Seasons Greetings! Our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry send out our warmest wishes to all of our patients, friends and family!
As many of the area schools close for Christmas Break, now comes the time for family vacations, hanging out around town, celebrating some special Christmas family traditions, spending time with friends, or simply catching up on sleep! And our Facebook page is a great place to share your experiences and memories with us. 
Now that the Holiday Season is in full swing, many people feel an increase in the level of stress. Although excess stress can cause headaches, stomach aches, or even cause a feeling of "being on the edge," too much stress can also contribute to many dental problems as well! Many people don't realize that mouth sores, clenching, poor dental hygiene and gum disease are possible stress related problems that have been linked to oral health as well.
Our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry want to extend each and everyone of our patients a note of thanks for being a part of our dental family! May this holiday be filled with friends, family and great food!
Women using medication to treat a variety of medical conditions are often unaware of the potential side effects. One common side effect of the medications such as blood pressure medication, birth control pills, antidepressants, and cancer treatments is a dry mouth.
Many people consume carbonated or sugary drinks and acidic foods every day, but have no idea that those beverages may be harming their teeth, making them vulnerable to tooth erosion. The acid in the foods that we eat and drink can cause tooth enamel to wear away, making your teeth sensitive and discolored. And, in many cases, what's important is not what you eat and drink, but rather how you consume it.
As the uptick in candy starts tonight, it's important to remember that every sugary treat that you consume, elevates your risk of developing tooth decay, which can break down your teeth.
Dental Veneers are a way to correct and transform your smile by using "contact lens" for your teeth. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or ceramic material that are bonded to the front of the teeth. They are strong and durable, look and feel like natural teeth, and improve your smile.
On the east coast, carbonated beverages or colas are generally called sodas, in Arkansas they were usually called "Coke" and here in Oklahoma we refer to them as pop, but no matter what the label, these popular drinks can be the enemy of a healthy smile! While one glass might not hurt your teeth, drinking colas on a regular basis can do some real damage to your teeth.
Adults are no strangers to feeling like there is never enough time in the day to get everything done. The alarm clock rings and within minutes the busyness of life starts for the day! From preparing the kids lunches for school, returning text messages, removing the dog hair from your clothing, to making sure that your child has completed their science project, the simply routine of brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes can easily fall to the wayside. 
Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is an early stage of gum disease. If you have gingivitis, it's very important to have professional dental treatment, since home care isn't enough to get rid of the plaque that leads to tartar and eventually to gum disease. Check out the "BIG THREE" to see if you have these signs of gingivitis, and get help as soon as you can to prevent the progression to periodontitis. Your vigilance could save your teeth!
Unless you work for an insurance company, you probably do not spend a lot of your time studying all of the terminology that dental insurance companies use to describe the treatments and services that they cover. If it seems pretty confusing, here are some of the most commonly used dental insurance terms and what they mean.
Labor Day is once again upon us, the unofficial end to summer. Before long, the temperatures here in "Green Country" will start to cool down, and, for many, this is your last chance to barbecue, head to one of our area lakes, or if your are into fashion etiquette, wear your favorite pair of white pants!
Although smoking increases the risk of lung cancer and emphysema, it also impacts your smile! Chronic smokers suffer from increased dental problems that make their smiles unsightly. Understanding how smoking affects your oral health may be the momentum you need to kick the habit for good.
Many people suffer from headaches for years without really ever getting to the root cause of their problem. If you find yourself feeling like you're part of one of the "headache" commercials commonly seen on TV these days, it might be worth a trip to see a medical professional. However, it might not be the person that first comes to your mind!
Procrastination, prəˌkrastəˈnāSH(ə)n/,
There are many ways in which your oral health has an impact on your overall general health. There are naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth. Some of those bacteria, including strep and staph, are harmful, while other bacteria are essential for the balance of intestinal flora. The healthier your mouth is, the less likely it is that the harmful bacteria travel to other parts of your body to infect it and make you sick. There is much more to good dental hygiene than brushing and flossing.
