Blog: The Wellness Dentists Blog
The Smile “Test Drive”: Previewing Your New Smile Before Treatment
The Smile “Test Drive”: Previewing Your New Smile Before Treatment
Ozone
Ozone
What is Ozone Therapy?
Ozone is a highly energized form of oxygen (O₃) with powerful antimicrobial properties. ...
Why Does My Child Snore?
Many parents are surprised to learn that regular snoring in children is not considered normal healthy sleep and lack of quality sleep can lead to some very unhealthy consequences.
Digital Smile Design: Planning a Smile With Precision
Digital Smile Design: Planning a Smile With Precision
What to Expect at a Cosmetic Dental Consultation
What to Expect at a Cosmetic Dental Consultation
Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy
What is SaunaSpace?
SaunaSpace uses near-infrared light and gentle heat to warm the body from ...
Guided Biofilm Therapy
Guided Biofilm Therapy
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT), a modern, gentle approach to professional dental cleaning that focuses on removing ...
NightLase
NightLase
Nightlase is a gentle, non-invasive laser procedure that reduces the effects of sleep apnea, decreases the severity of snoring and increases the quality of sleep.
Pola Whitening
Pola Whitening
What is Pola Whitening?
Pola Whitening is a professional-grade teeth whitening treatment that uses peroxide-based gel to ...
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide is a natural molecule your body produces that plays a vital role in overall health. Its most important function is helping blood vessels relax ...
Why the pH in Your Mouth Matters
Why the pH in Your Mouth Matters
The pH in your mouth affects how healthy your teeth and gums are. When the mouth becomes too acidic, tooth enamel begins to weaken, which can ...
Saliva Testing: A Tiny Sample That Tells A Big Story
Why We Test Saliva: A Window Into Whole-Body Health
Saliva does far more than support oral health — it offers powerful insight into your overall well-being.
Research shows that harmful periodontal bacteria and their by-products don’t always stay in the mouth. They can enter the bloodstream or digestive tract and contribute to systemic conditions such as ...
Why Nitric Oxide is Important to Your Oral Health
Oral Health is Whole-Body Health
10 Expert Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Cosmetic Bonding Results
Your Smile Deserves to Last
Post-Extraction Challenges: What to Expect and How to Overcome Them
Having a tooth extracted can feel like a big deal—and honestly, it is! It's a surgical procedure that requires proper care, understanding, and the right support to heal ...
How Much Does Safe Mercury Removal Cost? A Complete Guide
If you're exploring safe mercury removal, you're already taking a powerful step toward protecting your long-term health. At Dr. Katie To Center for Wellness Dentistry, we understand that the decision to remove ...
Why Some Patients Hesistate About Dental Ozone Therapy (And Why You Shouldn't)
In the world of modern dentistry, advancements are constantly being made to improve patient care, enhance outcomes, and reduce discomfort. One such breakthrough that has been around for decades but is now gaining more mainstream attention is dental ozone therapy. ...
Top 7 Reasons Why Wellness Dentistry is the Best Choice for Preventive Care
Top 7 Reasons Why Wellness Dentistry is the Best Choice for Preventive Care
Back to school ready!
August is here and we all know what that means, it’s back to school time! We understand life can get busy and we are here to remind you to take care of your immune system. There are several things you can practice to boost your immune system such as eating healthy, staying hydrated and very importantly sleeping well. One of ...
Quench your thirst!
Summer is here and dehydration is no joke! Remember to keep hydrated by drinking the necessary amount of water your body needs, which would be half of your body weight in ounces. Dr. Katie's favorite book on the hydration topic is Quench by Dr. Dana Cohen. We highly encourage you to give the book a try! The book emphasizes ...
Oral DNA
Our patients know how passionate we are about the oral health connection to your systemic wellness. That is one of the reasons why we do Oral DNA testing in our office. This testing allows us to know what kind of bacteria is present in your mouth and how it may be affecting your body. With this information we are able ...
