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!

Understanding cavities, from the team at Tieken Smiles

Dr. Tieken and our team know 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, anyway? 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. During the examination, Dr. Tieken will check 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.

We hope you had a great weekend! Happy New Year!

What's your New Year's resolution?

2010 is almost over—and what a year it was at our office! In our last blog post of the year, Dr. Tieken and our staff thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in League City, the Bay Area and surrounding communities.

See you all in 2011!

Tieken's Team Cares Food and Toy Drive update

THANK YOU to all who donated this year to our Tieken's Team Cares Food and Toy Drive! We delivered the goods this Monday, along with turkey dinners for each family. It was such a joy to see how appreciative the kids were!!! What a great reminder of how blessed we all are...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Win an iPad at Dr. Tieken's office!

Are you interested in starting the New Year off with a straighter smile? You can automatically save $500 and be entered to win an iPad! All you have to do is post what you like best about Dr. Tieken's office on our Facebook page to qualify!

Call our office to set up your appointment between now and December 20th to enter the contest and receive the discount!

Dr. Tieken selected as "Texas Super Doctor”!

Our staff at Tieken Smiles are happy to announce Dr. Derek Tieken was recognized as a "Texas Super Doctor" in the December edition of Texas Monthly Magazine. Dr. Tieken was the the only Bay Area dentist recognized this month!

The Super Doctors selection process began in 2004, when a survey was mailed to more than 52,000 Texas physicians, asking them: "To whom would you refer a loved one or one of your patients for medical diagnosis and/or treatment?" After tallying their replies, a research team also identified Texas doctors who had achieved special recognition from their peers or had demonstrated other indications of expertise. The researchers made sure each physician is properly licensed and has no history of disciplinary action.

At Tieken Smiles, we pride ourselves in delivering the highest quality cosmetic dental care, as well as providing patients with accurate information, answers to any questions they may have, and a comfortable, professional, safe environment to receive cosmetic treatments.

Please give us a call today at (832) 769-4824 to schedule a complimentary dental consultation.

Invisalign event at Tieken Smiles

Now through December 20th, share your experience with us on Facebook to receive $500 off your Invisalign treatment and a chance to win an iPad! We will have a drawing on December 20th!

Happy Holidays from Dr. Derek Tieken and our entire team!