Dental Tip - Flossing

Flossing is one of the most effective methods of keeping your teeth and gums healthy yet many overlook it. Don’t skip this step in your oral routine. Follow these simple rules for proper flossing techniques: (www.mayoclinic.com)

·         Don't skimp. Break off about 18 inches (46 centimeters) of dental floss. Wind most of the floss around the middle finger on one hand, and the rest around the middle finger on the other hand — leaving about 1 inch (3 centimeters) to floss your first tooth.

·         Take it one tooth at a time. Use your thumbs and forefingers to gently pull the floss from the gumline to the top of the tooth to scrape off plaque. Rub the floss against all sides of the tooth. Unwind to fresh floss as you progress to the next tooth.

·         Keep it up. If you have trouble getting floss through your teeth, try the waxed variety. If it's hard to manipulate the floss, use a floss holder or an inter-dental cleaner — such as a dental pick or stick designed to clean between the teeth.

Dental Tip - Healthy Brushing

Many of us don’t put much thought into brushing and can develop bad habits of improper brushing. When you brush your teeth, keep in mind these important tips to keep them healthy: (www.mayoclinic.com)

·         Brush your teeth at least twice a day. When you brush, don't rush. Take enough time to do a thorough job.

·         Use the proper equipment. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably. Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.

·         Practice good technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate your gums.

·         Keep your equipment clean. Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, if possible, and allow it to air dry until using it again. Don't routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.

·         Know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months — or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

Pecan Street Festival

This weekend, September 29th & 30th,  kick off fall with the Austin’s 31st Bi-Annual Pecan Street Festival.  Over 600 artisans and performing artists will be showcased at the festival displaying and selling homemade art and craft work. The event is free and hosts games for the kids along with local musicians taking the stage at noon!  Kid’s activities include carnival rides, face painting, and a petting zoo. As the oldest and largest art festival in Central Texas, over 300,000 people attend each year.  Located on 6^th street in the heart of Austin, the festival combines a diverse group of people and promotes community in Central Texas. Be sure to come out and show your support.

For more information about vendors and events, visit http://www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com

Austin Teen Book Festival

As the largest teen book festival in the country, Austin hosts the 4^thannual Teen Book Festival at the Palmer Events Center September 29^th from 9:30 a.m – 5 p.m! Thirty-six of the most popular and acclaimed young adult fiction authors will be there along with 6 panels and 4 opportunities to listen to the authors speak about their books. The keynote speakers will include award-winners Neal Shusterman and Libba Bray. Shusterman is widely known for hisUnwind trilogy and Texas’ own Libba Bray is the author of 6 young adult novels, most notably Beauty Queens which was listed as Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books 2011.

Other authors include Marissa Meyer, Leigh Bardugo, Scott Speer, Jesse Andrews, Ally Condie and many more! And the best part of the festival? It’s absolutely free! For more information including authors and the full schedule visit www.austinteenbookfestival.com

Tony Bennett Comes to Austin

You can watch and listen to a true legend perform at the Moody Theater, Wednesday September 12^th at 8:00pm. ACL Live presents legend Tony Bennett and tickets are still available.

With a career that began in the late 1930s, Bennett has had dozens of platinum and gold albums, has received 15 Grammy Awards, and has had two dozen songs in the Top 40.  With this truly impressive resume, his performance in Austin guarantees rave reviews.

To purchase tickets, visit http://www.acl-live.com/calendar/2012/9/tony-bennett-2012

Happy Back to School Week Austin

I know it’s tough getting back into the school routine, but here are some fun reads to get you and your kids ready to go back to school.

The summer holiday was over and young Jack returned to Wicor school. Only two days later his teacher phoned his mother to tell her that Jack was misbehaving. 'Wait a minute,' mother said. 'I had Jack with me for six weeks and I never called you once when he misbehaved.

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Teacher : John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?

John : You told me to do it without using tables.

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School Learning Nathan comes home from his first day at school. Mother asks, 'What did you learn today?' He replies, 'Not enough. I have to go back tomorrow.'

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Mia: I think we need a new teacher. Mum: Why is that? Mia: Our teacher doesn't know anything, she keeps asking us for the answers.

