Indiana University board approves dental school expansion

Common Dental Myths Debunked

Facts About Dental Myths

With the magnitude of information available to us these days, it’s harder than ever to separate facts from myths; especially when it comes to your health. There are a million dental related myths that might steer you in the wrong direction when it comes to a healthy smile. It’s important to be informed and know the facts. Here are a few common dental myths, followed by the facts.

Oral Hygiene Only Affects Your Teeth

Many people hear the phrase “oral hygiene” and they think of the simple act of brushing or flossing. While oral hygiene is important for keeping your teeth healthy, poor oral hygiene can be linked to several other health problems- including heart disease. Taking care of your mouth actually means taking care of a lot of things within your body. Untreated periodontal disease contributes to more low birth weight babies than both drinking and smoking combined.  Having poor oral hygiene can cause a multitude of problems- not all of them related to your teeth.

You Shouldn’t Get Your Wisdom Teeth Out Until They Start to Hurt

Typically, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and your dentist will generally advise you of the same. If you wait for your wisdom teeth to become painful, they might have already done other damage to your gums or teeth. Many people believe that as long as they have no pain, there’s no reason to have an unnecessary surgery. In rare cases, wisdom teeth can stay intact as long as they are not interfering or causing damage. One of the most common reasons to remove wisdom teeth is because they are so difficult to keep clean and rather than incurring costly repairs to those teeth many dentists will suggest having them removed.  Frequent exams are necessary in this case to monitor and maintain your health. It’s generally better to have your wisdom teeth removed before any pain, rather than take the gamble.

White Teeth Are Healthier Teeth

Teeth are actually not meant to be pure white. Tooth color can vary widely, for example, depending on your race, pigmentation varies greatly.  Also, as you get older, your teeth will naturally take on a more faded color as things do with time, however they can still be perfectly healthy. A color beyond a light yellow could be cause for concern, but generally the pinkness of your gums is a better indication of oral health as opposed to how white your teeth are.

If Teeth Look Healthy, and Are Not Hurting, There is No Reason to Visit a Dentist

The most common mistake people make regarding their dental health is skipping regular preventive visits because they do not see or feel any problems. Even in the absence of a visible problem or discomfort, regular visits for x-ray exams, cleaning and necessary restorative care are necessary to maintain your teeth and gums for life. Discovering diseases in the mouth earlier rather than later will typically reduce cost, recovery time and severity of dental treatment that may need to be performed.

It’s important to educate yourself on the facts surrounding whole body health and well-being. Muddled information and common misperceptions can leave people confused. The best way to combat myths and augment dental health is to see and speak with your dentist regularly. Have open dialogue and productive conversations about what is and is not true. Being informed, savvy and educated will keep you and your dentist smiling.

Dr. Melanie Bibb

Design Dental Group

4500 Washington Ave, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77007

Phone: (713) 869-0334

Fax: (713) 869-0339

9738 Katy Freeway, Suite 400

Houston, TX 77055

Phone: (713) 365-0334

Fax: (713) 365-0339

5 Candy Alternatives That Will Keep Trick-or-Treaters Smiling

Treat Trick-or-Treaters to a Healthy Treat This Season

The fall season brings an amazing amount of fun activities for you and your family. From the excitement of Halloween, to school fall festivals, kids and parents alike look forward to the cool weather and family memories. Unfortunately, Halloween and fall festivals can also do a number on your child’s teeth. Hard candies, sweet treats and sugary snacks can be cavities waiting to happen. Handing out Halloween candy doesn’t mean you have to hand out oral health disasters. There are a number of healthy alternatives to the candy bars and licorice- some that trick-or-treaters might even enjoy more than the sugar rush. The days of handing out apple slices and pennies to avoid contributing to tooth destruction are gone! Take a look at some of these creative trick-or-treat alternatives that will leave all the little ghosts and ghouls smiling throughout the year.

Applesauce Pouches                                                                                     

Applesauce is still a sweet treat, and not nearly as hard on the teeth. Not only that, they’re portable, affordable and a great way to avoid the mess of some other treats. You can get a pack of 48 pouches for about 35 dollars on Amazon, which is enough to give all the trick-or-treaters something healthy to smile about.

