We've Got Your Back --- Guaran'teeth'ed

Did you know that we offer our patients a "waran-teeth" on their dental work? This means that as long as our patients maintain their necessary preventive care reservations, as recommended by their doctor and hygienist, we will replace any work completed in our office (fillings, crowns, etc.) at no charge for 5 years!  

Our doctors stand behind their work and know that if proper care is taken, restorations should not fail. They believe this so much so that if something were to occur, as long as you've maintained your regularly scheduled reservations your work will be replaced at no charge for restorations up to 5 years old.

See the letter presented to our patients in-office below!

WARAN “TEETH”

Dear Valued Patient,

            Congratulations on your new restoration(s)! You have helped protect your tooth/teeth from further breakdown and potential loss. With proper cleaning and maintenance, you should expect this restoration to last for many years. In fact, we are confident that you will not have any problems with the breakdown of your restoration for at least five years. Should you happen to; we will redo the restoration at no charge or apply the money you spent on that restoration toward another solution. The only thing you have to do is keep up with your hygienist’s recommended cleaning and fluoride schedule with our office, and take care of any other decay in that quadrant at the same time.

            The actual restorations typically do not fail. The way these restorations could fail is by the tooth getting decay at or below the margin. This is usually from inadequate home care or doing “crazy little things at night.” “Crazy little things at night” refers to the fact that many people are eating or drinking right before they go to bed or even in bed. As you prepare yourself for bed, everything starts slowing down, including salivation. This means whatever you put in your mouth late at night will stay in your mouth longer, creating decay. Unfortunately, almost everything we eat or drink contains sugar. Most patients we’ve met over the years who have had a lot of decay, have reported drinking sodas, juice, milk, eating ice cream and cough drops in bed or just before going to bed. Hopefully you get the picture!

 Home care should include brushing and flossing in the morning and more importantly, at night. This removes the plaque that harbors the bacteria responsible for decay and gum disease.

            So here are the rules for a decay free and gum disease free life:

1.       After you are finished with your dinner, drink and dessert, stick with water.

2.       Before going to bed, brushing and flossing and cleaning the palate, cheeks and tongue will assure that everything is out of your mouth!

Again, although dental decay is a disease, it is preventable!

Yours truly,

Dr. Timothy E. Gardner, DDS

Dr. Seth A. Harris, DDS

Spreading Free Smiles

Conroe Comprehensive Dental Center's 6th Annual Dentistry from the Heart event on Saturday, March 1, 2014, proved to be a success. More than $45,000 worth of free dental work was donated to more than 85 underprivileged residents of Montgomery County.

Line of patients at 6:45 am

Patients were seen on a first come, first serve basis. The line began forming at 11:30 pm on Friday. Procedures included cleanings, fillings and extractions. Their mission was to treat infections and get patients out of pain.


Volunteers included Dr. Jacob Burch, Dr. Logan Wood, Karen Saul, RDH, Peggy Breland, RDH, Tenille Fristche, RDH, Lauren McDaniel, RDH, Rachel Jameson, RDH, numerous volunteers and team members.


Donations were provided by McKenzie's Barbeque, Patterson Dental Supply and Ellisor Construction.

The event proved to be very rewarding for volunteers and patients alike. Staff and volunteers thank patients for their patient and understanding throughout the day.

Lauren McDaniel, RDH with a patient during the event.

Dentistry from the Heart (DFTH)  is a national non-profit organization with a smile mission: making people smile. DFTH was created to aid those in need, including the growing population of under-insured Americans.


For more information please visit www.conroesmilemakeover.com

Spreading Smiles - Dentistry From The Heart

Dr. Tim Gardner’s 5^th Annual Dentistry from the Heart event Saturday, March 2, 2013, proved to be a success. More than $54,000 worth of free dentistry was performed on more than 120 underprivileged residents of Montgomery County.

Registration began at 7:30 a.m. and patients were seen on a first come, first serve basis. Procedures done free of charge included cleanings, fillings and extractions. Their mission was to treat infections and get patients out of pain.

Volunteers included Dr. Tim Garder, Dr. Jacob Burch (associate of Dr. Gardner), Dr. Logan Wood, Dr. Jess Legg, Tenille Fritsche, RDH, Lauren Eustace, RDH, and Veronica Wesbrook, RDH, and all of Dr. Gardner’s staff. Donations were provided by McKenzie’s Barbeque, Patterson Dental and Concrete Contractors Supply of Texas.

The event proved to be very rewarding for volunteers and patients alike. Staff and volunteers thank patients for their patience and understanding throughout the day.

Dentistry from the Heart (DFTH) is a national non-profit organization with a simple mission: making people smile. DFTH was created to aid those in need, including the growing population of under-insured Americans.

For more information please visit www.drtimgardner.com.

Dentistry From The Heart

Dr. Tim Gardner, armed with staff and volunteers, is out to change lives by offering free dentistry to the underprivileged of Montgomery County, as he hosts the latest event in conjunction with Dentistry from the Heart (DFTH).

The 5^th Annual event will treat those, residing in Montgomery County, who truly need, but cannot afford dentistry. The procedures done free of charge include extractions, simple fillings and cleanings.

Last year staff and volunteers gave more than $24,000 worth of free dentistry to the underprivileged of Montgomery County. They hope to see an increase in numbers this year. 

“Now more than ever I know there are people out there who need my services but have no means to afford them; whether they are out of a job or just having a hard time,” Gardner said. “This Dentistry from the Heart event is my way of giving back to the community and being there for the people who are in need of dental work.”

