Preventative Treatments are performed at our Houston, Texas Office

Maintaining Oral Hygiene

Oral Hygiene begins with a patient’s at-home care and continues with six months visits for general prophylaxis. Prophylaxis is the cleaning of teeth by dental professional removing plaque, tartar and stain in order to prevent periodontal disease and to maintain oral health.

For those patients with gum disease, or periodontal disease, a more detailed gum therapy is required. Conventional Periodontal Therapy eliminates the agents which cause inflammation of the periodontium, including the removal of dental plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces from the crown and root surfaces of teeth.

What at-home dental care products do I need?

Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay but do not repair gum disease.

Over-the-counter mouth wash can kill the germs that cause gum disease. However flossing is one of the most important steps to avoid gum disease.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease causes the tooth’s bone tissue to start to deteriorate. Periodontitis occurs when plaque byproducts destroy the tissues that anchor your teeth in the bone. The gums deteriorate and begin detaching themselves from the teeth forming gum pockets, which allows more plaque to collect below the gum line. This causes the roots of the teeth to become susceptible to decay. Generally, patients notice an increase in sensitivity to hot and cold and to touch when they have moderate gum disease.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis develops as toxins, enzymes, and other plaque byproducts irritate the gums, making them tender, swollen and likely to bleed easily. Gingivitis generally can be stopped with proper oral hygiene and minor treatment from your dentist. If this is achieved, your gums can return to a healthy state.