Author: CdA-AdmiN

Nitrous oxide is a common component of many oral surgeries, but many patients are unaware of the effects of nitrous oxide. You may also be wondering what the uses of nitrous oxide are in dentistry, or whether we use nitrous oxide for children. At Cabrera Dental Associates, we want you to be comfortable and in control of your experience. Let’s review nitrous oxide uses, and conditions under which nitrous oxide should not be used.

Effects of Nitrous Oxide

The patient will be asked to inhale as normal and allow nitrous oxide to take effect. It won’t take long before a strange feeling and itch can be felt in the legs and arms. This is followed by a few more symptoms, including:

• Slowed speech
• Loss of balance
• Slowed response time in answering questions
• Immunity from pain, noises, or speech
• A calm, relaxed feeling

Uses of Nitrous Oxide

Dentists use nitrous oxide for a variety of reasons, such as the following:

• It decreases the chance of a patient feeling anxious
• It increases the pain threshold of patients
• It reduces the gag reflex

Nitrous Oxide for Children

Nitrous oxide is safe for children. In fact, it is the preferred method of sedation when a child experiences trauma or is nervous before a dental procedure. When a child needs fillings, extractions, or dental crowns, nitrous oxide is highly suitable. However, that doesn’t mean it is right for everyone. Some children may experience nausea or have a hard time wearing a mask. Therefore, it’s essential to talk with the dentist about different options.

Conditions Under Which Nitrous Oxide Should Not Be Used

Not every situation calls for nitrous oxide. Your dentist should be aware of the following conditions which may disqualify you as a candidate:

• Having a cobalamin deficiency
• Pregnancy
• Heart failure
• Bronchitis
• Ear infections
• Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency
• Emotional issues
• Drug addictions, including past addictions

Get the Best in Care

The best dentists understand your concerns about nitrous oxide and are ready to walk you through any questions that you may have. That’s why Cabrera Dental Associates is an ideal choice. If you’re considering any procedures for which you may need nitrous oxide sedation, you can rest assured that it is extremely safe under most situations. However, you’re encouraged to reach out to your professional, neighborhood dentist at Cabrera Dental Associates to address any questions you may have.

Mouth breathing is a health issue that can eventually cause sleep apnea and in children it can cause certain speech problems and improper facial growth. It should be taken very seriously because it can affect your child’s health and development.

What is Mouth Breathing?

It’s normal to breathe through your mouth during certain times like when you’re exercising or lifting something heavy. However, mouth breathing in this article refers to when you breathe through your mouth most of the time.

It starts when we can’t seem to get enough air through our noses, so the mouth will naturally take over. This can become a lifetime habit if not corrected early on.

What causes mouth breathing?

There are several reasons for mouth breathing including:

• Allergies or food sensitivities
• Having enlarged tonsils
• Having nasal congestion
• Having a respiratory infection
• Asthma
• Deviated septum
• Nasal polyps

How does mouth breathing affect the body?

There are many ways that mouth breathing affects the body, including:

The tongue:

Mouth breathing will change the way your tongue will work and where it rests at in the mouth. It should naturally rest at the top of your mouth but when your mouth is open, it sets at the bottom. This will lead to underdeveloped oral musculature and can affect the way you speak, swallow, breath, and chew.

Facial Growth and Development:

Breathing through your mouth can change the way your face looks. This is especially prominent in children because they’re still developing. Children who mouth breathe can suffer from facial and dental developmental problems. These include having long, narrow faces, less defined cheekbones, small jaws, and weaker chins. It can also cause gummy smiles and teeth that are crooked.

Other Effects on the Body:

It can also cause headaches, gingivitis, sore throats, bad breath, increased risk of cavities, poor sleep, and digestive disturbances like gas and acid reflux.

The Teeth and Braces:

Mouthing breathing will also change the position of teeth and of your bite. When the mouth is open, the lips are weaker and there is no support for the teeth externally. This can cause issues with orthodontic treatment. You’ll have to spend extra time wearing braces, and there’s a chance that the results won’t be permanent.

What can be done to treat mouth breathing?

It’s not as simple as simply closing your mouth. The best way to fix mouth breathing is to fix the underlying problem. If your child has asthma, talk to his doctor about treatments, for example. Stay in touch with your dentist too. Keep up with appointments.

