Woodlands Dentistry You can Count on. Gentle Care for the Whole Family

Once in a while, I stop to think, “What if I had to choose a dentist for my family right now? What would I want?” It is a quick little refresher for me in my approach to dentistry. You see, I always want to offer my patients the kind of dentistry I would expect for myself and for my family. Nothing less.

That’s why I take every day of my work so seriously. I keep up on all the latest techniques, materials and technology through advanced postgraduate courses. I have postgraduate training at The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. I have also studied at The American College of Oral Implantology and The International Congress of Oral Implantologists. All this training gives me the kind of confidence and skill I think my patients deserve and is really important when I am performing delicate, precision dentistry like dental implant placement or the creation of porcelain veneers. But even my youngest patients benefit from this training – parents can count on the fact that I am giving their children the safest, most-up-to-date care available.

However, skill and training are only part of what I would want in dental care for my family. I would also want a very compassionate and gentle touch and a comfortable, friendly, clean office, so of course I offer all this too!

If this is the kind of dentistry YOU would like for yourself and for your family, call me, Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD, at my Woodlands, TX dental office –  (281) 681-9442. I look forward to treating you to the dentistry I think you deserve. 

Woodlands Summer Smile Surprises Fix Your Teeth Quickly and Easily with Restorative Care from Dr. Shirley Cagle

So much can happen to your smile during these active summer months. Diving into pools, playing sports, riding a bike or a horse…really any activity could lead to a sudden tooth injury. Even munching on a bowl of buttery popcorn with your family could be a recipe for disaster if you hit a hard kernel of unpopped corn! Suddenly you are faced with the hassle of having your chipped, cracked or broken tooth repaired. What should you do? If it isn’t painful, you can usually wait until regular office hours to call me and I’ll get you right in for a restoration. Depending on the size and extent of the damage, we can either fix it with bonding material right in the office or take impressions and send away to the lab for a beautiful and durable porcelain dental crown, inlay or onlay. Of course, we will immediately place temporary restorations so you can get on with the business of life without waiting.

If your tooth has broken off at the root or is lost altogether, or if you are experiencing pain because of the damage, don’t hesitate to call our office right away. If your tooth has been knocked out, put it under your tongue or in a glass of milk to keep it moist until you get to me. Do not throw your tooth away.  We can replace that lost tooth with a number of convenient and attractive restoration methods, including a fixed bridge, but the ideal choice for most patients is a dental implant.

So go on, keep having fun this summer…and if the unexpected happens, count us to get your teeth repaired quickly and conveniently. Call me, Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD, at my Woodlands dental office –  (281) 681-9442. We can help you feel better fast.

A Brighter Smile from Woodlands’ Dr. Shirley Cagle Smile Whitening for Special Occasions

Do you have any special occasions coming up this August? I have a way to help you look younger and more attractive – and it is super easy. Smile whitening! You would be amazed at what a difference whitening your smile can make in the way you look and in the confidence you feel. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you so when your teeth are discolored or dull, it is not an easy thing for people to ignore.

The truth is, the older we get, the darker our teeth tend to be. Sometimes this is because of enamel thinning. When the outer layer of your tooth thins with age, more of the darker dentin beneath is visible. Staining agents like red wine, tea or, most commonly, coffee, also make your teeth look darker. However, you don’t have to live with it! Even if your dentin has thinned, whitening the outer enamel can make your smile look significantly brighter. If whitening doesn’t do the trick, porcelain veneers can definitely bring your smile back to its youthful splendor. So go ahead and get ready for any special occasion or just feel more brilliant everyday! Talk to me about how tooth whitening or porcelain dental veneers can help you feel younger and more confident today! Call my Woodlands dental office at (281) 681-9442.

Calming Dental Fears and Anxiety in The Woodlands By Shirley Cagle, DDS

Does going to the dentist fill you with fear or anxiety? You’re not alone and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s estimated that as many as 75 percent of adults in America experience some level of unease about the dentist. What can you do? Laugh it off with Nitrous Oxide available at my dental practice in The Woodlands, TX.

Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas, has been the primary means of sedation in dentistry for many years. So calming and effective, you may fall asleep through your treatment.

Advantages of Nitrous Oxide

• The depth of sedation can be altered at any time to increase or decrease sedation.
• There is no after effect such as a "hangover."
• Inhalation sedation is safe with no side effects on your heart and lungs, etc.
• Inhalation sedation is very effective in minimizing gagging.
• It works rapidly as it reaches the brain within 20 seconds. In as little as 2-3 minutes its relaxation and pain killing properties develop.

If fear has kept you from the dentist, consider Nitrous Oxide for your next appointment. If you’ve got any questions, just call my dental office in The Woodlands today.

Dental Advice from Woodlands’ Dr. Shirley Cagle

You are diligent about getting your yearly cancer screenings and doing your self-exams…but are you as diligent about knowing what is going on in your mouth? Believe it or not, awareness of changes in your mouth (not just your teeth) could protect you just as much as all those other exams.

A surprising number of medical conditions first show their presence in subtle and painless changes in your mouth. So go ahead, stick your tongue out at yourself in the mirror every few mornings. Look at the color of your tongue and gums. Changes in color could indicate iron deficiencies, diabetes, or gum disease. If your teeth suddenly seem to be breaking down, it could be an indication of gastric reflux. And be sure to check for any sores or spots. They could be the beginning of oral cancer.

Whatever the changes are, they should be checked out. Remember, home checks are helpful, but they aren’t as thorough as the ones I conduct in my office. I have all the latest equipment to help me see better and in more detail and the training to recognize the most subtle changes. To schedule your yearly exam, call me, Dr. Shirley Cagle, at my Woodlands dental office –  (281) 681-9442.

Sports Drinks Can be Bad for Your Smile! Dental Advice from Woodlands’ Dr. Shirley Cagle

 What you consume can really affect the health of your mouth. And it isn’t just candy or soda that can cause cavities. Sugar isn’t the only culprit in tooth damage. The pH of what you drink (or eat) can also dramatically affect the health of your mouth. Any pH lower than 5.0 can erode enamel, affect the structural integrity of your teeth and cause cavities, sensitivity and even lead to tooth loss. Water has a pH of around 7.0, while sports drinks and sodas have pH levels that start around three and go as low as 2.7. Stomach acid is 2.0! And battery acid is 1.0. That gives you an idea of what you are putting in your mouth and washing over your teeth! Sports drinks are especially bad, and many of our patients have said they drink them instead of soda thinking that they are healthier! Instead of soda, sports drinks or even juice, why not try some coconut water? It has a pH of about 5.4 and contains only naturally occurring sugars and electrolytes. If you have been consuming a lot of sports drinks lately call me, Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD, at my Woodlands dental office –  (281) 681-9442. A fluoride treatment can help remineralize your teeth and protect them from damage.

Fluoride Treatment in The Woodlands. It’s Not Just for Kids.

Think you’re too old for fluoride treatments? Think again! At my dental practice in The Woodlands, we provide every adult with a fluoride treatment at every hygiene appointment.

Why? Just think about what you expose your teeth to every day. Soda. Coffee. Tea. Sweets. Candy. All that sugar and acidic food can wreak havoc on your tooth enamel, causing decay and cavities. Even bottled water can be a threat to your teeth. Why? It’s not fluoridated.

Fluoride is a natural mineral that protects and strengthens the teeth against cavities. It occurs naturally in water and is added to many municipal water supplies.

Protect your teeth against this daily onslaught. Brush your teeth after you drink coffee, tea, soda or other acidic beverage. Can’t brush? Rinse your mouth with water. Tap water.  Stop drinking bottled water.  Instead, fill a bottle with fluoridated tap water. Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Most importantly, make sure you have a professional fluoride treatment once a year. If you haven’t had a fluoride treatment in awhile, contact me at my dental practice in The Woodlands today.