What are Color Therapy Glasses?
If you have been seen for a wellness visit lately you may have had the opportunity to pick out some stylish glasses. Our color therapy glasses not only make you look extremely cool while receiving your dental care, but they also serve a great purpose!
Did you know that color therapy helps stimulate different emotional responses depending on the frequency of ...
Guided Biofilm Dental Cleaning!
Did you know that Dental Biofilm is present on the tooth surface and is associated with oral diseases, such as cavities and periodontal disease? More than 50 Systemic health diseases are linked to periodontal conditions! Periodontal conditions can increase the risk of systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease, arthritis, or diabetes.
This is why keeping up with your oral ...
One Size Fits One
What a great way to kick off the new year by introducing Light Force! No, this is not a Star Wars reference. Dr. Bar has discovered a new bracket system that offers the ultimate custom fit!
Dr. Bar is always looking for ways to improve our patient’s quality of care and that means staying up to date with the latest and ...
What is Ozone Therapy?
Have you heard of Ozone Therapy? Medical Grade Ozone Therapy is the safest method to reduce the growing bacteria on the tooth and gum, as well as strengthening the tooth structure. So, how does it work? Well, rather than using medication, ...
It's A Girl!
Dr. Katie and Dr. Bar are so excited to announce they are expecting a baby girl in February! We are over the moon with joy! Their son Bailey can't wait to be a big brother! Dr. Katie is very thankful for the all the blessings and prayers she has received from her patients over the years and she can't wait ...
My Yoga Journey Begins!
Happy Lunar New Year!
One of my goals in 2021 is to become a Certified Yoga Instructor. I'm so blessed to have this opportunity and I'm enjoying the journey. I started my intense 200-hour certification at Yoga West here in Katy. The classes are wonderful and after a few weeks of training, I can already feel and see my growth. Here ...
Mouth Taping, the Secret To Better Breathing.
Our family started mouth taping years ago and here is what I found. We use our mouths to eat, drink, and to talk. It should NOT be used to breathe or to snore. So what are we using to breathe??? The nose of course! Nose breathing is the secret to better sleep and a healthier mouth because:
- it reduces dry mouth
- it ...
Test Drive Your Smile
One of Dr. Katie's passions is Cosmetic Dentistry. Much of her continuing educational studies has focused on keeping her at the forefront of this field. After copious hours of research, she landed on Digital Smile Design, or DSD. This elite company use cutting edge technology to help dentists achieve ideal results for patients who want to improve the esthetic and/or ...
Dr. Katie's Journey to Biological Dentistry
Years ago, Dr. Katie was very ill from Mercury Toxicity which was brought on by years of exposure to Mercury through traditional dentistry. After copious amounts of research, she knew things had to change for her and her patients. Along her journey to wellness, she transitioned her practice to focus more on Biological Dentistry. Through countless hours of study, tests, ...
Thermography & Early Detection
With many diseases, early detection is key to regaining health. Breast cancer is one that comes to mind this month. We highly recommend Thermography testing as a way to find inflammation in the body early on.
Thermography is a series of scans taken using state of the art digital infrared cameras. These scans are ready by a licensed medical professional and ...
3rd Annual Backpack Drive
Fall is here! It's certainly not a normal start to the school year and we want to make sure we keep up with traditions where possible. We have launched our 3rd annual backpack drive for kids in Africa with our special partner Dawda Khan with Euromove! We are accepting new or gently used backpacks and school supplies at our office.
This ...
Dr. Katie gets Featured on Katy Moms Network!
Dr. Katie is well known for her cosmetic bonding technique, holistic approach to dentistry, and her desire to never stop learning. Another thing we love about Dr. Katie is what a fabulous mom she is! Her son, Bailey, just turned 4 in June and loves ...
We are a DSD Clinic!
Dr. Katie is a lifelong learner and is always pursuing ways to do things better and give our patients a better experience. After becoming a Digital Smile Design Master, Dr. Katie immediately increased her efforts towards the next step in her cosmetic dentistry journey.
Dr. Katie has gone through an intense training and screening process in order for her office to ...
Congratulations Dr. Katie on becomng a Master of Digital Smile Design
Back in March, Dr. Katie To became a Master of Digital Smile Design.
This exclusive honor comes from DSD, or Digital Smile Design, which is one of the top Cosmetic Dental Education programs worldwide. They are located in Madrid, Spain and are bringing the latest and greatest in cosmetic dental techniques to dentists around the world.
To receive the title DSD Master, ...
We Are Back!
We are so grateful to be back to work! We have re-opened the office for all procedures and are ready to see you!
Through this challenging time, we have followed the CDC and OSHA regulations to make sure that we are practicing safely. You will notice some differences when you come to the practice and we appreciate everyone's patience while we ...
A Safe Practice for a Healthy You
At our office, we practice Biological/Holistic Dentistry. There is a common misconception that Biological/Holistic Dentistry is a fad, fake, or non-scientific. This couldn't be further from the truth. Biological/Holistic Dentistry takes into consideration what is going on in the rest of your body, not just your teeth. It is an extremely science based way to practice and makes our standard ...
Love is in the Air with Surgically Clean Air!
Dr. Katie’s number one priority is patient and team wellness. Many of our patients have bad memories of the dental office smell, not to mention all the particles and bacteria in the air in most dental practices. That’s not ...
Is your mouth dry?
Saliva production is crucial to keeping your breath fresh and clean. It acts as a natural rinsing
agent and washes away bacteria and other unwanted leftovers down your throat and through
your body.
Dry mouth can be caused by a myriad of things. Here’s a breakdown of possible culprits:
Caffeine - If you’ve got an addiction to coffee, soda, or tea, all ...
Battling Bad Breath?
If you have been suffering from bad breath and you’re looking for a way to address it, you should know that there are two types of bad breath. In other words, the “morning breath” you get every day is different from chronic bad breath - also ...
Dr. Katie is Katy's FIRST Certified Biological Dentist
Congratulations to Dr. Katie To for being the very first and only Certified Biological Dentist in Katy, TX by the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine (IABDM).
Veteran's Smile Day 2019
Veteran's Day is this week. To honor all those who have served, Dr. Katie and her team spent Saturday volunteering at the annual Veteran's Smile Day. This event is hosted by the Greater Houston Dental Society every year and provides free dental care to Veterans. Many Dentists, Dental Assistants, Hygienists, and Business Team members came together at many locations across ...
Home Sleep Test for a better night's rest!
If you or someone you love are snoring at night, it means that breathing is being hindered. Your airway is a critical component of your total wellness and snoring is a symptom of an airway problem and needs to ...
Ready to Sugar Detox??
While we do need sugar in our diet, too much can have a negative impact on our health. Americans are among the highest consumers of sugar as we are devouring nearly 66 pounds of sugar every year. That's a lot!
Lifelong Learning
Dr. Katie has a strong passion for learning. She is always at the forefront of the latest and greatest in dentistry and brings this wealth of knowledge to her ...
Are You Sabotaging Your Sleep??
You may be sabotaging your sleep without knowing it! Think about your current sleep routine. I’d be willing to bet you’re like most people and that your nighttime routine involves at least one digital device.
Do You Read Your Food Labels?
Understanding the nutrition panel labels on food can be a challenge! However, if you’re concerned about your sugar intake, which you should be as the average American is consuming nearly 3 times the recommended amount daily, it’s crucial to read the labels.
Eat less sugar, you're sweet enough already!
There are three stages of cavity formation. The first involves plaque, which is created by the bacteria in your mouth when you consume foods and drinks that contain sugar and produce acids.
Preventing Cavities: A Unique Environment
Hey Everyone,
Our mouths provide the perfect environment for bacteria growth. In fact, 800 - 1,000 different types of bacteria can be found in just your mouth alone!
Bacteria is responsible for the formation of plaque - a sticky, colorless film of bacteria which feeds on sugar and starch to produce acids. These acids break down tooth enamel and can cause tooth ...
Who's up for a road trip?
Whether you’re headed out for a staycation or spending a holiday with family, road trips are a great way to travel!
Unfortunately, more often than not, road trips go hand-in-hand with unhealthy drive-through foods and sore muscles.
You’ve probably spent some time planning out your route and considering what to pack. Why not go one step further and plan out healthy meals ...
A New Opportunity in Gum Disease Treatment and Maintenance
One of the most destructive diseases to the gum and bone that supports the teeth is gum disease. Gum disease is initiated by bacteria, yeast, and viruses that live in the mouth, or are acquired through saliva from someone else. From multiple scientific studies, it is widely understood that about 10 to 15 bacteria, along with other yeast and viruses ...
If You Snore You May Have Sleep Apnea
There is nothing that feels better than getting a good night's sleep. Many people do not know what it feels like to have a good night's sleep due to snoring. They may snore, or perhaps they lay next to someone that has a chronic snoring problem. Someone sharing a bed with a snorer loses on average 1.5 hours per night ...
Bite Disease: Your Teeth Are a Very Important Part of Your Digestive System
Your teeth are one of the most unique substances in your body. They are one of the hardest natural materials known to man and are resistant to penetration by most substances and are resistant to many diseases. However, they can come under attack by acids and by extreme friction from the chewing services of the teeth they meet during chewing. ...
Biocorrosion: Gum Line Notching and Environmental Damage to Tooth Root Surfaces
A very common condition that many people have is notching or tooth structure loss right above the gum line on some upper and lower teeth. This notching can leave the gum tooth interface unsightly due to discoloration, it can produce sensitivity to hot and cold, and can ultimately compromise the integrity of the tooth structure. This notching is a result ...
Cavities: A Bacterial Infection Transmissible and Preventable
A very popular, and often "accepted" oral infection caused by bacteria is known as caries. A damaging result of the caries infection process are holes in the teeth commonly known as cavities. Many parents expect their children to acquire cavities as they grow, and often act surprised, when children leave the dental office without the need for "fillings". A reality ...
Gum Disease: A Common Condition Associated with Serious Health Issues
One of the most popular under diagnosed diseases in the dentist office is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is evident by excess oral inflammation, a certain type of bleeding during a routine periodontal examination, and often gum recession exposing the root surfaces of the teeth making them look longer. Bleeding gums when brushing and flossing can ...
Wellness Dentistry
A trip to the dentist typically involves fillings, cleanings, and other routine services. But today, progressive dentists are spending more time learning and informing patients how dentistry and overall health are directly connected.
For example, when patients are experiencing gum disease, their chances of serious health risks (heart disease, diabetes, etc.) dramatically increases. This is known as oral systemic health.
This new ...
Smile with Confidence!
February is a great month to LOVE your smile! Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you! It is a great honor to have our patients trust us with something so precious. In order to earn and maintain that trust, we are always learning and using the most advanced techniques to give our patients the best aesthetics ...
Health is the New Wealth!
January is a great time to jumpstart your nutrition and health after the holiday season. Celery juice is a great way to get started! It has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory effects and drinking celery juice can help with acid reflux which can cause erosion and weaken your enamel. There are many other health benefits to drinking celery juice! ...
Happy Thanksgiving! Project Smile for 2018!
We hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend! To keep in the spirit of being thankful for our amazing patients, we are again holding our Project Smile for 2018! One of our core values is giving back to our community and we are so excited for this year. We announced the winner on Facebook this weekend. If you haven't ...
Project Smile 2018!
Happy Fall Everyone!
We had such a great response from our 2017 Project Smile!! We were so happy to be able give Roger his smile transformation!
We are very excited to announce it's time for our Project Smile 2018! Dr. Katie is going to transform someone's smile for ...
Ice Cream & Incredible Kids!
Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? We did! This month we are celebrating the always delicious dessert by giving away a $50 gift card to Cocohodo! Cocohodo is a local Ice Cream shop where they make the ice cream using liquid nitrogen! It's a great place to also get pastries and yummy treats!
In order to win:
- Like ...
What's Your Number?
“You have a cavity!” You find yourself puzzled and staring into space when your dentist delivers this news. Why? Because in the morning, at lunch, snacks in between and at bed time you are brushing and flossing! How can this be, Doctor? If you have never heard of oral flora, allow us to get to the “root” of your question! ...
Get Your Oral Cancer Screening!
The month of April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and our office is dedicated to providing our patient's with the best care possible. We love learning and incorporating new technologies into our practice, especially when they can save lives!
Give Kids A Smile
February is Children's Dental Health Month. For the last 15 years, American Dental Association and Greater Houston Dental Society have been organized a program called Give Kids A Smile. This annual event provides free dental services including dental cleanings, fillings and extractions to underserved and uninsured children in Houston area.
Dr. Katie To is honored to serve as co-chair of this ...
Don't Let A Dental Emergency Interfere With Your Holiday Plans!
When you imagine the perfect holiday get-together, perhaps you think of being surrounded by your loved ones gathered around to celebrate. But nothing ruins a quality family moment quite like a dental disaster!
Matching One Front Tooth
Hey Everyone!
One of the most difficult things we do in dentistry is matching one front tooth to the others. There are so many factors that play into getting the most accurate match. We consider things like tooth color, size, and individual characteristics that your body created. Fortunately, Dr. Katie has gone the extra mile! She has taken MANY continuing education ...
Veteran's Smile Day
Hi Everyone,
For the second year in a row we will be volunteering at Veteran's Smile Day on 11/11/17. This is a great program for Veterans to get FREE dental care! If you know a Veteran who would benefit from these services, please have them contact this group via email at veteransmileday@gmail.com or by phone at 832-422-8158. We are so excited ...
Patients Helping Patients
Project Smile!
Hello Everyone!
We are so excited to share our Project Smile with all of you! We are going to change someone's life! If you, or your friends, coworkers, or someone you know, is in need of a new smile, please send us an email to contactus@katietodds.com. Include your name, contact information, pictures of you and your smile, and what a new ...
Dental Savings Plan
We have some exciting news! Dr. Katie will now be offering a dental savings plan for her patients that currently do not have dental coverage. This plan is called Dr. Katie To's Dental Savings Plan. Membership for this plan will allow individuals and families to get tremendous savings on their general dental needs. Become a member with us and you ...
Teeth Straightening with Braces and Invisalign
Whether you are young or older, there is never a bad time in your life to invest in the health of your teeth. As technology advances, there are now more options than ever to give you a visually appealing look while still provided you with the teeth straightening you seek. Malocclusion, misaligned teeth, is more than a cosmetic issue. It ...
Risky Behaviors
Hey Everyone,
We know you are working hard keep your teeth healthy and we are happy to be part of those efforts! But, did you know that the following behaviors can be damaging to your teeth?
- Chewing Ice -- When you chew on ice, you are putting your teeth at risk of chipping or cracking. Ice is really hard and can do ...
Early Detection Saves Lives!
Hey Everyone,
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Early Detection Saves Lives! Cancer of the mouth and upper throat kills 1 person every hour of every day. 40% of the people diagnosed with these cancers will not survive longer than five years. Many who do survive suffer long term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulty with eating and speaking. ...
Smile to Feel Good!
We hear an interesting statistic today. 1 in 4 adults avoid smiling because of the condition of their mouth and teeth. That's 25%! Smiling helps us feel better and relax because it releases endorphins, which helps us to feel good. We want that feeling for all of our patients!
