Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

Houston 77042 best family dentist discusses dark chocolate and it's health contributions.

Learn about ridge augmentations from Houston 77042's top dentist at Wave Dental.

Learn about sinus lift procedures from Houston 77042's top dentist at Wave Dental.

Is A Bone Graft Necessary After Tooth Extraction? If you have recently been told that you need a tooth extracted, you may be wondering about your options to replace a missing tooth. You might be surprised to know that the best time to inquire about dental implants and other replacement options is before you have your tooth removed, not afterwards! This is because placing a dental implant requires healthy underlying bone structure. After a tooth is extracted, an empty space called a socket remains. Without bone grafting, the socket may heal on its own, but the amount of bone in the area usually shrinks dramatically. Without enough bone, it can be difficult or impossible to place an implant in the future without additional surgery. Are there different types of bone grafting?

How Can PRF Help With Dental Implants? You may have heard of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy being used in sports medicine to promote healing after injuries. PRP can also help with healing and promote bone growth after a tooth extraction. More specifically, PRF, or platelet-rich fibrin, is the form used most often in dentistry. What is PRF? Platelet-rich fibrin is derived naturally from your own blood! After a small amount of blood is drawn, it is centrifuged for a few minutes to isolate beneficial cells and chemicals called growth factors. This can be mixed into different forms and placed into a surgical site to help reduce post-operative pain, as well as promote increased growth of bone. Is PRF Safe and Effective? Since PRF comes from your own blood, there is virtually no need to worry about disease transmission or any negative reaction! On the contrary, PRF has been clinically shown to reduce pain after surgical extractions, as well as assist in growth of new bone and soft tissue.

What Are The Worst Drinks For Your Teeth? Most people know that drinking soda can cause cavities, but did you know that many other common drinks are also damaging to your teeth? While the sugar in drinks like soda, sports drinks, and juices certainly contribute to the formation of cavities by feeding harmful bacteria, there are other factors to watch out for. Many commonly consumed beverages are also acidic, so heavy consumption of such drinks can wear down enamel, the protective outer layer of our teeth. This can lead to sensitivity, yellowing, and erosion of the teeth. Different types of acids have differing effects on enamel as well. For example, Coca Cola has phosphoric acid, while Red Bull and Mountain Dew have citric acid. So which drink is worse for your teeth?

Can Allergies Cause Tooth Pain? Here's how allergies can cause toothaches, and what you can do to prevent allergy-based tooth pain. With the fall season underway, ragweed and other allergens have begun causing distress to many Houstonians. But did you know that allergies can cause tooth pain? Identifying the source of a toothache is vital in order to provide relief and avoid unnecessary treatment. How Can Allergies Cause A Toothache? The maxillary sinus is the area where congestion builds up when you are suffering from allergies. Many people don’t realize that the upper molars are in very close proximity to the sinus. In fact, the roots of these teeth can sometimes extend into the sinus! When congestion occurs, the pressure on the roots of the teeth can make them very sensitive, often enough to cause significant pain. This is often confused for a tooth infection, when in fact, the tooth may not need treatment at all. How Can You Prevent Tooth Pain During Allergy Season? Avoid spending an extended amount of time outdoors during days with a high presence of allergens. Check with your primary physician or allergy specialist to see if you would benefit from taking allergy medication, or switching medications if your current one is not working to reduce congestion. Finally, you should always see your dentist for an exam if your pain persists, becomes severe, or is accompanied by swelling, in order to rule out infections or other conditions that do require dental treatment.

What Is Plaque and Why Is It Bad? You've heard your dentist and TV commercials talk about plaque. But do you know what plaque actually is, and why it's bad for you? While most people know that plaque should be brushed away at least twice a day to prevent cavities, many patients ask why mouth rinse is not enough to kill all the bacteria. Dental plaque is actually a sticky substance called a microfilm , made up of an entire community of bacteria, as well as a protective layer that allows them to survive antibacterial rinses. How Does It Harm Your Teeth and Gums? Plaque-causing bacteria feed on sugar and other carbohydrates, breaking them down into acids, which demineralize, or “soften” the enamel and other tooth structures. This leads to the disease dental caries, otherwise known as decay or cavities. Also, the presence of plaque near the gums initiates an inflammatory response, causing redness, pain, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. This is called gingivitis , and can progress to the surrounding bone, a condition called periodontitis , which can in turn lead to tooth loss. How Do You Prevent and Get Rid of Plaque? Limiting sugar intake, especially in the form of sugary drinks or sticky candies, helps to prevent plaque formation. Once it has formed though, plaque must be physically removed by brushing and flossing! Attempting to remove plaque by rinsing alone is just not effective enough, even with strong antibacterial chemicals. Plaque can also take up calcium and other minerals in your saliva to become tartar, also called calculus, a hard substance that cannot even be removed by brushing. Make sure to visit your dentist for regular cleanings to remove tartar and prevent periodontal disease!

Can Swimming Pools Cause Tooth Staining? Chlorinated pools can change the way minerals stick to your teeth. Brushing before swimming is a good practice. Here's why. With summer well under way, many children and adults are spending more time in swimming pools. One side effect of swimming in chlorinated water can be increased staining and tartar deposits on the teeth. Why does chlorinated water stain your teeth? Water in swimming pools tends to be alkaline, changing the properties of your saliva and allowing minerals to stick to your teeth, instead of dissolving the way they normally would. Also antimicrobial additives in pool water can break down proteins in your saliva, leaving dark deposits on your teeth. How can you prevent staining from pool water? Since pool water reacts with minerals and plaque on your teeth, it is important to brush thoroughly BEFORE going for a swim.  Some pools may not be properly balanced, leading to an acidic pH level, which can cause enamel erosion. Immediately after swimming, it is best to rinse thoroughly with water, but do NOT brush immediately after swimming to reduce the risk of erosion. Choosing a salt water pool, or making sure your pool is properly maintained and tested will reduce the risk of staining and erosion due to pH changes and antimicrobial chemicals. Also, for avid swimmers, more frequent cleanings at your dentist may be beneficial in order to remove deposits and reduce staining.