10 Mistakes to Avoid When Caring for Your Teeth

Your confident smile depends on healthy teeth. While you plan to care for your teeth, make sure you avoid these mistakes.

  • Brushing too often: Brushing too often has the potential of harming your gums and enamel. Dentists at Cabrera Dental Associates recommend restricting brushing to only 2 times a day.
  • Brushing too infrequently: You already know the consequence of not brushing frequently. Bad breath, the direct result can drive people away from you. Also, it invites other problems such as cavities and tooth decay.
  • Brushing too hard or too soft: Avoid painful and bleeding gums by brushing your teeth by brushing properly.
  • Using the wrong toothbrush for your unique needs: For people with sensitive teeth, soft toothbrushes are the best alternative. For others, the everyday brushes would work. Visit the Cabrera Dental Associates to find out whether or not you have sensitive teeth.
  • Brushing at the wrong times: There’s a reason why dentists suggest brushing your teeth at fixed times. Brushing immediately before or after a meal might damage the enamel layer of your teeth.
  • Not flossing: Even after brushing up of teeth, some food particles stay in the mouth. Flossing at least once in a day keeps your teeth fit.
  • Neglecting other areas of the mouth: People tend to forget that mouth comprises of gums and tongue too. It is essential that such parts are taken care off. Try to remove any food material left on the gums after eating. Also, remember to clean your tongue every time you brush.
  • Keeping a brush for too long: One toothbrush is supposed to last only 2 to 3 months. After that, it will assist in amassing bacteria rather than removing it. So, never use a toothbrush for too long a time.
  • Over-whitening: Never use whitening agents for your teeth. They make your teeth weak and prone to catching infections.
  • Avoiding the dentist: Even when you feel no pain or discomfort, try meeting the dentist regularly. They will assist you in avoiding dental problems before they turn into suffering.

Can I Keep My Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom tooth is the last of the 32 adult teeth. Wisdom tooth as third molars and referred to as wisdom tooth as they generally erupt during an age when most people transition from childhood to adulthood.

Who Gets Wisdom Teeth?

Most people get their wisdom tooth between the ages of 17-24 years. Also, some people do not get their wisdom teeth at all. Different factors such as genetics, diet, and gender play a role when your wisdom teeth show up.

What are Some of the Problems Associated With Wisdom Teeth?

Many people experience some pain and discomfort when their wisdom tooth begins to grow. This can be due to a wide range of reasons which includes overcrowding of teeth, misalignment of your molars, etc.

Further, also when your wisdom teeth grow, they can erupt sideways and grow crooked and push your other teeth away from their normal position. This makes it difficult to properly clean your teeth with brushing and flossing, and this can lead to accumulation plaque, tartar and other food particles between your teeth and within your mouth.

When Should You See Your Dentist About Your Wisdom Teeth?

You should see your dentist about your wisdom teeth when you experience pain when your wisdom teeth grow. Ensure scheduling regular dental check-ups towards allowing your dentist to check the progression or any complication involved in the growth of your wisdom tooth.

What are the Risks of Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Wisdom teeth removal is relatively safe and does not cause any long-term complications and problems. However, some patients can experience some pain and soreness post their wisdom teeth removal.

What are the Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Wisdom teeth removal makes it easier for you to clean and floss your teeth, prevent overcrowding of teeth and safeguards from other issues such as the possibility of the cyst, infections associated with a wisdom tooth.

To know whether you require your wisdom tooth removed or fulfillment of your other dental and oral care needs, schedule an appointment with Cabrera Dental Associates in Houston, Texas. We offer a wide range of general, preventive and cosmetic dental treatments for all your dental and oral health needs.

How to Maintain Oral Hygiene When You Travel

Travelling is very exciting for everyone as there’s enthusiasm to explore a new place and go on a new adventure. But your travelling should never come in way of maintaining your dental care. Here’s a look at some tips that will help in taking care of your dental health while travelling:

Don’t Put Off Appointments

If you need a dental care procedure, you must get it done before you go on your trip. Otherwise you can experience discomfort which can hinder your ability to enjoy your vacation. Make sure to schedule the dental appointments before you leave for the trip. You will be glad that you took care of the dental business before departing the trip.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

There’s always a risk that something can happen to your dental health during the vacation. Thus, it’s better to be prepared for the emergencies. You must bring along your dental insurance card and a list of your home dental contacts so that you can call them in case of an emergency.

