Fear Not! Dental Anxiety is Common and Treatable

If you suffer from dental anxiety, a visit to our office might seem like a daunting prospect. Perhaps you had a bad experience in the past, but whatever the reason, please know that at our office, there is nothing to be afraid of. We understand you may be anxious about receiving dental treatments, and we’re here to help you have a comfortable, pain-free experience that will put your fears to rest.

You’re not alone!
A 1984 study that appeared in the Journal of the American Dental Association reported that up to 75% of all adults in the United States have some degree of dental anxiety. This includes five to ten percent whose dental anxiety is so severe that they try to avoid a dentist’s office at all costs.

Treatment
If you experience dental anxiety, it is important to let our office know in advance, so we can provide you with the dental care you need with an added touch of TLC. We can assist by explaining behavioral techniques for relaxation, by administering nitrous oxide (laughing gas), or by prescribing a relaxing medication prior to your dental procedure.

Smile! June is National Smile Month!

Can you believe it’s already June? Today, our team thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our office!

Below 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 us regularly (every 6 months or as recommended by Dr Tieken)!

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call, ask our team during your next visit or ask us on Facebook!

Share your winter break plans with us!

Dr. Derek Tieken and our team at Tieken Smiles want to know: what do your winter plans look like? Do you have any plans for an exciting family vacation? Are you hanging out around town? Catching up on sleep? Spending time with friends? Let us know!

Please feel free to share your exciting winter plans and experiences with us here or on our Facebook page! We would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!

Smile! October is National Dental Hygiene Month!

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? For our staff at J. Derek Tieken DDS PA, that means only one thing: Reminding you that your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting our convenient League City office on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

We encourage you to check out the American Dental Association website as well, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last visit to J. Derek Tieken DDS PA? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call to set up an appointment with Dr. Derek Tieken.

Access your account—any day, any time, anywhere!

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Tieken Smiles enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started! Or, you may ask Dr. Tieken and our team on Facebook!

Are those rumors about swallowing bubble gum true?

At Tieken Smiles, we know the rumors going around that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Give us a call at our convenient League City office if you have any questions!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing from Dr. Tieken and our entire staff!

"Like" us on Facebook, and YOU could win GREAT prizes!

At Dr. Tieken’s office, we value the relationships we’ve developed with our patients over the years. Even if you visit our convenient League City office on a regular basis, did you know you can always connect with us on Facebook and other social networks?

In fact, if you’re one of the first 500 people who “Like” us at Facebook.com/DerekTieken, you will be automatically entered for a chance to win a complimentary in-office whitening ($600 value), an Amazon Kindle or a Visa gift card that can be spent anywhere!

By “Liking” us on Facebook, you will receive contest news, updates and announcements – all through your news feed!

See you on Facebook and GOOD LUCK everyone!

Patient question: what is CEREC® and can I benefit from it?

CEREC® is a technology for restoring damaged teeth, and this restoration can be completed in a single visit to Tieken Smiles. It makes your teeth stronger and more beautiful, all while keeping your teeth looking natural. The restoration is metal-free and the high-grade ceramic material is compatible with the natural tissue found in your mouth. This is the finest restorative material available today, all in one appointment.

CEREC® 3D uses CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, incorporating a camera, computer and milling machine in one instrument. Dr. Tieken uses a special camera to take an accurate picture of the damaged tooth. This optical impression is transferred and displayed on a color computer screen, where the dentist uses CAD technology to design the restoration. Then CAM takes over and automatically creates the restoration while the patient waits. Finally, the dentist bonds the new restoration to the surface of the old tooth. The whole process takes about one hour!

Dr. Derek Tieken is your local CEREC dentist for single-visit tooth restorations in League City, Webster, Kemah and the greater Houston area. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!

Write a Review of Dr. Tieken and team!

Your smile says so much about you, but if you are not satisfied with the appearance of your smile, it may not be saying anything at all. At the dental practice of Dr. Derek Tieken, we want to help you achieve a beautiful, confident, aesthetic smile that says it all!

Dr. Tieken and our team use the latest technology in our state-of-the-art dental facility to deliver the most advanced and accurate cosmetic treatments available. For over 20 years, our practice has offered cosmetic veneers, and today our offerings have grown to include Invisalign® invisible braces, advanced teeth whitening, and full smile makeovers.

Whether you've visited J. Derek Tieken DDS, for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how we're doing! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Tieken and our team create more beautiful smiles for patients in League City, Houston, Seabrook, Webster, Kemah and surrounding communities.

You may write a review here.

Thank you and enjoy your week!

Ask Dr. Tieken: How do my gums affect my heart?

Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease, infection leads to chronic inflammation—gums are swollen, red, and sometimes bleeding. In the worst of cases, teeth are lost.

We know that gum disease is a threat to your oral health, but research is also pointing to health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth. Recently, our staff at Tieken Smiles read an article that reported a study that indicated an association between gum disease and heart disease.

In a recent report published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, researchers found that the more severe the gum disease, the thicker and harder the walls of your arteries are. We encourage you to check out the rest of the article for tips on how to improve your overall oral health. If you have any questions, please give us a call and we'll answer any concerns you may have!

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!

Talking cavities, with Dr. Tieken

Dr. Tieken knows one word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is "Cavity"! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do they happen? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity you ask? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

The best prevention for cavities is regular checkups with Dr. Tieken and proper oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing. A regular checkup with Dr. Tieken consists of a thorough cleaning, polishing, and an oral exam by the doctor. During the oral exam, the doctor checks the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. At each visit, Dr. Tieken also checks old fillings and restorations because constant pressure from chewing, grinding, or clenching can cause them to wear away, chip, or crack. Digital X-rays will also be taken to pinpoint the cavities and to help determine the best treatment options.

If you have any questions about cavities, or to schedule an appointment at our office, please feel free to give us a call.

Enjoy your weekend, everybody.

Patient reviews for Dr. Tieken

J. Derek Tieken DDS, serving League City and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Tieken and his team!

"Skill, professionalism, office surroundings, staff, caring attitudes." ~ Jan S.

"Friendly and modern. It is unlike any other dentist office I have been to. Dr. Tieken took time with me... answered all my questions!" ~ Daniel P.

"Exceptional patient care. Always on time with my appointments. I do not have to wait." ~ Christopher M.

"He's very professional and I know that whatever he suggests is the truth. It is obvious he has a passion for what he does and the concern for the patient's outcome in dental health." ~ Linda M.

Keeping you safe this cold & flu season, from Dr. Tieken

Traditionally cold and flu season starts in Fall, but this year it seems to have started much earlier and with the number of patients canceling appointments because of flu and H1N1 symptoms our office is taking additional precautions to help prevent the spread of germs.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season. To protect your toothbrush from bacteria follow these steps:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions! Stay healthy this cold and flu season!

--Dr. Tieken and staff