The Dental People Blog

Are you researching ways to replace your missing teeth? If so, you have likely already heard about the growing popularity of dental implants. According to the American Dental Association, more than 5 million implants are placed each year! Why are so many people turning to implant treatment to restore their smiles? The answers are right here in this dental implants 101 blog.

Living with a misaligned smile can not only negatively impact your oral health, but it can also lower your self-esteem. While there are many orthodontic solutions currently available (i.e., traditional braces, Invisalign), there are also companies promoting mail-in clear aligners. Although these may seem more cost-effective and convenient, what you may not realize is that they can cause more harm than good. Read on to learn what dangers you can face by choosing to straighten your smile on your own instead of seeking the help of a licensed orthodontist.

Before Dr. John Siu of The Dental People went to dental school, he completed his undergraduate degree in microbiology. During his studies, he gained a rich knowledge of viruses, bacteria, and other organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Today, he is still putting that knowledge to work! The safety measures he has implemented in our practice aim to minimize the risk that COVID-19 — or any other dangerous microbes — will harm our patients or our team members. Thanks to the precautions we have in place, we can answer the question, “Is the dentist safe?” with a resounding yes! This blog post explains a few key parts of our practice’s safety protocol.

The end of the year is quickly approaching. With only a few months left before welcoming 2021, you may be happy to say goodbye to the last 12 months and all the chaos it caused. But before you break out the party hats and sing “Auld Lang Syne,” you might want to take a look at your dental insurance plan to see if you might be missing out on valuable benefits. If you want to avoid giving even more money to your insurer at the end of the calendar year, listen to a dentist explain what you can do to maximize your coverage while achieving a healthier smile.

If you’re like most people, you’ve heard the multitude of myths surrounding root canals. One of the most common misconceptions is that they cause immense pain, which is why so many individuals express immediate fear when learning they need one to avoid a potential extraction. But what is the truth? Are root canals painful? Do they result in lengthy and difficult recoveries? Before you try to reschedule or put off your necessary procedure, learn why this common treatment method is nothing to be fearful of and is considered a beneficial solution to improving your oral health.

Drinking a glass of water or sipping on hot soup can be a painful experience if you have tooth sensitivity. Under normal circumstances, this type of dental problem could be easily addressed by making an appointment with your emergency dentist; however, due to COVID-19, the severity of your problem will determine if you are “eligible” to seek immediate care. With dental offices only seeing individuals with severe dental injuries, how can you know if your toothache is serious enough to warrant a visit? Find out how to tell if you should be jumping in the car and on your way to the dentist’s office or treating your situation at home.

A healthy smile starts with proper oral hygiene habits and home and seeing your dentist in Katy twice a year. Since most insurance companies agree to cover these two visits, it’s hard to believe that some people won’t even take advantage of getting their teeth and gums cleaned free of charge. Unfortunately, it’s true, and come January 1, 2020, billions of dollars in unused benefits will be returned to the insurance companies. If this sounds like a dilemma you want to avoid, find out what you can do before the new year arrives.

Do your gums bleed easily when you brush? Are they red and swollen? Do you have chronic bad breath? You’re not alone. Gum disease is a common inflammatory condition that affects about half of American adults. Although these symptoms can seem small and insignificant, you shouldn’t ignore them. They indicate that something serious is harming your smile. This soft tissue supports the teeth, and when the gums become infected, that support is dramatically weakened. If left untreated, gum disease eventually leads to tooth loss. This October is Oral Health Care Month, which is the perfect time to learn more about gum disease and how to protect your smile and well-being from its harmful effects.

It’s usually recommended to have at least two dental checkups and cleanings a year, but studies have found that many Americans avoid these appointments; it’s been reported that up to 20% do so out of fear while about 13% have financial concerns. Whatever the reason, avoiding the dentist comes with a great deal of risk; here are 3 reasons why a dental checkup might be the key to leading a long, healthy life.

Most people would agree that teeth that are white, aligned, and fully intact would make up their ideal smile. Over time, both natural teeth, as well as restorations, wear down and begin to look aged and discolored. If you have dentures, you’re using them to chew stain-causing foods daily. Even if you’re diligent about cleaning and sanitizing them, it’s inevitable that they develop staining from coffee, tomato-based sauces, and red wine. Luckily, there are some things you can do to whiten your dentures and keep them looking as good as new. You’ll just want to make sure not to do something that could ruin them. Here are some dos and don’ts of denture whitening.