Transitions: The Dental Connection!

Before long, Fall Football will be wrapping up and replaced with the excitement of Basketball!  Many of our patients here at Thomas Family Dentistry will be hanging up their cleats and hitting the court for free throws, jump shots and the fast break! During this time of transition, however, our team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the court.  Many of our athletes not only hang up their football cleats but also discard their athletic mouth guards. Unfortunately, basketball remains the number one sport for dental injuries! Although many young players are more concerned about having the right shoes, basketball is definitely a contact sport and wearing a mouth guard at all times is a very important part of your basketball gear.

Our entire team can provide you with a custom Athletic Guard for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening Sports activities such as basketball.  If you have any further questions, please contact our office at 918-455-0123.  Play safe!

God Bless,
DRT

Happy Thanksgiving: Your Dental Connection!

Our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry would like to wish you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!  We wanted to say how thankful we are to have you  in our dental family.  We realize that our practice thrives because of great patients like you.  We feel blessed because we not only help to keep you and your smile healthy, but we also have the pleasure of knowing you and your loved ones!   For many, Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday season.  The holidays are filled with great memories of family, food and fun!  If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to post them on our Facebook page!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

God Bless,

DRT

What's Your Favorite Thing About Fall?

Our Oklahoma Fall is in full swing here at Thomas Family Dentistry, a time when all across the country, the leaves begin to change colors and the air becomes crisp.

Today we wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients, "How are you spending your time this Fall?"  Our team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, and entertainment within the Tulsa area.  We are interested in learning about what makes your community "yours".

Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page, or give us a call at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

November & Diabetes Awareness: The Dental Connection!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, our team knows that the way that you care for your teeth at home doesn't just affect your oral health--it can impact your overall health as well.  In recent years, researchers have found clear links between the mouth and other parts of the body, and the evidence is especially important for people with diabetes.

November marks Diabetes Awareness Month, and a great time to learn about how keeping your mouth healthy is vital to your overall health, too. If you are one of the nearly 26 million Americans currently living with diabetes, there is some good news: you can protect your gums and teeth from the effects of diabetes by visiting our Broken Arrow office for regular check-ups and cleanings.  Most people should have at least two dental appointments per year, but those folks living with diabetes may require additional visits to make sure that their dental health remains in top shape.  Many insurance plans provide expanded benefits for diabetic patients.  In order to maintain your dental health, our dental team will recommend how often you need to come in for your dental visits.

For more information on how we can help, please give us a call at 918-455-0123 or ask us on Facebook!

God Bless,
DRT

Smoke Screen: The Dental Connection!

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco users are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers?

It's true!  Smoking is responsible for almost 75 percent of gum disease in adults; and similar to smokers, adults who smoke pipes and cigars, as well as those using smokeless tobacco, are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems.

Tobacco products usage have been linked to the following health problems:

• Oral Cancer
• Gum Disease
• Toss Loss
• Gum Recession
• Delayed Healing
• Mouth Sores
• Loss Of Taste and Smell
• Bad Breath
• Tooth and Tongue Stains

If you are interested in protecting your oral health, we strongly recommend that you quit using tobacco products!  We at Thomas Family Dentistry can recommend different options to help you quit.  We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral heath - and quitting smoking and the use of all tobacco products is a significant step in the right direction.

God Bless,

DRT

Use Or Lose: The Dental Connection!

Our entire staff at Thomas Family Dentistry would like to give those patients with flex spend, health savings, or insurance benefits a friendly end of the year reminder that it's time to schedule your dental visit so that you may optimize your benefits.

Please call our Broken Arrow office at your convenience to make an appointment.  If you have used all of your insurance benefits or do not have dental insurance at this time, we will create a plan to help you achieve your dental needs. Space is limited and we tend to get busy around the holiday season, so don't wait to give us a call at 918-455-0123!  We want you to have the best dental care and the healthiest teeth while getting the most out of your insurance benefits.

God Bless,
DRT

Staying Healthy: The Dental Connection!

There are many wonderful things to enjoy during the Fall--> crisp, cool weather, beautiful leaves, camp fires, smores and hot chocolate!  Unfortunately, Fall also usually means the start of the cold and flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that a common cold usually includes sneezing, a runny nose, a sore throat and coughing that can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Broken Arrow, OK office at all times, as well as following all of the requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.  In fact, Thomas Family Dentistry was the first Oklahoma dental office to incorporate the Stericenter, a state of the art sterilization processing center, which helps to prevent cross contamination.

For the protection of other patients and our staff at Thomas Family Dentistry, we always ask that our patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold, flu or other illness that can infect others.  And remember, constantly washing your hands and avoiding unnecessary contact with those who are ill can prevent the spread of disease this Fall!

Have a great Fall and stay healthy!

God Bless,

DRT

CVD Link: The Dental Connection!

Don't put off your next visit with our office any longer! Over the years, oral health issues have been increasingly linked to other health concerns, such as heart disease. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, claiming more lives than any other cause of death, according to the American Heart Association.  Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease.  Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care, both at home and by visiting the dentist.

Studies are also beginning to suggest that patients, especially those with periodontal disease, are believed to have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke.  Since most patients are not regularly visiting a heart specialist, regular visits to our office can help detect early warning signs of heart issues, prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages.

Additionally, if it has been more than six months since your last visit to our Broken Arrow office, please give us a call at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT