The Pros & Cons of Kissing from Your Dentist in The Woodlands

During the month of February, there’s a lot of talk about love and hearts, roses and candy, kisses and hugs. And while you probably already know our stance on those little candy hearts and boxes of chocolate (easy on the sweets!), you may be surprised to learn that at The Woodlands dental office of Dr. Shirley Cagle, we also have some thoughts on how kissing can affect your oral health.

That’s right, a lesson on the pros and cons of kissing from your dentist in The Woodlands. When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense to take kissing advice from a dentist. After all, we know all about your mouth.

Let’s start with a positive of puckering up. Kissing is, in fact, good for your teeth. The act of kissing increases saliva production, and saliva helps to remove plaque and wash it away. So next time you’re smooching, remember that it can be beneficial not only for showing your love, but also for your teeth!

While an increase in saliva production is good for your mouth, there are a bunch of other reasons kissing may not be so good for the health of your smile. We all know that kissing can spread colds, but did you know that kissing can also spread gum disease? Research has shown that when you lock lips, it’s just as easy to catch gum disease as it is to catch a cold. If your loved one has active gum disease, you should be aware that it is possible to transfer this major dental danger.

The main lesson in kissing? It can be good for you and your health, but it’s very important to maintain your regular cleanings and checkups to make sure your mouth is in tip-top kissing shape and to avoid passing gum disease to others. Overdue on your professional cleaning or dental checkup in The Woodlands? Give Dr. Shirley Cagle a call today!

National Toothache Day: Celebrate Being Toothache Free in The Woodlands

Every year on February 9th, we commemorate National Toothache Day. And while having a toothache is no holiday, being toothache free is something we can definitely celebrate.  The Woodlands dental office of Dr. Shirley Cagle likes to use National Toothache Day to remind all of our patients how to stay toothache free and why keeping up with your dental care is so important.

In fact, avoiding toothaches isn’t all that difficult, and it starts with a good dental hygiene protocol at home. By making sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time, and by flossing at least once a day, you’re already taking the first steps to being toothache free. Flossing and brushing away the day’s bacteria aids in keeping your pearly whites clean and germ free. And if your teeth are clean, there’s less chance for plaque and bacteria to get comfortable and start causing problems.

In addition to your at-home hygiene routine, keeping up with professional cleanings and checkups with Dr. Shirley Cagle in The Woodlands is just as important for a toothache free mouth. Professional hygiene visits take your teeth to a whole new level of clean, and our hygienists work deep below the gum line to remove anything you may have missed. Your regular checkups are also a great time for Dr. Cagle to catch any potential problems before they turn into major issues.

If you are experiencing a toothache in The Woodlands, don’t wait for the pain to pass. A toothache is your body’s way of telling you that something’s not quite right, and you should listen. Don’t live with the discomfort of a toothache. Give Dr. Shirley Cagle a call and we’ll work together to determine the cause of the pain and get you back to being toothache free and smiling.

Stressed? Your Oral Health May be at Risk.

We all get stressed. It’s a part of life. And while we’re all familiar with what stress does to our bodies –anxiety disorders, panic attacks, irritability – our mouths can also be affected by stress. In fact, researchers have found a significant link between stress and certain oral health conditions. At The Woodlands dental office of Dr. Shirley Cagle, we’d like to talk a little bit about why staying calm isn’t just important for your mind and body, but why it’s also crucial to the health of your mouth.

Stress can cause us to grind our teeth at night, and sometimes, we don’t even realize we’re doing it. Nighttime tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, can lead to tooth damage and even problems with your TMJ (jaw) joint.

Additionally, several studies have confirmed that long-term stress affects our immune systems which can increase our susceptibility to infections. This is especially concerning for your dentist in The Woodlands as a lowered immune system can increase your chance of periodontal disease.

Dry mouth also often results from conditions caused by stress or can be a side effect of some medicines used to treat depression and other diseases. Dry mouth may sound like it’s just uncomfortable, but it can actually lead to a chronic sore throat, difficulty swallowing and speaking, and can even increase the risk for gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth infections.

Although avoiding all stress isn’t possible, learning to handle it and relieve it in healthy ways can help keep your mouth, and your body, in good shape. However, if you have, or even think you have, any of the conditions or symptoms we discussed above, don’t hesitate to call the dental office of Dr. Shirley Cagle in The Woodlands.  We can discuss what’s going on in your mouth and work together to fix it.

Celebrate the New Year with a New Smile!

The ball has dropped, the champagne has popped, and the resolutions are in full swing. Everyone has started putting a lot more pressure on their appearance, how much they weigh, and on changing their lives. Sometimes this means buying a gym membership and new sneakers, other times it begins a journey to quit smoking. While we can’t help you fulfill all of your resolutions (although we’ll encourage you all the way!), all of us at Dr. Shirley Cagle’s The Woodlands dental office can help you celebrate the New Year with a new smile you’re proud to show off.

Often times things like aging, genetics, or accidents can affect our teeth and make us hide our smiles. However, a lot of the teeth trouble we see can be easily fixed with some cosmetic dentistry from the The Woodlands dentist you trust.

We offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry options that can transform your smile. If you’re in need a brighter, whiter smile, try a professional smile whitening treatment. If your teeth need an aesthetic boost, our veneers can help with that. Even if you need a complete smile makeover, our cosmetic dentistry options in The Woodlands can help get you smiling again.

There’s never been a better time to get the smile of your dreams. Give Dr. Shirley Cagle a call today and schedule an appointment to discuss your cosmetic dentistry options. Start the New Year off right. Start with a new smile. We’ll be with you every step of the way.

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.