Dr. Erin Gustafson
Dr. Erin Gustafson was born and raised in northeast Texas, relocating to Lubbock to complete her undergraduate degree in Zoology at Texas Tech University.
Read more about Dr. Erin Gustafson
Find Us:
Dentist - Humble
9630 North Sam Houston Pkwy E. Bldg B
Humble, TX 77396
Find us
Patient Library
Find helpful information in our digital library.
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- Welcome (1)
- celebrity smiles (84)
- oral hygiene (23)
- orthodontics (13)
- braces (17)
- gum disease (13)
- clear aligners (2)
- snoring (3)
- sleep apnea (3)
- aging (1)
- orthodontic treatment (20)
- periodontal disease (5)
- cosmetic dentistry (12)
- oral surgery (2)
- oral health (25)
- gum recession (5)
- dental injury (5)
- mouthguard (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- nutrition (7)
- teeth whitening (6)
- pediatric dentistry (15)
- dental exam (1)
- toothache (4)
- tooth pain (4)
- root canal (5)
- bad breath (3)
- osteoporosis (2)
- dental care (2)
- dental implants (12)
- tooth grinding (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- endodontics (1)
- crowns (4)
- chipped teeth (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- palatal expander (1)
- facial pain (3)
- tmd (1)
- tmj (1)
- jaw pain (2)
- frenectomy (1)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- removable dentures (1)
- porcelain veneers (5)
- orthognathic surgery (1)
- jaw surgery (1)
- tooth decay (7)
- trigeminal neuralgia (2)
- bone grafting (2)
- bonding (1)
- fluoride (2)
- retainers (2)
- oral appliance (1)
- night guard (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- sealants (2)
- pediatric care (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- veneers (2)
- extractions (1)
- chipped tooth (2)
- impacted teeth (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- oral cancer (2)
- retainer (2)
- dental cleaning (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- mouthguards (4)
- bone graft (1)
- bone loss (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- diabetes (2)
- x-rays (1)
- sports drinks (1)
- extraction (1)
- tooth loss (1)
- gerd (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- root canal treatment (3)
- dental implant (3)
- fillings (1)
- smile makeover (2)
- dry socket (1)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- teething (1)
- dentures (1)
Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
Can you have healthy teeth and still have gum disease? Absolutely! And if you don’t believe us, just ask actor David Ramsey. The cast member of TV hits such as Dexter and Arrow said in a recent interview that up to the present day, he has never had a single cavity. Yet at a routine dental visit during his college years, Ramsey’s dentist pointed out how easily his gums bled during the exam. This was an early sign of periodontal (gum) disease, the dentist told him.
“I learned that just because you don’t have cavities, doesn’t mean you don’t have periodontal disease,” Ramsey said.
Apparently, Ramsey had always been very conscientious about brushing his teeth but he never flossed them.
“This isn’t just some strange phenomenon that exists just in my house — a lot of people who brush don’t really floss,” he noted.
Unfortunately, that’s true — and we’d certainly like to change it. So why is flossing so important?
Oral diseases such as tooth decay and periodontal disease often start when dental plaque, a bacteria-laden film that collects on teeth, is allowed to build up. These sticky deposits can harden into a substance called tartar or calculus, which is irritating to the gums and must be removed during a professional teeth cleaning.
Brushing teeth is one way to remove soft plaque, but it is not effective at reaching bacteria or food debris between teeth. That’s where flossing comes in. Floss can fit into spaces that your toothbrush never reaches. In fact, if you don’t floss, you’re leaving about a third to half of your tooth surfaces unclean — and, as David Ramsey found out, that’s a path to periodontal disease.
Since then, however, Ramsey has become a meticulous flosser, and he proudly notes that the long-ago dental appointment “was the last we heard of any type of gum disease.”
Let that be the same for you! Just remember to brush and floss, eat a good diet low in sugar, and come in to the dental office for regular professional cleanings.
If you would like more information on flossing or periodontal disease, please contact us today to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Understanding Gum (Periodontal) Disease.”