Ask most people what their least favorite thing to do is, and many of them will tell you that they are terrified of going to the dentist. Whether they had a bad experience as a kid or just don’t like certain aspects of treatment, the dental office can be a tough place to visit for many people. Sadly, avoiding the dentist can lead to bigger problems, higher costs, and more unpleasant experiences. Our goal at Contemporary Dental is to make what can be an unpleasant experience a truly great experience that makes people happy to be a part of our dental family. For patients who are anxious, we are willing to take the time to make them more comfortable, to establish trust, and to make them feel like part of the family. Some patients need a little extra help, and we offer a variety of sedation options to make their experience smooth and easy. Read more below to find out about modern options for dental anxiety.

If you or a loved are missing teeth, you may be wondering what the next step is. You might already have dentures and not be sure how to care for them. Read more below to learn everything you need to know about dentures. If you need dentures or your current set is due to be updated or upgraded give us a call to chat about your options at 713.668.9119.

Part of our job as dentists is to help educate our patients and the public about how to care for their mouth and the mouths of their children. The Academy of General Dentistry has a great patient focused website filled with great information about how to keep your child’s mouth as healthy as possible. There are also numerous videos that are exactly 2 minutes long — the perfect amount of time to brush your teeth — that will keep your child entertained while they are scrubbing those pearly whites! Take some time and peruse the information on http://www.2min2x.org/kids-healthy-mouths/ so that you can help keep your teeth and your child’s teeth healthy for a lifetime.

Few of us realize the importance of flossing. It’s one more thing to do and often it is the first thing to be neglected after a person has had her teeth cleaned. I think one of the best quotes I’ve ever heard about flossing came from an article in Reader’s Digest. It said something like this: “If your hands bled every time you washed your hands, you would immediately make an appointment with your physician. And yet, each time we attempt to floss and our gums are bleeding or inflamed, we treat that as normal.” Read more about flossing, its importance to your oral health and how to improve your technique in this Academy of General Dentistry article. If your gums are bleeding, give us a call to find out how we can help.

Cavities are caused by dental caries, a bacterial disease in which diet plays a major factor. Sugars, as we know, promote caries and thus cavities. Dentists have regularly told their patients to avoid sugary foods, brush and floss after eating, and if they chew gum, use sugarless gums. A recent article in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that chewing gum sweetened with xylitol may have some beneficial effects. Xylitol does not contribute to caries and may even reduce the accumulation of plaque on the tooth surface. The xylitol-sweetneed gum inhibits the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Also, chewing stimulates saliva production which is also helpful in preventing plaque. So if you are note near a toothbrush after a meal, try chewing a xylitol sweetened stick of gum for at least five minutes. But don’t use sugarless gum as a substitute for regular brushing, flossing, fluoride and professional visits! For more information about prevention and caring for your mouth, give us a call to set up your appointment.

Dr. Nauert and Dr. Vaughan believe in the power of continued learning. Dentistry is a constantly changing filled and staying current on the latest trends and technology in the profession is extremely important. Through activities like residency programs, advanced training continuum like the L.D. Pankey Institute, dental study clubs, and other comprehensive CE programs, Dr. Nauert and Dr. Vaughan are able to keep their standard of care and patient care at the highest levels. Both doctors have achieved advanced professional designations with the Academy of General Dentistry due to their extensive record of continuing education. To read more about the importance of CE, read this great article from the Academy of General Dentistry?

How healthy are your gums? Did you know that sometimes peridontal disease silently progresses without any overt symptoms? Read more about gum disease in this great patient information sheet from the Academy of General Dentistry.

When your new baby is born, it’s hard to know what to do and when to do it. Many times the first dental checkup gets lost in the shuffle and parents might not bring their child in until there is a problem. So when should your baby come in for that first visit? Read more from our informational handout below, and feel free to share with friends and family. If your child is due, call our office and we will get that cute kid on the books!