Help for TMJ Disorder in The Woodlands

You may be so used to it, that you almost forget about it—pain in your neck, stiffness and soreness in your jaw, tension that seems to radiate from your head through every part of your body. Then when you stop and try to relax, you realize just how much pain and soreness you’re living with every day. It’s possible that you’re suffering from TMD/TMJ in The Woodlands, or temporomandibular joint disorder.

Stop and think if you’ve experienced any of these symptoms:

●      Headaches/Migraines

●      Neck, shoulder or back pain

●      Facial pain

●      Clicking or grating sounds in the jaw joints

●      Limited movement or locking jaw

●      Unexplained loose, worn, or cracked teeth

●      Pain or soreness around the jaw joints

●      Congestion or stuffiness of the ears

If your symptoms are the result of TMD, you may need bite adjustment therapy to relax your muscles so they do not have to work hard positioning the teeth to a strained bite. In short, you don’t have to live with chronic facial pain and headaches, tension, or jaw discomfort.

There are diagnostic tools and therapies that can relieve your symptoms by gently and naturally realigning your bite, relieving your pain, and avoiding tooth grinding and clenching. Depending on the specifics of your TMJ/TMD, we can custom-fit you with a bite guard, adjust your bite where necessary by lowering or building up your teeth, or in some cases, place crowns for a custom-created bite.

If we’ve described your pain and symptoms in this article, relief can begin with a call to our The Woodlands dental office at 281.681.9442 for an evaluation of your bite. Every therapy is gradual and gentle so that your bite is aligned naturally and without pain.

What to Do With a Chipped Tooth in The Woodlands

One of the most versatile methods for restoring or refining a smile is tooth bonding. If you’ve had a tooth-colored filling placed, or any quick cosmetic dentistry, then you’ve probably experienced dental bonding.

Dental bonding in The Woolands seems like a simple process. But it requires advanced training, technical skill and artistry to create a bonded surface that is imperceptibly different from your natural tooth.

Dental bonding is nothing short of amazing. It can be used to:

●      Fill cavities with non-metal, tooth-colored restorations

●      Refine the shape of a tooth or close minor spaces between teeth

●      Lengthen a tooth that is shorter than the rest of your teeth

●      Cover a badly stained tooth

●      Repair a broken or chipped tooth

Tooth bonding involves applying a moldable resin, which has been tinted to match your teeth. It is carefully sculpted and shaped to ensure that it’s strong enough to chew, yet thin enough to harden quickly and blend with your  natural tooth.

The resin is cured with a special light, then refined and polished. Patients new to tooth bonding are usually skeptical that their tooth will look just the same. Until they look in the mirror!

Dr. Cagle has both the skill and the artistry to create beautiful tooth bonding for you in only 30 to 60 minutes.  Call our The Woodlands dental office at 281.681.9442 to see if bonding is right for you, especially if you’ve broken a tooth. Even a small break can lead to dental decay or further damage.

A White Woodlands Smile: Tooth Whitening From Dr. Shirley Cagle

It seems like everyone is trying tooth-whitening products to brighten their smile. Are you one of them? There are many products you can try at home: white strips, paint-on gels, brightening toothpastes or mouthwashes.

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, tooth whitening is the No. 1 cosmetic service requested of dentists. And nationally, we spend more than $1 billion a year on over-the-counter tooth-bleaching products.

But can whitening treatments turn into too much of a good thing? And are treatments you pick off a store shelf going to be the best method for you? Before you spend money on a treatment that may not give you the degree of whiteness you want, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you should first have an exam and consult with a qualified dentist about the best tooth whitening system for you.

Dr. Shirley Cagle has continually advanced her education at such prestigious centers as the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. She offers the Zoom! Whitening System, the most requested whitening treatment in Woodlands. It can whiten your smile up to 8 shades brighter, sometimes more, in approximately an hour. With Zoom! a hydrogen peroxide gel is applied to your teeth and activated with the special light. It breaks down the stains in your teeth while keeping the enamel and structure of your teeth intact.

