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Eating Disorders Affect Teeth, Says Houston, TX Dentist

06

Sep
2013
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Categories :General Dentistry, Patient Education, Preventative Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Uncategorized
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Having an eating disorder is a serious disease that stems from misconceived mental thoughts about one’s self-image. Those who suffer from an eating disorder not only suffer with unhappy thoughts about themselves, they inflict damage to their bodies and smiles. In fact, many extreme cases of eating disorders have resulted in multiple tooth extractions due to tooth decay caused by acid erosion.

Dr. Deborah Gennero, your Houston, TX dentist, discusses the effects of eating disorders on overall and oral health in this blog.

Types of Eating Disorders

  • Anorexia. Patience who suffer from anorexia, have an incredible fear of becoming fat or gaining even the slightest amount of weight. Regardless of what their actual weight is, these patients refer to themselves as fat and even obese. To control their fears, anorexic patients go through bouts of extreme fasting, which only includes drinking water. Paired with their lack of eating, anorexic patients also exercise excessively.
    Additionally, when their hunger overtakes, anorexic patients binge and then purge, similar to those who suffer from bulimia. According to your     Houston, TX dentist, this persistent purging causes damage to the enamel, since it’s making frequent contact with stomach acid.
  • Bulimia. Patients with bulimia share similar traits to those with anorexia. However, rather than the occasional bout of binging and purging, bulimia patients do this daily—sometimes even multiple times a day.
    For example, a bulimia sufferer will gorge on foods high in fat and carbs. Then, once they’ve finished eating, a great sense of guilt overtakes them. Thus, these patients utilize laxatives and vomiting to rid their bodies of the food they have consumed. As aforementioned, the purging exposes teeth and oral tissues to stomach acids. Yet, with bulimia patients the effects of acid erosion on teeth is worsened since purging occurs daily.

Talk to Your Houston, TX Dentist Restoring Your Smile

If you’ve recently overcome an eating disorder and would like more information on repairing your smile, talk to Dr. Gennero. She can listen to your situation and devise a treatment plan that can make your smile beautiful again. To schedule an appointment with your Houston, TX dentist, call us at (281) 578-6200. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and to learn more about the team. We gladly welcome patients from Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugarland, and surrounding cities.

Cough Syrup Can Cause Cavities, Says Houston, TX Dentist

30

Aug
2013
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Categories :Just for Fun, Patient Education, Preventative Dentistry, Tooth Decay
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shutterstock_72001891-300x271Oftentimes, when children need antibiotics, the medicine is prescribed in liquid form, since most kids can’t swallow a pill. However, as an adult, you should opt for pill-based medicines whenever possible. Drinking cough medicine or other liquid-based medicines doesn’t bode well for teeth. In fact, frequent exposure to syrupy medication can lead to more visits to the dentist.

To teach her patients about the effects of liquid medicine on teeth, Dr. Deborah Gennero, the lead dentist of your Houston, TX dentist office, provides this blog post.

What’s the Link Between Cough Syrup and Tooth Decay?

When medicine was first introduced into the market, you had one choice: liquid, bottled medicine. It wasn’t pleasant tasting and the common remedy was to have a spoonful of sugar afterward. As time progressed, liquid medicine formula changed and became tastier and easier to take. With fruity flavors, like, grape, orange, and cherry, the days of cringe-worthy medicine were over.

Unfortunately, the improved taste was the addition of corn syrup and sucrose, which oral bacteria feed upon and inevitably leads to cavities. Additionally, syrupy medicines contain citric acid, which promotes the breakdown of tooth enamel. With prolonged use, the acidity combined with sugar can cause tooth decay.

Steps to Prevent Damage to Your Smile

In order stave off any damage to your teeth, take these precautionary measures when taking liquid-based medicines.

  1. Take liquid medicine during mealtimes rather than before bedtime to ensure your mouth has plenty of saliva to ward off the effects of the syrup.
  2. Rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum after taking the medicine. If it’s possible, brush your teeth and rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash.
  3. Whenever possible, your Houston, TX dentist office suggests opting for the pill-based version of the medication, which shouldn’t negatively affect your oral health.

Talk to Houston, TX Dentist about Liquid Medications

Before opting for medications, consider your oral health. Dr. Gennero can detail the dental benefits of taking pill-based medications rather than using the liquid variety. To schedule an appointment with our Houston, TX dentist office, call us at (281) 578-6200. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and to learn more about the team. We gladly welcome patients from Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugarland, and surrounding cities.

