Monday, July 30, 2012

Common Things: The Dental Connection!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, we know that your smile is important.  Although we know that you want to keep your smile sparkling and looking its very best, there are several common things that can directly affect your smile.

These include:

  • Sports Drinks
  • Tobacco
  • Coffee
  • Tea 
  • All Soft Drinks
  • Citrus And Acidic Foods
  • Blueberries

For more tips on improving your smile and keeping it looking its very best, call us at 918-455-0123, visit us on Facebook, or make an appointment.

God Bless,


Friday, July 27, 2012

Sugar-filled Gum: The Dental Connection!

I ran across this story about the effects of chewing sugar-filled gum and wanted to pass it along.  A hygienist that had been in practice for over 35 years encountered the worst dental decay situation in her career that was related to simply chewing gum!  Apparently, a mom brought her kids in for their regular cleanings and check-ups. She was unaware as to how destructive chewing bubble gum could be.  Unfortunately, her two children had been chewing sugar-filled bubble gum and had developed deep decay in all of their permanent molars, which had to be treated with root canals and crowns!

Chewing sugar free gum sweetened with Xylitol can help retard decay.  But gum sweetened with sugar, can destroy the top half of a tooth in a short amount of time.  We encourage our patients not to accept gum from others unless they know that it is sugar free.  Be sure to read the labels on the gum package.

As preventive specialists, we want to see our patients avoid the pain and expense of a situation like the one described above.  We at Thomas Family Dentistry recommend frequent dental visits where we can clean your teeth, review dental prevention and discuss bad dental habits that can lead to tooth decay.

If you have any questions, give us a call at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

Monday, July 9, 2012

Wisdom Teeth: The Dental Connection!

Wisdom teeth are a type of molar that is found in the very back of your mouth and are the last molars to develop.  There are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right.  These usually appear in the late teens or early twenties but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to the lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry.  The removal of wisdom teeth has become so commonplace that it is almost a rite of passage for young adults.

Depending upon the unerupted tooth's position,  many oral surgeons believe that an impacted tooth may need to be removed.  If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain.  Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and yes, even gum disease.

Our friends at WebMD have developed a helpful explanation about wisdom teeth and how they impact your health.  Also, if you have any additional questions about wisdom teeth or your dental health, give our office a call at 918-455-0123 or ask us on Facebook!

God Bless,
DRT

Monday, July 2, 2012

Summer Pool Safety Tips!

Summer is definitely here, and with summer comes lots of swimming! Our team at Thomas Family Dentistry found an article on some helpful pool safety tips that we wanted to pass along to you, our valued patients.

  • Pools need to be enclosed on all sides with a four-feet high fence.
  • Pool gates need to open out, self-close and self-latch.
  • Children should never be left alone at the pool, even for a moment.
  • Pool rescue equipment include: a shepherd's hook, a life preserver, and a portable phone.
  • "Floaties" are NOT approved life vests.
  • Infants and toddlers should always be within arm's length when on or around the pool.

Hopefully, these pool safety tips can remind all of us how to have a safe and fun summer at the pool while surviving the Oklahoma heat!  If you have any questions for our team, call our dental office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,