Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Well… That’s Awkward – Handling Embarrassing Dental Moments with Ease



An important business lunch. A promising first date. Meeting your significant other’s parents for the first time at a fancy restaurant. There are plenty of times in our lives when we’re nervous about picking out just the right outfit, deciding what to say and what not to say, and when it’s really important to make sure you’re on your game. While we’re not really qualified to give you fashion direction or small-talk advice, all of us at my dental office in The Woodlands can help you quickly fix any awkward dental moment with ease.

Bad Breath
While bad breath may be hard to avoid after eating a garlic-loaded pasta dish, there are several ways to beat post-dinner bad breath. Some solutions do require a bit of preparation. Before you head out to the meal, stop and grab some sugarless gum. After you eat, pop a piece in your mouth and chew quietly to successfully curb any bad smells from lingering throughout the night. If no gum is available, drink water. Water has cleansing properties that can help remove the bad-smelling agents from your tongue. If your breath is less than fresh all the time, see your dentist in The Woodlands as it could be a sign of something serious.

Something’s Stuck in Your Teeth
It happens, and while there are several ways to successfully remove the pestering piece, not all of them are appropriate at the dinner table, and some can even end up causing damage to your teeth, gums, or mouth. Play it safe. If something’s stuck in your teeth, swish some water around in your mouth to try to loosen it, or chew a piece of sugarless gum to unstick the culprit. If the food is really wedged in there, it’s best to excuse yourself and head to the restroom. Floss is always the best choice, but if you don’t have it, you can use your fingers or try the corner of a folded paper towel. However, never ever use a tool that could cause damage. Avoid wires, pens, keys, tweezers, and bobby pins.

Occasionally, one of your dining partners may be victim of the wedged parsley stuck between the canines. If this occurs, you can help them avoid that crushing moment later, when they’re looking in the mirror, see the piece of food, and wonder how long it was there and why nobody mentioned it. Be a hero. Nonchalantly point to your own mouth which will instinctively tell your pal that something is stuck in his or her grin.  

No matter what the occasion, a little stop for sugarless gum, a habit of carrying floss, and a plan can go a long way toward avoiding what would be an awkward dental moment. With the right tools and tips, you’ll be an expert at easing the worry of dental faux pas.

Serving patients in The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, and surrounding communities.









Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The 12 Days of Cosmetic Dentistry




A smile can say a lot about a person, and if you’re not comfortable with yours, it can inhibit self confidence. If you’re someone who’s more likely to hide your smile in the upcoming holiday photos, my dental office in The Woodlands has some great news for you.

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just for the rich and famous. In fact, many procedures we perform every day fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry. This holiday season, we wanted to celebrate 12 days of some of the most popular smile-changing treatments. Ask your dentist in The Woodlands which ones are appropriate for you!

Day 1: Smile whitening for simple, quick, effective brightening. This year, make your pearly whites brighter and banish stains from all the red wine you had at the office holiday party.

Day 2: Tooth-colored fillings because it’s so easy to eat too many candy canes!

Day 3: Dental implants. You don’t need to ask Santa for your two front teeth. Just ask us!

Day 4: Porcelain veneers to make your teeth look better than your Christmas tree or Menorah or your Festivus sweater!

Day 5: Fixed bridges. Make up with your Uncle Lenny or fix the gap between two molars for the holidays. We pick molars.

Day 6: Porcelain crowns. You don’t need to be King Wenceslas to wear a crown!

Day 7: Dental bonding is even better than family bonding! We’ll make your teeth so beautiful, you’ll be the envy of the holiday party.

Day 8: Tooth Recontouring. Smooth the shape of your teeth. It’s like the gym for your smile!

Day 9: Traditional orthodontics. Get your teeth lined up nice and straight like toy soldiers.

Day 10: Clear orthodontics to reduce the chance of a dangerous, metal-locked kiss under the mistletoe.

Day 11: A complete smile makeover so at least you can be confident about your smile even if you aren’t about your outfit for the office holiday party.

Day 12: Dentures. With these chompers, you can eat all the fruitcake you’d like without the worry of cavities!

With the holiday season well upon us, there’s never been a better time to reward yourself with the gift of a new smile. At my dental office in The Woodlands, we’d love to talk to you about your smile goals and recommend the best cosmetic dentistry treatment for you.

Serving patients in The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, and surrounding areas.