Most dentists’, including ourselves, put a huge emphasis on the importance of fluoride and how it does such great things for your teeth. In all honesty, fluoride is the best fighter against cavities on the market today, and it helps our teeth stay healthy and strong from a young age. In the following article, we will discuss why fluoride is so good for our teeth, and how it does such a great job at keeping our mouth cavity free.

Fluoride Prevents And Repairs Tooth Decay

To begin, let’s discuss what are mouth is constantly at odds with: bacteria. Bacteria and plaque produces acids that can permeate into our tooth enamel and break it down. The breaking down of enamel is what causes cavities over time. We’re plug typically breaks down the tooth, fluoride is able to build it back up. Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in food and water and has great properties that keep cavities away.

Fluoride Is Available In A Variety Of Forms

Fluoride is available in a variety of different forms, and one way is that it can be applied directly to the teeth using fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses. Just a quick fun fact, since 1960, when fluoride was introduced into toothpaste, there has been a significant drop in cavities. Dental offices, such as ours, also offers for application to teeth such a gel, varnish, or foam. Getting a fluoride treatment every now and then is important as it contains a higher concentration of fluoride then seen in the typical toothpaste and mouth rinse.

Fluoride Intake Is Important At All Ages

Many people are under the impression that fluoride intake is only important at a young age. Well this is true, exposure to floor it is especially beneficial for infants and children, as it becomes and imperative part in the development of permanent teeth. However, adult can also benefit from fluoride treatments. As adults, we no longer need to work or Aid in the development of our permanent teeth, but fluoride helps us against certain health conditions. Just as an example, if you have dry mouth, a history of frequent cavities, gum disease, or other Dental conditions, your dentist May recommend additional fluoride treatments and supplements.

Tooth Decay Is Preventable

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay, making the prevention of tooth decay much more important than the cure. However, if you do have more questions about the use of fluoride, and how fluoride treatments can greatly benefit you and your general health, feel free to give our office a call. From all of us here at Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates in Houston, TX, we would love to see our patients living a life free of dental problems. We would have loved to aid in this journey, so feel free to give us a call and set up an appointment today!

Sensitive teeth hurt when exposed to extreme temperatures. Hot and cold foods and drinks are common triggers for this kind of dental pain. The temperature change causes exposed, nerve-laden dentin to flare with pain. Pressure from biting down also aggravates sensitive teeth and can cause shooting pain.

A few common causes of sensitive teeth include:

• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Cavities
• Gum disease
• Infected tooth roots
• Thinning abraded or worn-down enamel

Four tips for sensitive teeth you can do at home

• Use toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth. Toothpaste for sensitive teeth fill in tiny microchannels and holes in enamel leading to exposed dentin, as well as soothes over-active nerves in the tender dentin. Make sure that your choice is a sensitizing toothpaste. They contain ingredients that block pain. It takes several days of regular use before sensitive teeth toothpaste gives a significant improvement, so don’t give up early!
• Use mouthwash with fluoride. Early to mild gum disease can cause sensitive teeth by eroding enamel. Mouthwash fortified with fluoride will arrest the damage and strengthen your teeth.
• Stop using medium or hard toothbrushes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush instead. Don’t scrub your teeth like you would a dirty sink! Instead, use gentle strokes.
• Start brushing and flossing regularly. Plaque that coats the surface of your teeth is laden with bacteria. Bacteria consume sugars and food particles, creating an acidic film on the tooth surface. This acid damages tooth enamel.

If pain and sensitivity persist, see your Houston pediatric dentist. Your dentist near you will examine your teeth and gums and may recommend:

• Fluoride application: The dentist may apply fluoride directly to your teeth, as well as suggest an ongoing application of prescription-strength at home. Typically, a special tray for home use is included in this treatment.
• Bonding or desensitizing: dentists occasionally place bonding resin onto exposed or irritated roots.
• Surgical Gum Graft: When gum tissue has eroded and exposed teeth roots, a small graft of gum tissue can get rid of sensitivity and protect roots from decay and infection.
• Root canal. If your sensitive teeth are caused by infection of your tooth’s core (dental pulp or roots, your dentist may recommend a root canal.

Sensitive teeth?  Visit us at Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates.

Has your child recently had their first tooth erupt? Not sure what to do when it comes to toothbrush shopping? At Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates, we believe that optimal oral care should start at an early age, starting with the best toothbrush possible can help! Today we’re discussing your child’s first toothbrush and a guide to buying the right one. We hope you learn something new!

