The Real Thing: The Dental Connection!

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.


At 10 Minutes

• 10 Teaspoons of sugar hit your system.  The phosphoric acid in the pop cuts the overwhelming taste of sugar, which prevents vomiting.

At 20 Minutes

• Blood sugar rises quickly which turns up your insulin.  The liver goes into overdrive and responds by changing every possible sugar particle into fat.

At 40 Minutes

• The caffeine in the Coke has now been completely absorbed. Your blood pressure rises, your pupils dilate and then your liver dumps even more sugar into your blood stream.  As a result, your normally drowsy reaction to sugar is now blocked.

At 45 Minutes

• The pleasure center of the brain increases dopamine.  This reaction is similar to heroin, FYI.

At 60 Minutes

• The acid is the soda binds to calcium, magnesium, and zinc in your intestinal tract.  This provides even more of a metabolism boost.  This reaction pushes calcium out of the body, which can be related to osteoporosis. 
• Your body begins to push out fluids.  This shuttles out calcium, magnesium and zinc.  You also lose sodium, electrolytes, and water.
• Next comes the crash.  As your body calms, the sugar crash hits.  You become tired, sluggish, and possibly angry.  By now, you've pushed out all of the Coke product, along with precious minerals, water, and electrolytes.  Finally,  you're dehydrated, you've robbed your teeth and bones of calcium, and your tired and cranky.

From a dental standpoint, current research has shown that all pop, including diet versions, contains citric acid, which has now been shown to dissolve enamel and increase the risks of dental decay! While eliminating this very popular drink from your diet may not be very realistic, understanding its impact upon your health and limiting its consumption, may be the "Best Thing" when enjoying the "Real Thing!" If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

FIVE: The Dental Connection!

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.

• BRUSH YOUR TEETH
• Basic oral hygiene is always the first line of defense against gum disease.  Brushing two minutes twice daily and flossing reduce the naturally occurring bacterial plaque, which leads to the build up of tartar. Together, plaque and tartar lead to the painful symptoms of gum disease.
• STOP SMOKING
• Smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease.  The risk of getting gum disease is SEVEN times greater in a smoker as compared to a non-smoker! 
• EAT RIGHT
• Gingivitis is a bacterial infection, and a strong immune system helps fight it. Many nutrients are essential for a well-functioning immune system. For example, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruit, broccoli, and strawberries for their vitamin C, which is an antioxidant.  Vitamin E, which is another antioxidant, is in nuts, plant-based oils, and wheat germ.
• MAINTAIN REGULAR CLEANINGS & EXAMS
• Having regular check-ups and cleanings are the best ways to detect early signs of gum disease that may otherwise go undetected. 
• EARLY DETECTION IS THE KEY
• Knowing the symptoms of early gum disease is crucial in early detection.  The symptoms may include sensitivity while brushing, sensitivity while eating hot, cold, or sugary foods, painful and bleeding gums, or loose teeth.  Bad breath without cause is another possible symptom.  

If you have any other questions about the "FIVE," or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Parenting 101: The Dental Connection!

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?

Today, we will address those common questions or concerns that many parents voice.  A child's 20 baby teeth (primary teeth) typically come in by age three and begin to loosen and fall out on their own to make room for the permanent teeth, which usually appear by the time your child is six. It is important to know that timing may vary, and girls typically lose their baby teeth earlier than boys.  The last baby teeth will likely fall out by the time your child is 13.

So, which teeth do children lose first?  Baby teeth usually fall out in the order in which they come in, which means that the lower central incisors are usually the first to go when your child is between six or seven, closely followed by his or her top center pair, called the upper central incisors.

To learn more about baby teeth, or if you are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

Lost In Space: The Dental Connection!

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.

Our entire team has helped many patients using dental implant dentistry at our Broken Arrow, OK office restore their smiles to look more natural.  Each implant has been created as a custom fit for your individual bite and will blend with the look of the rest of your teeth.

Implant Benefits Include:

• Restoring the appearance of a natural smile
• Restoring your ability to properly chew
• Preventing your teeth from shifting and moving
• Stabilizing your bite, which helps you avoid pain or discomfort

Don't get "Lost In Space," if you have any other dental questions about implants or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Easter: The Dental Connection!

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.

Sugar in candy combines with the bacteria in your mouth to create acids, which attack the enamel of your teeth.  What tastes so great in the moment, can lead to cavities and other dental problems down the road.  And if you skip the sugar in your child's basket, you might even avoid the sugar rush!

So this year, once again, consider setting aside "most" of the delectable goodies you usually put into your Easter baskets and choose some of these healthier alternatives:

• Tooth Treats
• Plak Posse Palz are soft toys with "real teeth," so kids can practice brushing and flossing on a furry friend.  Kids will also enjoy a Spider Man musical toothbrush- a super hero and music for twice the fun! Or, for the princess in your life, check out a Cinderella Electric Toothbrush.
• Healthy Snacks
• Decorated hard-boiled eggs in your baskets will provide protein and energy to active kids.  Or, consider some fresh, colorful fruit like kiwis, mangos, or clementines as a delicious snack.  Trail mix, yogurt-to-go and cheese sticks are also healthy fare.
• Fun Stuff For Kids
• Colored chalk and bubbles are fun for kids and can occupy them for hours. Play Dough, bouncy balls and stickers are also great treats for the little ones.  
• Fun Stuff For Teens
• Dried fruit or granola bars are a healthier treat.  For girls, consider including gifts of nail polish, jewelry or fun accessories like lip gloss or perfume.  Treat boys to a video game, book or puzzle.  And of course, all teens like gift cards, ear buds or cool sunglasses.
• Sugar-free gum
• Chewing gum creates saliva that helps wash away acids in the mouth, protecting teeth from cavities.  But make sure it's sugar free!

Whatever you choose for your child's Easter basket this year, keep in mind that sugary foods can be tough on your teeth. And a healthy lifestyle is a good gift to "give" every day of the year!

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

God Bless,

DRT