The event will take place Saturday, March 2, 2013, at the office of Timothy E. Gardner, D.D.S., at 2210 North Frazier, Suite 120 in Conroe. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. Patients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis. Patients are asked to bring ID or other paperwork proving their residence in Montgomery County.  Dr. Gardner, his staff and volunteers will treat as many patients as possible by 5 p.m.

Please contact Dr. Gardner’s office at 936-539-3636 with any questions or concerns or visit them online at www.drtimgardner.com.

 

Top 10 Reasons Not to Dodge your Dental Cleaning Appointment

 

Sure, regular cleanings with our office promote good oral hygiene, but did you know it can also prevent a multitude of diseases? That 2 o'clock chair-side rendezvous may not seem nearly as exciting as a late lunch with a friend, but it will be well worth it in the end. Here are 10 really great reasons to stick with your regular cleaning schedule!

1. It Prevents Oral Cancer. You may or may not realize that you're screened for oral cancer during your regular dental cleaning. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, an American dies of oral cancer every hour of every day. It's a sad proposition, especially when you consider that it is highly curable with early diagnosis.
2. It Wards Off Gum Disease. Gum disease, or an infection in the gum tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place, is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. It can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early. Unfortunately, not receiving treatment will lead to a more serious and advanced state of gum disease. Regular cleanings and check ups and daily brushing and flossing are key weapons in the fight against these conditions.
3. It's About More Than Your Mouth. Sure, not getting regular check-ups may make you less kissable, but did you know that studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease associated with poor oral hygiene? A trip to your dentist every 6 months could reduce your risk of serious health problems!
4. You Want to Preserve Your Smile. As mentioned, gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. To keep your pearly whites intact, stick with your cleaning schedule.
5. It's Best to Detect Dental Problems Early. We've already touched upon early detection of gum disease and oral cancer, but don't overlook more basic dental problems. Cavities and broken fillings are easy to treat. Without regular trips to the dentist, these problems can lead to root canals, gum surgery and tooth extraction. Which sounds worse: A 30-minute cleaning or an hour under the knife?
6. You Want to Know You're Doing it Right. Maybe you bought a fancy new electric toothbrush, or aren't keeping up with what current research has to say about caring for your teeth. Either way, check ups allow your dentist to examine your mouth and keep you on the right path.
7. You Have Dental Insurance. Consider how much money you put into your insurance plan. Take advantage of it and save a lot of money in the long run by avoiding costly procedures that result from poor dental habits.
8. You Want to Upgrade Your Smile. If you're already suffering from tooth decay or gum problems, regular appointments will allow our office to create a personalized treatment plan that will give you the best smile possible.
9. You Want to Dazzle. Regular cleanings remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains, polishing your teeth to a beautiful shine!
10. You Need Some Time Alone. Okay, maybe not completely alone, but the time you spend in the waiting room and chair is really your time. You can forget about the office or the stresses of family life and just relax. Read a magazine or work through a crossword if you want. Take advantage of the time you're given, rather than worrying about how to fit it in your tight schedule. Your health and well-being should never take a back seat to your daily planner.

If it's been more than 6 months since your last check up and cleaning, call your us at 936-539-3636 or visit us online at www.conroesmilemakeover.com to schedule an appointment today!

Avoiding Big Dental Costs

It may be hard to believe, but we want to help our patients before problems occur, which saves time, effort and money!

Whoever warned against being "penny wise and pound foolish" must have been thinking of times like these. When the economy is just limping along (and dollars are tight at home) it's natural to look for ways to cut down on unnecessary expenses. Too often, cutting back on today's unnecessary expense leads to far greater costs just a ways down the road. And that's especially true of dental care.
Of course, your dental practitioner recognizes that every household economy goes through its own ups and downs. But they also believe that maintaining a high level of health is the cheapest form of insurance. So they'll work with you to get the dental care you need - when you need it.

When you wait too long, a lot can happen.

• Gum problems don't hurt at first, so you may not even know you have disease lurking. And periodontitis can flare up despite conscientious home hygiene.
• Old fillings can leak at the margins where filling and tooth meet, inviting decay under a filling. If you let it go, it's crown time.
• A fractured tooth is often invisible and may require a root canal to save it. Waiting for it to heal usually results in dental bridges.
• If you're missing a tooth, your neighboring teeth will grow disrupted and loose.
• Topical fluorides and sealants are a good idea for children - even adults.
• Early orthodontics can save you a bundle later on.

Another wise philosopher pointed out, "There's a time in the life of every problem when it's large enough to see...and small enough to solve." By catching dental problems before they grow, you'll be spared both money and discomfort.

We can help get you and your family back on track! Call us today at 936-539-3636 or check us out online at www.conroesmilemakeover.com

Night time habits...

We try our best to talk with all of our patients about those "crazy little things at night."

What do we mean?
We've found that the majority of decay can be traced back to night time habits.

Think about this:
During the day the average person swallows more than 1,000 times. You can imagine that at this rate whatever a person is eating or drinking is neutralized by saliva pretty quickly.
At night when a person prepares for bed, their body starts preparing for sleep. Everything starts slowing down - including salivation. Normally a person only swallows 10-20 times during sleep!
This means that whatever a person eats or drinks right before, after or during this time sits in the mouth, mainly the cheeks, causing cavities to form on the teeth.

What do you do?
We recommend that all of our patients enjoy their dinner, dessert and whatever they want to drink with dinner and then stick to water. This gives the body time to restore proper PH levels in the mouth.

But that's just the first part!
We also encourage our patients to floss and brush really well before bed. This means brushing the inside of the cheeks, the tongue and palate.

Just these few little changes and you could be well on you way to living a cavity-free life!