Active Life Dentistry New Dentist Announcement

CYPRESS, TX – 11/6/2019

Dr. Patterson

Our practice has grown and, in order to continue providing you with the best standard of care, we are bringing on a dentist with a familiar face. We are very excited to welcome back Dr. Trey Patterson to Active Life Dentistry’s Towne Lake location beginning on November 11th!

Dr. Patterson was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Following high school, he attended Texas A&M University where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. After college, Dr. Patterson attended the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio where he was actively involved in many dental organizations. He was an active member of the American Student Dental Association and President of Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity. Dr. Patterson graduated cum laude and continued to further his dental training by completing a post-doctoral Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in San Antonio, which allowed him to become certified in IV sedation. When Dr. Patterson is not practicing dentistry, he enjoys hunting, fishing, rooting for his Aggies, and spending time with family and friends.

With the addition of Dr. Patterson, we are delighted to be able to arrange most of our Dentists around “home” locations. Dr. Mason will now be at our Bridgeland location Monday through Thursday. Dr. Lagaly, Dr. Mathew and Dr. Blume will be at our Cypress location Monday through Thursday. Dr. Patterson will be at our Towne Lake location Monday through Thursday. In addition, Dr. Norwood will continue to serve patients at our Jones Road location Monday through Thursday; Dr. Moore will continue to see patients at our Lakewood location on Mondays and Wednesdays and at our Cypress location on Tuesdays; and Dr. Hartzell will continue to see patients at our Jones Road location on Mondays and Wednesdays and at our Lakewood location on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As a reminder, the end of the year is quickly approaching and any unused dental benefits (e.g. dental cleanings) may expire with it. Also, many of you participate in Flexible Spending Accounts with your employer. In many cases, any benefits left in these accounts do not roll over each calendar year. Our team can assist you in preparing for your dental care by discussing your treatment needs and reserving convenient appointment times.

At Active Life Dentistry, your dental health is our number one priority. That means that you look good, you feel good, you have strong teeth and gums, and you enjoy the benefits of a healthy, attractive smile for a lifetime. You can book your next appointment with any of our dentists or hygienists by calling our office at 281.970.4000.

We look forward to seeing you soon!
Active Life Dentistry
281.970.4000
www.activelifedentistry.com

P.S. Now is a great time to whiten & brighten your smile for your end of year celebration photos! And, for a limited time, if you refer a friend or family member to us, you can receive a free whitening treatment under our referral program! Once your loved one has completed their first visit with us, you’ll be able to schedule an appointment to receive your complimentary whitening treatment. To learn more about this offer and for terms and conditions, give us a call today.

Almost every person has some form of tooth sensitivity. So what causes sensitivity?

There are three layers to a tooth: enamel, dentin, and pulp. The enamel is the protective outer layer, the dentin is the softer in between layer, and the pulp is the innermost layer which houses the blood supply and innervation to the tooth. As enamel is worn down, we get closer to the dentin and pulp, which causes us to feel sensitivity or pain because we are closer to the nerve.

There are multiple reasons why the enamel may become compromised. The most common reason for tooth sensitivity is recession. Recession is when the gum has pulled away from the tooth and the root is exposed. Recession can be caused by lack of proper oral hygiene, grinding, and clenching.

Lack of proper oral hygiene causes calculus and plaque to collect on the teeth and at the gum line thereby causing periodontitis. Periodontitis is inflammation of the periodontium, the tissues that surround and support our teeth. This inflammation causes the pockets between our teeth and gums to become deep and the gums to be pushed back exposing tooth structure. This is why brushing and flossing are critical. Brushing helps get rid of plaque and flossing helps strengthen the gums. It’s also possible to brush too hard and consequently push the gums back via abrasion. It is ideal to use a soft bristle toothbrush or electric tooth brush to apply the right amount of pressure. Sonicare and Oral B Electric toothbrushes are approved by the ADA as safe and effective for plaque removal and prevention of gingivitis. Sensodyne toothpastes are another great option for tooth desensitization. They are less abrasive and include ingredients specifically for forming a barrier over sensitive areas and soothing the nerves inside our teeth.

Grinding and clenching cause abfractions and occlusal wear on the teeth. Abfractions are when the tooth appears to have a concave cupping where it meets the gums. Occlusal wear is when the original anatomy of the tooth is lost so that teeth become flat. Most people don’t realize they grind or clench because they often do it while they’re sleeping. Another sign of grinding or clenching is waking up with pain and experiencing even muscular discomfort around the temples. This can be addressed by wearing a night guard.

Other causes of sensitivity include soda swishing, dipping, smoking, bulimia, whitening, acid reflux, and sugary foods. These habits wear down the protective enamel. In addition to brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, mouthwash such as purple Listerine or ACT can supplement the fluoride content to help prevent further wear by strengthening our enamel.

Routinely going to the dentist every 6 months helps both the dentist and patient monitor for signs and symptoms and decide if further treatment is needed to address tooth sensitivity. Call our office today at 281.970.400 to schedule your cleaning and/or if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity that causes discomfort.
Dr. Mathew
Active Life Dentistry
281.970.400