Advanced Dentistry of Spring: 2017

Thursday 28 December 2017

Dental Digital X-Rays

Digital X-Rays

We use the latest, most advanced digital X-ray equipment, with Schick 33 sensors that deliver the best digital images on the market. With this technology, a picture is produced of your mouth with a digital sensor and downloaded immediately into our computer. We can diagnose problems sooner and more accurately. Our panoramic digital X-ray machine, which is also the newest on the market, shows us your full mouth in one image, including your upper and lower jaws. These technologies result in less radiation exposure than conventional X-rays, there is no chemical developer waste to pollute the environment, and wait time for developing is eliminated.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Saturday 23 December 2017

Oral Care During the Holidays: Sugar-Free Countdown to Christmas

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Sher Warkentin

Maintaining good oral care during the holidays can be tough with the bombardment of sugary sweets all season. Counting down to Christmas with an advent calendar is a fun activity for your kids, but if they are filled with chocolate and sweets, it won't be so great for their teeth. Check out these simple sugar-free ideas to fill your countdown instead.

Holiday Activity Fun
Fill your child's countdown with special moments that they will cherish all year round. For each day of the month come up with a fun holiday activity that you can do together as a family. Some ideas include: watching a holiday movie, going ice skating, building a snowman and looking at Christmas lights. Write down the activity on a slip of paper and tuck one note into each day of your advent calendar.

A Puzzling Treat
Give your child a fun challenge with a customized puzzle. Draw a picture or write a special message on a blank puzzle. Break the pieces apart and place one puzzle piece in each day of your advent calendar. Every day your child can add the pieces together until they have a completed puzzle revealing a special holiday message or fun activity to do together.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

The remainder of the article details the following:

Sugar-Free Trinkets
Story-A-Day

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Saturday 16 December 2017

Kids' Healthy Teeth During the Holidays

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Elizabeth SanFilippo

Chances are good that visions of cookies, desserts and candy canes may be dancing in your children's heads this holiday season. While you will do what you can to limit their intake of these sugary treats, your kids will probably be eating their fair share of sugar at your family holiday parties. Despite their consumption of sugar, there are ways to keep your kids' healthy teeth and gums in shape and to minimize damage to their dental health.

Why Is Sugar Bad for Dental Health?
Whether your kids are eating chocolate cake, sugar cookies or peppermint candy, they are ingesting sugar. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth feed on this sugar, and the byproduct is acid. This acid can eat away at tooth enamel, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities. The more time teeth spend exposed to sugar, the higher the risk that your children will face dental health problems. Hard candies, and sticky candies such as taffy and caramel, can be worse for teeth than other treats such as cake and cookies.

Brush after Eating a Sugary Treat
In general, the ADA recommends that everyone brush their teeth and gums at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time. Flossing should also be done at least once a day. During the holidays, encourage your kids to brush and floss even more than this, particularly right after they finish dessert. If a toothbrush is not handy, the next best thing to do is rinse. Encourage your kids to rinse their mouths with water - not soda or even sparkling grape juice ó which will help wash away sugar, acids and any other food that may be stuck to their teeth.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

The remainder of the article details the following:

Limit Sugar Time
Make Dessert a Part of the Meal
Make Toothbrushing Fun
Schedule a Dentist Visit

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Tobacco Risks on Oral Health

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about tobacco risks on oral health.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Tuesday 12 December 2017

Dental Treatments Made Easier With New Technology

Isolite™ – An Advance in Patient Comfort

We are excited to present a wondrous new technology that makes your dental care much more comfortable. It's called Isolite. Essentially, it's a suction device and a brilliant light combined to illuminate the oral cavity and remove shadows. What does this mean for you?

Patients spend approximately a third less time in the chair.
Patients don't get that 'drowning" or "gagging" sensation because saliva doesn't accumulate.
Debris won't be swallowed because the mouth is continuously being "vacuumed."
Your mouth doesn't get strained because it's being held open.
The advanced visibility helps our doctors be more accurate.

Modern dentistry needs a dry "field" for best results. The Isolite keeps moisture from building on teeth and gums and often removes the need for the bulky rubber dam.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Saturday 9 December 2017

Surprisingly Simple Food Tips for Healthy Teeth

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Donna Pleis

You already know the value of regular tooth brushing and flossing to the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease, but what you eat can help too. Here are a few tips for healthy teeth involving simple foods that may be more helpful to your dental health than you thought they were.

