Facial Protection: The Dental Connection!

Did you know that April is National Facial Protection Month?  Each Spring means that baseball season is in full swing.  Many children, teens and adults lace up their cleats and hit the fields to participate in America's favorite past-time! Unfortunately, over 5,000,000 teeth are knocked out each year due to sporting events!

Here are a few tips from all of us at Thomas Family Dentistry to ensure a safer outing during your Spring time sporting events:

• Wear Mouth Guards
• Wear A Helmet
• Wear Protective Eye Wear
• Be Alert, Even As A Spectator

Protective gear is important for anyone engaging in tooth or potentially mouth-threatening activities.  If you have any questions about these tips or need an affordable, custom athletic sports guard, call us at 918-455-0123.  Stay safe and have fun!

God Bless,

DRT

Cancer Awareness: The Dental Connection!

Every April is the time we pause to heighten awareness about Oral Cancer!  Did you know that every hour of every day in the United States that someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. Unfortunately, the five-year survival rate is only 50% and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. One of the main reasons is the lack of early detection!  Since many individuals do not received regular dental check-up exams, oral cancer can go undetected for many years until it is too late for any treatment.

Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we at Thomas Family Dentistry would like to take this time to remind all of our valued patients about the importance of maintaining good oral health and consistent dental exams and cleanings twice a year!

As part of every dental cleaning and exam, we perform a painless oral cancer exam!  Remember, early detection is the key.  If you have any questions about your oral health, give us a call for an appointment at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Shadows: The Dental Connection!

The "GROUNDHOG" may not have been the only one to see a shadow earlier this year!  Shadows can be discolorations in your enamel.  Commons causes include stains from daily coffee, wine or tea drinking, a root canal treated tooth or old restorations that have changed colors over time.  There are many ways to fix your unpleasant smile.  At Thomas Family Dentistry, we offer everything from professional whitening, to veneers and to replacing amalgams and old restorations. Sometimes these services are not just needed for cosmetic reasons but because the lifespan of the old dentistry has reached its end.  Fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, and even dentures and partials all have a life span that can depend on your bite, the materials used, the wear and tear you put on the restorations and the fit.

Our quality is very important to us.  Our team only uses the best materials to make all of our dental restorations and he only offers services that he places in his own family!  Our staff strives to be friendly and helpful in making the best use out of your dental insurance. We also offer Care Credit to help you invest in your dental health.

Call us today for an appointment at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Regular Schedules: The Dental Connection!

You water the garden three times a week, you change your car's oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year.  Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too!

While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good dental health, professional dental cleanings at our office can ensure that your teeth are treated to a more thorough cleaning.  Our team recommends for most of our patients to have a check-up at least every six months.  In addition to a cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits also help us to detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and gum disease.  During your visit, we check the overall health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue.  We also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.

If you are predisposed to oral disease, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months.  Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions such as diabetes or dry mouth, along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.

Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve.  If you are due a check-up, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Mouthwash Facts: The Dental Connection!

With so many mouthwash products on the market, our team at Thomas Family Dentistry wanted to pass along some information that may eliminate any confusion about these important products. While mouthwash is NOT an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.  There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile.  The most common types of mouthwashes are:

• Fluoride.          Strengthens enamel and prevents tooth decay.
• Antiseptic.       Kills bacteria, germs, fight gum disease and bad breath.
• Combination.  Prevent tooth decay, freshen breath and promote a healthy smile.
• Prescription.   Fights gum disease.

A list of mouthwashes include:

• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom's of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)
• Peridex (prescription mouthwash for gum disease)
• Perioguard ( prescription mouthwash for gum disease)

If you have any questions about mouthwashes, call us at 918-455-0123 or ask us at your next dental visit.

God Bless, 

DRT

Spring Allergies: The Dental Connection!

Pollen has reached record levels in Oklahoma and across the country.  Not only is the level high, but it is early!  An early Spring and a warm Winter have caused noses to be more sensitive to pollen and other allergens that are floating around.  At our office, we have had an influx of patients dropping by with sensitive teeth.  Although the teeth have been mostly fine, quite often what is happening is that some of the tooth roots lie in the sinus cavity and when your sinuses are inflamed and irritated due to Spring allergens, it can make teeth ache.  We can help determine whether the toothache is related to a sinus problem or of a dental origin.

If you are having dental sensitivity, call our office at 918-455-0123 for an evaluation!

Enjoy Spring and stay healthy!

God Bless,
DRT