Get those checkups! From Dr. Tieken [Video]

Have you felt pain when drinking hot or cold beverages? Do your gums bleed when you eat? Are you experiencing jaw pain? Have you been suffering from bad breath?

If you've experienced any of these symptoms lately, it's probably time to give us a call! At Tieken Smiles, your health and comfort are foremost in our minds. Dr. Derek 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.

Visiting League City dentist Dr. Tieken for regular checkups and cleanings can help prevent many dental problems, as well as to help you maintain optimal oral health and hygiene!

We encourage you to check out the above video that explains the need to visit our office regularly - before you have to for an emergency! Have a fantastic weekend!

Dr. Tieken, your local Under Armour mouth guard provider

With the hot and sultry Texas summer here for another five weeks, Dr. Derek Tieken and our staff would like to take this time to remind all the athletes out there to take care of your mouth while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports). After all, we know this is a busy time of year sports-wise, whether you're participating in a volleyball game in the park or getting ready for high school football.

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. Remember, only by using a mouth guard can folks avoid serious sports injuries. So, the next time you're in for a visit with Dr. Tieken, we encourage you to ask us for an Under Armour mouth guard, and we will provide one!

We hope you're enjoying your summer so far!

National Smile Week!

National Smile Week is here, and at J. Derek Tieken DDS, that means the perfect opportunity to enjoy spontaneous moments of silliness all week long. Here are three ways you can enjoy National Smile Week.

• Smile at people throughout the week, whether you know them or not. Believe it or not, smiles are contagious, and are always good to give and to receive. In addition, smiling can actually help you live longer, according to one recent study!

• Stick a love note, funny poem, or a cartoon into your child's lunch sack or your husband’s pocket or briefcase – anywhere where they will find it during the day, read it and smile.

• Practice random acts of generosity while at work – whether it’s a small anonymous gift on a coworker's desk, ordering flowers to your spouse or taking a loved one or coworker out for lunch.

And remember, coming in for regular cleanings and checkups with Dr. Tieken helps you perfect that warm smile.

"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!

When should you call Dr. Tieken?

Having to deal with a dental emergency during the summer while at work or on vacation is not something people often think about. And Dr. Tieken will tell you that being prepared can make the difference between saving or losing a tooth. If you're facing a dental emergency this summer, we want you to call us immediately or let us know on our Facebook page. If you need urgent treatment after hours, you can call our emergency number (please ask us for the number if you haven't already done so). We are always here to assist when your dental health is at risk. Below are tips on dealing with urgent dental situations; you may want to display this list on your refrigerator or store it near your emergency phone numbers for easy reference.

Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water and inspect your teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. If pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, as this can cause damage to the gums. Schedule an appointment immediately.

Bitten Lip or Tongue: If you've bitten your lip or tongue severely enough to cause bleeding, clean the bite gently with water and use a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth pressed firmly against the area) to reduce or avoid swelling. Give us a call to help determine how serious the bite is.

Object Caught In Teeth: If you have something caught between your teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp tool to remove a stuck object. If you are unable to remove the item with dental floss, give us a call.

Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth: If you've chipped or broken a piece off of your tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water, then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off. Call us immediately.

Knocked Out Tooth: If your tooth has been knocked out, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), taking care to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when it's in place). If you can, place the tooth back in its socket and hold it in place with a clean towel or cloth. If you can't return the tooth to its socket, place it in a clean container with milk. In either case, call us immediately and/or head to the nearest hospital. If you act quickly, it's possible to save the tooth.

Loose Tooth: If you have a loose tooth, it should be removed to avoid being swallowed or inhaled. And, you probably guessed it: give us a call.

We hope that helped you get prepared for any dental emergency this summer, and we wish you a GREAT rest of the summer!

Invisalign and your oral health

When considering treatment options, patients often ask Dr. Derek Tieken how Invisalign treatment is so different than getting braces at an orthodontist's office. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign than you may know. Invisalign, which is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, manages to straighten your teeth just as effectively as traditional braces ... and improves your oral health. Here’s how Invisalign can help improve your health, while shaping your healthy, beautiful smile:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque, and gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Tieken the next time you’re in for a visit. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page or give us a call at (832) 769-4824!

Happy Thursday!

20 years in dentistry! Congratulations, Dr. Tieken!

This month marks 20 years since Dr. Derek Tieken began practicing dentistry! We are all very happy and excited for him as it is a HUGE milestone! What's your favorite moment at Dr. Tieken's office? If you're in for an appointment this month, be sure to congratulate him!

Dr. Tieken’s passion for the fine art of dentistry, your "Best Care," and exceptional services is creating endless smiles around town! A native of the Bay Area, Dr. Tieken and our team have served thousands of families, offering state-of-the-art dentistry since 1990. Dr. Tieken graduated from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston and offers local residents the latest skills and technologies available in the field.

Dr. Tieken is proud to have been named as a top dentist by the Consumers Group and recognized by H Texas Houston’s Magazine & Bay Area Houston Magazine on their Best Dentist list for the past nine years.

Congrats again, Dr. Tieken!