Friday, November 26, 2010

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

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

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

Sunday, November 14, 2010

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

Friday, November 12, 2010

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,

Thursday, November 4, 2010

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