Mini LaraBars

Larabars are gluten free, vegan, kosher and only have about 8-11 grams of sugar per bar. They also come in mini form, making them perfect to hand out on Halloween. The great thing about these treats is that the kids won’t even know they’re healthy! LaraBars have flavors such as cherry pie, apple pie and cashew cookie and are just as delicious as the other mini candy bars that will be weighing down their bag. If you can’t find LaraBars, or they’re a little too pricey for you, granola bars of any kind will be a better choice than chocolate.

Vegan Rice Crispy Treats

Rice crispy treats are a delicious sweet treat for trick-or-treaters, but you don’t have to use all the sugary marshmallow to make them amazing. There are a number of recipes you can follow which swap out a few classic ingredients for something a little healthier in order to create the perfect Halloween snack. By using brown rice syrup instead of marshmallow, brown rice crisps instead of white rice and coconut oil instead of butter- you can make delicious, healthy treats that many claim are better than the original. Check out one the recipes here. 

Sugar Free Gum

While sugar free gum may not be the most exciting item in your child’s bag, it’s still a quality alternative to all the junk they’ll be getting. You can get tasty sugar free gum such as Dubble Bubble and throw a few pieces in along with other healthy treats. Parents will appreciate the lack of sugar, and the kids (especially those kids who love their chewing gum) will be happy with a full bag of “candy.”

Toys

If you want to skip the food items altogether, many parents have opted to hand out toys instead. There are a number of items you can get in bulk for cheap such as pencils, erasers, stickers, mini water guns, temporary tattoos, mini play dough, sidewalk chalk, bouncing balls, bubbles and more. The possibilities are endless and none of these things will land your child in the dentist’s chair. If you’re thinking of skipping the candy and handing out toys, head to your local dollar store to find amazing deals on bulk items.

There’s also the option of handing out pre-made veggie and fruit snacks, however this may only be a good idea if you’re close with the surrounding neighbors. Parents are often a little leery of pre-prepared snacks and the time and money you spent might simply end up in the trash. These days there really are dozens of candy alternatives that don’t skimp on the flavor. Do your own research to find what works best for you and your family, have fun with it, and get everyone involved. Keep in mind that most trick-or-treaters will be over-flowing with the sugary stuff- so its good practice as a parent and oral health advocate to provide something that will keep their smiles healthy throughout the year.

Dr. Melanie Bibb

Design Dental Group

4500 Washington Ave, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77007

Phone: (713) 869-0334

Fax: (713) 869-0339

9738 Katy Freeway, Suite 400

Houston, TX 77055

Phone: (713) 365-0334

Fax: (713) 365-0339

Three Surprising Foods That Are Horrible for Your Teeth

Even those with outstanding oral hygiene can fall victim to a few unknown cavity causing culprits. dental hygiene top notch; but there are a few surprising items that can do just as much damage- if not more- and you may not even know it.
Some of our favorite treats, while seemingly healthy, can be responsible for tooth stains, bad breath and other forms of mouth destruction.  Most tooth-conscious consumers already know they should avoid things like sugar, hard candies and soda in order to keep their

1. Pickles

Pickles, while not typically considered something to avoid for oral health, are soaked in vinegar during the pickling process.  Vinegar is filled with acid and acid is notorious for quickly wearing away the enamel on your teeth. This is important to keep in mind when eating anything that has gone through the pickling process. While a pickle here and there is not going to erode your smile, the fanatics who always keep a jar for snacking in the fridge might want to re-think their propensity for pickles.

2. Dried Fruit

Many believe dried fruit to be a healthy alternative to sweets such as candy, chocolate and other sugary options. However dried fruit is extremely high in sugar itself, and often sticky, meaning it is more likely to get caught in the crevices between your teeth and park there for a few days. When something high in sugar gets stuck between your teeth it feeds the bacteria, and contributes to dental erosion. Again, anything in moderation is fine, but if you think you’re making a better choice in bypassing the chewy candy and heading for some dried fruit- think again.

3. Crackers

This appetizer favorite is not typically associated with dental problems, yet recently many dentists have blamed the consumption of refined carbohydrates for inflammation in the body. Regularly inflammation can be linked to a number of dental dangers such as periodontitis and gingivitis. Other foods high in refined carbs such as white bread and pasta, pretzels and white rice can be a threat to your weight, overall health and your smile.

Regular dental check-ups and superior hygiene is the key to keeping your oral health up to par. Being informed about what is and isn’t going to make the whole process harder is a good step towards balanced health and happiness. While your teeth may thank you for cutting out these items entirely, simple moderation and awareness will certainly be just as appreciated.

Design Dental Group

Dr. Melanie Bibb

4500 Washington Ave, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77007

Phone: (713) 869-0334

Fax: (713) 869-0339

Preventative Dental Care for Children and Why It Matters

According to the Center for Disease Control, roughly 40 percent of children will suffer from tooth decay by the time they hit Kindergarten. Along with being one of the most common chronic diseases among children in the U.S., it’s also one of the most preventable! As soon as a child’s first tooth appears, they’re ready for a check-up at the dentist. Simple preventative care will help stop cavities, offer knowledge to parents, and give the child an introduction to oral health and all that it entails.  In addition to early check-ups for children, it’s important to implement good oral health habits while they’re young. The best way to get your little one to brush nightly is to make it fun!  A few simple ideas can change the way your children look at brushing, and make the whole process easy and enjoyable. Here are a few clever ideas to get you started.

Make Up a Ol' Southern Song

Sometimes all it takes to make toothbrush time interesting is a song. Come up with a song that your child can sing along to and get them in the mood for something fun. They may enjoy singing along with you so much that they’ll want to hear it even when it’s not time to brush their teeth. This gives them a bit of control over their oral health. Whenever they want to sing the song, it’s their idea to brush. You can make up a song yourself, or look online for some catchy tunes that you and your child can sing together like this one below.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA0yON5bdAU

Let Them Pick a Fun Toothbrush

These days, there are so many options for cool toothbrushes you can treat them like toys for your kids.  Find toothbrushes featuring their favorite characters or cartoons, and have a variety of them that they can choose from.  Giving them options, much like singing, gives them a bit of control over the situation, making them more likely to enjoy the process.  Ask them which toothbrush they want to use, let them pick it out and make it a fun little activity for them. Kids will usually get attached to one particular brush for a while which makes buying new ones for them a nice treat.

Brush Your Teeth With Them

The best part about brushing is that it’s a routine that can be shared in a positive way. Toddlers and small children love mimicking the grown up things you do; so sometimes simply brushing with them is enough to get them in the mood.  Explaining that it’s what “big kids” and adults do gives them some incentive. You can even make it a game, instructing them to pretend like they’re a mirror while you brush your own teeth. A little challenge and a lot of patience can make brushing together a fun and exciting part of the day.

It’s important to always be gentle and patient with your little ones when dealing with brushing.  The way you handle the situation can affect their attitude towards oral health for years to come, so taking it seriously and implementing fun methods is your best bet. As with anything, some children may be frightened or uncomfortable with brushing, in which case a trip to the dentist for some advice and inspiration may be a good idea. Once you have a good, solid routine in place, brushing with your child can be memorable, enjoyable and will give them the gift of a confident smile for years to come!

Design Dental Group

Dr. Melanie Bibb

4500 Washington Ave, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77007

Phone: (713) 869-0334

Fax: (713) 869-0339

Check Out this Patient Review!

We love reading your kind reviews!

Take a look at this one: 

"I was seen on time, staff is great and all my questions were answered. I am 54 and getting InvisAlign to correct my bite which is wearing away my front bottom teeth. (Never too old). Initial plan was reviewed and discussed. Refinements are included in price and I get my 1st trays in 6 weeks. Happy I found this group!"

Thanks again for all of your kind words! We're always flattered when our patients take notice of the little things we do at our practice to make your dental experience the best possible. Our Invisalign care is second-to-none! If you're looking to correct your bite or perfect your smile, find out if Invisalign is right for you.

If you'd like to see your review featured on our blog, take a second and review us here.

See you next week--until then, smile on!

Design Dental Group

Dr. Melanie Bibb

4500 Washington Ave, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77007

Phone: (713) 869-0334

Fax: (713) 869-0339

Read this Patient Review

Dear Carol from Houston,

Thanks so much for leaving this kind review:

"I really like that they use more than phone and paper in their office. It is very quick to schedule an appointment. They are very nice and have refreshments in the office." - Carol

Thanks again for all of your kind words! We're so flattered when our patients take notice of the little things we do at our practice to make your dental experience the best possible. We've incorporated a digital system that helps us keep your dental records safe and secure.

If you'd like to see your review featured on our blog, take a second and review us here.

See you next week--until then, smile on!

Design Dental Group

Dr. Melanie Bibb

4500 Washington Ave, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77007

Phone: (713) 869-0334

Fax: (713) 869-0339