Dental Health / CATEGORY ARCHIVES
Kids, Halloween Candy, and Teeth
To kids all over the United States, Halloween means one thing: candy. It gives parents nightmares and gives dentists the chills. Is there a way for kids to enjoy candy on Halloween without haunting visions of cavities rising like ghosts? The answer is yes! How Candy Damages Teeth Bacteria eats the sugar leftover in your kids’ mouths and then produces a weak acid. This weak acid is what causes cavities. The longer sugar stays in the mouth (think of sucking on hard, sugary candy all day long), the more cavities will develop. However, most dentists will tell you that it is okay for your kids to splurge on candy for Halloween if they brush twice a day and floss once a day for the rest of the year. Eating Candy Safely Banning candy is just going to make your kids...
A Dental Checklist for Your Next Visit to the Dentist
If you’re like most people, you don’t look forward to dental visits and want to get the most out of every visit. Trips to the dentist mean much more than just a regular cleaning or a quick check for cavities. They are an essential part of your oral health. Bring a List of Questions Make a careful list of any questions you have for the dentist. Your dentist will be happy to answer your questions about teeth, gums, sinus pain versus tooth pain, cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, and other tooth-related topics. Don’t just depend on what you can find with a quick Google search. Make a List of Issues and Concerns Have your teeth become sensitive to cold? Does your jaw click? Is there an individual tooth that hurts? Make a list of all these concerns...
Wisdom Teeth: How to Know When They’re Impacted
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that usually appear when you are between 16 and 25 years old, making up the last 4 of a full set of 32 teeth. They are located at the very back of your mouth, and because they are so far back there may not be enough room for them to come in normally. In most cases, wisdom teeth grow in sideways or remain buried under the gums or even bone. When this happens, they are referred to as impacted and will need medical attention. This leads to a very common question: how do I know if my wisdom teeth are impacted? What Happens with Impacted Wisdom Teeth Impacted wisdom teeth are trapped beneath the gums by your jaw bone or neighboring teeth. As they begin the process of trying to erupt, or press through your gums, you may...
Is it Sinus Pressure or a Toothache?
Did you know that sinus pressure can cause symptoms that closely mimic a regular toothache? Sinus congestion and infections can cause your upper teeth to hurt as if you had a cavity or even an abscess. In this blog post, you’ll learn why sinus pressure can cause a toothache, how to tell if a toothache is related to sinus pressure, and what to expect if you go to the dentist with possible sinus pressure issues. Cause of Sinus Toothaches Tooth pain related to sinus problems occurs because the upper teeth (especially those in the back) are so close to the maxillary sinuses. The maxillary sinuses are located above the upper jaws and inside the cheekbone. When the maxillary sinus becomes inflamed (sinusitis) or infected, it swells and becomes congested resulting...
Guatemala Mission Trip 2017!
*Dr. Brett Murphey, Ellie Murphey and Kathy Fischnar on the way to the airport. The van is full with dental supplies and equipment for the dental mission trip to Guatemala. On Friday, March 17, Dr. Brett Murphey, founder of Woodlands Family Dental and West U Family Dental, once again traveled to Guatemala on a dental health mission trip. This mission trip is an amazing opportunity for members in the dental profession to provide much needed oral health care in underprivileged areas. It is not just about dental care, though. It’s an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ. To fulfill a greater purpose. To serve and to give back. Eighty participants, including twelve dentist and forty dental students will be making the trip together. Dr. Brett...
5 Dental Tips To Keep Your Holidays Bright
Twinkle lights, baking cookies, the smell of cinnamon and pine, and the return of Charlie Brown signals that the beginning of the holiday season is in full swing! We understand how busy this time of year can become and we want to help you keep it a happy and healthy season. Here are a few tips to keep your mouth and teeth in tip-top shape. Have a routine. The American Dental Association (ADA) agrees that brushing two times a day for two minutes is a great daily routine. Sticking to this routine not only through the holiday season, but all year long will keep your mouth happy and your smile healthy. Eat Your Veggies. Everywhere you look there are yummy cookies, tasty pies and plenty of chewy candies to tempt you. Go ahead and have some, but remember to get plenty...
Seal Out Tooth Decay
What are dental sealants? Dental sealants are a preventative dental treatment made from a thin plastic material. This material is typically applied to the chewing surface of molars and premolars which have a higher likelihood of cavities, especially at younger ages. The sealants act as a barrier between the teeth and cavity causing bacteria essentially ‘sealing out’ plaque, food and acids in the mouth. How are dental sealants applied? The tooth will be cleaned and prepared to receive the sealant, then the ultra-thin material is ‘painted’ onto the tooth enamel. This can be done by the dentist, dental assistant, or dental hygienist. Once applied, the sealant bonds with the tooth and hardens. Sometime a curing light is used to help speed up the curing time...
When Should My Child Start Going To The Dentist?
We receive many questions from parents and one of the most common is, "When should my child start going to the dentist?" Woodlands Family Dental recommends you bring your child in for their first evaluation when they get their first tooth or reach their first birthday. Many parents may think this is too early, but it's very important we have an opportunity to evaluate your child’s overall dental health. It also allows us to council you as the parent, and evaluate any undetected issues that may be caused from baby bottles, development or cavities in primary teeth. When should children start regular dental visits? At Woodlands Family Dental we offer a “Happy Visit”. This is a low stress introductory tour of our office. We want to build trust and make sure...
Sugar-Free Soda and Your Teeth
Most people know that sugar can eventually lead to tooth decay. For this reason many people have switched to drinking sugar-free drinks in an attempt to avoid the potential damage sugary drinks can have on their teeth. With sugar substitutes such as xylitol and sorbitol being credited with a reduction in tooth decay, sugar-free drinks have been thought to be more teeth friendly. That belief might not be true. The Oral Health CRC, a group of government sponsored researchers from Australia, published a study suggesting that sugar-free drinks contribute to tooth erosion just as much as sugary beverages do. The researchers tested the effects of 23 common sodas and sports drinks on 70 extracted human molars. They found that those drinks containing acidic additives...
When Should My Child Start Going To The Dentist?
We receive many questions from parents and one of the most common is, "When should my child start going to the dentist?" Woodlands Family Dental recommends you bring your child in for their first evaluation when they get their first tooth or reach their first birthday. Many parents may think this is too early, but it's very important we have an opportunity to evaluate your child’s overall dental health. It also allows us to council you as the parent, and evaluate any undetected issues that may be caused from baby bottles, development or cavities in primary teeth. When should children start regular dental visits? At Woodlands Family Dental we offer a “Happy Visit”. This is a low stress introductory tour of our office. We want to build trust and make...
