Thursday, February 17, 2011

Gum & Heart Disease: The Dental Connection!


Did you know that February is American Heart Month? Dr. Thomas and the entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry think that it's a great time to take notice of the health of your heart.  Cardiovascular disease remains America's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association.  Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.


Visiting Thomas Family Dentistry on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages.  In observance of Heart Month, Dr. Thomas wants to remind everyone of the importance of "knowing your numbers"

  • Blood Pressure (less than 120/80)
  • Cholesterol (less than 200)
  • BMI (less than 25)

If you have any questions, please call us at 918-455-0123.  Remember that a Healthy Mouth begins with a visit to Thomas Family Dentistry.


God Bless,
DRT

Friday, February 11, 2011

Keeping Clean: The Dental Connection!

Today, Thomas Family Dentistry would like to pass along some useful information about pediatric dental health in celebration of National Children's Dental Health Month!

Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day are important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.  Specific hygiene recommendations vary by your child's age:


  • For children under the age of two, brush the teeth with water unless your child's dentist recommends otherwise.
  • For children over age two, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is all that a child needs.  Be sure your child spits out and does not swallow the toothpaste.
  • By age seven, children may be able to brush their own teeth, but may require supervision until age 10 or 11.
  • Choose a child-sized toothbrush for ease of use and replace it every 3 to 4 months or when it becomes worn.

These tips can help give your child a jump start towards a life of great dental health. Remember that with proper oral care at home and regular dental visits, your child can reach adulthood without experiencing tooth decay and other oral health problems.  If you have any questions or need to make your child an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.  Have a great day and weekend!

God Bless,

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Happiness: The Dental Connection!

There's nothing quite as beautiful as a child's smile!  With proper oral care at home and regular dental visits, children can reach adulthood without experiencing tooth decay or other health problems.

Your child's diet does impact their teeth!  Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth.  When combined with sugar from food and drinks, plaque bacteria produce acids that attack tooth enamel.  Repeated acid attacks can break down enamel and eventually result in tooth decay.

Frequent snacks in between meals expose teeth to repeated acid attacks.  For good dental health and overall health, be sure your child eats a balanced diet with foods from the major food groups.

Be mindful of the effects of frequent consumption of sugary beverages including juices, sodas and sports drinks and non-nutritious snack foods.  If your child needs a between-meal snack, choose nutritious foods and save sweets for mealtime.



Remember that February is National Children's Dental Health Month!  By consistently making healthy choices for nutrition, home care and regular dental visits, all children can grow up to enjoy that wonderful healthy smile that everyone enjoys seeing!

God Bless,
DRT

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Debunking The Rumors: The Dental Connection!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, in honor of National Children's Dental Health Month, we thought that we would help debunk a most common rumor that seems to being going around mostly among young people.  That rumor is that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum that it will stake claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all of the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years!  So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

That being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it's not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid routinely swallowing it.  If you are a gum-chewer, make sure that you are chewing sugarless gum, because the sugar can lead to cavities.  Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients.  You see, when the bacteria in your mouth breaks down sugar, what's left behind is acid.  This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities.  Cavities can lead to long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

God Bless,
DRT

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

February & Children: The Dental Connection!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, an annual observance during which dental and medical professionals, educators, and parents focus efforts to improve the oral health of all children.

Tooth decay in children is a fast-growing problem in the United States posing serious health risks.  It is the most chronic disease affecting American children.  A child's overall health is closely linked to his or her oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a jump start in maintaining a lifetime of good oral health.

Beginning in 1941 as a 1-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, the American Dental Association (ADA) went on to hold its first national observance on February 8, 1949.  This single day national observance became a weeklong event in 1955 and in 1981 finally extended to a month-long celebration now known as the National Children's Dental Health Month.  Its message reaches millions of people in communities all across the country.  The 2011 Dental Health Month's slogan is "A Healthy Smile?  It's Easy to Find! Remember To Brush and Floss Everyday!"  Contest, games, puzzles, posters as well as educational activities, videos and booklets are offered by the ADA to promote the value of developing good oral health habits to provide a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums for a "Healthy Smile."

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

God Bless,
DRT