Have a great first week kids, parents, and teachers!

Back to School Dental Tips

It’s that time again! Summer has come and gone, but now we have to get our kids ready for a new school year. With the hustle and bustle of school supplies, schedules, and after school activities don’t forget the health checklist. A dental exam is on the top of many parents’ back to school checklist.  One of the main causes why children miss school is because of a toothache. There are several things you can do to keep your child’s teeth healthy in between dental visits.

1.       Brushing- Look for a tooth paste with fluoride in it and brush for at least 2 minutes

2.       Flossing- If your child does not have all of their permanent teeth, brushing usually takes care of the flossing part. Flossing becomes more and more important as your child grows and gets their permanent teeth.

3.       Diet- Watching what your kids eat and drink can help keep their teeth healthy. Candy, sugar, and acidic foods can cause serious wear and tear on their teeth. Try to squeeze in crunchy veggies and swap out sodas and sugary drinks for water whenever possible

Lakeway Smiles wishes everyone a happy and safe school year!

Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival

Calling all hot and spicy food lovers! Known as the world’s largest hot sauce festival, this year marks Austin’s 22^nd annual celebration.  Drawing as many as 15, 000 spectators and more than 350 entries each, the Hot Sauce Festival has become one of Austin’s largest and best-known parties. The festival also is a major fundraiser for the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. With live music and great salsa, come join the fun this Sunday, August 26^th at Fiesta Gardens. Get in free with a donation of three healthy, nonperishable food items to the Capital Area Food Bank. For more information, visit http://www.austinchronicle.com/Market/HotSauce/

Austin Fashion Week

Calling all fashionistas out there!! Next week is Austin Fashion Week and events will be held every night from Friday, August 10^th- Saturday, August 18^th! Come check out some amazing local talent along with, great food and drinks, and discover new and classic trends in fashion.  From its inception in 2009, Austin Fashion Week has grown into a huge and popular showcase with over 80 events spread out over the week.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit http://fashionweekaustin.com/

Roller Derby Fans: Austin Hosts The Star of Texas Bowl

Looking for a fun, cool event to check out? This weekend, the best of the best in roller derby will compete at The Star of Texas Bowl presented by The Texas Rollergirls. You can experience two days of roller derby competition and events at the Austin Convention Center.  Competitors include Texas Rollergirls, The Texecutioners, Gotham Girls, Windy City Rollers, B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls, and The Golden Girls.  

Tickets range from $20-$55. 

For more information, visit http://www.texasrollergirls.org/bouts/star-of-texas-bowl/.

How Often Do You Brush?

Everyone is different and takes care of their teeth in diverse ways. But have you ever asked yourself, “How often do I really need to brush my teeth?” Most people assume twice a day is enough to maintain a healthy smile. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day is the minimum you need to sustain your oral health. One of those brushings should be before you sleep. If you snack and drink throughout the day, plaque, bacteria, and acidic foods are harmful to your teeth and gums. In these instances it is extremely beneficial to brush after each meal.  

Also, drinking plenty of water can help reduce the production of harmful acids. Each individual decides how little or how much they brush, but if you keep the details above in mind, you can effectively decide when you need to brush. Also, combined with flossing and mouthwash, you can effectively maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Happy 4th of July Austin!

I’m sure everyone is excited about the mid-week holiday! In case you’re looking for a way to celebrate, check out The Austin Symphony Orchestra which features patriotic music, the 1812 Overture and spectacular fireworks over Lady Bird Lake.

 The ASO will begin performing at 8:30PM and fireworks will take place from 9:30PM-10:00PM. The event is free and open to the public located at Auditorium Shores. No matter how you plan to celebrate, Everyone here at Lakeway Smiles would like to wish you and your family a safe and happy 4^th of July. 

Enter Our Summer Giveaway

This summer you have the chance to win a KINDLE FIRE! Just visit our Google Places listing and write us a review. Then, shoot us an email with a link to your review. You will be automatically entered into a drawing for the Kindle Fire.  The drawing will be at the end of July and two winners will be chosen, so be sure to get your review in by July 31^st.

Even if you have written us a review before, you can still enter our contest by reviewing us on Google Places. We would love to hear your feedback, so be sure to enter soon! 

