Dental Abscess? It’s an Emergency You Can’t Afford to Ignore

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You may not be able to spell abscess, but you’ll know it when it happens. Dental abscesses aren’t common, but they do occur, and when they do, you’ll need anemergency dentist in Katy, TX to help.

What is a Dental Abscess?

A dental abscess is a painful infection that develops at the root of a tooth or between the gum and the tooth. This condition often happens due to untreated tooth decay, gum disease or trauma to the tooth, maybe because of a motor vehicle accident or a sports injury. While it might start as a minor discomfort, a dental abscess can quickly escalate into a serious health issue if ignored, which is why you should contact Chloe Dental immediately if this happens to you.

The Signs You Shouldn’t Overlook

The symptoms of a dental abscess are hard to miss, so you won’t have a problem there. You won’t be able to ignore the intense, throbbing pain and the swelling in the face, jaw or gums. Other warning signs include fever, a persistent bad taste in your mouth, or difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing. In some cases, the infection may literally drain pus. Sometimes this makes the pain go away briefly, but it will come back.

What to Do If You Suspect an Abscess

If you experience any symptoms of a dental abscess, don’t wait for the pain to worsen, because things will only go south from there.Contact your dentist in Katy, TX immediately for an evaluation. Over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief, but they won’t resolve the infection. Only professional dental treatment can effectively address the issue.

Taking swift action could save your tooth—and protect your overall health. Don’t let a dental abscess become an emergency you regret ignoring.

3 Benefits of Routine Dental Exams

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Routine dental exams in Houston, TX can feel, well…routine. But they are a vital part of your oral health. Experts recommend that you see your dentist at least once every six months. But with oral health being a big priority these days, especially with photo and video sharing on social media, many people favor seeing their dentist every three months or even more frequently. Here are three benefits of routine dental exams to know about.

1. Early Detection of Problems

The sooner a problem is detected, the better and faster it can be solved. This is true of all problems in life, but especially those concerned with oral health. Cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer can develop without you noticing. Dentists are trained to spot early signs of these conditions, allowing for quicker and easier treatments. It’s always better to treat a small issue before it becomes a big, painful one.

2. Prevention of Tooth Loss

No one wants to lose their natural teeth, even though lots of great solutions are available, such as dental implants and more. But with routine dental exams on a regular basis, you have a higher chance of keeping those choppers for a lifetime. And we know you’d like that!

3. A Cleaner, Fresher Smile

It’s a fact. No matter how well you brush and floss, there are areas in your mouth that are hard to reach. During a dental exam, your dentist or hygienist will professionally clean your teeth, removing stubborn plaque and tartar buildup. This not only leaves your teeth feeling squeaky clean but also gives you that fresh-breath confidence you love so much!

Contact your Houston, TX dentist today and book a routine dental exam appointment. You’ll be so glad you did!

What Happens if Overbite is Not Treated?

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If your child has an overbite, it’s imperative to have it treated as soon as possible. This is particularly true if the overbite is severe. And, while a mild overbite might look charming, there can be serious oral health problems that occur as a result of not having it corrected.

What is an Overbite?

Bite is the term for the way the upper teeth and lower teeth fit together when the mouth is clamped shut. Ideally, the front top teeth fit into place just in front of the lower front teeth, and the upper and lower molars all meet at the back. An overbite is when there is a gap between where the upper front teeth land, and where the lower front teeth land. A gap of a certain depth would be considered an overbite. (The opposite is true in the case of an underbite.)

Impact on Oral Health

If an overbite isn’t treated with braces in Houston, TX or some other method, it can lead to several oral health issues. This misalignment can cause uneven wear and tear on the teeth, leading to premature tooth erosion. Over time, this wear can weaken the teeth and increase the risk of cavities and fractures. It can even lead to premature tooth loss, since teeth and jawbones need a certain amount of pressure in order to remain functional and healthy.

Impact on Gum Health

An overbite can also affect gum health. The misalignment can cause certain areas of the gums to be exposed to more pressure and wear, which can lead to gum irritation and inflammation. The chronic irritation can even raise the risk of developing gum disease if not managed properly.

Don’t ignore an overbite. Book an appointment with your Houston, TX dentist today for a consultation.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

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Dental implants are used worldwide to address the problem of missing adult teeth. Since they were first invented, they have become the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, and the procedure is done in countless dental facilities around the globe. Still, if you have little experience with dental implants, you may be a bit wary about this solution. You may even be wondering if dental implants in Houston, TX are safe.

What Are They Made Of?

Dental implants are made of three components. The actual implant is made of titanium. This is the only part of the dental implant that is embedded in the jawbone. Titanium is used because it’s an inert metal. Inert means that it won’t mingle or interfere with your body in any way. It stays exactly as it is, with no reaction to your bone or tissue. Titanium is the metal that’s used in other kinds of implants, like hip replacements, arm bone implants and more.

