September 29, 2022

Dear Bridgeland office patients,
We are very excited to announce that Dr. Ben Mason has opened his own practice, Bridgeland Dentistry, and has purchased Active Life Dentistry’s Bridgeland location. Beginning on Monday, October 3, 2022, the Bridgeland office will be operated by and under the name of “Bridgeland Dentistry.” The office staff has not changed, so you will see the same smiling faces – dentist, hygienists, and assistants – that you are used to seeing at the Bridgeland office.

What Now?
You are receiving this letter because you or your family member has visited the Active Life Dentistry (“ALD”) Bridgeland location within the past 18 months and/or has an appointment scheduled at the Bridgeland location in the future. You may, as always, choose to make future appointments with whichever practice you prefer. For your convenience, both practices will retain a copy of your dental records as of September 28, 2022, but will not share information about anyfuture visits or treatment. Also, we understand that members of the same family may sometimes prefer to visit different office locations. If you have family members that were not seen at the Bridgeland office in the past 18 months, their records have not been transferred to Bridgeland Dentistry as part of this sale (with the exception of insurance guarantor information).

Active Life Dentistry will continue to operate its other offices, currently located in Cypress (Skinner Rd.) and on Jones Road. There will be no changes for patients of these other locations.

All invoices for visits and treatment completed on or before September 28, 2022, will be issued and collected by Active Life Dentistry, and all invoices for visits and treatment completed on or after October 3, 2022 at the Bridgeland location, will be issued by Bridgeland Dentistry. We expect a smooth transition, but please be patient with us as we transfer operations between the practices.

About Dr. Mason and Bridgeland Dentistry
Dr. Mason grew up in The Woodlands, Texas as the middle son of three boys. Dr. Mason graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology. He followed in his older brother’s footsteps to pursue his dental education at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. He returned to Houston to complete an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency, where he focused on the treatment of complex dental cases and patients with advanced medical conditions. This is where he developed a desire for treating patients who have a fear of dentistry. One of Dr. Mason’s primary goals is to always help alleviate patients’ anxiety so they can have the quality dentistry they need in a peaceful and calm manner. Dr. Mason strives to provide compassionate and principled care. Building relationships by listening to his patients’ needs is one of Dr. Mason’s strengths.

Dr. Mason has experience in many different facets of dentistry, ranging from crowns and bridges, cosmetic cases, restoring implants, root canal therapy, and replacing multiple missing teeth. He enjoys getting to know his patients and providing them with quality treatment that meets and exceeds their expectations. He believes in personalized care tailored to each patient, as no two smiles are alike.

Outside of the office, Dr. Mason enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessica, and their twin toddlers. They love to attend local festivals and live music events from Bluegrass to Jazz and everything in between. When he is not making mouths healthy, he likes to make mouths happy with his cooking. His family loves to entertain friends and guests, especially during football season. It’s amazing this couple got together, as Dr. Mason is a Longhorn and his wife, Jessica, an Aggie.

Even though the name is changing, the same great hygienists, assistants, and doctor will be at Bridgeland Dentistry daily to improve all your dental health needs! To make an appointment with Bridgeland Dentistry, please call 281-826-5900.

Active Life Dentistry
281.970.4000
www.activelifedentistry.com

Bridgeland Dentistry
281-826-5900
www.bridgelanddentistry.com

Dear Patients,

We wanted to update you on several recent changes in the Active Life Dentistry family.

First, our Lakewood location has re-opened! In light of the various Covid-19 changes, we had temporarily moved our Lakewood staff to our Cypress location to better serve our patients. We are excited to announce that the Lakewood office is now open and accepting patient appointments on Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Fridays! If you would like to schedule an appointment, call us at 281-970-4000.

It is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to Dr. Kendall Moore, who is moving back home to Lubbock. As she prepares to welcome her second child, we share her joy that she will be closer to her family – but we will miss having her at Active Life Dentistry! Dr. Moore has enjoyed her time with our patients and serving you and your families over the past eight years. We wish her good luck as she starts her next chapter!

However, we are excited to announce that two dentists – one new and one returning – have recently joined the Active Life Dentistry family!