STEP 1:

If you have visited either of our locations, please review us:

Downtown Office: https://plus.google.com/117487729041567203653

Lakeway Office: https://plus.google.com/108331181192477132958

STEP 2:

Email us with a link to review:

Email: Team@LakewaySmiles.com

Subject: Kindle Fire

Free Summer Movie Series at Alamo Drafthouse

Looking for something fun do with the kids during summer break? Alamo Drafthouse is now offering their annual Alamo Kids’ Camp Series with screenings of popular movies. All Alamo Kids’ Camp Series screenings are free and there are several opportunities to go this summer. Screenings include How to Train your Dragon, Coraline, Corpse Bride, Rango and more! The screenings are usually mid to late morning. 

For more information and schedules at specific drafthouse locations, please visit:
http://drafthouse.com/series/alamo_kids_camp/austin.

Things to do this month with the family....

Shakespeare in the Park – ‘If music be the food of love, play on!’ Looking for a great family event in Austin? The Zilker Hillside Theater is currently running its 28th season of Shakespeare in the Park which features a Bollywood-inspired production of Twelfth Night; or What You Will. The production will run Thursdays – Sundays through May 27th and introduces new music by Austin singer/songwriter Naga Valli. Admission is free, but donations are accepted! So pack up the family and a picnic and enjoy a new twist on one of Shakespeare’s most popular romantic comedies! The show starts at 8PM so be sure to get there early to get a good spot! Dr Patel is a Cosmetic, General, and Family Dentist in downtown Austin & Lakeway, Texas.

Flossing- the Triumphant Underdog

Everyone has heard that you should floss your teeth at least twice a day, but do you really know why? Flossing has key dental health benefits including cavity and plaque prevention, but it also has an impact on your overall health. Flossing regularly is closely linked with preventing heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular disease conditions. The reason for this connection is the plaque build-up in the mouth causes problems in the bloodstream, which may cause inflammation in the arteries, which then increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Flossing is one of the key areas of oral health that can be easily overlooked. Brushing and using mouth wash alone will not get the job done. So if you’re thinking about skipping flossing today, think twice. The extra couple of minutes it takes to floss can be a key to your overall health! Key benefits of flossing include:Getting rid of plaque Preventing Gum Disease Preventing Cavities Preventing Cardiovascular disease Better smelling breath Whiter Teeth If you have questions about your oral health, please contact our Downtown Austin Dental Office or Lakeway Dental Office. Dr Tejas Patel is a Dentist in Austin. He has been practicing Dentistry for the past 10 years.

LakewaySmiles adds second dental office location in Austin

Austin & Lakeway Dentist, Tejas Patel, DDS has just added his second location! Now Dr Patel has two dental office locations in Austin to better serve his patients. The Lakeway Dental Office is located in the heart of Lakeway, on 620, between Lohman's Crossing and Lakeway Blvd. The physical address is 1213 RR 620 South, Suite 205, Austin Tx 78734, in the Independence Title Bldg.
The Austin Dental Office is located in the heart of Downtown Austin. The physical location is 221 West 6th, Street, Suite 940 Austin Tx 78701, in the Chase Bank Bldg.
If you're looking for a Dentist in Austin, give us a call at the office location that's convenient for you!

Austin Dentist to speak at local University

Austin & Lakeway Dentist, Dr Tejas Patel will be speaking to the Asian Health Professions Organization at the University of Texas next week. It will be Dr Patel's third consecutive year in talking to the organization. He will be talking about the dental profession and getting into Dental School. AHPO consists of students interested in persuing careers in Health Care.

Find us on Facebook!

Find us Facebook. We have great information that we post and have some awesome giveaways each month! Click the link- Austin & Lakeway Dentist- Tejas Patel, DDS for more information and to "like" our page to get updated with our latest deals and giveaways! Last month we gave away a complimentary Zoom Teeth Whitening.

Dr Patel is on Linked In

If you're on Linked In, link up with Tejas Patel, DDS. Dr Patel is a Dentist in Austin Tx and his practice is located in Lakeway Tx. He's been practicing here in Lakeway and Austin at his dental office and dental clinic for the past 8 years.