2014 / YEAR ARCHIVES
Give the Gift of Happiness
This holiday season, amid the hustle and bustle of shopping, traveling, fine food and lavish parties, you may see a number of men and women 'celebrating' this time of year on a street corner or an intersection. They'll be holding a cardboard sign in their hands, usually with words about being homeless, jobless or hungry. While many of these folks are just panhandling and are not truly down and out, it is not our place to pass judgment or look down our noses at them. We should be filled with compassion and express basic human kindness to them even if we don't agree with what they are doing. Of course, you're not required to offer your pocket change or give them a dollar (unless you want to). What you can offer is free and easy: eye contact, a small wave and a...
…with Much Thanks
We at Woodlands Family Dental are so very thankful for you. Without your trust and confidence in us we couldn't practice what we love. Thank you for choosing us to be there for you from routine cleanings to special, cosmetic treatments. You do your part at home and together we are creating healthier, happier, more beautiful smiles. Our goal is to always give you service and a smile you will be thankful for. Call us today at 281- 681-9600 or click to schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located in the front of the Woodlands and serve The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe and surrounding areas. We are also excited to open our Creekside location in 2015.
Will Halloween Candy Be a Trick or a Treat?
There’s no doubt about it. Kids love Halloween. The costumes, the trick-or-treating, the candy. Oh, my, the candy! What would this time of year be without bags and bags of the best kind of treats out there? Halloween is big business. Americans will spend more than $2 billion on candy this year and kids who trick-or-treat will receive, on average, 50 to 100+ sugary treats to snack on. As parents, what can we do to help our children enjoy this fun time while keeping their teeth safe and healthy? The good news is that this can be a great opportunity for you to instill good oral health practices for your children. It takes minimal effort and will keep you and your child happy ant their next dental visit. Let’s take a look at some of the best and worst candies...
How to Get Brighter, Whiter Teeth
In the never-ending chase for brighter and whiter teeth, we can all become confused by the many pastes and trays and gums and other tips and tricks out there. Below, we try to cut through some of that confusion by clearing up what works best and what you can do to help get the smile you’ve always wanted. At-home whitening products. White strips, over-the-counter bleach trays, and whitening pens all work to one degree or another. However, even if you follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s packaging the results can be less than desirable compared to treatments at Woodlands Family Dental. Some believe that leaving products on longer or using them more often can produce better results. The reality is that it does not provide any additional whitening and...
Sedation and Relaxation at the Dentist
Let's chat candidly about going to the dentist. Most would not put dental work or even a routine cleaning at the top of their list of favorite things to do. It's an important part of our lives though, so we get a cleaning twice a year. Sometimes we might need a filling. At other times we might need a more 'extended' procedure like a root canal, implant or extraction. For many, going to the dentist is something to be tolerated. For some, it can be down right dreadful. The stress and anxiety about going to the dentist that some patients feel can be debilitating, but it doesn't have to be. Each patient has their own threshold of anxiety. Sometimes a few deep breaths can take care of that. At other times, it requires a more clinical approach. Below are a few of...
Why Do Dentists Take X-Rays?
Have you ever wondered why your dentist has you bite down on those little plastic tabs and wear that lead apron? I mean, we all know it's for x-rays, but why do they need to take them in the first place? Well there's good reason for them and below are the main reasons why. Look for decay between teeth Sometimes decay isn't visible to the naked eye and exists in areas the dentist cannot see. Check for bone loss associated with gum disease Gum disease can cause bone loss and an x-ray will show how advanced it is. Check for decay under fillings Sometimes decay under fillings can occur and can only be seen with an x-ray. Look for infection at the tip of the root Infections can appear at the very bottom of your teeth where the bone is, which needs to be confirmed...
Pregnancy and Dental Health
The Woodlands, TX and the surrounding areas are thriving, booming communities. Many families live here and many more are moving in at a high rate. With great schools, churches, parks and activities, families are growing bigger which means more wives are becoming moms and more moms are having second and third children. During pregnancy, we control what we eat and drink, the kinds of medications we take and we try to limit external influences which may affect the pregnancy in some negative way. If you are pregnant or hope to be pregnant in the future, even something as simple as dental cleaning can be a source of stress and anxiety. Below we discuss a few of the conditions and questions that pop up from time to time regarding pregnancy and dental health. Pregnancy...
Missions and Dental Health
We talk a lot about mission trips and traveling to other countries to help less fortunate folks get quality dental care. In fact, WoodlandsOnline.com recently released an article about our travels to Guatemala to provide some much needed dental care. We believe we have been blessed in order to be a blessing to others in need. You may ask, "Is there really a need to send large groups of dentists down to central America to clean someone's teeth?" and the answer is a resounding "yes!" We take for granted, or many don't know, that our public water sources are supplemented with fluoride. Yep. The stuff in toothpaste and mouthwash that prevents tooth decay. Poorer and less developed countries may have very few instances of fluoridated public water supplies. In many...
Exercise and Dental Health
Can exercise and Vitamin D give us a happier and healthier smile? In short, yes. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the Journal of Dentistry have both published studies that give us some good guidelines regarding Vitamin D, Exercise and our dental health. In short, regular exercise and elevated levels of Vitamin D have shown to reduce the likelihood of gum disease, increasing overall dental health. How does regular exercise and Vitamin D help our dental health? People who exercise regularly typically have improved blood sugar regulation which might contribute to their lower incidence of gum disease. Vitamin D might improve dental health through its anti-inflammatory action. By comparison, a diet high in sugar increase risk of diabetes both of which...
Celebrate Freedom!
It's America's birthday so, let's get out and celebrate! From sea to shining sea, let's wave sparklers, sing along with the songs, eat too many hot dogs and stand in awe at amazing fireworks finales. Amid the barbecues, family gatherings and firework displays, we should all take a moment to reflect on this great nation. From our founding fathers to our modern day service men and women, the freedoms we enjoy have come at a cost. Those sacrifices are not forgotten and we are truly thankful for all those who have forged that path to freedom and opportunity we now have. We are grateful to be in this amazing country and wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend. Happy Independence Day!