Summer brings sunshine and warm weather, and many people find that summer is the perfect time of the year to brighten their smiles! Teeth whitening is safe, quick, and inexpensive. It can be used to correct many tooth discolorations which may have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. By using the latest in whitening technology, creating a beautiful smile can be achieved in a safe manner. Don't let the summer sunshine out brighten your smile today!
Every year, Americans all over the world celebrate the birth of our country and its independence on the Fourth of July! There are countless ways that people celebrate and they range from community parades and large scale gatherings to concerts, fireworks displays, and smaller scale celebrations among family and friends. For some people, July 4th is synonymous with baseball, while others it is all about the beach or barbecues. However you celebrate, you can be sure that red, white, and blue is visible everywhere throughout the area. Check out these fun facts about the Fourth!
After your son or daughter departs for college this Fall, the last thing that you want to receive is a call or text only to learn that he or she is in pain. Although there aren't many emergency situations that can be avoided, when it comes to dental health, one crisis that can easily be prevented before your teen heads hundreds of miles away for college is wisdom tooth extraction.
Everyone knows that it is recommended to brush your teeth for two minutes twice daily. But have you ever wondered what's in toothpaste and how it actually works? The mouth is home to more than 500 types of microorganisms that feed on the leftover food that gets stuck on and around the teeth. Toothpaste is the best line of defense against all of those pesky germs. Take a look at how it works.
Summer--that wonderful time of year when fresh and delicious produce abounds. Your teeth, gums, and tissues all rely on an appropriate mix of vitamins and minerals to maintain good oral health no matter what time of year. In previous studies, nutrients in fruits and vegetables such as dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants have all been associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and cancers, including oral cancer.
While fire trucks, baton twirlers, marching bands covering patriotic tunes, colorful floats, costumes, and millions of red, white, and blue American flags being waved in the air on a beautiful day in late May seem to represent this federal holiday, Memorial Day truly represents the time when America observes a day and takes the time to remember and celebrate the men and women who have lost their lives while serving our country in the Armed Services. The holiday originated after the Civil War; at that time it was known as Decoration Day. Unlike other holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, Memorial Day has changed over time, and in the 21st century we observe a far different holiday than what Americans did after the Civil War, or even the World Wars.
Many working adults find that the demands of their job require eating lunch while continuing to work. Although a recent survey revealed that despite knowing that a healthy, good-looking smile affects not only their personal health, but their professional image as well, with the time constraints placed on them by their work environment, very few people have the time to brush and floss at the office regularly, which allows harmful food debris to have an impact upon their teeth and gums.
With 1.2 billion Cokes consumed world wide daily, it's important to understand the impact that not only this popular drink provides, but all soda. Check out this interesting timeline that occurs during the first hour after consuming a Coke.
Gum disease can be painful and lead to missing teeth if you don't treat it properly. However, there are plenty of things you can do to lower your risk of getting gingivitis and periodontitis. Here are five easy ways to prevent gum disease.
Many parents are concerned that their children's teeth are not falling out on time. Parents want to know: When will my child lose his or her first baby tooth? At what age should the last tooth fall out? Is there a specific order in which the teeth are lost?
Many people lose teeth over their lifetime and develop spacing due that loss. When you are missing teeth, it is very critical to replace them, especially if the tooth loss has created spacing. Without all of your teeth, these gaps cannot only be uncomfortable, but make chewing quite challenging. Missing teeth can destabilize your bite. Dental implants have been a fantastic advancement in dentistry and can be a great option for replacing teeth that are missing or are badly diseased. A dental implant offers relief, support, and stability to your bite, and often, implants are the most natural and effective option available.
Between Cadbury Eggs and neon-colored Peeps, children expect to see candy from the Easter bunny, but this year consider skipping the sweets. Sugary, sticky candy hangs on to the teeth long after the taste is gone.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition-where your immune system attacks your own body-that causes swelling in the joints of the body, especially around the hands, feet, and wrists.