These Teeth in the Woodlands Were Made For….

These Teeth in the Woodlands Were Made For….

…biting and chewing food, talking, giving your face its structure. Period! Tooth enamel seems like a hard surface, but it’s not made to withstand excess pressure or habits that erode it.

At Dr. Shirley Cagle’s dental office in the Woodlands, our patients tell us stories of their bad habits. Do any of these actions sound familiar to you?

●      Crunching and sipping

Now that may sound like what teeth are made for, but we’re talking about crunching things like ice cubes, or even popcorn kernels. Bite down on them the wrong way, and you could end up with a cracked tooth.

Sipping? Yes! Soda (even diet), tea, and other acidic beverages can eventually erode your teeth, especially if you habitually consume them.

●      Using teeth as tools

Teeth aren’t nutcrackers or bottle openers! Or any other tool!

●      Tooth grinding

If you grind your teeth, even in your sleep, you can wear them down without even noticing! You may need a night guard or other appliance to help stop grinding, and if your teeth are worn down, you may need further dental treatment to rebuild your bite.

●      Hard-bristled toothbrush

A toothbrush with hard bristles might seem like a good idea, but it’s better to use a soft- or medium-bristled brush, and brush regularly and longer!

●      Not brushing or flossing enough

Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime. If you can’t brush during the day, try to drink plain water so you can at least “rinse” out any food particles or acidic drinks.

If you have any of these habits, it’s never too late to change! If you have any tooth or gum pain for any reason, please call our dental office in the Woodlands at 855.251.4554.

As Much Fun as a Root Canal?

Root canal treatments don’t really deserve their bad reputation any more! And if you’re already a patient at Dr. Shirley Cagle’s dental office in the Woodlands, then you know we can keep you comfortable and nearly pain-free no matter what treatment we’re giving you.

Why would I need root canal therapy?

The pulp cavity and root canals of your tooth contain the blood vessels and nerves that your tooth needs to thrive. If these tissues become injured or diseased, infection can set in and root canal therapy will be needed. Remember a root canal is a way to save your natural tooth. That’s the most important thing, and why you want to get here as soon as possible if you start to experience any pain, swelling, or inflammation in a tooth.

How does Dr. Cagle perform a root canal?

First, we remove any diseased or damaged tissue and thoroughly clean out all bacteria, infection, or debris. You may need time to heal, but in some cases, root canals can be completed in a day. The next step is to fill the root canals to replace the tissue and seal out bacteria.

Once the root canals have been filled, we’ll reinforce and protect your tooth by placing a porcelain crown over it.

At our dental office at the Woodlands, we use several different methods to keep you relaxed, comfortable, and out of pain. If you have questions about your root canal treatment, please call us at 855.251.4554 and let us know and we’ll be glad to discuss any concerns you may have.

Tips on Baby Dental Care for Moms in the Woodlands

There are so many amazing “firsts” when a new baby arrives. That first smile, first steps and words. And of course, that first precious baby tooth. When your child loses her first tooth, you probably save it like the treasure it is. It’s an important milestone as your baby grows up.

Once your child’s teeth start coming in, it’s natural to think about dental care and teaching your child to care for her teeth herself. But you can start much earlier than that, long before her first tooth comes in.

It’s good to get in the habit of cleaning your baby’s gums twice a day with a soft, damp cloth or piece of gauze. When her teeth start coming in, get a soft baby toothbrush, use a tiny drop of non-fluoride toothpaste and gently brush her teeth (or tooth!). Fluoride should be introduced into her system no earlier than 6 months, and even then in minimal amounts until she reaches 12 months.

Once she’s able to spit successfully, you can start teaching her to brush her own teeth. Establishing good dental habits early will help your child have a lifetime of healthy teeth and general well-being.

Baby teeth are important, even though they eventually fall out. They help your child eat and speak, and are a placeholder for her permanent teeth. If she loses or damages a baby tooth before it falls out naturally, you know a permanent tooth will replace it. But it’s a good idea to have it checked out anyway. If you can find the tooth, clean if off and try to put it back place, then get her to a dentist. You’ll want to make sure that no underlying teeth were damaged and that the permanent tooth will have enough space to grow in properly.

Starting dental visits in the Woodlands early for your children will help make it a natural part of their health care. And don’t neglect your own dental care, even though your baby keeps you busy! Call our dental office in the Woodlands to schedule a checkup!

Hand Washing Wisdom in The Woodlands

How often do you wash your hands every day? Do you wonder if you’re washing them long enough or with the right product?

Because cleanliness and sterile conditions in our dental office are so important to us, I’d like to pass on a few tips about good hand washing. You can get your children started with good washing habits too!

My suggestions come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This is the agency that sets guidelines for dental offices, in addition to the ones set by the state of Texas.

When Should You Wash?

First of all, when are the important times to wash your hands? Any time you’re around food, either cooking or eating. If you’re the cook, it’s good to wash before, during and after working with food. Any time you’re caring for someone with a cold, or with a cut or wound, or after sneezing and coughing. And of course, after using the toilet and after changing a diaper or helping a child in the bathroom. If in doubt, just wash!

