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At the office of Dr. Larry D. Molenda, D.D.S., we treat all of our patients like family. Our convenient San Marcos dental office offers a relaxing atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Patients love coming to Dr. Molenda for

Our office is nestled in a unique and scenic location in the hill country. We know going to the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience for some visitors, so we do everything possible to create a welcoming office. Our office strives to offer relaxation to all of our patients during every visit. The friendly staff are always happy to help anyone who steps through our doors.

With decades of expertise, Dr. Molenda has helped countless patients achieve exceptional dental health. No matter what you come to us for, well make sure that your visit goes smoothly. Dr. Molenda treats every patient with care and respect. He also ensures communication is clear with all patients, so youre never left wondering about a procedure.

Every procedure completed at Dr. Molendas dental offices in San Marcos Tx is given the highest level of care and attention. Whether youve come in to get a simple dental filling, or for a specialized service such as solutions for snoring or a TMJ disorder, our professionals will keep you comfortable and make sure you leave with the confidence to smile!

Anyone seeking excellent dental care in San Marcos can find the services they need at the office of Dr. Larry D. Molenda, D.D.S. We accept patients of all ages, and are proud to offer the following services and more to our valued visitors who need:

Lots of practitioners claim to be the best dentist in San Marcos TX, but that really depends on the needs of yourself and your family. At our San Marcos office, we offer routine check-ups and teeth cleaning, as well as dental x-rays for accurate diagnoses and general dental health. We also apply long lasting fillings for decay repair, and professional sealants for damage prevention. For those that experience a chipped or damaged tooth, Dr. Molenda offers high-quality dental bonding that will leave your teeth with no trace of damage. If youve experienced bleeding gums or loose teeth, our office performs non-surgical gum treatment that can prevent further discomfort and damage.

If you need a specialized dental procedure, Dr. Molendas office is here to help. Our staff have performed these procedures many times, and were happy to use our expertise to help you or your family members. Dr. Molenda will fit and place crowns for those who need damaged teeth repaired. We also place dental implants and dental bridges for patients who need missing teeth replaced. Root canal procedures are also available for dealing with decay. We know the thought of some procedures can make patients nervous, so we offer anesthetic when necessary.

We strive to meet the needs of all of our patients, and to send each and every visitor home happy with their care. Check out what some of our previous patients have to say about their experiences at the office of Dr. Larry D. Molenda, D.D.S.:

Dental Fillings in San Marcos, TX Fillings have been around for a long time, and with it, a large amount of options have resulted. Originally, while cavities were untreatable, problem teeth could be replaced with fakes. These fakes are the reason that we think of George Washington with wooden teeth, or when we think of pirates from the middle of the last millennium, we think of golden teeth. These days, there are a bit more tasteful options (though gold fillings are still in use, and have some practical benefits). Several options make it clear that you have a filling, while some are designed to be the color of teeth. We will be going over the benefits and types below, as well as some of the basics of the operation. With all of them, the decayed tooth area is removed, and then they use a filling to replace the area and fill in the removed area. A local anesthetic will be applied, which will numb you from feeling any pain in the area. A lot of people have fear about operations like these, but with a qualified dentist the local anesthetic should sufficiently numb you to not feel anything during the []

A consistent oral care routine is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only does thoroughly cleaning your teeth help fight off obvious diseases like gingivitis and tooth decay, but proper oral care also helps stave off other serious illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease. With that in mind, its crazy to think how many basic oral care habits get skipped over by the general population. Flossing your teeth might seem like a menial task, but doing so can help you avoid dealing with serious and expensive medical conditions down the road. If you are wanting to begin flossing but arent sure how to approach it, here are a few helpful tips to get you started! String Floss Alternatives If you want to floss your teeth but really do not like using traditional stringed floss, thats okay! There are many other methods you can use beyond string that are also effective. Water flossers, for instance, can also get hard to reach food stuck in between your teeth with the use of adjustable water pressure, or you can also try a sonic airfloss that uses a combination of water and air pressure. Interdental brushes are also a really []

Grinding your teeth is a habit that many people have, but it can lead to some serious health problems. It may seem like the only consequence of grinding your teeth is getting a sore jaw and neck, but there is more to it than that. Grinding your teeth can also affect your hearing! This article discusses how grinding your teeth affects hearing and what you can do about it. What is bruxism? Bruxism is the term used to describe the grinding of teeth. It is a common problem that many people have, and it can lead to some serious health problems if it is not treated. Bruxism can cause pain in the jaw, neck, and ears, and in some serious cases leading to hearing loss. Symptoms of bruxism The symptoms of bruxism can vary from person to person. Some people may not experience any symptoms, while others may experience pain in the jaw, neck, and ears. Some people may also experience hearing loss as a result of bruxism in more severe cases. How does bruxism cause hearing loss? Bruxism can cause hearing loss in a few different ways. The first way is by causing damage to the ear canal. When []

Canker sores and other mouth ulcers are never fun. Referring to any open sores that become infected, mouth ulcers can be very painful and can seem to come out of nowhere. As with anything in life, however, there are a number of causes and solutions to this problem, and there are active ways to avoid and treat mouth ulcers. If you frequently suffer from mouth ulcers, your best course of action will be to take a holistic view incorporating all aspects of living. This includes eating, sleeping, stress control, diet, exercise and medication to control flare-ups.Below, well go over how you can use this holistic approach to understand how mouth ulcers form, how you can prevent them, and what options are available to treat them. What Causes Mouth Ulcers? The causes include several things, though one specific thing can be exacerbating the other issues. Generally, mouth ulcers start with an abrasion, meaning your mouth develops areas that get thinned or broken through some means. This allows bacteria and other harmful pathogens to enter, where they can wear down the immune systems T cells. This is when an ulcer forms, and mouth pain becomes a real and pressing problem. Eating acidic []

Many adults find it difficult to get through the day without the aid of coffee. Coffee is a delicious way to wake up in the morning and keep the afternoon fatigue at bay. Coffee is a morning necessity for a large portion of the population, but it has the ability to affect more than just your bodys energy levels. One easily overlooked area that is affected by coffee consumption is your teeth. Unsightly Stains The most noticeable effect of coffee on your teeth is the stain that gets left behind. Coffee is a strong, dark substance, so it has a tendency to cling to materials with light pigments. There are several methods to combat teeth stains from coffee. One is to simply reduce the strength of your coffee. A weak cup of coffee wont stain your teeth as much as a strong cup of coffee will. If you dont want to sacrifice the strength of your brew, consider carrying around a small water bottle that you can sip from while youre drinking your coffee. This will help keep the acid from lingering on your teeth until you can brush them. Enamel Damage Coffee is naturally acidic. Biologically, this helps protect []

In todays society, we are constantly having to bob and weave through the many layers of social standards that are ever changing. Some of these standards, like certain beauty standards, seem to ask a little too much of the members of our society. However, there are some social agreements that we seem to automatically adhere to when we decide to include ourselves in the voluntary aspects of that society. One of those social agreements is not having terrible breath. I know, I know. How dare I call out a biological occurrence that we might have little control over. I know that it might seem shallow, but identifying the root of your bad breath might actual address potentially serious health problems. Not only do most people want to interact with others without having to feel embarrassed, but we should all want to be aware of something that could help us be more aware of our personal health. Causes of Bad Breath One of the biggest causes of bad breath is bacteria. This can be a result of so many different things, but commonly, this bacteria is a result of food particles left in and around your teeth causing a bad odor. []

Between the ages of 17 to 25, it is likely that young adults will experience the growth of their wisdom teeth. Despite their dignified moniker, these third molars do not bring a lot of wisdom or comfort at all. They tend to grow in crooked or overcrowd the mouth, leading dentists to suggest that theyre removed as soon as possible in most people. The removal process, however, is far less painful and complicated when you have the wisdom teeth extracted at a younger age, so its important to catch the problem sooner rather than later. Below are some of the signs that will tell you when it will be necessary to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Limited Space for Eruption of Wisdom Teeth When you have a limited space to allow the wisdom teeth to erupt in your mouth, the dentist will note this sign and advise you to have your wisdom teeth extracted. The reason behind this decision is that the areas of the gum surrounding it will be difficult to clean. It will be done to prevent inflammation and infection of the gum which can be easily spread to the other parts of the gum and teeth. Crowding []

We all want the best for our kids, and that includes insuring that theyre happy and healthy. Every parent wants their child to be as healthy as they can possibly be. Studies show that overall body health is heavily related to oral hygiene, so when youre prioritizing your childs health, make sure to prioritize their dental habits! Your childs baby teeth are at risk for decay from the moment they come in which usually starts around 6 month. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often called Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. This decay can sometimes become so bad that the teeth cannot be saved and the teeth must be removed entirely. But this tooth decay is preventable and the most effective prevention is proper teeth cleaning. When your child is a few days old, begin wiping its gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth to help wash away bacteria. Teeth brushing should begin as soon as they start getting their teeth in. Use a fluoride toothpaste in small amounts and brush teeth thoroughly twice a day. From ages 3 to 6, use a little bit more tooth paste, about the size of a pea, and still brush thoroughly []

Do you grind your teeth? The medical community calls excessive jaw clenching or teeth grinding bruxism. Here well look at the relationship between bruxism and TMJ Disorder (also known as temporomandibular joint disorder). Grinding Teeth Many people grind their teeth when they are frustrated. Unfortunately, if you grind your teeth constantly, it could wear down your tooth enamel or cause jaw problems. Doctors believe that bruxism may afflict anywhere from 8% to 31% of the population. Experts have divided bruxism into two categories: 1. Sleeping or 2. Awake. Each instance can be caused by stress, genetics, or Parkinsons disease. Here are some of the most common symptoms of bruxism: HeadachesEar AchesTooth WearCrenated TongueHypersensitive TeethAching Jaw MusclesTMJ Disorder Tooth wear (also known as attrition) can remove the protective enamel on your teeth, revealing the softer dentin layer below. Eventually, the tooth could fracture due to bruxism. Sleeping Bruxism Sleep studies have shown that 86% of sleep bruxism is during sleep arousal, which is a sudden change in the sleep stage depth. Increased heart rates, respiratory rates, and leg spasms might be associated with nocturnal teeth grinding. The central nervous system may be using dreams to deal with stress that took place []

If you want to maintain or improve your dental health, its important to give your body the nutrients it requires. Our bodies are great at protecting and healing themselves in a variety of ways (to an extent), but without the right vitamins and minerals they cant perform at peak efficiency. Remember that the most important aspect of dental health isand will continue to beregular cleaning through dentist visits, brushing, flossing and limiting acidic foods. However, ensuring you have everything your body needs can be just as important. What happens if I dont get enough vitamins and minerals? One of the first things you have to understand about vitamins and minerals is that while they may not be the thing that boosts your health into overdrive, they are something the body desperately needs. While you will obviously receive wide-ranging benefits from using them, the effects on the body from missing out on them is far higher. Ranging from extreme fatigue, depression, your bodys inability to regulate inflammation, and more, ensuring you get the proper nutrition to avoid the negatives is just as important as gaining the positives. Be sure to stick to the recommended dosages, as some of them have limits []