What Do You Love About The Holidays?

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as our team at Thomas Family Dentistry reflects upon the year that was, we pause to count our many blessings.  We are thankful that this season allows many of us to spend time with our family members that we may otherwise not be able to see that often. Opening presents by the fireplace, preparing and enjoying those delicious, traditional family foods, and reminiscing with those we love are just a few of the things that make this season so special.

As 2011 approaches and we begin yet another decade, let each one of us commit to successfully achieving the goals that we so often set for ourselves, yet quickly lay aside.  With God's blessings, may this New Year bring health, peace, and prosperity to each one of us!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & May God Bless!

God Bless,
DRT

Professional Custom Whitening: The Dental Connection!

With so many toothpastes and mouthwashes aimed at giving you a brighter smile, it can be hard to know what product is the best to whiten your teeth. In-home products can help reduce stains from coffee, tobacco, tea, wine and other heavily pigmented foods, but they will not dramatically change the color of the teeth.

There are also over the counter whitening strip kits.  While these can work well for young adults and teens, adults usually do not experience the same effectiveness.  These strips only treat the front six or eight teeth, and cannot whiten your entire smile.

So what is the answer?  One of the methods we offer at Thomas Family Dentistry is professional custom whitening trays.  These are an easy way to whiten all of your teeth and allow you more control of the whitening process.  Once we create your trays in the office, the whitening kit can be used at home with the included custom whitening gel.

Depending upon your desired level of whitening, these trays are comfortable to wear, and the application time is only about 30 minutes per application.  If you have been considering bleaching your teeth, call our office for an appointment at 918-455-0123 to discuss all of your whitening options!

God Bless,
DRT

Ice Crunching: The Dental Connection!

For some people, there's really nothing like the feeling and sound of ice crunching between their teeth.  However, you better cool off on the ice chewing if you're not prepared to have some level of dental issues resulting from the crunching of ice!

Chips, fracture lines, and cracks are common results from frequent ice chewing and if any of those issues are large enough, you could require a root canal and crown or even a tooth extraction!  Even if frequent ice chewing does not lead to one of these more serious effects, it will still wear down the enamel on your teeth much faster than normal.  Thinner enamel means weaker teeth and less protection, which means a higher risk for the development of cavities!

If you are a chronic ice chewer, it is really in your teeth's best interest for you to break the habit!  Whether it is a nervous habit, out of boredom, or it is something you crave, identifying the root cause can be the first step in ending this damaging dental habit.   You can even try drinking your drinks through a straw to help you resist the urge to crunch on the ice in your drink or simply order drinks without ice altogether.  Just remember that the rush of the crunch is not worth the damage you are doing to your oral health!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, we use many different types of technology to diagnose whether or not you have done any damage to your teeth through ice crunching or other means.  Digital radiographs are our first line of defense and a great tool in helping us see through and between teeth.  We also use a "tooth sleuth" to check for cracked tooth syndrome, which can be a common side effect to ice chewing or clenching.

We have flexible payment options and accept and file your dental insurance to make it easier on your pocket and time!  If you are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Brrr! The Dental Connection!

Is it cold outside yet?  Seems like the Christmas season brings the cold weather with it!  What better time to talk about teeth that are sensitive to cold. Many patients at Thomas Family Dentistry report sensitivity to different things but cold sensitivity is one of those that is sometimes hard to pinpoint.  Below are some probable causes that can cause sensitivity to cold.

• Brushing too hard or with too much pressure, which removes gum tissue and can cause gum recession
• Aging
• Using a hard tooth brush instead of a soft one
• Poor oral hygiene, which leads to plaque build-up around the teeth and gums.  This plaque hardens into tartar and the bacteria that live in the plaque can cause gum disease and gum recession
• If you have exposed roots, they contain small pores or tubules, which lead directly to the nerve of the tooth.  Pain, pressure and cold stimuli can travel down the tubules and trigger nerve causing pain and discomfort
• Tooth whitening procedures or using teeth whitening toothpastes are great for the look of teeth, but can be uncomfortable and contribute to cold sensitivity
• Hypersensitivity
• Cracked teeth
• Grinding and Clenching Teeth
• Overuse of mouthwashes can damage dentin and can cause dentin sensitivity
• Enamel erosion by acidic foods
• Root surface sensitivity, which can occur as a natural side effect to dental treatment
• People with sensitivities to sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch also usually have teeth sensitivities
• Dehydration due to diuretics like alcoholic beverages and caffeine-containing drinks like coffee and Mountain Dew

Call our office at 918-455-0123 if you have any sensitivities that need attention.  Our dental team are trained to address your sensitivity concerns!

God Bless,
DRT

DDS or DMD: The Dental Connection!

In 1840, the world's first dental college opened at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. This began the formal education of dentists who would receive the Doctor of Dental Science or DDS degree.  Years later, the Harvard University Dental School was founded in 1867 as the first university-affiliated dental institution. The school called its degree the Doctor of Medical Dentistry or DMD.

Dr. Thomas
Doctor of Medical Dentistry

A DDS or DMD degree is awarded upon graduation from dental school to become a general dentist.  There is no difference between the degrees--the difference is a matter of semantics.  Universities can determine which degree is awarded at that school.  The majority of dental schools award the DDS degree while fewer award a DMD.  Both degrees use the same curriculum requirements, which are set by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.   Undergraduate education and four years of dental school are required to graduate as a general dentist with one of these degrees. Additional years of post-graduate dental study are required to become a dental specialist, such as an orthodontist, endodontist, prosthodontist, periodontist, pediatric dentist, or oral surgeon.

Dr. Thomas graduated with a Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree from the Michael Cardone, Sr. School of Dentistry at Oral Roberts University.

If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Moooove Over: The Dental Connection!

Is dairy a major part of your diet?  If not, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid per day are at less risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for our child's teeth.  In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.  This means that cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal.  Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to remineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw.  Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating diary is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth.  Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember that with each bite, and with every sip, you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about how to keep your teeth healthy, please give our dental office a call at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Thomas and our entire dental team at Thomas Family Dentistry would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  Enjoy a day filled with friends, family, and great Thanksgiving food!  What are you most thankful for this year?  Leave us a comment, or if you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

God Bless,
DRT

Regularity: The Dental Connection!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, we encourage checkups for individuals age four and older.  Most people find that it is valuable to have a regular examination at least every six months so that Dr. Thomas can:

• Check for problems that you might not see or feel
• Find early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early, while they are still manageable     

Regular checkups include a thorough cleaning, polishing, and an oral exam by the doctor.  During the oral exam, Dr. Thomas will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue.  At each visit, we review your hygiene home care techniques, which we can modify, if needed, to ensure that your efforts are providing you with the most efficient use of your time.  We can also address any dental questions that you may have.

If it has been six months or longer since your last dental checkup, call our office today for an appointment at 918-455-0123.  We look forward to seeing you!

God Bless,
DRT

Fall & Thanksgiving

It is Fall here at Thomas Family Dentistry, a time when all across our country, the leaves begin to change colors, the air becomes crisp, and families begin to make plans for Thanksgiving.  As I reflected upon Thanksgiving, I was reminded about the first Thanksgiving celebration in our country by the Pilgrims in 1621.  What I did not remember was that the custom of an annually celebrated thanksgiving national holiday, which was first suggested by the Continental Congress in 1770, did not become an official day of Thanksgiving until President Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation in 1863.  Even without an "official day",  thankfully, our American ancestors paused each year for a day of Thanksgiving for 242 years!  May we also continue to be grateful and thankful for our blessings, not just because of a national holiday, but because God has truly bestowed his favor upon our great country!

Today, we at Thomas Family Dentistry wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients,  "How will you be celebrating this Thanksgiving season?"  Our team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, entertainment, and your own family holiday customs that make this season so enjoyable.  Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page.   

God Bless,

DRT

Smile Wide & Often...You Might Live Longer!

According to a March 2010 study at Michigan's Wayne State University, people with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don't!  It has been known for quite some time that positive emotions have been linked to both physical and mental health. Researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from a big smile, no smile or a partial smile).  The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009.  The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

So what were the results?  Researchers found that the players who were not smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years.  Players with partial smiles lived to be 75.  Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

What can we learn from the new study?  Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer!  Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting us for cosmetic dental treatment at Thomas Family Dentistry?  If not, give us a call at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

Meet Dr. Thomas

     Dr. Thomas was raised in Russellville, Arkansas, at the time, a small town in the Northwest area of the Natural State, where he graduated high school. He enjoyed music, biking and hiking in the many great State Park trails around the area hills and  mountains. He started his college education in Chemistry in Arkansas.  He transferred after his Sophomore year to Oral Roberts University where he obtained a B.S. in Biomedical Chemistry.

     During his junior year of college, he applied and was accepted to dental school via the early acceptance program for the Class of 1986.  As part of his dental education, Dr. Thomas completed a U.S. Public Health Service dental clinic rotation at the Claremore Indian Hospital, which influenced him to begin his dental career in public health.  Dr. Thomas received a commission as a Lieutenant and spent the next five years working for the USPHS being first assigned to the Indian Health Service clinics in Oklahoma and then as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard.

     In 1991, Dr Thomas married his fellow classmate, Sherri, a medical doctor, and returned to Broken Arrow, where he bought an existing practice from a retiring dentist.  After practicing for about 12 years in the original site, Dr. Thomas built a new, larger, state of the art dental office in 2003.  His commitment to the community was evident when Dr. Thomas founded the popular  “A Minute For Your Mouth” radio show as a means of elevating the community’s dental awareness. With over 25 years of dental experience, Dr. Thomas has additional continuing education in areas including orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and oral medicine.

New Website Launch!!

Big day around the "ole dental home front" today.  Thanks to Sesame Communications, for their years of service. Our inital website was launched this date!!   There were lots of last minute updates to the format that will enhance our abilities to communicate with you our patients.  Special thanks to David at Sesame Communications that pulled everything together for us.  We now look forward to using our new venue to allow each of our valued patients to keep in touch with the latest things and events that are happening at Thomas Family Dentistry. Our number one priority is to provide a platform for dental education, highlighting home town events and informing our patients about dental specials that will be featured at our dental practice. Stay tuned, stay informed and let us know what you think!!

God Bless,
DRT

Website Launch

We are very excited to be close to launching our new and improved website at www.reggiethomasfamilydentistry.com.  Hopefully, we will be up and running this next week.  The purpose of our blog is to provide a new forum to continue my successful radio program called "A Minute For Your Mouth" in yet a different format that can be easily modified with the latest advances in dentistry.  It was great working with KXOJ radio for many years.  I have patients that continue to refer to the show and miss the dental "tid-bits" that we provided for years on the radio. We also plan to use our blog to keep everyone updated on things related to our dental practice in Broken Arrow, OK.  Let us know what you think, topics of interest, etc.  Stay tuned.

God Bless,
DRT