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Sensitive Teeth – The Root of the Matter

Different Layers of teethAre you experiencing tooth sensitivity? Hot or cold temperatures, sweet or sour foods and drinks, and deep cavities or fillings often trigger this problem. Sensitivity is a common dilemma and an estimated 45 million Americans are victims! If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, sensitivity is also not at all uncommon.

Sensitive teeth normally occurs when the enamel on the outside of the tooth wears away exposing the dentin layer of the tooth. The dentin layer is very porous with tubes that run to the nerve center. When exposed, the tubes react to changes in temperature and different foods.

During orthodontic treatment, the discomfort a patient experiences is due to pressure that is placed on your teeth by the braces. This level of discomfort varies from patient to patient. The sensitivity is not permanent and will only last a few days. At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we educate our patients on how to reduce this sensitivity to enhance a more pleasant orthodontic treatment experience. However, if you aren’t wearing braces, below are some common causes of tooth sensitivity. Read More

Dairy Products and Your Teeth

Dairy Products are healthy for teeth Greater Houston Orthodontics Houston TXAs kids we all remember hearing our parents or grandparents remind us that dairy products help build strong bones and teeth. But did you also know that milk and dairy products in general help can assist in improving your oral health and lowering your risk for gum disease?

A Winning Combination: Nutrition and Dental Health

Brushing and flossing in combination with regular visits to your dentist are all effective ways to prevent cavities. But a healthy mouth also requires a balanced diet, especially during orthodontic treatment!. The recommended daily serving of 2 – 4 servings of milk or dairy products per day provides a continuous supply of calcium and other bone building nutrients that aid in protecting tooth enamel and also the prevention of bone and tooth loss.Read More

Here Are Some Halloween No No’s – Chewy, Sticky, Hard and Crunchy

At Greater Houston Orthodontics we want all our patients to have fun at Halloween. It’s all about decorations, costumes, and having a good time. But we also want to make sure you don’t have any problems with your orthodontic appliances when enjoying your Halloween goodies. Watch the video below to find out how.

The video offer patients and moms some great ideas on what sweets you can make for those wearing braces to prevent damage caused by chewy, sticky, hard, and crunching goodies. The video was created by the Food Network and the American Association of Orthodontics. Find out what kids of all ages can eat without breaking wires and brackets before and after Halloween. Read More

Celebrate Orthodontic Health Month in October with a Great Smile

Orthodontic Health Month 2013You only get one chance to make a first impression, no matter what your age. Whether you are meeting new friends or interviewing for a job, a smile is important to building both personal and business relationships. It is a well-known fact that straight teeth and a great smile builds self-esteem, confidence, and influences how you present yourself to the world. Orthodontic treatment, no matter what age, is an investment in the future.

At Greater Houston Orthodontics our goal is to spread the word in Houston TX that October is Orthodontic National Health Month and its purpose is to reinforce the need for an orthodontic evaluation. You are never too young or too old if your bite or smile needs correction.Read More

SPLINTS ARE FOR MORE THAN JUST BROKEN BONES…

Clenching and grinding of teeth Greater Houston Orthodontics Houston TXDental or Orthodontic Splints are devices that are used when patients suffer from certain types of dental problems. These problems include TMJ or TemporoMandibular Joint disorder, common snoring, sleep apnea, and teeth grinding (bruxism).

In orthodontics, a “splint” is designed to fit on top of the upper or lower teeth. Treatment varies based on each patient’s individualize needs and is most often used to stabilize the teeth and/or jaws to alleviate discomfort. A TMJ splint may be used prior to placement of braces to help alleviate discomfort if the problem is a result of a bad bite or be used during orthodontics to open the bite. It is also used upon completion of orthodontic treatment if a patient is neurologically prone to grinding. In this scenario, the splint may also act as a retainer.Read More

The Truth About Sugar – Are You Ready to Take a Stand?

The consumption of sugar will always be an issue for dental professionals, medical professionals, nutritionists, and health buffs everywhere. As long as sugar remains a large part of the American diet, we will continue to hear about all the negative effects sugar can have on the body. But do we listen?

At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we feel it is our mission to provide important information regarding the epidemic problem of sugar consumption in our country today and understand how the over consumption of sugar may cause many health problems in the future, especially for our children and generations to come.

You may think… Is this concern exaggerated?Read More

Orthodontic Treatment is Often Considered a Rite of Passage Among Adolescents and Teens

Yearbook photo with braces Greater Houston Orthodontics Houston TXEver thought about why you don’t see many seniors with braces in high school yearbooks today? Look at yearbook or prom pictures from the 1960s or ’70s and you’ll see many “tin grins”. You don’t often see that today. Why? Kids today undergo orthodontic care at a much earlier age in Houston, Texas and treatment is usually completed before their junior year when most yearbook and prom photos are taken. Some patients, with special problems, begin orthodontic treatment as early as age 7 or younger.

The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that all children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This is when the permanent teeth begin to erupt and most orthodontic problems become apparent to general dentists and parents. If orthodontic treatment is indicated, the optimum time to determine the best course of treatment and timing to begin is when the teeth and jaws are still growing.Read More

Oral Piercings – Are They Worth It?

Tongue Piercing at Greater Houston Orthodontics in Houston TXOral piercings of the tongue, lips, and cheeks are growing in popularity and acceptance, and are considered a way to express ones personality in an art form like tattoos. However, did you know the human bite can be more “toxic” than an animal bite? Keeping this in mind, imagine what could happen to your mouth with oral piercings that collect additional food and debris (that breed bacteria and germs) while banging against your teeth over 1500 times a day when you swallow…Read More