Buy a Toothbrush for Travel

It is recommended to buy a toothbrush that you use only while travelling so that your brush at home remains unharmed. Also, you should replace the toothbrush after each trip as it will get exposed to germs when you travel says the dentist in Houston.

Clean Your Toothbrush Holder While Travelling

While travelling, we store damp toothbrush in the toothbrush holder which creates ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Therefore, you need to clean them both.

– Rinse

Rinse the toothbrush holder thoroughly under hot water so residue is removed.

– Clean

Fill a cup with antibacterial mouthwash and place your brush in it for 30 seconds pulling it out and rinsing in cold water. Do the same with your holder.

– Dry

Dry the brush and holder as much as possible. You can consider buying a holder with venting holes which will enable quick drying.

Bring Backup

You must keep a sugar-free gum with yourself so that if you are not able to brush your teeth, the gum will keep your mouth fresh.

5 Tips to Prevent and Reduce Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth Sensitivity also known as dentin hypersensitivity or root sensitivity is a striking pain that one goes through in their gums and teeth when they eat something hot or cold. It becomes really tough to deal with teeth sensitivity on a daily basis and it gets tougher when you can not eat your favorite food. Also, it is one of the most common dental problems and has a super easy solution as well.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

There are multiple reasons why one can be diagnosed with tooth sensitivity. Here we are tried to cover some of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity.

Tooth decay (cavities), Worn fillings, Fractured teeth, Gum disease, Worn tooth enamel, and Exposed tooth root are the most common causes of tooth sensitivity.

There are a few people who inherently have a sensitive tooth or are born with it. But there is no need to worry about it. Cabrera Dental Associates has it covered for you. Here are 5 tips that would help you prevent and reduce sensitivity.

1. Use Proper Brushing Techniques – Use the right kind of toothbrush, use a good toothpaste and do not put too much pressure on your gums. Over-brushing is a real thing. One can damage their teeth by brushing wrong.

2. Try A Desensitizing Toothpaste – There are a lot of options available for a desensitizing toothpaste. Consult experts and make sure you use one of it. It would help a lot.

3. Wear A Mouthguard At Night – A mouthguard prevents you from grinding your teeth at night. Teeth grinding is one of the causes of the sensitive tooth. Using a mouthguard would come handy here.

4. Treat Periodontal Problems – If these remedies don’t seem to work, consult a periodontist. There might be some other untreated issue that is causing you sensitive tooth. This could be only diagnosed if you visit a periodontist and get your teeth checked up.

5. Ask Dr. Cabrera About A Fluoride Treatment – If you still have a problem of sensitivity. Ask Dr. Cabrera for a fluoride treatment. He would assist you in the best way possible and make sure you get rid of your sensitive teeth.

Straight Teeth: Not Just About Looks

Everyone wishes to have straight teeth and a beautiful smile. Though the most important benefit of straight teeth is improvement in your looks, it is not the only benefit. There are other potential benefits of straight teeth as well which are more significant than the superficial ones. Let’s explore some of them:

  • Clearer Speech

Dentist near TX 77075 says that the teeth are a crucial component when it comes to your speech. They have a role in your ability to speak and enunciate clearly. For making correct speech, the lips and tongue have to maneuver around which is easy when the teeth are properly aligner but crooked teeth can result in a lisp, slurring or difficulty in making certain sounds that need tongue-to-tooth contact.

  • Healthier Digestion

Chewing is an important part of the digestion process. It not only chops the food into small pieces but also mixes the food with saliva which begins the chemical digestion process. When the food is not chewed properly because of misaligned teeth, the stomach has to work harder. Straight teeth make it easier to chew the food which aids in quick and easy digestion.

  • Better Breathing

When you have poorly aligned teeth, it can be difficult to close your jaws comfortably when you are not moving them which can lead to mouth breathing. It has many negative effects such as dry mouth, bad breath, snoring, chronic fatigue and brain fog. The effects are even bigger problem for kids.

  • Straight Teeth For A Better Life

Not only do straight teeth make it easier for you to speak, eat, and breathe properly, they are also easier to clean. You may avoid orthodontic treatment as you are satisfied with the way your smile looks but there are several benefits of straight teeth which are worth considering.

  • Straight teeth lead to better oral health and better overall health!

It is a fact that people with misaligned teeth should consider getting their teeth straight as it has an overall positive impact on the dental health as well as your self-image as it boosts your confidence.

