Do I Need to Talk to My Dentist Before Whitening My Teeth?

We’ve all been there. We look in the mirror and realize that time, foods, or habits have taken away from the luster and bright whiteness of our teeth and we’re not smiling as much because of it.  When this happens, we often turn to smile whitening procedures. However, Dr. Shirley Cagle wants you to know that it’s important to visit your dentist in The Woodlands before moving forward with a whitening treatment.

Since some options for whitening your smile can lead to damage, and sometimes, even pain, it’s important to have an initial visit with your dentist before you jump into a smile whitening routine. By visiting us before choosing a teeth whitening regimen, we can discuss your desires, examine you to see if whitening is appropriate, and help you choose the best option for your smile. 

Sometimes people skip this step and head straight to their local drugstore to pick up the cheapest over-the-counter whitening product, but this can lead to some damaging consequences.

Many drugstore whitening products have trays that hold the whitening solution. These are inserted into the mouth, over the teeth. However, since these trays are not custom fitted for your unique mouth, it’s not unusual for the solution to leak onto your gums and sit there for an extended period of time. This can lead to gum irritation. Additionally, some over-the-counter whiteners can cause tooth sensitivity and are sometimes ineffective at giving you your desired results.

With a quick visit to our dental office in The Woodlands, we can work together to figure out how to successfully and safely get your pearly whites bright and vibrant again. If a whitening treatment isn’t for you, we can talk about alternatives like veneers or bonding. Either way, starting off with a visit to us is the best way to get you smiling again!

Why Are Regular Visits to Your Dentist in The Woodlands Important?

In addition to following a good home oral healthcare routine of flossing and brushing, maintaining biannual checkups at Dr. Shirley Cagle’s The Woodlands dental office is the best thing you can do for the health of your smile, and your body.

When you stop in for your six month appointment, we’ll check for any signs of gum disease, oral cancer, cavities, broken teeth, damaged fillings, and more. We’ll also conduct a thorough cleaning and polish and floss your teeth for a clean, fresh mouth.

While we obviously love to keep your teeth and gums healthy, visiting us at least every six months doesn’t only help your smile, it can also help protect your overall health

Oral health issues, like gum disease, can lead to whole-body problems such as cancer, strokes, heart disease, and other scary health problems. By maintaining regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist in The Woodlands, you can help catch any potential problems before they start or before they have a chance to affect the rest of your body.

Visiting Dr. Shirley Cagle at least twice a year is essential to your oral healthcare routine. If you’re at risk for certain dental issues, we’ll sometimes recommend that you see us more often to ensure that we’re being proactive with your health.

 If you’re due for a checkup and cleaning, give our dental office in The Woodlands a call to schedule an appointment today. We can’t wait to see you!

Is Flossing Really That Important?

At the dental office of Dr. Shirley Cagle in The Woodlands, we hear this question often, “Is flossing really that important?” The short answer is, “Yes, flossing is that important.” And here’s why.

Flossing is a crucial part of having a healthy mouth and healthy gums. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends daily flossing in order to achieve optimal oral health. By properly flossing, you’re able to remove food particles, plaque and bacteria that forms between teeth, something that brushing alone can’t do.

While brushing is a very important to the well being of your mouth, to get the healthiest mouth possible, it should be paired with flossing. A proper brushing-flossing combination reduces your risk of cavities and gum disease, and makes your dentist in The Woodlands very happy!

Flossing Tips for Healthy Gums

• Floss before brushing your teeth
• Glide the floss in between each tooth using a sawing motion
• Angle the floss in a “c” shape around the tooth and slightly below the gumline
• Repeat on the opposite tooth
• Unravel the floss from your fingers, supplying fresh floss for each set of teeth
• Finish up with a proper brushing

Even if you brush twice a day and floss daily, it’s still important to maintain regular visits to your dental office in The Woodlands. Due for a checkup or professional cleaning? Don’t worry. Call Dr. Shirley Cagle today to schedule your appointment today.

Are You Brushing Your Teeth Correctly?

For most people, brushing their teeth is simply something they do. It’s ingrained into their routines. They wake up, brush, go about their day, brush, go to bed. The fact that they’re brushing should be good enough, right? At Dr. Shirley Cagle’s dental office in The Woodlands we don’t think so, and you shouldn’t either.

Brushing your teeth isn’t so much about whether or not you do it -- although that is pretty important -- it’s more about how you brush.

By correctly brushing your teeth, you’re effectively removing plaque, tartar and bacteria, which protects your pearly whites from cavities, gum disease and a variety of other dental problems. Proper brushing also helps keep your teeth free of dangerous surface abrasions and can aid in keeping your gums healthy.

To correctly brush your teeth, it’s important that you follow some basic rules.

●      Brush at least twice a day

●      Use a soft-bristled toothbrush

●      Aim the bristles at a 45-degree angle

●      Use a soft, circular motion instead of a horizontal “scrubbing” technique

●      Clean every surface of each tooth, including the front, back and chewing area

●      Be sure to brush your tongue each time as well

Practicing optimal brushing techniques is sure to help protect overall oral health. However, it’s still very important to maintain regular visits to your dentist in The Woodlands and get professional cleanings as recommended. If you’re due for a cleaning or checkup, call Dr. Shirley Cagle to schedule an appointment today!

How to Choose the Best Toothpaste in The Woodlands

Choosing the best toothpaste isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Although the aisle in in the supermarket is confusing with all of the different brands, flavors, features and ingredients, The Woodlands dental office of Dr. Shirley Cagle wants to make the process of choosing the right toothpaste a bit easier.

Most products in the toothpaste aisle will help keep your teeth clean and healthy, but there are some key things you should take into consideration when choosing a toothpaste.

First, you need to like the flavor, texture, and the toothpaste overall. Choosing a paste that you enjoy helps encourage you to brush everyday, twice a day – that’s the most important part of having healthy teeth and gums.

Another thing to look for to make sure you’re using the right toothpaste is the all-important ingredient of fluoride. Fluoride has been proven to protect tooth enamel from decay and is crucial to a healthy mouth. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, brushing with a fluoride toothpaste twice daily can reduce tooth decay and cavities by as much as 40%.

In addition to fluoride, toothpastes are also created to individual needs and can include speciality features that can help with sensitivity, tartar control, whitening, and breath-freshening.

Although choosing a good toothpaste is important, good oral hygiene goes beyond the kind of toothpaste you select. The American Dental Association recommends that you brush twice a day and make regular trips to our dental office in The Woodlands. If you’re overdue for a checkup or professional cleaning, give us a call today to schedule your appointment.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush in The Woodlands

Walking down the toothbrush aisle at the local supermarket can be an overwhelming experience –  especially if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for. When choosing the right toothbrush for your smile, there are a few important characteristics to take into consideration other than simply your favorite color or the one that’s on sale. At The Woodlands dental office of Dr. Shirley Cagle, we want to go back to the basics and discuss a few of the things you should look for when buying your next toothbrush.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your toothbrush is a good starting point when choosing the ideal toothbrush for you. The head of the toothbrush should easily fit into your mouth without any strain or discomfort. The toothbrush should also fit comfortably in your hand and should feel as natural as holding a fork.

Bristles

The bristles of your toothbrush are also important and should be taken into consideration. While many people tend to think that harder bristles will be better for cleaning teeth, it is, in fact, the opposite. Hard bristles can irritate the gums and even damage teeth. Our dental office in The Woodlands prefers and recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes.

Manual or Powered?

According to the American Dental Association, both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective and thorough at cleaning your teeth. However, some individuals have difficulty using a manual toothbrush to successfully reach all areas of the mouth and find that powered toothbrushes are easier and more comfortable.

Whether you decide on manual or powered, it’s ultimately more important to make sure that your toothbrush is easy to use and that you’re comfortable with it. Dr. Shirley Cagle also recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day and to visit our dental office in The Woodlands regularly for professional cleanings and exams.

Foods That Can Damage Smiles in The Woodlands

There are many foods that can cause damage to teeth and some are more obvious than others. While it’s never surprising to hear dentists talk about how bad sugar is for your teeth, there are other foods that should also be covered when discussing healthy eating habits for your smile. At The Woodlands dental office of Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD, we want to educate our patients on the other types of food that can be harmful to your oral health.

Sticky foods, including sticky sweets, are some of the most dangerous foods for teeth. Sweet sticky foods are not only harmful because of the sugar, they’re also bad for teeth because of the texture. The stickiness of foods like caramel and taffy tends to cause the food, and the sugar found in the food, to linger on teeth. This can cause teeth to become more susceptible to decay and cavities. Sticky foods can also cause trouble for dental restorations, even pulling out fillings or loosening crowns.

Hard foods, like popcorn or ice, can also damage teeth. While teeth are strong and made to help us chew, they can’t withstand everything. Chewing on crunchy foods can put a lot of stress on your teeth and can even result in broken teeth in The Woodlands. Habitually crunching ice cubes or accidentally finding that hidden popcorn kernel can also cause tooth cracks, chips, and damaged restorations.

