Sunday, December 25, 2011

Happy Holidays: The Dental Connection!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!  The entire office of Thomas Family Dentistry sends out it's warmest wishes to all of our patients, friends, family, and to everyone.

Our Broken Arrow office will be closed until January 1st and will re-open Monday, January 2nd, 2012 at 8:00AM.

Be safe and may you enjoy this special time of year!

God Bless,
DRT

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas Goodies: The Dental Connection!

Everyone at Thomas Family Dentistry knows that maintaining a healthy diet over the holiday season can prove a difficult task.  After all, who can resist the tasty treats of Christmas?  With grandma and everybody else offering you candy, chocolates or Christmas pudding, it's hard to say "I'll pass" each time!  Unfortunately, every time you indulge in a Christmas treat, the bacteria in your mouth feast on the sugar as well.  The sugar turns into acid, which can dissolve the enamel on your teeth!

The American Dental Association recommends eating nuts or dried fruit as an alternative to those sugary delights.  Not only do nuts and dried fruit have a greater nutritional value, but they can also satisfy your sweet tooth!  Both nuts and fruit are a great source of fiber, an appetite suppressant, and are a great source of Vitamins E, B6 and B9, which boost your immune system.

If you must indulge in chocolaty goodness this Christmas season, remember to brush your teeth after eating these sugary treats!  If you have a dental question, give us a call at 918-455-0123!

Have a great Holiday Season!

God Bless,
DRT

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Santa's Milk And Cookies: The Dental Connection!


That milk and cookies that are left out for Santa have more of a dental connection than you may know!

Our team wants you to know:  Is dairy a major part of your diet?  If not, it should be!  A study from the American Academy of Periodontology 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 a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your 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 re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Eating dairy 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 every sip, you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy products are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Friday, December 16, 2011

Christmas Break: The Dental Connection!

With today marking the end of the school semester for many,  our team at Thomas Family Dentistry want to know how you will be spending your Christmas Break!  Whether you have an exciting family vacation planned, just hanging out around town, catching up on sleep, or spending time with your friends, let us know!

Feel free to share your Holiday plans, experiences and memories with us here or on our Facebook page!  No matter what your plans may be or where your plans may take you, we would like to wish all of our valued patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!

God Bless,
DRT

Sunday, December 11, 2011

20: The Dental Connection!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, we know that your smile is important.  And we know that you want to keep it sparkling and looking its very best.  Recently, we came across an article that suggests at least 20 things that can ruin your perfect smile.

These include:

  • Sports Drinks
  • Some Flavored Bottle Water
  • Tobacco
  • Wine
  • Soft Drinks
  • Citrus and Acidic Foods

If you have any questions, ask us here on our blog or during your next visit to our convenient Broken Arrow office.  You can also ask us on Facebook!

God Bless,

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Holiday Ideas: The Dental Connection!

Good Morning Broken Arrow!

Our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry are hoping that you are enjoying the hustle and bustle of the holidays! Black Friday was a little crazy and Cyber Monday appealed to the "techie" in us all!  Looking for that special gift idea? Why not give the gift of teeth whitening this year!

We work hard to provide all of our valued patients with the best dental care, flexible payments, and a comfortable atmosphere!  Call our office at 918-455-0123 to check out all of our dental services, including the "gift" of teeth whitening!

God Bless,
DRT

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Holiday Stress: The Dental Connection!

With the Holiday Season in full swing, many people feel a rise in the level of stress.  Excess stress may give you a headache, stomach ache, or just a feeling of being "on edge." But did you know that too much stress could also be doing a number on your teeth, gums, and overall health.

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in stress and anxiety related to the economy.  We at Thomas Family Dentistry care about your dental health and wanted you to be aware of the possible dental side effects related to stress.  The potential fallout from stress and anxiety that can affect your oral health includes:

  • Mouth sores, including canker sores and cold sores
  • Clenching of teeth and teeth grinding (bruxism)
  • Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating routines
  • Periodontal (gum) disease or worsening of existing periodontal disease

So how can you prevent these oral health problems?

MOUTH SORES

Canker sores.  These are small ulcers with a white or grayish base and bordered in red that appear inside the mouth, sometimes in pairs or even in greater numbers.  Although the exact cause is not completely understood, they could be "triggered" by immune system problems, bacteria, or viruses. Experts do think that stress, fatigue and allergies, can increase the risk of getting them.  Canker sores are not contagious. Duration:  Usually 10 days.  Treatment:  Over the counter topical anesthetics; avoid spicy, hot foods or foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits.

Cold sores.  Also called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simple virus and are contagious. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that often appear on or around the lips, but can also crop up under the nose or around the chin area.  Emotional upset can trigger an outbreak.  So can fever, a sunburn, or skin abrasion.  Duration:  One week or so.  Treatment:  Over the counter remedies and prescription antiviral drugs.

TEETH GRINDING

Stress may make you clench and grind your teeth- during the day or at night, and often unconsciously.  Although adults can "grind" their teeth, many only repetitively clench their teeth during sleep.  Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism.  If you already clench or grind, stress has been shown to make the habit worse.  Grinding can lead to TMJ problems, gum recession and other periodontal problems.  Treatment:  A night guard can relieve the stressful effects upon your jaw, teeth and gums.

If you have any additional questions related to stress and your oral health, please give us a call at 918-455-0123.  Don't let this year's holidays stress you out, but remember to pause and reflect on the true meaning and spirit of the holiday season! 

God Bless,

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Ice Cubes: The Dental Connection!

It's your dental tip of the day brought to you by Thomas Family Dentistry!

Don't eat ice cubes!  The holiday season brings with it many refreshing and festive iced drinks, but they can result in fractured teeth! Many older fillings are metallic and do not bond to teeth like tooth colored fillings.  Tiny cracks can develop from the stresses of chewing hard items like ice cubes, candy or unpopped popcorn kernels.  Fractured teeth can result in the need for root canals, crowns or even tooth loss! As we age, teeth become more brittle, which can also increase the risks of fracturing a tooth.

Keep the ice cubes in your drink cup and save your teeth, pain, and money!  If you have questions about any aspect of your dental health, call us at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT