Category: Dental care

iTero Intraoral Scanner is a touch-enabled scanner that gives a more accurate view of your mouth, gums, teeth, and all other oral structures. The best part about using this device is that it makes easier to create digital impressions for Invisalign and other orthodontic procedures. The process is completely free from irritation or pain.

What Are The Benefits?
There are various advantages of using iTero Scanner. This scanner is quicker, cleaner and quite accurate than other traditional impressions. This means patients will experience less time in the chair and come up with an accurate diagnosis.

Since the impressions are completely digital, there are lesser chances of missing out on potential issues. It allows orthodontists to mitigate potential issues in the initial treatment plan.

3D iTero scanning makes it easier to view the effects of a treatment even before you have it.

Traditional impressions require multiple attempts to get the right impression. This might result in an uglier experience for patients. iTero eliminates the need for such type of impressions and can shorten your visit time in the office.

The process of scanning can be stopped and started as many times as possible to ensure the patient’s comfort.

The iTero Scanner makes no space for errors. It helps dentists to create natural-looking bridges, veneers, crowns, and other restorations. It minimizes the discomfort that comes with holding a tray for several minutes.

Invisalign Treatment Using iTero Intraoral Scanner:

Invisalign treatment makes use of clear aligners that are designed from medical-grade plastic. iTero scanner has aligners that are created and tailored to fit your mouth. A new set of aligner is worn in every two weeks as the teeth are shifted into the right place. The length of treatment and cost is comparable to traditional braces.

Other than Invisalign, iTero Intraoral scanners are also used to examine the end results of metal and ceramic brace treatments.

With all of these advantages, iTero scanner is becoming a preferred choice amongst our dentists for developing an effective treatment plan and ensuring a positive outcome.

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A new study out of the University of Helsinki found that one of the bacteria that cause periodontal disease may also affect a young woman’s fertility. This is the first study of its kind, and it really drives the point that taking care of your teeth is one of the most important things you can do for the health of yourself and your family.

The Study

The bacteria that cause periodontal disease have been making a lot of cautionary waves in dental studies. It’s been linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s, pancreatic cancer, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland were curious how this disease affects young women’s odds of becoming pregnant. To test their hypothesis they studied 259 healthy women with a mean age of 29 years old whom had recently decided to become pregnant and ceased using birth control. Oral and gynecological exams were performed at the beginning of the study and the women’s saliva was tested for for periodontal bacteria. After 12 months the women then reported back to discuss whether or not they had become pregnant. After analyzing the data, they found that women who did not become pregnant had statistically significantly higher levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis, P. gingivalis, and higher levels of antibodies in their saliva. They acknowledge that this study does not question any other factors of infertility, but it does further the research into the far-reaching effects of periodontal disease. lt seems to add to the narrative of a systemic connection between periodontal disease and chronic conditions that affect the rest of the body.

A Note on Fertility

A woman’s reproductive years are very important if she desires to have children. A woman has the best odds of becoming pregnant between the ages of 20 and 35. After age 35, her fertility declines sharply. Unfortunately, a woman’s fertility is a very complicated biological rhythm. Many physical and hormonal factors must line up exactly right for a couple to conceive. These findings of periodontal disease’s effects only add to the stress of becoming pregnant. However, if we think about how detrimental low grade or chronic inflammation can be on the body, we can see that this disruption of the reproductive system makes sense. lf the body is constantly fighting off harmful bacteria like P. gingivalis, it may not have the physical energy to produce the exact cocktail of hormones necessary to facilitate ovulation and reproduction — which seems to be the case.

Preventing Periodontal Disease for Pregnancy

Although it must be mentioned that there is a lot of research to be done to discover the exact reason why the bacteria present in periodontal disease can affect the fertility of a young woman, taking care of your teeth is extremely important if you are looking to become pregnant. The presence of progesterone is powerful for women and can affect their teeth and bodies. It is within your power to protect yourself from developing gum disease and periodontal disease while your hormones are in flux. By brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing correctly every day you are effectively removing this bacteria before it has a chance to take hold of your immune system and cause chronic inflammation in your gums and elsewhere in your body. Speak with your dentist if you are trying to become pregnant and wish to keep your teeth as healthy as possible.

Source: https://www.artistictouchdentistry.com/general-dentistry/periodontal-disease-can-hinder-fertility/

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CVD is an umbrella term for diseases of the heart and blood vessels. This includes diseases of the blood vessels that supply: the brain (such as stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases); the heart muscle (coronary heart disease); and the arms and legs (peripheral arterial disease).

It also includes other conditions that can damage the heart (such as rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart disease), as well as conditions in which blood clots form and block the blood supply (such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism).

CVD is the primary cause of death worldwide. In 2015, it claimed 17.7 million lives, including 7.4 million due to coronary head disease and 6.7 million due to stroke.

It was first thought that poor oral health might actually cause CVD, “through infection and inflammation.” However, more recently, scientists have concluded that poor oral health indicates the presence of— rather than causes — atherosclerosis and they therefore propose that it might serve as a risk marker of CVD.

For the investigation, Prof. Qi and his team focused on tooth loss and coronary heart disease. They pooled and analyzed data on thousands of men and women aged 45—69 who were followed in two large studies: the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS).

As the participants had been asked about their number of natural teeth when they enrolled, as well as about recent tooth loss in follow-up questionnaires, the researchers were able to assess tooth loss over a period of 8 years.

The team then compared this recent too

th loss pattern to incidence of coronary heart disease over a subsequent follow-up period of 12—18 years.

The scientists conclude that their results suggest “that among middle-aged adults, a higher number of teeth lost in the recent past may be associated with subsequent risk of [coronary heart disease], independent of the baseline number of natural teeth and traditional risk factors.”

Author: Catharine Paddock PhD

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The number of Americans that are overweight (having a weight 10%—20% above normal for your height) or obese (having a weight 50%—100% above normal for your height) has increased significantly throughout the past 20 years. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 67 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Greater than 34 percent are obese. Childhood obesity has tripled since 1980. As of 2008, the prevalence of obesity among children (6—11 years) was 19.6 percent and adolescents (12—19 years) was 18.1 percent.

It is well known that obesity is associated with many medical problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, elevated cholesterol, hypertension, arthritis, gastric reflux, infertility, gout, and some types of cancer. In recent years, there has been research supporting a link between obesity and periodontal disease.

How Does Obesity Affect Periodontal Disease?

Overweight and obese adults have long been considered to be at high risk for many chronic inflammatory diseases and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Likewise, obesity appears to be an independent risk factor for the development of periodontal disease even after controlling other risk factors such as smoking, age, and other medical problems. A recent study (Khader YS, et al.J Clin Periodontol 2009;36(1):18-24) showed that overweight individuals had double the incidence of periodontitis while obese individuals had triple the incidence.

Fat cells were once thought of as having limited function energy storage. It is now known that fat cells produce many chemical signals and hormones. Many of these substances are thought to increase overall inflammation in the body. This may lead to decreased immune status, which increases susceptibly to periodontal disease. The inflammation may also decrease blood flow to the gums and cause disease progression.

Prevention of Periodontal Disease

Diet is very important for overall health, including dental health. Eating a low-fat, reduced sodium balanced diet of whole grains, vegetables and fruits is recommended. Limiting the time sugar is in contact with the teeth is advised. Avoiding sugary beverages (sodas, fruit juices, sweetened tea) and candies (especially ones that stick to the teeth like taffy) is helpful. Eating sugary foods in between meals and before bed is also discouraged. Regular dental visits are recommended for teeth cleaning and inspection.

Understanding the relationship between obesity and the risk factors that lead to periodontal disease is very important. With the increasing rate of child and adolescent obesity, the prevalence of periodontal disease will follow. Keys to the prevention of periodontal disease are through proper oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and routine dental visits.

Author: Shannon McShea—Johansson, PA-C

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Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) is primarily a disease of older adults, occurring most frequently in patients older than 45 years of age. Epidemiological studies over last 20 years have shown a steady rise in the incidence of these cancers in younger adults (age 18-45 years), especially in cancers of the oropharynx and oral cavity.

Numerous early reports of Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) concluded that the disease was more aggressive and the prognosis poorer in young adults as compared to older adults. However, findings from more recent studies, such as those by Gilroy et al., Goldenberg et al. or Hafkamp et al. have not found any significant differences in outcomes between different age groups. Recently, superior survival of younger patients with oropharyngeal SCC was found to be related to a high-risk human papilloma vims (HPV) infection.

The global incidence and mortality rates for HNSCC are 540,000 and 271,000 annually, respectively. The increase of HNSCC has occurred concurrently with a decreasing prevalence of cigarette smoking in the general population; importantly, this observation would not be expected if the only primary risk factors for all HNSCC were alcohol and tobacco abuse. In fact, evidence suggests that oral cancer may now be considered a “new epidemic”. The majority of research on the changing epidemiology has focused on the HPV and its association with HNSCC, particularly in primary tumors of the oropharynx. Interestingly, although the rate of OCSCC is observed to be decreasing in young individuals, the incidence of oral tongue Squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) has been rising especially in young white women, age 18 44 years, what is more surprising given the fact that OCSCC, unlike OPSCC, are not typically associated with the HPV infection. Consequently, young white women form a unique subgroup of patients with no traditional risk factors of tobacco and alcohol abuse and who can not be associated with HPV infection.

Tobacco and alcohol have long been implicated as the traditional risk factors for HNSCC in adults, regardless of age. Interestingly, many patients under age 45 declare never having smoked or consumed alcohol excessively, as Kuriakose et al. reported.

The rising mortality and increasing incidence of cancer of the tongue amongst young patients in the U.S. has been attributed to the use of smokeless tobacco products. The first epidemiological study showing that marijuana smoking elevates the risk of head and neck cancers was published in 1999. Since that time, several case studies have been published that suggest an association between marijuana smoking and head and neck cancers, respiratory cancers and oral premalignant lesions.

It seems likely that there is a genetic predisposition for the cancer development at a young age, particularly in those patients with no recognized risk factors. It has been shown that patients younger than 30 years exhibit a significantly increased chromosome fragility following mutagen exposure when compared to older patients.

Even though Byers first suggested as far back as 1975 that HNSCC in young adults should be considered a distinct subgroup, the question as to whether age has a significant impact or not on treatment outcomes still remains unanswered. Nevertheless, one thing is clear. Although young people have a lower incidence rate for HNSCC, physicians need to be aware that the incidence is growing and these types of cancers must be suspected in any patient with worrying signs and symptoms, regardless of age.

Authors: Ewa Majchrzak, Bartosz Szybiak, Anna Wegner, Piotr Pienkowski, Jakub Pazdrowski, Lukasz Luczewski, Marcin Sowka, Pawel Golusinski, Julian Malicki, and Wojciech Golusinski.
Source: Oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in young adults: a review of the literature

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Crosby Family Dental with offices in Crosby, Highlands, Dayton and Huffman is your local affordable and quality family dental office. We provide preventative care, restorative care and cosmetic procedures. We know that preventative care can save a lot of money and pain so it’s very important to teach children good dental hygiene habits from an early age. We’ve come up with a list of ideas for you.

• Give Them The Illusion Of Choice

Kids like to feel they are in control so let them choose which toothbrush they’ll use and which toothpaste to use on a particular night. Of course, whether they brush or not is not up for debate but letting them choose something gives them a feeling that they are part of the process.

• Be A Good Example

Let your kids see you flossing on a daily basis and brushing at least twice a day.

• Guide Them to Healthy Choices

Food choices play a big part in dental health. Sodas for example are terrible for teeth (we consider them liquid candy bars) and should be consumed sparingly if at all. Remind your child to rinse off their teeth with water after a soda.

• Play the Bad Guy

It is the fate of parents to have to be the bad guy sometimes and you are doing a good job if your kids accept your authority without a fight. Present the rules as a matter of fact. No soda. No gummy candies. No sugary gum. Kids will get used to the family rules and maybe even thank you when they get a clear report at the dentist while their friends are getting cavities filled.

We hope these tips are helpful and we look forward to seeing you at your next visit. Call (281) 783-6565 or schedule an appointment online.

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Here at Crosby Family Dental, your trusted Huffman dental office, we strive to help you achieve your best dental health and smile. Like we’ve mentioned before, we hear quite a bit of myths and misconceptions from our patients. We value education and because of that, we’re going to identify and discuss some of the biggest dental health myths circulating around.

• If you don’t feel any pain, there isn’t anything wrong. This one is false and can be very dangerous! Pain is actually often one of the last symptoms to appear, and only appears when things have gotten worse. If you’re in pain, it’s there for a reason. The best way to prevent oral pain is through prevention and regular visits to the Huffman dental office at Crosby Family Dental.
• Dental X-rays can be harmful. If you have a lot of dental problems, you’ll likely need more frequent X-rays, whereas if you’re someone who doesn’t historically have a lot of dental problems, you won’t need as many X-rays. Regardless, the average amount of radiation that you get from an X-ray doesn’t go beyond the amount you’d get from a normal day in the sun.
• Whiter teeth are much healthier teeth. This one is false! Just because your teeth are white doesn’t mean that they’re healthy. You can’t see infections or cavities between your teeth and moreover, the natural color of teeth varies from one person to the next.
• Brushing your bleeding gums is bad for you. Not only is brushing your teeth good for you, it’s also great for your gums and tongue. Of course, if you have sensitive gums, you shouldn’t try to brush too hard, but you still need to brush your gums.

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In our last blog, we gave you some tips on how you can improve your brushing skills. Good oral health is key to overall health and as your trusted dentist, we want to help you make sure you’re not making any of these toothbrush mistakes.

• Switch things up when brushing. Do you always start brushing your teeth at the same tooth / in the same place? Most of us do! Start in a different place every time you brush your teeth so that you don’t get lazy. By the time you get to the last area of your mouth, you can get bored, so you have to stay aware of what you’re doing. Make sure you make it to all of the surfaces and hard to reach places!
• Make sure you’re picking your products wisely. The kind of toothpaste you use definitely makes more of a difference than you may realize. Those that brighten or control tartar may be harsh to your teeth and gums. We suggest going back to plain, basic fluoride toothpaste.
• Control that sour tooth! Things that have high acidity like energy drinks, sour candies, diet sodas, apple juice, coffee, and orange juice can harm enamel. If you do go for sour goodies, wait half an hour before you brush. That gives your saliva time to restore tooth enamel.
• Don’t forget to rinse your brush after brushing your teeth. Germs from your mouth and teeth will stay on your brush and breed if you don’t! Plus, you’ll want to get rid of that leftover toothpaste. However, don’t use a disinfectant to clean your toothbrush – just a simple rinse with water will do.

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We at Crosby Family Dental know that you value your dental health, and we also know that everyone tends to indulge during the holidays. We’ve come up with a list of dental health tips to keep in mind while you indulge.

Choose Cheese!

Besides being high in calcium it has a pH balancing effect so helps neutralize the effects of acidic drinks like wine, beer and soda.

Avoid Teeth Staining Foods

Red wine is a major culprit in stained teeth. And don’t think you can just switch to white wine and be fine. Sadly, white wine also promotes staining. White wine, followed by another staining drink, such as tea is a double whammy as the acid in the white wine seems to open up the teeth to staining.

Fill up on Fruits and Veggies

We know that the tray full of sticky sugary treats looks amazing, and we are not saying to deny yourself delicious foods, but you may want to hit the fruit and veggies trays first. When you feel full, you are less likely to overindulge in sugary treats. If you can’t brush your teeth soon after eating sticky, sugary foods, rinse off your teeth with water.

Teeth are Not Tools

We know it’s easier to use your teeth than to get up and get some scissors or the nutcracker, but we beg you, don’t do it! Take the extra moments to get the proper tool and save yourself the pain and trouble of a chipped tooth.

Call today for an appointment to make sure your teeth are ready for the holidays!

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Crosby Family Dental cares about your teeth and cares how you feel about your smile. As we age, our teeth naturally turn slightly off white, foods we eat c

an discolor them, we get cavities, and accidents occur that can chip or break our teeth. No one wants to hide their smile when they meet new people when they are happy, or when they are having photos taken, but when you feel self-conscious about your smile you may find yourself doing these things. There is no need to live like that. Modern dentists have many answers for you to choose from. This week’s blog will cover some of the options that are available to you to give yourself a more youthful smile.

Tooth Reshaping

• If you have teeth that are chipped or uneven, we can even them out so they can not distract from your otherwise great smile.
• Small amounts of enamel are removed to even out the surface of the tooth, leaving the rest of the tooth alone.
• This procedure can often be done painlessly and in many cases can improve the health of the tooth since overlapping that can trap foods and lead to cavities.

Teeth Whitening

• Older teeth naturally look more yellow than younger teeth because of food stains and thinning of enamel.
• If you have your dentist whiten your teeth, be sure to not go too white and afterward, be sure to avoid tooth-staining foods and drinks.

To read more about this topic, you can go here.

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Crosby Family Dental offers dental services for the whole family in Highlands, Dayton, and Huffman. We are one of the few dentists in the area that accept Medicaid. We do this in part because we feel that preventative dental care can save our patients pain and money. But we can’t do it alone! We need your help. Preventative care starts at home, and happens daily. One of the best things you can do to help avoid dental issues such as periodontal disease is to floss daily. This week’s blog will cover flossing. Many people think they are flossing correctly but they are, in fact, making mistakes. We will start at the beginning.

Flossing Basics

1. The first thing you need to do is make sure you have enough floss. About 18 inches is a good length. Wrap the floss around a couple of fingers so that you have just a few inches between the fingers of your hands. Pull it tight.
2. Slide the floss between two teeth. Pull the floss so that it curves around the base of the tooth, below the gumline.
3. Apply pressure toward the tooth and move the floss upward.
4. Do not see the floss back and forth, the motion should be more like a tiny squeegee on the tooth. When you are done with that tooth, keep
5. the floss between those same two teeth but curve the floss around the other tooth, in the opposite direction and repeat the squeegee motion, again below the gum line.

If you do this to all your teeth, every day you will be helping yourself avoid costly and painful dental issues. You will still need a bi-annual dental cleaning to get all the tartar and plaque that build up, so call today for an appointment.

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Crosby Family Dental provides excellent dental care to the people of Crosby, TX. We are dedicated to providing the best preventative care, as well as all kinds of dental services, including fillings, extractions, and even some orthodontic services to ensure you have and keep the bright straight smile you’ve always wanted. An important part of dental hygiene is the flossing and brushing you do at home on a daily basis.

This week’s blog will take a closer look at flossing and the mistakes that many people make while doing this essential dental care task. Crosby Family Dental is dedicated to providing the best dental care for the whole family, and that includes educating our patients about proper brushing and flossing techniques.

SCRAPE, DON’T SAW!

When you are flossing your teeth, you should think of the floss as a sort of squeegee, to gently move anything from the gum line to the tooth where it can be brushed off. Many people use a sawing motion instead of a gentle scraping motion, and this can damage your gums and cause more harm than good.

FLOSS MORE, NOT LESS, IF YOU BLEED.

If you have neglected your flossing for a while and start up again, you should expect some bleeding. This is caused by inflamed gums, and it will go away with continued flossing. Rinse with some salt water to keep your gums clean, and floss again tomorrow.
Call Crosby Family Dental for your next cleaning appointment. We accept Medicaid, so if you have a child in the CHIP program, be sure to call us for an appointment.

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Dental Implants Provide Durability With Functionality

At Crosby Family Dental we want to offer as much comfort to our patients as possible. We understand that visiting the dentist is not always the most fun thing to do, and can cause a patient quite a bit of anxiety. Our focus is to make your dental visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible, and we feel that by explaining our procedures we will do just that. Dental implants isn’t a term most people feel comfortable discussing, but today that is exactly what we are going to do.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant, in the simplest of terms, is an artificial tooth root that is placed into a patient’s gum. The implant is rooted to the patient’s jaw bone, and is used to hold a replacement tooth (or teeth) in place. Implants are used in cases where the patient’s natural tooth root has died or is dying due to an injury, gum disease, or another affliction that has caused damage to the root. Before the advent of the dental implant, the only option available to patients who had lost a tooth were to get an artificial bridge or dentures. While both of these options took care of the cosmetic issue of a missing tooth, they could not offer the structural support found in modern dental implants.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

There are many advantages to getting a dental implant to replace a tooth, and below we have listed a few of the most common.

• Convenience: One of the most beneficial aspects of a dental implant, as compared to dentures or bridges, is convenience. Because the dental implant directly attaches to the patient’s jaw, the replacement tooth is as secure as a normal tooth. This means that no food is off limits, and the patient can rest assured that the implant will not come out.

• Durability: Compared to all other tooth replacement options, dental implants are some of the most durable. Most dental implants are made of titanium, which is not only extremely durable, but is also a biocompatible material to the human body.

• Cosmetics: Nobody wants to have a tooth missing. It’s a cosmetic eyesore that can affect self esteem and how others view you. Dental implants fix this issue by delivering a quality tooth replacement that is virtually indistinguishable from a normal tooth.

• Health: Dental implants, unlike bridges which are supported by the surrounding teeth, do not require the manipulation of the surrounding teeth. With a bridge, the surrounding teeth must be reduced in order for the bridge to properly fit. By leaving more of your natural teeth intact, dental implants are the healthiest option to tooth replacement in regards to overall oral health.

We hope that this short blog has helped you to get a better grasp on what exactly a dental implant is. Here at Crosby Family Dental in Crosby, Texas, we feel that knowledge is power, and by giving our patients a little more knowledge we empower them to make the best decision possible when it comes to their oral health. If you or a loved one are in need of a dental implant, or any other dental service, contact us today to set up an appointment. We have the knowledge, skills, and resources to handle all of your dental needs.

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A healthy mouth is a happy mouth

At Crosby Family Dentistry in Crosby, TX, we want you to enjoy this winter as much as possible. The winter months are harsh on our bodies, but did you know that cold temperatures and harsh wind can affect the health of your mouth? We want your mouth to stay healthy

this winter, and below we have listed a few tips to help keep your oral health on point.

Chapped lips aren’t inevitable

Anyone who has spent time outside during the winter knows that chapped lips hurt. Chapped lips are caused by exposure to wind, cold temperatures, and sunlight. Add of the fact that most people lick their lips dozens of times in a single day and it can seem like chapped lips are just a part of winter that we all must deal with. To keep your lips protected this winter, we suggest that you use a lip balm that contains sunscreen of at least SPF 15. This will ensure that your lips are protected from the harsh rays of the sun and can better withstand exposure to wind and cold temperatures.

Canker sores are a common winter nuisance

It’s common knowledge that canker sore frequency increases during the winter months. Winter food and drinks, such as cider, sweets, and holiday desserts, are high in acidity, and will agitate canker sores more than foods that are low in acidity. Avoiding these types of dishes is difficult during the holidays, and many people are determined not to miss out on their favorite winter treats. To help prevent or treat canker sores, we suggest that you try mixing about a teaspoon of salt with a glass of warm water, and swish the mixture in your mouth. This natural remedy will help clean any active sores, and can help prevent new sores from cropping up.

At Crosby Family Dentistry, we want your mouth to have a healthy winter. Preventative care can go a long way in ensuring that you have proper oral hygiene.  Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and let our knowledgeable staff help you get through winter.

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Regardless of how thoroughly you brush, you’re never alone. The mouth is a very vital part of your body; it performs a special task on its own, containing more than 500 different types of microorganisms, some of them not yet named.

Some microscopic organisms are very important; Bacteria from the mouth help the gums and teeth stay sound, while some others can cause damage. Scientists have long realized that oral bacteria are the major cause of gum disease, cavities, tonsillitis and root canal infections. Furthermore, a few years ago, researchers started to follow the way the mouth’s microorganisms influence whatever is left of the body. Oral bacteria have been associated with everything from stroke and preterm births to pneumonia and diabetes.

As we acquire more knowledge about the mind boggling world inside our mouths, referred to specialists as the “microbiome”, a few researchers trying to find out how some particular number of microorganisms relate with health issues. One with serious attention is cardiovascular disease. Individuals suffering from diabetes are at high risk of heart problem: The American Diabetes Association says that individuals with diabetes are twice as prone to heart attack or stroke as individuals without. They’re additionally more inclined to have a periodontal infection, which can cause damages to gums and teeth.

With assistance through a grant from the ADA, College of South Carolina specialist Anwar Merchant is attempting to check whether it’s conceivable to tell from the plaque on your teeth that you may be at higher danger of having heart disease. Merchant work is a piece of a continuous study in Colorado, checking kids with diabetes and kids without. The children with diabetes who went through the text were between the ages of 10 and 12, and had lived with diabetes for no less than five years.

Merchant and his colleagues took test samples of mouth plaque, the stuff that develops on your teeth when you don’t brush and floss routinely. “We got test samples of their plaque and searched for 41 microorganisms known to be connected with periodontal diseases,” Merchant says. “These organisms are present in everybody’s mouth, though the only difference is that some people have more in numbers than the others.”

Within the same time duration they compared different indicators of heart disease; they found that children with a certain profile (more of a specific species of microorganisms) were earlier prone to heart disease like hypertension and abnormal cholesterol.

“We arranged the microbiological profile of the children taking into account organisms we obtain from their mouths,” Merchant says. “We’re relating the profile with the results.; Are the profiles the same or different between individuals with or without diabetes? Do individuals with a certain microbial profile have higher or lower markers of cardiovascular disease?”

Merchant‘s initial results propose that there is a clear relation between the condition of your mouth and health condition of your heart. The question that is yet to be answered is why the microorganisms help cause cardiovascular disease up ’til now no concrete proof was available to association between the mouth and the heart?

One important mechanism Merchant and others think may be highly responsible is inflammation, beginning with irritated gums and after that spreading to different parts of the body. “It’s could be that these organisms are responsible for inflammation in the mouth and in the body. That can affect different body systems most especially the heart and insulin activity,” he says. “Individuals with diabetes are more at risk to get cardiovascular disease. This may just be one more thing that adds to it.”

Another major possibility has to do with the large number of microorganisms living in your mouth. This number may actually be progressing, spreading to your bloodstream through little cuts in your gums. Scientists have discovered colonies of a certain awful bug called Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacterium that helps cause the gum disease gingivitis, along the walls clogged-up blood vessels which transport to the heart.

Merchant is hopeful that his finding will assist to clear relation between the type of bacteria in your mouth with danger of heart disease. That may permit specialists to distinguish individuals at higher risk of heart disease by easily testing the bacteria in their mouths. “If there is an association, then in due cause microbiome may direct treatment later on,” Merchant says.

In future, it may be possible to get treatment that can protect or heal the heart by changing the balance of your mouth’s microbiome. Be that as it may, until then, Merchant urges individuals to brush, floss, and visit the dental frequently. Given the connections between diabetes and heart disease, he says, “this may be one major reason individuals with diabetes should see their dentist regularly.

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Life is busy enough without having to make separate runs to one dentist for mom and dad and another for the kids. There is no reason to add extra miles and time to your weekly schedule when you bring the whole family to Crosby Family Dentistry.

What Makes a Family Dentist a Family Dentist?

When a dentist treats the entire family, throughout the generations, they are a family dentist. From a child’s first visit to geriatric dentistry, Crosby Family Dentist can treat any issue that arises. A family dentist performs general and preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry,  and cosmetic dentistry.

Preventative and General Dentistry

Preventative care saves you money, time, and pain. It is important to get your teeth cleaned twice a year and to take proactive steps such as a mouthguard if it is needed. We do routine care including X-Rays and cleaning to keep your teeth in their best shape and to catch any problems early on, before they develop into bigger problems.

