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5 Dental Tips To Keep Your Holidays Bright

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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

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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...
Kid Brushing His Teeth WFD

When Should My Child Start Going To The Dentist?

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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...
IV Sedation

IV Sedation for a Stress-free Dental Experience

Many people refuse to see the dentist for regular or even random check ups. That simple, semi-annual visit can help you avoid many painful and expensive treatments later on in life. After the misconception that dental care is too expensive, the next reason you don't visit the dentist is anxiety about being at the dentist. Anxiety from bad experiences in the past We recognize that many patients have had bad dental experiences in their past, either as children or adults. Those experiences can dramatically affect their comfort level and desire to see a dentist on a regular basis. We understand and try to make your experience as stress-free and comfortable as possible. One of the services Woodlands Family Dental offers to help with reducing anxiety is IV Sedation....
Dental Visit

Why Do We Go To The Dentist Every 6 Months?

Like most Americans you probably go to the dentist every 6 months. Every other visit you will get X-rays done, but each time you leave it is with a new toothbrush, some floss and a reminder to come again in 6 months. You may have asked yourself; is seeing the dentist twice a year really necessary? We believe it is one of the most important things you can do for your oral and overall health. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Scraping and polishing teeth. Flossing. X-Rays. These familiar activities are the cornerstone of any dental visit, but we do so much more for your health than just those things. Are your gums healthy? During your exam we'll check the health of your gums. Are they fresh and pink? Are they red, swollen...

How to Get Brighter, Whiter Teeth

In the never-ending chase for brighter and whiter teeth, we can all become confused by the many pastes and trays and gums and other tips and tricks out there. Below, we try to cut through some of that confusion by clearing up what works best and what you can do to help get the smile you’ve always wanted. At-home whitening products. White strips, over-the-counter bleach trays, and whitening pens all work to one degree or another. However, even if you follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s packaging the results can be less than desirable compared to treatments at Woodlands Family Dental. Some believe that leaving products on longer or using them more often can produce better results. The reality is that it does not provide any additional whitening and...

Sedation and Relaxation at the Dentist

Let's chat candidly about going to the dentist. Most would not put dental work or even a routine cleaning at the top of their list of favorite things to do. It's an important part of our lives though, so we get a cleaning twice a year. Sometimes we might need a filling. At other times we might need a more 'extended' procedure like a root canal, implant or extraction. For many, going to the dentist is something to be tolerated. For some, it can be down right dreadful. The stress and anxiety about going to the dentist that some patients feel can be debilitating, but it doesn't have to be. Each patient has their own threshold of anxiety. Sometimes a few deep breaths can take care of that. At other times, it requires a more clinical approach. Below are a few of...
dental Xray

Why Do Dentists Take X-Rays?

Have you ever wondered why your dentist has you bite down on those little plastic tabs and wear that lead apron? I mean, we all know it's for x-rays, but why do they need to take them in the first place? Well there's good reason for them and below are the main reasons why. Look for decay between teeth Sometimes decay isn't visible to the naked eye and exists in areas the dentist cannot see. Check for bone loss associated with gum disease Gum disease can cause bone loss and an x-ray will show how advanced it is. Check for decay under fillings Sometimes decay under fillings can occur and can only be seen with an x-ray. Look for infection at the tip of the root Infections can appear at the very bottom of your teeth where the bone is, which needs to be confirmed...
Dental Health and Pregnancy

Pregnancy and Dental Health

The Woodlands, TX and the surrounding areas are thriving, booming communities. Many families live here and many more are moving in at a high rate. With great schools, churches, parks and activities, families are growing bigger which means more wives are becoming moms and more moms are having second and third children. During pregnancy, we control what we eat and drink, the kinds of medications we take and we try to limit external influences which may affect the pregnancy in some negative way. If you are pregnant or hope to be pregnant in the future, even something as simple as dental cleaning can be a source of stress and anxiety. Below we discuss a few of the conditions and questions that pop up from time to time regarding pregnancy and dental health. Pregnancy...