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.

Cleaning for Your Smile and Your Body Professional Woodlands Hygiene from Dr. Shirley Cagle

The earliest known toothpaste, referred to in an Egyptian manuscript, was a mixture of flowers and mint.  Other common tooth cleaners through the ages have included talc, honey, fruit and even lizards! Nowadays, toothpaste is an even more important element – along with your regular dental hygiene and cleanings  –  in the process of keeping your gums and teeth strong, healthy and clean. We always recommend that you use a toothpaste containing Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral that helps protect and even repair your tooth’s surfaces by making  teeth more resistant to sugars and acids. Use a pea-sized dot of toothpaste – no more – and brush every surface of your tooth, paying careful attention to your gum line, for at least two minutes. Pressing harder on your toothbrush doesn’t help get your teeth any cleaner than gentle, consistent brushing – in fact it can do a lot more damage than good! And don’t forget, no matter what kind of toothpaste you use or how well you brush your teeth, there is no replacement for your regular dental hygiene visits.  To schedule a hygiene visit or a consultation appointment, call me, Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD, at our Woodlands dental office at (281) 681-9442.

Bringing Woodlands Smiles to Health and Beauty With Exquisite Porcelain Veneers

Anyone can  have cosmetic issues with their teeth. We have had young people come to us with teeth so damaged from drinking sodas that they never smile at all anymore. We have also had older folks come to us with teeth that were too small or so gapped that they have struggled with self-consciousness since childhood. The porcelain veneers I  offer here at my Woodland’s dental office are so strong and beautiful that they are an ideal solution for  anyone, of any age, needing to have teeth corrected. Why wait another minute? Porcelain veneers can repair and restore any smile in as little as two visits! To talk to me, Dr. Shirley Cagle, about whether or not you are a candidate for porcelain dental veneers and to find out how they might benefit you. Call 281-681-9442 to schedule a consultation.

Periodontal Treatment in The Woodlands. More Than Caring for Your Teeth and Gums. Taking Care of Your Health.

Regular visits to your dentist in The Woodlands for check-ups and cleanings do more than keep your teeth and gums healthy. Those visits may also save your life. Why? Because they protect you from periodontal (gum) disease.

It’s common knowledge that periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. But studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Periodontology report that periodontal disease can also lead to an increased risk of:

• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Certain Cancers (including pancreatic cancer)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Difficulty controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes
• Premature Birth
• Low Birth-Weight Babies
• and more

With more than 85 percent of people in the United States with some level of periodontal disease, chances are you have it. Check for the following symptoms: swollen gums, gums that bleed when you brush or floss, loose teeth, receding gum line and halitosis. But sometimes there aren't any symptoms at all.

The good news is that periodontal disease is treatable, and in many cases, reversible. With dental technology and advanced periodontal therapy, including ultrasonic scalers, dental lasers and antibiotics, gum treatment is more gentle, comfortable and effective than ever before.

It’s easy to keep your gums, teeth and your health in good shape. Simply visit my dental practice in The Woodlands for regular check-ups and cleanings. Brush and floss daily at home and use an oral irrigator. You’ll be smiling and feeling good!