Highly acidic foods, like lemons and soda, are also damaging to teeth. The acid can cause tooth enamel to erode, which increases the chance of decay and cavities. Surprisingly, you shouldn’t brush immediately after eating acidic foods. It makes it easier for the acid to penetrate the enamel. Instead, rinse with water and then brush about an hour later.

At our dental office in The Woodlands, we want to help keep smiles protected and healthy. One of the best ways to do that is to routinely examine our patients teeth. When you keep your regularly scheduled appointments, we are able to monitor your oral health and protect your teeth from the damaging effects of food and drink. If you’re due for a check up - especially if you like to chew on ice or snack on sticky or acidic foods - schedule an appointment with us today. We look forward to seeing you!

Easing Sensitive Tooth Pain in The Woodlands

Having sensitive teeth is one of our patients’ most common complaints. In fact, at least 40 million adults in the US suffer from it. But why do your teeth become sensitive in the first place, and how can you ease the pain it causes? At Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD we’re here to help.

Teeth can become sensitive when the hard enamel of your teeth wears down or your gums recede, which causes the tiny tubes located in the dentin (the layer of tissue found beneath the hard enamel, containing the inner pulp) to be exposed. When this happens, the nerves are easily irritated and the result is sensitive tooth pain that is felt when eating or drinking hot or cold food, touching your teeth, or exposing them to cold air.

How to Avoid Sensitive Teeth in The Woodlands

There are some habits that make you more susceptible to having sensitive teeth. Eating or drinking foods that are highly acidic, such as citrus fruits or soda, can increase your risk of sensitivity. Avoid brushing too hard and don’t use a hard-bristled toothbrush. Also, ingredients in some whitening toothpastes may also lead to, or increase, sensitivity.

How Do You Treat Sensitive Teeth?

Easing the pain associated with sensitive teeth can be done by using a desensitizing toothpaste or by visiting our office for sealants and fluoride as both help with desensitizing. And if your teeth are really sensitive for prolonged periods and the pain becomes worse with hot and/or cold temperatures, it’s best to come see us at Shirley Cagle, DDS, FAGD as soon as possible. We will perform a full evaluation to make sure the pain isn’t associated with a cavity or abscess and we’ll help to ease your sensitive tooth pain.

If you’re experiencing sensitive teeth in The Woodlands, contact us today. We look forward to seeing you!

Together, We Can Prevent Gum Disease in The Woodlands

As we wrap up our three-blog series on gum disease, let’s take a moment to recap what we’ve discussed. You know what gum disease is. You know what symptoms to look out for. You know that it can cause greater health problems and affect your overall well-being. Now all of us at Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD in The Woodlands want to make sure you know how, together, we can prevent gum disease.

Pairing good dental habits at home with regularly scheduled dental appointments can help maintain a healthy mouth and prevent gum disease from ever occurring. Visiting your dentist in The Woodlands at least twice a year for exams and cleanings can help keep you healthy and can also help catch any potential problems before they have a chance to progress and affect the rest of your body.

In between your dental checkups, it’s important to practice good dental habits at home to ensure a clean mouth, healthy gums, and health body. Brushing your teeth at least 2-3 times a day and flossing in between your teeth and below the gum line once a day are easy and effective ways to help remove any plaque and bacteria that can cause gum disease. If you can’t brush, chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol can also help.

In addition to these simple yet very effective habits, other lifestyle factors can also help keep gum disease at bay.

●      Eat a healthy diet and limit your intake of sugar

●      Avoid bedtime snacks

●      Stop smoking - people who use tobacco are six times more likely to develop gum disease and are less responsive to treatment than those who don’t

If you’re due for a dental cleaning and checkup, or if you’re concerned about your gum health, contact our The Woodlands dental office at 855-251-4554 to schedule an appointment today and we’ll work together to prevent gum disease. If we do happen to find active gum disease, don’t worry. It’s often easily treated. And if we catch it early, it’s even easier. Don’t wait for your gums to show signs of a problem. Be proactive and call us today.

Periodontal Disease: More Than a Mouth Problem in The Woodlands

Periodontal disease isn’t only a mouth problem, it can affect the whole body! Here at The Woodlands dental office of Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD, we treat periodontal disease with a preventive approach.

Since periodontal disease originates in the mouth, the bacteria is easily transferred to other areas of the body and has been linked to some serious health conditions.

 

Research has shown a strong link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, which could lead to stroke or heart attack. In fact, those with periodontal disease are at double the risk of suffering a fatal heart attack or stroke.

