Ask Dr. Tieken: What’s the deal with coffee and tea?

At TiekenSmiles, we know most folks enjoy a hot-brewed coffee or tea in the morning, followed by a cola (or more coffee) in the afternoon. But what many don’t know is that both coffee and tea are especially tough on your teeth, because tannic acid (the substance that makes the dark color) etches into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, and can stain your pearly whites brown.

So, if you can’t give up that morning cup o’joe, what can you do? Dr. Derek Tieken and team suggest rinsing with a glass of water after every cup. If you enjoy iced coffee or tea, drink your beverage with a straw so that tannins don’t make contact with your front upper and lower teeth. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, we encourage you to swish and swallow some water at the end of each meal. Water, after all, helps neutralize acids left in your mouth after eating and also reduces cavity-causing bacteria.

Dr. Tieken and our staff also invite you to visit our convenient League City office for whitening options. We can help bleach your teeth with proven and professional products. To learn more about whitening options at our office, please visit our website, ask us on Facebook or give us a call!

Dental fun facts with Tieken Smiles!

Everyone loves fun facts and dental tips. Fun, fun, fun! Our team at Tieken Smiles came across these dental fun facts recently and thought you might enjoy!

• The second most common disease in the United States is cavities. The first is the common cold.
• There are almost 9,000 accidental pockings and piercings with toothpicks per year.
• X-rays may be an effective tool in preventing strokes.
• A child will have 20 baby teeth by the time he or she is 2 years old. Through childhood, kids gradually lose baby teeth and grow 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.
• According to consumer reports, dentists are among the 5 most trusted professionals in the United States.
• Approximately $2 billion a year is spent on dental products like toothpastes, mouthwashes and dental floss.
• The average American spends about 38 days brushing teeth over his or her lifetime.
• Kids in North America spend half a billion dollars per year on chewing gum.
• Approximately 94 percent of Americans say they brush nightly while only 81 percent say they brush first thing in the morning.
• Grand Rapids, MI was the first American city to fluoridate its water.
• Earliest record of a toothbrush was found in Chinese literature about 1600 AD
• The natural bristles of early toothbrushes were taken from the necks and shoulders of swine, especially pigs living in colder climates like Siberia and China.

Lastly, has it been at least six months since your last checkup? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call!

Tell us about your summer!

The dog days of summer are upon us, and what better time for our team at Tieken Smiles to ask our patients about their summer!

Whether you visited Disney World, went on a camping trip, visited the state fair or just stayed in town and hung out with friends, we want to know how you’re all spending your summer! Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us below or on our Facebook page as the summer comes to an end soon for a lot of our patients at Dr. Tieken's office!

We look forward to reading all about your adventures! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Emergency care with Dr. Tieken

At TiekenSmiles, we know dental emergencies are never convenient or timely. If you are a patient of record, we are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you.

We are here to help you, any time, any day, and when your dental health is at risk, we’ll do everything we can to make sure that you’re treated as soon as possible. While dental emergencies are rare, we know they can happen at any moment, and it’s important to know how to take care of your teeth no matter what.

Common dental emergencies include:

• A bitten lip or tongue
• Broken or cracked tooth/teeth
• Broken jaw
• Permanent tooth that has been knocked out
• Object caught between teeth
• Severe toothache

If you have a dental emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to contact Dr. Tieken. We proudly serve patients from League City, Seabrook, Webster and Kemah, among other surrounding communities.

We hope you’re all enjoying your summer.

Are you wearing your mouth guard this summer?

At TiekenSmiles, we know how important it is to protect your face. The spring and summer months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites.

That’s why we are doing our part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding yourself or your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Tieken may recommend the best mouth guard for you.

In addition, here are a few tips for keeping yourself and your kids safe on the field. Remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Under Armour mouthguards, available at our convenient League City office, enhance the performance of every athlete and give you peace of mind that your mouth is protected.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can you avoid serious sports injuries. Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at J. Derek Tieken, DDS.