Safety

The success rates for dental implants range from 95% to 98%. Even if a dental implant fails for some reason, all that’s needed is to remove the implant and try again. No one gets sick or suffers fatal consequences from dental implants. Furthermore, the procedure itself has been refined over decades, and advancements in technology and techniques have further improved its safety and effectiveness.

Quality Dentist

The success rate of dental implants is increased when you choose a quality dentist like Chloe Dental. We have highly-trained staff in addition to our dental professionals. You’re in good hands when you get dental implants at Chloe Dental!

If you have more questions regarding this procedure, we hope you will contact your dentist in Houston, TX to set up an appointment. Soon, you can have your problem with missing teeth completely resolved!

2 Signs You Can Benefit from Braces Without Braces

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When you have crooked or misaligned teeth, getting them straightened can help improve how you chew and talk. Braces without braces can help with this. These clear aligners fit over the teeth and gently move the teeth back into place. As your dentist in Katy and Houston TX, the professionals at Chloe Dental can help you decide if braces without braces are right for you. Below are two signs that you may be able to benefit from braces without braces.

1. Your teeth are crooked.

If your teeth overlap one another, don’t line up properly when you smile, or if you have a hard time pronouncing certain words because of the alignment of your teeth, braces without braces may be able to fix the problem.

Braces without braces primarily benefit patients with mild to moderate tooth alignment problems. Your dentist will let you know if you’re a good candidate for this dental tool.

2. You don’t want braces.

While braces are a very effective tool for correcting mild to severe tooth alignment problems, braces can have some downsides. They can impact the appearance of your smile, and they can also be tough to keep clean. If you don’t want these downsides, then braces without braces might be a preferred option for you.

Want Braces Without Braces? Make An Appointment At Chloe Dental

The dentists at Chloe Dental can help you decide if braces without braces are right for you. To find out if you’re a good candidate for braces without braces in Katy and Houston TX, call us today to make an appointment.

How to Prepare for Your Oral Surgery

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Whether you need wisdom teeth removal or need an implant, you will need the services of a Houston or Katy oral surgeon. Once you have found the right provider, you need to prepare yourself mentally and physically for your procedure. Here are some tips from the team at Chloe Dental.

Learn Your Needs

Talk to your oral surgeon well before your surgery to know what you need to do to prepare. Then, follow all instructions. This is the best thing you can do to prepare for your surgery.

Get a Ride

Many types of oral surgery require general anesthesia. If yours does, you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure. Even for procedures done under local anesthesia, you may want to have a ride in case you have pain or complications.

Dress the Part

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and something that makes it easy to access your arms for your IV. Even if you aren’t going under, your nurse may take vitals, and a short-sleeved shirt makes that easier and more accurate.

Be on Time

Try to arrive at the surgery center 20 minutes before your procedure. There is often last-minute paperwork to fill out, and that will help you settle in and get started on time. Running late will add to your stress and make the entire day less productive. Getting there early also allows you to ask any lingering questions about your procedure.

At Chloe Dental, our team is here to make your oral surgery as comfortable and convenient as possible. If you have any questions or need to schedule a procedure, reach out to our dentists in Katy and Houston today for help. You can also conveniently schedule your appointment online.

5 Qualities to Look For In a Dentist

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Choosing a new dentist can be difficult! Knowing which qualities to look for can make maintaining your teeth much easier. When choosing a dentist in Katy and Houston TX, it’s important to consider their availability, experience, good reviews, patient care, and whether they accept your dental insurance. Here’s what you need to know as you consider dental professionals in the Katy and Houston area.

1. Availability

Not all dentists have availability for new patients. You can find out whether a dental office accepts new patients by giving them a call.

2. Experience

Experience matters. An experienced dentist will have strategies for helping patients stay comfortable during their dental exams. Experience also helps dentists improve their patient outcomes. You can check a dentist’s experience by looking at their website.

3. Good Reviews

Good dentists tend to get good reviews from satisfied patients. You can find reviews of each dental provider online, or by talking to previously satisfied patients. At Chloe Dental, you can even see testimonials from our satisfied patients by looking at our website.

4. Good Patient Care

Good dentists offer good patient care. They take steps to help patients have a good experience when they come for dental care. For example, good dentists streamline the dental exam experience to ensure it’s fast and efficient for the patient. They also tailor the patient’s treatment plan to their diagnosis, and treat their patients with respect.

5. Accepts Your Dental Insurance

If you have dental insurance, it’s important to ensure that your dentist accepts that type of insurance. Call the dentist before your dental exam in Katy and Houston, TX to learn whether they accept your insurance.