You can also opt for Zoom! take-home whitening trays to use at your convenience. You wear the trays for several hours over a few days at home. You’ll have noticeable results in as little as 3 days.

Call us for an appointment at our dental office in the Woodlands at 281.681.9442 for a comprehensive exam and consultation with Dr. Cagle about the best whitening treatment for you. The value of a whiter, brighter smile is realized almost immediately. You’ll smile more, and that smile will show all over your face, not just in your teeth. It’s one of the best gifts you can ever give yourself.

Smile for the Camera in The Woodlands, TX

How many pictures and videos did you take over the holidays? Now, how many did others take of you? Do you avoid being in front of a camera because you’re self-conscious about your smile?

Come out from behind the camera and be right in front of it from now on. A smile makeover from Dr. Shirley Cagle can give you the self-confidence you could have if you weren’t embarrassed by an unattractive smile.

Cosmetic dentistry in the Woodlands is not about vanity, although we all want to look our best. A smile makeover can transform how you look, but it also enhances your dental and overall health.

●      Did you know those old ugly metal fillings have mercury in them? Replace them with tooth-colored restorations. They look better and they’re healthier for you.

●      With porcelain veneers, we can correct many dental problems without pain or multiple, extended visits. You’d be amazed at how veneers can make your smile more symmetrical by covering gaps, correcting overlapped teeth, and making them an even length with a natural, even color.

●      The gaps left by missing teeth are an ideal spot for gingivitis to thrive, leading to more serious gum disease. Dr. Cagle can replace missing teeth with dental implants or with a bridge, depending on your individual need.

●      We can contour your gums with lasers to make your smile less “gummy.”

Even the most extensive makeover can be completed in as few as three visits. After an exam and a consultation, we’ll create a plan to transform your smile. Every step will be discussed with you, explained how it’s done, and how it will correct and enhance your smile. Your smile is often the first and most lasting impression you make on other people. Knowing that your teeth are healthy and beautiful will make the most of your smile!

Call us for an appointment at our dental office in the Woodlands at 281.681.9442 to discuss how we can transform your smile into one that’s healthy, natural looking, and attractive.

Wonderful Woodlands Kisses Start With Fresh Breath and Healthy Gums

Holiday kisses are some of the best kind! It’s a time when we like to pass the spirit of the season on with hugs and kisses of all kinds, for loved ones new and familiar! And maybe there’s a special kiss (or more!) under the mistletoe.

Whether it’s a quick peck on the cheek or something more special, don’t keep anyone at arm’s length because of halitosis, or bad breath. You’ve probably heard of gingivitis, as well as periodontitis. Both of these gum diseases can have serious consequences, not only for your teeth, but for your overall health as well. Please call our dental office in the Woodlands for gum disease symptoms of any type.

Gingivitis is an inflammation of your gums which, left untreated, can progress to periodontitis, where the periodontal disease has spread to the tissues and bones that support your teeth. The cause of most periodontal disease is bacterial plaque. One of the first symptoms of periodontal disease is chronic halitosis. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.

And we now know through formal scientific studies, periodontal bacteria and inflammation can have a significant impact on managing blood glucose in diabetic patients. Gum disease has also been linked with cardiovascular disease, strokes, and some respiratory conditions. It’s important to let Dr. Cagle know if you have any serious health conditions so she can treat and advise you accordingly.

If your gums bleed while brushing or flossing, if they’re red or sore to the touch, it’s so important not to wait. At our dental practice in the Woodlands, Dr. Cagle will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for signs of periodontal disease.

When caught early, the solutions for periodontal disease can be as simple as more regular brushing and flossing. Dr. Shirley Cagle may recommend some of the latest and most gentle therapies, or she may refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in gum disease.

