth and prevent gum disease, floss at least once a day and remember to have a dental cleaning every six months.

If you think you may have gum disease, and you reside in the Houston or Katy, Texas, area, contact Chloe Dental today. You can click here to use the online form to request an appointment at your closest office. Or, if you prefer, you can make an appointment with a dentist at the Katy, Texas, location, at 281-578-3300 or the Houston location, 281-800-2019 to make an appointment.

Is There Any Help For Receding Gums?

Receding gums is a condition where the gums pull back from the teeth. The phrase “long in the tooth” refers to receding gums, because the condition exposes more of the surface of the teeth. Although receding gums are quite common, that doesn’t mean it’s okay. In fact, healthy teeth shouldn’t have receding gums. Thankfully, there is treatment available for this condition.

Mild Receding Gums Treatment

If you need receding gums treatment in Katy, TX, book an appointment with your dentist. The sooner you have receding gums treated, the more simple the treatment.

If you have only a mild case of receding gums, then a thorough dental cleaning may be all that’s needed. If the receding gums are a little bit worse, then your dentist will have you undergo a scaling and root planing treatment. This gets rid of tartar and plaque that has accumulated beneath the gum line. Your dentist may also prescribe an antibiotic to get rid of harmful bacteria.

Major Receding Gums Treatment

If you have a more serious level of receding gums, you may need oral surgery. This may be called for if there is a lot of bone loss or if your gum pockets are excessively deep.

Open flap scaling and planing is an oral surgical technique where the gum tissue is folded back so the dentist in Katy, TX can thoroughly get rid of the harmful bacteria. Then the gum tissue is put back in place.

If there is significant bone loss, then bone regeneration treatment may be needed. In this treatment, regenerative material is added before the gum tissue is put back in place over the teeth.

Note that receding gums can be indicative of periodontal disease. If your condition has progressed to this state, other treatments may be needed to get your oral health to the state where it should be. Don’t hesitate to book an appointment today if you have signs of receding gums. Contact us today to book now.

Do I Really Need to See the Dentist Every 6 Months?  

How often do you go to the dentist? If you’re not seeing the dentist in Katy and Houston every six months, then you could be negatively impacting your oral hygiene! Seeing the dentist twice per year is important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If you haven’t been keeping up with your dental appointments, here’s what you need to know.

Benefits of Seeing the Dentist Every 6 Months

There are many benefits of getting a dental exam in Katy and Houston every six months!

  • Catch oral problems in their early stages. Your dentist will be able to identify oral hygiene problems before they become serious, so you can get treatment.
  • Keep your teeth looking beautiful. Teeth can get stained if they’re not kept clean. Going to your dentist on a regular basis can prevent this from happening!
  • Prevent pain. When you catch oral hygiene problems in their early stages, you can prevent painful problems like cavities and infections. Seeing the dentist regularly can make chewing and smiling more comfortable overall.

What to Expect When Seeing the Dentist

When you see the dentist, you’ll get a cleaning every time. The oral hygienist will scrape plaque and tartar away from the teeth. You may get a fluoride treatment and x-rays, and your dentist may provide you with a dental exam to check for problems like cavities, cracked teeth and more. Let the dental professionals know if you have any questions about your dental health, or if you need a tutorial on tooth brushing.

Make An Appointment Today

Want to keep your teeth healthy? Make an appointment with Chloe Dental today. Our dental professionals can help you maintain healthy teeth while avoiding stains, cavities and more. Call to make an appointment.

 

3 Ways to Support Rapid Recovery After Oral Surgery

Whether you are having your wisdom teeth removed or something else, oral surgery in Houston, TX will usually involve a brief period of recovery while your mouth heals. To make sure your recovery goes by as smoothly and quickly as possible, there are a few small things you can do after your procedure. Here is a closer look at some tips to support your recovery after oral surgery.

1. Get rest with your head elevated

Your body heals well when you are resting, so make sure you pencil in time to get enough of it. When you do rest, try to keep your head elevated. This prevents excess fluid from accumulating in your mouth, which may help keep swelling at bay.