Do you need to see the dentist for a dental exam? Call Chloe Dental today.

The Benefits of 3D Dental Scans

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Chloe Dental is pleased to provide patients with the most technologically advanced dental care solutions, right down to the X-rays we take. Instead of the flat, old-fashioned 2D X-rays from the past, we use 3D dental scans that provide far more information about your dental health, in a much more comfortable setting. Here’s how this benefits you as a patient:

Quicker and More Comfortable

The older X-ray technology required dental hygienists to place sharp, uncomfortable bite plates back into your mouth—sometimes several times over if the X-ray didn’t work right the first time. Today, dental imaging at Chloe Dental in Houston, Texas is easier, quicker, and more comfortable. We steady your chin on a platform, you hold the handles, stand still, and bite one plate easily in the front of your mouth. Once you are in position, the 3D dental image machine swerves quickly around your head. The result is a clear, detailed, 3D image of your entire mouth and jaw, all in one sweep.

Fast, Accurate, In-Depth Oral Health Data

The resulting digital 3D image gives us a wider, clearer, deeper view of your teeth, both inside and out. We can see into your jaw bone, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Not only does it help us find even the smallest cavities, but it also helps us get a clear view of your orthodontic situation. In children, we can see how adult teeth develop before they erupt. We can also detect TMJ problems proactively. 3D dental imaging also helps us perform precisely accurate root canals, wisdom teeth removals, and other necessary oral surgeries.

Less Radiation Exposure

Because 3D dental imaging is faster than the old 2D X-rays, patients are exposed to far less radiation than before. Less radiation, better data. It’s a big win for our patients!

3D Dental Imaging at Chloe Dental in Katy and Houston, Texas

Here at Chloe Dental, all of our patients benefit from how we use the latest technology to provide dental, endodontic, and orthodontic care for the whole family. Schedule an appointment today and see how comfortable and helpful our 3D dental X-rays are.

What to do if a Tooth Falls Out

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It’s natural to panic a little bit if your adult tooth falls out. Teeth fall out for several reasons, including mouth trauma due to sports injuries or vehicular accidents, periodontal disease, nutritional deficiencies, and more. But the first thing to do if a tooth falls out is to try to remain calm. Your dentist in Houston, TX might be able to re-implant the tooth. Even if they can’t, there are restorative dental treatments available.

Find the Tooth

Try your best to find the tooth. If you can locate it, you can bring it to the dentist’s office with you. Once you find it, avoid handling it too much. There may be connective tissue attached that is delicate.

Handling the Tooth

If the tooth is dirty, you can place it inside a bowl with contact lens saline solution, distilled water or even milk. Gently swish it around, then lay it on a clean cloth. Don’t rinse it under the tap, because it’s too easy to lose your grip and have the tooth fall down the drain.

Contain the Tooth

Gently place it inside a damp clean cloth or a plastic bag with distilled water or milk. Then, for extra security, put the bag inside a jar. This will help to ensure that the tooth is safe while you get yourself to a dentist.

Contact Your Dentist

Get on the phone with your dentist’s office and let them know you’re on your way. This will give them time to make room for your visit in their schedule.

Restorative Treatments

Your dentist has a number of treatments available. If they can’t re-implant the tooth, you could get a bridge, a denture, or a dental implant.

No matter how bad you think it is, your dentist can help. Contact us today about emergency dental services in Houston, TX.

3 Tips to Prepare for Oral Surgery

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If you need oral surgery, even if you’ve had it before, the whole process can be a little intimidating. Preparing not only puts you in the right frame of mind but also reduces the risks and complications of the surgical procedure. We’ll look at a few steps that you can take to make everything go a little more smoothly.

1. Ask the Doctor

Your dentist or oral surgeon in Katy, TX, will give you a lot of information before the big day. Of course, no matter how much they tell you, you’ll probably still have questions later on. Getting the full run-down of the treatment may take more than just a single information session, so don’t be afraid to schedule some extra time on the books.

2. Follow Directions

Whether you need to fast for at least 12 hours, a ride, or a container to carry dental appliances, make sure that you know what’s expected of you and give yourself enough time to get your ducks in a row. It may sound obvious, but plenty of people make a mistake that inevitably ends in a rescheduled surgery. This doesn’t just set you back. It can cause the condition to get worse in the interim.

3. Find the Right Surgical Team in Katy, TX

An oral surgeon needs to have more training than a regular dentist in Katy, TX. In addition to credentials, they’ll also need a bedside manner to help you get through each surgery step. From the initial consultation to the final recovery stages, oral surgery can be difficult for people to commit to. If you’re looking for a team that’s helped their patients successfully tackle the road ahead, count on the staff at Chloe Dental to get you through it.