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!

There are many people out there who want to be happy about their smile, but just don’t know what to do to get a great result. The truth is that there are many options, ranging from conservative to aggressive and inexpensive to costly. How does a patient go about deciding what the best treatment option is? Well, the simple answer is that it all starts with a consult with your dentist. Below is an article from the Academy of General Dentistry that explains the various options related to achieving a beautiful smile. If you have questions or are ready to take that next step, stop by our office or give us a call at 713.668.9119.

Dental implants have become an important part of how we take care of our patients’ smiles. Replacing what was missing rather than doing more irreversible work on adjacent teeth helps us give patients the best chance at returning them to ideal oral health. The Academy of General Dentistry recently published a fact sheet for its members to use in our efforts to educate our patients and the public on the benefits of implant dentistry. Please take time to read the information below. If you or someone you know might benefit from implant dentistry, don’t hesitate to call our office at 713.668.9119 for a consult.