February is National Dental Health Month!

Did you know February is National Dental Health Month? It's a great time of the year to renew those resolutions about continuing to practice great dental hygiene at home and by visiting Tieken Smiles. Today, we thought we'd discuss the importance of preventative oral care. While most people are familiar with traditional heart-saving practices such as eating healthy and exercising regularly, lesser-known are the benefits that great oral hygiene provides to one’s cardiovascular health.

Here are a few tips to help you continue those New Year's resolutions:

*Remember that poor oral hygiene is linked to serious common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia and osteoporosis.

*Brush and floss every day to remove the plaque that can lead to cavities. Flossing daily removes food debris that your toothbrush cannot reach after meals.

*Replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months or after a cold or illness to prevent re-infection. Remember to use a soft toothbrush so you won’t wear off the enamel of your teeth.

*Visit our League City office regularly. The American Dental Association recommends you visit Dr. Tieken every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. Fluoride treatments twice a year will help prevent tooth decay.

Each February, Dr. Tieken and our team focus on the preventive oral care of our patients. Have you visited our office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Smile, it's June! From Dr. Tieken

Not too long ago, the American Dental Association discovered that a person's smile was important than their eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature. That's no surprise to us, considering how much people spend each year on general and cosmetic dentistry annually.

That brings us to June, also known as National Smile Month! It's a great time for Dr. Tieken to remind all of our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to Tieken Smiles.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks.
* Visit Tieken Smiles regularly (usually every six months unless recommended otherwise).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call at (832) 769-4824. We hope you have a great rest of the week! Get out there and share your beautiful smiles!

J. Derek Tieken DDS, supporting National Children's Dental Health Month

Remember last week, when we blogged about February being American Heart Month? Well, February is also well-known for being National Children's Dental Health Month. Today, Dr. Tieken is here to tell you about the need for preventative oral care in kids.

For 60 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. Forty years later, in 1981, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Dr. Tieken and thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's kids. Dr. Tieken and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited our office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!