An Element of Strength
The mineral, fluoride, plays an important role in building strong teeth and bones, and ultimately protecting your teeth against tooth decay. This is why fluoride has been included in toothpastes like Colgate Cavity Protection and many community water supplies. But did you know it's also found naturally in many foods? Any fluoride you ingest is absorbed and distributed throughout the body, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), though most of it deposited into your bones and teeth.

So, to give you and your family's teeth an extra bit of strength now and then, serve up foods with naturally high concentrations of fluoride. Most seafood is a good source of this because oceans are full of natural sodium fluoride. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), tea and gelatin contain fluoride as well. Carrots, beets, canned pork and beans also have significant amounts (who would've thought?), as well as infant formula, juices, canned tomato products and cheeses. And if you like baked potatoes, don't peel off the skin; that's where most of the fluoride is found. You can identify more fluoride-rich foods at the USDA National Nutrient Database.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

The remainder of the article details the following:

'Moo're Dairy Please
Swish and Swallow
Candy and Chewing Gum
Nature's Toothbrush

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Regular Dental Check-Ups

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about regular dental check-ups.

Tuesday 5 December 2017

Children's Dental Sealants

Preventing Child Tooth Decay – the Easy Way!

We know that children (and adults) often don't do the best job of brushing their teeth. And in truth, even meticulous brushing may not always reach the deep grooves in the back teeth. This allows the development of bacteria, acids, and plaque, which will lead to decay. And once the tooth has decay, it is damaged forever and will need a filling or a crown. Fortunately, the application of dental sealants can help. The tooth (or teeth) is cleaned and sterilized. A thin white or clear plastic coating is applied. Then, a curing light is directed at the sealant to bond it into place. The whole procedure takes just a few minutes. There are no shots, drills, or removal of any tooth structure. Applying dental sealants is one of the best preventive items that both children and adolescents can have done to preserve their natural teeth!

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Saturday 2 December 2017

After-Hours Emergency Dentistry

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to about after-hours emergency dentistry.

Tuesday 28 November 2017

Dental Implants

The Issue of Facial Collapse

The primary reason people start to look so much older when they lose their teeth is bone loss. Natural teeth stimulate the bone in the jaw, keeping it dense and healthy. When the teeth are lost, bone immediately starts to atrophy. As it melts away, it causes a variety of problems. Dental implants are the ideal solution to prevent facial collapse. The implant stimulates the jaw much like the original tooth did, keeping the jawbone healthy and whole. When implants aren't possible, it's vital that dentures fit well so they can do their part in preventing bone loss.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Diabetes and Your Dental Health # 3

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below is one way that diabetes can affect your oral health.

Slow Healing

Have you ever noticed a cold sore or a cut in your mouth that doesn’t quite seem to go away? This can be another way that diabetes may affect your mouth. Poor control of blood sugar can keep injuries from healing quickly and properly. If you have something in your mouth that you feel isn’t healing as it should, see your dentist.

To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Wednesday 15 November 2017

Diabetes and Your Dental Health # 2

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below are two ways that diabetes can affect your oral health.

Change in Taste

Your favorite flavors might not taste as rich as your remember if you have diabetes. It can be disappointing, but take the opportunity to experiment with different tastes, textures and spices to your favorite foods. Just take care not to add too much sugar to your food in an effort to add flavor. Not only can this affect the quality of your diet, it can also lead to more cavities. If you have a persistent bad taste in your mouth, see your dentist or doctor.

Infections

Diabetes affects your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infection. One common among people with diabetes is a yeast infection called oral thrush (candidiasis). The yeast thrive on the higher amount of sugar found in your saliva, and it looks like a white layer coating your tongue and the insides of your cheeks. Thrush is more common in people who wear dentures and can often leave a bad taste in your mouth. See your dentist if you think you have thrush or any other mouth infection.

To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Antibiotics & Your Heart

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about antibiotics and your heart.

Saturday 11 November 2017

Dental Intra Oral Cameras

Intra-Oral Camera Makes You a Part of the Team

Our doctors work together with patients to create a sense of teamwork. One of the ways they accomplish this is through the use of an advanced tool, the intra-oral camera. This marvelous device is a tiny video camera that reveals a close-up image of the interior of your mouth. You can personally see what work needs to be done and which teeth are doing great. You then become an active participant in each dental decision. You'll be amazed how this works!

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Wednesday 8 November 2017

Diabetes and Your Dental Health # 1

Notice some bleeding when you brush or floss? That may be an early sign of gum disease. If it becomes more severe, the bone that supports your teeth can break down, leading to tooth loss. Early gum disease can be reversed with proper brushing, flossing and diet. Research has shown gum disease can worsen if your blood sugar is not under control, so do your best to keep it in check.