Restorative Dentistry

No matter how much you try to keep your teeth in good condition, sometimes cavities, infections, or loss of teeth happen. Restorative Dentistry treats diseases of the teeth and gums, according to Wikipedia. It can mean everything from a simple filling or root canal to replacing a missing tooth with a crown or bridge.

Cosmetic Dentistry

When your teeth are healthy but you wish they’d look better, you might find that cosmetic dentistry has what you want. If your teeth have yellowed or are stained from food or drinks, teeth whitening is something to consider. If your teeth are straight, but you think they’d look better without the bumps and divots, tooth bonding or contouring is something about which you can speak to your dentist.

When you are looking for a family dentist to care for the teeth of the whole family, look to Crosby Family Dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

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If you’ve enjoyed great dental health and suddenly see blood when you rinse and spit out your toothpaste, and after inspection you see that your gum line is bleeding, and this can be quite alarming.

In this week’s blog, we’ll cover some possible causes of your bleeding gums, and what you can do about it. Crosby Family Dental is dedicated to the dental health of our patients. We hope this information proves helpful to you. Here are some of the leading causes of bleeding gums, and what you can do about it.

GINGIVITIS

• When you’ve let plaque build up at your gum line, your gums can get irritated and bleed.
• Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums, and while your gums may bleed, it is not painful.
• Don’t the lack of pain trick you into thinking it’s ok to let the bleeding slide.
• The remedy for gingivitis is a good dental cleaning and regular flossing.
• It’s also a good idea to rinse with salt water daily until you can see a dentist to minimize the threat of infection taking hold.

HORMONE CHANGES IN WOMEN

• When a woman goes through hormone changes bleeding gums can occur.
• Estrogen levels affect the amount of moisture in the mouth and drier months are more prone to bleeding gums.
• These hormone changes take place during pregnancy and menopause.
• Make sure not to skip a dental cleaning, and be very strict about your brushing and flossing regimen.
• If the amount of bleeding concerns you, call your dentist for an appointment between cleanings.

Call Crosby Family Dental today for an appointment to keep your gums healthy!

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Crosby Family Dental is a dental practice dedicated to the dental health of the entire family. We see pediatric patient all the way up to geriatric patients. Because we see the entire spectrum of dental health in people we have a good perspective on why it is so important to develop good dental habits in children. We know that it’s not the easiest thing to be consistent when it comes to your child’s dental habits. It’s far easier to let a bedtime tooth brushing slip or to let them have a sticky treat, but this is one battle you must be willing to fight. I child must learn that there is no compromise when it comes to dental habits. Here are some tips to help you in your valiant struggle.

Make it Fun

• There is no reason that tooth brushing time can’t signal fun for kids.
• There are shelves of fun character toothbrushes for children. As long as it is soft, let your child pick their favorite character.
• There are a variety of flavors for children to pick from as well.
• Make funny sounds like pahtooey when spitting after brushing or have a contest between kids to see who can spit closest to the drain.

Do a Double Check

• After your young child is given a chance to brush their own teeth, go over the teeth yourself with their toothbrush.
• Make up a silly rhyming song or a story featuring them to help distract them if they don’t like it.

We’ll continue this topic in our next blog, check back soon and call today to make an appointment. We accept Medicaid!

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Crosby Family Dental is dedicated to your whole family’s dental health and we know it can be hard to form and keep good habits that keep your teeth and gums healthy. This week’s blog will focus on how your dietary choices affect your dental health.

Sugar

We all know that sugar is bad for our teeth, but sometimes we can be surprised at the foods that contain sugar. Even something as simple as a cracker can glob up between your teeth and it takes just about 20 minutes for those starches to turn to sugar and start to eat away at your tooths’ enamel.

Acid

Many of our common foods are high in acid and are bad for your teeth. Sodas are one of the worst things for your teeth, as most of us know, but most people think it’s because it’s because of the sugar. While the sugar isn’t good for your teeth, of course, the acid in sodas is just as bad, if not worse, for your dental health. Fruit juice, wine, pickles, lemons, and even honey are all high in acid and thus, prolonged exposure is bad for your teeth.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy these foods and drinks, but you should be aware of what you are eating and follow good dental hygiene habits. We’ll go over a few below but you can read more about good dental hygiene habits below.

Rinse With Water

If you can’t brush your teeth after every bite you take, and who can, be sure to rinse your teeth off with water after you eat anything that has high sugar (or can turn to sugar) or is highly acidic.
Brush Often

Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once.

Call Crosby Family Dental for more information or for an appointment

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Crosby Family Dental offers affordable and quality dental care for the whole family. We are one of the few dentists in the area that accept Medicaid. We firmly believe that dental health is the root (pun intended) of much of your overall health and happiness. We also believe that good dental health is a lifelong pursuit, the habits of which are best learned in childhood. It seems, though, that no matter what you do sometimes, you get a cavity. We’ve been asked if cavities are contagious and while it seems counterintuitive to answer yes, there is some evidence to say that yes, cavities can be contagious. According to an article by William J. Moorhead, DMD, PLLC, there are three main factors that spread cavities.

Bacteria

• Not just any bacteria cause cavities in teeth.
• Two of the known culprits are streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus, and these bacteria can spread from one person to another by seemly innocuous activities like a mother cleaning off a binky, sharing a fork of food, or kissing.

Family Hygiene

• Children learn their dental hygiene habits from their parents and if high standards are not enforced, the children will be more likely to skip flossing or after-meal brushing.

Family Eating Habits

• Just as children learn dental hygiene habits from their parents or caretakers, they also eat what they are taught it is ok to eat.
• If kids are allowed to drink sodas, eat sugary, sticky candy or lots of acidic foods like pickles and lemons, their teeth will pay the price with cavities and discoloration.