Selecting The Right Bristles

When it comes to toothbrush bristles, there are many different kinds! While it may seem like harder bristles would scrub and clean teeth better, this actually isn’t the case. We find that soft, rounded bristles are the best type we can use. Soft bristles allow us to gently remove plaque from teeth without causing any erosion or damage. Rounded bristles can be a better option than sharper bristles as they are more gentle on the gums, making them less likely to cause irritation or damage.

Selecting The Right Size

When it comes to selecting the size of your child’s toothbrush, it is very important to make sure the brush can properly fit in their mouth and reach all areas. Many toothbrushes for children are labeled with the age bracket recommended, we always recommend bringing your child to select the brush as they can test to see fit.

Selecting The Right Handle

When it comes to the handle of a toothbrush, there are straight, angled, curbed and even vibrating handles! We find that comfort is the most important part of selecting a brush, make sure to purchase one that your child can properly hold and use. Rubber grips can make this a bit easier for children.

Replacing Your Child’s Toothbrush

When it comes to replacing your child’s toothbrush, we recommend doing so at least every 3 months. If you notice your child’s toothbrush is worn, frayed or damaged looking, we recommend replacing it immediately. If your child has been sick, we also recommend replacing it.

Visit Our Children’s Dentist in Houston, TX Today

Along with proper at-home dental care, professional pediatric dental care is also highly important. Contact Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates today to schedule an appointment with our Houston pediatric dentist.

We are faced with different obstacles every single day, but are some of these just the effects of ‘what ifs’ we make up in our own mind? Our team at Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates is eager to provide exceptional care to each and every one of our patients. We offer customized smile makeovers that can be made up of a variety of dental services. However, one the most common questions we get asked begins with just two little words: What if? If you are interested in a smile makeover but still have some hesitations, then continue reading on to dismiss several “what ifs” and get your smile makeover!

“What if my smile doesn’t look right?”

Many individuals are concerned that the end result of their new smile is not what they expected. Our team of experts are highly trained and experienced in a wide range of services in order to only offer the very best quality of treatments to our patients. Read the many reviews left by our patients that got exactly what they were looking for. Prior to your treatment, our dentist will provide a one on one consultation with you to ensure you are ecstatic with the end result.

“What if my results don’t last?”

Past cosmetic dentistry treatments left individuals happy, but only for a short while. Modern technologies and advancements in medicine now allow us to provide treatments that last longer while remaining more durable. Ceramic materials have found to be more resistant and do a better job at protecting teeth.

“What if I can’t afford it?”

We are excited to provide patients with several different treatment options that leave everyone with a happy smile and a happy wallet. Call us today to learn more about our different financing and payment options.

What If You Could Smile All These What Ifs Away?

If you are ready to transform your smile, then contact Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates for more information regarding treatment plans and payment options. Call us today to set up your next appointment with a member of our staff.

With the new school year quickly approaching, the confidence boost that can come from a full set of white teeth is quickly growing on the minds of many. With white teeth, you can really look your best, but with the temptation of buying cheap whitening kids online or in your local drugstore growing as well, it is important that we keep our patients educated about why to avoid cheap at home whitening kits in the damage that they can do. At Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates, we want you all looking your best, so let’s take a look at a few risks.

1. They Cause Damage to Your Teeth
   Cheap at home whitening kids can cause great damage to your teeth, particularly the protective enamel that coats the main portion of your tooth. At home whitening kits require more regular use, usually daily use to take effect and really brighten your smile. This means that you will be bleaching and gelling your teeth on a daily basis, which can really wreck the protective enamel on your teeth making you more susceptible to hot and cold temperatures.
2. They Can Cause Tooth Decay
   At-home whitening kit should also not be seen as a solution to correct tooth decay or problems you may have with your teeth. Teeth whitening kits are a solely anesthetic solution to teeth that may lack the previous luster. But if you are currently experiencing problems with damaged or decayed teeth, then you should consider different cosmetic treatments that can be a benefit to you.
3. You Won’t Get the Look You Want
   With cheap at home whitening kits, the real reason to not use them is that you really won’t be getting the look you want. At our office in Houston, TX, we offer solutions to stain teeth that will not only offer you real results, but they can be done in a short amount of time. By being monitored by our qualified dental professionals, these teeth whitening kits are the perfect option for those seeking cosmetic dentistry Solutions.