Dry Mouth

Studies have found people with diabetes have less saliva, so you might find yourself feeling parched or extra thirsty. (Medications and higher blood sugar levels are also causes.) Fight dry mouth by drinking water. You can also chew sugarless gum and eat healthy, crunchy foods to get saliva flowing. This is especially important because extra sugar in your saliva, combined with less saliva to wash away leftover food, can lead to cavities.

To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Power Toothbrushes

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about power toothbrushes.

Saturday 4 November 2017

Dental Gum Disease Treatments

Now the Good News

Most common dental insurance plans compensate for the treatment of gum disease. While in some advanced and severe cases, surgery is still the best course of action, there are now potent NON-surgical procedures that, combined with improved dental hygiene, can cut off the spread of the disease.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Wednesday 1 November 2017

Risks to Oral Health During Pregnancy

Learn what the American Dental Association has to about risks to your oral health during pregnancy.

Saturday 28 October 2017

Solutions for Missing Teeth

A Personalized Approach to Replacing Missing Teeth

One of the biggest needs we fulfill for our patients is providing solutions for missing teeth.
The first question would be do you have any existing teeth in your upper or lower dental arch?

If the answer is YES, then we have to ask if they can be saved, and then how can the spaces be replaced?

When teeth are missing, your options are a removable partial denture, dental implants with crowns, or bridges.
We assess remaining teeth to see if they can be kept, and address any underlying issues such as decay and gum disease.
Many teeth under assault from gum disease might be saved from extraction by laser gum treatment (LANAP™).
A decision to keep teeth in place should ONLY be made if you are committed to routine dental maintenance both at home and in the dental office for LIFE.
Whenever possible, we recommend trying to save existing teeth that have long-term possibilities.
Please note that not all people are candidates for implantology.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Sunday 22 October 2017

Halloween Candy: Your Dental Health Survival Guide

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org

With Halloween comes ghosts, goblins and goodies-and the sugar in those treats can play some unwanted tricks on your teeth if you’re not careful.

Here’s why: The bacteria in your mouth are probably more excited to eat Halloween candy than you are. When the bacteria eat the sugar and leftover food in your mouth, a weak acid is produced. That acid is what can contribute to cavities.

But don’t hang up your costume just yet. “Halloween is about candy, dressing up and having fun,” says ADA dentist Dr. Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty. “It’s OK to eat that candy on Halloween as a splurge as long as you’re brushing twice a day and flossing once a day all year long.”

To help you sort through the trick-or-treat bag loot, we have a rundown of some common candies and their impact on your teeth:
Chocolate
Chocolate is probably your best bet, which is good because it’s also one of the most popular kinds of candy handed out on Halloween. ìChocolate is one of the better candies because it washes off your teeth easier than other types of candy,î Dr. Ferraz- Dougherty says. “Dark chocolate also has less sugar than milk chocolate.”

Sticky and Gummy Candies
Be picky if it’s sticky. These are some of the worst candies for your teeth. “This candy is harder to remove and may stay longer on your teeth, which gives that cavity-causing bacteria more time to work,” Dr. Ferraz-Dougherty says.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

The remainder of the article details the following:

Hard Candy
Sour Candy
Popcorn Balls

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Monday 16 October 2017

What are Cavities?

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about what cavities are.

Sunday 15 October 2017

12 Tips for a Healthy Halloween

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org

Halloween is around the corner, which for most children means bags of free candy and a chance to build a stockpile of sweets for the winter. No surprise, Halloween can also present parents with a variety of health and safety challenges. “It’s OK to eat that candy on Halloween but it’s important to have a plan,” says ADA dentist Dr. Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty.

Here's how you can help your family stay MouthHealthy on Halloween and year-round.
Time It Right
Eat Halloween candy (and other sugary foods) with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals. This helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and rinse away food particles.

Stay Away from Sweet Snacks
Snacking can increase your risk of cavities, and it’s double the trouble if you keep grabbing sugary treats from the candy bowl. “Snacking on candy throughout the day is not ideal for your dental health or diet,” Dr. Ferraz-Dougherty says.