In August 2020, we were pleased to welcome Dr. Kiersten Isgrigg, who is seeing patients Monday through Thursday at our Skinner location. Dr. Isgrigg grew up in Michigan and has loved living in Texas since 2009. She ran track for the University of Michigan and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Technology. After a short career in marketing and design, Dr. Isgrigg decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and pursued her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. There, she was active in several student organizations, including Delta Sigma Delta International Dental Fraternity, in which she held the office of president her senior year. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Isgrigg enjoys country dancing, reading, and practicing yoga. Her travels have included many outdoor adventures like backpacking, hiking, and camping. She loves animals and has fostered over 40 cats and kittens through the Houston SPCA. Welcome, Dr. Isgrigg!

We are also excited to welcome back Dr. Sharon Mathew, who will be returning to Active Life Dentistry at our Lakewood office, seeing patients on Tuesdays, Thursdays and occasionally Fridays. For those who don’t already know Dr. Mathew, she was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended the University of Texas at San Antonio where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. After college, Dr. Mathew attended the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and graduated with a distinction in dental education. She was involved in many dental organizations including the American Student Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity, American Academy of Women Dentists, Christian Medical and Dental Association and San Antonio Medical Ministries. Dr. Mathew enjoys traveling, the outdoors, staying active by running and spinning, and trying new things, from food to adventures. She enjoys going to concerts and musical festivals, watching Houston sports, and spending time with friends and family. Dr. Mathew attends Hope City Church. Welcome back, Dr. Mathew!

At Active Life Dentistry, your dental health is our number one priority. We are constantly striving to provide you and your family with convenient, high quality, affordable dental care. Call us today at 281.970.4000 to schedule your next appointment.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Active Life Dentistry
281.970.4000
www.activelifedentistry.com

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PATIENTS – 3/23/2020

Dear Patients,

On Sunday, March 22, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott signed an Executive Order directing all licensed health care professionals, including dentists, to postpone until after April 21, 2020 all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately, medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition or to preserve the life of a patient who, without immediate performance of the surgery or procedure, would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death, as determined by the patient’s physician.  

In order to comply with this order, effective immediately, Active Life Dentistry will be rescheduling all patient appointments that do not meet the stringent criteria described in the Governor’s Order.  Our offices will remain open to treat emergencies and urgent issues as they arise and to answer calls from patients. Our front desk will currently be open from 8 am to 3 pm, Monday through Thursday, for calls.  That schedule is subject to change as the situation progresses, so please check our website for the most recent information.

If you are currently scheduled for treatment, we will be in contact with you over the coming days to discuss your health status and possibly reschedule your appointment in accordance with the Governor’s Order.  Again, we will continue to see all patients needing emergency or immediate care. If you are in pain, have bleeding or swelling, have a crown come off or have other dental trauma, please call our office to discuss your situation.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you have a dental emergency or need immediate care during this period, please call our office at 281.970.4000 to schedule. 

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this time,

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PATIENTS

3/19/20

Dear Patients,

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Dental Association have recommended that dentists nationwide postpone routine visits and elective procedures for the next three weeks, in order for dentistry to do its part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and to conserve healthcare supplies for the hospitals and other facilities that will need them. That being said, those agencies and the White House have also asked us to continue providing needed and emergency treatment so that urgent care facilities and emergency rooms are not overwhelmed with dental patients. We must do our part as healthcare workers to balance our safety and the safety of our patients while serving the needs of the community as a whole.

From Wednesday afternoon, March 18, through Friday, April 10, all routine hygiene appointments and elective procedures (e.g. teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, etc.) will be rescheduled. If you are currently scheduled for any other treatment, we will be in contact with you over the coming days to discuss your health status, health screening protocols and confirm whether the appointment should be kept or can be rescheduled to a later date. We will continue to see all patients needing emergency or immediate care.

Once all currently scheduled treatment has been completed, our offices will continue to remain open on a limited basis in order to treat emergencies and urgent issues as they arise. We will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 nationally and within our community and keep you up-to-date regarding our plans to resume business as usual.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you have a dental emergency or need immediate care during this period, please call our office at 281.970.4000 to schedule.

Thank you to our patients for your understanding during this time,

We are very excited to announce that Dr. Trey Patterson has opened his own practice, Towne Lake Dentistry, and has purchased Active Life Dentistry’s Towne Lake location!

Beginning on Monday, March 2, 2020, Active Life Dentistry’s former Towne Lake office will be operated by and under the name of “Towne Lake Dentistry.” The office staff has not changed, so you will see the same smiling faces – dentist, hygienists, and assistants – that you are used to seeing in the Towne Lake office! Dr. Blume and the Active Life Dentistry family send their congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Patterson and Towne Lake Dentistry!

