Smile-Worthy Fort Worth Events!

School is out, and guests are in town for the holidays! What a ride. No matter the size of your house or how much you love you guests, the walls might start to feel like they’re closing in on you after a couple days.  

 

You’ll probably be ready soon to get out of the house! And while we know Fort Worth is brimming with activities for young and old, it can be hard to think of things to do or places to go when you’re put on the spot. It can also be difficult to bridge age gaps and preferences when choosing an activity. 

 

To help break the stalemate on decision making and to get folks off the couch, we have provided some of our holiday favorites in North Texas. Let us know if we forgot anything, because we’re sure others would love to crowdsource ideas! 

 

Gift of Lights in Fort Worth  

 

Ever dream of hitting the Texas Motor Speedway? Here’s your opportunity! Cruise around the raceway through the Gift of Lights and experience over 150 new light displays this year. At the end of the tour, explore Santa’s Village for family-friendly activities, including photos with Santa. Admission is $25 per car; however, if you bring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots, you’ll receive a $5 discount. The event benefits local charities and is open daily from 6pm-10pm. 

 

Historic Grapevine Light Displays 

 

There is a reason Grapevine is considered the “Christmas Capital of Texas.” With three different nights dedicated to decking the halls, there’s no reason to miss out on the excitement! While the Christmas tree lighting happened just after Thanksgiving, there is still time to catch the Parade of Lights and the Twinkle Light Boat Parade. The Parade of Lights in is the largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas and will feature more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands! And if that isn’t enough, head to Lake Grapevine to watch boats decked out in holiday decor and lights parade from the Twin Coves Marina to Silver Lake Marina. Each event is free and open to the public.  

 

Panther Island Ice 

 

If you’re looking to work off some of the holiday treats that litter every surface, then ditch the tennis shoes for ice skates! Hitting the ice makes everyone feel like a kid again. Located at Coyote Drive-In, the Panther Island Ice rink is the only outdoor ice rink in Fort Worth. Bring your gloves for a great, family-friendly time! 

 

Enchantment Fort Worth 

 

Get lost in the world’s largest holiday maze that is based on the children’s book Eddie, The Mischievous Elf. While winding through the maze, hunt for lost presents and help Santa save Christmas! For the shoppers among you, peruse more than 100 local artists and businesses. Bring your appetite for festive foods and warm drinks to keep you cozy as you explore this winter wonderland.  

 

For the sports lovers… 

 

If you’re missing your traditional Saturday college football, take in the post-season college football games hosted in Fort Forth. The Armed Services Bowl takes place in the TCU stadium on Saturday December 22. This year the Houston Cougars will take on the Army Black Knights. This is the 16th annual Armed Forces Bowl, so many North Texans make this a part of their annual holiday traditions! 

 

 

We hope that this holiday season you’re able to take time and reflect on the real gifts of 2018—the memories and experiences past. Here at Dr. Ku’s office we have been so fortunate to serve our patients and the community over the past year, and to have been named the #1 dentist in Fort Worth by the Star Telegram for the second year running! We look forward to spending time with each of you in 2019, too! 

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Dental Crowns—What You Probably Don’t Know

As we head into the new year, many of our patients have expressed interest in learning more about specific dental topics. And, well, there are some topics that affect more patients than others. More than 40% of Americans have a dental crown, and that percentage only goes up the older you get. And so, since many of our patients might need crowns in 2019, we wanted to offer information on what different types there are and all the benefits of popular options, like porcelain crowns.  

 

If you are faced with needing a dental crown next year, then keep reading to learn more about the crowns used in Dr. Ku’s office. 

 

What is a dental crown? 

 

Simply put, a crown is a cover or “cap” that Dr. Ku can put on a tooth. The crown restores the tooth to its normal shape, size and function. The purpose of a crown is either to make the tooth stronger or improve the way it looks. Crown restore your bite, too, which will help minimize jaw and head pain if you suffer from this.  

 

Since the mouth is linked to most systems in your body, a crown can positively impact your whole heath. For example, people who suffer from missing teeth may have problems eating crunchy, high-fiber foods. This can lead to both malnourishment and cause an individual to rely on soft, high carbohydrate food that ends up causing weight gain.  