How Clean is Clean?

Here are a few tips to make sure you’re washing enough to really clean your hands:

●      Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.

●      Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

●      Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.

●      Rinse your hands well under running water.

●      Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry.

Some sources claim that too much hand washing could lead to germs that become resistant to antibiotics. The CDC studied this in 2005 and found two things: 1) It doesn’t matter whether you use antibacterial or regular soap; they’re equally effective. 2) There’s no evidence that antibacterial soaps are creating any supergerms!

Obviously, we wash our hands a lot! But we do much more to ensure a completely safe and sterile office. If you’d like to know more about how we keep our dental office in The Woodlands clean and sterile for our patients, we’d be happy to show you during your next visit!

Oral Cancer – Do You Know the Risks?

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month, but for me, it’s an important topic all year round, and I want to take this opportunity to give you some important information about oral cancer, its causes, and about prevention. Oral cancer may not be in the news as often as other cancers, but nearly 7,000 people will die in 2013 as a result of oral cancer and nearly 36,0000 new cases will be diagnosed. (Source: ACS, revised 02.26.2013)

Oral Cancer Symptoms     

Oral cancer in The Woodlands isn’t difficult to diagnose, but the danger is that it’s often caught in late stages when it’s spread to other parts of the body. If you notice any of the following symptoms in between checkups, please call us right away:

●      A sore that doesn’t heal

●      A lump or thickening of the lining of the mouth

●      Difficult or painful chewing or swallowing

Who Gets Oral Cancer

More than 80% of oral cancers in men (65% in women) occur in tobacco and alcohol users, and combined heavy tobacco and alcohol use increases the risk 300 times that of non-users. (Source: National Institutes of Health, 2006)

Notice I didn’t say “smokers.” There is NO safe tobacco product, despite what you might hear. Even smokeless tobacco, pipes, and clove cigarettes increase your risk dramatically.

HPV and Oral Cancer

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that causes approximately 25% of head and neck cancers, including oral cancer.

At our dental office in the Woodlands, I do an oral cancer screening at every checkup. It’s also a good practice to check your own mouth for any changes when you brush and floss.

I hope you also have annual and periodic health checkups and cancer screens, and make sure regular dental checkups are part of that routine. Call our Woodlands dental office today to make an appointment for a checkup. Information and prevention are good keywords for every aspect of your health, including dental health!

No Worries With Sedation Dentistry in The Woodlands

Why do people avoid going to the dentist in The Woodlands? Above all, it’s fear of pain. Perhaps you had a painful experience at a dentist, and without anesthesia, dental work could be painful. Or perhaps you’ve heard stories, seen movies (we won’t mention their titles!), or even comedy routines that exaggerate experiences in the dental chair.

Local anesthesia itself can be painful for some people, and they dread any procedure, such as drilling, filling cavities, even cleanings.

There’s no need for pain or anxiety when visiting Dr. Shirley Cagle in the Woodlands. She understands how you feel and can help your anxiety and any potential pain during your treatment. The most pain you should ever have would be temporary soreness after a more involved procedure.

We can help those pre-visit jitters with sedation dentistry, where we give you a prescription medication that you take before your appointment to help you relax. Once you’re here, we can also use nitrous oxide—or laughing gas—to help you relax even further. There are a number of advantages to using nitrous oxide:

●      The amount 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.

●      In as little as 2-3 minutes, its relaxation and pain killing properties take effect.

Dr. Cagle also takes special care that the instruments she uses are advanced and therefore quieter and less jarring.

Call our Woodlands dental office to talk about any fears you have of going to the dentist. We’ll talk to you about how we can plan in advance to help you relax and be comfortable before and during your visit.

Dental Implants for Missing Teeth in The Woodlands

Did you know that 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or tooth decay? And nearly 26% of adults over the age of 65 have lost at least their upper, lower, or all of their teeth?

Our life expectancy has increased by nearly 26 years since 1965. Then, the average life expectancy was 65. Now we can expect to live well into our 80s. As our longevity continues to increase, the risk of tooth loss has increased as well. Without teeth, it’s difficult to eat and this can impact your diet. It’s also difficult to speak, and your appearance can change dramatically. Without teeth to support your face, it begins to droop and sag, making you look older.

Dental Implants Defined

One solution for tooth replacement is dental implants in The Woodlands. Dental implants are titanium screws that replace the root of the tooth with a porcelain crown permanently affixed. They’re a superior choice for tooth replacement for several reasons:

●      Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth.

●      Improved speech. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.

●      Easier eating. Dental implants allow you to eat your favorite foods with confidence.

●      Improved self-esteem. Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.

●      Durability. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.

●      Convenience. Dental implants eliminate the inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.

If you have missing teeth, call Dr. Shirley Cagle at our Woodlands dental office to discuss all of your tooth replacement options, including dental implants.