Why Dental Cleanings Equal Preventative Dentistry

We all have heard how important it is to get dental cleaning done twice a year but did you know that these exams are as good as preventive dentistry. Not convinced? Here’s a look at why we say so.

Dental Cleanings Are Mini Dental Exams

When you go for dental cleaning appointment, the dentist in TX 77075 not only cleans the teeth but also examines your mouth for signs of decay or infection. If the dentist finds early signs of tooth decay or gum infection, he may suggest appropriate treatment so that the dental issue doesn’t escalate further and your tooth can be saved from falling out or extraction.

Your Toothbrush and Dental Floss Can’t Reach Every Nook

Most people who follow an oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing feel that it’s not important for them to get dental cleaning done. However, the fact is your toothbrush and floss can’t reach nooks and corners as well as between the teeth. Thus, you need a professional dental cleanup so that the dentist can remove plaque and tartar from teeth and gums which are responsible for decay and infection and bad breath as well.

Our Dental Hygienist Can Provide Valuable Tips

You must brush and floss your teeth twice a day but that is not enough. You must do it with right technique and brush for at least 2 minutes in circular motion. Apart from that, you also need to use a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to squish whenever you can’t brush after a meal.

Contact Our Dental Office

In case of any queries regarding dental health, you must contact the dentist in South Houston, TX as they can diagnose the dental issue along with cleaning your teeth. The dentist in 77075 also looks for symptoms of oral cancer during the examination so that it can be treated in the initial stage before escalating further where it can be difficult to treat.

The dentist not only performs dental cleaning but also suggests tips on optimum oral care which should be practiced by you at home.

Professional Dental Cleanings Make a Big Difference

Sometimes brushing properly is not sufficient for oral hygiene and patient needs periodic cleaning. Prevention is always better than cure and professional dental cleaning helps detect dental issues easily. With right detection, right treatment can be facilitated at right time. Professional dental is important for dental health and oral hygiene and one patient wish to go for best professional clinic, they must consult expert at Cabrera Dental Associates. When possible issues are treated at right time, they do not exceed and healthy and clean teeth can be maintained.

Here are a few reasons to get your teeth cleaned

Professional dental cleaning is important because:

Tartar

Tartar is thick layer plaque that cannot be removed while brushing. When plaque starts spreading and sticks to teeth to become hard, it is difficult to remove it with daily brushing. With the help of professional teeth cleaning, this can be removed to maintain clean and strong teeth for long.

Gum Disease

When gum diseases are not treated at right time, it can cause several oral issues like teeth recession and serious pain in the jaw line. For early detection of gum disease and its right treatment, regular cleaning is important. Professional cleaning helps maintain oral hygiene. Dentist at Cabrera Dental Associates can help fight such issues.

Bright Smiles

Some food that you eat has an effect on your teeth. Sometimes brushing is not sufficient for maintaining your teeth cleanliness and thus it important to go for professional teeth cleaning. It helps get white teeth appearance which can contribute to bright smiles and better aesthetic appearance. Polishing and cleaning can help get healthier and better smile.

Dental Benefits

Professional dental cleaning at must be obtained by a patient at least twice a year because it lets you detect the issues and help maintain clean oral health. It helps to detect any sort of tooth decay or damage so that it can be cleaned at right time and best solution can be suggested before the problem exceeds. There are various dental benefits of professional cleaning at Cabrera Dental Associates.

Good Oral Hygiene Isn’t Just for Teeth

In October, the Americans celebrated the National Dental Hygiene Month for reminding people how good it is to have a good oral health and practice good oral hygiene routine at home. This includes of brushing the teeth twice everyday with a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste followed by flossing the teeth.

According to dentist in South Houston one of the most ignored aspects is that dental hygiene is important not just for our mouth but for dental appliance as well, those we wear in mouth. This includes removable dentures, clear aligners, might guards or mouth guards, and retainers. If you or any of your family members wears these appliances, it is important to take care of them and keep the clean.

Here’s a Look at Some Tips:

CLEAN IT

Just like your natural teeth, the oral appliance needs daily brushing but your toothpaste is not the right cleanser for these devices as they are abrasive. The toothpastes are meant for removing the plaque from teeth but not for the plastic oral appliances. It can create nicks on the appliance and give bacteria a place to hide causing odours and stains. You can use the denture paste or dish wash soap for cleaning the appliance. Buy a denture or nail brush for cleaning.