Towne Lake patients – For more information about the sale, please click here.

As we enter the second month of the New Year, with all the goals written and the self-care underway, it is important to remember all aspects of our health. Our oral health is linked to our systemic health. Oral systemic health is the connection between oral health and overall health. There have been numerous studies that have demonstrated a link between poor oral health and systemic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, and even pregnancy complications so keep your teeth clean and your body healthy. Give your teeth the love and attention they deserve by brushing twice a day for two minutes each time and always flossing. Using a fluoride mouth rinse and wearing a nightguard can assist you in keeping your smile healthy too. As always, remember to call us at 281.970.4000 to get your dental exams and cleanings to protect that gorgeous smile!

Not only will your oral health benefit your systemic health, but it will have a beneficial effect on your emotional state. Smiling elevates your mood and creates a sense of well-being. As behavioral psychologist Sarah Stevenson writes, “Each time you smile you throw a little feel-good party in your brain.” The span of a person’s smile can even predict life span. A 2010 Wayne State University research project studied pre-1950s major league player baseball cards. According to the study, “The researchers found that the span of a player’s smile could actually predict the span of his life. Players who didn’t smile in their pictures lived an average of only 72.9 years, where players with beaming smiles lived an average of almost 80 years.” Is a smile worth seven extra years of life to you? Smiling raises your mood and reduces your stress level, and you may even brighten someone else’s day!

Know the power of your pearly whites. Smile more, worry less.

Dr. Amelia Hartzell DMD

As we begin a new year, many people make New Year’s resolutions to improve one’s confidence and appearance. The best way to do this is to fix your smile. Often the first thing people notice about you is your smile, so making a good impression can help how you are perceived by others and how you feel about yourself.
Some people are embarrassed about their smile because of stained, misaligned, or broken teeth. At Active Life Dentistry, we offer many solutions to help all our patients be confident and proud of their smiles. Bleaching or whitening can help simply brighten those coffee or wine stained teeth without harming the structure of the teeth. At-home and in-office bleaching options can help patients start the new year off fresh and bright. Cosmetic cases may also require us to do crowns or veneers to restore a patient to a beautiful and healthy smile.
I have had the pleasure of working with patients that would not even open their lips to show their teeth when they smiled due to broken, discolored, worn down, or stained teeth. I have seen patients’ self-esteem change because of the cosmetic work done including smiling wide and confidently after finishing a smile makeover. As a dentist, I get the opportunity to help patients love their smiles and want to show it off to the world.
If you are not happy with your smile then resolve this year to talk to your Active Life Dentist about the best way to get you smiling big, bright, and healthy again!

Dr. Donald “Chad” Lagaly DDS

Active Life Dentistry New Dentist Announcement

CYPRESS, TX – 11/6/2019

Dr. Patterson

Our practice has grown and, in order to continue providing you with the best standard of care, we are bringing on a dentist with a familiar face. We are very excited to welcome back Dr. Trey Patterson to Active Life Dentistry’s Towne Lake location beginning on November 11th!

Dr. Patterson was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Following high school, he attended Texas A&M University where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. After college, Dr. Patterson attended the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio where he was actively involved in many dental organizations. He was an active member of the American Student Dental Association and President of Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity. Dr. Patterson graduated cum laude and continued to further his dental training by completing a post-doctoral Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in San Antonio, which allowed him to become certified in IV sedation. When Dr. Patterson is not practicing dentistry, he enjoys hunting, fishing, rooting for his Aggies, and spending time with family and friends.

With the addition of Dr. Patterson, we are delighted to be able to arrange most of our Dentists around “home” locations. Dr. Mason will now be at our Bridgeland location Monday through Thursday. Dr. Lagaly, Dr. Mathew and Dr. Blume will be at our Cypress location Monday through Thursday. Dr. Patterson will be at our Towne Lake location Monday through Thursday. In addition, Dr. Norwood will continue to serve patients at our Jones Road location Monday through Thursday; Dr. Moore will continue to see patients at our Lakewood location on Mondays and Wednesdays and at our Cypress location on Tuesdays; and Dr. Hartzell will continue to see patients at our Jones Road location on Mondays and Wednesdays and at our Lakewood location on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As a reminder, the end of the year is quickly approaching and any unused dental benefits (e.g. dental cleanings) may expire with it. Also, many of you participate in Flexible Spending Accounts with your employer. In many cases, any benefits left in these accounts do not roll over each calendar year. Our team can assist you in preparing for your dental care by discussing your treatment needs and reserving convenient appointment times.