 

Crowns are made by taking an impression of the tooth or teeth they’ll be covering. Before this impression is created, your dentist must first reduce your tooth’s size so that the crown can fit properly. Your dentist may also place a temporary crown while the permanent one is being made, so don’t worry—you won’t be stuck with funky dagger teeth. 

 

Are there different types of crowns? 

 

You bet! There are many different types of dental crowns to choose from. Since it can be overwhelming to parse through an overload of information in the office, we wanted to share this as your low-stress reference guide: 

 

• Base metal alloy – This metal is rarely used to make full-metal crowns. Instead, it requires the least amount of healthy tooth to be removed prior to fitting. But once it’s on, metal crowns can withstand biting and don’t wear down as easily. These qualities make them a popular option for many patients. 

 

• All ceramic – These crowns provide a better natural-color-match than any other crown type and are usually the most suitable for people with metal allergies. All-ceramic crowns can be used for front and back teeth. 

 

• All porcelain – The most popular type of crown are those made from porcelain since they not only replicate the original tooth in function, but can be designed to look like the original—or even better. Patients have reported that all-porcelain crowns feel the most like their real teeth since they can be molded to any size and shape. 

 

• Gold alloy -This crown is a mix of gold, copper and other metals. In addition to providing a strong bond to the tooth, it doesn’t fracture—and it doesn’t wear away the tooth itself! 

 

What is it like to get a crown? 

 

Proper preparation for a crown is important to ensure your smile and teeth appear natural and function right in the end! First, your dentist will remove a fine layer of enamel from the front of the tooth, then take an impression of your teeth. Sometimes it can take a couple of weeks for this crown to be completed. And because of this, your dentist may fit you with temporary crown to protect your teeth after the enamel was removed.  

 

When the crown is ready, your dentist will check it to ensure the color, shape and size are spot-on. Dentists have the ability to fine tune crowns after they arrive to ensure they blend in perfectly.  

 

After prepping your teeth the day of placement, the crown is bonded to your teeth using a dental cement. The cement is allowed to harden with a curing light which sets the teeth in a matter of minutes.  

 

While the whole process can take several weeks (due to making the crown), putting them on to your teeth can be done in a couple of hours! 

 

 

If you are looking for a dentist to help improve your smile, look no further than Dr. Ku’s office! For the second year running, Dr. Ku has been voted the #1 Dentist in Fort Worth by the Star Telegram. Ask Dr. Ku to rejuvenate your smile today!  

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GLO…As A Gift? Find Out Here…

Do you have anyone in your family that is just impossible to buy for? Or, maybe you have family members who keep bugging you about what you’d like this year?  

 

Instead another tie or more festive dishtowels that will just get stuffed in a drawer, what about giving the gift of a better, more brilliant smile?  

 

A whiter smile can boost confidence and increase positivity. And those are two things that anyone would love to receive as a gift! This holiday season, consider giving a GLO teeth whitening system as a truly special gift. GLO Professional Whitening has revolutionized the teeth whitening industry and provides our patients one more option in the teeth whitening repertoire.  

 

Even better—take a picture of yourself using the system, and get $25 cash back! Saving money and brightening your smile…it doesn’t get much better than that!  

 

Before I dive in, is this a weird gift? 

 

Not at all! Studies have shown that bright, white teeth have a direct correlation on both success in professional endeavors and interpersonal relationships. Anyone who is hoping to find that special someone this year or land a new job could have an edge with Glo tooth whitening. Teeth whitening can make you appear friendlier, more approachable and can give you a more positive outlook on life. Each of these qualities can’t be bottled up or wrapped in a box, so you should give the next best thing—GLO teeth whitening.  

 

Is this safe now or still a thing of the future? 

 

While you may think tooth whitening is a newer phenomenon thanks to increased advertising, the truth is that the concept has been around since the time of the Egyptians. Thankfully, technological and our understanding of the human body have propelled the science of teeth whitening forward.  

 

Both in office and at-home professional level products like GLO make tooth whitening the most popular cosmetic dental procedure on the market. Thanks to this, popularity the industry is always growing and moving forward.  

 

What is GLO teeth whitening? 

 

GLO represents the cutting edge of teeth whitening products on the market. There is no longer a need for messy strips, uncomfortable trays and sticky gels that previously dominated the at-home whitening industry. The GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device is one of the easiest and most effective professional-level whitening products that can be used at home.  

 

The whitening gel comes in one-of-a-kind GLO Vials so it can be easily brushed directly onto your teeth. 8-minute applications are pre-timed for you and whiten the top and bottom teeth simultaneously. The device is hands free, too, so you can whiten easily as part of your regular routine. 

 

Sounds great, any downsides? 

 

The upfront cost for GLO is higher than other at-home products; however, the cost is easily offset by the results and the complex system parts. Included in the cost is a mouthpiece and storage case, GLO control and lanyard, 10 teeth whitening GLO vitals, travel case and charger. 

 

The reviews are in! 

 

On top of publications like In Style and Business Insider singing the praises of the GLO teeth whitening system, at-home users are flooding the internet to comment on the life-changing effects they’ve had. From less tooth sensitivity to ease of use, consumers are thrilled at the results they get—and without the mess and discomfort associated with other at-home products!  

 

In addition, our own patients here at Dr. Ku’s office have raved about the benefits they’ve seen. If you suddenly see more bright smiles around the Fort Worth area, you may have just discovered one of the Metroplex’s best kept secrets. 

 

If you are still on the fence, give Dr. Ku a call today to discuss this new, innovative product. Whether it’s for you or a gift for someone else who needs a reason to crack a smile! We’ll be happy to provide additional details and testimonials. 

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Your #1 Holiday Plan: Reduce Holiday Stress

Thanksgiving is now behind us, which means that we are barreling towards end-of-year holidays at an alarming speed.  

 

Between gift buying, meal planning and hitting the road for holiday travel, even the most organized among us tend to get stressed. And like we’ve discussed before, sustained stress can lead to adverse health effects including weight gain, irritability, and increased blood pressure.  

 

To help you enjoy this next month, we have complied a go-to list of ways to lessen your burden and help you enjoy your holiday season. If you have any great tips, make sure to leave us a note on our comment page so others can learn from your success! 

 

Create a holiday countdown  

 

Most of us have a hodgepodge of calendars from work, our phones and school schedules. So, for December, create a single calendar where everything from parties to appointments is listed. If you create the calendar digitally, consider sharing it with your spouse, children or other family members who are integral to your holiday plans. This means everyone will be reminded that you are having brunch with grandma at 10am, and no one is surprised the morning of! 

 

In conjunction with the single shared calendar, make sure to call for all end-of-year appointments now. Whether you need a haircut or your child needs a physical to go out for sports in the spring, calendars are filling up NOW due to last-minute needs and holiday hours.  

 

If you need to sneak in your end-of-year dental appointment at Dr. Ku’s, please take note that we are closed December 24-25 and closed January 1 as well.  

 

Draw up a house holiday plan 

 

Do you dread cleaning before guests show up? It can seem that the list of chores always grows, and everyone else in the family seems to disappear when the heavy scrubbing is necessary.  

 

Instead of trying to tackle all the cleaning in one weekend, break holiday preparations into small, manageable tasks. For example, week one is “bed and bath week.” This could include surveying towels to make sure they don’t need to be replaced and see that all are washed. Clean the bathrooms and check bedrooms to make sure they are stocked for your guests.  

 

The next week could focus on living areas where you declutter, dust, vacuum and wash throw blankets in the den or other areas where guests will congregate. Continue with this plan until all rooms are clean. Take the final days before the guests arrive to simply touch up areas that may have gotten messy again. Also, don’t forget to enlist the whole family’s help! 

 

Stick to a budget 

 

Aside from household stress, concerns about money over the holidays is at the top of many people’s list of stressors. Prior to purchasing anything, look at what you can spend over the holidays that won’t cause you stress later in the year—or at the start of the next one.  

 

Last December, American shoppers racked up an average of $1,054 worth of debt. This only contributes to stress throughout the new year. This time, prevent stress by looking for sales, avoiding impulse buys and religiously sticking to your budget. Remember that memories last longer than this year’s hottest trinkets, so try to emphasize local adventures over toys. Thankfully, our winters are still somewhat mild this time of year, so head outside instead of the mall on those extra days off! 

 

 

Don’t let the happiest time of the year stress you out. By following these simple steps, we hope you’re able to enjoy this time of year to the max with your loved ones. If you have any great tips or tricks, make sure to share them with us here!

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