RINSE IT

Once you have cleaned the appliance, you must rinse it thoroughly. However, avoid using hot water and never ever boil an appliance for sterilizing it. The device is custom made to fit your mouth and boiling can change its fit and leave it useless or harmful for your mouth. A distorted aligner will not move your teeth to correct position.

STORE IT

It’s important to keep your appliance in a safe place quite away from the reach of your pets and toddlers. When you are not cleaning or wearing them, they should be packed away in their case or soak them overnight in water or a cleaning solution, as suggested by the dentist.

It’s important to keep the dental appliances in hygienic condition so that you can benefit for a longer duration.

WINTER ORAL HEALTH TIPS

You may often find that as winter comes nearer, your dental problem also starts worsening. This is not good for your oral healthcare. During winters, you might face many problems regarding your teeth. You need to get regular check-ups done from the Cabrera Dental Associates or a dentist near you. Following you will find a few tips for oral health in winters-

Tooth Sensitivity: This problem occurs when your teeth hurt while eating (or drinking) hot or cold food items. Sometimes this problem also occurs because of the cold environment. To solve this problem, it becomes very important to follow a few points as given below-

  • You need to change your toothpaste. There are toothpastes in market specially made for the sensitive-teeth issues
  • Use toothbrush which have soft bristles and brush with care; do not move the brush too hard against your teeth and gums, it might work the opposite of what you are aiming for
  • You should keep rinsing your mouth with the help of salt water for a better result for your teeth

Cold Sores: This is another problem which is faced during the winter season. This problem occurs because of the cold weather and a weak immune system. To prevent the cold sores, you can try a few things, which are given below-

  • It is advisable to clean your hand after regular time periods
  • Don’t share food during this point of time because there is a high chance of diseases or bacteria spreading out
  • Try to have minimal skin to skin contact with people outside

Chapped lips: One of the most common problems which most of the people face is of chapped lips. This problem occurs because of dryness on lips and sometimes it causes pain too. To protect from this problem, you can follow things such as

  • Apply moisturization when you feel your lips getting dry
  • Now is the time to buy lip balms with SPF+ so you can enjoy happy lips

Cavity Care: One activity which everyone loves doing during the winter season is eating a lot of hot food items. People like to eat different types of food which either are avoided during the summer season or is not available. This creates a high chance of cavities too. In following ways, you can avoid cavities very well-

  • Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day and use floss for proper and thorough cleaning of your teeth
  • Drink water as much as you can, because it cleans food particles from between your teeth

One of the most important things in the cold season is that you get regular check-ups from the dentist so that they identify the symptoms early on and give you the required medication to solve the problem before it worsens.

Smile For Your Health!

Smiling is a very powerful medicine for your body. Smile is something which a person notices on another person. It brings out your inner self and how happy you are. One smile can make all the difference in this world says dentist in TX, 77075.

Let’s have a look at certain benefits of smiling:

Smiling And The Feel-Good Hormone

Smiling boosts your mood when you feel sad. It reduces anxiety and can actually uplift your mood and increase positive vibes.

Smile To Reduce Your Stress

Did you know that smiling more often, whether you’re feeling happy or not, helps your body deal with stressful situations more effectively? A recent study shows that smiling can result in a lower heart rate during stressful tasks. Stress generally causes increases in heart rate and blood pressure. According to dentist in South Houston maintaining a smile when stressed out provides you with both psychological and physical health benefits.

Strengthen Your Immune System With Smiles

Laughter which often begins with a tiny smile appears to help boost your body’s immune system. Laughter and positive thoughts release signaling molecules in your brain that fights stress and ailments, while negative thoughts decrease your body’s immunity. Dentist near Houston, TX 77075 says that laughter therapy increases immune responses in women who have just had babies.

Bonus Benefit Of Smiling: Productivity Boost!

Now smiling can make you productive, that’s a real head turner!  It’s believed by experts that if you look sad or feeling anxious, perhaps others wonder if you know what you are doing. So perhaps a simple smile might be a shortcut to business success. Your smile can actually affect others around you and if you are happy then you will find yourself doing things more productively.

Let Us Give You Reasons To Smile

At Cabrera Dental Associates we make sure that you have the best smile you desire. We help you get the benefits of living a healthier and longer life by enhancing your beautiful smile. The universal sign of happiness is smile, and we try our best to make it worth for you and others.