Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween from Dr. Skibell & team!
Of course, Halloween doesn’t have to be completely treat-less. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have provided a helpful list of tips and braces-friendly recipes for the Halloween Season.
Monday, October 24, 2011
5 tips to avoid plaque, from David L. Skibell, D.D.S, M.S., P.A.
Let’s start with brushing regularly.. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.
Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.
Also, evading a trip to the dentist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your general dentist at least twice a year or as recommended by your dentist, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth while wearing braces.
You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.
Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. David L. Skibell. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Cold season is here, from David L. Skibell, D.D.S, M.S., P.A.
To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. David L. Skibell and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Houston office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at David L. Skibell, D.D.S, M.S., P.A., we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.
And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!
Monday, October 10, 2011
What’s the difference between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?
Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).
Isn’t it nice to know there’s a dental expert in Dr. Skibell to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?
Monday, October 3, 2011
October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!
Dr. David Skibell and our team realize this is a great opportunity for us and to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene. National Orthodontic Health Month also aims to recognize the dedicated work of orthodontists like Dr. Skibell and other dental professional in Houston.
The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:
• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Ice
If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Skibell during your visit!