Learn More about Invisalign Braces, from Your Houston, TX Dentist

16

Aug
2013
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Categories :Invisalign, Just for Fun, Patient Education
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shutterstock_100322954-300x241Do you needs braces, yet don’t want to suffer through metal brackets and wires? Then you should consider Invisalign braces. This clear alternative to braces is the most preferred method of orthodontic treatment amongst adults. Dr. Deborah Gennero, your Houston, TX dentist provides her patients with information about Invisalign braces.

What Makes Invisalign Different from Traditional Braces?

Traditional braces straighten teeth with semi-permanently bonded brackets connected to wires that require periodic tightening. While this method of orthodontic treatment is quite effective, it’s far from inconspicuous. Plus, adults who require braces, usually don’t want to suffer through two years worth of metal-based orthodontic care.

Invisalign is the clear solution to braces. In other words, rather than sporting brackets and wires, patients correct their smiles with a series of plastic aligners that look similar to a clear retainer. Throughout the treatment, you’re given a set of aligners that require replacement every two weeks. As the weeks progress, your smile slowly transforms before your eyes. Additionally, patients with Invisalign braces can eat and clean their teeth with ease, yet still receive the orthodontic care they require.

Disadvantages to Invisalign Braces

Though these clear aligners do provide a number of benefits, patients should know Invisalign does have a few limitations. These include:

  • Invisalign treatment tends to take longer than traditional orthodontic care does. Since the aligners require removal during mealtimes and general teeth cleaning, consistency is lost. Unlike metal braces, which stay in place, the clear aligners slow down progress during each removal.
  • Patients with nighttime teeth grinding or clenching habits tend to damage the aligners; traditional braces discourage the continuation those habits since the metal can cause damage to oral tissues.
  • For severely misaligned or gapped teeth, patients may require metal braces. Invisalign is meant for mild alignment ailments, such as: minor gaps, overbites, and underbites, and some crossbites. However, an openbite is an issue only metal braces can tackle.
  • Invisalign is more expensive than traditional orthodontic treatment. Oftentimes, insurance may not pay for Invisalign since it’s considered the more cosmetic option to braces.

Talk to Your Houston, TX Dentist about Orthodontic Treatment

For more information about Invisalign braces, talk to Dr. Gennero. She can explain how this method of orthodontic alignment works and how long it takes to complete treatment. To schedule an appointment with our Houston, TX dental office, call us at (281) 578-6200. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and to learn more about the team. We gladly welcome patients from Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugarland, and surrounding cities.

Houston, TX Dentist Has Some Suggestions for Minimizing Morning Breath

02

Aug
2013
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Categories :General Dentistry, Just for Fun, Preventative Dentistry
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Everyone has a serious case of morning breath when they wake up. While eliminating it altogether isn’t entirely possible, you can reduce its intensity by making a few nighttime changes. Dr. Deborah Gennero, from your Houston, TX dentist office, offers her patients some tips for fresher breath in the morning.

These Tips May Help Reduce Morning Breath

  • Use non-alcoholic mouthwash. Many mouthwashes contain alcohol, which tends to cause a dry mouth. Oral bacteria thrive better in drier environments; therefore, to reduce morning breath, using an alcohol-based mouthwash isn’t the way to go. Instead, opt for a alcohol-free variety.
  • Rinse with baking soda. This makes your mouth more alkaline, which is helpful for killing off bacteria. To use this method, simply add a teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of water. Gargle with the solution, and go to bed without rinsing your mouth.
  • Breathe through your nose. Just like the mouthwash, breathing through your mouth cause the oral cavity to dry out. Plus, having an open mouth while you sleep allows dust and other allergens to enter the body.
    The main reason why people sleep with their mouths open is due to blockages in the nasal passages. Your     Houston, TX dentist office recommends using BreatheRight strips or clearing your nose with a NetiPot before going to bed.
  • Brush and floss. This tip is a no-brainer. Dentists always advise patients to brush and floss at least twice-a-day; however, brushing in the morning and at night is absolutely crucial. In the morning, your mouth is teeming with bacteria that accumulated throughout the night. If it’s left unattended, the bacteria has even more time to attack the soft tissues and your enamel, which leads to cavities. The same logic applies to the nighttime brushing.

Consult with Your Houston, TX Dental Office for Excellent Preventative Care

If you’re looking for exceptional preventative care for you and your family, visit Dr. Gennero. She can treat patients regardless of age or dental ailment. To schedule an appointment with our Houston, TX dentist office, call us at (281) 578-6200. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and to learn more about the team. We gladly welcome patients from Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugarland, and surrounding cities.

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