Month: August 2019

Also referred to as sports guard, Mouthguards are important pieces that protect your child from any kind of sports injury. They fit snugly over the upper teeth and preserve both the esthetic appearance and health of smile. Sometimes mouthguards are helpful to prevent tooth damage in children who brux or grind  their teeth at night. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends the use of dental mouth guards during sports or any recreational activity.

Most of the sporting organizations have now made it mandatory for participants to wear mouthguards. They are primarily designed to protect the teeth and can reduce the degree of force transmitted from jaw to the central nervous system. This way mouthguards minimize the risk of traumatic brain injury that is required for young children.

They also reduce injuries like cheek lesions, jawbone fractures, neck injuries, lip lesions, tooth fractures and so on. With thousands of varieties of mouthguards available in the market, the most common ones fall under categories, like:

Stock Mouthguards: These can be immediately fitted into a child’s mouth. It comes with one-size-fits-all. They are easy to fit and quick to locate at sporting good stores. Beaumont Pediatric Dentist do not recommend this type of mouthguard as it provides minimal protection, obstructs breathing and speaking and tends to be quite uncomfortable.

Boil and Bite Mouthguards: Designed from thermoplastic, this type of mouthguard is available at almost all sporting stores. Thermoplastic should be immersed in hot water to make it easily bent and then should be pressed on child’s teeth to create a custom mold. They are slightly more expensive than stock mouthguards but offer extra protection and comfort in the mouth, thereby allowing for easy speech delivery and breathing.

Customized Mouthguards: Available with the greatest degree of protection, customized mouth guards are custom-made by the dentist. Our dentist will first make an impression of child’s teeth using a special material and then mouthguard is designed over the mold. They take longer time to fit but are orthodontically correct and completely recommended by our dentist.

Still having queries about choosing a mouthguard for your child?

Get in touch with our dental experts who can create beautiful smiles for your little one by recommending the right type of mouthguard based on their needs.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Are you struggling with swollen, irritated or painful gums? If yes, unfortunately you are suffering from gum sensitivity. Soreness or gum sensitivity is one of the recognized yet ignored dental health issues. Pain caused due to gum sensitivity can last for a few minutes to a few days or months depending upon the severity. There could be multiple reasons causing gum sensitivity, right from poor oral hygiene, unhealthy eating habits to a stressful routine. However, to avoid the situation from getting worsened, here are 7 ways that need to be followed:

Say Goodbye to Smoking
Smoking is the cause of 80-90% of oral cancers. Some other consequences of tobacco consumption include health risk like bad breath, tooth discoloration, dental plaque buildup and so on. Over the time, smoking also leads to gum disease which causes inflammation around the teeth. This affects bone and other structures and its advanced stages result in tooth loss.

Smoking also multiplies your risk of oral cancer. Eventually, the effects of smoking on teeth can lead to tooth decay. If you are a smoker, quit smoking to get rid of gum sensitivity for the good.

Avoid Stress
The link between stress and gum sensitivity might seem strange to some but you might notice a real improvement in your gum health if you manage sleep patterns, exercise daily and stay happy in a positive environment.

Do Not Brush Too Hard
Brushing too hard using a hard bristled toothbrush wears down enamel, causing the dentin to become exposed. This multiplies gum recession, increasing chances of advanced oral health issues. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush that allows easy access to all surfaces of your teeth. It should have long enough handle to hold it comfortably. A soft bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on the strength of your teeth and how forcibly you brush them, using a medium and hard-bristled toothbrush would actually be damaging the gum, root surface and tooth enamel. For extra tooth protection, make sure the bristles you choose have rounded tips.

Take Care of Oral Hygiene
Neglecting your oral hygiene is one of the common mistakes patients often commit. However, if you really want to protect your gums and ensure that they don’t become sensitive, it is important to develop healthy habits in the long run. Brushing and flossing on a daily basis along with practicing healthy eating habits is a great way to maintain your oral health.

Drink As Much Water As Possible
Drinking water with fluoride is one of the easiest things you can do to prevent cavities. Fluoride is a natural cavity fighter and is one of the best things for your teeth. It mixes with tooth enamel and further helps to prevent decay. Drinking water also reduces dry mouth because saliva helps to prevent tooth decay. The more saliva is produced, the more healthy your gums will turn out to be.

One can easily deal with less critical gum issues at home, but in case of a severe cause, it is best to visit a dentist near me in Beaumont.

