Stress: The Dental Connection!

Did you know that while you sleep, your mouth can be very active?  If you find yourself waking up with headaches, facial pain, neck aches, ear aches, or a sore jaw, then you may have been clenching or grinding your teeth, a condition called bruxism.

Although many people experience some extent of bruxism, only a very small percentage of the population are actually aware of the long term dental consequences.  From unexplained chipping of teeth and dental restorations to tooth aches, the dental impacts of unimpeded clenching and grinding can be very costly. And with the built in stresses of today's hectic lifestyle, these dental problems are becoming more common.  To reduce the impact of bruxism, check out the following.

• Reduce Stress
• To help relax your jaw muscles and prevent grinding
• Wear A Custom Night Guard
• To cushion your teeth and protect them from damage
• Change Your Eating Habits
• To decrease nightly grinding, avoid coffee, tea or alcohol before bed
• Straighten Teeth
• To decrease grinding, correct crooked teeth with braces

If you think that your teeth may not be getting the rest that they need at night or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Your Morning Latte: The Dental Connection!

Many people consume a daily latte, but most people have no idea that those beverages may be harming their teeth, making them vulnerable to tooth erosion.  Certain beverages and foods can produce acid, which can cause tooth enamel to wear away, making your teeth sensitive and discolored. We now know that in many cases, what's important is not what you eat and drink, but rather how you consume it!

Common Sources Of Erosion

• A Latte (Acid producing milk sugar).
• Drinking carbonated or fruit drinks.
• Eating sour foods or candies.
• Acid reflux disease.
• Bulimia or binge drinking.

Prevention

• Limit carbonated drinks.
• Drink water without lemon.
• Use a straw when consuming acidic beverages.
• Limit acidic producing snacks.
• Rinse with water after consuming acid producing foods.
• Chew sugar-free gum.
• Brush a minimum of two-minutes twice daily.

It's important to know that the majority of dental problems, such as tooth erosion, do not become visible or painful until they are advanced.  Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve!   If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our dental office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,

DRT

Sour Candy & Battery Acid: The Dental Connection!

Do you have lots of cavities?  Perhaps it's because you lost a lot of enamel sucking on sour candy when you were a kid.  It's almost as bad as battery acid-except that it tastes much better!  Pure water's pH level is 7, which is a neutral acidic level. At pH4, your teeth start losing enamel, the protective coating of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest substance in human bodies. As it turns out, typical sour candy is pH3, which is kind of crazy. Check out the following pH chart.

• Skittles                                    pH2.5
• Baby Bottle Pop Powder       pH2.5
• Brach's Gummi Bears            pH2.5
• Sqwigglies Gummi Worms    pH2.5
• Mentos Fruit Chew                pH2.4
• Sour Skittles                           pH2.2
• Altoids Mango Sours             pH1.9
• Wonka Fun Dip Powder         pH1.8
• WarHeads Sour Spray            pH1.6
• BATTERY ACID                       pH1.0

The next time you reach for candy, remember that the only thing worse for your teeth than certain popular types of treats is BATTERY ACID!  If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,

DRT

Canker Sores & Stress: The Dental Connection!

Canker sores are painful areas that form in the soft tissues of the mouth, usually along the inner lips, under the tongue, and along the cheek walls.  They are usually small and round, and take on a white or yellow hue.  Though most are generally harmless and tend to heal on their own within a week or two of appearing, canker sores can be very irritating.

Only about one in five people develop canker sores.  Of those who do, many develop them recurrently as a result of external factors.  Though canker sores have been connected to allergies and hormonal changes, many people who are prone to developing canker sores find that their outbreaks are stress-related.

A combination of emotional stress and fatigue can be a perfect storm for the development of mouth sores.  Some people say that they are not under stress when the canker sore forms, but the sores appear several days after a stressful event or situation instead.  Managing stress, reducing anxiety, and getting plenty of sleep may help prevent canker sores from forming and ensure that existing ones heal more quickly.

What to do if you develop canker sores

Do not be alarmed if you develop a canker sore.  They are not contagious and are not harmful to your health.  Over-the-counter oral numbing products can be used to manage pain, as can sucking on ice chips.  Canker sores may heal faster if you apply milk of magnesia to them daily and avoid spicy foods that could irritate them.

If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

2014 New Year Tips: The Dental Connection!

As we begin another year, we at Thomas Family Dentistry thought that we would like to remind our patients to practice good oral hygiene to keep your smile looking its best throughout the year of 2014!  Of course, this includes brushing and flossing on a regular basis, brushing after consuming foods that can stain your teeth and visiting our office every six months or as recommended.

The American Dental Association also recommends the following for ideal oral health:

• Brush two minutes twice daily.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
• Floss daily to clean between your teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach.
• Eat a well balanced diet.
• Limit between-meal snacks.
• Maintain regular professional cleanings and exams.

Finally, another great reason to smile comes from a recent study that has shown that smiling can actually cause you to live longer!  If you are in need of an appointment or have a dental question or concern, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT