Like many people who have faced serious dental problems, Phyllis Sikes spent decades struggling with loose, cracked teeth. After countless procedures that were painful, time-consuming and costly Phyllis figured she would spend the rest of her life hiding her smile and living with constant problems with her teeth. After meeting Dr. Michel Azer with the Texas Dental Implant Center, Phyllis learned about a procedure that would restore her smile.

Your lifestyle could be fueling a future of gum problems and premature teeth loss.

The Heights – Dr. Christopher Chance from Oaks Point Pediatric Dentistry said kids are staying home, eating more snacks and sweets that can lead to cavities. He also thinks their dental hygiene is not as well cared for when parents have the mentality that these teeth will fall out soon anyway. Here are the four most common mistakes he said parents are making with their kids' teeth:Not caring for baby teeth“It’s the foundation for the teeth that are going to come out next, it’s also the foundation for good overall health,” Dr. Christopher Chance said. Chance said, is that children produce more saliva than adults which can wash away bacteria but he encourages kids to drink more water at (and between) mealtime . Help them brush until they’re 8-years-old“That may seem like a long time but I always tell my parents, I say, ‘how comfortable would you be if your child brushed your teeth?’ And most parents say ‘OK yeah I wouldn’t have them brush my teeth and feel comfortable with that,’ so they’re more than likely not brushing their own,” Dr.