At Active Life Dentistry, your dental health is our number one priority. That means that you look good, you feel good, you have strong teeth and gums, and you enjoy the benefits of a healthy, attractive smile for a lifetime. You can book your next appointment with any of our dentists or hygienists by calling our office at 281.970.4000.

We look forward to seeing you soon!
Active Life Dentistry
281.970.4000
www.activelifedentistry.com

P.S. Now is a great time to whiten & brighten your smile for your end of year celebration photos! And, for a limited time, if you refer a friend or family member to us, you can receive a free whitening treatment under our referral program! Once your loved one has completed their first visit with us, you’ll be able to schedule an appointment to receive your complimentary whitening treatment. To learn more about this offer and for terms and conditions, give us a call today.

Almost every person has some form of tooth sensitivity. So what causes sensitivity?

There are three layers to a tooth: enamel, dentin, and pulp. The enamel is the protective outer layer, the dentin is the softer in between layer, and the pulp is the innermost layer which houses the blood supply and innervation to the tooth. As enamel is worn down, we get closer to the dentin and pulp, which causes us to feel sensitivity or pain because we are closer to the nerve.

There are multiple reasons why the enamel may become compromised. The most common reason for tooth sensitivity is recession. Recession is when the gum has pulled away from the tooth and the root is exposed. Recession can be caused by lack of proper oral hygiene, grinding, and clenching.

Lack of proper oral hygiene causes calculus and plaque to collect on the teeth and at the gum line thereby causing periodontitis. Periodontitis is inflammation of the periodontium, the tissues that surround and support our teeth. This inflammation causes the pockets between our teeth and gums to become deep and the gums to be pushed back exposing tooth structure. This is why brushing and flossing are critical. Brushing helps get rid of plaque and flossing helps strengthen the gums. It’s also possible to brush too hard and consequently push the gums back via abrasion. It is ideal to use a soft bristle toothbrush or electric tooth brush to apply the right amount of pressure. Sonicare and Oral B Electric toothbrushes are approved by the ADA as safe and effective for plaque removal and prevention of gingivitis. Sensodyne toothpastes are another great option for tooth desensitization. They are less abrasive and include ingredients specifically for forming a barrier over sensitive areas and soothing the nerves inside our teeth.

Grinding and clenching cause abfractions and occlusal wear on the teeth. Abfractions are when the tooth appears to have a concave cupping where it meets the gums. Occlusal wear is when the original anatomy of the tooth is lost so that teeth become flat. Most people don’t realize they grind or clench because they often do it while they’re sleeping. Another sign of grinding or clenching is waking up with pain and experiencing even muscular discomfort around the temples. This can be addressed by wearing a night guard.

Other causes of sensitivity include soda swishing, dipping, smoking, bulimia, whitening, acid reflux, and sugary foods. These habits wear down the protective enamel. In addition to brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, mouthwash such as purple Listerine or ACT can supplement the fluoride content to help prevent further wear by strengthening our enamel.

Routinely going to the dentist every 6 months helps both the dentist and patient monitor for signs and symptoms and decide if further treatment is needed to address tooth sensitivity. Call our office today at 281.970.400 to schedule your cleaning and/or if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity that causes discomfort.
Dr. Mathew
Active Life Dentistry
281.970.400

Before one can say how to prevent cavities, let’s take a moment and tell you what they are. In a nutshell, they are holes in teeth due to acid. What is the origin of this acid? Well, the primary source of this tooth-eating acid is bacteria. When bacteria eat the leftover food in our mouth they produce acid. To prevent cavities the first and foremost step is cleaning your teeth of all debris prior to going to sleep; this involves brushing your teeth for a full two minutes (on all surfaces of the teeth) and flossing. Yep, I said flossing. I am a dentist and I hate flossing: it is so slow and boring…..but it works. In my office I get a daily reminder of why I need to do it. Another step can be to reduce the amount of “fun stuff”, i.e. candy, soft drinks, sweet tea, sweet coffee drinks, power drinks, you intake. Not only do these types of “foods” feed the bacteria in your mouth, they also help to create an acidic environment. Finally, a daily rinse with over-the-counter fluoride like ACT or Purple Listerine can help make the teeth less susceptible to decay.