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Day: October 19, 2022

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Professional whitening is effective at removing years of stains and discoloration from the teeth. Whether you’re looking to boost your confidence or are going to be attending a wedding, reunion or another big event, a bright and white smile is sure to improve your appearance. Expert whitening is performed in our office or provided to you using a professional-grade take-home kit. Whitening results can last for months to one or more years, and maintaining your results is key to ensuring that you’ll always have a gorgeous smile.

Why Should I Whiten My Teeth?

There are many factors that come into play when it comes to the whiteness and brightness of your smile. If you’re a smoker, drink a lot of coffee, tea or cola or you’re taking certain medications, you’ll notice that your teeth aren’t as white as they used to be. Likewise, just the act of aging can have a serious impact on the way that your smile looks. By professionally whitening your teeth, you can expect dramatic results that help to increase your self-esteem and confidence.

How Often Should Teeth Whitening Be Done?

It is best to avoid whitening your teeth too often. Over-whitening your teeth can lead to issues with hypersensitivity or even cause the teeth to look translucent. It is often recommended that you only whiten your teeth, whether at home or professionally, once a year. This prevents issues involving sensitivity and helps in creating a natural-looking smile. The benefit of utilizing professional whitening is that results typically last for about one year. This simply means that you won’t feel the need to touch-up or go with another whitening system because of how drastic the change is when using a professional whitening option.

How Can I Maintain My Results?

The best way to prevent the need for touch-ups is to avoid future staining and discoloration of the teeth. If you’re a smoker, now is the best time to quit and a great way to extend the length of your results. Try to avoid drinking too many dark liquids, like coffee and cola, and opt for water instead. You may want to consider using a whitening toothpaste so help clear away stains and discoloration before they are able to get worse. Be sure to speak with the experts about whitening and always discuss when the last time you whitened your teeth actually was before retreatment.


Our staff is available to answer any questions you may have, and we welcome all new patients to our dental clinic.

Ready to Schedule an Appointment?

If you are ready to schedule an appointment with us, please contact West Houston, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

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Taking care of your oral and overall health must be a priority. Knowing when you need to call your dentist is important. Practicing good oral hygiene habits help to prevent tooth decay, cavities, and many other issues. Cavities are one of the most common issues patients face, and about 30 percent of Americans have untreated dental cavities. Leaving a cavity untreated can destroy your teeth leading to tooth loss, infection, and other more serious conditions.

It is helpful for patients to understand what a cavity is, and also know what symptoms to look out for if you think you may have a cavity.

What is a Cavity?

A cavity is when bacteria or food build up and form plaque on your teeth. The bacteria eat away at the enamel on your teeth and cause decay. Good oral hygiene habits are so important, and brushing and flossing can help you get rid of the plaque build up to prevent cavities from developing. Once the cavity is formed there is a small hole in your tooth, and if left untreated the cavity can destroy your tooth or develop an infection.

What Are the Signs of a Cavity?

There are signs you can look out for that may indicate you have a cavity. If you experience any of these signs we encourage you to contact our office, and our staff will get you in as soon as possible. Our team always works to keep our patient’s teeth and mouth healthy and pain free.

  • Sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers and does not go away
  • Sensitivity to sweet foods or drinks
  • A toothache that is on or around one or more teeth
  • Pain when you bite down or pain during eating
  • Discoloration, white spots, or staining on a tooth
  • A small hole or mark on your tooth

Ready to Schedule an Appointment?

If you are ready to schedule an appointment with us, please contact West Houston, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

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Chipped or injured teeth are typically considered a dental emergency. We offer many cosmetic services, and have years of experience in cosmetic dentistry. If you have a chipped tooth, you may wonder how quick you can get the tooth fixed. Luckily, there are a few different treatment options to retore your tooth back to normal.

We encourage anyone who has chipped their tooth to contact our office right away. We offer a flexible schedule, and can get you in as soon as possible. In the meantime, we recommend patients can take over the counter pain medication to alleviate any pain. Eat soft foods, and avoid biting down on the damaged tooth.

How Can We Repair a Chipped Tooth?

Depending on the severity of the damage will determine what treatment option is best. If the chip is small a single visit to our office may only be needed. If the tooth is badly damaged, additional treatment and multiple visits to our office may be required.

Bonding or Filling

We can apply a tooth-colored composite resin to help repair your tooth. Bonding is a simple procedure and requires no local anesthesia. To prepare the tooth we file down the area and apply an adhesive. The resin is then applied on top to restore your tooth. Bonding is the color of your natural teeth, and can be formed to match the shape of your surrounding teeth. An ultraviolet light is used to cure or harden the bonding material.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers can restore teeth that are chipped or broken. Veneers are a thin shell of composite material or porcelain that is placed over your tooth. They are customized to match the color and shape of your teeth, and look natural. The veneers are placed on your teeth using a cement material.

Dental Crown

If your tooth is severely damaged a dental crown may be necessary. We will prepare the tooth by filing away the area so the crown fits snug over your tooth. Crowns protect weak teeth from breaking down further, and look natural in the mouth. Crowns can be customized to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth. Typically, crowns are placed after a root canal. If your tooth is damaged down to the pulp area, and there is an infection, a root canal may be necessary to save your tooth.

Ready to Schedule an Appointment?

If you are ready to schedule an appointment with us, please contact West Houston, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

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Cavities are always something we try to avoid with brushing and flossing each day. You may notice you get cavities frequently and others don’t. This doesn’t seem fair, but there are other factors that play into keeping your teeth free of decay that you may not realize. There are ways to reduce your risk for cavities outside of brushing and flossing regularly.

Why Are Some Prone to Cavities More Than Others?

Dental insurance can be confusing, and it is important to really understand what is covered, and what your expenses will be. Research what procedures are covered and what is not so you are prepared. Some plans have benefits that are limited, and they also have waiting periods before coverage can begin. Knowing how your insurance coverage works can help avoid headaches, and help you choose the best plan available.

Most insurance coverage is great for preventative care such as exams, cleanings and x-rays. Visiting the dentist is important, and choosing the coverage that is best for you can help you pay for those expensive procedures you may need in the future. Talk to your insurance provider to really help you understand the different plans, so you can choose the plan that best works for you.

Do You Have Questions for Our Team?

  • Diet – Reducing the amount of sugar you eat or drink can help prevent cavities. Your chance of getting cavities increases if you eat or drink foods with a high amount of sugar.
  • Gum Recession – If you suffer from gum disease and your gums are receding, the root of the tooth is exposed. Bacteria can reach the root area of the tooth and cavities can develop more easily.
  • Dry Mouth – If you tend to have a dry mouth your risk for decay increases. We need saliva to wash away bacteria in our mouths.
  • Genetics – Unfortunately some people are born with a tendency to develop cavities more frequently than others. This is because some people are more susceptible to a certain type of cavity causing bacteria.

How Can I Reduce My Risk for Cavities?

There are things you can do to help reduce your risk for cavities. This doesn’t mean you will never have a cavity again, but it does mean you are changing your habits, and putting forth a good effort to try and prevent decay from developing.

  • Regular Visits to Your Dentist – Make sure you attend your regular visits to your dentist. These exams help to identify potential cavities, and allow the dentist to get in front of issues before they become worse.
  • Reduce Sugars in Your Diet – Try and stay away from foods or drinks that are high in sugar.
  • Keep Up With Oral Hygiene – Stay on top of your oral hygiene with brushing and flossing at least twice a day. This will help prevent plaque buildup that causes decay.
  • Use a Toothpaste With Fluoride – Using a toothpaste that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay.
  • Use Mouthwash – Mouthwash can help rinse away bacteria, and if the wash contains fluoride this can help prevent cavities.

Knowing what you can do to help prevent cavities can help you avoid many trips to the dentist. Taking care of our teeth is very important, and can help avoid dental issues. Always practice good oral hygiene habits to keep your teeth and mouth feeling great.


At our office we discuss what patients are doing at home to help prevent decay. Our staff provides tips and tricks to help our patients keep their teeth looking great. Taking care of your teeth and gums is important, and can avoid serious issues from developing. If you have not been to our office for your regular dental exam, we encourage you to schedule your appointment.

Ready to Schedule an Appointment?

If you are ready to schedule an appointment with us, please contact West Houston, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Want to schedule an appointment?

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ALICE LAM DDS
15300 Westheimer Rd, #101,
Houston, TX 77082, United States

(281) 531-5700

dreamteam@alicelamdds.com

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