Choose Candy Carefully
Avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time. Aside from how often you snack, the length of time sugary food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Unless it is a sugar-free product, candies that stay in the mouth for a long period of time subject teeth to an increased risk for tooth decay.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

The remainder of the article details the following:

Avoid Sticky Situations
Have a Plan
Drink More Water
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Stay Away from Sugary Beverages
Chew Gum with the ADA Seal
Brush Twice a Day
Clean Between Your Teeth
Visit an ADA Dentist

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Thursday 12 October 2017

Third Molar Removal

Third Molar Extractions

Third molars, otherwise known as wisdom teeth, develop later than other adult teeth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. These teeth are located in the very back of the mouth, often becoming impacted if they don't fit in the arch of the upper or lower jaw. Impaction means the tooth doesn't grow straight up; instead, it becomes encased in the jaw bone. This can create a host of problems, as it can push and crowd other teeth, making those teeth grow in improperly. Cavities can easily occur because wisdom teeth are hard to keep clean. Infection can even develop in the jaw bone. The best solution is to have them extracted as soon as they appear, before these issues and the density of the jaw bone increases, making it harder to remove them. Dr. Glass works with a board-certified oral surgeon so extractions can be done right here in our office, without you having to be referred elsewhere. IV sedation is available, administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Monday 9 October 2017

Inter-Dental Cleaners

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about inter-dental cleaners.

Sunday 8 October 2017

Cold and Flu Season: 5 Ways to Care for Your Mouth When You’re Sick

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org

When he’s feeling under the weather, ADA dentist Dr. Gene Romo says one thing always helps him feel a little more like himself. “Brushing my teeth when I’m sick actually makes me feel better,” he says. “My mouth feels clean, and in a way, I feel like my health is starting to improve.”

When you have a cold or the flu, taking care of your body is your top priority-and that includes your mouth. “It’s important to take care of your dental health all year round, but especially when you’re sick,” Dr. Romo says.

Here are some simple ways to care for your dental health when you’re not feeling well:

Practice Good Hygiene
When you’re sick, you know to cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Don’t forget to keep up your dental and toothbrush hygiene as well.
According to the CDC, the flu virus can live on moist surfaces for 72 hours. “The number one rule is not to share your toothbrush anytime, but especially when you are sick,” Dr. Romo says.
You also probably don’t need to replace your toothbrush after you’ve been sick. Unless your immune system is severely compromised, the chances of reinfecting yourself are very low. “But if you’re still in doubt, throw it out,” says Dr. Romo. “Especially if you’ve had your toothbrush for 3-4 months, when it’s time to replace it anyway.”

Choose Sugar-Free Cough Drops
Read the label before you pick up a bag at the drug store with an eye to avoid ingredients like fructose or corn syrup. “Many cough drops contain sugar, and it is like sucking on candy,” says Dr. Romo. “Sugar is a culprit when it comes to cavities.” The longer you keep a sugary cough drop in your mouth, the more time cavity-causing bacteria has to feast on that sugar, which produces the acid that can leave holes in your teeth.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

The remainder of the article details the following:

Swish and Spit After Vomiting
Stay Hydrated to Avoid Dry Mouth
Choose the Right Fluids

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Thursday 5 October 2017

Dental Implants

What's So Bad About Losing a Tooth?

No matter how you lose a tooth – gum disease, decay, accident or some other trauma, you should consider it a huge problem. Missing even one tooth will allow your other teeth to become displaced, altering your ability to chew and process nutrients from your food. You may undergo weight loss, your facial appearance may shrink, or your speech patterns may change.

Need a replacement? Dental implants offer the optimal way to restore a missing tooth (or missing teeth). They appear so natural only your dentist will know they're not your originals.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com

Monday 2 October 2017

Tooth Whitening Is Not Equal to Tooth Brushing

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about tooth whitening not being equal to tooth brushing.

Thursday 28 September 2017

Cosmetic Dentistry

Full-Mouth Rehabilitation

Great oral health means more than regular cleanings and the occasional filling. Many patients who've dealt with injury, illness, bite problems, and simple wear can have recurrent issues that they don't recognize began in their mouth. Bruxism (tooth grinding); TMJ; periodontitis; and/or crooked, misshapen, or missing teeth can combine to cause headaches and migraines, shoulder and neck strain, toothaches, chronic bad breath, and a generally unattractive appearance. But you don't have to accept this situation. Our doctors will sit down with you to discuss your concerns, symptoms, and goals and to take digital X-rays, photos, and 3-D cone beam CT scans. Then they will present treatment options to address your problems and help you achieve a healthy, pain-free, and amazing smile. We can also discuss phased treatment and financial planning that will put your dream smile within reach.

Advanced Dentistry of Spring
Stephen D. Glass, DDS
Joel C. Edgar, DDS
7000 Louetta Road, Suite A
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-1214
WhiterSmiles.com