This four-part article series discusses 19 habits that, through various mechanisms (both short and long term) lead to the degradation of the health of your teeth, gums and jaw bone.

Welcome to the third installment of this four-part article series on the top 19 habits to cease if you want to avoid developing the array of oral diseases and maladies that lead to tooth loss and the need for Houston dental implants. In the first two articles, we discussed 8 of these habits and, according to professionals in Implant dentistry in Houston, they are:

1. Chewing on ice,

2. Tongue and lip piercings,

3. Playing sports without a mouth guard,

4. Giving babies bedtime bottles,

5. Teeth grinding,

6. Regularly sucking on cough drops,

7. Chewing on gummy candy,

8. Sipping on soft drinks.

In this article, the third installment of the series, we shall discuss another 5 habits to cease if you want to avoid the need for Houston dental implants and reach late adulthood with a complete set of beautiful, healthy teeth.

Implant Dentistry in Houston: Habit to Avoid # 9 ~ Using Your Teeth as Tools

That party trick of yours may impress your friends, but using your teeth to open bottles, pry open stubborn containers and tear packaging is one habit that makes professionals in implant dentistry in Houston absolutely cringe! This kind of treatment can cause your pearly whites to become cracked, chipped and/or fractured, making them more vulnerable to oral bacteria.

Recommendation:Avoiding the need for Houston dental implants means only using your teeth for what they are intended: eating. Use a bottle opener and scissors next time!

Implant Dentistry in Houston: Habit to Avoid # 10 ~ Sports and Energy Drinks

There’s nothing like an ice-cold energy drink after a solid workout on the treadmill or bike, but the problem with these kinds of beverages is that they’re high in sugar and in acid. Frequently indulging in sport drinks may provide you with the kick you need to attain those exercise goals, but they can increase your risk of tooth decay, warn professionals in implant dentistry in Houston.

Recommendations:The very best way to stay hydrated at the gym is to drink good old fashioned water. It comes without the calories and sugar.

Implant Dentistry in Houston: Habit to Avoid # 11 ~ Fruit Juice

Just like sports and energy drinks, fruit juices are heavy in sugar and are highly acidic. They may be rich in vitamins, but you need to be careful about how frequently you indulge in them, explain professionals in implant dentistry in Houston.

Recommendations:If you love your fruit juice, opt for those that are unsweetened and also perhaps add a little water to dilute it. Don’t treat juice as a thirst quencher, stress professionals in implant dentistry in Houston. Regular consumption of sugary, acidic beverages increases your risk of needing Houston dental implants in the future.

Implant Dentistry in Houston: Habit to Avoid # 12 ~ Indulging in Potato Chips!

Bacteria are notorious for their love of all things unhealthy. In addition to their affinity for sugar, they are quite fond of starchy foods and will break down the particles that are left in your mouth after a snack on acids. This acid corrodes away at the dental enamel, explain professionals in implant dentistry in Houston, which can leave your oral health at risk.

Recommendation:Try to limit your intake of potato chips – they’re not great for you anyway. But if you can’t resist a snack, make sure you brush your teeth afterwards, or at least wash it down with some water. Good hygiene will help prevent you from ever needing Houston dental implants.

Implant Dentistry in Houston: Habit to Avoid # 13 ~ Constant Snacking

Every time you eat, the pH levels in your mouth drop (become acidic), say professionals in implant dentistry in Houston. Eating a full meal produces greater amounts of saliva, which help to wash away the sugary residues and food particles left behind in your mouth. Snacking doesn’t.

Recommendation:Avoid snacking too frequently and when you do, stick to foods that are healthy and low in sugar, like whole-grain bars or carrot sticks, advise professionals in implant dentistry in Houston.

Implant Dentistry in Houston: Stay Tuned

To read about the final 6 habits that could, one day, see you requiring Houston dental implants, stay tuned for the fourth installment of this article series.

This four-part article series discusses 19 habits that, through various mechanisms (both short and long term) lead to the degradation of the health of your teeth, gums and jaw bone.

Welcome back to our four-part article series on the top 19 habits to avoid if you want to prevent yourself from ever needing to replace irreparably damaged and decayed teeth with Houston dental implants. In our previous article post, we launched the series with the first four habits to avoid:

1.Chewing on ice,

2.Tongue and lip piercings,

3.Playing sports without a mouth guard,

4.Giving babies bedtime bottles.

