May is National Dental Care Month. So, we asked two dentists in The Woodlands — Dr. Erica Cummings, DDS, MAGD, D-ABDSM, and Dr. Leah Zils, DDS, PLLC — to answer some chomper-worthy questions.
TWCL: What is your top dental care advice for teeth-and-gum health protection?
DREC: Drink lots of water regularly to keep your mouth hydrated and pH neutralized. Brushing morning and night is minimum for oral care. If you don’t like flossing, keep a cordless water flosser in your shower for less mess! Keep flossers for midday cleansing.
DRLZ: Saliva testing customizes necessary dental treatment. Utilize a sleep appliance or night guard to protect joints and teeth from irreversible damage. Routine visits with the hygienist for preventative care.
TWCL: When should parents first take children to the dentist?
DREC: We recommend a meet-and-greet-style Happy Visit when the first teeth come in around 7-12 months old, to discuss bottles, pacifiers, oral hygiene and establish habits for optimal growth and development.
TWCL: Do men and women have different dental issues?
DREC: Men are more likely to snore and have sleep apnea. When women reach menopause, the issues even out between the two. Men more commonly have acid-reflux-accelerated tooth wear. From their 20s-40s, women are more likely to clench/grind their teeth.
TWCL: Do dental issues differ among children, teens, and adults?
DRLZ: More prevalent adult issues are gum disease, failing dental restorations, missing teeth, sleep apnea, teeth destruction from grinding, bone loss, TMD, and cavities. Teens and children can be more susceptible to cavities and gingivitis due to poor homecare. Older teens can have issues from erupting wisdom teeth that need removal.
TWCL: Is sleep apnea a dental issue?
DREC: Yes. Negative intrathoracic pressure causes gastric reflux and altering of oral pH to a more acidic environment that in turn accelerates tooth wear/abrasion.
DRLZ: Sleep apnea can cause significant wear on the top of teeth due to night grinding to either wake up to breathe or dilate airways. Sleep apnea patients commonly breathe through their mouths at night which causes dry mouth symptoms and increases risk of gum and cavity issues.
TWCL: When should patients consider dental implants?
DRLZ: Dental implants are a great option for missing teeth and the closest option to restoring teeth to their natural state. If a patient does not have any medical contraindication and the area has adequate bone, an implant should be considered as a restorative option. If a patient is losing all their teeth and is moving forward with a denture, implants help retain the denture in the mouth.
TWCL: What are the advantages of sedation dentistry?
DRLZ: Sedation dentistry allows anxious patients to receive needed dental treatment safely. Oftentimes, patients may get more work done under sedation that they would not be able to do otherwise.
TWCL: What are the top ways that laser dentistry benefits patients and their dental care?
DREC: Laser dentistry reduces bleeding, removes excess gingival tissue for necessary exposure of tooth preparation, removes gum tissue that inhibits proper hygiene, allows for cosmetic modifications to improve a gummy smile, and removes small lesions for pathology evaluation.
DRLZ: Laser dentistry is a less invasive way to treat tongue ties without using a scalpel. Laser dentistry reduces bacteria in the mouth, helps with healing, and reduces inflammation.
TWCL: Has dental care changed in the past 10-20 years?
DREC: There is more prevention. We are preventing fires instead of putting out fires!
DRLZ: There is a better understanding of the mouth and body connection.
TWCL: What new technology do you see on the horizon?
DREC: Digital dentistry for smile designing and 3D printing!
“If you don’t like flossing, keep a cordless water flosser in your shower for less mess!” Dr. Erica Cummings
“Laser dentistry is a less invasive way to treat tongue ties without using a scalpel.” Dr. Leah Zils