With so many teeth whitening products available on the market today, it can get a little confusing.  How do you know which one to choose?  Will over-the-counter whiteners work as well as the stuff from the dentist?  There are a few important differences between OTC products and professional teeth whiteners. Active Ingredients There is only one family of chemicals proven[…]

While it is never too late to straighten your teeth, there are many advantages to doing it sooner rather than later. Never Too Late . . . Well, Almost Never So technically, there are some situations when it would be “too late” to straighten your teeth.But even if one of these scenarios applies to you, you can still achieve a[…]

Your front teeth are the most noticeable and important part of your smile.  A missing front tooth is a head-turner and not in a good way.  A front tooth with existing dental work that is obviously dental work is another attention-getter. At Designer Smiles, we are in the business of creating beautiful smiles!  We make crooked smiles straight with Invisalign. […]

Do you suffer from mouth sores or ulcers?  Do you get a fever blister every time you go to the dentist?  Millions of Americans suffer from canker sores and fever blisters. What is a Canker Sore? A canker sore is the same thing as an aphthous ulcer.  These painful sores occur inside the mouth, usually on the tissue lining the[…]

When you think “dentist”, you probably also think “teeth”.  Let’s think outside the teeth and consider another major part of your mouth: the tongue. Your tongue plays an essential role in speaking and eating.  It also gives your doctor and dentist clues about your overall health. Normal Tongue Texture A normal tongue has a bumpy texture on the top with[…]

Did you know that between 30 and 40 million Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety and fear?  Dental phobia is a common problem, and it prevents many people from seeking the dental care they need. Risks of Dental Fear For some people, fear of the dentist is so severe that it keeps them from getting even the[…]

Earth Day is April 22!  Earth Day is a global event with the purpose of showing support for environmental protection.  Many environmental groups use Earth Day to promote changes in human behavior and influence governmental policy changes around the world. Earth Day began in 1970 in the United States and was originally celebrated in schools and universities.  Since then, its[…]

The Importance of a Smile With a name like Designer Smiles, we hope it is obvious that we love creating beautiful smiles!  We believe wholeheartedly that there is little in life more rewarding than giving another person the ability to smile with confidence.  For that person, it is literally life changing.  A warm, engaging smile improves self-esteem, generates positive social[…]

At Designer Smiles, we are committed to providing our patients with the newest dental technology and the highest standard of care.  This means when a new development enables us to gather more detailed information in a safe, efficient way, we jump at the chance! The CariVu is an exciting new way for Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren to gather more[…]

This is one of our favorite times of the year: the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!  From great concerts to exciting competitions to crazy food, the HLSR has it all.  This fun blog will highlight facets of the rodeo that pertain to teeth. Livestock Teeth Animal teeth share some similarities with human teeth.  Both horses and cows have a[…]