Call us for an appointment at our Woodlands dental office at 281.681.9442 at the first sign of any of the symptoms of gum disease. Regular dental care, with faithful flossing and brushing is the best formula for healthy teeth and gums, and for preventing gingivitis.

Keep Your Woodlands Holiday Bright, Beautiful, and White

What’s more beautiful than the holidays in the Woodlands at winter? In Texas, we do our holidays like we do everything, with high spirits, big hearts, and big smiles!

Keep that smile white and bright during this beautiful season and be on the lookout for some foods that can stain your teeth.

• Artificially colored gum and candy, nuts: There snacks and goodies are everywhere this time of year! Those extra nibbles of candy (including chocolate!) and nuts can leave food stains on your teeth. Mix in some carrots and celery to help battle food stains.
• Red wine: The darker the wine, the more it can stain your teeth. Keep a glass of water nearby and periodically take a few sips.
• Tomato sauce and ketchup, soy sauce and spices: The acidity, as well as the color of tomato sauce and ketchup can leave stains your teeth. And dark liquids like soy sauce and some dressings can also contribute to a dingy smile.

Some holiday foods, such as antioxidant-rich berries, fruits, and nuts, can be good for you. But one thing that is never good for you is tobacco, in any form. And tobacco can also leave ugly stains on your teeth, and unpleasant odors on your breath.

Enjoy holiday foods and help prevent stains too!

Our dental office serves the Woodlands and other nearby communities such as Tomball and Conroe. We offer comprehensive cosmetic and restorative dental services. A beautiful smile from Dr. Shirley Cagle is a healthy smile, too! Call us for an appointment or consultation at 281.681.9442. Regular care, with faithful flossing and brushing is the best formula for a healthy smile. Have a happy and safe holiday from all of us to all of you!

Keeping The Woodlands, Texas Healthy

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and everyone here at Shirley Cagle, DDS wants to remind you of not only the health consequences of smoking, but also the dental complications that smoking can contribute to.  While it’s important to recognize that not all lung cancer patients are tobacco users, it is equally important to know that smoking is the top risk factor to developing this life-threatening disease.

Smoking not only increases the risk of lung cancer, it can also contribute and lead to other unwanted health and dental issues.  For example, smoking increases the chance for developing periodontal (gum) disease, discoloration of the teeth and oral cancer – and these problems can lead to even more health problems.  Knowing these risk factors, it makes scheduling and keeping regular dental appointments at my Woodlands, Texas dental office even more important. However, not only smokers should take their oral health seriously.  Like lung cancer, periodontal disease, oral cancer and yellowing of the teeth are also found in those who don’t smoke.

At my practice, my team and I focus on treating every individual with care and compassion while also providing thorough and complete dental care.  Our mission is to deliver quality comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry to each and every patient that walks through our door.  We are extremely thorough in all of our treatments including teeth whitening and periodontal (gum) disease screenings.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults in the United States and can even lead to more serious health issue such as heart disease, strokes and osteoporosis.  In addition to encouraging every patient to perform good daily tooth brushing and flossing habits, we also screen for periodontal disease at every cleaning and exam.  At-home care in addition to regular professional exams and cleanings is the best way to prevent this disease from occurring.  Also, it’s important to know the main factors that affect the health of your gums.  Smoking, diabetes, stress, clenching and grinding teeth, medications and poor nutrition can all negatively affect your gum health. 

Other lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking wine or coffee and eating certain foods can also lead to unwanted discoloration of teeth.  We can help.  We can create custom bleaching trays and provide you with a special bleaching solution that with only a few hours of wear for a few days will help eliminate tooth stains and discolorations.  We also offer an in-office whitening solution with Zoom! In-Office Whitening.  This technology can whiten your teeth an average of eight shades in a little over an hour for immediate results.

During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and every month, it’s important to become educated on the dangers of tobacco use.  Whether you’re a smoker or not, we’d like to take care of you and your smile at my Woodlands, Texas dental office.  Call us today at 281-681-9442 and let us treat you and your mouth to health.