Book App How to Handle Gum Sensitivityointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

An ideal candidate for sedation dentistry is someone who has fear of dental appointments because of traumatic experiences. Patients with sensitive teeth or extreme dental problems and having fear of needles are eligible for sedatives. There are many people who feel dreaded on visiting the dentist. They are so terrified that they have avoided cleanings and examination for years. If you also feel that way, Beaumont Dental Office TX is here to put you at ease. When you visit our office, we assure that you will be allowed to relax in the most comfortable environment. Our dentists have special expertise in sedation dentistry to make patient’s appointments as fearless as possible.

How Sedation Dentistry Works?
There are 2 levels of sedation dentistry offered, Nitrous Oxide and Oral Conscious Sedation. Nitrous Oxide which is also known as laughing gas won’t put you to sleep. It’s a mild relaxant. You will breathe the gas in through a mask. It puts you at ease during the treatment. Once the procedure is completed, our dentist will offer you pure oxygen for couple of minutes and the effects will go away. The most important benefit of this type of treatment is that the effects wear off quickly so that you can resume your work immediately.

Some patients require a deeper level of sedation. With oral sedation, you will need a friend or family member to drive you back from appointment. A pill will be given to you before your appointment. Reflexes will be fully functional, however, you will be in a relaxed and sleepy state. Not only the dental experience will be pleasant but also you can get a lot more work done in each appointment.

Oral sedation allows us to use different medications depending on the length of your appointment and needs. Our dentist will sedate you to the level that you are comfortable.

What to Expect at First Sedation Appointment?
If you have dental anxiety visiting a new dentist, we are here to help. Our dentist will make you feel comfortable while visiting the dentist by describing what happens on your visit to our office. Your first appointment will take a bit more time than a typical visit. This way we get to evaluate your oral health. Our dentist get peek inside your mouth for an oral examination. Some patients choose to be sedated for cleanings while others choose to be sedated for dental procedures.

Depending on how you want to achieve your dental treatment, we will make you feel comfortable. Our practitioners will greet you and take care of all your paperwork. One of our hygienists will review your health history. If you are comfortable with cleaning done without sedation, our hygienist will perform an evaluation. One of our dentists will then check your dental health and answer any questions you may have.

Prior to the treatment, our dentist will assess if you are eligible for sedation. When it comes to regaining control over your overall health, we will be with you at every step of the journey.

Book your appointment with us today to enjoy the benefits of oral health care.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

A lot can happen to your teeth especially while you are asleep. When you are sleeping, bacteria are gathering on your teeth. But, don’t let nasty plaque, tartar, cavities and gingivitis stop you from getting a good night’s sleep. There are multiple ways to take care of your oral health while you are asleep. Here are some tips that you must follow to get you and your mouth through the night:

Brushing your teeth before going to sleep at night helps to protect against plaque buildup, tooth decay and gum disease. If you are susceptible to cavities, Beaumont Family Dentist recommends that you brush immediately after dinner, then again before bedtime.

Using the right brushing technique is also extremely important. The best way is to clean your teeth back and forth gently in strokes. Brush outer tooth surfaces first, then the inner tooth surfaces. To clean the back of front teeth, use the tip of the brush and stroke gently up down.

Switching to an electric toothbrush is yet another great idea. The rotating movement of electric toothbrush helps in removing plaque from your teeth efficiently. Make sure to choose an electric toothbrush that is easy to use, hold and comes with rotating-oscillating head.

Flossing along with brushing adds to the effectiveness. Flossing removes food particles and plaque. If the debris stays on your teeth, bacteria will multiply the entire night and feed off them. If the plaque is left to be hardened, it transforms into tartar. Tartar can only be removed with dental expert assistance during oral examination and cleaning. Flossing should ideally be done during the night.

Use mouthwash for rinsing. Therapeutic mouth rinses come with special ingredients that strengthen teeth and help treat certain oral health issues. Rinsing with a mouthwash will keep your teeth free of plaque and keep your gums safe from cavities. Similarly, cosmetic mouthwashes are meant to mask bad breath. Talk to your dentist to identify which mouthwash is ideal for you.

Be aware of teeth grinding. Patients suffering from increased tooth sensitivity, torn cheek tissue and worn tooth enamel. Wearing a mouthguard at night protects your teeth from the effects of grinding.

Visit your dentist regularly. Schedule regular dental cleanings and checkups to help you keep your teeth clean and gums healthy. Preventive care is the key to a healthy mouth. So, start following these tips to keep your teeth healthy during night.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.