2. Use ice or warm salt water to deter inflammation

Swelling after oral surgery is normal, but too much inflammation can interfere with the healing process. Using an ice pack on your cheeks or mouth from the outside can soothe some of the inflammation. Likewise, the dentist may recommend rinsing your mouth with salt water to help draw out excess fluids.

3. Keep your mouth as clean as possible

Whether the dentist tells you to stick with a soft diet or regular foods, make sure to keep your mouth clean. Food particles can contribute to bacterial growth in your mouth. Without precautions, this could put the surgical site at risk of infection. Swish with water after a meal and you should be fine.

Discuss Your Recovery with Your Houston Dentist

Oral surgery can feel like an intimidating endeavor, but with the right plan for recovery in place, you and your mouth will be back to good in no time. Ready to discuss your oral surgery needs with a dentist in Houston, TX? Reach out to us at Chloe Dental to schedule a consultation.

Is Your Child Ready For Their First Dentist Appointment?

Your child’s first dentist appointment should be a positive experience. After all, your child’s first trip to the dentist can establish a life-long trust in the dentist, which can help set up your child for maintaining good oral hygiene.

Seeing the dentist the for the first time can make some kids nervous, while others are uncomfortable around adults they don’t know. There are many things you can do to ensure that your child’s first trip to the dentist starts off right. Here’s what to know when taking your child to the dentist for pediatric dental services in Katy TX.

When to Bring Your Child to the Dentist

It’s important to know what to expect when you bring your child to the dentist for the first time. Depending on your child’s age, the dental appointment may be a very short examination of your child’s few existing teeth, or the appointment may consist of a more extensive cleaning. You will be allowed to be with your child either way, so you can provide some comfort and reassurance.

How to Pick a Pediatric Dentist

The dentist you choose for your child’s first visit is important! Look for a dentist with pediatric experience, who knows how to reassure pediatric patients and make them feel comfortable. To find a pediatric dentist for your child, call dentists in your area and ask them about their experience serving young patients.

How to Prepare Your Child

Tell your child days in advance that they’ll be going to the dentist. You can help them get used to the idea by telling your child about your own experiences with the dentist in Katy, TX. Preparing your child will help set them up for success.

Why You’re Going to Love Solea Laser Dental Technology

What do you fear the most about visiting your dentist? Is the noise of the drill? Is it that initial shot to numb your gums? Maybe it’s the sight of your own blood on the gauze used to clean up. Regardless, we know dental appointments fill most people with dread. That’s why patients love our Solea Laser technology. Using the Solea Laser, Chloe Dental, your dentist in Katy, TX, can clean cavities and prepare teeth for fillings without the pain, noise, and frustration of traditional methods. Here’s everything you need to know about the use of the Solea Laser.

What Is Solea Laser Technology?

Solea Laser uses advanced science to pinpoint and remove damaged tooth enamel. Because the procedure is painless, no anesthesia is needed. Instead of using a drill to clean and prepare teeth for fillings, your dentist uses the laser to remove infected areas.

What Are the Benefits of Solea Laser Treatment?

The benefits of Solea Laser treatment are multiple. They include:

  • Less noise
  • Less vibration
  • No shot needed to numb the area
  • No need for prep time or recovery time from anesthesia
  • Reduced patient stress
  • Shortened procedure time
  • Faster recovery times

Dentists love using the Solea Laser because it cuts down on prep and recovery times, allowing them to help more patients in a day. Patients love this technology because it’s safe, effective, and worry-free. There’s never a reason to fear your appointments with Chloe Dental in Katy, TX, because Solea Laser technology makes quick, painless work of your procedures.

When you’re ready to learn more about laser fillings in Katy, TX, call Chloe Dental to schedule a consultation. At Chloe Dental, you’ll love the ease with which we get you in and out and back to your regularly scheduled day.

3 Things to Do Today to Lower Risks of Gum Disease

While most people give a lot of focus to keeping their teeth healthy, one just as important aspect of your oral health is the periodontal tissue (gums) that supports your teeth. The gums support and protect your teeth, so they, too, must be aptly protected. Many people end up needing periodontal treatment in Houston, TX due to gum disease, but there may be ways to prevent the problem. Check out a few changes you can make today to lower your risk of gum disease.