For more questions about teeth whitening, and what we offer at our Houston, TX, office, feel free to give us a call or send us an email at the time most convenient to you.

When it comes to dental myths and crazy stories, root canals seem to take the cake. At Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates, we hear different myths about root canal treatment all the time, today, however, we’re going to cover the most common myths and debunk them, follow along!

Root canal therapy is painful. Wrong, but having an infected, decayed or damaged tooth root is! With advancements in dentistry, root canals can actually be performed completely pain-free. Following your treatment, some discomfort is common, however.

Root canals require many visits to the dentist. Although a root canal may require two visits (one for treatment, the second to place a crown), a tooth extraction typically requires far more visits to your dentist.

Root canal treatment kills the tooth. Root canal treatment is used to thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected tooth, the procedure itself does not kill the tooth, however neglecting the problem can. Some patients experience darkening or discoloration of the affected tooth, a dental crown will be placed to restore the natural, healthy appearance your tooth once had.

The root canal procedure is unsuccessful. Root canal therapy actually has about a 95% success rate when performed by an endodontist. If properly cared for, following treatment, many patients require no follow-up treatment on the affected tooth. Those with poor oral hygiene or dental care habits will most likely to continue needing treatment, however.

Root canal treatment can cause illness. Many years ago research was done and then used to push a “tooth extraction” craze, there is no evidence to support this claim. Neglecting to treat an infected, decayed or damaged tooth, however, can result in a life-threatening infection known as sepsis.

Schedule Your Root Canal in Houston, TX Today

Think you may actually need Root Canal therapy Houston TX? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates today. We’d be happy to examine your smile to determine if a root canal is the right option for you and your smile.

Are dental sealants the best way to prevent kids from getting cavities? Sealants are becoming more and more popular in recent years and the latest reports may back this suspicion.

To begin with, what are dental sealants? A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating made from plastic or other materials that is painted over your teeth to defend them from cavities. Of course these sealants are not a substitute for brushing and flossing, but they are another form of protection for your teeth.

Dental sealants have actually been proven to reduce the risk of decay in teeth by up to 80% in some cases. Although the sealants can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 per tooth, they can continue to protect against cavities for up to four years. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.” The CDC also reported that applying sealants to young children could help them save up to $300 million in costs of dental treatment.

Are Sealants Worth It?

Sealants not only protect the teeth from bacteria and acid settling on the teeth, but they also can ensure that the teeth stay intact. However there are a few problems that may come about with sealants. If they fall out, chip, or wear away they need to be replaced, and excess material may even need to be drilled down. Another issue may be that the bite of the mouth may feel a bit strange after receiving a sealant because of the extra layer that is now on the tooth.

If sealants are applied correctly, dental sealants can last a long time and have long term benefits. Not only do children benefit, but adults can enjoy the lasting effects of dental sealants.

Have you lost a tooth or had it extracted? Do you suffer from gum disease? Interested in dental implants but have been told you aren’t a candidate? Bone grafting may be the perfect option for you, your smile and your overall oral health! There are a number of factors that can contribute to bone loss and demineralization, the most common include periodontal gum disease and missing teeth.

About Our Houston Bone Grafting Procedure

Although bone grafting sounds extremely scary, it is actually a fairly common procedure these days. With the rise of popularity of dental implants for restoring teeth, many patients are finding out the impact having missing teeth can have. Without adequate bone mass, dental implants and even dental bridges may not be secure and stable. During a bone grafting procedure, material is used from the patient, a donor or even made synthetically to restore the areas where bone loss and demineralization has occurred. Once the area has completely healed, it will be as if the bone was never gone, allowing you to undergo your dental implant or dental bridge procedure.

Benefits of Bone Grafting

Wondering what the benefits of bone grafting are? They include:

• Bone grafting can improve the appearance of your smile, teeth, jaw and move.
• Bone grafting can create a stable foundation for dental work such as dental bridges and implants.
• Bone grafting can make patients appear younger.
• Bone grafting can improve the health and function of your smile, jaws and mouth.

Schedule Bone Grafting in Houston, TX

Want to be a candidate for dental implants? Had a tooth removed and want to make sure you don’t experience additional complications? Contact Dr. Cabrera Dental Associates to schedule your Houston bone grafting appointment!