Tricked by Treats: The Dental Connection!

For the parents of our patients that are concerned about their kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets during this time of the year, Halloween can be a dreaded annual event.

I recently ran across an article that addressed the concerns of the overconsumption of sugar!  The National Confectioners Association estimates that 93% of children younger than 13 years of age actually went door-to-door asking for treats during Halloween.  The article states that all candy should be considered a treat, not a substitute for food with actual nutritional value. The writer further reported that "as parents, we want to make sure that kids have regular, healthy snacks so that they are not getting hungry and going for candy."

If you indulge in Halloween candy this season, our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry encourages you to limit them and increase your brushing activities to prevent a "scary" dental check-up at your next visit! If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

Halloween: Keeping Your Kid's Teeth Healthy!

We at Thomas Family Dentistry want to help keep children's teeth cavity free during this season of abundant candy!  Below, we have some great tips for those Halloween treats that your child may be collecting this upcoming holiday.

• Sort Through The Candy.  Remove any candy that your kids really don't like.  Once their favorite candy is gone, kids will usually move on to their not so favorite ones-so get rid of it!  The most frightening candy to a kid's teeth is sour gummy candy. Not only is it sugary and sticky, but the sour flavoring is acidic, which is the worst combination for anyone's teeth.  Kids with braces need to remove these orthodontic nightmares from their pile, which consists of caramels, hard candy, bubblegum, taffy, licorice, candy apples and popcorn.

• Vanishing Act.  Kid's love to keep their Halloween candy and goodies in their bedroom.  This is a big NO-NO.  Grazing on candy all day and before bedtime is a cavity waiting to happen.  Keep candy where parents can keep an eye on it.

• Spread It Out.  Take Halloween candy and put it in smaller bags giving it to kids weekly.  They can prolong the Halloween holiday and not have so much candy at once.

• No Halloween Candy In School Lunch Boxes.  Kids usually get enough sugar at school with fruit juices and sports drinks.  Considering that the next brushing cycle will not occur until bedtime, sugar will be sitting on teeth for at least eight hours!  This can be scarier than Halloween!

Hopefully, these tips can help those of our valued patients that celebrate the Halloween season, keep their kid's teeth healthier during the busiest candy holiday of the year!  If you have any questions concerning your dental health, call us at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

The Painful Truth: The Dental Connection!

Some people experience increased tenderness throughout all of their teeth while attempting to eat or even sip colder drinks.  Take heart, a simple remedy can make your life much more bearable, at least as far as your sensitive teeth are concerned.  Many times, under stress, people find themselves clencing or grinding their teeth.  About 90% of the time, clenching or grinding is done while the person is asleep and they are completely unaware of the event!

The problem with clenching is the amount of pressure that is generated to the teeth overtime. The teeth are clenched so tightly that the pulp (nerve) within the tooth is literally "squeezed" to the limit that inflammation or pulpal irritation can occur.  At this point, the teeth can become very hypersensitive to just about anything.  The good news is that a simple bite guard or splint appliance can be fabricated to alleviate the condition!

If you have any questions about how stress can cause dental discomfort, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Whiter Teeth: The Dental Connection!

Now that Summer is over, you realize that you never got around to getting your teeth just as white as you originally planned.  There really seems to be a seasonal bias toward people wanting to lighten or consider bleaching their teeth and Summer is definitely one of those times!  The other times seemed to be geared toward targeted events like weddings, reunions or job interviews.  The three main options for achieving a whiter, brighter smile are as follows:

• Over the counter treatment like Crest White Strips.
• Professional over night take home trays.
• Professional In-office treatment.

All of these options are graduated in typical effectiveness and the time required to achieve the desired results.  Remember, no matter what the occasion or season of the year, you can improve your smile!   If you have any questions about which treatment is best for you or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!  

God Bless,

DRT

Celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month: Your Dental Connection!

In celebration of National Dental Hygiene Month, we at Thomas Family Dentistry wanted to highlight our great hygienists. 





Karla has been with Thomas Family Dentistry since 2001. She is dedicated to helping each of our valued patients achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Karla says "it is a wonderful blessing working with the patients and the staff here at Thomas Family Dentistry". After hours, she enjoys spending time with her husband, friends, and family. Cooking, traveling and thinking up ways her husband can improve their home rounds out the things that she loves the most!  








Deidra has worked for Thomas Family Dentistry since 2005. She has worked in the dental field since 2003. "I enjoy working for Dr. Thomas because we have a great team of professionals who all want to give our patients a great experience."  Deidra finds it rewarding to help patients feel comfortable and achieve their dental goals. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her husband and family. Her family is also very active in their church and Deidra also enjoys reading, gardening, working out, and keeping up with all of their pets!





We are very blessed to have both Karla and Deidra improving the dental health of all of our patients.  If you are in need of an appointment to have your teeth cleaned, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Benefits Of A Beautiful Smile: The Dental Connection!

Our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry know that having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step as well as increases your overall self-confidence, no matter if you are 14 or in your late forties! Smiling not only makes people happy and puts them in a good mood, according to previous studies, smiling often and frequently can even help you live longer!

If you have been hiding your smile because of missing or discolored teeth, it is time to consider your treatment options.  You will be surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today's most advanced dental technologies can be!

Don't hide your smile any longer, call us today for a consultation at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Colder Weather & Sensitive Teeth: The Dental Connection!

As Fall approaches and colder, crisp air arrives in Oklahoma, many of our patients seem to start noticing an increase in cold sensitivity to their teeth.  Common causes of these types of thermal challenges are as follows:

• Gum recession, which exposes the root surfaces.
• Weather changes can increase the risk for sinus issues.
• Stress can increase night time clenching or grinding.

Any one or all of these conditions can lead to thermal sensitivity especially in Oklahoma where that cold "wind comes sweeping down the plains."  If you have any questions about cold sensitivity or are in need of an appointment, call our office today at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Sinus Problems/Tooth Discomfort: The Dental Connection!

There are many times that dental discomfort is often described are vague, generalized and chronic.  If nothing specific is identified and if any x-rays that are taken are uneventful, the next area of probable cause is the sinus.  The maxillary sinus is a large (usually) open space that sits right above the area of the upper bicuspids and molars.  The floor of the sinus can be quite thin and in many cases the roots of the upper teeth appear to protrude into the sinus space. Especially with the drastic weather changes that we all experience here in Oklahoma, any inflammation of the sinus from a cold, allergy or other infection can exert pressure on these roots, which in turn can cause dental sensitivity.  Usually as the sinus issues resolve, the dental discomfort will resolve as well.

If you have any questions related to sinus pressure and dental discomfort, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

October & National Dental Hygiene Month: The Dental Connection!

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month?  For our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry that means only one thing: Reminding you that your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps to keep your mouth and body healthy.  By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting our convenient Broken Arrow office on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

We encourage you to check out the official National Dental Hygiene Month website as well, which provides many important pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy.   Finally, if it has been six months since your last visit, call us at 918-455-0123 for an appointment.

Keep smiling!
God Bless,
DRT