Stop using tobacco products

People who smoke cigarettes are four to five times as likely to develop gum disease than people who do not. The risk is more profound the more you smoke. Even people who use smokeless tobacco are at risk of gum disease. If you are a smoker, quitting is always recommended for the betterment of your health, but this may also protect your gums.

Make sure you floss

Flossing your teeth when you brush every day is such a small task, but it is also an oral hygiene routine that is most neglected. When you floss, you are getting the small bits of debris and bacteria that hang out next to the gum line, which can help thwart the risks of bacterial growth and periodontal disease.

Invest in therapeutic mouthwash

Therapeutic mouthwash is specifically formulated with ingredients that can naturally lower the levels of bacteria you have in your mouth that can be related to gum disease. Look for products that are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) and state that the product is anti-gingivitis.

Find Out About Gum Treatment in Houston, TX

Because your gums are a major player in your overall oral health and the appearance of your smile, it is ever-important to work with a Houston dentist to keep them healthy. If you have issues with your gums, reach out to us at Chloe Dental to schedule an appointment.

Is Dental Care Important for Patients with No Teeth?

Research suggests that about 40 million individuals in the United States are completely edentulous, which means they have lost all of their permanent teeth. If you have lost all of your natural teeth, is dental care still important? Yes. Here is a look at why comprehensive dental care in Katy, TX is still important.

Oral Cancer Assessments

Risks for oral cancer can elevate as you get older, and those risks do remain even if you no longer have your natural teeth in place. The screenings for oral cancer are simple and can be done with a general oral health checkup.

Periodontal Health Exams

The periodontal tissue makes up a large portion of the oral cavity. While the common misconception is you don’t have to worry about your gums if you have no teeth, the opposite can be true; you may have more concerns to consider. Lesions, abscesses, injuries are more likely to affect the gingival tissue if you have no teeth to protect it.

Monitoring Bone Height Issues

Jaw bone height can naturally decline when teeth are pulled. If you wear dentures, retaining as much bone height as possible is important to make sure your dentures continue to work with your jaws. During oral health checkups, the dentist will examine bone height and look for signs of deterioration. If bone loss is detected, there may be solutions that can help.

Tend to Your Oral Health with the Help of a Katy Dentist

Your oral health is exceptionally important, even if you have lost your teeth. Plus, you may have a number of options available when it comes to smile restoration, such as dental implants in Katy, TX. If you would like to know more about taking care of your mouth, reach out to us at Chloe Dental to schedule an appointment.

What is Dental Implant Restoration?

Dental implant restoration in Houston and Katy, TX is available for patients who need to replace a missing tooth. Dental implants consist of three essential components, but the visible result is an artificial tooth takes the place of the missing tooth. The implant itself is surgically placed inside the jawbone, where it holds in place a faux “root,” which replaces what used to be the tooth’s natural root. Then, a dental screw is installed in that dental implant, and the crown is installed atop that screw. The crown is the part that looks like the natural tooth.

What is Dental Implant Restoration?

Dental implant restoration is simply the process of restoring healthy teeth and gums with the use of dental implants. The restoration that is referred to has to do with the restoration of the smile, and the restoration of a correct bite in the patient’s mouth. Dental implants in Houston and Katy, TX are done on a frequent basis to help patients regain their smile and their confidence.

How Long is the Dental Implant Restoration Process?

When you get dental implants in Houston or Katy, Texas, your dentist will tell you all about the process so that you can be fully knowledgeable about what to expect. But in general, the dental implant restoration process is about the same with everyone. The most important thing to know is that it does not happen in one day like some other dental treatments. Multiple visits are needed over the course of several months. This is because the gums need to heal in between treatments. There may also be a need for some bone restoration, in which case the “resting period” may be even longer while you and your dentist wait for your bone growth to occur.

The final results with dental implant restoration are typically very amazing and transformative. Your dentist can restore and improve your smile and confidence with dental implants. Contact us today to learn more.