Now, we shall continue on with the next five nasty habits to avoid. In conjunction with a rigorous home oral hygiene routine and regular appointments with the dentist and dental hygienist, adhering to this guide will help you keep all of your original adult teeth in fantastic condition. Save yourself the expense and experience of Houston dental implants with proper lifelong care of your pearly whites!

Houston Dental Implants: Habit to Avoid # 5 ~ Grinding Your Teeth

Teeth grinding, also referred to as Bruxism, is a nasty habit that can erode the teeth down over time. In some advanced cases, patients have worn their teeth down to nubs and require Houston dental implants! Teeth grinding is something people tend to do unconsciously, or at nighttime in their sleep and it is believed to be related to stress. Teeth grinders render their pearly whites incredibly vulnerable to bacteria and infection, which access the pulp chamber of the teeth via cracks, fissures and fractures caused by the incessant grinding.

Recommendation: The dentist can immediately see evidence of tooth grinding. Have a mouth guard fitted and wear it to bed every night to prevent irreparable damage to your pearly whites and the need for Houston dental implants.

Houston Dental Implants: Habit to Avoid # 6 ~ Cough Drops

This may sound like a bit of a surprising habit to avoid, but sucking on cough drops is no healthier for your teeth than candy! Just because it’s a medicine, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have ramifications for your oral health. Most cough drops are loaded with sugar to make them more palatable. Bacteria love sugar, so whenever you pop one of these medicinal candies into your mouth, their activity spikes. The by-products of their ingestion of this sugar are high in acid, which corrodes away dental enamel. The result? Cavities and an increase risk of decay!

Recommendation: There are other, less tasty and sugar-free options for the treatment of colds and coughs. But if it means avoiding tooth decay and the need for Houston dental implants…

Houston Dental Implants: Habit to Avoid # 7 ~ Gummy, Chewy Candy

There isn’t a single sugary indulgence that is good for your pearly whites, but some are certainly worse than others. Gummy candy sticks in the natural grooves and crevasses of the teeth, resulting in the advanced localized production of acidic bacterial waste. This can stay in contact with your teeth for hours, increasing your chance of cavity formation, decay and even eventual tooth loss (and the need for Houston dental implants.)

Recommendation: If you can’t resist a gummy treat, have it during the course of a meal. Chewing other food and an increased saliva production should help to wash resistant gummy candy away.

Houston Dental Implants: Habit to Avoid # 8 ~ Fizzy Soft Drinks

Candy isn’t the only indulgence brimming with sugar. Soft drinks have as many as 11 teaspoons of sugar per standard-sized tin can! In addition to this, soft drinks contain citric and phosphoric acid, which eat away at your dental enamel. If you failed to see the connection between fizzy soft drinks and Houston dental implants before, that should make it crystal clear!

Recommendation: Diet soft drinks aren’t that much better either. Artificial sweeteners are also acidic. The best thing to do if you want to lower your risk of tooth decay and the need for Houston dental implants is to wean yourself off of these sugar and acid-rich thirst busters. Learn to love water. It’s much better for you!

Houston Dental Implants: Stay Tuned

To read about more habits that could, one day, see you requiring Houston dental implants, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.

In this article, part 1 of 2, we explore some of the questions most frequently asked about dental implants, including what they are and how long they last as a teeth replacement solution.

Houston Dental Implants: Introduction

Houston dental implants offer a comprehensive and long-term solution to single and multiple missing teeth. This popular, safe and successful teeth replacement technique has largely become the face of modern dental science and with results that guarantee restored oral aesthetics and functionality, it’s no wonder why. But what exactly are dental implants? How do they work? How long do they last? According to statistics released by the American Association of Periodontology, approximately 70% of Americans between the ages of 35 and 44 are missing at least one of their original adult teeth. Since the smile is regarded as one of our most important assets, it’s no wonder why people are bursting with questions about Houston dental implants! So, in order to address some of these issues and concerns, we present to you the answers to your FAQ.

Houston Dental Implants: FAQ

Question 1: What are dental implants?

Houston dental implants are essentially artificial ‘tooth roots’ that are fabricated from the extremely strong and non-corrosive metal titanium, which fits neatly into the socket/s left bare by the missing tooth or teeth. A ceramic crown is then affixed to the top of this titanium implant post, which is made to exactly resemble and function like the tooth it is replacing. The overall results are virtually indistinguishable from any natural, healthy tooth!

Question 2: Can I eat normally with dental implants?

This is one of the fantastic benefits of Houston dental implants. You see, once a dental implant is placed, it forms a strong biological bond with your jaw; a natural process termed ‘osseointegration’. This enables the entire tooth replacement to ‘act’ or function much like a natural healthy tooth in eating and chewing. After a few months of healing and with the final approval of your implantologist, you will be able to resume eating all the foods you love without worrying about your Houston dental implants becoming loose or falling out.

Question 3: How do I take care of dental implants?

Houston dental implants are looked after exactly as you do your original teeth. There are no fancy techniques or expensive products required to keep them clean. As long as you brush thoroughly twice a day, floss everyday and perhaps even use an anti-bacterial mouthwash, you should be able to keep your Houston dental implants for a very long time.

Question 4: How long do dental implants last?

Houston dental implants constitute a long-term solution for single and multiple missing teeth. Because they fuse with the jaw, they last on average between 20 and 30 years. If you look after your teeth well and pay the dental implantologist frequent visits to make sure your implants are stable and functioning perfectly, then you could even keep them for a lifetime!

Without treatment, the infection can penetrate deep down into the gingival sulci, causing pockets of decay to accumulate between the tooth root and the gum walls. And this is where tooth loss and Houston dental implants become something you may imminently need to consider, unless you seek immediate treatment for your oral problems.

Houston Dental Implants: A Cautionary Note

Just to further complicate the life and oral health of a tobacco-user, smokers have a lesser chance of success with Houston dental implants than non-smokers. Due to the slowed flow of blood in the gums and jawbone, healing tends to take longer and in some severe cases of bacterial infection, it can become impossible altogether. While Houston dental implants offer a comprehensive and long term solution to missing teeth, smokers (and non-smokers alike) absolutely need to appreciate that nothing can rival having a complete set of natural healthy teeth. Understanding the linear connection between tobacco-use and the need for Houston dental implants may help you to kick the habit. If not, then perhaps this picture will…

This article provides a brief overview of the difference between dental implants and dentures as replacement solutions for missing teeth.

Dentures have been in use since around 700 BC. Originally, removable prosthetic teeth were made from human teeth, animal teeth or wood; more recently from porcelain or acrylic. For many years they were the only option available to those with missing teeth but they come with several drawbacks. Houston dental implants are readily available in Houston and are a relatively new method of replacing teeth that offers many benefits over dentures. Implant dentistry can provide Houston dental patients with long-term solutions to the many functional and aesthetic problems caused by having missing teeth.

The Drawbacks of Dentures

Removable dentures are prosthetic teeth that rest on the gum and which are designed to have the outward appearance and function of natural teeth. The fact that dentures have been in use for much of human history indicates that they serve a purpose, but they have certain shortcomings as well. Tooth loss causes atrophy of the bone under the gums. As the bone loses density and shrinks, it can cause dentures to fit poorly and uncomfortably over time.

Dentures that do not fit can cause the wearer problems when attempting to chew food and may also impede speech. The result of the bone deterioration is that dentures will have to be refitted at regular intervals.  Aside from poor fitting, other issues with dentures include the fact that they need to be removed and cleaned regularly with denture cleaner, they can trigger the gag reflex and cause the development of painful sores in the mouth. Some shocking studies reveal that denture-wearing can shorten one’s life expectancy by 10 years as a result of malnutrition.

How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants consist of three parts: a post, an abutment and a crown. These parts work together to provide an approximation of natural teeth that is structurally closer to the real thing than any other type of tooth replacement. The post is made of titanium, an exceptionally strong and non-corrosive metal that is totally bio-compatible and readily accepted by the human body. This post serves as the foundation or anchor for the rest of the implant. Once the post is in place, the dentist will attach the abutment to it. The abutment may itself be made of titanium or of ceramic. The purpose of the abutment is to support the crown, which is the only part of the replacement tooth that is visible above the gum line. The crown is expertly fabricated in an on-site laboratory to be virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth and is usually made of strong and durable dental ceramic.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

There is no danger of implants slipping as they are connected to the titanium post. Furthermore, they are designed to look and function like the patient's natural teeth and there is also no atrophy of the jawbone. One's ability to speak and eat is fully restored. The only maintenance needed for dental implants is regular cleaning, as is the case with natural teeth. Sometimes, crown restorations are necessary, but these are rare; it is possible for wearers to get decades of use from their implants without any problems.

For Houston residents with missing teeth, modern dentistry has provided the closest approximation to real teeth thus far in human history. The services of a dentist who specializes in implant dentistry in Houston provide a comprehensive solution to the problems that come with poorly fitted dentures.

This is a real experience at the Brueggen Dental Implant Center, commonly known as the “Houston Dental Implants” – we did a lower All-on-4 dental implants case for a 60 yr old gentleman from Colorado.

A brief description of the condition of the patient provided by Houston Dental Implants:

He was in town on personal business and learned about Houston Dental Implants from a T.V. ad. His medical history was non-contributory. Dentally, he was wearing an upper and lower denture. There was a mobile and failing unilateral subperiosteal implant on the lower left, and one had previously been removed on the lower right. Subperiosteal implants are placed beneath the “gums” and rest on, but not in, the bone.

Subperiosteal implants are used when there is inadequate bone volume to place a dental implant into the bone, and the treating doctor is not aware or trained in other options. They experience a very high failure rate. I have

removed a number of subperiosteal implants but have never placed one.

These implants were placed in Colorado about 15 years ago when the upper and lower dentures were made. It was the doctor’s hope to attach the lower denture to the subperiosteal implants, but unfortunately, that was never possible.

This patient was displeased with the fit of his false teeth. Even with thick denture adhesives, he was unable to eat, and the lower was unstable even in speech. He was a very active gentleman and very frustrated with his situation because his previous dentist had told him that he did not have enough bone for dental implants.

How did Houston Dental Implants made the life easier for the 60 year old, active gentleman?

Houston Dental Implants took a cat scan (a very sophisticated x-ray designed to allow precise measurements of bone in all dimensions) and determined that he did have enough bone for dental implants if the All-on-4 dental implants (a full set of upper or lower teeth fixed to 4 dental implants) technique was used.

Consultation revealed that financially doing this on the upper and lower was not feasible, so we elected to do a new denture on the upper and the All-on-4 dental implant procedure on the lower. Our in-house lab pre-made the

upper denture, so when he arrived at Houston Dental Implants in the morning; we were able to deliver that before I began the surgery.

Using conscious oral sedation, I began the surgery at 9:30 A.M. The failing subperiostel implant was removed, 4 endosseous dental implants were placed, and the surgery was completed at 10:55 A.M.

Impressions were taken for the lab and at 4:30 P.M., the patient was ready to leave with his new upper denture and new lower non-removable teeth attached to 4 implants.

His healing and recovery should be uneventful, and I anticipate making his final set of teeth in 6 months. Houston Dental Implants was hopefully able to minimize his dental troubles forever.

In this article, part 2 of 2, we explore some of the questions most frequently asked about dental implants and the procedure involved in the placement thereof.

Houston Dental Implants: A Brief Revision

In the previous blog post, we introduced Houston dental implants as one of the best solutions modern dental science has to offer patients presenting with single and multiple missing teeth. Some of the questions addressed pertained to what dental implants essentially are, how they are looked after as well as how long they last as a teeth replacement solution, amongst others. In this article, the second of two, we will answer some of the other questions frequently asked about Houston dental implants.

Question 5: What does getting dental implants placed involve?

In your initial consultation with a dental implantologist, he will assess the damage done, whether it is from accidental trauma or decay, and recommend an appropriate course of action. If the tooth or teeth in question cannot be ‘saved’, then he will begin the preparations for you to receive Houston dental implants. This generally involves taking X-rays of your mouth and jaw to facilitate in the detailed planning of the procedure. You will then return after one or two weeks, while your implant/s are being fabricated, for a second appointment during which they will be placed. The complexity of the procedure depends greatly upon the extent of the damage done to your jaw (if your teeth were knocked out by accident) or the prevalence and advanced state of oral infection (if you lost your teeth to gum disease or decay). While Houston dental implants constitute a comprehensive solution to missing teeth, ultimately, the implantologist will want to make sure that your oral health is up to par before embarking upon any oral rehabilitation.

Question 6: Is there a chance that I won’t be considered a candidate for dental implants?

Houston dental implants do not discriminate between patients. Even if you are completely edentulous and have lost all your teeth to gum disease, they can be used to restore your oral aesthetics and functionality. Your journey to beautiful teeth may be longer and involve a slightly more complex procedural plan, but you can and will get there!

Question 7: What happens if my Houston dental implant becomes loose or falls out?

If you heed the implantologist’s post-procedural advice, then there is no reason for you to become concerned about losing your Houston dental implant. If however, it does accidentally become loose, you should set up an appointment with the implantologist immediately. If your implant actually falls out, make sure that you seal it in a plastic bag and take it with you to your appointment. If you cannot see him immediately, then make sure you keep your mouth clean by rinsing it with warm salty water or an anti-bacterial mouthwash after every meal to prevent bacteria from establishing a foot-hold in the bare socket.

Question 8: Does getting Houston dental implants placed hurt?

The use of local anesthesia and sedative medications during the placement of your Houston dental implants almost always renders the entire experience completely pain and anxiety-free. The implantologist will prescribe you a course of analgesic medication (painkillers) to deal effectively with any post-operative pain. Patients seldom complain of anything more than isolated, mild achiness after having Houston dental implants placed.

This two part article series presents compelling reasons why patients should consider dental implants as their tooth replacement solution instead of traditional removable dentures.

If you were aware of the effects of removable dentures or false teeth on the health of your remaining teeth and underlying jaw bone, chances are you’d shell out the extra cash for a better and more sophisticated tooth replacement technology – Teeth in a day. In our previous article post, we discussed the serious effects of wearing removable dentures on jaw bone health, as well as the general short-comings of this archaic hardware. In this article, the second half of the series, we shall move on to talk about the cost differences and functional discrepancies between All-on-4 dental implants…

… and removable dentures.

The Cost of Dental Implants in Houston versus Denture Costs

There are tens of millions of Americans currently living with dentures because they have lost most, if not all of their teeth to periodontal (gum) disease. These people frequently complain about how uncomfortable and even painful dentures can be. But what’s more interesting to note is that they complain about how much it costs to maintain a set of dentures and to keep up with the daily expenses!

Most patients opt for removable dentures because they believe they cannot afford dental implants. While your initial price tag may be greater for dental implants than it is for dentures, the former typically provides a one-time solution to rampant tooth loss… one that can last several decades without the need for restoration or replacement. Denture-wearers on the other hand frequently find themselves shelling out dollar bill after dollar bill to have their dentures refitted and for daily expenses, such as overnight soaking solutions, cleaning pastes, anesthetic gels and adhesives.

These costs add up in the long run. And to add insult to injury, most denture-wearers end up requiring dental implants anyway because their jaw bones have atrophied to such an extent that only bone grafting and implant surgery are considered viable treatment options. The message here is, if you thought you were saving yourself money by opting for dentures rather than Houston dental implants, you’re wrong!

Save yourself the expense AND the daily hassles of dentures by choosing the best and most sophisticated tooth replacement technology from the outset.

Your Ability to Manage and Enjoy Your Food

Last, but certainly not least of all the reasons patients should opt for dental implants instead of traditional removable dentures: mealtimes. Eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures and this only becomes truer with age. By the time you’re finally prepared to let go of your figure and just eat all the delicious foods you love and have waited your whole life to indulge in, you are quite literally not able to.

Dentures are built to enable patients to eat properly, but the menu is substantially limited! Because dentures rest on the gums and are not supported directly by the jaw bone (as is the case with natural teeth and dental implants), they cause quite a bit of pain and inflammation of this delicate soft tissue. This can make eating very uncomfortable. In fact, of all the patients who wear dentures, 50% say they eat better without their false teeth!

Dentures also:

• Reduce bite strength by 75%. After 15 years of denture-wearing, bite force can be reduced by a shocking 97%, leaving patients with very few foods they can actually manage.
• Trigger the gag reflex because of their bulkiness.
• Impede a patient’s ability to taste their food and sense temperature and texture variations properly.
• Decrease nutritional intake.

A Final Note on Houston Dental Implants

All on 4 Dental Implants promote a much greater quality of life, better oral health and higher levels of self-esteem. You cannot put a price tag on either of these things.