HPV and Oral Cancer: The Dental Connection!

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is best known as a sexually transmitted infection.  In fact, in the United States, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.  In addition to increasing the risk for cervical cancer, HPV is a contributing factor in some cases of oral cancer.  Each year an estimated 1,700 women and 6,700 men develop oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the tongue and throat.

The Oral Cancer Connection

There are more than 40 strains of HPV that live in the skin and mucosa.  Of the strains of oral HPV, only one, called HPV16, increases the risk of oral cancer.  One study reported that it takes about 15 years on average after exposure to HPV to develop into oral cancer.  Thankfully, this makes it a relatively slow-growing form of cancer.

Prevention

Scientists continue to study how HPV infections lead to oral cancer, so little is known about the progression of the disease.  However, one recent study found that poor oral health, including gum disease and poor oral hygiene, is associated with the oral cancer risk.  Thus, being vigilant about brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and staying committed to the recommended twice a year professional exams and cleanings, may reduce HPV-related oral cancer.  The HPV vaccine can also protect against the oral form of the virus as well.

If you have any other questions about the connection between HPV and Oral Cancer, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

October: The Dental Connection!

Now that October is wrapping up, it's time to take one final look at one of the most important celebrations related to Fall, National Dental Hygiene Month!  The American Dental Association attempts to raise public awareness about good oral health during this time each year.   Their national campaign focuses on BRUSH, FLOSS, RINSE, CHEW!

Remember to brush two minutes twice daily, make flossing a consistent and daily routine, rinse your mouth with mouthwash to freshen your breath, and chew sugar-free gum to help fight tooth decay!  More evidence continues to surface related to the important connection between good oral hygiene and the elevated risk for heart disease and stroke.  Simply remembering to regularly brush, effectively floss and maintain regular dental cleanings, can significantly reduce the oral bacteria that has been associated with your health!

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

God Bless,
DRT

Hitting The Gridiron: The Dental Connection!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL!  With the start of football season right around the corner, this great seasonal sport often brings a rise in athletic activities, and with them, a rise in tooth and mouth injuries.  Check out these tips that can keep you safe this football season.

• PROTECTION.  All activities come with some risk of tooth damage.  The easiest way to protect your teeth is to get a simple mouth guard from the sport's store.  A custom guard, provided by our office, can provide a more comfortable fit that is very affordable.
• EMERGENCIES.  If you have a tooth knocked out, carefully place it in liquid, (milk being the very best), and contact an oral surgeon ASAP.  If the tooth is positioned back into place within about 30 minutes, there is an increased survival rate.
• SPORTS DRINKS.  Sports drinks are highly acidic and filled with sugar, which makes them extremely bad for teeth.  Unless you are a professional athlete, plain water is best for hydration.  If you drink a sports drink, it is best to gulp it and rinse your mouth immediately with plain water to rinse off the acid and sugar.
• INVISALIGN ALIGNERS.  Aligners will protect teeth from minor traumas, but High Impact Sports, like football, require a custom guard to provide the most safety from a possible traumatic dental injury.

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

God Bless,

DRT

Smiling & Longevity: The Dental Connection!

According to a recent study, people with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don't!  It has been know for quite some time that positive emotions have been linked to both physical and mental health. Researchers did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from a big smile, a partial smile, or no smile).  The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009.  The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results! Researchers found that the players who were not smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years.  While players with partial smiles lived to be 75, those with big smiles, however, lived to be 79.9 years old.

What can we learn from the study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Braces And Regular Check-ups: The Dental Connection!

Many patients ask, "If I have braces, do I still need a dental check-up every 6 months?"  The answer is, "Yes!"  In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly.  When you're wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease.  Recent studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.  Our team will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.  Remember, our goal is straight healthy teeth!

If it has been more than six months since your last dental visit to our office, please give us a call at 918-455-0123 to schedule an appointment.

God Bless,
DRT

Your Team:The Dental Connection!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, we have a team of outstanding professionals that strives to improve your dental health!  Each one of our staff members work hard to make certain that everyone of our valued patients are taken care of to the best of their abilities.

MEET THE TEAM:

• Veronica: Office Manager
• Kathy: Front Desk / Receptionist
• Karla: Registered Dental Hygienist 
• Deidra: Registered Dental Hygienist 
• Connie: Registered Dental Hygienist 
• Debby: Certified Dental Assistant
• Jennifer: Certified Dental Assistant

Our entire team is here to serve you.  If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Baby Teeth: The Dental Connection!

It can be easy to underestimate the significance of baby teeth.  Some parents who assume that since their child's baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, eventually fall out and are replaced, they must be less important that the permanent teeth.  But did you know that baby teeth serve purposes other than biting, chewing, and digesting food properly?

Baby teeth are essential not only for your child's language development, but they also serve other important functions, like contributing to the normal development of your child's jaw bones and facial muscles.  Baby teeth also reserve space for your child's future permanent teeth.

A baby tooth is intended to remain in your child's mouth until the permanent tooth underneath is ready to take its place.  Sometimes, either due to a tooth being knocked out accidentally or being removed because of tooth decay, kids lose baby teeth before the permanent teeth are ready to erupt.  If a tooth is lost, the teeth on either side of the open space may possibly push into the open space thereby preventing the permanent tooth from erupting into the correct position when it has fully developed.

If you have any questions about baby teeth and their important long term dental connection or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Our Website: Your Dental Connection!

Our website truly is YOUR DENTAL CONNECTION to all things pertaining to Thomas Family Dentistry.   With continually enhanced abilities to communicate with our patients, our website provides the most up-to-date information about our practice.  From many popular social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest, to our constantly updated BLOGS, our website is information central!  Our number one priority is to provide a platform of dental education, highlighting home town events and informing our patients about dental specials that will be featured at our office.

So stay tuned, stay informed and always let us know what you think!  If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT