Using Laser technology in Pediatric Dentistry: What you need to know

Dr. Z Offers Minimally Invasive Laser Treatment in Pearland and its surrounding areas.

Dr. Z is pleased to be a dentist in Pearland, Texas who offers highly effective BIOLASE Waterlase™ technology in her office. Waterlase Dentistry is revolutionizing the way certain dental procedures are performed, including treatments for periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Dr. Z is qualified to utilize the minimally invasive Waterlase™ to treat many dental conditions with less discomfort to the patient and in some cases use less to no anesthetic. Waterlase Dentistry uses laser energy and a gentle spray of water to perform a wide range of dental procedures — without the heat, vibration, and pressure associated with the dental drill, and in many cases without the blood of a traditional scalpel. Dr. Z offers an array of Waterlase™ treatments to patients who would prefer to receive the latest laser treatment as an alternative to more traditional oral surgery methods.

Those who suffer from anxiety due to past dental experiences or fear of needles are more likely to feel calm and relaxed when receiving treatment with the gentle Waterlase™ system, with many patients reporting no or less pain, and many cases of fewer shots. Laser-based dental care has also been shown to cause less swelling and bleeding at the treatment site. Patients have been shown to recover more quickly, with faster healing, with the use of Waterlase, making dental care a much more convenient and pleasant experience. Additionally, Waterlase speeds up many procedures, allowing for same-day dental treatments without patients being referred out and wasting days of examinations and scheduling multiple-day procedures.

Waterlase Dentistry

Waterlase dentistry is one of the most advanced dental treatments available to Dentists today. Waterlase uses a patented technology that combines focused light energy with a stream of water for a highly precise, exceptionally gentle dental experience. Waterlase allows your dentist to perform a wide range of procedures with benefits including:

  • Less pain and faster healing time, with less trauma to teeth and gums.
  • Less usage of anesthetic for most procedures.
  • Treatment of more than one part of the mouth in one visit, eliminating referrals and specialist visits in many cases.
  • Making dental care a more relaxing experience for you!

More Comfortable

Waterlase Laser dentistry uses laser energy combined with a cool spray of water to perform a wide range of dental procedures without the heat, vibration, and pressure associated with the dental drill. With many procedures, it’s possible to use less anesthetic, or no anesthetic at all. Many patients report only feeling a cooling sensation from the water spray!

More Convenient

With Waterlase Laser Dentistry, dental visits can often be shorter, and more can be completed in a single visit. When procedures can be done without anesthesia, you save time. Dr. Z can complete more treatment in the same scheduled visit and save you the time of running around to various specialists

More Precise

Dr. Z can remove decay far more precisely than the drill. This saves more of the healthy parts of your little one’s tooth and avoids micro-fracturing damage that might occur with drilling in traditional methods.

What can Waterlase Dentistry do for you?

Dr. Z can provide your youngest patients with gentler, kinder, faster procedures with Waterlase Dentistry. Waterlase provides a safe and easy alternative for treating cavities, with less pain, less shots, and often children only feel the cool water spray! Waterlase is a transformative tool for helping children with frenectomies and tongue-ties, making the procedure faster healing, and less traumatic for both the patient and parent.

Waterlase may also be used to perform other procedures that could benefit your oral health:

  • Improve your smile: After braces, we may suggest contouring or shaping your gums using Waterlase Dentistry to improve the appearance of your smile – safely removing excess gum tissue that may give you a “gummy” smile, or make your front teeth appear irregular in size or shape.
  • Remove Oral Growths: Quickly and safely remove growths or excess tissue in your mouth including gum tissue over an unerupted tooth, small “tags” called papilla, and growths called fibromas.
  • Fix a “Tongue Tie” or prevent Gum Recession: Connections that restrict the movement of your tongue or cause your gums to recede can be “released” with less post-operative pain. This can even assist with speech impediments resulting from tongue tie, and latching problems for babies!
  • Treat Cavities: Waterlase Dentistry helps treat cavities without the heat, vibration, and pressure associated with a dental drill. It removes decay, reduces bacteria at the cavity site, and is usually performed in less time due to little or no local anesthetic (no shots!)

Contact us or schedule your appointment online today to see if Waterlase Dentistry is right for your little one.

The Healthy Habits of Early Dental Care for Children

As a pediatric dentist, one of the things I stress to parents is the importance of starting dental care for their children as early as possible. Children’s teeth are more susceptible to cavities and other problems than adult teeth, so it’s important to take steps to prevent these problems and establish healthy habits early on.

Here are some of the benefits of early dental care for children:

  • Prevention of tooth decay: Tooth decay is one of the most common dental problems that children face. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce acid that eats away at the enamel on the teeth. Early dental care, including regular cleanings and fluoride treatments, can help prevent tooth decay and keep children’s teeth healthy.
  • Establishing healthy habits: Children learn by example, so it’s important for parents to model good oral hygiene habits for their kids. By starting dental care early, parents can help their children develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. This includes brushing and flossing regularly, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding sugary drinks and snacks.
  • Promoting overall oral health: Dental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. By starting dental care early, children can develop a healthy mouth and set the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. This includes maintaining healthy teeth and gums, as well as preventing common dental problems like cavities and gum disease.

In summary, early dental care is important for children’s dental health and overall well-being. By starting dental care early, parents can help prevent tooth decay, establish healthy habits, and promote overall oral health for their children. If you have a child who is due for a dental check-up, don’t hesitate to contact us for an appointment. Your child’s smile will thank you!

ZPD Chronicles, Volume 3

ZPD Chronicles
January 2018, Volume 3

 

We hope this year is bigger and brighter than ever! After a few struggles with Hurricane Harvey and the disaster it left behind, we were able to rebuild our office and our spirits, and are excited for a brand new year! We want you to stay informed on the latest and greatest options for your little ones, so read on about another choice for fillings, some new exciting giveaways ZPD has to offer and as always a yummy recipe to keep you warm despite the cold outside. Wishing you all a very happy new year!

 

An Alternative for Fillings:     Silver Diamine Fluoride

You may have recently heard about another option to treat your child’s cavities using a product called silver diamine fluoride.  This product is a minimally invasive treatment option for dental caries in children.  It provides another choice instead of fillings so your child can have a much more positive experience while visiting the dentist.

How do I know if my child is a candidate for this treatment?

Discuss your child’s specific needs with the dentist to determine if your child is an appropriate candidate. Often times these are some identifying factors:

  • Patient’s young age
  • Patient’s high anxiety/nervousness leading to uncooperative behavior
  • Patient’s low weight inhibiting them from having sedation treatment
  • Patient has special needs

 

Patient’s Alternative to SDF, but not limited to the following:

• No treatment, which can affect tooth structures and cosmetic appearance. Symptoms may increase in severity, with tooth nerve involvement.

• Depending on the location and extent of decay, other treatment may include placement of fluoride varnish, a filling or crown, extraction or referral for advanced treatment modalities.

It should be noted that treatment of tooth decay with Silver Diamine Fluoride does not necessarily prevent the need to place a regular filling or other restoration in the affected tooth in the future. Reapplication of SDF is common at 3 month intervals to maintain the arrested caries long term.

Facts about SDF:

  • It is an FDA approved treatment to decrease dental sensitivity and reduce bacteria causing cavities
  • Allows treatment of cavities without a drill
  • It has a lower cost than fillings
  • Using it can decrease hospital visits or sedations needed for treatment  
  • It does cause dark staining of the treated area

 

Remember to ask your dentist about this product at your next visit for more information.

Hot Cocoa Recipe

Premix a jar of this for an instant batch of warmth and goodness on any eve!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups hot cocoa
3 1/2 cups sugar
1 TBSP salt

Add 2 TBSP of your hot cocoa mix to 1 cup of milk.  You can use a peppermint stick or cinnamon stick to stir for extra flavor and can top with whipped cream and marshmallows for an extra boost. Substitute almond milk or coconut milk for a different flavor and enjoy!

 

Would you like to be the lucky winner of this amazing new Oral B toothbrush? Simply like us on facebook at your next office visit and we will enter your name in the drawing! Good Luck!

Don’t forget our No Cavity Club!

Make sure to stay cavity free at your next visit and you can win a prize from Toys R Us and a donation to your favorite charity from ZPD.

ZPD Chronicles, Volume 2

ZPD Chronicles
August 2017, Volume 2
Even when you’re in a rush, don’t forget to use your toothbrush!

Prevention is key

Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every nook and cranny of your teeth – especially those back teeth you use to chew (called molars). Molars are rough, uneven and a favorite place for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria to hide.

But fear not! There’s another safety net to help keep those teeth clean. It’s called a sealant, and it is a thin, protective coating placed on the chewing surface of your back teeth. They’re no substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity.

Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child’s dental health.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”


The left tooth shows open grooves before the sealant has been place and the right tooth portrays the deep fissures covered, making it easier to clean and decreases the risk of cavities.

How Do Sealants Work?

Think of them as raincoats for your teeth. When the cavity-causing bacteria that live in your mouth mix with leftover food particles, they produce acids that can create holes in teeth. These holes are cavities. After sealant has been applied it keeps those bits of food out and stops bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth.

Who Can Get Sealants?

Children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier you get them, the better. Your first molars appear around age 6, and second molars break through around age 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start, which helps keep them healthy longer.

How Are Sealants Applied?

It’s a quick and painless process. First, your teeth get clean and dry before placing a gel on your teeth. This gel roughens your tooth surface so a strong bond will form between your tooth and the sealant. After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed off and your tooth is dried again before applying the sealant onto the grooves of your tooth. Then, a special blue light is used to harden the sealant.

Can Sealants Be Placed Over Cavities?

Sealants can be used over areas of early decay to prevent further damage to your tooth. Because some sealants are clear, your dentist can keep an eye on the tooth to make sure the sealant is doing its job.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Sealants will often last for several years before they need to be reapplied. During your regular dental visit, the condition of the sealant will be checked and can be ‘touched up’ as needed.


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Back to School Study Tips

Whether you’re headed back to college, high school, middle school, or elementary school, the back-to-school season is in full-swing! Here are a couple of tips to get you right on track!

Tip #1: Avoid distractions in your study space, and keep all study items together. 
Choose a space that doesn’t have a lot of tempting distractions like a library or quiet room. Place your materials for school on a shelf together to make it easier for you to find items and stay organized.  Using an academic planner to keep track of assignments, deadlines and appointments can help prioritize tasks as well.
Tip #2: Learn how to effectively communicate with your teachers. 
You’ll find that most of your teachers are more than happy to provide additional instruction and extra help. This also shows that you care about your academic performance. Your teachers want to see that you are interested in the class material and that you are driven to succeed. By effectively communicating with your teachers, you can help maintain and increase your class participation, and often times your grades.

Tip #3: Study a little every day.

Cramming the night before for a vocabulary quiz might work in the short-term, but when it’s time to study for midterms, you may not remember everything.  Take a little time every day to review definitions and terms for each class so you don’t feel overwhelmed at the end of the year.  Plus, it will help your long term memory for the long haul!

Tip #4: Reward Yourself!
Positive reinforcement is an amazing thing. When you have completed tasks, reward yourself in small ways. This can be anything from allowing yourself to take a 10 minute break or getting up for a quick walk and stretch. This can help refresh your body and mind before hitting the books again!
Back to School Snack Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Chips

Ingredients:

4 apples
1-2 tsp ground cinnamon
1-2 tsp sugar
Cooking spray
Directions:
Preheat oven to 200 degrees.  Core and slice all apples into 1/8″ slices.  Place them in a bowl and coat with sugar/cinnamon mixture.  Spray tray and arrange apple slices flat.  Bake for 2-3 hours until chips are dry but still soft.  Let cool completely and enjoy!
Congrats to our first winner Ethan Corpuz from our no cavity club drawing! Z Pediatric Dentistry will be donating to the charity *Save the Children* in his honor!
Copyright © 2017 Z Pediatric Dentistry All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
10555 Pearland PKWY, Suite L
Houston, Texas 77089

832.321.7151
www.zpdentistry.com

ZPD Chronicles, Volume 1

ZPD Chronicles
June 2017, Volume 1
Keep brushing your teeth while enjoying the heat!

It’s never too early to start!

Summer is officially here and we want to make sure you keep those pearly whites extra shiny this time of year. It is never too early to establish a dental home for your little one’s hygiene and for your ease of mind! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends all children be seen by a dentist by the age of 1.

This helps decrease your child’s anxiety about the dentist, allows the dentist to review preventative care as well as provide optimal oral health care for your nugget. The earlier the dental visit, the better chance you have to prevent dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly, and smile with confidence. Start your children now on a lifetime of good dental habits. Here are a few tips to get you started on the right track:

  • Encourage children to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday
  • Begin weaning your child off a bottle around 12 months old and make sure they do not fall asleep with a milk bottle at bedtime.
  • Limit frequency of snacking, which can increase a child’s risk of developing cavities. Try to keeps meals or snack to 30 minutes.
  • Water is the best medicine for your teeth. It is the next best thing to brushing your teeth during the day, so keep plenty of water bottles handy this summer!
  • Parents and caregivers need to take care of their own teeth as well to prevent transmitting cavity causing bacteria to children. Don’t clean pacifiers and eating utensils with your own mouth before giving them to children, which can also transmit adult’s bacteria to children.

Make sure to call us anytime for more information or questions, but most importantly, have a fun and safe summer!

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Car Games

Have a long road trip ahead this summer? Try some of these games on the road to help kids pass time and look up from their iPad’s.

The Alphabet Game

Ages 5 & up: Each person choose one side of the road. Each player looks for a letter of the alphabet on signs or license plates. The object of the game is to point out all the letters of the alphabet in order, from A to Z. The first person to spot the entire alphabet wins.

Animal Name Game

Ages 6 & up: One person names an animal. Then each person has to name another animal (no repeating!), that starts with the last letter of the previous animal named. There are no winners or losers in this game. With older children, try the game with TV shows, or geographical categories such as cities or countries.

Memory Test Game

Ages 6 & up: The first person says

“A is for –-“ filling in the blank with any word beginning with the letter A, such as “apple.” The second person comes up with a word for the letter B, such as “book,” but must also repeat the “A” word: “A is for apple, B is for book.”

Continue through the alphabet, each person taking several turns and reciting more and more letters and words. By the end, that player will recite the whole alphabet and its corresponding words. However, if you’re playing with younger kids you may want to choose an earlier letter than “Z” to be the final one.

Restaurant Race

Ages 5 & up: Each player chooses a restaurant, such as Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonalds, etc. Players earn points by spotting their restaurant off the road, on a billboard, on exit markers, on fuel/food signs, or by hearing it mentioned on the radio. Impose a time limit-say 20 minutes-and then add up the points.

Fruit Popsicle Recipe
Ingredients:

1 Peach

2 Kiwis
3 oz. blueberries
4 oz. strawberries
1.5 cups of White Grape juice

Directions:

Chop all the fruit in cubes and arrange in 3oz. ice molds (make sure it’s a snug fit!) Pour white grape juice in each cube and add a popsicle stick. Freeze for up to 6hrs. and enjoy on any hot Houston summer afternoon!

NO CAVITY CHARITY CLUB!!!!!!

Dr. Z is starting a No Cavity Charity Club this month. If your child has ZERO cavities, their name will be added to our no cavity club wall and entered into a drawing. At the end of every month, Z Pediatric Dentistry will donate $1 for every tooth on the wall to the winner’s chosen charity.

Copyright © 2017 Z Pediatric Dentistry All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

Z Pediatric Dentistry

10555 Pearland Pkwy Suite L

HoustonTEXAS 77089

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