In addition to cardiovascular disease, gum disease has been linked to lung disease, kidney disease, premature or low birthweight babies, and difficult management of diabetes.

While preventing gum disease with visits to our dental office in The Woodlands at least twice a year is ideal, the best approach to treating any active gum disease is early detection and treatment, before the disease progresses and starts to affect your overall health.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms of gum disease including bleeding or sore gums, contact Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD at 855-251-4554 to schedule your appointment today. We look forward to taking care of your smile, and your health.

Who Gives a Hoot About Gum Disease in The Woodlands?

At Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, we do! In fact, we’re going to devote the next few blogs to gum disease. We want all our patients to be aware of the signs of gum disease, and how important it is to prevent it, or treat it at the first signs.

Periodontal Disease

“Periodontal disease” is the technical name for gum disease, an infection of the tissues that support and surround your teeth. Gingivitis is early-stage gum disease and periodontitis is a more advanced and serious infection. Periodontitis can lead to loose, or even lost, teeth.

Signs of gum disease include:

●      Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing

●      Red, swollen or tender gums

●      Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth

●      Receding gums

●      Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums

●      Loose or shifting teeth

If you notice any of these symptoms, call us ASAP! Dr. Cagle will determine if you have periodontal disease and recommend treatment options for you. Our first priority is to save your natural teeth. Restorative dentistry can work wonders, but there’s nothing like smiling with your own teeth.

Protect your health…prevent periodontal disease!

According to the National Institutes of Health, smoking is the #1 risk factor for gum disease. In fact, if you use tobacco it makes treatment more difficult. It’s never too late to quit!

If you’re due for a regular visit, or have any concerns about the health of your teeth and gums, call our dental office in The Woodlands at 855.251.4554 today.

Prevent Dental Disasters While on Vacation!

You know if you’re close to home and a dental accident or sudden toothache happens, you can call Dentist Shirley Cagle in The Woodlands, and we’ll do everything we can to help you. But accidents can happen anywhere – whether it’s one mile from home or 1,000.

If you have kids, it’s not a bad idea to carry a first aid kit with you everywhere! There are also small dental emergency kits available as well. They often will contain oil of cloves, an applicator, and a small container to hold lost teeth or pieces of a tooth. If you have active children, or a child losing baby teeth, a kit like this isn’t a bad idea.

Sites like WebMD offer first aid tips:

Knocked-out tooth: Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that is usually exposed in the mouth), and gently rinse off the tooth root with water if it's dirty. If possible, try to put the tooth back in place. If it's not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt, if milk is not available) or a product containing a cell growth medium, such as Save-a-Tooth.

Abscess: See a dentist as soon as possible if you discover a pimple-like swelling on your gum, especially if it is painful. In the meantime, to ease the pain and draw the pus toward the surface, try rinsing your mouth with a mild salt-water solution (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water) several times a day.

Lost crown. If you can't get to a dentist right away and the tooth is causing pain, use a cotton swab to apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area (clove oil can be purchased at your local drug store or in the spice aisle of your grocery store). If possible, slip the crown back over the tooth. Before doing so, coat the inner surface with an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive, to help hold the crown in place. Do not use super glue!

Many of these techniques can apply to nearly any dental emergency during the first few minutes. And get to a dentist as soon as possible, even if you’re out of town. The sooner your emergency receives appropriate care, the better your chances are of saving your tooth.

Once you return home, schedule an appointment at our dental office in The Woodlands at 855.251.4554 to have your injury checked out by Dr. Shirley Cagle.

Let’s Wise Up About Wisdom Teeth in The Woodlands!

Most of us know that our third molars — wisdom teeth — typically come in during our late teens or early 20s, when we’re hopefully learning and gaining wisdom at college or starting new jobs!

Wisdom teeth can cause problems when they come in only part way or not at all. When this happens, they’re called partially or fully impacted wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth can also grow in at odd angles and can crowd your other teeth. Often the solution for problems with wisdom teeth is to extract them. At Dr. Shirley Cagle’s dental office in the Woodlands, we can help you determine if wisdom tooth extraction is right for you. If it is, then we’re here to make the experience as comfortable and relaxing as possible.

If you’re having pain or problems with your wisdom teeth, call our Woodlands dental office at 855.251.4554 so that Dr. Cagle can evaluate your situation. We may also be able to tell if you’re likely to have problems in the future, or if you have wisdom teeth at all! Nearly 35% of all people don’t  have them. So if it’s time for a checkup, call us today! Remember, prevention is always a wise move!