So, what do you do when you have chipped, or misshapen teeth ...
National Children's Dental Health Month
Hey Everyone,
February is National Children's Dental Health Month! In light of that, we are sharing some information that we hope you find helpful!
When do I take my baby to the Dentist?
Dental visits for children should start when they turn one! They may not have many teeth, but there are many things we begin to check for at ...
Sharing the Love!
Hey Everyone,
We are running a Whitening Promotion for Valentine's Day! Get $100 off our in office Zoom! or $50 off our take home Zoom!. Both are great options to help you get a whiter smile! Not sure which option is best for you? Call us and we can help you decide!
Tax refund season is here! It's a great time to ...
Happy New Year!
We are kicking things off this year with a new contest! We are giving away an Amazon Echo! To enter, just like our Facebook Page. You can also get additional entries for posting a video about your experience at our office! Good Luck to all who enter!
We also want to remind everyone that if your benefits have renewed, now is ...
We Love Orthodontics!!
We are having so much fun with out Orthodontic patients! We love to see the changes in their smiles and how happy they are with the results! If you are wondering if Orthodontics are right for you, give us a call to schedule your complimentary consultation. Our Board Certified Orthodontist will do a complete evaluation of your smile and bite ...
Happy 3 months Bailey!
It's 2am and I'm up pumping. Even though Bailey started sleeping through the night (7pm-7am) about two weeks ago, I still have to get up so it's perfect to work on this blog now that I have more time and sleep.
Summer Special!!
It's not to late to get in on our Summer Special! If you start your orthodontic treatment before September 1st, 2016, you will get either an Oral B Electric Toothbrush or a Sonicare AirFloss Pro absolutely FREE!! We have had many patients take advantage of this great deal, so don't miss out!!
We hope everyone is having an AMAZING summer! We ...
Welcome Baby Bailey!!
In June Dr. Katie and Dr. Nguyen welcomed Baby Bailey to their family!! We are so excited and happy for them!
Here at the office, we have added Dr. Nguyen to our team so that we can provide Orthodontic Services to our patients! If you are interested in Invisalign, Braces, or just finding out what your options are, call to ...
February Winner & March Contest!
February was a great month! We had great participation in our Smile Selfie Contest! Congratulations to our winner Missy who won a free Zoom! Whitening treatment! We can't wait to see her new smile!
We kicked off March with a bang! We had a contest to win Rodeo tickets to see Shawn Mendes! Our winner, Michelle said she is taking her ...
January Winner & February Contest
Congratulations to our January winner Kelly Golemon!! She is now the proud owner of a FitBit Charge!! Thank you so much to everyone who participated.
For the month of February we have been running a contest to see your Smile Selfies. Entrants have been posting to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! We will be announcing the winner later this week!
We hope ...
January Contest & December Winner
We are kicking off the new year with a #BetterMe2016 contest! Post your resolutions and a photo on our facebook page and you will be entered into a drawing to win a Fitbit Charge! The contest runs through the end of January!
December was a great month! We had a food drive and received many donations. The winner of the drawing ...
December News & Food Drive!
November was a great month! We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had two winners from our Write A Review Giveaway. Congratulations to Paul and Linda!
December is moving right along and we are really excited about our campaign this month. We are accepting food donations this month that we will take to Eternal Food Ministry, which is ...
October Donation Winner & November Events
October was a fun month for us! Thanks to the generosity of our patients, we collected many donations for the kids having treatment at Texas Children's Hospital! We really appreciate everyone who donated and can't wait to drop off the donations.
We announced our winner of the drawing on Facebook. It was our very own Elizaveta who made a very ...
Welcome to our blog
On Dr. Katie To's blog, we will share tips, stories and news on the best and latest dental products and procedures. You will get to know Dr. Katie and the team and stay up to date with our office.
We love to connect with you. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Instagram.