If multiple people in the family are getting cavities, it’s time to treat the whole family with a multi-pronged approach. First, all members of the family should see a dentist and have a thorough cleaning, next, their dental hygiene and eating habits need to be examined and possibly adjusted for better dental health.

Call Crosby Family Dental for an appointment.

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Here at Crosby Family Dental, your local Huffman TX dental office, wants to help you achieve an oral health that will make you feel remarkable and vibrant. Today we’re going to talk about some common flossing mistakes so that you can ensure that you’re not making them.

• You’re not flossing both sides of your teeth. If you’re just sliding the floss down and then pulling it up, you’re only doing 50% of the job! When you floss, you need to make sure that you’re cleaning both sides of the teeth.
• Are you using the same section of floss between all of your teeth? You shouldn’t be! Why? Because when you’re flossing, you’re removing bacteria from between your teeth and from below your gum line. If you keep using the same section of floss between each tooth, you’re spreading the bacteria around rather than really removing it.
• Don’t snap that floss down hard between your teeth. Instead, try working the floss back and forth while applying a firm but controlled downward pressure. This will ensure that you don’t injury your gums or cause trauma.
• Do you floss aimlessly without a plan? You’re going to need a roadmap of what order you’re going to floss your teeth. Otherwise, you can quickly become confused and forget which teeth have been flossed and which haven’t! It may be easiest to start in the upper right and go to the upper left, then come down to the lower teeth in the bottom left and move across to the bottom right.

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Some people think that dentists get nightmares about Halloween. It could very well be true! Dentists, like the dentist of Crosby Family Dental, care about children’s teeth! They know that habits formed as children can last a lifetime. We know that you don’t want your dentist to have nightmares on Halloween, so we came up with a list of things that give dentists nightmares, so you can avoid doing them.

Things that Give Your Dentist Nightmares

• The mere thought of children eating mounds of sticky candy like caramels and tootsie rolls gives a dentist dreams of giant cavity monsters!
• The image of children falling asleep, exhausted from Trick or Treating with a lollipop in their mouths make dentist wake up in sweats!
• The thought of a child eating a big ball of sticky sweet pop corn can keep him awake altogether.
• The thought of that same popcorn eating child not flossing before bedtime, well you can only imagine the horrors they see in their dreams!
• When he or she finally falls asleep they see children grabbing boxes of jujubes and fruit leather from the bowl left on someone’s porch in their dreams and they wake up with a start!
• The idea of a child chewing sugary gum, bathing their teeth in sugar water, oh! You just can’t imagine…it gives dentists the shakes!

Be nice to your dentist!

Spare them! Avoid the sticky candy!

Go for easy melting chocolate! Floss and brush your teeth extra well on Halloween!

Do it for your kind dentist, who cares about your teeth!!

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For most of us, brushing out teeth comes as second nature. We hardly even think about it when we’re doing it. As a trusted Huffman dentist, we want everyone to know that brushing correctly is a key part of good oral health, as well as a great way to avoid cavities and gum disease. Today we’re going to help you brush up on your teeth brushing skills with some tips.

• Firstly, to brush properly you need the right toothbrush. We suggest considering the size of your mouth – if you’re straining to open your mouth wide enough to get your toothbrush in, then the tooth brush is probably too big. A proper toothbrush should feel comfortable in your mouth and hand.
• Secondly, it’s important to know that you have to give it time. Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Try dividing your mouth into 4 seconds and spend 30 seconds on each second. Most people fall short of the 2 minutes without even realizing.
• While you should definitely brush twice a day for 2 minutes each time, don’t overdo it, either! If you brush more than three times a day, you’re risking wearing down tooth enamel and causing damage to your gums.
• Make sure you perfect your technique! If you’re used wide, side-to-side strokes, you may be causing damage to your gum line. Try to hold your brush at a 45 degree angle to your gums and make an up and down motion using shorter strokes. Brush outer and inner tooth surfaces, back molars, and your tongue.

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We hear a lot of myths and misconceptions when it comes to dental care – especially when it comes to babies and their first teeth! As a trusted dental office in Huffman, we want to

make sure that as a parent, you know about these baby teeth myths.

• A baby’s first teeth aren’t important because they’re only temporary anyway. While this is a common belief among parents simply because the teeth are going to “fall out anyway,” baby teeth actually serve a very important role: being a place-holder in your child’s growth as a guide for permanent teeth.
• Cavities don’t matter in baby teeth. Unfortunately, cavities are more than just an aesthetic blemish – they can cause pain, discomfort, and abscess if left untreated. Plus, cavities hold bacteria that can be spread throughout the bloodstream and affect your child’s overall health.
• You don’t have to brush baby teeth. This one plays into the above misconceptions that baby teeth aren’t as important because they’re temporary. In reality, you should begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they appear. This will help prevent tooth decay and begin a lifetime of good dental habits. A soft, damp rag rubbed over your baby’s gums reduces bacteria and helps emerging teeth get off to a great start.
• Your child doesn’t need to see a dentist until they’re older. It’s an unfortunate fact that a lot of parents don’t take their kids to the dentist until there’s a problem. However, it’s suggested by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that your children have their first dental visit as soon as their first tooth comes in – or no later than 1 year of age.

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Picking a toothbrush might sound like an easy errand, as most patients we have at Crosby Family Dental do not take much time in selecting a toothbrush. However, if you are ever walking down the aisle at your drugstore looking at all the options for toothbrushes, it can be difficult in sorting through what is important for the health of your teeth, and what accessories are unnecessary. Let’s look at a few tips when you are selecting a toothbrush for you and your family.

The first thing to remember is that no matter the toothbrush, it is still important to brush your teeth at least twice daily. No toothbrush on the market can get you out of this twice a day necessity. The next thing to remember is that it is actually better to select a toothbrush with softer bristles than with stiff bristles. This may seem counter-intuitive when you look around your home and see all of the stiff bristle cleaning tools that get the job done, but the reality is that softer bristles are much healthier for your teeth and gums.

Next, do not be swayed by fancy handles on different toothbrushes. There is no need to make a fashion statement with your toothbrush, remember you are just trying to have a healthy mouth. Pick something that feels comfortable in your hand and allows you to reach different parts of your teeth and gums easily.

Our dentists can help you in the process of keeping your mouth healthy and looking great. If you are in need of a check up, or have any other questions, give us a call!

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Crosby Family Dental with offices in Highlands, Dayton and Huffman is dedicated to your good dental health and is a Top Rated Local dentist. As in most dental offices around the country, we have dental hygienists that perform essential duties in our office. They sometimes don’t get the credit they deserve. To help correct that we thought we’d use a few blogs to discuss what valuable services they provide.

• Dental Hygienists usually perform oral health screenings. This includes checking for visible cavities, swelling of the gums and any abnormal growths or bumps that could signal oral cancer.
• The oral exam also looks for signs of drug use, and serious illness such as HIV and diabetes. A head and neck inspection may also be done.
• A hygienist will also review a patient’s medical history.
• A hygienist will take your x-rays.
• He or she will perform the dental cleaning by removing calculus and plaque from all surfaces of the teeth. They will floss all the teeth and polish them.
• A big part of a hygienist’s job is to help people avoid dental problems by coaching them on proper dental hygiene habits such as good brushing techniques and flossing. Also, good nutrition advice is dispensed.
• A hygienist will be the one making impressions of your teeth if you need a mouthpiece or other mouth apparatus.
• They will assist the dentist in performing and of his or her duties.
• And finally, a hygienist will do all the documentation of your dental work and the condition of your teeth.

Hygienists do a lot and usually go about their jobs with dedication and care. We at Crosby Family Dental Office love and appreciate the valuable services our hygienists perform for our clients.

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Dental Office of Crosby Family Dental in Highlands, TX is dedicated to your family’s dental health. We serve the whole family, from your child’s first dental check to geriatric dental care. One aspect of dental care that is often overlooked at any age is your gums’ health. Without the strong health of your gums, your teeth suffer and can be lost. There are two main categories of gum disease that concern your dentist. The first of these is gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. This can occur when plaque is allowed to build up at the gum line. The plaque irritates the gum and the gum reacts by swelling, becoming red and then bleeding. If

you notice any of these symptoms in your gums you can begin treatment at home by making sure you are brushing after every meal and flossing daily. You can add a salt water rinse to your routine to discourage infection. You should make an appointment with your dentist for a thorough cleaning as well. There are other reasons you can develop gingivitis besides poor dental hygiene. Hormonal changes in women can produce these effects as well, and so can diabetes, being immunocompromised and certain medications. It’s best to consult with your dentist in any case.

If gingivitis is allowed to go unchecked the gum will react by pulling away from the plaque and gaps will form under the gum. Bacteria can grow there and result in infection. This is then diagnosed as periodontitis. We’ll discuss this further in our next blog. Be sure to check back and in the meantime, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to call our office.

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With the New Year right around the corner, most of us are sitting down and making a list of resolutions – or ways in which we want to better ourselves for the upcoming 2015 year. So what do New Year’s resolutions have to do with having a happier, healthier mouth, teeth, and gums? Quite a bit, actually! Here at Crosby Family Dental, your local Highlands dental clinic, we love helping our patients by not only giving them excellent dental care but by also providing education and tips to keep their smile healthy and happy.

1. Make a resolution to start brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. This will help you have healthier teeth, a whiter smile, fewer cavities, good breath, and you’ll avoid serious dental issues.
2. It’s also important that you start flossing twice a day. This is an integral part of having a healthy mouth.
3. Chew sugarless gum after meals. When you chew sugarless gum for 20 minutes after each meal, you help fight tooth decay.
4. Make sure you’re eating a healthy and balanced diet. It’s also important that you limit your snacks in between your meals. Not only will you be healthier because of this, but your teeth will be healthier, too.
5. Drink water that has fluoride in it. Fluoride helps prevent cavities by making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities.
6. See your dentist for regular check ups twice a year. This will ensure that you catch any dental problems early before they become painful and costly.

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With Thanks giving right around the corner, you may be getting ready to travel and see family or host a dinner party with your friends. Thanksgiving is certainly a time for indulgence and treating yourself, but that doesn’t mean that you have to end up in the dentist’s chair come December! Here at your local family dentistry in Dayton, Crosby Family Dental is dedicated to providing you with the ultimate oral health care that will make you feel better about your teeth and smile. Today we’ve got a few tips to help your teeth remain happy throughout this Thanksgiving!

1. Eating foods that are sugary or rich in carbohydrates as a part of a balanced meal is much better than eating them alone. When you’re eating larger meals, your body produces more saliva which is responsible for washing away food from your teeth and neutralizing acids that can hurt your enamel.
2. Food that takes a long time to chew can also damage your teeth so be mindful of this, too. Try to limit your consumption of foods like raisins, dates, and dried fruit.
3. After consuming high acids foods like fruit or drinks like wine, rinse your mouth out with water.
4. Keep travel size toothpaste and a toothbrush handy so that you can brush your teeth right after eating at Thanksgiving parties. An added benefit to this is that you’re less likely to eat more food after brushing your teeth so it may actually help stop you from overeating. You can keep these things in the glove compartment of your car for convenience.

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